by Kennedy Fox
“I don’t know why you insist on this stupid blindfold.” I laugh as Maverick interlocks his fingers with mine and kisses my knuckles.
“It’s because I know you’d peek.” I can tell he’s smiling. “I know it’s hard for you, Miss Priss, but have a little patience. We’re almost there.”
We’ve been in the back of an Uber for at least thirty minutes. Several months ago, I finally set some boundaries with Rachel, and she realized she no longer had permission to control my life. She decided to join a yoga class where she surprisingly met someone. This caused her to demand more private time, and once Douglas moved in with her, my shackles were officially removed. Rachel—the micromanaging, needy-as-hell author—no longer needed me the way she once did. I was able to do my job from home like I did for Vada when she’d take her writing retreats. Douglas doesn’t allow Rachel to do as she pleases, and he freely puts her in her place and calls her out for being rude, which is what she needs. I need to send him an expensive Christmas gift because the man is a saint for dealing with her day in and day out. It just proves that there’s someone out there for everyone—even high-maintenance Rachel.
Telling Rachel I was moving was a bittersweet moment. I didn’t want to leave her empty-handed, so I trained a new assistant before I left. I still plan to do administrative duties for her, and we’ll do conference calls in between. My goal is to eventually open my own PR and marketing firm. Maverick’s career has taken off significantly, and I plan to help him keep up with all of it as well. I’m so excited about this new journey and this next chapter in our lives.
I’ve never been this happy before, but I know it’s because of Maverick more than anything. He’s supportive and sweet and everything I need. I squeeze his hand three times, and he leans over and steals a kiss.
The car finally rolls to a stop, and the door cracks open. Maverick gently guides me out. The cool breeze brushes against my cheeks, and I smile.
“The anticipation is almost too much,” I tell him as we walk for a little while, then stop.
I feel his body move behind me, and his hands fiddle with the material. Before he undoes the blindfold, he leans in and pulls my earlobe between his teeth. “Ready?”
I keep my eyes closed and pop them open quickly. I gasp as I notice we’re standing in a hangar with a plane. I turn and look at Maverick, and he’s grinning ear to ear.
“What are we doing?” I ask, somewhat confused.
He twirls a set of keys around his pointer finger. “Going for a ride.”
My eyes go so wide they might fall out of the sockets. I look around and realize the car is long gone, and it’s just us standing around. “In that? Is that the plane from the photo on your mantel?” I ask, pointing. That picture of them all together and happy is ingrained in my mind.
He nods. “Yeah. It was my dad’s private plane, and I found out recently that my mom never sold it. She said she couldn’t bring herself to do it, even after all these years, but we thought she had. Instead, she rented it out and stuff to keep it up. Anyway, I had trained when I was younger to be a pilot but never finished getting my license. After doing some research, I realized it wouldn’t take much to get certified. So...I did. My dad would be so fucking proud.” He’s smiling so big that it causes me to smile too.
“Maverick, this is a huge deal.” I’m shocked and proud. A tad speechless too.
He shrugs me off and smirks. “I was going to tell you sooner, but I thought it would be more fun to shock the shit out of you. It was worth it.”
My jaw is practically on the pavement as he walks to the plane and pulls it out of the hangar.
“Is this real life?” I ask as I follow him around like I’m his shadow as he checks the outside of the plane.
He pulls me into his arms. “Better believe it, baby.”
Maverick opens the door and climbs in, then leans over and holds his hand out for me. I follow his lead and step on the wing then sit in the passenger seat. There are so many dials and knobs that I’m completely overwhelmed. He hands me a headset and tells me to put it on, and he puts one on too. We fasten the seat belts, and my heart is pounding so hard in my chest that I swear Maverick can hear it.
“Do you trust me?” he asks.
“Yes, always,” I tell him.
“Okay, we’re going to do our pre-check. It’s required before every flight.” I can tell he’s being patient with me, probably because I’m nervous as hell.
He reads the list of things out loud and makes sure everything is done before starting the engine. When he turns the key, the propeller comes to life, creating a hum. I look over at him with his headset on as he uses pilot lingo to talk to the tower. My heart is so full right now, I feel like it might burst. This is huge, following in his dad’s footsteps after everything that happened, but I get it. It’s a way for him to be close to his father in a different way while also facing his fears.
He glances at me and does this cute little scrunchy thing with his nose that’s so fucking adorable. I’m listening to Maverick talk back and forth with someone, and it doesn’t seem like English other than being cleared for takeoff. I suck in a deep breath and feel my body go tense. I’ve never been in a plane so small before.
Maverick looks over at me and grabs my hand. “The weather is perfect for flying. It’s going to be like glass up there, smooth as can be.”
I nod as he positions the aircraft on the runway. Soon we’re speeding down it until the plane lifts off the cement and we’re in the air soaring above the ground. Looking down, I see a golf course and then the beach.
“Right there is the Santa Monica Pier,” Maverick says, pointing as we fly over it. Specks of people are below us, and I can make out the Ferris wheel, roller coasters, and restaurants.
