Part 11 (1/2)

”There,” he says. ”Best of both worlds.”

”How thoughtful of you.”

His mouth is on mine as soon as the words are out. He pulls my arms over my head and slips off my cover-up. The warmth from his chest spreads over my skin, and I swear I can taste the sun on his shoulder when I kiss it. It's crazy how badly I already want to feel him inside me.

I'm reckless. I don't care what happens when we leave this place; all I want is him, right here, right now.

The fear will return when we're done. But as Maverick unties the halter straps, I know I won't run out on him again. Even if I break tonight, I'm staying.

My b.r.e.a.s.t.s are in Maverick's palms, and he ma.s.sages them while he nuzzles my neck. Heat courses through my veins, burning hotter with each pinch of my nipples.

I think about what Finley said and it only takes me a second to make a decision. I hook my fingers under the waistband of his swim trunks, enjoying the feel of muscle and bone at his hips. His skin is silk under my fingertips, smooth and warm and delectable.

Maverick's breaths increase as I glide his shorts down. I lower myself too. He's there, hard and ready. I wrap my fingers around the shaft and give it a lick.

Maverick doesn't touch me. He moans softly, and when I take him deep, the dirty words he utters are like praise. He invigorates me, and I up my game.

Unbidden, I think about how different this is compared to the force Chris always used.

He feels incredible in my mouth and against my tongue. Bigger and harder now. I'm craving his touch on me too, but the pleasure I'm giving to him wins over my own desire.

I've never done this act because I've wanted to. Now I want to. I want to hear the desire in his voice as I build his need. Want to see him peer at me like he's never had better.

And when he finally touches me, threading his fingers through my hair, I'm not startled. He's not controlling me, not forcing me to continue.

”Look at me,” he says.

I tip my gaze up to him, open lips and hooded eyes showing his thoughts. It's as s.e.xy as h.e.l.l. I keep working with him watching me. He combs through my hair, never pus.h.i.+ng me.

”On the bed,” he murmurs.

I get up off of the floor and lay on the duvet. Maverick pulls me down so my b.u.t.t is at the edge before he removes my swimming bottoms. He's inside me so fast I cry out when he enters. It's ecstasy.

I squeeze around him. He rubs my c.l.i.t, and the slos.h.i.+ng sound we make together has my o.r.g.a.s.m climbing.

He must know I'm close, because he rocks into me faster. We come at the same time, and moments later, Maverick has me wrapped in his arms. He kisses my temple, holds me close, and I feel something I haven't really felt with a man before- Loved.

We spend the rest of the evening indoors, watching movies, ordering room service, and making love.

It's after midnight now, and Maverick has rolled onto his side, not facing me. I'm not leaving this time, but I can't sleep. We're down to two days together, and I'm falling for him more every minute. To tame my brain, I slip out of bed, careful not to disturb him. He flips onto his stomach, but he doesn't wake.

The storm only lasted for thirty minutes before the sun came back out and the skies cleared to a dreamy shade of sapphire. I grab Maverick's s.h.i.+rt off of the floor and put it on. Then I find my sketchbook and pencils, ready to go out to the balcony, when the sound of Maverick's snoring stops me. The sheet is at his hips, and moonlight dances over his back. I move to my right a little, letting in more light from the open balcony doors. The image is sweet and s.e.xy, and I have to capture it.

I put the office chair in the corner, sit down, and begin to draw. This moment doesn't need much color. It's breathtaking, and I crave the raw essence of blacks and whites.

When I finish, my soul is satisfied. Happy, I finally see the splashes of canary yellow splayed within me. Until now, yellow has been an elusive color, one that's seemed so foreign.

I smile, because this man.

Maverick- Has my heart.

Chapter 17.

Present Day 4:36 a.m.

I watch the monitors. Count each breath, wondering if this one will be his last. My eyes s.h.i.+ft to the ventilator breathing for him, and I realize it's helping to keep him alive. I stop counting.

J.J. draws another vial of Maverick's blood to send to the lab. ”We're monitoring his red blood cell count and testing for anemia. A drop in iron and red blood cell levels could indicate internal bleeding.”

”Um, his spleen, right?” I ask, recalling what the doctor told me.

”Yes. It's not uncommon in this situation.”

”And if there is... If his spleen is bleeding, then what?”

”They'll take him back into surgery.”

She waits a moment in case I have more questions. I don't, so she takes Mav's blood and leaves the room.

Beside me, Finley sighs and reaches for my hand. ”Jesus, Ali. Your hands are freezing.”

”I'm fine.”

”You're wearing a sleeveless s.h.i.+rt.” Finn gets up. ”Hang on. I brought you a sweater.”

She brings me a fleece pullover. ”This is mine. Did you borrow it?” I ask, putting it on.

”Funny story.” She sits back down and c.o.c.ks her head to the corner where my roller bag sits. How does she have my roller bag? ”I broke into your apartment. I figured you left without packing anything. Luckily you only have Morocco and not a guard dog.”

”Morocco knows you.”

”Didn't stop the little a.s.shole from hissing at me when I climbed through your bedroom window.”

”He didn't attack you, did he?”

”Shyeah, no. He didn't even get off your bed, lazy cat.”

”Sounds like him.”

”He also dumped the rest of the wine you forgot to cork.” She eyes me. ”But don't worry. Seems he also licked most of it up. I didn't have much to clean.”

”Are you telling me that my cat is drunk?”