Page 109 of IOU

I feel my brows pull together. “I’m late? I’m not the one who canceled our date.” I never said I wouldn’t be bitter.

His lean body straightens slowly, a dark look in his eyes. “Come here.” His voice is low and dangerous and I’m not sure copping an attitude was a good idea.

I take a step farther into the open space toward the poker table. Maverick watches each step, his finger drawing lazily across his lips. I guess he isn’t going to comment on the whole date cancelation thing. That’s fine. He will.

I walk toward him, watching as his eyes drink me in, and when I’m within his reach, he pulls me to him. I make a soft noise at the sudden jerk and stabilize myself by throwing my arms around his neck.

“What are you doing in here?” I try again. It’s not Wednesday. It’s not like anyone is coming over to play poker.

He nuzzles my side with his scruffy face.

“I was just analyzing all this debt we have.”

I rear back. “What? I thought you said the only debt we have is the house!”

A sly grin tugs along his face as he directs his gaze to the poker table. There, scattered all over the green felt, looks like all the IOUs he’s written me over the past six years.

“The way I see it, you’ll never pay off all of this debt. It would take you a lifetime.” He rubs the scruff on his face, pulling me closer. “So, a lifetime is what I will take.” He pushes me back so he can stand and then ... kneels while digging into his pocket and pulling out a black velvet box. “Ainsley James. I’m full of total shit.”

I burst out laughing at his vulgar beginning.

“You owe me nothing and everything. I’m a man who played his odds. The over-under for a woman as incredible as you ever being with a man like me was ridiculous. I knew I didn’t deserve you and I never will. You see me. You got to know me when no one else did. You make me a better man. Marry me—”

He doesn’t phrase it like a question.

“And let me be indebted to you for a lifetime.”

I can feel tears welling in my eyes.

“I can’t,” I admit softly.

He rears back, that stunning face of his falling. “Wh-why?”

I run my fingers through his hair and smooth the clenching muscle along his jaw. “Because I come as a package deal.”

He rolls his eyes. “I’ve dealt with Lawrence this long, what’s a lifetime?”

I grin at his sweetness. He has dealt with Lawrence and has bought Lawrence a friend every year on our anniversary.

“I’m not talking about Lawrence.”

He still looks confused and it’s freaking precious.

“Let me show you,” I suggest, removing my shirt, leaving me only in my leggings. “I wanted to surprise you tonight.”

He looks me all over, trying to find a clue on my body. “For a man who reads people, you sure are dense tonight.” I laugh, grabbing his hand and plucking the box from it. “I’ll hold this.” I grin and then I place his hand on my belly. A belly that just this week cannot squeeze into a pair of jeans.

His hand trembles along my skin and the meaning of my words sink in. “I come with a free gift,” I tell him. “It’s not just me you’re committing to for a lifetime.”

His jaw ticks and his eyes turn glassy. “Are you saying—”

I nod. “We’re having a baby.”

The man who scared an entire university bows his head and places a kiss to my stomach before pulling up and leveling me with a look of resonation. “Let me try again?”

My entire world rests in this man’s eyes.

I nod, handing over the box.

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