Page 32 of Don't Hurt Us
“I can't believe I just said that.You don’t need to answer me.In fact, you shouldn’t answer me,” I mumble against my palm, but he still hears me.
He tries to close the distance between us, but every step he takes towards me, I take one back until my butt hits the wall behind me.I let out a loud gasp and he takes the chance to press his body against mine.
He stares down into my eyes and doesn’t say a word.I'm not scared of Maverick and I know he’d never hurt me, but I'm not sure what’s going through his head right now.
“Do you really think I’ve been to prison?I'm best friends with the sheriff,” he murmurs against the side of my neck, making shivers dance up and down my skin.
“I think I'm horribly wrong and I should stop talking around you,” I whisper in a breathy voice.
“I wouldn’t want that.Tell me what’s going through your head, Syd.I can feel you pulling away from me.”Maverick rests his forehead against mine and closes his eyes.
“You just seem too good to be true.My kids love you and want to spend time with you.You actually like them and want to hang out with them.You played with them and did freaking homework with them.”
“Is that a problem?”
“No!The problem is no one else has ever done any of that.You handle them like a pro too.It’s like someone’s whispering the secrets to parenting in your ear every step of the way and it’s not fair because I'm barely surviving as a parent and it seems so easy for you.”
“Sweetheart, you’re a wonderful mom and those kids love you more than life itself.My parents were the best and I learned a lot from them.But at the end of the day, I'm putting myself in their shoes and thinking about how I’d want someone to treat me.I'm not their parent so I don’t have to deal with everything you do.That makes it easier for me.Plus, I think they both are trying to get me to like them so I stick around.They’re on their best behavior with me because they’re terrified I’ll walk away if they give me a reason to.”
“Will you?”
“Never.”He brushes my hair behind my ear and cups my cheeks.“I'm here for as long as you’ll allow me to be.”
“What if I don’t let you go?”
“Then I guess you’ll have to marry me.”
Chapter 15
Maverick
Sydney’sstruggling.Icansee it in the way she looks at me and the way she keeps letting out little sighs when I do things right.I almost want to screw up just so she doesn’t view me as being perfect.I don’t want her thinking I'm too good to be true.
I carefully spoon the stew I’ve been working on into bowls and place them on the table.Then I cut up fresh baked bread and plate it.Once I have drinks on the table, I call Danny and Bree up.
“Sit down and take a deep breath.”I guide Sydney over to the table and pull the chair out for her.
“You must think I'm crazy,” she whispers, staring up at me.
“No, but I think you’re struggling right now and I'm not sure how to help you.So, I’ll take care of everything while you process and if you want to talk about it after dinner, we can.”
“I just can't comprehend why you’d want me when you could have anyone.It doesn’t make sense.”
“Because I think you’re the most amazing woman I’ve ever met.You’re smart, talented, loving, and more than beautiful.You take everything life throws at you with grace and determination.You don’t complain or ask for help, you do it all on your own and I find that ridiculously attractive.”
I press a soft kiss to her lips right before little footsteps enter the kitchen.I wish we weren’t keeping our relationship a secret.Then I could touch her and kiss her whenever I wanted to.
“Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For being you.”
Unsure of how to respond, I smile as Danny and Bree take their seats at the table.It’s cute how Bree automatically takes the chair next to mine and Danny always sits next to Sydney.I’m more than a little excited I get to sit next to Sydney, even if I can't touch her.
Since everyone already has a bowl of stew in front of them, I pass around the bread and we dig in.The smell of the food cooking has been teasing me all day.I’ve been waiting to get a taste and it doesn’t disappoint.
“This is amazing, Mav.”Sydney glances up at me with surprise.
