MAVERICK Iris watched me expectantly, waiting for me to tell her the reason I wanted her to marry me in order to carry out my revenge plan.It was such an easy thing to do, yet I hesitated to speak. The emotional part of everything was a long-gone phase, and all I felt was just anger. Anger towards my brother, and my father.I would tell Iris all that she needed to know, but I wasn't about to delve into my past with someone I didn't know.Where do I start?“Did Sebastian ever tell you that he was next in line to be the CEO after my father stepped down?”She chewed on her bottom lip as she considered my question. Iris had no idea how attractive the little things she unconsciously did were.“Um, yeah. A few weeks before the divorce,” she looked away from me, but not before I saw the pained expression on her face and noticed the way her voice cracked at the word ‘divorce’. “He was excited about taking over from your father. He was always obsessed with being CEO, he just…”She turned bac
IRIS I sat there, waiting for the punchline. Maybe he was messing with me, maybe he was just throwing in a light joke and I was supposed to laugh.But nothing about this felt funny to me. The silence between us was suffocating as Maverick’s grey eyes stayed locked on mine, unwavering. Expectant.Marriage was one thing I could put my foot in. I’d been married before, I could do it again especially if it was a means to an end.But a child?My stomach clenched, and I gripped the edge of the table, struggling to keep my breathing even. A panic attack would be the worst way to end this night.Maverick had no idea. No idea what he was really asking of me.“Iris…” he trailed off. “I know this is a lot to dump on you, and if you’re not okay with this, we can call it off. I promise.”I swallowed, my throat dry. “You—” My voice cracked, and I cleared my throat, forcing the words out.. “You need to get married and have a child? That’s the condition?”Maverick nodded, his gaze assessing my face
MAVERICK I never gambled. I’d never made reckless bets. I sure as hell had never waited for a ghost before.Yet, here I was. Sitting in the grand ballroom of the charity gala that had been organized by my father, surrounded by Seattle’s elite, my whiskey untouched as I stared occasionally at the door.Waiting for Iris.Call it wishful thinking, but when I sent a text to Iris three days ago, I’d hoped that she would show up. I took my phone out, opening up Iris’s chat.The last message was from me. The night after our dinner, I’d gotten hopeful when she said she would think about it. So I’d sent her a text:‘Charity gala, Sunday, 9pm. If you ever change your mind, you’ll find me there.’It was a long shot. I never took risks like that, but something about Iris Blake made me want to break my own rules. She was the best option for this. I had no other choice.She should have been here by now. Iris was supposed to want this as much as I wanted. She was supposed to crave revenge just lik
IRIS The flashing lights from the cameras should have scared me away, or at least made me nervous.But instead, I felt powerful. I wrapped my arms around Maverick’s neck, letting him deepen the kiss, letting him put on a show for the public. His hand slid to my waist. He was doing everything he could to make this seem real.But it wasn’t. It wasn’t real. And it didn't matter how much of a damn good kisser he was, this wasn’t real. He wasn’t mine.And I would love to keep it that way. Strictly professional.I’d deliberately refused to reply to Maverick’s text asking me to meet him here, deciding to just surprise him. Thinking of him anticipating my arrival and then getting disappointed made me laugh.The second I broke the kiss, I forced myself to stay calm. To stay in character. I felt a shiver run down my spine but I had no idea whether it was from the kiss, the adrenaline, or all the eyes that were on me.I really hoped it was from either of the last two options.Maverick’s breath
IRIS I made sure my expression didn't give anything away as I spoke. It had been two years since I last saw Eleanor. The woman who had smiled in my face pretending to be my friend, and then slept with my husband and took my place.My ex-husband.And now? She stood in front of me, wearing an expensive, too-tight, obvious dress, her hair curled to near perfection. Her sharp eyes drank me in, sizing me up like I was her competition.“Well, here I am, Eleanor,” I said, flashing her a fake grin. “Did you miss me?”Maverick squeezed my hand, silently asking if he should remove me from this situation, but I shook my head gently. This conversation was long due.Eleanor’s lips curled into something resembling a smirk. “Of course, it’s always a pleasure seeing you, Iris.”Liar, but I could play that game.I clapped my hands together, tilting my head. “And look at you, Eleanor,” I purred. “Enjoying your promotion from assistant to wife.”If I hadn't been paying attention, I wouldn’t have heard
IRIS I loved working at the hospital. It was always so cold. Not just in temperature, but in feeling.It always smelled like antiseptic and drugs. People were always waiting, hoping, breaking.I liked that. Being able to predict suffering.Because suffering was all I’d ever known.Standing at the nurse’s station, I flipped through a patient’s chart, forcing myself to focus. The buzzing sound from the fluorescent lights above was almost soothing, but not entirely.I needed something to ground me. Something that wasn’t the contract that I had signed last night.I still couldn’t believe that I had taken that big of a risk, but it was done. There was no going back.All I had to do was play the game and keep my daughter away from it.I hated that I’d sold myself to Maverick Sinclair, but to be honest, I didn't regret it.A loud gasp from behind me snapped me out of my thoughts.“Oh my God,” I heard one of the nurses whisper. “Are those for you?”I frowned, about to ask what she meant by t
