Maverick by Ashers, LeAnn (read dune TXT) 📕

my hand to her burning cheek. “I’d never not understand. I want you to feel safe around me. Never hide that from me,” I tell her.

Her head falls forward until her face is buried in my neck, her arms around me. I don’t hesitate. I stand up and put her in my lap, allowing her to take whatever the fuck she wants from me.

I pull the blanket tight around her, tucking her in. I don't know if that fucking helps her, but it seems like the right fucking thing to do.

Bell

I can’t believe that I had a panic attack right in front of Maverick. Then when I realized I was having it, it got even worse because I didn’t want to have one in front of him.

I’m not scared of Maverick. I just think old thoughts and feelings came out of nowhere, overwhelming me.

Right now? It’s complete heaven. My arms wrap tightly around Maverick, holding him close.

For the first time in my whole entire life, I feel safe.

I feel safe in every part of my being, emotionally, physically. When he said it doesn’t change a thing, that made me feel so much better.

“Thank you.” I lift my head from his shoulder and look at him. He turns his head and smiles.

He lifts his hand, running his fingers through my hair, rubbing slightly. “It isn’t a thing, darlin’. How you feel is what’s important.”

Gosh, my heart.

The way he speaks to me, I’ve never had that before. I smile sheepishly and lean back over, lying on him once again.

I breathe deeply. The way he smells is intoxicating.

I can’t believe I’m brave enough to lie here with him.

But most of all, without fear.

“Sleepy?” He runs his hand down my back, pulling me tightly into him. Gosh, the way he feels is absolutely amazing.

Chills drift up my spine when he touches the base of my back where my shirt has ridden up a little.

“Do you have any kids?” I ask, curious about his life.

He shifts on the couch, scooting farther down, pressing his chin to the top of my head so easily, like this happens every day.

“I don’t. I was a Navy SEAL for many years of my life. Once I got out, me and Konrad just rode our bikes for months, traveled the land we worked hard to protect.” I reach forward and take his hand, settling on the couch next to us.

I put my palm in his, looking at the difference in our hands. Those hands could hurt me, kill me in a second, but he’s holding me, touching me gently.

I peek up at Maverick, who’s grinning ear to ear at me. “You’re tiny, sweetheart.” He closes his hand around mine easily, his southern drawl sending goosebumps down my back.

I slide out of his lap. One part of me wants me to stay there forever, but I want to look into his eyes as he speaks to me.

I curl my legs under. He positions the blanket over my legs without a second thought as he continues talking. “I met Smiley; he was the president at the time. He threw his idea to me, we pooled our cash together and now we own hundreds of businesses all over Texas and other states. The Devil Souls MC are very similar to us, but they are newer.”

“Wow, I’m proud of you. It seems your hard work has paid off.”

He gives me the softest look yet. “You’re way too sweet for your own good, do you know that?”

I look down at my hands, smiling. My face burns at the compliment. His finger touches my cheek gently, rubbing. “Ahh, there’s that blush again,” he teases, and chuckles.

I laugh and push his hand away, taking it in mine. “Teasing isn’t very nice, Maverick.”

He laughs. “Can’t say I’m sorry. I love your blushing.” My face is burning by this point, so I pull the blanket up over my face.

He laughs even louder and pulls me into his chest, hugging me. “You’re beautiful, darlin’.”

I giggle and snuggle close, and both of us focus on the TV.

* * *

Hours later, around nine o’clock p.m., I hear the beep in the house letting me know that someone is coming through the gate.

Maverick and I have been lying on the couch for hours watching movies. Now we’re snacking on popcorn.

We have done absolutely nothing, but it’s been the best time. We’ve laughed, joked and cuddled.

The door opens and Chase walks in holding Hunter. Jessica eyes both of sitting on the couch.

“How is Lani?” I ask, sitting up slightly.

“She’s doing great, trying to get some sleep.”

Jessica looks unsure what to do, she keeps looking at the both of us. “Well, goodnight, guys. I’m going to bathe Hunter and put him to bed.”

“Goodnight, honey,” I tell her and they head up the stairs.

“I never did ask how old you are,” Maverick asks, twirling the ends of my hair between his fingers.

“I’m thirty-eight.”

I can see him counting in his head. “You had Jessica when you were really young.” He says carefully.

“I was married young. I was fourteen,” I say the last bit carefully, awaiting his reaction.

Then it hits me. Technically I’m still married. Will that be a deal breaker? How does someone even bring up something like that?

He sits up, confused. “Darlin’, how is that even possible? Fourteen?”

I turn in my seat. “I practically grew up in a cult, Maverick. Things like that were normal in our life, sadly.” I smile, playing it off like it wasn’t a big deal. “We have no rights, we belong to our parents until we are married and then we belong to our husband.”

Maverick

A fucking cult? She looks so unsure telling me this, like I’m going to run for the fucking hills.

I can’t stand the thought of some kind of fucked up shit happening in her head like that.

I smile. “Come here, darlin’, let’s finish this movie?” I ask her and she smiles, showing me her beautiful dimples.

I pull her to me, holding her, trying not