“Don’t do that.”
“Don’t do what?” I asked as he trailed his lips from my check to my ear.
“Don’t shatter my daydream. You and I could never be a mistake.” His growl swept through me, leaving butterflies in its wake. “Besides, the best things in life come from the most unlikely places. Like the chocolate chip cookie, for example.”
“What do cookies have to do with anything?”
“The chocolate chip cookie was made because of a mistake. Some little old lady added chocolate chunks to the cookie batter, thinking that it would mix in, when it didn’t, it made something better–something perfect. The chocolate chip cookie.”
“So I’m a cookie?”
“The most delicious kind. Timeless, perfect, and once you’ve had a taste, you always crave more.” He nipped at my earlobe, causing me to jump from the sensation of his five o’clock shadow tickling the delicate skin there. “I need you to trust this. Trust me. Nine years have gone by and the memory of you has never left me. You left your mark. You’re it, baby, you’re it for me, and I’m not letting you go. Whatever it takes. I’m here and I’m staying. You’re never getting rid of me. If you want me to chase you, I will. But I think you’d be happier if you just let me catch you.” He winked and I felt the smile appear on my lips as my shoulders began to relax.
“I just…I’m not that girl.”
“What kind of girl is that?”
“The kind that just takes all her clothes off and throws herself at a man. It’s not who I am.”
“You didn’t throw yourself at anyone. You made love to me. And I belong to you. Always have. Always will. Just like you’re mine.”
I let his words wash over me. I wanted to stay sheltered in their warmth for as long as possible, but it was easy to forget everything, here in the darkness, shut out from the world around us.
“Life isn’t that simple,” I said, pushing past him, collecting my clothing to dress myself.
“Well, it should be,” he said, moving to allow me the space I desperately needed. “At least it could be, if you’d let it.”
“I want to.”
“Why aren’t you?”
“I’m scared.”
“The only things worth having in life are things that scare us. But I promise you. This thing between us. You and me. We’re a sure bet. We are endgame.” He walked closer to me, pulling my hands into his own. “Let me take you on a date. A real one, with all the bells and whistles.” He bent his head down and I felt the coy smile on his lips. A smile that brought me back years ago to the sweet, nerdy guy that stole my heart. “What do you say, beautiful?” In that moment I stopped overthinking everything, and for the second time in my entire life I let go and did what I wanted to.
“Yes.” I whispered into the darkness, right as the lights went on and the elevator started moving down. I leaped into Maverick’s arms, a yelp rushing out of my lips. “Oh my God, Maverick, what’s happening?”
“Looks like the cavalry’s here to rescue us. How about you give me your digits?’ He pulled out his phone as my heart grew wings, my future feeling hopeful for the first time in so long.
Chapter 8
Maverick
The week went by with both Jade and I swamped with work. Forty-eight hours, back to back. Usually, after that kind of shift, I needed to decompress at home. Sleeping, eating and reading a book. But today, all I wanted was to spend every waking hour with Jade. I stared at her number on my phone, the small bubble featuring her pretty face, the picture I took in the elevator right before we got off. I knew by the way she scrunched up her nose and the scowl on her face that she didn’t approve of me playing paparazzi.
I didn’t know why I was so nervous. After what we’d done in the elevator, I should have felt like a caveman, puffing my chest at my incredible performance. But Jade had this ability to make me feel like that young, nerdy kid again. She made my palms sweat and my heart race by just getting a glance at her face. But this was Jade, and there was no way that she was getting away from me again. She was mine. She was always mine, and I was done waiting.
“Hello?” She answered on the first ring.
“Were you waiting for my call?” I teased and then mentally kicked myself.
“You wish,” she panted, but by the hitch in her voice I could see that there was a little truth to my question. I liked that she sounded excited to hear from me.
“Is an hour enough time to get ready?” I asked.
“Well, you don’t waste any time getting right to it, huh?”