Hail Mary (The Mavericks Series)

by Julianna Marley

  That son of a bitch.

  “I locked the door after he left the room and slept on the floor. I should have left that night, but I was too afraid to open the door again. I was going to leave. Go to Charlotte’s, I just needed a day or two to get out. But the next morning our bank accounts were cleaned out and when I came home from work, the locks on our townhouse had been changed. I only had the clothes on my back. And absolutely nothing for Quinn.”

  Taking a deep breath, he needed to calm his temper. Swiping his hand across his mouth, he felt like someone had just given him a blow to the chest. This woman. This delicate, all that was good in this world woman had been treated like garbage and he wanted to scream. Without a word he wrapped her inside his arms. Holding her because it was all he could do. Her breath warming his chest, he wanted to take her pain away. Would do anything to erase that from her life. Searching for words, he pressed his mouth against her ear. “You’re safe now, Sunshine. I promise.”

  Shay’s hand immediately finding her leg, the engine roared underneath Whitney’s seat as lights from the dock disappeared behind them. Looking across the console of the car as he sped past her exit, she traced her fingers over his large hand. So big and skilled. Smooth and rough in exactly the right places. He was quiet and fixated on the road, arguably a little too focused. The corners of his eyes crinkled as flickers of lights from lamplights and store signs dipped through the car. He seemed to be wrestling with something and she was second guessing her decision about telling him the gruesome details about her baby girl’s father. She had never told anybody that story. Not a soul knew about the prison she had been living in for over a year. Every day getting worse and more worrisome than the last. The good Lord had made her a little spontaneous and she welcomed the unexpected. She relished in the unforeseen and all the possibilities of the future. But there was a difference between the surprising and unpredictable and the fear of not knowing what was walking through the door each day. Charlotte and Liv had admitted their suspicions about Adam’s behavior, but nobody knew the full extent. Well, nobody but Shay.

  The cast iron gates opening, the car slid into his driveway. The landscape lights illuminating across the property, it all looked like something out of an architecture magazine. The magnificence of the home taking her by surprise once again. Opening her car door, he reached for her before kissing the top of her hand. “Come with me.”

  Leading her up the long front steps, the large green plants lined on either side dusted her shoulder lightly as her heart began racing with each step. He was so quiet and it was almost making her nervous. Opening the door, the house was pitch dark as she tightened her grip on his hand. She hated the dark. Nobody knew that she still slept with a nightlight every night, but it didn’t matter. Shay made her feel safe. It was unexplainable, but it was the truth. She’d been inside his house before, sure, but this felt intimate. Guiding her up the long wrought iron staircase, she followed him to the furthest room. Walking inside his room, she hid a small smile. It felt like him. It smelled like him too. The room was enormous, staying faithful to the rest of the home. Basic greys and blacks decorated the space, the glass double doors on the far side of the room adding a much needed warmness. Sliding open a large balcony door, she followed behind him gasping as she looked out towards the dark beach, a strong breeze coming off the water. Small boating lights stood out against the black water as the moon shined brighter than she had ever seen. “Shay.”

  “It’s my favorite spot in this house,” he admitted, resting against the railing. Looking between him and the breathtaking view sprawled out in front of them, she looked down at the Jacuzzi and the pool glowing in blues and greens below them. The weathered board walkway beyond lit up by small lamps of light as the seagrass consuming each side blew in the rough breeze. It was magnificent. Gosh, he sure knew how to render her speechless with spectacular views, her heart expanding at the memory of watching the sun rise on the mountain back in his hometown.

  “This is gorg-”

  Cutting her off, she felt him cup her face, his mouth landing on hers. Moaning quietly, she melted against him enjoying the hard strength of his body against hers. Sweeping her hands through his cool hair only seemed to fuel him as she felt his arm wrap around her waist before he scooped her up in one motion. His kiss felt desperate. Reckless. Carrying her into the bedroom, the early Carolina winter breeze followed them. Gently placing her on the bed, he hovered over her, the lights from the balcony resting against him. Reaching out, she smoothed the side of his face, two-day old scruff grazing under her fingertips. “Why do you always look at me like that?” she breathed. He was looking right through her. Saying so much without speaking a single word. “Like I’m something special.”

