“Change?” Clarice's eyes tracked along him worriedly.
“Do you remember how I told you that Pilar is my bodyguard? She came to keep me safe from some people who were interfering with my work?" His aunt nodded. "He's been … taken care of. Along with all of his friends."
She let out a sigh of relief. “Well, I’m glad that you’re safe. Thank you, Pilar.” She looked over at her, and Pilar nodded in response.
Maverick continued. “When I say that I had to change in order to be safe, I mean … I am a shifter now. There was a serum used on me, and I am now a lion shifter, like Pilar,” he finished.
He pulled their entangled hands off his lap and laid them on the table. “And the other part of this evening we wanted to discuss with you is that we are fated mates,” Pilar added for him.
Lydia put her phone down, and her eyes lit up at the sight of her sister’s happiness. “Oh, my gosh, no way! This is so awesome! All I have ever wanted is for you to be happy,” she exclaimed.
“The same goes for me, Maverick. I have always wanted you to find your person.” Clarice smiled.
“Wait … Does this mean that you will be moving in with Maverick and leaving our apartment to me?” Lydia asked excitedly.
Her question made Pilar sad. “Wouldn’t you rather move in with us?”
“Um, what? No way am I moving in with newlyweds. Yuck!” She laughed. “Plus, you guys will need your space. I could use my space too!”
“I was afraid that you might say that … but you are always welcome to come to see us.”
"I'll be there all the time," Lydia squealed.
"Me too," Aunt Clarice cut in.
They all giggled, and as they passed on ordering again, Maverick corralled them all to focus. They were at a restaurant, after all.
Too bad for him that he was learning how chaotic his life was about to become.
He didn't seem to mind too much, though, and that made Pilar smile all night long.
CHAPTERTWENTY-SIX
PILAR
Pilar stood by Maverick’s bed, listening to the far off, whispery sounds of the shower. This was where it had all begun, but she wouldn’t need the restraints this time.
The dinner with their families had gone well, and Pilar was content. She was more relaxed than she had ever been. She had faith in the world, finally. It was as if Maverick’s strength had given her hope.
Lydia would be fine. That horrible, gnawing fear that had lived inside her was now silenced. There were some things she could not control, and she accepted that, just as she kept faith that she and Maverick would always be together.
Pilar jumped when she felt Maverick’s hands on her shoulders. He laughed softly.
“I didn’t hear you coming,” she said softly. The sound of the shower had stopped, and he was almost pressed right up against her, his body warm and his skin still hot with rising steam from the shower.
“I stalked you,” he whispered, kissing her neck. Pilar grinned and leaned back against him while he gently slid the robe from her shoulders and wrapped his arms around her, trapping her so he could reach her breasts.
Pilar moaned, letting her head fall back onto his chest. She wriggled, just a little, to feel his hard body against her back and his hard cock pressing against her. She was beginning to ache deep inside, and she wanted to enjoy the anticipation even as her body begged her to satisfy it.
Maverick bent his head and kissed her shoulder, making her cry out as he sank his teeth in just a little. His hands squeezed her breasts at the same time, and one hand gave her nipple a sharp pinch. She stiffened against him, tension streaking through her as she reacted to the clash of pleasure and pain.
She leaned back even more as one of his hands slid down her belly. He gripped her tighter on her breast with his left hand while the right hand teased at her clit and rubbed farther down. Pilar sighed, opening her thighs and encouraging him deeper. When he felt the lower lips already slick with juice, Maverick moaned … his entire body hardening.
Pilar felt the tension sing through his muscles. Strength and power surpassing anything she’d ever felt before. Every day he spent as an alpha, he seemed to get stronger, more bonded to his lion. She could feel that wild side of his nature rising, and her own sang in joy, begging to join with him.
Suddenly, Maverick grabbed her shoulders and pointed her at the bed, pushing her forward. Pilar gasped, bracing her hands on the edge of the bed as Maverick grabbed her hips.
He reached down and teased her pussy, letting his fingers slide around and explore every crease. He slipped his fingers in gently, making her moan in a low, drawn-out sound.