Page 99 of IOU

“Yes. I need them as allies. But Bennett isn’t the friendliest person and even less so when you deal with Aspen. I used to think his tight hold on her was excessive. But now”—he squeezes me, nudging his hard length into my backside—“now I understand.”

Does that mean he loves me? Or does that mean he understands why Bennett loves Aspen?

“I won’t let anyone come between us,” he murmurs, moving the hair off my neck and placing a soft kiss against my heated skin. “It’s not about staking a claim, but about protecting a future.”

I’m beginning to like where this is going.

“Bennett might not be able to be with Aspen yet, but he sure as fuck can make sure he protects a possible future with her for when the day finally comes.”

It sounds complicated and a little heartbreaking. She seems really nice and well, Bennett seems a lot grumpy. Maybe that’s because he’s frustrated by not getting what he wants. I’m not sure what the story between Aspen and Bennett is, but I hope it works out for both of them.

And I hope all these subtle words and sentences mean that Maverick is not a rebound but loves me just as much as I love him.

Rumor has it she was only a pawn in his game.

“Idid it. I applied!”

My voice is loud enough that Maverick winces, but I don’t care. After waking up in Maverick’s bed, Lawrence snuggled in between us, I realized it was time to take my life back. I finally had a man—or a really amazing friend—we haven’t labeled it yet—who gives me extreme orgasms and never minds sleeping with a stuffed sea lion in his bed.

It was Maverick who inspired me to chase my dreams. Lying there in his arms while he talked passionately to a guy about his retirement, not only turned me on, but convinced me I wanted that passion again.

So I decided to take my life back. Never again will I miss out on doing me. If someone can’t stand behind my dreams, then they don’t deserve to be in my life.

“Thank you for pushing me to fill out the application this morning.”

Maverick squeezes me in his brawny arms and I take a moment to soak him all in. Has he always smelled this good? Wait, that’s me. He smells like me, which is even better.

“I didn’t push you,” he says smugly. “I simply agreed that you needed to apply during your passionate girl-power-women’s-rights speech you gave me after we watchedGI Janelast night.” Oh yeah, that movie inspired me too. I had forgotten about that. It happens when Maverick scrambles your brain with morning sex.

“It was a good movie.” I grin, snuggling in deeper. “Either way, this has been the best day ever, and I think we need to celebrate by getting lunch together after class, since it’s your first day and all.”

Can you believe it? He actually came to class. Ever since he had that talk with his pops, he’s seemed lighter. He is still working since he and Pops haven’t settled on an applicant yet. Honestly, I think Maverick is trying to drag it out, so he won’t have to hire anyone. I get it. He’s territorial. But from the arguments transpiring between him and Pops, they will be hiring help. Apparently, Maverick has grown the company so big that even if he wasn’t trying to finish school, they would still need help with all the accounts he has.

Pops threatens him regularly about his heart and even makes him send a snapshot of his watch readings, which haven’t been too bad recently. Probably because we’re having crazy amounts of sex. Luke was right, it really is the best way to reduce stress.

Either way, things have been different. Maverick and I have been spending a lot more time together and now we are doing couple-y things like eating lunch after class in honor of his first day.

“I’d rather eat at home,” he says in a gravelly voice, dragging his finger along the inside of my jeans.

“Mmm ... That sounds like a great idea,” I agree. “But I’m afraid I won’t make it back in time for my afternoon class.”

“Skip it.”

The mere suggestion sends a smile to my face. Gah, I’d love to be a bad girl and crawl in bed with this undercover nerd and veg out, but who are we kidding? We might bang each other’s brains out, but once we recovered, Maverick would be back at his laptop and I would hurry off to class.

Reaching up, I trail my hand along his jaw. “Tomorrow, when I don’t have an afternoon class.” I can feel the muscles clench underneath. “Besides, you have an afternoon class too.”

He frowns like he just remembered he’s been reduced to a mere college student and not a finance mogul. Is that even a thing?

“Fine.” He groans, stepping back and putting distance between us. “Run before I change my mind.”

It’s cute how he says it so seriously, like he’s really tempted to grab me and run away. “Don’t worry. You’ll be fine. First days are hard on everyone.”

He rolls his eyes. “Funny. I’ll meet you here after class. Don’t be late.” He says the last part firmly and I have to stifle a grin.

I get it. He isn’t used to being on campus or even out in the public. My closet water-drinking-nerd is used to sitting up in his kingdom and ordering people around via email. When he does get out, it’s always at night and always with his crew. Him going to class all alone is really out of his element.

Standing on my tiptoes, I place a chaste kiss to his lips. “I promise. I’ll be waiting.”

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