Her pussy glistened, beckoning me to touch her, taste her. And when I did, it was sunshine and sugar all over again.
Chapter Fifteen
Grace
“Don't stop, Maverick.” It came out sounding more like a threat than a request but I couldn't help it. His mouth and fingers were all over me as he fulfilled his promise of leaving hickies on my clit. I was so close to having an orgasm that I tried hard not to think about how long it might be taking me. I always got nervous in situations like this – completely exposed. I wasn’t that way the first time he gave me an orgasm and I came with lightning speed.
I pushed his head into me as I rode his mouth, loving the way he was touching me. I’d never had this. I was irked a little that it’d taken me twenty-seven years to experience this. And equally grateful that I hadn't because Maverick was doing wonderful things to me.
Tingles shot through me down there as his tongue tickled me and I knew I was there. His fingers pushed in and out in a quick rhythm and seconds later it was all fireworks. My toes curled, my clit quivered unlike anything I’d ever experienced before, my nipples ached and my hands shook as I let go of his hair.
“Come here. Ride me,” he demanded.
“Like on top? I've never been on top before…” my voice trailed off as his mouth met mine, swallowing whatever I was saying and then I was on all fours on top of him looking down at his magnificent body and impressively-sized manhood. He was big and hard. His cock pulsed with life and it was beautiful.
He rolled a condom on over the vast length of him and I got more and more turned on by the second.
“I want to watch you come again, Grace.”
He held onto my hips as he lined himself up with me, the tip of him just teasing me enough as it bobbed along my folds. I stretched pleasantly over him as he filled me completely.
“Open your eyes, Princess.”
I forced myself to open my heavy eyelids as I watched him watch me. A tangle of two unexpected lovers as we worked together to make it to the finish line. His tough palms and strong fingers dug into my skin and I basked in the way he cared for me. Doing what needed to be done to make sure that I got pleasured before him. Especially when he hadn’t a clue about my bedroom stage fright. I fell for him a little harder in that moment. The way he rocked me, helping me grind into him to achieve satisfaction before him.
“Let go, Gracie.” His large fingers pushed on my clit, creating extra stimulation for me and between our glistening skin and our heavy breathing, I rode Maverick the way he wanted. As hard and fast as I could until the both of us lay content and exhausted in one another’s arms.
At some point in the night, Echo had joined us on the bed. I couldn't recall a time where I hadn't felt lonely in my life. But lying here next to Maverick with a glimmer of moonlight shining into his bedroom, tracing his chest hair with my fingers, I felt like I finally had someone I could count on.
“I want more, Maverick.” I traced the plains of muscles along his chest, down his flat abdomen, to where he was naked and erect. Ready for me, too.
I stroked his cock, warm and pulsing in my hand. My thighs clenched together in need. I could feel my slipperiness between them. My aching clit throbbed like it never had before.
My fingers touched my clit, pushing on the ache in the hopes it could give me some relief. I rocked into my palm and stroked Maverick with the other.
“Inventive,” he growled against my shoulder.
My fingers slipped inside as I continued to stroke him, arching my back as I rode my palm.
“It’s like I'm suddenly consumed with need. I have to come again,” I whimpered between breaths.
He kissed my shoulder, bit into my skin gently like no other lover before him. He leaned on his forearms watching as I stroked him and pleasured myself at the same time. Seconds later he gripped my wrists, holding them both in one hand above my head. He was whispering things to me, how sweet I tasted. That I was his sunshine and sugar. How he didn't want to let me go. And I knew it wasn't written in stone, the moments of passion, but my chest still filled with pride as he nibbled on my breasts. Tugging and biting as if he couldn't get enough of them.
When he slid into me, I was burning up, ready for more of him. This time he was slow, cherishing every moment. He was making love to me and I knew with everything I had, that he hadn't done this with another woman since his wife. He went torturously slow, pushing his cock into me and withdrawing it tantalizingly slow, inch by inch, until I was calling out his name as my orgasm seemed to go on forever.
