Page 135 of Maverick

Finally, they make it to the stairs, and Nick's there to help them down as Maverick then Ransom tip forward slowly, letting the grannies set feet down on the step, as they rise back up, the caftans tug at them, until they finally pop out from underneath.

"What a wonderful ride!" Nan exclaims.

Connie chokes on her drink again, then plops down on the step, in about six inches of water, and coughs out "That's what she said."

Mavericks wide, stunned eyes meet mine, and he slowly backs away, finally turning to swim back to me. "They are terrifying. Where the fuck did she learn that?"

"Why the fuck did they sit on your heads?"

Mav plants his hands on the side of the floaty, and does a slow, careful push up,hello gorgeous muscles,as he answers. "They said they didn't want to get any wetter. We suggested they sit on our shoulders, but they said that would be indecent. And that their hips had taken a pounding over the years and don't spread very well anymore."

It's my turn to choke, then collapse on my side, laughing hysterically. "We're going to have to keep an eye on them. They're dangerous."

"Don't I fucking know it," he grunts as he finally wiggles back into his spot. "Now come here woman and warm me up." He tugs me, squealing, into his arms, pressing me against all that wet skin. The sun's gone, and that warm breeze isn't so warm anymore. But my man is really fucking hot, so pretty quickly hiswarmth soaks into me. He reaches for the blanket, and carefully spreads it over us and I snuggle in until my chin is just touching the edge.

"Do you think we'll actually put a movie on?"

He scans the pool, at all of the men and some of the women who are off their floaties now, playing a game of keep away with what looks like a big waterlogged sun hat. "Not very likely. Mia and Jonas picked the movie, but it doesn't look like either one of them care right now."

He's right. Jonas and Janey are playing keep away. So is Evie. And up on the pool deck, still on the floaty, is a deeply asleep Mia. And right next to her? Micah and Holly's baby.

And stretched out on the pool deck, head laying on the floaty, gazing contentedly at both of them, is Ransom.

"You're right." I whisper it for some reason, probably because it seems wrong to disrupt the kids. But the kids have obviously figured out how to sleep through anything, which is an absolute necessity in this family. “But it looks like everyone's having fun anyway."

"How about you and I make our own kind of fun?" Mav's voice has gone deep, and growly, and my body immediately perks up.

I snatch the edge of the blanket and tug it up over the top of our heads. "What did you have in mind?"

EPILOGUE

MAVERICK

Iwake up with Cadence's warm body pressed against mine, her soft curves fitting perfectly into the contours of my body. The early morning light filters through the curtains, casting a golden glow across her skin. No one could be luckier than I am. No one. It's not possible.

Just like every morning for the last three months, she makes a soft littlemewand then presses deeper into me. And just like every morning, my heart cracks way the fuck open. It has to start feeling familiar at some point, but so far, every single moment with her feels like a gift. "Morning, beautiful," I murmur, nuzzling into her hair and breathing in her scent.

She turns in my arms, her sleepy eyes meeting mine. "Hey, handsome."

I trace lazy patterns on her bare shoulder, savoring the feel of her silky skin under my fingertips. "How did you sleep?"

She grins, pressing a kiss to my chest. "I had a dream that I was being poked by a stick all night." Her body shakes with her laughter, and I nip at her jaw in retaliation.

"It has a mind of it's own. You know that. Besides, it's your fault, being all sexy and snuggly. You never stay on your side ofthe bed." I pat the hand's width of space next to my hip, then wave at her empty side of the king-sized bed. "You're crowding me."

"I am so sorry," she says, not sounding sorry at all. "Let me just wiggle my way back to my side and give you your—" I muffle her crazy words with my hand.

"Hush your mouth, woman," I order, scowling at her.

Her smile presses against my palm, eyes shining at me. "How do you get more beautiful every day? How is that even possible?"

She doesn't answer, just wraps her hands around mine and presses a soft kiss to my palm. The reverent touch makes my chest feel tight. I tug her into my arms, and press my lips to the top of her head.

"You are so good at that," she says against my throat. "Making me feel like I'm…treasured."

"You are treasured, Cadence. More than you could ever know," I murmur, tightening my embrace.

She sighs contentedly, her fingertips stroking over my skin in a gentle caress that sends shivers down my spine. "I hope I make you feel the same way, Mav. That's all I want."

---