Chapter Twenty-Three

Elle’s Tip of the Day

Never trust an egg-suckin’ dawg!

A high pitch sound startled her from sleep. Daisy? Why was she barking? The mattress dipped, and she rolled toward the center and reached for her boyfriend. Her gaze sprung open, struggling to see through her sleepy haze. Maverick sat up, his back rigid against the headboard, and his fingers clenched a pillow in front of him. The sound he bellowed matched the terror in his distant stare.

“Go away, go away,” he shouted over and over.

Daisy continued to bark, and Elle hurried off the bed and crouched down on the floor.

“Stop,” she whispered to the pup.

Maverick shrieked, begging whoever haunted him to leave him alone. To go away. He called out for his mama a few times, and a pain tore through her heart. What had happened to him? He’d been so young at the time. Who could hurt a child? A beautiful child. Tears streamed down her face. This big, strong man was just a child. Small and frightened. She sat with her back against the wall so she could watch him. Damn to hell if she’d leave him in the middle of a night terror. He could hurt himself.

After what felt like forever, the room went eerily quiet, and he slipped back down on the pillow. She waited a few minutes and watched him sleep as if nothing had happened. Grabbing her phone, she set the alarm for five fifty in the morning. Maverick woke up like clockwork every day at six fifteen. She’d promised to go to the guest room if he had a nightmare, but she wasn’t leaving him now. Lying to him wasn’t an option because he’d never agree to see someone about it if he didn’t think he was still having them. She wanted him to see the world-renowned doctor she’d found through a lot of research. But leaving Maverick now? Not happening. She needed to know he was safe. She reached for her pillow, grabbed a throw blanket, and settled on the floor beside him. Tears continued to fall. Her heart ached for him.

When her alarm vibrated beside her, she hurried down the hall and climbed into the guest bed.

“What happened?” he said, sitting on the edge of the bed. She must have dozed off again because she jumped when he spoke.

She rubbed her eyes before sitting up and wrapping her arms around his middle. “You had a nightmare. It wasn’t bad.”

“You left immediately, right?” The concern in his gaze caused pain to settle in her chest.

“Yes,” she said, because sometimes white lies were necessary.

“I’m so fucking sorry.”

“You have nothin’ to be sorry for. I don’t know why you insist on me sleeping in the guest room. Your nightmares don’t scare me, baby. I want to be there for you.”

“Because I can’t risk your safety. I don’t know what the fuck I’ll do. I don’t remember anything. Promise me you’ll leave every time. No matter what,” he said, dropping his head in his hands. Her gut wrenched. She hated seeing him like this.

“I promise,” she said. And then followed her statement with a few silent words of her own.

But I promise to make sure you’re safe first.

****

“It looks perfect,” she said, to Jess and Brandon, the two guys hanging artwork for her.

“Yeah, it’s really come together these last few days.” Jess straightened the last print.

By the grace of God, this project was finally wrapping up. She’d finished all eight floors, and there was nothing left to do. Saturday was the unveiling of the new space to the public, and between Edward and Camille, there were going to be a ton of influential people in attendance. Maverick didn’t have a game this weekend, so the timing worked out well. She made sure Edward knew Maverick would be attending to support her as they were very much together. In every sense of the word.

The mid-century modern space came together even better than she had imagined. The gray office furniture featured clean lines, with splashes of geometric, colorful art on the walls. This was not her typical design style, and it proved challenging to step out of her usual upscale glam décor projects. She liked expanding her horizons when it came to being creative.

“There’s the lady of the hour. I need to speak to you for a moment,” Edward said, as he stepped off the elevator into the large open space. The other two men appeared notably uncomfortable any time Edward was around. He was their boss, and he did carry himself with a certain arrogance.

“What do you need?” She turned and reached for her briefcase.

“There’s a slight problem. Nothing major. However, the opening will be moved to next Friday evening, instead of Saturday. My father wants to be present, and he needs to leave for France on Saturday morning due to family business. I’ve already spoken to Camille, and an email blast has been sent out to all the guests.”

