IRIS Maverick was here.My fingers stilled on the zipper at the back of my dress, and for a moment, I just stood there, staring at him through the reflection of the mirror. How long had he been standing there?I turned around. Maverick was leaning against the doorway, looking dangerous as sin. His hair was messy again, like he’d been running his hand through it all day. His tie was loose around his neck, the top buttons of his black shirt undone, exposing the skin on his chest.His sleeves were rolled up to his elbows, forearms flexed as he crossed his arms over his chest.But it wasn’t the way he looked that had my knees weakening. It was the way he was looking at me.Like he was seconds away from snapping. From breaking the rules and just doing whatever he wanted to do to me.He looked like he wanted to rip my dress off with his fucking teeth.I honestly had no idea why I was even trying it on again. I was so in love with this dress, that I just had to put it on again and see.And
IRIS “I think you should just fuck him and get it out of your system.”I choked on my breath, my mascara wand nearly slipping from my fingers. “Excuse me?”Megan was standing behind me, casually running her fingers through my hair, fluffing it up after she’d just styled it. “You heard me,” she said, smirking at my reflection in the mirror.I turned my head to look at her. “You’re out of your goddamn mind.”I probably shouldn’t have told Megan about what had happened last night, because now, she was giving me the worst advice I had ever heard in my life.Megan snorted. “Maybe. But let’s be real here, babe. You want to climb that man like a fucking tree.”I groaned as I looked away, feeling the heat creep up my neck. “Megan—”“You literally cannot stop staring at him every time he’s in the room. Honestly, being around you two always feels like the start of a porn movie. So much bloody tension in the air.”I rolled my eyes. “For fuck’s sake, Meg—”“And don’t even get me started on the w
MAVERICK Fuck, I wanted Iris. I wanted her so fucking much that I’d stopped filtering my words around her. I was letting her know that I wanted her because I knew she felt the same way.Iris wanted me. I could see it in her eyes, in the way she spoke, in the way she rolled her hips slightly at my words without even realizing she did.And I meant every single word I said to her. I wanted to take her right there on the counter, and I would.Only if she would ask.Iris wasn’t going to get what she wanted if she didn't ask, and I was going to die on that hill. Even though I wanted to claim her so badly.But, as expected, she only laughed nervously, pulling away from me. “Well, we don’t want to be late, do we?”“Of course, we don’t,” I replied, watching her retreating ass as she headed for the staircase.My head fell into my hands as I groaned. Tonight was either going to be a nightmare or worse than a nightmare. My father had invited half the damn city to this engagement party. Not becau
IRIS I had never been to an engagement party where everyone’s focus wasn’t on the engaged couple. But I guess there’s a first time for everything. Everyone was busy striking deals and endorsements. The fucking elite. Then again, it was probably better that everyone wasn’t overly focused on us. It gave me some breathing space. I raised my wine glass to my lips, taking a sip. This was my second glass of wine, but I wasn’t gulping it down this time like I did at the dinner, no matter how much I wanted to. I knew Maverick wouldn’t like that. And come to think of it, I wasn’t sure I’d ever seen him drink alcohol before. He would hold it, sure, but drinking it? Where the hell was he, anyway? He’d been gone for over fifteen minutes. I excused myself from the table, leaving Dwayne and Megan to their conversation. They were really hitting it off tonight, and I liked that. Dwayne seemed like a genuine guy. I looked around, and, seeing no sign of him, I started walking towards the
MAVERICK I wasn't sure Iris knew what the fuck she was doing. Wasn’t sure she understood what she was asking me, but I didn't care. I needed a fucking distraction, and Iris was perfect. So once she gave me her permission, I didn't wait. I couldn’t. The second those words left Iris’s mouth, I held her against the railing, my hands firm on her waist as I crashed my mouth against hers. And fuck me, Iris kissed me back like she’d been starving for this just as much as I had. Her lips parted, and I didn't hesitate to deepen the kiss, tasting the faint hint of wine on her tongue. Iris moaned softly into my mouth, her hand gripping my loose tie, pulling me even closer to her. I groaned at the contact, sliding one hand down to her ass as I lifted her up and sat her down on the railing. Iris gasped, pulling back for only a second. “You trying to kill me?” I smirked against her lips. “You know you’re safe with me, Angel. I’m not going to do anything to you that you don’t want me to.” An
