Page 31 of Don't Hurt Us
“I can't do it, Maverick!”She huffs and folds her arms across her chest.Her little chin wobbles and I know she’s seconds away from losing it.
“Sure, you can.You just need to improvise.My mom was a lot taller than you and this barre was put in specifically for her.”
He grabs a few exercise steps and places them side by side down the length of the barre.He lifts Bree into the air and places her on top of them.
“Look!Now you’re the perfect size.Show me what you can do!”
He takes a step back and watches her carefully.She struggles at first to lift her leg high enough, but when she finally gets it, a massive smile lifts her chubby baby cheeks.
“I did it!”She squeals, almost losing her balance with her excitement.
Quickly getting her leg back down to the ground, she runs towards Maverick and leaps into the air.He catches her with ease and she wraps her arms around his neck.
“Thank you, Maverick!You’re the best!”
“You’re welcome, sweetheart.”He lowers her back to the ground and watches as she races back to the barre to practice some more of her ballet moves.“I need to check on dinner.You can either stay down here or come up and keep me company,” he says as he turns his sparkling blue eyes on me.
“I think I’ll keep you company.”I smile as I take a step closer to him.
“Smart decision.I have wine.”He winks as he heads back towards the stairs.
As soon as we’re out of view of the kids, he places his hand on my lower back and walks next to me.The warmth from his palm seeps through my thin shirt and sets my skin on fire.
He leads me into the kitchen and before I can even take it all in, I'm pressed against the wall and Maverick’s lips are on mine.His hands grip my waist and he tilts his head to the side, deepening our kiss.It’s demanding and needy.He has me breathless in seconds and wondering how I can make this a daily occurrence.
“I’ve been waiting to kiss you for two days,” he murmurs against my lips.“I’ve been counting down the minutes until you’d get home.”
“Me too,” I whisper.“I’ve been thinking about you all day.”
“Good.It’s nice to feel wanted.”He grins as he takes a step back and grabs a bottle of wine off the counter.He pours two glasses and hands one to me.
“This is my favorite wine.”I stare down at the glass and wonder if he knew.
“I assumed so.You had two bottles at your house.I was afraid I was wrong and they were Pecker’s.”
“No,” I chuckle and shake my head.“Pecker hates wine.Did you really go out and buy wine just for me?”
“Of course.I figured you’ve been at work all day and had to stay late.You’re probably exhausted and in need of a relaxing night.I have a hot tub too, if you ever want to use it.”
“What’s wrong with you?”I tilt my head to the side and examine him.
“Excuse me?”He chuckles, but he looks slightly nervous.
“There has to be something wrong with you.You seem too perfect.How are you still single?”
“I told you, I never found anyone worthy of my attention.”
“You’re not a serial killer?”I arch a brow.
“No.”His grin widens.
“Do you have an odd obsession with something like… stuffed animals?”
“I collect shot glasses.”He lifts one shoulder in a shrug.“Is that a red flag?”
“No, you own a bar.”I roll my eyes.“Have you been to prison?”
As soon as the words are out of my mouth, I clamp my hand over it and stare at him with wide eyes.His brows shoot up his forehead and he pinches his lips together.
