Maverick by Ashers, LeAnn (read dune TXT) 📕

You make me feel safe, physically, but most of all, you take care of my heart, my mind. Everything.”

He looks at me in a way that lets me know that he means every single word. He rests his forehead against mine.

“Baby, can you tell me about your past?” he asks.

A deep fear strikes my heart. What if he thinks I’m disgusting? But he needs to know.

“I was forced to marry when I was fourteen years old, to a man that was in his thirties.” I start shaking so bad, I tuck my trembling hands under my body to make me feel like I am sort of in control.

Maverick reaches under me and takes my hand from under me, kissing the back of it.

I don’t deserve him.

“I thought at first that maybe I could have a better life. The second I was married, I wished I could have gone back to my old life.”

Maverick

Bell’s eyes get a glossy look to them. I regret asking her to tell me, but I need to know.

I need to know how long I’m going to make her ex-husband fucking suffer, how long I need to torture him for the pain he has caused her.

“It started the wedding night. I was scared, alone and so confused, but he just threw me down onto the bed. That was the first time he raped me. That continued until a few months ago when I left him. And that’s not even counting the physical and mental abuse I suffered along with that.”

“Baby, I am so fucking sorry that you were hurt in that way. That shit has broken my fucking soul.”

I feel split wide fucking open. I feel so much anger I can barely breathe, but the pain of what she suffered?

It’s suffocating.

I press my face into the crook of her neck, trying to control my anger. I don’t want her to see me mad. “I’m okay, promise,” she tries to reassure me.

“Angel, I know you fucking hurt, but the amazing thing is, you’re here. You’re thriving and I feel honored that you trust me enough to be around me.”

She smiles slightly. “What if I told you I would never be ready to have sex?”

Bell

I watch his reaction closely as he buries his hand in my hair. “I’m not here with you because of sex. I’m here with you because I care about you so much that I can’t fucking breathe sometimes.”

That’s what I needed to hear.

“I’m ready,” I tell him honestly.

I’m ready to take that step with him. I’m ready to see how it goes. I’m terrified, my chest tight with nerves to see how it goes.

The only thing I’ve ever felt with sex is pain; it’s the only thing that I associate sex with.

I don’t want to do that anymore.

I know with Maverick it will be different. I know it won’t be pain. I know that he won’t get off on the pain.

That’s what makes me nervous—this is completely new territory for me.

Maverick’s face turns serious, “What are you saying? I need the words from you, darlin’.”

I lick my lips, running my hand up his side. “I want to try to be with you. I’m ready.”

“We’ll take it slow. You tell me to stop and I will.”

I kiss him sweetly on the lips. “That’s why I’m so sure. You’ll keep me safe.”

“I will always protect you, even if it’s from myself.”

He sits up slightly, tugging my shirt over my head, leaving me in my bra. His eyes feast on me, looking me up and down. “So fucking beautiful.” His finger drifts over a small burn scar above my right breast.

He pays attention to every little scar, mark, freckle on my arm, chest, neck. “I was so scared to show you these marks,” I admit my fears.

Many nights before I met Maverick, I would stay up all night long worried what people would think. I just felt ugly.

Maverick leans above me, kissing me so tenderly my toes curl, resting his forehead against mine. “You never have to be scared of me, ever.” He kisses me once more, stroking my arm, my side and hip.

I ache in anticipation, needing so much more.

Maverick settles his weight more on me. I feel him hard, pressing against me. I can’t resist the urge, tilting my hips, feeling him rub against me.

God, I need more.

Maverick runs his hand down my leg, sliding under my butt and cupping my ass, lifting me higher so he can rub himself against me even harder.

I grip the blankets beside me as new feelings flow through my body. He drags his lips from mine and I throw my head back, looking at the ceiling.

He buries his face in the side of my neck, kissing, blowing, licking. My toes curl. I lift my legs, cupping against his hips.

He presses his hand onto my hips, pressing me down onto the bed, stopping my movement.

“Is this okay?” he asks.

I look down and see his face right above my breasts. I nod.

He grips the cup of my bra, tearing me free. His eyes are on me as his mouth closes around my nipple.

“Oh god,” I choke out, gripping the back of his head.

His tongue swirls around the tip before sucking deep. My whole body freezes up as the pleasure shoots straight to my pussy.

He lets me go with a pop, moving to the next and giving it the same treatment as the first.

I let go of his hair, gripping the sheets once more, trying to gather myself, make sense of all of these feelings.

He lets me go, kissing down to my stomach, under my breasts. He reaches under me, unhooking my bra to free me completely.

His hand cups me, running his thumb over my nipple. “So goddamn beautiful,” he growls, biting my belly slightly. “Can I take off your pants?” he asks.

“Take it all off,” I choke out, completely breathless with need and nervousness still pooling in my stomach at what is going to happen next.

What if I don’t enjoy