Chapter 38: Chapter 38

His featherlike touch drifts over my face, pushing the sweaty strands of my hair away from my forehead. All I want to do is press my cheek against his cool palm.

The silence that stretches between us sets my nerves on edge.

“The first time I saw you sitting in the stands, I couldn’t stop staring. As corny as it sounds, it felt like time stood still. I was afraid that if I looked away for even a second, you’d disappear.” His lips quirk. “The fact that you were wearing River’s jersey pissed me off. It’s the reason I went after him.”

Air leaks from my lungs as a shiver dances down my spine.

The moment I saw him on the ice during the game will forever be singed into my brain for all eternity. Even though I should have been focused on my brother, I couldn’t take my eyes off Maverick.

He eclipsed everything and everyone around him.

“Afterward, I figured I wouldn’t see you again. But you showed up at the bar and I knew at that point, I had to have you. It didn’t matter who you were with or belonged to. I wanted you to be mine. At least for one night.” He jerks his shoulders. “Long enough to fuck you out of my system. Instead, I woke up the next morning only wanting to get my hands on you again, and you’d disappeared, leaving behind your necklace. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t get you out of my head. All I wanted to do was find you. See you again.”

His eyes sear mine as he continues to stroke my cheek.

“What I feel for you has nothing to do with your brother. After all these years, I don’t give a shit about what happened with Sabrina. You’re the only one who matters, sunshine.”

As tempting as it is to believe him, doubt bubbles up inside me, making it impossible.

“You admitted at the bar that you wanted to get back at my brother by sleeping with me.”

He squeezes his eyes tightly closed and bows his head. “You’re what I wanted. Just you. I’ll admit that hurting River was a bonus. I wish it hadn’t been. More than anything, I hate that it tainted the beginning of our relationship, because that’s exactly what it was.”

My heart flutters as I weigh his soft words.

When I remain silent, his thumb strokes over my lower lip. “Your silence is killing me. Tell me what you’re thinking.”

I release the pent-up air from my lungs as our conversation circles through my brain.

Maverick is the first guy to come along and make me feel like I’m not made of spun glass that will break when the slightest bit of pressure is applied. And I’ve loved every minute of it. Even—or maybe especially—when he pushed me out of my comfort zone.

I’ve relived every single time he laid his hands on me.

The idea of going back to a pale imitation of what we’ve explored together is depressing.

My teeth scrape across my lower lip as I shake my head. “I don’t know, Maverick.” Even though it guts me to say it, I force out the truth. “I’m not sure if there’s a way for us to move forward.”

He scoots closer before snaking his hand around the nape of my neck and tipping my head upward until his lips can hover over mine. “Don’t say that. The past couple days without you have been shit, and it only drives home how much you mean to me.” He gulps. “How much I need you in my life. I don’t want to lose what we’ve only just found. I don’t want to lose you.”

His warm breath ghosts across my lips.

It’s intoxicating.

All I want to do is inhale a deep breath of him and hold it hostage in my lungs forever.

To always keep him close.

Even if this is the only way to do it.

“I’m scared,” I admit. “Scared that even if we try to make it work between us, you’ll treat me differently. Or worse, you’ll decide that you need someone with less baggage, and you’ll walk away.”

His brows furrow. “That’s not going to happen, sunshine.”

“How can you be so sure?”

“Because I’ve never cared for anyone the way I care about you. When we’re apart, I think about you all the time, and when we’re together, I don’t want to let you go. You might not realize it, but your nickname fits you perfectly, because you fill my world with bright sunshine. And when we’re not together, everything feels blanketed in darkness. I just want to bask in your presence so your light can shine down on me.”

Tears prick the backs of my eyes.

No one has ever said anything so beautiful to me.

“Are you sure?” The question is out of my mouth before I can rein it back in.

With a shake of his head, his lips quirk. “I’ve never been more certain about anything in my life.”

“Okay.” Joy explodes inside me before rushing through my veins until the tips of my fingers and toes tingle with it.

When he presses a kiss against my lips, I whisper, “Will you promise me one thing?”

“Anything.”

“I don’t want you treating me like I’m some kind of fragile flower. I loved everything we did together.” I straighten my shoulders. “And I refuse to accept anything less.”

“Trust me, sunshine, that’s not going to happen. I love the way we fuck, and as long as you tell me that you’re good, we’ll keep doing it.”

My heart flip flops in my chest.

It’s exactly what I needed to hear.

Better than that—I can see the sincerity shining in his eyes.

“Now I’m going to ask something of you.”

“Okay.”

“I don’t want any more secrets between us. Do you understand?”

I jerk my head in a nod. “I’m sorry about lying. I should have been upfront about everything right from the start.”

He releases a long slow breath. “It’s okay, sunshine. In a way, I get it. But no more. And if I find out that you’ve been keeping secrets, I’ll spank that gorgeous ass of yours and love every damn minute of it.”

My mouth turns cottony.

A mixture of heat and humor flares to life in his eyes. “Or maybe I’ll just spank your ass whenever I damn well please. How does that sound?”

“Promises, promises,” I tease, thrilled that we’ve somehow managed to find a way to the other side. I wasn’t sure if it was possible.

“Just wait until you’re feeling better,” he growls.

His lips drift over mine one more time before he rises to his feet and strips off his sweatshirt, tossing it to the floor until he’s left in a pair of dark wash jeans.

Even though I feel run down, I can’t stop from watching him flip open the button and lowering the zipper before shoving the thick denim down lean hips and thighs until the only piece of clothing that covers him is a tight-fitting pair of boxer briefs.

My gaze dips to his thick length.

“Yeah, there’ll be none of that while you’re sick.” His deep voice smolders with pent-up heat.

My eyes widen, slicing to his face. “I wasn’t⁠—”

He arches a brow. “Lying to me already?”

A small smile curves my lips as I release the breath clogged in my lungs. “Fine. Maybe I was.”

“Oh, there’s no maybe about it. Trust me, as soon as you’re well enough to be fucked, that’s exactly what we’ll do. My cock needs inside that sweet little pussy. It’s been way too long. But for now, I’m just going to hold you in my arms while you sleep. And hopefully, you’ll feel better in the morning.”

He lifts the sheet and comforter before sliding in beside me. The mattress dips beneath his heavy weight. There’s something so comforting about his presence.

“Roll onto your side and I’ll spoon you,” he orders.

I hesitate as uncertainty spirals through me. “I’m not sure what I’ve caught, but I don’t want you to get sick. Especially now. The last thing you need is to miss practice or any of your games.”

“I appreciate the concern, but I’ll be fine.”

When a silent war continues to rage in my head, he jerks a brow. “Turn over, Willow. Do I have to threaten to spank that ass already?” There’s a beat of silence as his voice dips. “Unless that’s not a threat at all?”

My face warms as I roll onto my side.

The deep chuckle that reverberates from his chest only makes it flame more as he slides behind me and slips his arms around my waist until our bodies are pressed tightly together.

“Go to sleep, sunshine. We’ll talk more in the morning.”

He tugs me even closer before brushing his lips across my temple.

A sigh of contentment escapes from me as I drift off wrapped up in his arms.