Page 23 of Tattered
Nine
MAVERICK
I reach my hand beneath the faucet, checking the temperature before I lean over and plug the drain. Standing, I feel the breath of air sucked out of my lungs when my eyes fall on Ryan. She looks beautiful with her long, brown hair falling over her shoulder. My eyes drag over her body as she peels the material of her shirt over her head and unhooks her bra, letting it fall to the floor.
In one swift movement, I grab the hem of my shirt and quickly pull it over my head. I let my gaze fall over her smooth, tan skin, over the ink that wraps around her arm and down her leg. The ink looks so much like the drawn-on designs she once wore.
Thinking of her back then has memories of our first night together flashing through my mind. Remembering how beautiful she looked beneath me, tasting her lips and every inch of her skin as I catalogued what I thought would be our last night together.
I would’ve thought coming back to Everton after all these years would’ve been harder. Having to face my dad and everything I left behind is difficult, but having Ryan at my side has only solidified who she was through some of my most difficult times.
Even before I acted on my feelings for her, her mere presence always had the ability to ease the pain I carried with me. Her fire and passion shined a light in the bleak darkness.
Drawing myself out of my thoughts, my eyes focus on Ryan’s face. Her eyebrows are furrowed as her eyes try to decipher what I am thinking.
Turning, I lean forward and pull her into a deep kiss. She reaches up onto her tiptoes, meeting me halfway, as her arms wrap around my neck, pulling me close.
“Let’s get in before the water turns cold,” I whisper against her lips.
She nods her head and moves to step into the bathtub.
Reclining against the side of the tub, I open my legs as she slides in between them, resting her back against my chest.
“It’s been so nice being with you this week. Thank you for coming today. I know I said you didn’t have to, but it meant a lot to have you there.”
She tilts her head back, resting it on my shoulder as her eyes gaze up at mine.
“You don’t have to thank me. I wanted to be there for you.”
Her fingers wrap around mine as she continues, “I know it wasn’t easy for you to come back to Everton. I know it may not seem like it, but I’ve always been here, for whatever you need.”
For as long as I can remember, I’ve dealt with everything on my own. The things I’ve witnessed during my time in the military is not the type of shit you want to burden other people with. It’s enough to make it difficult for anyone to rest easy when they lie down at night.
“Have you thought about what you’re going to do now the funeral is over?”
I sense a hint of hesitation in her voice as she turns to focus her attention ahead.
“I got a message from the realtor this morning on my way to the church that someone put in an offer on the house. I’d already told him the first offer we receive we’re going to accept. I want to wipe my hands of this place.”
I’m not sure if it’s the bitterness in my tone or what I said, but I feel Ryan’s body tense against mine as she moves to turn and face me. It’s distracting really, having Ryan’s naked body on display for me, but the look on her face clues me in that she’s not at all interested in the two of us being naked in here together.
“So, I guess this is it then? You’re not going to take Graham and Dean up on the offer to work at Compass?”
My eyes narrow. “I thought you knew I wasn’t planning on staying here long. I have to report back to base next week.”
She nods her head, biting her lip. Her eyes focus somewhere else, lost in her own thoughts.
“Can you tell me one thing? What was this to you then? You come back here and drudge up all these old feelings. What was the point, Maverick?”
“Are you kidding me? It’s not like that and you know it. I care about you more than anyone, so don’t demean what this is.”
Her jaw clenches, shaking her head as her eyes look away. “Are you planning on coming back or is this it?”
“Ryan, I have a duty to my country and to the men who are still over there serving. I would never ask you to walk away from your art; I know how much that means to you.”
“You wouldn’t have to ask, Maverick.”
She shoots up, the water cascading down her body as she grabs for the towel and wraps it around her naked body.