“Wow,” I whisper as he turns the plane, and we head toward LA. In the distance, I can see the tall buildings and highways. It’s almost unrecognizable from above. Sure, I’ve flown into LA a dozen times in the past year, but this is more intimate, closer. Once we’ve been in the air for an hour, I turn and look at Maverick, and he’s smiling.
“Okay, where are we going?” I finally ask.
“Thought we’d go on a sky trip.” He shoots me a wink.
I smirk. “Do we have enough gas?”
“We better,” he adds. “There’s no roadside assistance in the sky that’s going to deliver us any.”
The thought of being stranded in Texas comes to mind. Actually, the whole road trip does. I’m mesmerized by looking out the window, and eventually, Maverick circles around, and we land on another runway. After the wheels touch ground and the plane comes to a complete stop, I’m so ready to straddle his lap and take him.
“Whoa girl,” he says between kisses after he turns off the engine.
I giggle. “Pilots are hot.”
“If that’s all it took…” He trails off, and I need him like I need air. My fingers brush through his hair, and it’s hot in the cabin because there’s no air conditioner like in a car. By the time we pull away, my lips are throbbing, and his are swollen. Eventually, we climb out of the plane and walk toward a building in the distance. Looking around, I notice we’re surrounded by desert. Texas, maybe? Lower Colorado? I try to put the pieces together, but I’m falling short.
After we go inside, Maverick checks in and grabs some keys to a rental car, and we walk out and get inside.
“You’ve thought about everything, haven’t you?” I smile, buckling my seat belt.
“You’re just mad because you didn’t plan it all,” he playfully throws back.
A chuckle escapes me. “You’re right. I need to sit back and enjoy it.”
As he places the car into drive, he turns on the radio and glances over at me.
“I wasn’t going to say anything!” I protest.
“My radio,” he reminds me, blasting out Aerosmith.
I look around for anything familiar so I can figure out where we are, and that’s when I see the Las Vegas sign. My mouth fa
lls open for the hundredth time today. “Vegas?”
“What gave it away?” He glances over at me with a grin.
“Ha, don’t be a smartass,” I tell him as we head toward the Strip. When we make it to our hotel, Maverick gets out and hands the keys over to the valet, then goes to the front desk and checks us in. I stand back and wait, and that’s when it clicks that we’re staying the night. Just as I open my mouth to ask about clothes and everything else, I realize that I’m micromanaging this trip. As he walks up, he notices the color drain from my face and tilts his head at me.
“What’s wrong?” he asks as he wraps his arm around my shoulder and we walk toward the elevator.
“I think Rachel has rubbed off on me,” I say, which causes him to erupt into a big, hearty laugh.
“That would never happen. You’re too compassionate and caring. Pretty sure she sold her soul to the devil in exchange for selling millions of copies of her books.”
Now that makes me laugh.
“I realized I was going to ask you a slew of other questions. So, for the rest of the night or weekend or however long we’ll be here, I solemnly swear not to ask about anything else. You’re in control,” I say just as the elevator comes to a stop at the top floor.
“I kinda like the way that sounds. Me being in control. No questions asked.” Maverick unlocks the door, and when I step in, I cover my mouth. The room is bigger than my apartment was in Chicago and even has a fucking chandelier. Champagne is in a bucket, rose petals are sprinkled across the floor, and chocolate-covered strawberries are next to the bed. There’s even a suitcase with clothes. He really has thought of everything.
When I turn back around to face him, he’s down on one knee with a little black box open.
“Olivia,” he says, clearing his throat. I can tell he’s nervous by the way his hand is shaking, and I take steps forward to close the space between us. Maverick swallows hard before he continues, but when I look into his eyes, I know exactly what he feels because I feel it too. As much as I didn’t want to admit it, I have since the first time I met him.
“You are my sunrise and my sunset. The dust jacket to my favorite book, the send button on an important email, and the caffeine to my coffee,” he says, chuckling. “On a serious note, I once told you that I didn’t know why I’m still here or what my purpose was in life after losing my dad. After I met you, I knew it was to protect, to care, and to love you. For years, I didn’t know what living was truly like and then we went on that road trip, and it changed my life. You changed my life, Olivia. Love was like a dream, and something everyone else experienced. Something that only happened in books or movies. I never thought I’d find it, but I fell so madly in love with you that my head is actually still spinning. I can never get enough of you, and any time we’ve been apart, it’s like I’m missing my other half, and I’m so glad I don’t have to anymore. Being able to kiss you good night and have you in my arms every morning is a dream come true. You’ve already made me the happiest man in the world by just giving me a chance and having faith in us. I don’t ever want that to end. I want to spend the rest of my life making you laugh and loving you. I know we just made a huge step in our relationship, but I want it all, Olivia. My life is nothing without you. So, Miss Priss, will you marry me?”
I topple him over, kissing him as happy tears stream down my face. I can’t be close enough to him, and at this moment, nothing else in the entire world matters. It’s like we’re the only two people on the planet, and time stands still. My tongue grazes against his, and soon I’m straddling him. All I know is I need him, and I need him right now.
“So,” he draws out, laughing and reaching for the box he dropped because we got so caught up in the moment.
