Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 77936 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77936 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
“Maverick…” Colt resisted my efforts to pull him back up to standing.
“I’m not going to jump your bones with the girls here.” I kept my voice to a whisper but added an eye roll. “Let me take care of you.”
“Fine.” Colt hoisted himself up and allowed me to assist him in hobbling down a short hall to the primary bedroom, which was in dire need of one of my makeovers. Gray sheets. Gray-and-white comforter. Beige walls. However, I was more concerned with getting Colt situated with his ankle iced and elevated than with the decor.
“There.” I stepped back from the bed. “You rest.”
“And what are you going to do?” He continued his bid for grumpiest patient ever.
“As much of your to-do list as I can.” I grinned confidently even as he bristled. I ignored his protests in favor of working my way through his list of small chores. Vacuum. Bathroom. Fix a wobbly door. Tighten a leaky faucet. Basic stuff that felt good to knock out for him.
At some point, Colt limped into his attached bathroom and showered before reluctantly resuming his rest on the bed in a pair of athletic shorts and a black sleeveless T-shirt. I’d noticed tattoos playing peekaboo with his T-shirt sleeves before, but this was the first time I could really see the ink. Willow’s name trailed across one bicep, while other tattoos featured more abstract Western motifs. As hot as he looked with ink, the tattoos were another reminder of the life he’d lived in the years we’d been apart. He’d grown up in so many ways.
“Hey, Uncle Maverick!” Hannah appeared right as I finished with the faucet. Willow was close behind. “Willow’s aunt has an above-ground pool. She invited us to come for dinner and a swim. Willow has a suit I can borrow.”
“The pool isn’t terribly deep, and Tiffany keeps a good eye on the kids,” Colt called from the bedroom. “She lives in the old Becker place, on the other side of Mom’s. Girls can walk over.”
“Wow, your family almost has its own block.” I laughed, taking a second to school my expression to not seem too eager to be alone with Colt. “And sure, you can go. I’ll figure out some dinner for Colt.”
“Yay!” The girls rushed off to change into swimsuits and find towels before leaving a short time later.
I took the opportunity to fetch Colt a glass of water and check on him. “So, cranky, any requests for dinner?”
“Not that hungry. The ibuprofen is messing with my stomach.” Colt accepted the water and took a sip before setting it aside. “And I’m bored. Only so much playing on my phone I can do before I lose my mind.”
“I have the answer to that problem.” I grinned widely as I approached the bed. My determination to meet his needs had only grown as the day progressed.
“Oh? Going to let me get up?”
“Nope.” I kicked off my boots. “I’m going to blow your mind. Among other things.”
Chapter 20
Colt
“Blow my…?” I could be a little dense sometimes, especially about things like flirting. Which Maverick certainly was, what with the wide, almost feral smile. Then he flicked the lock on the doorknob and stalked toward me, and understanding dawned. “Oh.”
“Yeah, oh.” He kicked off his boots. “Girls will be gone at least an hour, and I’m betting I can suck you off in under fifteen minutes.”
“We never did oral before.” Of all the things I could have said, including the more obvious yes, my mind chose to stick on that fact. The weeks between prom and graduation had been short, enough time for us to get good at hands and rubbing off, but not much else.
“I’ve spent two decades well aware of that oversight.” Maverick gave me an arch look. “And if you’re open to it, I’d dearly love to try.”
At least one part of me was more than intrigued by the prospect. Kissing was great. Touching was great. Maverick’s mouth was amazing. Surely, oral would be wonderful, especially with Maverick so eager to give it a go. However, I could only groan.
“We shouldn’t start something when we both know how it’ll end.”
“I don’t want to hurt you. Or myself.” Grin fading, Maverick sighed heavily. “But whether we act on it or not, there will always be something powerful between us.”
“I know.” I let my head flop back against my pillow. “Last night was a reminder of how damn much I want you. That sort of want and desire doesn’t happen very often for me. But you’ve always been the exception to my every rule.”
Despite my recent research on the topic, I was still learning the precise shape and contours of my demisexual identity. In the abstract, I didn’t crave things like kissing or sex, but specifically with Maverick or someone I cared deeply about, I had a powerful appetite for physical interactions. Alone with a locked door and Maverick was all sorts of tempting.