Chapter 34
I don’t need an animal to awaken my soul, I have my June Bug and all her animals.
Maverick
Ifrown when I switch on my phone and notice I don’t have any missed calls from Juniper. I messaged her before I got on the plane to let her know I’d be home tonight. I thought she’d be excited as I’m coming home a few days earlier than planned. Maybe she missed my message?
I dial her number as I walk to my car. I listen to the phone ring and ring. I don’t think she’s going to pick up, but she finally does on the sixth ring.
“Mav.” She’s breathing heavy.
“Are you running?”
“Ha! No. Me, run?” Except she can’t catch her breath.
“What are you doing then?”
“Me? I’m … uh… working?”
“Why do you sound uncertain about what you’re doing?”
A crash sounds and Juniper swears. “Shit. I gotta go. Love you.”
“Love you,” I repeat but she already hung up.
This is not the welcome home I expected after my big reveal on The Breakfast Show. Maybe I overdid it? Maybe Juniper’s mad I told the world I’m in love with her? But she was mad before when I didn’t tell my fans about her.
I shake my head. Women. I’ll never understand them.
I spend the two-hour drive from the airport developing and discarding plans on how to win Juniper back if she’s upset about what I did. When I arrive in Winter Falls, I still have no idea what to say. I thought she’d be happy I told the world I’m no longer single.
I contemplate driving straight to Juniper’s house, but I’ve been traveling for eight hours. I need a shower and some clean clothes before I confront her.
I frown when I pull up to my house and note the golf carts and bikes parked everywhere. I rub a hand down my face as I consider switching the engine back on and making my way to Juniper’s house after all. I’m not in the mood for a Winter Falls invasion when things with my woman are up in the air.
I expect to find the entire town crammed into my living room, but when I open the door Juniper is standing alone in the room. Her face is flushed and there’s sweat on her brow. I rush to her.
“What’s wrong? Are you sick? Come on. I’ll drive you to the emergency room.”
She bats away my hands. “Um. Hello to you, too. I’m not sick. I’m sweaty from working hard.”
I haul her into my arms. She tries to pull away, but I don’t let her.
“I don’t care if you’re sweaty. I haven’t seen you in ten days. I need you in my arms to remind me you’re real.”
“Of course, I’m real. This is not a dreamscape from Inception.”
“Smart ass,” I mutter before my lips crash on hers. She sighs and I use the opportunity to thrust my tongue into her mouth. It’s been too long since I tasted her flavor of strawberries and wilderness. Strawberries have always been my favorite fruit, but they’ve never tasted as good as her mouth does.
She throws her arms around me and draws me near until there’s no space left between our bodies. I press my hardness against her stomach, and she moans into my mouth. Yes. I hook her leg under my arm to open her to me.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
I wrench my lips from Juniper’s and glance across the room to the patio doors where Feather is waving at me.
“Can I use the restroom before your clothes come off?”
“Their clothes are coming off?” Sage shoves Feather out of the way. “I want to see.”