They moved in tandem. His warm breath coasted over her hairline. He whispered sweet things. Dirty things. And this time, they came together.
He collapsed beside her. Brought her under his arm to rest her head on his chest. She curved her body against his in satisfied bliss.
“Nice tan lines, by the way,” he said.
She pressed a smile against his smooth skin. “Thanks.”
“How about a quick shower and then I’ll tuck you in?”
“Sounds perfect.” She led him to the bathroom, where they soaped each other under the warm spray of water. Maverick washed her hair, something no man had ever done before. She almost fell asleep standing up.
After a quick towel dry, she slipped on her nightgown and crawled under the bedcovers. Maverick dressed and then joined her, sitting on the side of the bed. He fiddled with the sheet, taking his tuck-in duty seriously, and she laughed.
“Hey, watch it. This service isn’t for just anyone.”
She laughed harder. “S-service? You’re so funny.”
Her laughter ignited his own, and this, this right here would forever mark her thoughts of him. Laughter. Joy. New things learned and shared. Freedom. He’d challenged her to step out of her comfort zone and she’d surpassed her expectations. His too, she imagined.
Their laughter died down. He cupped her face in his calloused hand. “Thanks for making this a week I’ll never forget, Shortcake.”
She pressed her cheek to his palm. “I won’t, either.”
His smile didn’t quite reach his eyes, but he followed it with a kiss that would have melted her panties if she’d been wearing any. His mouth moved over hers with perfect pressure and unmistakable affection. And that was enough.
It was enough to know she meant something.
The kiss ended when they needed to catch their breath. “About the wedding…” he trailed off.
“Yes?”
“I’d love to go with you. I’ve got something to do most of the day tomorrow so I’ll meet you there. I’ll be the guy with eyes only for you.”
Be still her heart. “It’s a date.”
“Great. Good night.” He pressed a soft kiss to her forehead, then turned to go.
“’Night,” she whispered back.
Even after he shut the door behind him, she saw him standing there clear as day. Would he ever leave her mind? She doubted it.
Five days ago…
Dear Nicole,
There’s something I never told you. Someone I never told you about. When we met and you accused me of being a pompous jerk and pushing you away, you were right. I did that because you reminded me of my college nemesis, a woman named Kennedy Martin. She was a city girl, like you, and we hated each other on the spot. Because of that, I wrongfully mistrusted you. After you called me out on my foolishness, I realized I’d never given Kennedy the benefit of the doubt either, writing her off and pushing her buttons instead. She poked me, so I poked back.
But in hindsight, she was also my equal. She was intriguing. And damn smart. So I apologized to you, and the rest was history. If it hadn’t been for Kennedy, I don’t think I would have pursued you. She’s the reason I fell in love with you. And now guess what? She’s here on the ranch. I’d planned to be as scarce as possible this week, but thirty seconds after being with her, we’re arguing and disagreeing like it was yesterday. I hate that she’s here. I hate the reaction she gets out of me. I hate that she makes me feel things I’m not sure I’m ready to feel. If only she’d arrived two weeks from now, after I’d left to finish our travels. Talk about bad timing.
Miss you,
Maverick
Chapter Twenty-Two
The day of the wedding
With the rose-pink light of dawn and the ranch in Maverick’s rearview mirror, he focused on the road in front of him. The drive to San Francisco took about ninety minutes but always felt like forever. He didn’t know if that was because he dreaded this day or because he couldn’t wait to talk to Nicole.
He visited the cemetery only once a year…and this year would be his last.
He’d decided that when he’d booked his flight for Europe. Today and his upcoming trip were about letting go and moving on for good. Not that Nicole would ever leave the corner of his heart or mind reserved just for her, but because three years had been long enough to mourn. To hold on to anger and unfairness. He’d loved her with everything he had, and even though she couldn’t communicate with him near the end, he saw the love in her eyes reflected back at him.
Nicole’s blue eyes had always held some kind of emotion. She didn’t wear her heart on her sleeve, but in her expression.
Kennedy’s light brown eyes with flecks of gold hold depth beyond compare.
Not for the first time since waking this morning, Kennedy drew his thoughts away from everything else and he wondered what if… What if he told her he wanted more? Wanted to make her his, even long distance? Could he do that? Could he put his fears aside and risk his heart again?
Kennedy breathed new life into his own. She made him optimistic about the future.
She didn’t know it, but she’d helped with the onslaught of memories that had plagued him leading up to this morning’s drive. He’d been dreading today, and instead of anticipating sadness, he’d been wrapped up in her. Instead of focusing on what he’d lost, she’d easily kept him focused on only her.
Her smart, sexy mouth.
Her curiosity.
Her endless questions and genuine interest.
Her ambition.
Her selflessness.
Her touch and scent and sound.
He blinked her away to save it for the drive back to the ranch.
Easier said than done, so he turned up the volume on the radio. Glanced over at the roses he’d picked to lay on Nicole’s gravestone. Looked for the… Damn it. He’d forgotten the letters he’d written to Nicole over the past three years. He wasn’t sure what he wanted to do with them, but he’d meant to bring them to share with her in some way, as well as to let them go.
Turning around to get them would set him back an hour, at least. And he’d risk being late to the wedding or seeing his family. He’d escaped early for a reason; he didn’t want any more sympathy or condolences. He’d had enough to last him a lifetime.
And so he kept driving.
Chapter Twenty-Three
The day of the wedding
Kennedy woke from a dream about her and Maverick making out in the sand, rolling around with the waves at their feet like a scene from a movie. She smiled sleepily, loving the way her mind worked this morning. She normally dreamed about medical emergencies and saving the day, and this ranked so much higher.