by L A Cotton
First eBook Edition
Copyright © L A Cotton 2018
All rights reserved.
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and events are the product of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons or events is purely coincidental.
No part of this book may be reproduced or used in any manner without the written permission of the publisher, except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages for review purposes only.
If you are reading a copy of this book that has not been purchased from a licensed retailer, please destroy it. Thank you for your support.
Edited by Andrea M Long
Cover Designed by Lianne Cotton
Images licensed from Adobe Stock and Shutterstock
Also by L. A. Cotton
Chastity Falls
Loyalty and Lies
Salvation and Secrets
Tribulation and Truths
Affliction
Redemption and Regrets
Penance and Promises
Absolution
Fate's Love
Fate's Love
Love's Spark
Love Collides
Liar Liar
Liar Liar
Truth or Dare
The Maverick Defense Series
Deliverance
Wicked Bay
Wicked Beginnings
Wicked Rules
Wicked Lies
Wicked Games
Wicked Needs
Wicked Surprise
Wicked Hearts (Coming Soon)
Standalone
Lucky Penny
Chastity Falls: Box Set
Chastity Falls: Limited Edition Box Set
Watch for more at L. A. Cotton’s site.
Table of Contents
Copyright Page
Also By L. A. Cotton
Wicked Surprise (Wicked Bay, #5.5)
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Author’s Note
Excerpt from Loyalty and Lies
About the Author
Sign up for L. A. Cotton's Mailing List
Also By L. A. Cotton
To my readers.
This one’s for you!
Chapter 1
Lo
“Are we there yet?” Beth asked for the ten-thousandth time.
“Almost,” my dad replied from upfront.
When he and Uncle Gentry had gathered us together and announced they wanted us to spend Christmas at Lake Tahoe, I’d imagined après-ski, snowcapped mountains, and hot mugs of cocoa. I hadn’t pictured nine hours cooped up in a rental minivan with an eight-year-old who needed more toilet stops than my grandma.
“Dude,” Kyle said through a yawn. “What time is it?”
“Time you moved your fucking foot away from my face.”
I squeezed Maverick’s bicep and whispered, “Language.”
“Too late,” Beth sang. “I heard that.”
“You didn’t hear anything, short stuff.” Kyle chimed in.
“Don’t call me that,” she hissed.
“Kyle,” Laurie groaned. “I’m sleeping.”
“Yeah, we know, babe. You’re snoring louder than a grizzly.”
I cranked my neck around just in time to see Laurie elbow Kyle in the ribs. He spluttered while my best friend shuffled in her seat, readjusted her hat over her eyes and went back to sleep.
“Less than thirty minutes out,” Dad announced. “Please try to refrain from killing each other.”
“If you ask me,” my grandma cleared her throat. “We should have flown.”
“But then we wouldn’t have had time to appreciate all this,” Uncle Gentry said.
“Surely, you don’t mean Kyle’s bad jokes, Uncle G?”
“Bethany!” Stella scolded the little brat, but it didn’t deter her.
“It’s true, Mom. He’s so not funny. Why did I even have to come? Christmas won’t be the same—”
“That’s enough, young lady.” Stella sounded flustered, the way she did whenever Bethany decided to upstage her in front of us.
“It could be fun,” I said, leaning forward and poking my face between her seat and the next. “We can ski, and sled, and I heard they have a snowpark.”
Beth let out an unimpressed huff, “Lame.”
“Whatever, brat.” I ruffled her hair before sinking back into Maverick’s arm. He dropped a kiss on my head then dipped his mouth to my ear.
“Skiing? I don’t plan on leaving our room.”
“Our room?” I turned my face, so our noses were touching. “There’s no way they’ll let us room together.” Even if we did live together at SU, Dad and Uncle Gentry wouldn’t want to set a bad example for Summer and Kiera, who had already been warned repeatedly they would be rooming together and not with their boyfriends: Nick and Jack. The plan was for Macey to share with them, and then me and Laurie would take a room.
“You think I plan on sleeping anywhere but with you?” Maverick’s words were low in my ear, sending shivers rolling down my spine. I clenched my thighs together and he smirked. “I love you,” he mouthed.
“I love you too.”
Our lips touched in a tender kiss, but Maverick’s hand slid over my thigh and heat pooled in my stomach.
“Mom, they’re kissing again.”
“I’m going to—”
“Lo, Maverick,” Dad called. “Let’s keep it PG-13.”
I grumbled, “Why did I think this would be a good idea?”
Maverick chuckled, the sound warming my insides. Pulling me into his side once more, he dipped his head and whispered, “It'll be worth it, I promise.”
MACKENZIE RIDGE WAS a ski resort nestled at the foot of South Lake Tahoe, right on the Californian/Nevada state line, and our accommodation for the trip was a private luxury cabin right on the edge of the main resort. Although I was used to my family’s wealth by now, this was like nothing I’d ever seen. The huge two-story cabin—if you could really call it that—had a private pier and beach; a vast decked area with a hot tub and infinity pool; seven bedrooms, each with their own en suites; a salt room and sauna; and floor-to-ceiling glass windows throughout.
