Who do you think our surprise visitor is? Any guesses?😏
MAVERICK I was dreaming.I had to be.There was no other way to explain it. No fucking way this was real. No fucking way that people could rise up from the dead.If Iris couldn’t see her, I would have gotten myself checked into a mental facility for seeing things. But she could. She could see. She just didn't know who she was.But I did. Layla Moss was dead. I’d woken up in the hospital, barely breathing, with people telling me she didn't make it. That she was gone. That they couldn’t even find her body.So how… how the fuck was she standing right here in my penthouse suite?“Layla?” I didn't even recognize my own voice. My legs were working on their own, moving forward, moving towards Layla. “What…how…”She tilted her head, sipping from the champagne flute, that damn smirk on her face. That was always a sign that she was about to mess with my head. She hadn‘t changed.Not one bit.“Just thought I’d surprise you, darling,” she said, winking at me. “It’s been a while, hasn’t it?”I t
MAVERICK “I can’t do this anymore.”The words felt like gravel in my throat, but I said them anyway. Because it wasn’t a matter of how I felt, it was a matter of necessity.This had to be done. For her. For me. For both of us.Layla stood frozen in the middle of my room, arms tightly wrapped around herself like she was trying to physically stop herself from falling apart.Her eyes searched mine. Wide. Wet. Disbelieving.“You… you don’t mean that.”“I do,” I said, softer now, but more firm. “We’re not good for each other, Layla. We haven’t been for a while.”We were an unhealthy pair. A toxic pair. And with everything that was going on in my life. My father. My brother. My grandfather…It was all too much. I couldn’t be here anymore. I couldn’t do this.Her head shook violently, and she let out a sharp laugh. “You’re just mad. We had a fight. Couples fight—”“This isn’t about just a fight,” I cut in, running my hand through my hair as I paced around my dorm room. “It’s the lies. The w
IRIS I didn’t know how long I’d been sitting at the bar. Twenty minutes? An hour? I’d drank enough wine to last me the rest of the week. Hell, maybe even two weeks.I was more than tipsy. I was drunk.Funny how I was only impulsively drinking so I could try to forget what had happened in the suite, but now, that was all I could think about.I groaned, pressing a hand to my forehead.Layla.She was beautiful in a way that made me feel plain. More elegant than someone like me could ever be. She had captured Maverick’s heart once upon a time. And why wouldn’t she?All I could think about was her hand on his chest, on his jaw. The way Maverick looked at her. As if she was his whole world. Well, I mean, she had been at some point.But what if she still was?I didn’t know her, had never heard of her, but I could feel it. Maverick had once loved this woman. It made me think about him saying he doesn’t date. Was it because of her?Why the hell was she here? How on earth did she have access
IRIS The expression on Maverick’s face softened, and I felt my walls building up. “Iris—”The elevator dinged.I stepped out the second the doors opened, not waiting for him to follow. But I could feel him on my heels.Why the hell was I even feeling like this? Maverick and I weren’t a couple. Not in private, anyway.Deep down, I’d known that getting into a sexual relationship with him would ruin things. Make me get attached. Make me feel too much.But instead, I listened to my body. Not my mind.“I didn’t name the company after her,” Maverick said quietly. “Not like the way you think.”I scoffed. He really did think I was stupid. My hand on the door leading to my room, I started to twist the knob, but the next words that came out of Maverick’s mouth stopped me.“She died,” he said. “And I needed something that felt like purpose. I needed…” he trailed off, letting out a sharp breath.I tilted my head, unsure what I was hearing as I turned to face him. “What do you mean she died?”The
IRIS The second I opened my eyes, I regretted it. My head was pounding seriously. The light filtering through the curtains only made things worse, making me feel like my brain was getting stabbed. Hard. My tongue felt heavy, and my stomach… Oh my God. I stumbled across the room, barely making it to the bathroom in time to throw up the remnants of last night’s horrible choices. Everything fucking burned. My chest. My throat. My pride. Pressing my forehead against the cold toilet seat, I tried to get myself together. Tried so hard not to cry. And I succeeded, for the most part. By the time I was done brushing my teeth and washing my face, I still felt like hell. But at least it was a bit more bearable. I was starving. Hadn’t eaten a single thing since last night. Not before I drank the wine, and not after. Though I would’ve if not for her. Layla. I stepped out of my room into the main suite, ready to order room service, when I froze. Right there, in the middle of the coffee
