Page 9 of Big Bold Security

“Hey, after all the noise you subjected us to earlier, it’s only fair we get to know the woman behind the music.”

Shameless.

These men don’t want to leave me a single shred of dignity. For the second time tonight, I wish for the earth to open up and swallow me whole—if only to save me from this torture.

Maverick leaps up from his chair with a growl and grabs my hand, helping me up. One of the guys begins to protest but Maverick’s angry glare has him swallowing his words.

“Hey, it’s okay. We don’t have to leave,” I whisper as we make our way out of the dining area. I don’t need his friends thinking I am a coward. I mean, of course, I am a coward and would quite frankly rather be anywhere else but they don’t need to know that.

Maverick certainly doesn’t need to know that.

“Yes, we do. They were acting like assholes and I won’t stand for it. I apologize for the fact that they were born with no brain-to-mouth filter. I promise, tomorrow they are going to be in for a world of pain.”

“I don’t mind, really. I am surrounded by unfiltered mouths all day at work. I just… I didn’t realize I was that loud,” my cheeks flush at the thought of our private moment having an audience. “You should have told me to quiet down.”

“And why would I do that?”

“You knew your friends could hear us?” I gape at him as he lets go of my hand to wrap his coat around me. Anger begins to take over and he must see my shift in mood.

“Relax, Scar,” His fingers button up the coat as his eyes study mine and I find myself drowning in the blue. Maverick pushes a hair strand behind my ear before leaning in and brushing his lips softly against mine. “I didn’t realize we were being that loud either, I was too focused on you.”

I lift my hand to his nape and pull him down to deepen the kiss. His breath is heavy as he slides his lips hungrily against mine before pulling back.

“Let me drive you home, baby.”

“What?”

“Home. I want to take you home.”

“To bed?”

He chuckles against my lips, the sound so deep and throaty that it sends my heartbeat spiraling out of control.

God! his scent, his voice, his taste… it’s all intoxicating.

“Not tonight. Tonight, I’ll just drive you home, kiss you goodnight, and then I’ll see you tomorrow.”

I am sure he’s kidding until he walks me to my complex door and declines my offer to come in.

“Wait, you’re serious?” I glare at him. It’s not fair that he would light a fire in my body and not take care of it.

“Not tonight sweetheart. I want so badly to come in but you need rest and I know I wouldn’t be able to control myself. You look so tired.”

My pout is firmly in place as he leans in to kiss me goodnight, his deep chuckle threatening to undo me.

“Goodnight, Scarlett, remember to lock your door,” he whispers before climbing back in his car but doesn’t drive off until I have walked safely into my building.

I stomp all ten flights up because the elevator is broken and by the time I finally get into my apartment, I am out of breath and I don’t even remember what I was mad at initially.

What is clear in my mind is the memory of Maverick’s lips on mine. The memory of his taste and touch as he explored my body in ways no one ever has. Not even myself.

It’s quite risky being with him like this. A man two decades older than me. A man who was my patient. I could lose my job if anyone ever found out about us, but I want more.

I lift his coat to my nose and breathe in his scent, letting it ground me.

I want more of him.

I want more of everything.

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