IRIS Quentin Sinclair was just as I remembered him.Tall and handsome, dressed in a black tailored suit that screamed money and authority. His salt-and-pepper chin-length hair was tied in a low ponytail.Now that he was in front of me, I could see how much Maverick resembled him. His cold eyes regarded me, and I didn't miss the sneer on his lips.I lifted my chin, forcing myself to hold his gaze. “Mr. Sinclair,” I greeted coolly. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”“I missed you at the gala. Didn't get a chance to talk to you and I would love to do that right now,” he paused, looking around. “In private.”Holding back a sigh, I nodded, leading him through the hallways until we got to a secluded area. His bodyguards lurked around but they weren’t close enough to hear.His lips twitched as he looked at me.“Let’s not waste time with pleasantries, Ms. Blake,” his voice was leveled. Calm. “We both know why I’m here.”I crossed my arms. “Do we?”When I was still married to Sebastian, there w
MAVERICK I had come running to the hospital the moment I got word from my men that my father was there. Of course, he was. Of course, he was going to pull his usual manipulative bullshit on Iris.I expected nothing less than that.But what I hadn’t expected was Iris suggesting that we move in together before the wedding date. I knew her to an extent, and I’d thought that she would need her own space at least until the wedding.Not that I was complaining. It was actually a relief.But I wasn't about to make it easy on her.She was giving me nothing—just that same defiant look that had been there since the night I met her.“Why?” I asked, my voice even.Iris crossed her arms, shifting under my gaze. Her lower lip was jutted out in a slight pout.“B-because…” she stuttered, avoiding my eyes. “I mean we’re getting married anyway, so we… might as well move in together. No need to wait.”My gaze flicked to her mouth as she chewed on her lower lip distractedly. Iris made the most attractive
MAVERICK Dwayne wasn’t alone when I got to his club.Ryan Moss was with him in his office, arms crossed over his chest like he was bored of being here.“What the fuck’s going on?” I asked Dwayne.I hadn’t seen him since our fight two nights ago. We had a lot of shit to clear up, but right now, it seemed there was a bigger problem than that.Dwayne didn’t answer, but Ryan did.“Turns out Dwayne here, was wrong about the assumptions he made about Steven Walsh.”Steven Walsh was Megan’s ex-boyfriend who’d just gotten out of prison after being locked up for over three years for assaulting her.On the night of the fight, the last thing Dwayne had said before he left was that he was going to find out the truth.In other words, he was going to find Steven Walsh because he was convinced that he was the one who cut Megan’s brakes.“What do you mean?”Dwayne ran a hand through his hair, his jaw clenched hard. He shrugged exasperatedly. “Turns out Steve Walsh isn’t even in the country anymore.
MAVERICK I was hard as a rock.I couldn’t think. Couldn’t focus because my mind was on Iris. I craved her wet heat and I needed to be inside her.Right now.I adjusted my cock in my pants.The baker, whose name I’d never really learned, came out to meet me, a nervous smile on her face as her eyes darted around as if she was looking for Iris.“She had to leave…” I said, rising to my feet. “Emergency.”“Of course,” she let out an airy laugh even as she tried so hard to look at anything but my face. I wasn’t sure at what point she had noticed that something was going on between me and Iris, but she had. And I could tell how anxious and uncomfortable she felt being in my presence.I concealed my smile. “I also have to leave, so you’re going to have to discuss the details with the wedding planner. I’ll have her contact you.”She let out a sigh laced with relief. “Of course. It’s been a pleasure having you, Mr. Sinclair.”“I’m truly sorry you had to witness that,” I muttered before I coul
IRIS I froze in my seat.Stay?What the hell did he mean by “Stay?”The baker smiled politely. “Oh, of course, I can stay,” she said. She was completely unaware that Maverick had just issued a threat disguised as a request.“Oh, you don’t have to—” I started to say, but she cut me off.“Please. I’m usually nervous about watching my clients taste my cake, but I don’t mind being here as long as it’s what you want.”My eyes were wide as I stared at Maverick, and he had a smirk on his face. His stormy eyes twinkled with mischief.And the remote was completely out of sight.“It is,” he said curtly, his gaze pinned on me sharply, daring me to disagree.That wasn’t going to happen.“Okay, sure,” she replied, tucking her hair behind her ears nervously. “I’ll just… stand back and talk you through the flavors while you try them.”Maverick’s expression was unreadable as he reached for a mini red velvet cake from the platter. He stabbed it with his fork, holding it out to me.“Open,” he murmured