“The views are incredible,” I said to no one in particular as the guys fetched the luggage.
“Okay everyone, gather round,” Uncle Gentry called. As his pet project, he’d taken it upon himself to organize the entire trip. After a tough couple of years, he wanted us to spend quality time as a family, away from Wicked Bay. Away from the painful memories and messy pasts.
Now I’d seen this place, I was beginning to see his point.
Maverick dropped our last bag with the others and came over, sliding his arms around my waist.
“Girls,” Uncle Gentry looked to Macey, Summer, and Kiera. “You’ve got room seven.” He dangled a key at Macey who snatched it up and threw Devon a discreet wink.
What the...?
“Jack and Nick, you get six.” He handed Nick another key. “Kyle and Maverick—”
“Change of plan, Gentry,” Maverick spoke up. “Kyle’s going to room with Devon. I’ll take what’s left.”
Kyle started to protest but his dad waved him off. “Fine, you can figure it out. I’m trusting you. All of you.” He ran his fatherly gaze over each of us, but lingered on his son. “You have the east wing. The adults and Beth will take the west wing. But that doesn�
�t mean we won’t know what’s—”
“Chill, old man,” Kyle said. “We’ve got it. No funny business.”
“Funny business?” Beth frowned. “What does...?” Her eyes lit up with mischief. “Ohhhh sex, you mean sex, don’t you?”
My grandmother and Rebecca snickered while Stella turned beet-red. “Bethany—”
“Seriously, Mom, I only said sex.”
Stella rushed over to her daughter and clamped her hand against her mouth. “Yes, well, quite enough of that. You were saying, Gentry?”
“I, hmm, I was—” My uncle cleared his throat, clearly uncomfortable at Beth’s slip of the tongue.
“Keys.” Kyle strolled up to his father and held out his hands. Gentry gingerly passed them over, conveying a silent message. Don’t let me down.
“We’ve got it covered, Dad. East wing.” Kyle thumbed himself and then pointed to Uncle Gentry. “West wing. We’ll see you later.”
“Kyle, wait—”
“Ah, let the kids go,” my grandma interjected. “Lo will keep them in check, right sweetheart?”
Me?
Since when had I become the sensible one?
“Sure thing,” I replied, shooting her a tight smile as Maverick guided me away from the adults.
The wings weren’t really wings, but rather two bedroom areas separated by a huge open living space with a fully equipped kitchen and a large open fire. But our rooms were far enough away from the adults that it was like having a separate wing.
“This is the fucking shit,” Jack said as soon as we were out of earshot of our parents.
“Dude.” Kyle shot him an unimpressed look. Jack was Nick’s friend and Kiera’s on-and-off boyfriend. But there was something about him, and not just his lack of verbal filter.
“Come on, Stone,” he said, hooking his arm around Kiera’s neck. “You’re not seeing it through our eyes. Am I right, K?”
Kiera grimaced. “It’s—”
“What the fuck is that supposed to mean?”
Kyle’s deteriorating mood rolled off Jack. He had skin as thick as leather. “You know, bro. You’re used to all this.” He tipped his head. “I only see places like this in commercials.”
We all stood watching. Waiting. I glanced at Maverick, silently asking him if we should intervene, but he shook his head. This was Kyle’s fight. He’d taken it hard when Kiera let it slip she was seeing Jack. Officially. But the more we got to know him, the more we didn’t get it. Kiera was guarded, sure. She hadn’t shed her harsh exterior since transferring to Wicked Bay seventeen months ago, but she had softened around us. She and Summer had become good friends, and she and Macey had a whole sister-vibe going on. And Jack was just so ... not us.
It was weird.
But Kiera insisted he wasn’t all that bad.
Kyle glared at Jack but didn’t bite. My cousin was growing. College looked good on him.
“Come on, babe.” Laurie finally commanded his attention, sliding her arm through his. “I want to see our room.”
“Hmm, I can’t believe I’m saying this,” Devon said. “But didn’t Mr. Stone already give us the room allocations?”
Maverick snorted while Kyle strolled over to Devon and slung his arm around his neck. “So much to learn, Lions. So much to learn.”
“Look, man, I’d prefer to room with Macey any day over you or Prince, no offense,” he said to Maverick who shrugged. “But I don’t want to blow this.”
“Cute, real cute, but you should probably ask my sister for your balls back.”
“Kyle!” Macey hissed. “Don’t be such a dick. Gentry did say—”
“Who are you and what have you done with my sister?”
“Okay.” Maverick stepped forward, raking a hand through his hair. “I’ll take that.” He plucked a key from Kyle’s hand. “The rest of you can figure it out. Just make sure Nick and Jack bunk together, far, far away from Summer and Kiera. Come on.” He came to me, grabbed my hand and started pulling me in the direction of the bedrooms.
“But shouldn’t we...?” I glanced back at the rest of our group. Laurie was grinning at me while Macey and Summer just looked confused.
“London,” Maverick growled. “I’ve been pressed up against you for ten hours, unable to touch you the way I want.” He pulled me into his side, ignoring our audience. Running his fingers up my neck, Maverick pushed my hair back. “I can either fuck you here in front of everyone or do it in the privacy of our room. You decide.”