My legs went over his shoulders as he got forward on his knees and his feral look promised that he was done with the love making and he was ready to fuck. He pumped into me, hard and fast; the bed was shaking and I knew he would come quickly as full as I felt.
This was the Maverick I’d craved. The Maverick I knew would finally succumb to his needs and rock my world. Listening to him outside his bedroom window and finally experiencing it, I exploded against him quicker than I ever had.
He was relentless. Fierce. A Roman Warrior. He was some kind of Greek god.
And as he came undone inside me, falling on top of me, he was all mine.
At least for now.
Maverick was long gone when Echo and I woke up the next morning and I wasn't sure how he was going to function at work at all today. Based on my calculations, we’d had a maximum of four and a half hours of sleep. Four and a half hours didn’t seem like enough time to put a full day’s work in.
I took Echo with me to my apartment where I baked a delicious strawberry pie and got cleaned up. I floated on clouds throughout the rest of my morning before I made the call.
“I’d like to schedule a consultation, please. For breast reduction surgery.”
The lady was able to schedule me in three days later, which she insisted wasn't the norm because they usually were scheduled so far in advance. Yet, I couldn't help but wonder how many people were getting breast reduction surgery or enhancements within the Deer Creek/Lone Star area. Lone Star’s population was slim to none with Deer Creek having every possible thing urban living could afford. Yet it wasn't a metropolis either.
I couldn't believe I’d made an appointment. It wasn't anything like I thought it might be. It was a simple doctor’s visit, like going to the dentist. Not a big deal. I didn't feel different, like my life was going to crash against the rocks. Nothing. I just poured another glass of sweet tea and took Echo outside for a walk.
Just as we approached my apartment building, a beat-up truck pulled alongside the curb and a guy hopped out.
“Trixie, I’ve been looking everywhere for you!”
“Excuse me? I’m Grace.”
He walked closer to me, Echo sat at my feet, not giving this person her usual happy-go-lucky demeanor and frankly that put me on edge. He was shorter than I was, ragged blond hair as if he’d been out surfing all morning.
“Not you, lady. The dog. Trixie!”
I swooped Echo up from my feet. “This isn't your dog.”
“Yeah, it is. Been missing about six weeks?”
“She doesn't seem like she recognizes you. I think you have the wrong dog,” I stated matter of factly. He had to have the wrong dog. Echo was mine. How many people kept looking for their dog after six weeks? I turned to go but his hand on my arm stopped me.
“Whoa lady, chill. I’ve been looking all over for her. Come here, Trixie.” He went to grab her out of my hands, but I pulled her away, standing my ground.
“Look, there’s some misunderstanding. She isn't yours. I'm not going to hand over my dog to you, merely taking your word for it.”
Even though he was right on both accounts. That Echo was in fact a she and that she’d been living with us for approximately six weeks. Where was Maverick when I needed him? Surfer boy probably wouldn't have given us a second glance if big bad Maverick was with us. His vest with all his dirty patches would have surly scared surfer boy away.
“Here, I can pro
ve it to you.”
“How?” I asked. Suddenly my heart bottomed out of my chest and I had this actual fear that he was going to take Echo away from me. He was going to pry my little fingers from her soft white coat and deposit her in that clunky old truck of his. She would put her front paws on the window sill as he drove away, no doubt questioning why the hell I let her ride in a filthy truck like that and wondering why I wasn’t going with her.
“She has a brown spot on her belly. Shaped like a kidney bean.”
My worst fear had come true.
My heart stopped.
Echo’s owner had found her.
Trixie.
I hadn't even put up signs. I glanced at his license plate, memorizing the numbers in my head. I wasn't sure what good it would do, because I had no choice, I had to give Echo back to her owner. If this were me, I would fully expect the finder to hand over my dog immediately. Of course, I wouldn’t have waited six weeks either.
“Why isn't she happy to see you? She doesn't recognize you one bit!” I pleaded.