IRIS It wasn’t long before I was ready. I had on a lilac-colored sundress—yes, I picked it on purpose—and tied my hair up in a messy bun, letting a few stray curls dangling near my face.Maverick was already in the car when I slid into the passenger seat.He turned to look at me, his look appraising as he regarded my form.“You’re playing a dangerous game, Angel,” he said huskily, his gaze trained on my cleavage.I couldn’t help it—I stuck my chest out a little more, and Maverick’s jaw twitched.“When am I not?” I replied sassily, biting on my bottom lip.He looked away from me, tapped his fingers on the steering wheel once. Twice. Thrice.And when he looked back at me, there was anger swirling in his eyes. Anger and something else.Desire.“Let me make something clear to you, Iris,” he said in a deadly tone. I let out a soft gasp.He continued. “This doesn’t mean I’ve forgiven you for what you did. I haven’t.”Maverick shook his head slowly even as my heart sank. “I don’t know if I’
IRIS The first thing I perceived the moment I opened my door was the smell of pancakes. It wafted up the stairs and filled the entire corridor.I was a little shocked, because yesterday, Tania had said she wouldn't be coming in early, so all I knew was that I was going to be the one to make breakfast this morning.But the moment I went down the stairs, I got my answers.Maverick was in the kitchen, his back turned, muscles flexing as he worked on the stove.First of all, he was supposed to be at work. Second of all…Wow.But I wasn't the only one staring at him in admiration. Chelsea sat at the counter, engaging him in a conversation while looking at him like he created the damn world.And Amethyst…She sat in her high chair, smiling up at Maverick whenever he turned to look at her.Something lodged itself deep in my throat, and my vision turned cloudy. I wasn’t prepared to see Maverick being a dad.But here he was. And his daughter adored him.I wasn’t sure how long I stood there,
MAVERICK Iris was going to kill me.She was going to murder me without hesitation and bury me six feet under. “Fucking hell, Iris,” I gritted out, my eyes focusing on her wet pussy that was spread in front of me.“You’re so fucking needy. You’re a needy little slut, aren’t you?”My insults never got to her. Iris would never admit it, but she had a degradation kink. She was a proud, feisty woman, but when she wanted me, she was willing to push all that aside and submit to me in whatever way.And I fucking loved that about her.But right now, she was testing my limits, dangling bait in front of me.And I was a fish willing to catch that bait.Iris stuck her tongue out to lick her lips, nodding desperately. “I need you, Maverick. Whatever you want to do, just… give me something. Anything.”I stood quietly for a full minute, just watching Iris’s legs open and close. She was restless, aroused. I knew that if I touched her pink pussy, I would find it soaking wet.But I wasn’t going to tou
IRIS I had no idea what I was doing. No idea why I was doing it. No idea why I couldn’t help it.But when I saw Maverick watching me quietly through the small opening, I wanted to tease him.To make him want me.And I knew I didn’t have the right to do that. Not anymore.But all I’d done was ask him if he was coming. It was left for him to say yes or no.But as I stepped into the rainfall shower enclosure, I couldn’t help but wonder whether he would actually take the bait.I turned on the shower, sighing when the warm water sprayed down on my body.I released my hair from its bun, letting it fall over my shoulder and tossing the hair tie aside. And then I let the water do its work.I was anxious. It had been a little over five minutes and Maverick still hadn’t come in.Disappointment wrapped itself around me like a cold blanket.I guess… he didn’t want me.But what was that look I’d seen in his eyes then if it wasn’t desire? If it wasn't—The sound of the door to the enclosure slid o
MAVERICKI could’ve pushed her away from me. But I didn’t.I let Layla wrap her hands around my neck. Let her scent cloud my senses.She always used to smell like jasmine, and now?Now, it was no different.Layla was seated on my lap, a small smirk on her face as one hand left the back of my neck to trail down my chest.“Get off me,” I muttered.She didn't. Not that I was even expecting her to.“Why?” she whispered, leaning in close. “You didn’t used to mind. “You used to beg for it. For me to sit on your lap…” Layla ground her hips against my lap. “For me to ride you.”Her lips grazed my ear as she leaned in even closer. “Does Iris ride you the way I used to?”My nostrils flared. “Don’t say her name.”“With pleasure, baby. I don’t even like her. I just want you.”I placed my hand on her hips, starting to push her away, but I paused when her teeth grazed my earlobe.Not because I was aroused, but because a thought struck me. If I hadn’t broken up with Layla that faithful night, maybe
MAVERICK ‘Why the fuck am I doing this?’ I muttered to myself as I walked through the doors of a bar downtown. Inside was nearly empty, save for the owner of the bar, who had let me in.Just like she said it would be.I took a seat at a booth in the corner, checking the time on my wristwatch. She was running late.Not that I expected anything other than that.“Would you like anything, sir?” The owner, a tall, bald man asked as he walked up to me. I shook my head firmly. “No, I’m just here to meet someone.”“I’m aware of that,” he replied with a smirk.He walked away before I could say anything else. Good. Because I wasn’t here to strike up a conversation with anyone but her.I didn’t have to wait long, though, because it wasn’t up to a minute later when she stepped into the bar, silky dress hugging her body, her heels clicking against the floor as she strutted toward me with a smirk on her face.“You’re late,” I said curtly, keeping my tone blunt and formal.“Well, I’m here, aren’t