Page 67 of Crack the Ice

Much like Cade, I need reassurance, even if I won’t outright ask for it. They’re working toward becoming a family, but where does that leave me at the end when the papers are signed and they’re officially Reed’s? Is there a possibility that maybe I could be too? Or is that just another dream I’ll have to watch die?

TWENTY-FOUR

MAVERICK

The tension between Cecy and me has been moving toward a slow boil since I walked in the door with the food, only to find heated eyes staring back at me. I was seconds away from asking what happened while I was gone when Lily ran up to me and showed me her “family portrait,” which is now hung on the fridge like I promised.

The kids kept us entertained after that, sharing stories about their parents, Lily and her never-ending list of things she wants to be when she grows up. Cade’s desire to learn how to cook, and which fall flavors they think would do well at the bakery. Now, here we are hours later, my mind focused on one thing and one thing only: her, as I park in front of her house.

“Do you think you’d want to move in?” I ask as we walk up the front steps. “I know you said you’d think about it, but now that I know you’re not huge on change, I think it might be easier on you if you moved in instead of jumping in when the season starts.”

“Hmm, is that it?” She knocks her shoulder against mine. “It’s not because you want to see me all the time? Maybe get a hint of me walking around in the shorts you used to love so much?”

I bring my hand to my mouth, biting down on my knuckles. “You still have those?”

“Course. I bought a pair in every color after I found out what they do to you.”

“Fucking hell, Cecilia,” I hiss.

She flutters her lashes at me before reaching behind her and wrapping her long, slender fingers around the doorknob. “I appreciate you putting that together. I will before the season starts for sure, but I want to tell everyone before I make any moves. I don’t need them hearing about it from the kids. Not that I can promise Markus doesn’t already know, considering the gossip our mother is.”

I hum, stepping up one stair so I’m leaning into her space. “I’ll tell everyone tomorrow if it’ll make your answer ‘I’ll move in the day after.’”

Her chin tilts up. Defiance would be my first thought if it were anyone else, but I see the desire shining in her eyes. “What about our date? You backing out of that?”

“No.” I run my nose up the side of her cheek. “I plan to date you for the rest of my life, Cecilia Samuels.”

“I think Cecilia Reed sounds better.”

My breath catches, the loss of air so sudden it makes me bend at the waist, my head resting on her shoulder.

Fuck me. I’ve always wanted that to be her last name.

“It does,” I croak. “I’d like to see you in my jersey next season. But I’d like it even more if my ring was on your finger with it.”

“You proposing, Mavy?”

“Not yet. Make no mistake, though, I will. Until then, get ready for me to date the shit out of you. You’re going to be sick of me.”

She shakes her head, her tongue slowly dragging across her lips. “I’ve always loved an obsessed man. One down so bad he gets on his knees and begs her to let him keep her.”

“You want me to beg, Cecy?”

She hums. The soft vibration seeping into me. “I want you all the ways you promised I could have you before you ripped it all away. I want you to love me so deeply that I forget that we ever spent any time apart. I want you to kiss me anywhere, anytime, until I forget all the pain I caused us both. I want you on your knees, begging for a taste. I want dirty words whispered in my ear. I want you, wholly undone, for me. Only me.”

God, she’s got a mouth on her too. I fucking love it.

My hand slides into her hair and pulls until her head tilts back enough for me to see her eyes.

“I want you to love me, Maverick Reed, the way I’ve always loved you,” she whispers.

My lips slam onto hers. This kiss isn’t soft. It’s rough, all-consuming, teeth clacking together, tongues fighting for dominance the second I push into her mouth. Her hands fist the side of my shirt as my other hand comes to rest on the side of her neck.

I push her further into the door, and she lets out the most beautiful sound, half laugh, half moan. If this is a dream, don’t wake me up.

“Mav,” she sighs against my lips.

“I’ve got you, baby.” My lips meet her jaw, then her throat, trailing up the side until I get to that spot right below her ear that used to make her knees give out. I smile against her, banding my arm around her waist when I realize it still does. “I’m not letting you go this time.”