Page 78 of King of Pride

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Rose practically skipped up the steps as she entered Maverick’s house, a smile tugging at her lips as she carried her things inside. After spending almost a week without her favorite bags and perfumes, she had missed them so much she felt as though she could barely breathe without them.

But the moment she stepped farther inside, her heartbeat suddenly quickened.

A strange sense of intimidation swept through her, making her body tense. A chill ran down her spine, and she came to an abrupt stop.

She slowly looked around.

Then she saw him.

Maverick was standing a short distance away, his attention fixed entirely on her. The moment their eyes met, he walked toward her without hesitation, his long strides carrying him across the room until he stopped directly in front of her.

Rose's already-racing heart seemed to stop.

She could barely breathe as she looked up at him.

His gaze was calm, but there was something dangerous beneath it—the same look that always made her feel as though she were standing at the edge of a cliff, held there by nothing but his hand. One wrong move, and she would fall straight into the abyss.

Her smile slowly disappeared.

“You're back,” she managed.

One of his eyebrows lifted.

“We spoke less than half an hour ago. I told you to come home. How could I not be back when I was the one asking you to return?”

Rose swallowed and gave an awkward little laugh.

“Yeah. You're right. Well... welcome back to your house, then.”

She started to move past him.

“I'm going to the bedroom.”

She had barely taken a step when Maverick caught her by the arm and pulled her back.

Rose stumbled straight into him.

His gaze dropped to the things she was carrying before returning to her face. He took them from her arms and placed them on the couch beside them.

Then he looked back at her.

“Call me honey again.”

Rose froze.

“What?”

“On the phone.” His voice dropped lower. “You called me honey.”

Her cheeks immediately warmed.

Maverick stepped closer, deliberately invading her space until there was barely any distance left between them.

“What happened?” he murmured. “Why are you suddenly nervous? Weren't you so brave a little while ago?”

Rose's back nearly touched the wall.