“Who knows what you’ve put her through. She’s been away from her family for almost two months. Wouldn't you look like that if you were lost from your family for that long?” He smirked at me in this outrageously cocky attitude like he couldn't believe he had to spell this out for me.
“Where are you from? What's your name? How did she get here to Lone Star?” I still clutched Echo to my chest and she’d cuddled into my arms. Her head rested gently in the fold of my elbow like she had no idea why I was wasting time with surfer boy.
I didn't either. No surfer boy for us, right baby? We have us a bad boy biker instead.
“I'm Will. I live in Deer Creek. Was down here camping and she got away from us. Couldn't find her. With the rain and wind that came through, I knew I had no chance of finding her. Been looking ever since.”
My heart was officially broken. His story was legit. I remembered when Echo had followed me that day. She’d been wet, dirty. Her hair had been matted against her coat like she’d been through the wringer. It had rained heavily the week before. What choice did I have? What could I do?
I felt the tears welling up in my eyes, the small spark of fear I’d lived with the beginning weeks when I found her that niggled at me that someone would want her back, were coming true now. Weeks later, when that feeling had finally gone away. Of course, her living with Maverick wasn't any type of solution, but it’d become my habit. Wake up, go to Maverick’s and take her for the day. At night, take her back. A few times I’d spent the night, eliminating the task of having to get over to his place first thing.
“Look lady, give me my dog. I’ve identified enough for you. Hand her over.”
He held out his hand as if I were merely handing him the classified ads. Not a real live pet! My pet. My girl. She had become my baby. If I turned to run, could I make it far enough to get away from him? What would be the consequences of that? Would he call the police? Would I get in trouble? For…dog-napping? Was that a real thing?
“Lady, come on!” He snapped and Echo lifted her head.
“I don't feel comfortable with this. This is not okay.”
“She’s my fucking dog, it doesn't matter what you feel okay with.”
“Echo, baby. I have to let you go. I'm so sorry, baby, that I couldn't keep you. You’ll be okay, I promise.” I kissed the top of her head, her nose, trying not to let my tears fall.
“Okay,” he plucked her out of my hands and it was like he was pulling skin. Stretching and stretching it, causing unbearable pain that I couldn't stop.
Echo scrambled around widely in his arms as if she were trying to come back to me. As if she could jump from his grasp and come to her real owner.
Me.
I turned, the tears falling down my cheeks, and ran to my apartment building, memorizing his license plate number over and over as I ran. W-N-J-2-8-1-7, more tears, W-N-J-2-8-1-7.
I clumsily grabbed a notepad from my kitchen and jotted down the number, who he was and what he told me. I didn't know what I thought I would do, but I knew I couldn't forget anything he’d told me.
I had to find Maverick.
It wasn't until I was running out the door to find him, that a thought occurred to me. Something surfer dude had said that had sort of bugged me but I hadn't been able to sort it out until now. If I, too, would be sad if I had been away from my family for as long as Echo had.
The answer was no.
My family was so screwed up; it was a relief to be away from my parents. Was that why Echo had acted the way she did? Like she didn't know who the guy was? Because home life was so screwed up she hadn't given it a second thought?
“Maverick! He took her. He took her from me.”
I flew into my brother’s feed store without giving it a second thought of what I was doing, of what I’d be exposing between Maverick and I. Thatcher stood behind the counter, shuffling a few papers in one hand, while Maverick and Ryan sat across from him tossing peanut casings into a pile in front of them
“What? Who took her?” Maverick asked.
“What's going on, Grace?”
“Why would Cap care?”
All three men hurled questions at me but I only had eyes for Maverick.
“Echo. He took her,” I began bawling uncontrollably, throwing myself into Maverick’s chest. I could tell he’d been welding as I could smell the oiliness in his clothes. He stiffened slightly and for a second I couldn't figure out what the problem was, until Thatcher’s hand tugged gently at my shoulder, pulling me away from Maverick.
“What the fuck is going on?”
