“And that’s why you need to be there on Monday.”
I nod my head and roll away from him. “I’ll see you in the morning. Thanks again for the support tonight. I’d appreciate it if you kept all this to yourself.”
“Of course,” he says, flipping over so that our asses nearly touch. I don’t feel his body, but I sense the heat radiating off him. “I’d never tell anyone what we talk about.”
I believe him. I believe every word he says. He’s not a people pleaser. In fact, most everyone I know thinks he’s a complete ass. Hell,Ithought he was an ass. A hot ass, but still an ass. The first time we talked on the phone he bailed on me for another gold mine. Then, when he got here, he refused to mine my mountain because it ran into granite. I had to take a stick of dynamite and do it myself. Tonight, though, he was different. Tonight, he was a friend. Even now, in bed, I’d never have imagined he’d be the soft, comforting type of guy… but he was. He even distracted me from all my emotions with election talk, which I really needed.
Closing my eyes, I try to think of how I’ll talk to the crowd on Monday. Maybe I should share my story. I’m sure someone would benefit from it. For a second, my mind wanders to the thought of maybe even trying adoption again, but the heartbreak is still too real. Thankfully, I knew better than to give them names this time, but in my heart, I really believed this was it. This would be the time I really brought my kids home.
With the thought, tears roll down my face for the first time since I got the news. I try to pull them back in, but they only fall quicker and soon my entire body shakes as I sob. I twist my face into the pillow to drown out the aching that spills from my throat, but it’s audible and within a second, Maverick is behind me, his large, warm body curved around mine holding me close.
At first, I stiffen up, unsure if I like him this way, but as he speaks, I soften.
“I’ll move if you want me to. I just couldn’t listen to you cry and not offer comfort.” His voice is deep and raspy, nearly a whisper that spreads a tingling warmth down over my ear and onto my neck.
“No,” I manage. “Don’t go.”
He grips me tighter, his strong arm around my waist spooning me into him gently. This should feel awkward, since he’s practically a stranger, but it doesn’t. It’s reassuring and warm, and I’m not sure I ever want him to move.