  He was silent again, his eyes softening and never leaving hers. She could feel her heart pounding inside her ears as he swept a piece of thick hair off her face. Smoothing his thumb down her cheek, the corners of his mouth curved. “Because you are special, Whitney,” he whispered with so much certainty that it was almost impossible not to believe him. “You’re special to me.”

  Lowering his mouth gently to her lips again, her heart burst. This man. This incredible man made her feel so much. Made her feel cherished and beautiful. Gloriously exposed and uninhibited. Both sexy and safe. He treated her like a woman and never once made her apologize for who she was. Feeling his resilient hands brush up the side of her legs, goosebumps spread across her skin. Resting them beneath her bottom, she hooked her leg around his hip bringing him closer. She needed him. Needed all she could get from him. She was in love with this man and she craved every single way he made her feel. Running small kisses down her neck, she leaned back savoring every even skillful stroke of his tongue and gentle bite of his teeth. How had she gotten so lucky? To be able to taste him and feel him? Luck of the Irish she supposed. Trailing her hands beneath his shirt, she ran her fingers up his spine, before appreciating every muscle that shifted and contracted underneath her palms. She wanted to learn by heart every single part of this man. Groaning into her neck against her touch, she smiled. He was such a take charge man, but he felt so affected, so powerless and loose now. Lifting his shirt over up over his head, she tossed it aside taking in the splendidness of him. Muscle and skin and dark ink marring his professionally crafted body. Sitting up, she rested her hands against his chest and she could feel his heart hammering as she placed her lips to the script inked over his heart. Your feet will bring you where your heart is. She adored that and with each second that passed, each kiss she gave and took, she knew.

  Her heart was right here.

  With him.

  Whitney’s sweet mouth on his skin was almost too much to handle, but Shay couldn’t get enough. Running her mouth over each ripple of his stomach, he slipped her shirt over her head before taking her hands and bringing her to her feet. Slowly dropping to his knees, he admired the beauty of her before she went to cover herself again. Taking her hands off her body, he looked up at her. “Why do you that? Why do you cover yourself up?”

  “Because I had a baby, Shay,” she answered quickly as if it was a perfectly logical explanation. Her thick hair framing her face.

  “Yeah, I was there remember?”

  “Yes,” she sighed, pushing her hair behind her ears. She looked sinfully sexy and adorable all with one look.

  How does she do that?

  “But things aren’t as tight,” she whispered using her hands to emphasize, “as they once used to be.” Looking away, her curves lit up in the shadows making his mouth water. “I…I don’t know this new body very well.” Shaking her head, she moved. “You don’t get it.”

  Grabbing her hips, he forced her back in place. Her eyes wide and gorgeous, she took his breath away. “You’re not the only one who doesn’t know this body very well,” he explained slipping her panties slowly and deliberately down her legs. “And that’s a problem.” Placing a kiss against her stomach, her breath hitched and he smiled against her hot skin. He
wanted to find every freckle. Be familiar with every single aged-white scar. Memorize each curve. He wanted to leave his mark on her body.

  On her heart.

  “But what I do know is that this,” he grinned, biting her hip as she quietly squealed, “makes you do that breathy cry.” Moving his mouth just below her bellybutton, he hovered against her skin. “And I know that this spot right here,” he dusted the tip of his lips against her belly as she wiggled against him, “makes you wiggle.”

