Juliana wasn’t sure when she’d gone to sleep, but when she awoke it was in Maverick’s arms. The room was dark and she realized he must have turned off the light at some point in the night. His lips brushed her neck as his body curled around hers. Part of her was afraid to fully awaken, afraid that it might be a dream.
“Again?” she asked, feeling his erection pressing into her.
“I just can’t seem to get enough of you. I find myself wanting to see what you’ll do next,” he whispered into her ear before playfully licking at the lobe. “Besides, you got my toy out and forgot to use it.”
It took her a moment but Juliana remembered the dildo that had been discarded for other play. Swiping her foot, she felt it bump the toy from under the covers. Soon after, the sound of it landing on the floor echoed through the room.
“Well, I guess that’s out of the question,” Maverick laughed. “At least until we get around to cleaning it.”
“We?” she asked. She turned, unable to see his face in the dark room.
“Unless you programmed the cleaning droids to attend to personal items, as well.”
“They don’t care what they clean. They just do it.” She snuggled closer. “But I’ll see if I can’t give it a specialized program before I go.”
Juliana frowned, glad it was dark and he couldn’t see her expression. He’d given her a place to stay, but she couldn’t live off him forever. How long was overstaying her welcome? She wouldn’t assume just because they’d had sex that she could continue to take from him. Reprogramming his electronics would only repay him so long.
“I’ve been thinking …”
“Oh, yeah? About what?” She waited for him to speak, running her fingertips over the strong arm holding her waist. Juliana wondered why he was hesitating.
After some time had passed, Maverick said, “I think you should stay here. With me.”
“Oh?” She pulled back slightly. Pleasure filled her at his admission.
“Not as a tenant, that seems too formal, but as my roommate,” he explained when she didn’t answer.
Juliana tried to sit up, slightly disappointed though she knew she shouldn’t be. His arm tightened, holding her to him. She was a free woman and could do whatever she pleased, but she didn’t want to give him the wrong idea. She didn’t want to lead him on, only to hurt him. She cared too much about him for that. But, until her life was straightened out, it wouldn’t be fair to let him think that there could be anything more between them. Her messy existence wasn’t his problem and he’d already been a lifesaver, going above and beyond the call of friendship.
“Maverick, I’m not looking for a commitment. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed our time together, but I don’t want you to get the wrong impression. I’m sorry. I should have laid the ground rules first. I just…Well, honestly, I just thought we were on the same page. I’m sorry if I’m hurting your feelings, but I’m just not ready to commit again, especially after only one night.”
He chuckled and kissed her temple. “I know you don't want a commitment and the truth is I’m not one to jump into a relationship either. It’s just nice to have someone here when I get home. I’m not looking for commitment. Since my divorce it’s been rather quiet around the house. I miss the noise. I miss someone being around to watch transmissions and eat with and talk to.”
Juliana sighed, not moving. What did she do? What could she say? It was a generous offer, to be sure.
“We’ll just be roommates,” he said. “No commitment at all except half the bills and utilities. I’ll give you until your Assets Distribution is taken care of because I know how hard it is, but as soon as you are able to do so, you have to kick in. Honestly, I wouldn’t mind the help around here. I want to finish remodeling the house and the extra help with bills would free up the space credits.”
“Roommates with a few perks?” She asked, stroking his arm. It was a crazy idea, one she might not have ever considered before now. But it sounded just like what she needed. She didn’t want to live alone either.
“Why not? It’s not like we’re in love with anyone else,” he said. “I say if we both feel in the mood then we should indulge our fantasies. If not, then we don’t. We’ll never have to answer to each other. We’ll never have to explain.”
“And only we can change the rules of the relationship,” Juliana said. “If and when we’re ready.”
“Exactly,” he agreed. Maverick pulled her closer. “Besides, I walk the mean streets every day. It’s not always safe for a woman to live alone. What better protection than to live with a cop?”
Hearing the honest tone in his voice, she felt he really meant it. “It would be nice to have a friend around.”
“I agree. Also, if at any time you’re unhappy living here or if it doesn’t work out then you can leave whenever you choose. Until you know what’s happening, there’s no need to make hasty decisions. What do you have to lose? You said you didn’t have anywhere else to go.”
Juliana closed her eyes. “Okay. We’ll try it. But if either of us is unhappy then we call an end to it. Deal?”
“Deal.”
“Okay,” Juliana nodded. This was so crazy it might just work. “Deal.”
“I’ll arrange to have someone bring over your things from storage,” he said. “Since it’s only been a few days, I’m sure my friend won’t charge you. He’s a good guy.”
“Thank you and make sure you thank him. I really appreciate it.” Juliana sighed. Maverick’s home as hers? It seemed fitting. She was comfortable here and found she didn’t even really miss her old house. Decorating and lawn work had just been a way to pass the hours, to put meaning into her existence. It was a way to drown herself and keep busy.
