Chapter 17
Tanner
I don’t think I have yet to get over the pure mortification of having a panic attack in front of Maverick a few weeks ago. Although, I’m glad he was there. I have never had someone bring me back from one. I usually had to endure them alone. He hasn’t asked me about it again, but his controlling nature has him watching me like a hawk when there is any indication of severe weather. It’s actually kind of sweet.
I am finally graduating. Dani and her mom are throwing me a party at the clubhouse tonight. I can’t believe I was here for three weeks before I realized there was a pool. I never went out the back, so I didn’t even see it. Praise God, it’s hot enough now to get in. I've been hanging by the pool for the last hour. The sweet tea was running right through me, so I left Dani to hold down the fort while I went to pee. I remembered I bought her a bag of her favorite Sour Patch kids, so I jogged upstairs to get them. She’s a weirdo and likes to put them in her drinks. Her alcoholic drinks.
I hear a few whistles from the main room, and I roll my eyes. I’m focused on my bare feet hitting the stairs when I slam into a hard body at the top of the staircase. I almost lost my balance, but large, calloused hands caught my arms before I tumbled backwards. It’s Maverick, and he is clearly displeased. Keeping his grip on my arms, he drags me into my room. Slamming the door behind him, he storms up to me and I instinctively back away from him.
“Why the fuck are you running around the clubhouse like this?” He motions his hand towards my torso.
I glance down, inspecting my white bikini. My eyes move back up to his. “Seriously? Have you not seen the hoochies who hang around here? And you are going to scold me about my swimsuit? Your girlfriend is down there topless as we speak.”
“First thing, I don't have a girlfriend. Second, I don’t give a flying fuck what anyone else is wearing. Cover up,” he orders.
I blink. Seriously confused. “I just ran up here to grab something for Dani. There are like a million people here, Maverick. I doubt anyone even noticed me.”
He laughs and rubs his fingers over the stubble on his chin. “Every man here notices you, Vix.”
I perch a hand on my hip. “Well I don’t see why it matters to you. I’m a grown woman. I can deal with wandering eyes.”
He takes a step towards me. “Well I can’t, and I don’t want anyone one in here looking at you.”
Another demand from the king himself.
“You know, I would expect something like this from my brother, but not from you.” I step around him and reach for the bag of candy on my dresser.
I spin around and before I can take a step, he’s in my space, crowding me against the drawers.
“I don’t want them looking at you.” One of his large hands is spread across my hip and the other is cupping my jaw. His hold is possessive, and my heart rate spikes.
I close my eyes, trying to calm my nerves from his sudden close proximity. This is unfamiliar territory for me, but my body seems to know exactly what’s happening. My skin heats as his hand squeezes my hip. I bet he can feel the temperature increase under his palm. My breaths start to come shorter, and I have to push my thighs together to control the sudden ache between my legs.
“I want to be the only one who sees you,” he whispers.
His face leans in towards mine and he hovers his lips along my neck. Oh my God. Oh my God.
“Maverick…I’m swimming. What do you want me to do? Wear a turtleneck?”
He grunts and I move my hands to grip his cut. The leather feels smooth against my skin, and I rub my palms across the material. His breaths are equally as quick as mine as he lifts his mouth from my neck and our eyes meet.
“I shouldn’t want you, Vix.” His eyes move down to my lips. “But I can’t fucking help it.”
“You want me?” It comes out barely a whisper. Me?
His hand slowly slides up, gripping the nape of my neck.
“I’ve wanted you from the second I saw you.” His lips brush across mine.
I have never been kissed. Butterflies are swarming in my stomach and my hands clench tighter to his vest the closer he gets. I'm still wrapping my head around the fact this is happening. Wrapping my head around the notion he would want someone like me. Ignoring my insecurities, I place my arms around his neck.
“I told him I wouldn’t,” he murmurs.
My nose grazes his cheek. “Told who?”
“Your brother.”
His hand squeezes my neck as he presses his forehead to mine.