  Meeting her gaze, she rested her hands on either side of his face, her eyes looking down at him filled with complete desire. Holding his face he felt like he was being touched by an angel. So thoughtful and warm and feeling like peace on earth. And he couldn’t resist any longer. Tracing his hands down her body, the wind from outside spread across the room igniting her body in chills. Or maybe that was just her reaction to his touch. At least he hoped it was. Pulling her closer, he inched down her heated body, her small moans only cheering him on. Resting his mouth against her, she threaded her fingers through his hair and he knew he would never get his fill of this incredible woman. Bracing his shoulders, her fingers dug into his skin as her breathing picked up. Using his tongue to bring her to the edge, it hadn’t taken much before her body began shuddering beneath him, her small gasps competing against the waves crashing outside the balcony. Feeling her relax, she held onto him for support and he smiled to himself taking his time moving back up to his feet. Bringing her into his arms, her lips parted before she gently pushed him down on the bed. Unbuttoning his shorts, she ran her fingernails down his legs, taking his shorts with him and he clenched the bed sheet with his hands on either side of him. Trailing the tip of her tongue over each muscle of his stomach, he grinded his teeth. He was always in control. Of his emotions, his words and what he did and didn’t do. But with her, he felt like he was spinning out of control. Her mouth sweeping against him, he fisted the sheets harder. He felt like he was on fire. Digging his head back against the mattress, he let go of any control she had left him with.

  Spewing off a curse, or maybe three, he took a deep breath taking her hand and bringing her onto the bed with him. Having sex the night before a big game wasn’t the wisest decision, but he couldn’t help it. He needed this woman. Needed to show her what she did to him. Needed to make love to her. Reaching for a condom in the drawer, he ripped it open violently before stumbling to slip it on like a damn teenage boy. “It’s really hard to think with you looking at me like that,” he snickered. He’d had a lot of sex in his life, but he had never made love before. And he hoped he wasn’t about to royally screw it up.

  Hovering over her, she squirmed without him even touching her. Placing kisses against her chest, taking his time with each gloriously soft breast, he worked his way back up, resting against her neck, filling her with himself as her lips parted against his cheek at the push. Relaxing into him, he set a slow pace appreciating every thrust.

  It felt like home.

  Like all that was right in the world in one woman. His name escaping her lips, he looked down into her eyes as she held either side of his face, and his heart blew up. Moving along with her, he realized he’d only ever been with girls before. Whitney was a woman. One who had her shit together and was a professional and didn’t have time for little boys. She needed a man. A real man. And that scared the shit out of him. Her fingers curling around his shoulders, she held onto him picking up the pace. He always let the woman come first before finishing his own pleasure. His mama had raised him with manners after all. But with Whitney it was more than just pride knowing that he made a woman satisfied in bed. He needed to watch her unravel. And he needed to know that he was the man to do it. She was so close, he could feel it as he gave three more pushes. Screaming out, her fingernails dug into his biceps as he plunged in twice more before finally letting go.

  “Holy crap, Shay,” she called out, fighting for air, her chest slamming up and down.

  Grinning, he pushed a piece of damp hair behind her ear, his own breath ragged. “Now careful, Sunshine. Or you’ll end up owing me a dollar.”

  “Okay, so Jax throws the balls to you and your job is to catch them,” Whitney looked down at Shay, using her hands and arms to demonstrate.

  “Just one,” the corners of his mouth curved up, holding up a finger. “He throws just one ball.”

  Laughing, she let her head fall against his stomach. Sitting up again, she readjusted herself while straddling him. “Alright so then you catch it and the defense tries to block it?”

  She was determined to learn this game. If she was going to be sitting up in the stands watching him play his game, than she wanted to know what she was exactly cheering for. Well, besides just him.

  “Tackle me,” he corrected, shaking his head, “defense tackles me.”

  “And you have one chance to get a touchdown when you get a third and ten?”

  Covering his eyes, he groaned. “Four chances,” he corrected, wrapping his arms around her waist, rolling them both sideways. “And it’s first and ten.”

  Laughing again, she curled up against him. His laughter filled her as his arm rested around her. Gosh, he was so soft and felt so good, maybe smelled even better. She felt like she had just felt his soul when he made love to her. But then again, there was making love and then there was what they just did. And it felt deeper and more profound. She had never experienced that type of affection. Ever. It was intimidating, but gratifying. He had managed to make her scream, but mostly, he had made her forget to breathe. With Shay she felt alive. And exhilarated and uninhibited, any remnants of the sweet and innocent girl that everyone knew, nowhere in sight. “It’s hopeless. I’m never gonna learn this game,” she chuckled against his warm skin.

