Page 39 of Reckless Hearts

Maverick.

His eyes are wide as they search mine, his thumbs wiping away my tears.

“You scared me,” he says, his voice breaking around the vowels.

“What if you died,” I rasp, my throat raw.

He drops his forehead to mine, trying to reassure me.

“I’m okay. Just a broken nose—nothing that hasn’t happened before.”

I shake my head, tears stinging. “It could’ve been?—”

Maverick shifts against me, easily lifting me onto his lap, securing me sideways against his chest.

The heat of him chases away the lingering chill from my panic attack.

Unsteady, I rest my weight on him, trusting his hold.

“Look at me,” he says, his mouth grazing my temple.

When I don’t immediately move, he guides my chin up with his thumb until he’s all I see.

“It’s a little crooked. Gives me a more rugged look, right?”

The always serious Maverick attempts to cheer me up with a shaken smile.

I can’t help but give in.

“It’s distinct, I’ll give you that.”

His brows pull together as he tucks a loose strand of hair behind my ear.

“I’m not sure that’s a compliment.”

Even teasing, his voice stays low and gentle, like he knows I’m not ready to return to normal yet, and he’ll give me all the time I need.

He’s created a bubble around us, and I want to live in it forever if he’ll let me.

It’s my turn to really look at him.

Besides the small cut across the bridge of his nose, there’s no trace of blood. His hair’s wet, drops falling from the ends, like he rushed to find me.

He’s showered. Changed.

I must’ve been out of it longer than I realized, time losing all meaning while I fought to hold on to consciousness.

The cool strands of his hair slip between my fingers as I rake them back soothingly.

Maverick leans into my touch, a soft hum vibrating in his chest.

I know I should explain, he deserves to know what he just witnessed.

But the words catch in my throat.

If he knew, he’d worry every time he got on a bull. His attention would split.

And the most dangerous thing a bull rider can be… is distracted.

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