MAVERICK
I couldn’t believe they vandalized my car with lipstick. They wrote bitch and slut in bold letters on the windshield.
I was furious- mad, but I wouldn’t give them the satisfaction of proving them right. Homer just arrived before I could even get in my car. I didn’t even know how he got in here so fast, and he told me not to watch the video. So, I followed his advice.
He offered to drive home, and when I told him I wanted to go to my apartment, he didn’t resist.
I showered and washed off the scent of martini on my body, then changed into an anime-printed T-shirt and pajama bottoms. Since I haven’t bought a bed or a mattress, I had to crash on the couch for tonight.
I wasn’t done putting some boxes in the corner when I heard a knock.
When I thought it was Homer, I was wrong. Seeing Lake in my apartment and my room was both a relief and a shock. I saw the anger and pain in his eyes, but all died away before he hugged me tight.
I sighed in his arms as I hugged him back, but what surprised me more was that he stared at me, and there were so many unreadable thoughts in his eyes.
“Will you shut up for a moment?”
My eyes widened. My mouth gaped. His scorching gaze bore mine. And then he cursed.
“Fuck it.” The second those words left his mouth, he tugged my head back, crushing his mouth into mine, kissing me so hard. It was brutal and savage. And I was certain it would bruise me.
The second our lips touched, it was wildfire.
I inhaled a sharp breath.
The kiss caught me off guard, and it took me seconds to comprehend and navigate what was going on. No one had ever kissed me that way before, and I moaned in an instant.
I kissed him back, tiptoeing as I gripped the front of his suit for support. He placed his hand on my back, pulling me closer, and our bodies pressed together as his tongue worked its way into my mouth, invading me. He was hard everywhere, like concrete.
I melted into him, releasing another moan, and he gave me a throaty moan in reward. Then his kiss became aggressive and brutal, sucking my tongue, tugging my lips. His hands tightened, giving me no way to flee. I was at his mercy at this moment and didn’t even care.
The ache between my thighs intensified, burning, throbbing for the pleasure to be reciprocated. I arched my back, seeking a quick relief as it felt like something about to unleash- the beast inside me, turning me greedy.
But he pulled away instead. Damn it. And he left me aching.
He pressed his forehead against mine and pulled me in his arms again. I could hear his rapid heartbeat, his rugged breathing. I could feel his burning skin as he pressed his lips against my forehead. And I could feel his huge bulge poking.
What was that kiss all about?
He then looked at me, gaze dropping to my swollen mouth, eyes shining, proud of what he did. And I felt like someone threw a cold water bucket onto my face.
I stepped back and found my footing. “Aren’t you supposed to be having dinner with your mother?”
“I was.” He looked at the space in my room. “Where’s your bed?”
“I just moved in a week ago and haven’t been here to organize my stuff. I still have to shop for a bed.”
“Where are you supposed to sleep tonight?” There, a frown on his forehead deepened.
Shit. “On the couch.”
His nose instantly flared, shaking his head like he was failing something. “Fuck. OB?”
“What are you doing?”
There was a knock on the door, and Lake pulled it open. “Can you shop for a bed and a mattress? What size would fit in here?”
I pressed my knuckles on the lips because I could still feel the numbness from his kiss. “No.”
“No?” His voice was sharp and hard. “Why no? Do you expect me to sleep on the floor?”
“I didn’t even invite you in?”
“Oh yeah? While your reaction was quite the opposite of how you kissed me back not a moment ago.”
My face flushed in embarrassment when Owen shut the door close. “You, bastard.”
“I wanna continue what we started in bed.”
“It was a relapse that it won’t happen again.”
“Quite a relapse for moaning twice.”
“Get out!” I pointed at the door, and he remained unmoving, but his jaw kept ticking. “I don’t want you here. I believe I get to have a day off from my obligation.”
“Why do you hate my help so fucking much, Maverick?” His voice was calm, almost in pain.
I swallowed. “I don’t want to get used to this, Lake. Please, just understand me.”
“I understand you perfectly. In fact, I understand everything, but you can’t stop me from helping you while we’re married. This is my obligation, and don’t take it away from me.”
I sighed as I sat in the middle of the room, defeated. “You’re such an asshole.”
“I know.” He joined me, his hand on my knee. “I won’t stop helping you even if everything is over between us. That is a promise I make to myself. We share something, and nothing can ruin it.”
“Okay.”
“Thank you.” He took my hand and pressed it against his lips. “I was fucking worried.”
I met his gaze. “You watched it?”
He swallowed hard. “I couldn’t watch it till the end. They will pay for what they did to you. That’s guaranteed.”
“I don’t want you to do anything. You have so much to lose. I promise I’m fine.”
“They bullied and humiliated the wrong person, Maverick. And I failed you. I was away when it happened.”
“Hold on.” I held his hand. “You didn’t fail me. Who couldn’t have known they would do something stupid like that.”
“They’re Natalie’s friends.”
“I figured. The woman said I stole you from their friend.”
“What a stupid bitch.” He growled out. “OB?”
Owen came back. “Yes, boss?”
“Can it be delivered right away? A bedroom set this size.”
I rolled my eyes. “I agreed with a bed and a mattress.”
“Where are you going to put your clothes? Keep them in your suitcase?” He glared at me.
“Fine. Be useful, husband. Order some food. I’m starving.” I got up and looked for a box with a label bedroom.
He chuckled. “What do you have in mind?”
“I’m not picky. Just no-”
“Clams and walnuts.”
I stared at him, then realized he knew about my allergies. “Yup. Pizza or burgers are fine.”
“We’ll have both. How about your roommate?”
“She’ll be here later.” I went outside the room. Owen was nowhere to be seen, as did Homer, leaving just the two of us. “Why are you not going to your penthouse?”
“Don’t kick me out, Maverick, because it’s not going to work.” He walked to the kitchenette. “I can take a bigger apartment for you.”
“I can’t afford the rent, Winston. Unlike you, I only earn a minimum wage.”
“I’m going to buy it for you.”
I glared at him. “No more buying.”
He smiled. It was beautiful. “You haven’t done house-hunting.”
“I still have 360 days left. What if something happens to me, and I can’t fulfill my duty any more?”
He came to me, cupped my face, and dipped his head, about to kiss me again.
I pressed a finger on his lips. “We need ground rules, Winston. It’s just the two of us now. You can’t kiss me without my permission.”
“Fuck ground rules. Fuck permission. You are my wife, and I’m legal to kiss you anytime I want.”
“What if I refuse?”
His eyes narrowed. “We’ll see about that.”
“Feed me, then we talk about it.”