Her stomach dipped. Would he do this on purpose? No. Going to all the trouble of rescheduling a large event just to mess up her plans? No. She was being paranoid. This was just bad timing.

“Is there any flexibility?” Her voice cracked as the words left her mouth.

“No. The date has been changed and the emails have already gone out. What’s the problem?” He didn’t look at her as he continued to study the new art on the walls.

“Well, um, Maverick is receiving an award on Friday evening for the work he’s done with a national children’s organization. It’s a huge honor, and I want to be there to support him, just as he planned to be here for the opening for me,” she said.

He turned to face her. “Ah, I do recall hearing something about him winning some award. I’m sorry to put a wrinkle in your plans, Elle, but this is business. My father wants to be present to see your work and congratulate you. Besides, I’m sure you support him enough by attending his soccer games. He can survive one night without you.”

His smug, cool demeanor rubbed her wrong. “He plays football, not soccer. Thanks for the advice, but I wasn’t asking for it. I’ll figure it out. Have a nice night.”

She moved to the elevator, anxiety coursing her veins. He was all too pleased about messing up her plans with her boyfriend. A large hand wrapped around her bicep, stopping her in her tracks.

“Stay. Have a drink with me,” Edward said, pulling her back against his body. His lips grazed her ear.

Repulsed, she yanked away and faced him. “Unless you want to get slapped, you best not touch me again.”

He placed two hands on her shoulders and completely ignored her request. “Stop behaving like a child. I’m simply requesting two friends have a drink together.”

“And I’m simply requesting you get the fuck away from her. Now. Am I making myself clear? She shouldn’t have to ask you twice. I don’t give a fuck who you think you are.” Maverick’s voice startled her, and she whipped around to see him standing behind her.

Edward stepped back and a cocky smirk spread across his face. “How did you get past security without a visitor’s badge?”

Maverick reached in the back pocket of his dark jeans and tossed the plastic badge across the desk. He wrapped two arms around Elle and pressed her back to his front. His warmth soothing, but the anger radiating from him sent off alarm bells. With the project almost completed, the last thing she needed was the two men to get in a fight.

“You touch her again and I won’t need a visitor’s badge to hunt you down,” Maverick said.

Edward chuckled. Arrogant and taunting. “It’s a good thing you won’t be able to attend the opening, with the date being moved, because you are no longer welcome in my building. I’ll alert security immediately. I suggest you be on your way. You must have a ball to kick around, right?”

“Is that the best you can do? Don’t you have an Ivy League education, and all you can say is for me to go kick a ball?” Maverick taunted and Edward crossed his arms in front of him, smug.

Elle glared at Edward before turning to meet Maverick’s gaze. Dark and angry, yet still protective and loyal. The man owned her heart. And her soul.

“Let’s go,” she said.

They took the elevator down in silence. He kept a firm grip on her hand. Once outside, he finally spoke. “You’re driving home with me.”

“I’ll ride home with you, but you don’t need to be so bossy. There are nicer ways to ask.”

He opened the passenger door, his tone serious. “You’re driving the fuck home with me. Thank you. Better?”

She laughed, buckled up, and waited for him to get in the truck. “You’re making this a way bigger deal than it is.”

“It’s a big fucking deal. In fact, I’m calling Camille. He crossed a line. You’re done there.” He pulled the truck onto the highway, veins bulging from his chauvinistic neck.

“You’re being ridiculous. Since when do you tell me what to do? And if you call my boss again, Maverick Wallace, we are going to have a serious problem. Did you learn nothing the first time?” Her blood boiled, and she rubbed her temples as the onset of a migraine beckoned.

“Yeah, I learned I should have insisted she pull you off this goddamn account before you even got started. You don’t see what a problem this is? He put his hands on you. Twice.” His voice boomed in the cab of his truck. She’d never seen him so worked up.