  “Well your first mistake is that you grew up cheering for the wrong team, so there’s that.”

  “Hey! You bite your tongue about the Tigers,” she pinched him playfully in the side. “I’ll have you know that I’ve had couples use the LSU football schedule to plan their weddin’.”

  “Crap team,” he scoffed sounding so much like Rory and his father that it made her smile. “We’ll convert you.”

  We’ll convert you.

  That sounded permanent. It sounded long term. And sounded like she was a part of his family. Is that what he wanted? They were quiet a moment and she listened to the water sway outside. “Have you talked to Rory or your mama?” she asked, looking over at him and he nodded. Running her thumb against the corner of his mouth, she smiled. Things with his parents and brothers had been such a mess in the beginning of their visit and she wanted to make sure he was investing more time and energy into his beautiful family. The pain she had seen on his face the first few days compared to the smile she admired when they headed home made her happy and she wanted it to continue.

  “I’m going out in three weeks for Pop’s surgery,” he said inching deeper into her neck, getting their bodies as close together as he could. “It will be a short trip because we have a game in Seattle, but I’ll be there to see him through and in case Ma needs anything.”

  Smiling, she ran her fingers up and down his arm. The breeze picked up again through the balcony window sending the curtains blowing as his skin shivered beneath her. She felt like she was in a dream. “You’re incredible, Shay,” she whispered and he stilled. Sitting up a bit, he looked down at her and she moved in towards him. It looked like he didn’t believe her or maybe he had never heard that before, she wasn’t sure which one, but he needed to know.

  Because it was true.

  “It’s kind of intimidating sometimes, you know? You’re a superstar and this incredible man and it’s hard to keep up sometimes.”

  Pushing a piece of hair out of her face, he concentrated on her. “I’m just a guy, Whit. One who just so happens to catch a ball really well. And one who still gets ragged on by his older brothers and whose Ma has no problem smacking him across the face.”

  Smiling at the memory, she bit her lip from laugh
ing, resting her hand against his cheek. “But one that is so darn cute.”

  “Oh, I know I’m cute.”

  Shaking her head, she ran her thumb lazily against the side of his face, taking in the grin that had cemented itself inside her heart. “And always so cocky.”

  “Oh yea? I can give you cocky,” he grinned pushing his groin into her side. Giggling, the shadows from the small lights outside splashed across his face.

  This. With him. Felt so perfect. So easy.

  “Stay with me tonight.”

  She wanted that. She did. She couldn’t think of anything she wanted more than to spend the rest of the night in his arms and wake up slowly with him come morning light. “I can’t,” she said gently instead, running her finger against his lips. “I need to be home for Quinn in case she needs me.” Watching her, his eyes seemed to soften at the mention of Quinn. He hid so much from everybody. How much he cared, how he took care of the ones he loved. How much he protected them and how innately selfless he actually was. But he wasn’t very good at hiding how much he cared for Quinn. It was written across his face every time he held her, any time he saw her, or when she mentioned her name.

  “You’re a terrific mother, Whitney. You do know that, don’t you?”

  No. She didn’t. But for the first time in five months, she actually considered it. Most days she felt like she was failing. Always battling with herself between working as hard as possible to secure a future for her and Quinn and actually being home more often to watch her grow each day. Her friends were terrific and always willing to help and she had Charlotte and Magda. She didn’t know where she would be without them, but other than that she was in this alone. No partner to lean on when she was convinced she was making every mistake possible. Nobody to force her to put down WebMD with every weird bump or cough Quinn had. Every decision she made affected her daughter. Her future. She was all Quinn had and she couldn’t mess that up. But Shay didn’t waste his words. He never said or did anything off the cuff. He was deliberate and intentional and she wanted nothing more than to truly believe him. Smiling gently, he pursed his lips to kiss her finger. “Coming from the man with the best mama in the whole world, I’ll take that as a compliment.”