Page 83 of King of Pride

Her eyes opened.

It was already morning.

Sunlight streamed through the windows, bathing the room in a warm glow. Rose's gaze drifted toward the window, and she immediately noticed Maverick standing there, pouring himself a glass of water.

He was wearing only his trousers, the waistband sitting low on his hips while his upper body remained completely bare. His back was fully exposed, the muscles across his shoulders and along his spine defined beneath the morning light.

From behind, he looked almost unfairly handsome.

His dark hair fell messily over the nape of his neck, as untamed as ever, yet somehow perfectly suited to him. It was the kind of effortless appearance that made Rose wonder how someone could look so good without seeming to put any effort into it at all.

She continued staring.

Despite the soreness still lingering through her body, a familiar warmth stirred inside her as her gaze remained fixed on him.

There were faint scratches across his back from the night before, and the sight immediately brought back memories she probably shouldn't have been thinking about so early in the morning.

Her eyes burned with embarrassment, yet she couldn't seem to look away.

‘He really is way too lethal when it comes to looks.’

Dangerously handsome. Completely irresistible.

She couldn't understand how someone like him had apparently managed to stay single for so long. She had never even heard of him having any close female friends.

Her gaze shamelessly traveled lower, moving from his broad shoulders down his back, across his waist, and toward his hips before continuing down his long legs.

She was so absorbed in looking at him that she failed to notice when he turned around.

Until she realized where his eyes were.

Maverick was looking directly at her.

Rose's gaze snapped back to his face.

Her entire face flushed.

She jolted beneath the sheets, her fingers tightening around them as she realized he'd caught her staring at him the entire time.

Then the corner of Maverick's mouth lifted into a smile.

“Why did you stop?”

Rose's face burned even hotter.

“You don't have to stop if you want another look.”

His gaze remained fixed on hers, amusement gleaming in his eyes.

“All you have to do is say the word, Rose.”

Rose immediately buried herself deeper beneath the sheets, mortified.

Her face flushed, and she immediately shifted away, scrambling out of bed.

“I wasn't looking at you,” she insisted, hurriedly grabbing the sheets as she tried to stand.

She barely made it a step.