Page 54 of Don't Hurt Us
I don’t know how I got lucky enough to gain his attention, but I'm thrilled I did.I get to see this every day for the rest of my life.
“Are you going to stare at me or are you getting changed too?”He arches a brow as a smirk tugs on the corner of his lips.
“Staring seems like a really good option right now,” I whisper as he searches through a drawer for his bathing suit.
“I'll be right back,” he murmurs as he grabs his bathing suit and shuts himself inside the bathroom.
I lay back on the bed and stare at the ceiling.It’s hard to believe this is our new life.I'm not alone anymore and I have someone to lean on now.It’s difficult to remember and to adjust to, but I'm so thankful for Maverick and everything he’s done for us.
“I think it’s your turn to get changed,” Maverick mutters as exits the bathroom.He pulls me to my feet and nudges me towards the bathroom.
I quickly change into my bikini and when I emerge from the bathroom, Maverick is sitting on the edge of the bed, waiting for me.His eyes roam over my body.I want to cover up or hide the stretch marks that mar my stomach and hips.I want to make him look anywhere else, but that’s not fair.
“Why do you look like you’re seconds away from running and hiding from me?”His voice is deep and barely a whisper.
“I don’t want to… I'm just… My body is nowhere near as nice as yours.”
“Your body is amazing.You just don’t see it.”He presses a soft kiss on my neck before moving down to my collar bone.“I love your body.It’s so perfect.You’re beautiful, baby.I'm a lucky man.”
He’s the only man I’ve ever truly loved.
The only one to have held my heart in the palm of his hand.
He takes a step towards me and loops his arm around my waist, tugging me flush against him.
“You’re absolutely beautiful.I wish I had the time to show you exactly how much I love you, but our kids are waiting to go in the hot tub and I think it would be weird if we keep your brother and Sophia waiting much longer.They’ll think we’re doing things we aren’t doing.But that doesn’t mean I don’t want to spend the rest of my night with you in my arms and my lips on yours.Do you understand me?”
I nod my head, not trusting my voice one bit.This man does things to me no one else has ever been able to do.
I don’t miss the way he refers to Danny and Bree asourkids, notmykids.I love that about him.He views me and the kids as a package deal and he doesn’t shy away from it.He embraces it with both hands.
“Good.Let’s get in that hot tub.”
As much as I want to stay in this room with him for the rest of the night, he’s right.We can't leave everyone waiting.I have no doubt one of the kids will come looking for us shortly anyway.
Chapter 25
Maverick
Bythetimeweget out to the hot tub, Peck and Sophia are already settled onto one side, leaving the other three sides empty.
My parents got an eight-person hot tub installed while I was in high school.I thought it was crazy to have such a huge one when only three people lived here, but I'm more than thankful for how big it is tonight.
The kids are waiting on the deck for Sydney to tell them it’s ok to get in.I love how respectful they are of their mom, even though Rob never expected them to treat her that way.Danny has his moments where he’ll be disrespectful, but he doesn’t get upset when I correct him.Deep down he knows she deserves better and he always apologizes.I'm happy it doesn’t become an argument.
“You can get in now.Thank you for waiting.”Sydney motions for them to get in.
The kids practically jump into the hot tub.I'm sure they were freezing standing out here and waiting for us.There are still several inches of snow on the ground from the last storm and I have a feeling we’ll be getting more soon.The air just feels like a storm is on its way.
As soon as Sydney dips beneath the water, I take the seat next to her.I wrap my arm around her shoulders and pull her into my side.I always feel like I need to touch her in some capacity.
“When are you moving, Uncle Peck?”Danny breaks the silence first.I don’t miss the moisture in his eyes.I'm sure he’s going to take it hard when Peck finally moves.
“We haven’t set an exact date yet, but probably in the next few weeks,” Peck says softly as he drapes his arm around Sophia’s shoulders.“Mason wants me to start working soon.Sophia’s dad and uncle are working hard on the bakery and I don’t think it will be long before it’s ready.Since I moved everything out of the house, it would probably be easier to keep it packed up for when we move.”
Pecker’s shoulders deflate.I know he’s become really close to Danny over the last few months.I think they’ll both take it hard when he moves, but I understand his reasoning.He can't let Sophia move away without him, but she can't stay here.
They’re making the right choice for them, yet that won't make it any easier.I’ll do my best to help Danny through the loss of his uncle.I’ll make sure he doesn’t go off the deep end again.
