Maverick by Ashers, LeAnn (read dune TXT) 📕

Maverick chuckles. “He loves doing that.”

Ever since we took him to the salon to learn how to take care of his hair, he has been obsessed with taking care of it. I don’t even have to help him anymore.

“He does. Maybe we need to set up a chair for him in his bathroom and a mirror so it’s easier for him?” I suggest.

“I’ll get a prospect to pick something up tomorrow.”

“That why I love you,” I throw out there.

He tilts his head to the side. I continue, “It’s the way that without hesitation you do whatever you can for those you care about. We are so blessed to have you.”

He drops the spatula onto the counter, walking to me. I still get butterflies around him. Just looking at him catches me by surprise because he’s all mine.

I count my blessings, because coming from something that was not good, to this?

It’s heaven.

“Darlin’, if you’re trying to get me to fall in love with you, then I’m already gone.” He cups my face, staring deep into my eyes.

God, the way he looks at me.

If I ever had a reason to doubt his words, I just have to look into his eyes. They will never lie.

“I love you too, honey.” I stand up on my tippy toes, kissing him softly, pouring every feeling into it.

His hand buries into my hair, taking over the kiss, making love to my mouth. God, the sex with him is out of this world. Breaking the kiss, I say breathlessly, “Too bad you have to leave.”

He gives me a heated look. “I’ll be home later. I want to bury my face in between those thighs.” He licks his lips and I almost pass out from how sexy he is.

“Can’t wait,” I whisper into his ear, tugging slightly on his earlobe before I put distance between us.

The look he gives me, I almost lie across the damn bar and strip naked.

The moment is broken when the kids walk downstairs. Ronny has Anna turn so he can show us his masterpiece. “Wow, you did such a good job, Ronny!” I hug him. “You look beautiful, Anna.”

She smiles at me and looks around the house, taking everything in. I know that it’s very different for her.

If my parents still live in the same house, it’s a small one-room house. My parents’ bed was on one side of the house and my bed was on the other, and we had a small kitchen.

I honestly want to take a trip to Kentucky. I want to see my parents. They sent me away at fourteen years old to Michigan with a man twice my age who abused me.

I told them.

They did nothing. They allowed it to happen because my husband was my owner, according to the church.

This church is huge. I think it’s bigger than anyone ever realized and I think I want to get rid of it.

“Maverick, can I speak to you for a second?” I walk into the laundry room and shut the door behind him.

“I think I want to take a trip to Kentucky. I want to confront my parents and I think I want to stop this cult; I need to stop it. These young girls are still being abused to this day.”

“We will make it happen, darlin’. I’ll get the information we need. Vinny was raised in a cult. I wonder if it’s the same cult?” Maverick thinks out loud.

“Thank you.” I hug him before I open the door. The kids are standing around the table.

“Do you still like everything on your burgers, Ronny?” I ask.

He nods. “Yes, ma’am.”

“Do you know what you like on your burgers?” I ask Anna.

“I like cheese and ketchup.” I make their burgers and set them front of them, then a huge glass of milk each.

Anna grabs the burger with both hands, taking two huge bites before she even swallows.

Ronny leans across the table. I turn away so I don't embarrass her. “Go slow, it doesn’t hurt your tummy that way.”

I run into the kitchen, breathing in and out deeply, trying not to cry. That was the saddest thing I’ve ever heard.

It kills me to my core that he even knew that.

I want to kill his mother all over again; his mother is dead. I didn’t do it, but I know that she will never hurt anyone ever again.

I don't have one ounce of sympathy for her, She hurt Ronny on so many levels. I don't have any sympathy for my parents; I am sickened by them.

I look out of the window, taking one long deep breath before I join the others.

Turning around, Maverick is leaning against the counter. He’s there but letting me have my space in this moment. “Good, angel?”

I nod, rubbing my hand on his stomach before sitting down beside Ronny and next to Anna, who has already finished her burger.

“Do you want another one?” I ask.

She looks down at her plate, ashamed, nodding. Maverick gets up and makes her another one.

He comes back and hands it to her. “So if you could go on vacation anywhere, where would you go?”

Ronny’s eyes widen. “I want to see a pro hockey game, but Disney World!” he yells, his face showing his excitement.

Anna looks at Maverick. “Disney World.”

“Looks like we are going to Disney World, and Ronny, I will get you to a game.” Maverick winks.

Ronny jumps up and runs around the table, slamming into Maverick and hugging him, “Thanks so much, Dad.”

I swear I could have pushed Maverick over with a feather, his eyes are clenched closed, hugging Ronny back with the same fierceness.

He opens his eyes and I grin at him, knowing exactly how he’s feeling. We never wanted Ronny to feel like he had to call us that, we wanted that choice to be his because either way in our hearts he’s ours.

“Want some more milk?” I ask Anna, who is watching Maverick and Ronny.

She nods and I fill up her glass once more. She sits back