I stared into my brother’s eyes, letting go of my grip on Maverick. Maverick watched me as I struggled to form words.
Ryan no longer sat in his stool, he, too, was now standing, watching me.
“A guy named Will took her from me. I had her out for a walk and he came out of nowhere asking for his dog back.”
“And you gave her to him? Just like that?” Maverick asked in disbelief.
“I had no choice. He knew everything about her. He knew it’d been six weeks since I’d had her. That I found her right after that storm. He knew she had the little bean mark on her belly,” I sniffed.
“You should’ve taken off,” Maverick said.
“She couldn't have. Sounds like it really was this guy’s dog. Sorry Grace,” Ryan offered. “I’ll catch up with you guys later. I gotta head out.”
Ryan took off, the doorbell dinged as the door slammed shut.
“What do you want Cap to do, Grace?”
“I suppose there is nothing you can do. Is there? She wasn't my dog to begin with. It was only a matter of time. I just can't get over how unhappy Echo was to see her supposed family. Maverick, she didn't even wag her tail. I have a bad feeling. Like maybe they do neglect her.” This caused another bought of tears. How could I have given her to an abuser?
“We’ll figure something out, okay? Let’s go see what we can do. Later, man.” They did that fist bump thing men do but Thatcher remained noticeably quiet as we walked out and I wondered if it had to do with the way I tore into his store looking for Maverick as if we were long lost buddies.
As if I had every right in the world to bury my face in his chest.
To expect that he would be the one to keep me calm after the storm.
“You’re going to have to tell me everything he said to you, what he looked like and what he was driving. I’ll go over to the station and talk to Jackson, see if there’s anything that can be done.”
I glanced through the windows of my brother’s store front. His forehead was set in a crease; his arms were folded over his chest as he watched us.
This had to do with the way I barged into the feed store looking for Maverick. As if I had every right to him. When not a single female on this planet did.
“What are looking at?”
“My brother. He’s not happy.”
“Why don't you go home? I will deal with Thatc
h and head over to the station. I’ll meet up with you later.”
“Okay. Do you think there is anything that can be done?”
“I don't know, Gracie. But I'm willing to give it a shot.” He reached out and squeezed my shoulder. His strong, rough hands reminding me of all the ways he’d touched me last night.
“Thanks, Maverick.”
I glanced at my brother who was still watching us, before I left, praying that Maverick would indeed be able to do something to get my dog back.
Chapter Sixteen
Maverick
I watched Grace leave the parking lot. I knew Thatcher would come out. I knew what his problem was.
“She’s pretty upset,” Thatch said from behind me.
“I know. My gut warned me this might happen.”
“That’s Gracie for you. She gets in too deep. As much as she pretends she has a tough heart, she doesn’t. She goes all in. All the time.”
“I can see that.”
“Even in relationships.”
“What are you trying to say, man?”
“That she’s falling in love with you. I don’t know what’s going on between y’all. I don’t know if y’all have messed around, but I know my sister. She’s already fallen. For you.” He added in case I wasn’t understanding what he was trying to tell me.
I didn’t think she was. She knew this wasn’t permanent. I knew this wasn’t permanent. She was emotional because of the dog.
“I think you’re wrong. She was worried about the dog is all.”
“I’m not wrong, Cap. Mark my words. She’s falling in love with you.”
I turned and looked at him. Listened to the birds chirp merrily as a few cars passed his parking lot. What could I say? Selfishly, I didn’t want to stop doing anything with Grace. Not yet. Not when I’d just gotten a sweet taste of her last night. Not when that part of our temporary relationship was just beginning.
Although, Grace was his little sister. He knew her better than I did. Was he right? Was she falling in love with me? How could I deny to him that I wouldn’t hurt her? My adult life has been all about temporary relationships. I couldn’t even call them relationships. They were more like temporary conveniences. Wasn’t I the one who agreed with Grace that this would be short-term?
Wicked: A Small Town Romance (Love in Lone Star Book 3) Page 16