“Yes, yes, of course.” He slips the gigantic diamond on my finger, and I look at it sparkling in the light. “But…there’s one condition,” I add with a sly smile.
Maverick searches my face, waiting for my next words.
“Let’s get married here. Today. You said you didn’t want to wait. I don’t either.” I lean forward and kiss him as his thumbs dig into my hips. He’s hard as a rock, and I can feel him through his jeans. “I don’t have any family who’d attend anyway. There’s really only you and some friends, and I wouldn’t be surprised if there’s a running bet on when we’ll get married.”
He laughs, holding his palm to my face. “If I could’ve married you last year, I would’ve.”
Butterflies swarm in my body. “I’ve never wanted anything more than to be with you, Maverick. You’re my everything. My best friend. My lover. My family. You’ve seen me at my best and worst. I can’t imagine my life without you.”
Maverick sits up, pulling me into his arms, and we hold each other for a moment. “Okay. Let’s do it. But we’re going right now.”
I let out a laugh. “I’m calling your bluff.”
“There’s no bluff, sweetheart. When I make love to you next, you’ll be my wife.” His lips softly touch mine, and soon we’re both on our feet—standing.
My face hurts from the smile that’s permanently there. Maverick grabs his phone and does a quick Google search, and after ten minutes, we’re using walking directions to one of the dozens of drive-by wedding chapels in Vegas. Nothing has ever felt so right in my life.
As we walk up to the little chapel, I thought I’d feel nervous, but instead, my heart, body, and soul are happy and content, knowing this is how it was always supposed to be. Me and Him. Together forever. He glances over me as if to ask if this is what I want to do, and I don’t hesitate before I pull him inside.
After some paperwork is signed, I’m changed into a white wedding dress, and Maverick is fitted into a tux. They even had rings for sale, so then I could slip one onto Maverick’s finger until we can go shopping. Strangers are brought in from the street to watch and celebrate. The woman up front gives me quick instructions, which I take like a pro, considering, and soon the “Wedding March” is playing.
As Maverick stands in the front of the room, it’s like everything else around us disappears, and I practically glide toward him. An Elvis impersonator comes out and gives us all the cheesy lines until we’re pronounced man and wife. The kiss leaves me breathless, and it’s as if our hearts permanently meld together at that very moment.
The crowd cheers, and we’re quickly moved to a photo area where hurried snapshots are taken of us so we can remember this forever. But the truth is, my heart will never forget.
Soon we’re changed from our faux wedding gear into our street clothes and are walking out. I stop and look up at the little chapel, down at the paper in my hand, and then at Maverick.
“I love you.” I stand on my tiptoes and paint kisses across his lips.
“I love you, too. Now it’s time to consummate our marriage,” he adds with a wink, picking me up and carrying me down the sidewalk for at least three blocks. People who pass us don’t give us a second glance because we’re in Vegas, and weirder things are happening. When we make it back to the hotel and step onto the elevator, I’m practically bursting with happiness.
“We really did it,” I say, glancing down at my ring, then at him.
He pulls me into his arms and swipes a piece of hair out of my face. “It’s official now, Mrs. Kingston. I’ve got you, babe.”
That damn karaoke song comes to mind, along with all the special moments we’ve shared. I nod my head, not taking a moment for granted, realizing how lucky I am to have someone love me and to feel the same way.
“You’re right,” I tell him with a smirk. “And I’ve got you, too. Forever.”
Epilogue
MAVERICK
“Olivia! We’ve got to go,” I shout at her for the third time. So much for my schedule-enforcer wife staying on time.
“I had to pee! Stop shouting,” she scolds as she waddles down the hallway.
“Again? Didn’t you just go?” I chuckle, knowing she’s going to glare at me.
“It’s not my fa
ult! Your child is using my bladder as a trampoline,” she says, groaning.
I bend down and rub her belly. “It’s okay, baby girl. Your mama and I still love you.” Looking up, I give Olivia a wink, then kiss her bump. Standing, I cup her face and kiss her softly. “She’ll be here before we know it.”
“Only ten more weeks,” she says excitedly.
“Which is why we need this little babymoon getaway.” I smile and press a kiss to her forehead. “You’ve been working nonstop, and I need some alone time with my wife,” I add.
“If only you’d tell me where we’re going.” She lifts a brow, annoyed that I want to surprise her.
“Not a chance.”
I’m so damn proud of her, but she works herself until she’s falling asleep at her keyboard, and I have to carry her to bed. A few months after she moved here and we got married, she got serious about starting her own PR and marketing firm. She was able to walk away from Rachel once her replacement was completely trained, and while she helped me with my career, it was time for her to finally do something she was passionate about. I knew how much she loved her job before—even on the bad days—and watching her do something that excites her and has her bouncing on her feet every morning has been worth it. I love seeing her determination and hard work pay off.
I take her hand and lead her to the car. Our bags are already in the back, and although she’s begged me to tell her where we’re going, I won’t budge.
“We’re flying?” She gasps when I pull into the airport.
“I told you we were going on a vacation, didn’t I?” I look over at her and grin. I’ve taken her on several trips since I got my license, but I’m most excited about this one because it’s a surprise she won’t be expecting at all.