“And you feel free to put your things wherever you want to. This house will be as much yours as mine as long as you’re here.”
Juliana reached to stroke his face. “You are a primary amongst men, Officer Perkins.”
“Now,” Maverick said, flipping her on her back. His tight body settled comfortably into hers. “All I need to know is do you want to make love here, or in the shower.”
“Mm,” Juliana moaned, wiggling around beneath him as she tried to stretch her tired muscles. “Shower. Definitely.”
“Good choice. I’ll go start the water.” Maverick leaned in to kiss her, missed, and pecked her cheek. Unfazed, he sat up and she heard him walking toward the bathroom. The light flipped on, showing her the way to follow him.
Juliana didn’t move right away. What a strange week it had been. She had started it in one life and was now in a completely different one.
“A better one,” she assured herself. “This is the hard part, starting over, but it’s for the best.”
She lay on the bed, staring up at the ceiling in the dim light. The sound of water running invaded her thoughts. Did Maverick have an old water shower? She had been expecting the warm laser lights of a decontaminator, not water.
“What?” Maverick asked. His naked, perfect body was silhouetted by the bathroom light. He was gorgeous. “I didn’t hear what you said.”
“Nothing. I was just talking to myself,” she answered, moving to get up off the bed. She never was one for marathon sex, but somehow, she felt her body stirring to go again. Maybe it was just Jeff who didn’t turn her on anymore. Maybe he never really had. Juliana had never felt this comfortable with him.
“Mmm,” was all he said, as he pulled her to his mouth. Crushing his lips to hers, he kissed her deeply, walking her with him toward the shower.
Steam filled the bathroom, inviting them to the stream of warm water. Maverick opened the stall door and reached in, testing the temperature before letting go long enough to let her step into the shower. Juliana hesitated as she looked inside. “I’ve never been in a water shower before.”
He chuckled. “You’ll never get into a decontaminator again. I promise, you’ll love it.”
Juliana reached in, touching the warm water. She’d been wet before, so she wasn’t frightened. Slowly, she stepped into the stall, only to moan as the water hit her flesh. It felt good, massaging over her entire length. Maverick shut the stall door and grabbed a small container off a shelf along the side. Dipping his fingers into the pot, he took out some white gel. Juliana watched, curious as he lathered it in his hands.
“Soap,” he said, moving to touch her. It glided over her flesh as he took his time washing her. It felt wicked and wonderful at the same time, a slow arousal all on its own. The lather made his fingers glide as he teased her flesh, taking his time to rub every inch.
“You know,” she said, caught between a pant and a moan. “I can honestly say I’ve never had a man bathe me before. Mmm, have I been missing out.”
“Now, that is a real shame,” Maverick answered, moving her so the water hit her skin and rinsed away the suds. “You should have men begging to bathe you.”
Not to be outdone, Juliana lathered up her hands and scrubbed him, as well, exploring the tight peaks of his body down to his stiff arousal. Soon they were kissing, their slick bodies pressed tightly together as they made love in the shower. Her hair stuck to her flesh and the taste of water invaded their kiss as he turned her into the stream.
Maverick continued to bathe her, reaching for shampoo. He ran it into her locks, pressing the soapy length against her back as he kept kissing her. Letting her go so she could rinse, he ran his soapy hands through his shorter hair and then did the same. He followed the shampoo with conditioner, though more got on her backside than her hair. Juliana didn’t mind. She was too busy running conditioner over his hair and neck. The erotic feel of flesh sliding against wet flesh became too much. She needed to feel him inside her once more.
“I can’t wait any longer,” she breathed heavily. “I need you.”
“Mmm,” he agreed, crushing her against the wall. The water hit his back as he grabbed her hips. Juliana wrapped her arms around his neck. Maverick groaned, thrusting up so he was imbedded completely inside her welcoming sex.
Their bodies strained as Maverick took her slowly, conquering every inch of her with his hands. He toyed with her nipples, pinching them, moving only to find the sensitive bud hidden in her wet folds to give it the same torturous treatment.
Tension built inside her, making it hard to breathe. Maverick didn’t stop as he rocked her higher and higher, grabbing her hips to hold her steady. His movements became more rushed. He thrust harder and faster, grunting as he drove her over the edge of passion. Juliana cried out as her whole body shook. Maverick’s groan joined hers, echoing in the bathroom as he stiffened inside of her. His body jerked and she knew he was coming hard.
Weak, she fell limp, pinned between Maverick and the hard wall. The shower continued to beat down, the water cooler than before. Or was it that her body was hot from their lovemaking?
“I don’t want to let you go,” he whispered. “I feel like I could do this forever.”
Juliana didn’t say a word. She couldn’t. Too much was going on in her life to make any promises or declarations and she refused to lead Maverick on. He said he didn’t want a commitment and she wouldn’t do anything to try and change his mind. She had to get her life in order first. Then and only then could she start to plan her future.
