Family dinners were something I didn’t know I’d ever get used to. Every day I’d been here, we’d had some sort of communal dinner. Sunday was funday dinner and cornhole. Monday was at the Mooneys. Then we had Taco Tuesday at Cash’s for margaritas and tacos—Cash provided the alcohol, Maverick did everything else. Then, last night had been spaghetti at Charlie and Ryder’s. Tonight, Cash had dubbed Thirsty Thursdays, and they’d be over in less than an hour for drinks and board games.
I loved how the three boys had created a family out of their friendship. It pulled at my heartstrings and it was nice having friends you could depend on, but damn…I was extroverted as hell, and even I felt burnt out from all the events, dinners, and just…everyone’s constant presence.
I hopped off the counter, coming to stand behind him, wrapping my arms around him and tucking my head against the back of his right shoulder. “Come on, I bet we can get it in before they get here.”
He turned to look at me, a war blazing in his eyes. Just the idea of hooking up with him in the kitchen knowing that anyone could come barging in at any moment was terrifying—and also exhilarating. I know he was thinking it too.
Please say yes. Please say yes.
He turned and kissed me, long and hard before pulling away, shaking his head and flicking me on the nose.After.
Another frustrated growl simmered up from within me. “Ugh, fine!” There was no use trying to change his mind. Something else I’d learned about him: he was as stubborn as a mule. Once he had his mind set, well, good luck changing it.
I hopped back on the countertop and took another fingerful of cake batter for good measure. His shoulders rose and fell in that silent chuckle of his as he continued cutting onions and scraping them into an oiled frying pan. He added in some garlic a moment later. As he pulled out the bag of chicken breasts from the butcher’s, a wave of nausea assaulted me, clutching at my stomach so tightly my breath left me.
Cupping a hand over my mouth, I raced for the bathroom.
What the hell was that about? My head spun, a pounding migraine forming behind my right eye. My mouth still tasted like ash. It’s like it was stuck in my lungs. I had to be sick from that.
A timid knock came on the door. After washing my mouth out with mouthwash and cleaning myself up, I opened the door to find Maverick there, a worried look on his face.
I took a breath. “I’m fine. I just think I’m sick with some lingerin’ effects of the smoke.”
His disbelieving look said it all, but he didn’t press as we made our way back into the kitchen. He grabbed me some sweet tea to sip on while he cooked. My stomach remained queasy, but I didn’t throw up as Maverick seasoned the meat and put the chicken in a pan. I started talking again, it seemed to help ease Maverick’s worries, and even mine. Within a few minutes, the kitchen was filled with so many amazing smells my mouth perpetually watered, my nausea long forgotten.
I think I died and went to heaven when he let me lick the spoon of the frosting after mixing it up. “This is absolutely divine,” I said, reaching for the bowl. He grinned, pulling it out of reach.
“Please? Just one more bite,” I whined, a pout forming on my lips.
I’d resumed my perch on the countertop. Maverick placed the bowl on the counter opposite me for emphasis. I groaned, rolling my eyes even as my lip curled up into a playful snarl.
Maverick dipped a finger into the bowl and moved to me, holding it out before my face.
“A peace offering?” I asked begrudgingly.
He nodded, his gaze hooded, the look on his face soft, happy, amused.
I pretended to be annoyed, letting out a dramatic huff for flare before sucking his finger into my mouth.
Another hum of approval erupted from him, shooting desire straight to my core. His jade eyes swam with a need I know shone in mine as well.
The frosting tasted good, but it paled in comparison to the way his gaze made me feel.
I pulled away, making a show of licking my lips before biting the bottom one.
He liked when I did that.
His hand snaked into my hair as he crushed his lips to mine. There was an unhinged element to this kiss. It was chaotic, wild, reckless, and I welcomed it.
I tilted my head back, a soft, throaty laugh fracturing in my chest. This feeling. This passion. This wild, wanton need. I could drown in it. Die right here and now and be happy. Maverick’s touch was like a damn drug. And like a junkie, I couldn’t get enough.
His lips brushed against the corner of my mouth, along the curve of my jaw, before dipping down the column of my throat. He trailed feather-soft kisses to my skin, each caress shooting my desire higher and higher.
“Maverick,” I breathed as one of his hands cupped my breast.
The throaty growl that rumbled through him like rolling thunder sent shivers of the best kind down my spine.
His thumb hooked in my bra, pulling it down to expose the nipple as he continued the path of kisses down my chest.
