Page 47

FORTY-SEVEN

Maverick

“Have you been avoiding us?” I push my way into her apartment as soon as she opens the door, blocking the entire entryway with my frame. Let her try to push me back out in the hall. Two days ago I’d say that wouldn’t even be a possibility, but after nothing but radio silence from her for the past day and a half, I wouldn’t put it past her.

If she wants me gone, she’s going to have to physically remove me.

Newsflash—I’m bigger and stronger.

She can try, but she’s not going to get very far, and I need some answers. This girl has me twisted up in all kinds of knots, and I’m not sure if she knows we’re here for the long haul, but she will when I’m done here today.

I get why she was out, but I don’t like not seeing her in the office, and I especially don’t like the lack of communication on her end. Brantley and Wyatt feel the same. The only reason they’re not here, barging their way into her place, is because they had to work late.

Kinsley refuses to make eye contact with me. She hasn’t looked directly at me since she opened the door, and it pisses me off a little. She’s staring at the floor, tugging at the bottom of a V-neck bookish T-shirt that does wonders for her tits. But I will not let them distract me from my mission. Not yet anyway. She’s nervous, and I get the feeling she’s about to lie to me.

“I’ve been busy.”

Bullshit. A pretty little lie from her pretty little mouth.

She can’t lie worth a shit.

I don’t know why she bothers.

While she had a few things going on today, she didn’t have to worry about work. James and one of the secretaries from her old floor covered for her while she was out. She had two—only two—appointments with her little brother today, and there’s no way that took all day. Even if it did, half that time would be spent in waiting rooms where, I don’t know, she could have picked up her damn phone and fired off a text or two.

I’d have taken a phone call too. Unless I’m in court, she’d always be able to reach me.

But nothing.

Radio silence.

Now I know how Brantley feels, going around hating everything. And I’m sure as hell not going to take her bullshit excuses. So, I plant my feet in her doorway, cross my arms, and peer down at her.

She still won’t look up at me, and I’ve got half a mind to spank her ass right now for ignoring me all day. I don’t know what’s happening with her, but she’s shutting us out. I’m not sure if it has to do with all the mistakes she’s made at work or if it’s something to do with us. Either way, it’s unacceptable.

I hold onto the top of the door frame and lean directly into her space. “Too busy to take a few seconds and text me back, huh?” And this is where I lay it on a little thick. I don’t like it either, but I need more than a few words and grunts. I get enough of that from Brantley. “We wanted to make sure everything went okay with Colin’s appointments today. We were all worried about the two of you and wanted to make sure surgery was still a go. If Colin had any issues, I’ve got some friends in high places.”

“You have friends?” Her cheeks redden and finally, fucking finally, she meets my eyes. “I’m sorry. It’s been a lot lately, and after this week I wasn’t sure you guys still wanted to talk to me.”

This has me taking a step back. Not physically because I refuse to budge, but mentally.

“Are you kidding me?”

She shakes her head and takes a few steps back. I’ll take that as a formal invite inside.

Snagging the groceries I left in the hall, I carry them in her apartment and close the door behind me. She glances at the bags, curiosity written all over her face, but she doesn't ask.

“So, you fucked up. Surprise, you’re human. The work shit we can figure out, but we have no intention of firing you. And this”—I put a finger under her chin, forcing her to meet my eyes—“us, it’s more important than the firm.”

“You sure?” Her voice is quiet. Small. Hate that too.

Damn, I really have taken a turn down the salty road today.

“Positive.” And because I can’t help it, I lean down and press my lips to hers. It’s been far too long since I’ve tasted her, and I need my fix.

Her arms wind around my neck, and she opens beneath me. I slide my tongue into her eager mouth and fuck it like I want to fuck her, nice and slow with deep strokes.

I kiss her with everything I have, with everything I am, and when I pull back, we’re both breathless. “Now what are you doing, tonight?”

She blinks several times, her mouth opening and closing a few times. She blinks again and gives herself a slight shake. “I was about to make dinner.”

“But you’re a terrible cook. Or do you mean, order dinner?”

“I was going to try to cook. We do need to eat something, and as much as Colin would love it, we can’t survive on pizza and Chinese food.” She laughs, finally giving me a small smile. It’s not much, but it’s a start. “Do you have a better suggestion?”

“Yep. I’m going to make us dinner.” I press a quick kiss to her lips and head to the kitchen, leaving her to stare after me.

She better get used to home cooked meals, especially with her being so close. She may not like it as much, but I love that she’s living right below us. Don’t get me wrong, I’d drive to the ends of the earth to be with this woman, but it’s nice having her so conveniently located.

