Turning on my heel, I open the bathroom door and walk out into the living room. Maverick instantly looks up from his phone, and I have to bite back another giggle, because Ali nailed it.
His mouth falls open as he lifts one hand to scrub along his jaw. “Damn, Sadie. You look stunning.”
There’s a rawness to his voice I haven’t heard before. And something in his eyes that almost makes me falter.
“Thank you,” I whisper back, clutching my small evening bag. “You look nice, too.”
Niceis an understatement. I’m at a loss for words. The only ink showing is the tattoos on his hand and knuckles, the rest covered by a crisp black shirt under a tux with a subtle sheen toits midnight colour. He looks like the most sinful of temptations, someone that promises wicked pleasure if you dare to get close.
And I desperately want to.
When I reach his side, he lifts my hand and tucks it carefully into his arm. “Ready?”
All I can do is nod. He walks me out the door and to the elevator, not letting go of my arm the entire ride down to the lobby and out to the waiting town car Colin organized for us.
Only then does he release his hold on me so I can carefully slide into the car. He rounds the back and opens the other door, sitting next to me. So close his intoxicating scent surrounds me.
I startle when he picks up my hand, my gaze shooting to his face, where I see a small smile. His thumb starts to stroke back and forth over my knuckles as we simple stare at each other as the car pulls away.
The drive to the hotel where the gala is being held isn’t a long one, not even long enough for me to try and gather some composure.
Our car pulls up and Maverick is out and rounding the back to open my door in an instant. He takes my hand and tucks it securely in the crook of his arm, drawing me in close to his side. If this is the last opportunity I’m going to have to soak in his affection, fake as it may be, I’m going to enjoy it as much as I can. I lean into him slightly, bringing his upper arm in contact with my torso. I feel more than see him glance down at me as we walk into the ballroom.
I might have been here earlier today to help make sure everything was set up and decorated properly, but I’m still stunnedby how elegant and beautiful the space looks. Along one wall are tables filled with silent auction items, a band is in the corner playing soft background music, and scattered throughout are promotional images that will hopefully encourage everyone to open their wallets and give generously.
“Sadie, there you are.” Gus approaches us, looking at Maverick. “And Mr. King. Thank you for joining us and for your donation. It was extremely generous.”
I’m immediately confused. As the head of fundraising, I’m normally aware of all major donations to the foundation, but I certainly don’t remember seeing one come through from Maverick.
“I believe my agent stated it was to be anonymous.” Maverick’s words are clipped, his spine ramrod straight as he stares at my boss.
Gus’s mouth opens and then closes, and I watch him turn red. “Of course, it is, I just assumed since you and Sadie… I’m so sorry, Mr. King. Please, enjoy your evening. I had better go and check on the food.”
I watch, bewildered as Gus hurries away, before turning to stand in front of Maverick. “What was that about?”
Maverick lifts a hand to rub the back of his neck, still not meeting my gaze. “Nothing. He shouldn’t have said anything.”
Just then, the pieces click.
“Wait. Two weeks ago, there was an anonymous donation of fifty thousand dollars.” I grab his arm. “That was you?”
Slowly, he brings his gaze to meet mine. “Yeah. But I didn’t want you to know it was me.”
My initial shock softens into something else. “Why not?”
“Because I didn’t want you to think it was me paying you for, you know. Being with me. I honestly just wanted to donate. I give that amount and more to various charities every year, and this year it felt right to make a gift to the hospital. I swear, it had nothing to do with us.”
He sounds so worried that I might be offended by his generosity, when in reality, I’m touched. Not for a second do I feel like he was trying to compensate me for pretending to date him, because instinctively, I know he respects me too much to do that.
My hand lifts to cup his cheek, pulling his gaze up from the floor again. “Maverick. Thank you.” I slide my hand around to the back of his neck and tug gently.
He brings his face down and turns it to the side, likely anticipating I was going to kiss him but wanting to respect my boundaries.
Joke’s on him. Because right now, I don’t care if he doesn’t return my feelings. I want to kiss the man who has found his way into my heart.
His head jerks slightly when my lips land on his, but he recovers immediately, moving to grip my hip in one hand and cup the back of my neck in his other. He takes control of our kiss, pressing firmly into mine.
It would be easy to get swept away, to forget where we are, but the obnoxious sound of my ex’s voice coming from somewhere nearby penetrates this perfect moment and we break apart.
