Page 100 of Wild Love
“It isn’t the direction we want.”
“Why? Because it showed the real me? Highlighted all the things you don’t want me to be and are embarrassed to be associated with? I’m a tattooed hockey player who prefers being shirtless to wearing suits. That’s who I am, and you’re not going to change me to fit your agenda. You don’t want me in your campaign, and I don’t want to be, okay? Find someone else to be the face of Maverick Corporation’s sack spray.”
I’m tired of apologizing to him for who I am. I spent the last two years finally feeling free of those expectations with people who accepted me. I’m not wasting another second trying to be anything but who I am. A hockey player. A joker. A guy who thinks tattoos are badass. Someone who thinks life shouldn’t be taken too seriously.
And a guy falling in love with a girl who makes him feel like all of that is okay.
32
Dakota
We sayhurried goodbyes and walk back to the apartment. Johnny’s quiet as we ride the elevator. I don’t know exactly what was said between him and his dad, but I know that it resulted in Johnny storming off the photo shoot and that alone makes me want to scream at John Maverick Sr.
Since I can’t do that, I hug Johnny’s side. “Are you okay?”
He nods and presses a kiss to my temple. He takes Charli for a quick walk while I pace the apartment, brainstorming how to cheer him up.
I grab every bottle of lube he owns, more condoms than any two people could possibly use in a single night, my vibrator (that has seen little action this summer thanks to Johnny), a bottle of Mad Dog from the kitchen, and my laptop.
I’m browsing porn when he gets back, and at the sounds coming from my computer, he lifts a brow. “Whatcha got going on over there?”
I wave a hand in front of the coffee table. “I thought to myself, how does one cheer up Johnny Maverick.”
He drops onto the couch beside me, chuckling, and slides his arms around my waist, holding me close to him.
I lift the hem of my dress and straddle him. The video playing is of a couple taking a vacation and, according to the very succinct description, having a threesome with *gasp* the maid. Not very original, but it was the best I could find on short notice.
“We should go on a day trip tomorrow. Drive out to the lake or somewhere. Just the two of us, and Charli, of course.” I start on the buttons of his shirt, and he leans back into the cushion.
“Okay.” His expression is still broody, but he shifts to pull out the hem of his shirt and groans as I glide my palms along his chest.
I lean forward and kiss the spot over his heart and then unbutton his pants. Scooting back, I drop to my knees in front of him and grab the tingling lube. I finally get another light chuckle as I free his dick and gasp in exaggerated porn-worthy fashion.
The video is past all the cheesy talking, and the couple starts having sex. Feminine moans fill the apartment. Johnny’s gaze flits to the screen, but instead of holding there while I take him into my mouth, he uses his foot to close the lid of the laptop, and then he threads his fingers through my hair gently.
“Not doing it for you? You can pick another video.”
“Right now, the only sexy little sounds I want to hear are the ones coming out of your mouth. Come here.” His hands lift me gently by the neck until I’m back straddling him. He covers himself with a condom and then guides me down onto him.
“Johnny.” His name comes out with a whimper. We both go still. I drop my forehead to his, feeling so full of him I can’t breathe. He lifts my chin with a thumb, staring into my eyes with an expression that makes my heart race and my pussy clench around him.
“Thank you for wanting to make this shitty night better, but it already is just being here with you.” He places a soft kiss on my lips, and his voice softens and comes out gruff. “This is perfect. You’re perfect.”
A lump forms in my throat, and the back of my eyes burn. I don’t know what to say, so I lavish him with kisses and then bite his bicep playfully to lighten the moment. He responds by slanting his mouth over mine and holding me hostage with the sweetest, toe-curling kiss. He holds me close as he continues to slowly lift my hips and drive into me from below at a pace that’s unhurried and savoring.
Sex with Johnny is always consuming in a way it never has been with anyone else, but tonight is different. It’s intimate and real.
I moan into his mouth as I fall apart around him, and he whispers, “Perfect.”
* * *
I wake up early,naked and smiling, to Johnny’s deep voice.
“Morning, baby.” The bed dips, and he drapes an arm across my waist. “Wake up, gorgeous.”
“It’s Saturday,” I murmur, snuggling Charli closer to my chest. “We want to sleep in.”
“No can do. Charli’s got a hot date, and so do you.”