“And I handled it. I told him to take his hands off me, and I walked away,” she said, angry she had to defend herself to her boyfriend.

“Oh yeah? And how did he respond? From what I could see, he did it again. You’re damn lucky I walked in when I did.”

“You’re a pompous ass.”

“I call it as I see it.”

“You’re such a hypocrite. There are women lined up just waiting for our relationship to fail so they can get their hands on you. They wear your jersey and talk about you on social media like you belong to them. But guess what, Maverick? I trust you. And it’s not easy keeping my own green-eyed monster at bay. Most days it makes me madder than a wet hen. But one man asking me to have a drink with him puts you over the edge? A man I’m not interested in whatsoever. Because I’m in love with you.”

He pulled in the driveway and turned off the engine. Wind whistled outside the truck, and the trees swayed and swooshed from side to side through the windshield.

“He’s not just any guy, Peaches. He’s your ex-boyfriend. And he wants you back. He doesn’t give a shit about our relationship. He proved it tonight. You aren’t the one I’m concerned about. And as far as other women go, there’s no one I want but you.”

“And there’s no one I want but you, either. You’re allowed to be upset about what he did, but don’t flip it on me. Don’t doubt me because you don’t like him. I don’t care for him either, but I’m able to separate my feelings and do my job. I hope you respect me enough to do the same.”

“It’s more than jealousy. Why was he grabbing you? Has he gotten physical before?” He faced her, and for the first time she saw fear when her gaze locked with his. She hated it. Hated Edward for causing it.

“No, he’s never touched me. I’ve been straight with him since day one. He’s an entitled man, not used to hearing the word no. But it doesn’t mean I haven’t said it repeatedly. I love you.” Her voice cracked as the words left her mouth.

He reached for her and pulled her close. “This isn’t about me not trusting you, I do. I’m trying so fucking hard. But this prick is getting under my skin. You went after a photographer for sticking a camera in my face, Edward had his hands on you after you asked him to let you go.”

She breathed him in. Being with Maverick made her feel safe. And loved. He loved her more than she’d ever thought possible. “I promise you there is nothing to worry about. I’ve repeatedly told him I’m in a committed relationship and I’m very happy.” She climbed onto his lap, putting her hand on his cheek. “I love you. Only you.”

He pushed the hair back from her face. “I’m sorry for telling you what to do, and I won’t call Camille even though every instinct in my body is screaming for me to do it. What did he mean when he said the date for the opening changed?”

“Apparently his dad wants to be there, and he has to leave town Saturday morning, so they moved it to Friday evening. They already sent the mass email to everyone without checking with me,” she said, her gaze locked with his.

“Did he know you were attending an event with me on Friday?”

“I never told him. But I did brag about your award at the office, and he didn’t seem surprised when I told him I had a conflict. But I don’t think he’d change the entire opening just to mess up our plans, either.”

“He’s a manipulative prick. I wouldn’t put anything past him. But I’m sorry I can’t be there to support you. Promise me you won’t be alone with him. I’m not fucking around, Peaches. I don’t trust him.”

“I promise. I don’t have to go back until Friday evening, and I’ll drive with Dani and Peyton. There’s no reason to be alone with him. But I’m disappointed I won’t get to see you receive your award.” She pushed his unruly hair back from his face and kissed him.

“I’m sorry I won’t be there for you. You know how proud I am of you, right?”

“Yes. Do you have any idea how much I love you?” She nipped at his bottom lip, before he lifted her out of the truck and threw her over his shoulder.

They say girls find men like their daddies, and Maverick Wallace sure had a thing for carrying her fireman style. She slapped his butt. “Why do you insist on carrying me everywhere?”

“Because it’s faster. And I’m starving.”

“What are you in the mood for?” she squeaked, as his hand slipped beneath her pencil skirt and landed on her bottom.

“The same thing I’m always in the mood for. Some sweet Peaches.” Maverick howled the last three words, tossed her on the couch and settled above her.

The man was insatiable.

And she thanked her lucky stars he was hers.