MAVERICK My father had crossed the fucking line. The moment I dropped Chelsea and Iris off at the hospital, I headed straight for work, the only thing on my mind being Quentin fucking Sinclair. There were a number of things I really wanted to do to him, and one of such things involved bashing his head into the wall. Hard. I punched the elevator button, reigning in my anger the entire ride up. Or at least trying to. I had no idea what he was planning to do, but I was going to find out. Today. The boardroom was full when I arrived at the top floor. Through the glass doors, I could see a bunch of people in suits, sitting around the table, my brother included. Quentin stood at the head, his hands linked together in front of him. I was never even informed about a fucking meeting. I didn't bother knocking. I shoved the doors open and walked right in. Everyone turned, including Sebastian and Quentin, but my father didn't miss a beat. It was as though he'd been expecting m
IRIS “She’s teething,” Megan said, dropping Amethyst onto the floor. “Explains why I haven’t had any sleep since Monday.”I grinned as I picked her up, taking her into my arms. “And she’s still the cutest thing ever,” I cooed. “Aren’t you, baby? I’m so proud of you.”Amethyst squealed, her tiny fists grabbing my hair as I peppered kisses along her chubby cheeks. Her eyes were grey and wide, her curls wild. I tightened my arms around her. Amethyst had no idea how much I needed this—her warmth, her laugh, the way her fingers curled around mine like I was her whole world.As much as I loved Megan for taking care of her, I couldn’t help feeling a little jealous of her. My daughter was growing attached to her in more ways than one. Megan had been there for her first words, her first steps…Made me wonder whether it really was a good idea to keep this from Maverick.“She’s really doing it,” Megan said softly. “She’s growing.”“Yeah, she is,” I replied, narrowing my eyes slightly. Megan had
IRIS Curling my hands into fists, I heaved a sigh, deciding to go find him in his bedroom. We weren’t kids, we were fully grown adults that could talk things out with each other instead of keeping malice and avoiding each other.Okay. Okay.Maybe I just wanted to apologize for being a total bitch to him. In all fairness, it was the alcohol.‘The fuck it wasn’t,’ my inner voice scoffed at me.“Shut up,” I muttered.I stood outside Maverick’s door for a full minute before raising my hand to knock on it. “Maverick?”No answer.I knocked three more times, pushing the door open when I still didn't get a response. The lights were turned off. I doubted that he had even been in here. Even the bathroom lights were turned off.So where the hell had he disappeared to?Chewing on the inside of my cheek, I shut his door behind me as I exited his room. I also checked a couple of other rooms upstairs, all to no avail. He wasn’t upstairs. He wasn’t in the living room. And I didn’t think he’d walked
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
IRIS The moment the door shut behind Dwayne, everything settled into silence. There was an uncomfortable level of quietness between Maverick and me as he stared at the door, and I stared at him.Dwayne had gone off to do god-knows-what, and he and Maverick had gotten into a fight.I’d never seen them like that with each other. Ever.Maybe that was what emotions did to people. To men like Maverick and Dwayne, emotions were destructive.My gaze dropped to Maverick’s split lip. He may have succeeded in leaving a mark on Dwayne, but Dwayne got him good too.I bit the inside of my cheek, trying to keep the words from falling out of my mouth, but I couldn't help it. “Your lip is bleeding,” I stated, gesturing with my pointer finger to his mouth.Maverick’s eyes met mine, and he stuck his tongue out slightly, licking the blood off his bottom lip.“I’m fine,” he muttered, turning away from me.“No, you’re not,” I said softly. “You were just in a fight with your best friend, Maverick. Nothing
IRIS Dwayne looked pissed as Maverick let him into the house. “What’s going on?” Maverick asked, looking between me and Dwayne. I would’ve said I didn’t know, but judging from the look on Dwayne’s face, I had an idea of what he was doing here. “Megan is keeping something from me,” Dwayne said, “And my gut tells me you know what it is.” He took a few steps closer to me. “So why don’t you be a darling and tell me what I want to know?” I shook my head. “Dwayne, I don’t—” “What the fuck is going on?” came Maverick’s voice, cutting me short. He stepped in front of me, blocking my view of Dwayne and his view of me. “Mav—” I couldn’t see Maverick’s face, but I watched the way his back tensed as Dwayne grew increasingly impatient. “Fuck, no,” Maverick snapped. “You come into my house, questioning my fiance about something I don’t know about. And you didn't even think to come through me?” I swallowed thickly. I didn’t want to see this as Maverick defending me, but I couldn’t help i