Page 30 of Falling Stars

My face flames. “I don’t want your money.”

“No one said it was for you. It’s for Leo, so you can feed him something other than processed peanuts and sugary jam.”

“Oh.” For some reason, that makes my eyes sting. Next thing I know, my throat tightens, and I cover my mouth.

“Baylee, I’m sorry. Don’t be upset.”

I can’t stop the torrent of tears that follows. “It’s… It’s fine.”

“Damn it, no. Don’t cry.” He stalks over to me and wraps his brawny arms around me.

I press my forehead to his chest. “Don’t be nice to me. I can’t handle it. I do much better when I’m on my own.”

That asshole presses a kiss to the top of my head. “You’ll never be alone, Baylee. You’ll always have me.”

We both know that’s not true, but I have an appointment in twenty minutes. I wiggle out of his arms and swipe my hand across my face. “If I take this money, will you let me pay you back?”

I can see the disappointment in his eyes. “If that’s what you want, but you don’t have to pay me back. I like taking care of you.”

A sweet sentiment, just a few years too late. “Look, I appreciate the concern, but I have to learn to take care of Leo on my own. You won’t always be around to help me dig myself out of my problems.”

He looks like he wants to say something, but changes his mind. With a curt nod, he takes a step back. “Whatever you need to do.”

Hating that I have to borrow the money, I slip it into my pocket. “Thank you. I don’t want you to think I’m not grateful. I am. I just… I need to be self-reliant.”

“Gotcha.”

For some reason, he looks so alone, so desolate, I crack. “How about I bring you lunch? It’ll be my way to repay you. I can do it every day until you think I’ve paid it off.”

Our eyes meet. “If that means you’ll join me to eat every afternoon, then sure.”

That’s not what I meant, but there’s a light in his eyes now that wasn’t there a minute ago, and I don’t want to be the one to douse that. So I nod. “Sure. Lunch. Just don’t be half-naked and sweaty from working out when I come home. No girl wants to eat lunch while you’re sweating like a yeti.”

He chuckles, and his eyes twinkle. “Deal.”

It’s bad enough that we’re living together for the next few weeks and sharing the couch, but now I have to have lunch every day with Maverick.

10

MAVERICK

The whole fucking morning,I think about her.

While I stretch.

While I exercise.

While I eat breakfast.

I can’t even describe how happy I was to see Baylee last night. Of all the people who could crash at my condo, she’s the last one I expected, but damn, I’m glad she’s here.

She texts around noon to get my lunch order. We decide on burgers, and I jump in the shower to clean off before she gets home.

As the hot water sluices down my body, I remember her round ass in those hot pink panties, and my dick juts up in excitement. I let out a relieved laugh. “Thought you died, man. Happy to see you back in business.”

No, I’ve never talked to my cock before, but when you think you’ve lost it forever and it finally comes out to play, it warrants a few words of welcome.

I grip it firmly and give it a few good tugs. It swells, and I place my hand against the tile while I work myself over.

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