Maverick gave a nice one nod and then waved toward a server weaving through the crowd. The woman immediately smiled when she spotted him, like she’d been searching for him. “There you are,” she said. “Two hot chocolates as requested.”
“Thanks, Tanya.” Maverick accepted the two glass mugs on the tray, handing Kennedy one. “Careful, it’s hot.”
“Enjoy,” Tanya said, taking her leave.
“Is this your mom’s special recipe?” Kennedy blew on the drink, the decadent smell of chocolate reaching her nose.
“It is.”
“This is a nice surprise. Thank you.”
Maverick took a sip of his hot chocolate, a bit of whipped cream remaining on his upper lip.
“You’ve got some—”
He leaned over and kissed her, effectively erasing the smudge from his mouth. “You were saying?”
She smiled and licked her lips before surveying the parlor again. “Your turn again.”
“The man in white with the bow tie,” Maverick started, “he’s the heir to the Charmin fortune, which is why he’s never in a crappy mood.”
Kennedy laughed so hard, hot chocolate shot up her nose.
“Sorry. You okay?” Maverick handed her a cocktail napkin.
“I’m fine.” She gathered herself, none the worse for wear. “Now be quiet for a moment so I can take a proper sip.” She sipped. She sighed. “This is the best hot chocolate ever.”
“I’m glad you think so.”
“Okay, see that lady standing next to Andrew and holding a cocktail in her hand? She’s a beekeeper and loves to get buzzed.” Kennedy grinned, waiting for Maverick to crack up.
He barely smiled, the big jerk!
“Hey, that was funny!”
“You can’t try to be funny. You either are or you aren’t.” His playful tone and sparkling stare were more than enough to curb her complaint.
“I hear you and I raise you a hot chocolate,” she said.
His upturned lips and dimples were the least funny thing on the planet, and instead so sexy and appealing, she had to look down at her heels for fear of rubbing up against him like an animal in heat.
“Deal.” And did his voice have to be so deep and seductive?
Maverick had effectively rendered clear thinking impossible, so she recycled some information that popped into her head. “See that tall man with the blond mustache? He’s a bounty hunter and his last bounty was a…was a woman with amnesia and she told him…” She paused for dramatic effect. “‘I don’t know what you’re talking about.’”
He laughed. “Okay, you win.”
“Just like that?” She had a feeling he’d gifted her the win out of the goodness of his heart.
“You came through on the spot, and that counts for double.”
She pressed her lips together in an appreciative smile. What a difference seven years made. In college he would have one-upped her without hesitation, or at least tried. They’d battled so often back then. Clashed at every opportunity. She hadn’t taken any time to understand him or see his good qualities—she’d disliked him and his know-it-all attitude at first glance. Had they given each other more courtesy and less attitude, would they have been friends? More than friends? She’d never know.
They sipped their hot chocolates in easy silence until a yawn snuck up on her.
“Tired?” he asked.
“A little. All the fresh air and sunshine this week have really relaxed me. I have a tan line for the first time in forever, even with the sunscreen you so kindly supplied me with.”
“Really? You sure? Maybe I should double-check those lines.” He regarded her with a lopsided grin.
“I’ll show you mine if you show me yours,” she fired back, unable—and unwilling—to stop the physical pull between them.
He quickly stood with his hand out to help her up. “Let’s go.”
She loved the urgency in those two words. The desire and intensity in his gaze.
Rather than leave through the parlor, Maverick held her hand and led her across the veranda. They entered the inn through the living room and arrived at her room less than a minute later.
Once inside, butterflies kissed her skin. She struggled to maintain her composure. She had the sexiest cowboy alive in her room and a bed three feet away. What would they do with all that extra space compared to a sleeping bag?
The door clicked shut, and the two of them stood in the middle of the room staring at each other. His eyes touched on every inch of her body as he took his time running those baby blues from her head to her feet and back up. She did the same, committing every inch of him to memory.
“Ladies first,” he said.
She didn’t hesitate. Just untied her dress, wiggled her shoulders to free the material, and let it fall to the floor.
Maverick sucked in a breath, his clear appreciation turning her nipples into hard points.
“Your turn,” she told him.
He peeled off his shirt with one arm and tossed it aside. Next, he lost his pants, kicking off his shoes and socks in the process. His boxer briefs did little to hide how much he wanted her. The man had it going on and then some. Wet heat blossomed between her legs.
“The rest,” he said, his voice deep, husky, demanding. She loved it.
She removed her bra and panties, his hawklike stare watching her every move.
“Heels, too.”
“You don’t want me to leave them on?” Didn’t all men have dreams of a naked woman in heels?
“No.”
She slipped off her shoes at the same time he eliminated the distance between them and scooped her into his arms. “I like you just as you are.”
“Short?”
“And stunning.” He placed her on the bed, positioning himself above her.
Hard muscles against her soft ones.
Sun-kissed lips against the shell of her ear, down the column of her neck. To the valley between her breasts. He sucked on one nipple, then the other. Kissed down her stomach, spread her legs, and licked her to oblivion.
Clutching the comforter, she screamed his name.
“Delicious,” he said, rising to kiss her lips. To share her taste.
She reached down and took him in her hand. Guided him to her entrance. With one sweet surge, he sank into her.
“Jesus,” he whispered against her temple.