“I love the feel of you. You’re so soft, just as a woman should be.” He kissed her neck. “And the sounds you make, mmm, perfect. You’re perfect.”
“Let’s go to bed,” she said, yawning. “I don’t think I can stand much longer.”
Maverick instantly turned off the shower and stepped out. When she joined him, the cooler air hit her wet skin and she shivered in response. “Here,” Maverick said, quickly drying her with a giant cut of material. After he’d done himself, he swept her up into his arms and carried her off to bed.
* * * *
Juliana was hesitant as she watched Sean and who she could only assume was an off duty cop carry a plastic box of her clothes up toward the guest bedroom. When Maverick said he was going to go get help to move her, she hadn’t expected them to come back with a load already in hand.
“Hey,” Maverick said, walking in with his own box. “We just went ahead and grabbed it all. We’ll put it upstairs for you and you can unpack later.”
“Oh, okay.” She started to nod, but more men followed behind him with even more boxes. There were nearly a dozen helpers carting boxes. After she got over her stunned moment of complete and utter appreciation, she hurried to the kitchen, quickly preparing refreshments for them—small pastry puffs filled with cream and dried sweet flower petals. Putting them on a dish, she carried it out.
She was still holding it when the first mover walked by. He paused, looked at the food, grinned and grabbed one. She didn’t mind, but the other man helping him carry the box protested loudly. “Hey, Tym, carry your own weight.”
Tym laughed, grabbed a puff and threw it at the man’s face. He opened his mouth and caught it, chewing as he began to back up the stairs.
Maverick walked past and she made a weak noise in an effort to stop him. He did, smiling at her. His eyes went to her mouth as if he’d kiss her, but he held back.
“Do you want me to hire droids to do this?” she asked
“Not a problem, ma’am,” one of the men said behind Maverick, having overheard her. “Mav, here, promised to let us sample something called cord and blue.”
Maverick laughed. “Cordon bleu.”
“Yeah,” the guy repeated taking a handful of the dried flowers. “Cord and blue.”
Juliana laughed, passing the dish of refreshments to Maverick as she hurried back to the food simulator. It didn’t take long before the men were done, armed with plates and standing on the front step of Maverick’s home moaning in appreciation while they ate. Maverick introduced her to his friends, who were indeed all off duty police officers. All of them were nice, making jokes about work, about family, about life in general.
“You have got to give this program to my wife,” Tym said, as she took his empty plate. “Stars know I love her, but she can’t program her way out of a plastic crate full of air.”
Juliana chuckled. “I’d be glad to.”
“So, ah, Mav, you need help moving anything tomorrow?” Faul asked, turning hopeful eyes to Juliana. “I’m not doing anything for lunch, or dinner, or breakfast for that matter.”
“Ah, you’re on shift during lunch and dinner,” his partner, Jim corrected.
“Exactly, I’m not going to be doing anything tomorrow,” Faul teased.
“You are all welcome to stop by anytime and I’ll materialize something for you to eat,” Juliana promised.
“Ah,” Maverick held up his hand. “I don’t think you want to do that. You’ll never get rid of them.”
The men laughed.
“We should go,” one of them announced.
“Yeah, it was a pleasure, Juliana,” another said.
“See you tomorrow for breakfast,” Faul teased, “and lunch.”
The men left and Juliana sighed, moving to wash their dishes. A small smile crossed her face as she worked. Maverick joined her, pulling her hand. “Why don’t you let the cleaning droids do that today?”
“I really don’t mind the work,” she said. “I like having something to do.”
“I know, but come relax and talk to me before I have to go in to work.”
“Don’t they give you a day off?” she asked. “You’ve worked every day since I’ve been here.”
“They were short handed and I agreed to picking up the shifts. It won’t be so much on the next schedule.” Maverick sighed, plopping down on his couch. He looked at the window. “You changed the landscape.”
Juliana glanced at the red, barren hills. Dust looked as if it blew across them. “I was flipping through, and I swear an alien head popped up. I’m trying to catch it again.”
Maverick laughed, lying down on the couch. “Come here. We’ll watch together.”
He patted the space next to him and she nestled against his side, laying her head on his bent arm. His arm slid over her waist and he kissed her neck. Being with Maverick was so comfortable. After a few minutes, he said, “Are you sure there was an alien?”
“Yes. I know it was something,” she insisted. Suddenly, a face popped up, as if jumping up to peek inside. Juliana giggled. “Did you see it?”
“Mmm, no, missed it,” he said. “I was too busy looking at you.”
Turning so she faced him, she threaded her legs into his. “I guess we’ll just have to stay here until it comes around again.”
She closed her eyes, completely happy. Nothing else seemed to matter in this moment, not the outside world, not court dates or Assets Distribution forms. There was only Maverick and her and the holographic alien peeping in the window.