IRIS I told myself this wouldn’t happen. I swore it wouldn't. And yet, here I was, giving him the permission to ruin me.His hands were on me, bringing me down from the railing before I could take my next breath.Maverick captured my lips with his once again, his hand gliding from my waist down to my ass. I tried to meet his frantic pace, standing on my tippy toes as if that would somehow make us even closer.I couldn’t get enough. I didn't want to stop.“You have no fucking idea how long I’ve been waiting for you to say that, Angel,” he breathed against my lips. “No fucking idea.”More heat pooled between my thighs and I whimpered, trying to lift my thigh to his waist. “Oh yeah?”“Fuck yeah,” he growled. His hand moved down to my thighs, cursing as he moved my dress out of the way, his fingers tracing the hem of my panties.“Maverick, they’ll soon notice we’re gone. We don’t have—”I gasped, throwing my head back as his hand slipped into my panties, feeling how wet I was for him.“L
IRIS I could still feel Maverick. On my skin. Between my legs. Everywhere. And we didn't even have sex. I was still trying to pull myself after what we had just done, but as Maverick and I stepped into the ballroom, hand in hand, as if nothing had happened, I felt a shiver run down my spine. “We’ll continue this later,” he had said. Maverick was ready to cross the line. And now, so was I. The room was still buzzing with conversations and clinking glasses. I was fairly sure no one had even noticed that we were gone. Well, except for Dwayne and Megan, who watched us with narrowed eyes as we approached them. I stood right next to Megan, ignoring the pointed look she was giving me. Dwayne was looking at Maverick, a knowing smirk playing on his lips. “Well, well, look who finally decided to show up.” Megan didn't bother hiding her amusement. “Where have you guys been? Took a little ‘detour’, did we?” My cheeks heated, but I tried to keep the expression on my face plain. I cleared
MAVERICK I couldn’t find Iris.One minute, she was standing in front of the crowd, looking at me with something I couldn’t quite place—concern, maybe, and the next, she was gone.I turned to Megan, who was standing where Iris had been. “Where’s Iris?”Megan frowned, looking around like she’d just realized that Iris was gone. “I–I don’t know. She was right next to me.”Something cold settled in my chest. “I’ll find her,” I muttered, already walking away.I wasn’t stupid. I knew exactly why she had left.Sebastian. Eleanor being pregnant… The whole fucking package. Maybe it shouldn't have mattered, but I knew Iris.No matter how much she pretended to be fine and unbothered, she felt shit deeply. And when it came to Sebastian and Eleanor, no matter how much she hated them, their actions still cut her open.I weaved through the crowd, ignoring my father’s call for me. I needed to find Iris. Now.Because there was something else I couldn’t shake. First, Eleanor had come to my office sayin
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
IRIS I didn’t know what was harder for me.Finding out that history had been repeated, or realizing that I’d really, really fucked up.I hadn’t really ever thought of the fact that Maverick and Sebastian were so close in age. But now, it all made sense.“Apparently, Esther got pregnant with Maverick by the time Sebastian was only two months. Quentin was doubtful at first, but Esther swore that the child was his. And then they had a paternity test done, and it was confirmed.”I didn’t know what to say. My mouth was hanging open because of how short of words I was. “Oh, I…”“So, you can see that this hits so close to home for him.” Tania reached for my hands, taking them in hers. “You already know that Mav doesn’t have the best relationship with his father. And frankly, Quentin is a horrible man. When Mav was growing up, he…”I stared at Tania, urging her to continue. But she shook her head, like she was trying to get her thoughts in control. And then she let out a long breath.“Now t
IRIS It didn’t take long for the news to be everywhere. All over the tabloids, it was “THE TRUTH IS OUT???”“TECH BILLIONAIRE MAVERICK SINCLAIR’S CHILD DISCOVERED.”“MAVERICK SINCLAIR’S FIANCE HID HIS CHILD FROM HIM!”The details were toxic and presumptuous, but for some reason, I couldn’t quit checking them. Obsessively.Maybe it was because I’d been locked up in Maverick’s house for the past few days. And I say ‘locked up’ because, practically, I was.Maverick wouldn't let me leave the house. He barely talked to me, but he was clear on the fact that I had to stay indoors so I wouldn’t draw unnecessary attention while he tried to settle things down.But I was fine with it. It wasn’t like I ever went anywhere anyway, since he refused to let me work until after the wedding.The wedding which had been pushed back to two weeks.Yeah, the journalists were having a little too much fun with that one.“Iris, darling, you're going to hurt yourself if you keep on reading that stuff.”Tania’s