Oh my.
My stomach clenched as I let Maverick guide me down the long hall. When we reached the last room, he opened the door and pulled me inside. “Thank fuck,” he groaned, slamming his mouth to mine. Our bodies crashed against the wall as he fumbled to close the door.
“That was fucking torture.”
“It wasn’t so bad.” My hands found the hem of his sweater and started yanking.
“Clothes, Lo. Lose your clothes.”
“Take them off yourself,” I said against his lips.
Maverick broke away from me and stepped back, pulling his sweater off. My eyes traced the cut lines of his body. He’d always been beautiful, but training with the Scorpions had turned him into a sculpted work of art.
“See something you like?” He smirked at me as his fingers worked the button of his jeans.
“What if someone comes in here?” I asked coyly. No one would dare, I knew that. But it was fun playing with him.
Maverick stalked toward me, heat blazing in his eyes. “They know I need time alone with you.”
“And our parents?” I rose a brow.
“They’re not stupid, Lo. You think they don’t know what I do to you every night?” He was close now, his breath dancing over my face as his fingers lazily hooked inside my jeans. Maverick yanked my body flush with his, sucking the air from my lungs. No matter how much he loved me, it never changed how he made me feel. If anything, the more time we spent together, the more insatiable we became.
It’s why he’d insisted on moving out of dorms this year and us getting our own place. ‘Less distractions’, he’d said. The team gave him shit about it, but Maverick didn’t care. He loved his teammates, his team.
But he loved me more.
Maverick worked my jeans off my hips, helping me step out of them, then slowly stripped the sweater from my body. “So beautiful.” He dipped his head and pressed a kiss to my collarbone. “And so fucking mine.”
“Always,” I moaned, relishing the feel of his lips on my skin. My fingers sunk into his hair, stroking, tugging as his mouth continued its exploration of me.
“What do you want, Lo?”
“Yo— oh God.” His fingers danced over my center, teasing, painting lazy circles. But then they were gone, and I whimpered at the loss of his touch. Maverick slid his hands around the backs of my thighs and lifted me against him. I wrapped my legs tightly around him as he carried me to the bed.
Laying me down gently, Maverick covered my body with his. I leaned up, kissing him, running my tongue along the seam of his mouth. But Maverick took control, capturing my lips in a bruising kiss. His tongue swirled with mine, igniting a fire in my belly as I arched my body into his, pressing us together. Erasing the space left between us. His fingers dipped between our bodies, stroking me over my panties until he hooked them to one side, grasped himself and pushed inside me. His name flew from my lips in a soft moan. Grabbing my hands, Maverick pinned them above my head, staring at me with such intensity, I felt it all the way down to my soul. “I love, Lo. I love you so fucking much.” He moved deeper. Harder. Until there wasn’t him and me anymore.
There was only us.
Chapter 2
Maverick
“Are you sure you know what you’re doing?” Lo asked Kyle as he clipped his boots into the board.
“Of course I know what I’m doing,” he huffed. “I’m not just a pretty face, you know.”
“Babe,” Laurie said. “You don’t have to prove anything. It looks k
ind of advanced. I’m not sure—”
“A little faith, babe. It’s a few rails and jumps, what’s the worst that could happen?”
Silence fell over our small group as we watched the boarders pull 50-50s and tailsides as if it was as easy as breathing.
“If Stone’s doing it, so am I.” Jack puffed out his chest and dropped his board to the snow.
Lo shot me a concerned look, but I shrugged. If Jack wanted to make a complete ass of himself, who was I to stop him?
“Prince, you coming?” Kyle caught my eye, challenge dancing in his smile.
I shook my head. “Someone needs to be on hand to rescue your stupid ass when this all goes wrong.”
“You’re not a pussy, Prince, are you?” Jack snickered, earning him a hard elbow to the ribs from Nick, who shot me a look that said, ‘please don’t kill him’.
My shoulders tensed, and I stepped forward, but Lo’s arm slid around my waist. “Don’t,” she whispered. “He’s not worth it.”
“Lions?” Jack turned his attention off me. “Can we tempt you?”
“No, no you cannot,” Macey answered.
“Hmm, Mace, since when was your name Lions?”
“If you think I’m letting my man—”
“Babe.” Devon tucked her into his side and lowered his voice. “Remember what we talked about?”
“Sorry.” Her cheeks flushed, and I smirked at her. “Fuck off,” she mouthed. But how could I when she was just too damn cute all loved up and... mellow?
There were days when I still wasn’t sure how we ended up here. Me with Lo. Macey with Lions. The four of us together, breathing the same air. But my sister was happy. Happier than I’d seen her in a long time, so who was I to take that away from her? Even if, in the beginning, I’d wanted to beat Lions into a bloody pulp.
“Hey?” The softness of Lo’s voice pulled me back into the moment. “Everything okay?”
“It will be.” I choked over the lump in my throat.
“Maverick?” She stared up at me with love in her eyes.
“Okay then.” Kyle interrupted our moment—or saved me from doing something really fucking stupid. “I’m ready. Let’s get gnarly.”