I know she wants to move as soon as Colin is recovered, but we really need to figure out something more long term between the four of us.

Maybe we can buy a house and all move in together.

I’m full of good ideas today. #Winning.

“Wait.” She’s slightly vertically challenged and scrambles to keep up, peeking in the bags as soon as I put set them on her island. “You’ve been holding out on me, Wallace. I didn’t know you could cook. Did your parents teach you or a girlfriend?”

Her voice raises a few octaves on the last word, and I have to laugh. Until her, I didn’t do girlfriends. “No, my parents never cooked. They were too rich, too lazy, and honestly, way too drunk most of the time. Someone would have lost a finger or burned the house down. They did, however, have an excellent cook who made sure I knew how to take care of myself when I left for college.”

She nods and jumps up on the counter next to me, her gaze dropping to her clutched hands. “Are your parents…?”

“Alive?” I hedge, filling a large pot with water, salting it, and putting it on the stove. “Yeah. My dad was a lawyer too. He retired early, and he and my mom moved to the south of France. We aren’t close, never were. Growing up, I was more of a nuisance than a child.”

“I know what that’s like.”

“And your parents?” I send a quick glance her way, grab the chicken breasts from the bag, and move around the kitchen, gathering the rest of my supplies. When she doesn’t answer right away, I add, “Don’t think I don’t notice how you avoid talking about them. Did they ditch you guys growing up or…”

She sighs, the sound barely audible yet holding a weight I suspect she’s carried for years. “They died about three years ago. Got loaded at a friend's house and then wrapped their car around a telephone pole. We were lucky they didn’t kill anyone else.” Her voice hardens, and her hands ball into fists on her lap. “They’re the reason Colin can’t hear.”

“But he’s got you to take care of him.”

“I wish I was around more for him growing up, but I was so focused on getting into law school. When they died, I was two years into my undergrad and had to drop out. My brother became the most important thing in my life.”

I grab her hands and place them on my shoulders, wedging myself between her legs. “He’s lucky to have you.”

She nods, wraps her arms around me, and snuggles against my chest. I stand there holding her for a few minutes. I’d like to say I’m loaning her some of my strength, but in truth, she’s stronger than all of us. This beautiful brave woman dropped out of school and sacrificed her dream to make sure her brother had a good life.

It takes a special person to put someone unequivocally above themselves.

She deserves everything, and I know when I talk to the guys, they’ll agree, if she still wants to go to school, we’ll make it happen. She’s not alone. We’ll be there for her and Colin. We’ll pick up the slack, help him with homework, fuck, we’ll help her with homework. Wyatt, Brantley, and I will make sure all her dreams come true. Hers and Colin’s.

A chair scrapes across the floor, Colin appearing in the kitchen like I summoned him with my thoughts. He sits on the other side of the island, staring at us, a look of amusement crossing his face before he pulls out his phone. He types for a minute and then the talk feature takes over and reads it to us. “Are your other boyfriends joining us for dinner?”

Kinsley turns bright red as she tries to pull away from me, but before I let her, I give her another quick kiss. She signs as she talks, but makes sure she talks slow enough and looks at him when she speaks. “I don’t have any boyfriends.”

Another lie. This one, however, I let slide. I doubt Colin will, though.

“Sure you don’t,” his phone reads. “And I’m Superman. At least Maverick cooks. What are we having?”

Kinsley’s eyes widen, and as she looks at me with so much apprehension on her face, I can’t help but laugh. “Chicken parmesan. I figured it would be safe.”

Colin nods. “With garlic bread?”

“Of course. I’m not a savage. Everything good to go for surgery? Your sister wouldn’t answer me.”

I wait several beats for him to type out his response. “Yep. I’m all clear. They said crowds will be tough, and I may not be able to listen to music. I just can’t wait to have a conversation like a normal hearing person. Being different sucks.”

“If we were all the same, the world would be a very boring place. Being different makes you stronger than everyone else.” I rest my arms on the island and lean toward him. “And if anyone gives you any trouble because of your hearing, I’ll kick their ass.”

“Aren’t you almost forty?”

“Say that again, and I might kick your ass.”

“Pretty sure it’s illegal to beat up minors.”

“I’m a lawyer; I pay other people to do my dirty work for me.” I pick up the meat mallet and point it in his direction. “Now prepare yourself for the best chicken parm you’ve ever had.”

“You’re ridiculous,” Kinsley mutters behind me, but Colin is all smiles, and that’s all the matters right now.