Page 26 of Falling Stars (Wild at Heart #2)

MAVERICK

When the sheriff finally drags Kira out, I sigh. “My goal tonight was to make you happy and put you in a good mood.”

Baylee looks bone-weary. “We’ve always been bad at being more, Mav. I don’t think that’s changed.” She sets Leo down on a changing pad to get him ready for bed.

Fuck. We had a really good evening. She almost let me kiss her. Frustrated, I run my hands through my hair. “I swear Kira is off her rocker. She and I ended a while back.”

When Bay’s done changing the baby, she lifts him into her arms. “That might be, but I’m glad she stopped by tonight because it got me thinking.”

This can’t be good. I settle on the couch next to her. “Lay it on me.”

“Have you ever noticed that all of your girlfriends are willowy blondes?”

“What?”

“Your girlfriends. They look nothing like me. I mean, it would be one thing if I was your type, but I’m clearly not.”

“What do you mean? Of course you’re my type. You’re the only type I have. ”

Baylee rolls her eyes. “Don’t play dumb. I look nothing like the women you date. I can’t believe I’m just now realizing it.”

“Don’t do that. Don’t block yourself off from me more than you already have.”

“Newsflash, Maverick. I’m not a blonde, and I’m not rail thin.”

“So?”

“So, I think you’re into me because you’re having a rough time right now. You’re debating your future, and I’m a safe place for you. You’re not naturally attracted to me.”

I let out a laugh, and then I can’t stop. Even when she glares at me. “Baylee, baby, seriously, you couldn’t be more wrong if you tried.”

“Let’s talk facts.” She holds up a finger and starts counting. “Nicole, then that other blonde cheerleader in high school. Literally all the blondes in Charming. Every single time I stopped by to visit at Lone Star State, you had some little blonde on your arm. I forget all of their names.”

“You forget their names because they weren’t important.”

“I bet they thought they were important to you at the time,” she huffs.

“No, every single girl I ever ran around with knew the score. I’ve never really had a serious girlfriend. I didn’t even mean to start dating Kira, but she was always around.”

“So what you’re saying is she was convenient.”

I cringe. “That sounds ugly. It was more like our paths kept crossing. It wasn’t supposed to be a major commitment.” Leo starts to fuss, and I take him from her and kiss his fuzzy head. “Don’t mind Mama. She’s just decompressing.” He settles immediately, and I smile at Bay, who still looks pissed.

“Oh my God. Will you listen to yourself? Women aren’t disposable.”

I frown. “I never said they were. I’m always respectful. Why are you on my case when I was always honest and up front that I wasn’t looking for something serious?”

“Then why did Kira show up here crying hysterically?”

Rubbing the back of my neck, I shrug. “Honestly? I’m not really sure. I’m starting to think she’s a little unbalanced. But back to this theory of yours. First of all, the idea that you think I’m only into blondes is complete bullshit. Secondly?—”

“You can’t say that when those are the only girls you’ve ever dated.”

Groaning, I lean back on the couch and pat Leo’s butt. “Let’s get the baby to bed for this conversation. I think I need to prove this to you.”

“I don’t see how this is something you can prove.”

“Trust me, I can.”

“Fine.” She lets out an adorable little growl that makes me want to throw her down and fuck her.

I give her some privacy to breastfeed while I make us a snack. I cut up some strawberries and melt chocolate.

When she’s finished feeding Leo, she puts him in his basket, and he knocks right out. Then she moves him to the opposite side of the living room so we don’t wake him. When she returns, I pat the couch.

“Here.” I hand her a plate and motion to the strawberries and chocolate on the table.

“Yum.” She dives right in, and I almost groan when she licks the chocolate off a piece of fruit.

Christ. We haven’t even gotten started, and I’m already hard. I shift in my seat.

Turning to me, she smirks. “So tell me how you plan to prove you’re into chubby brunettes?”

I frown. “What are you talking about? You have killer curves. I’ve always thought this.”

“Yeah. Okay.” She snorts .

Jesus. I really have to pull out the big guns tonight. I scrub my face. “I don’t want to make this awkward…”

“Awkward is our specialty.” She holds out her hand. “Go for it.”

“Just remember that you asked for this.” I give her my flirtiest grin, and she returns the smile.

Her voice is low and husky when she says, “Give it to me.”

Fuck. She has no idea how badly I’d like to do that. But first, I have to tell her a really embarrassing story. “Here’s my proof. When I got injured, something kinda big stopped working.”

“You already told me you couldn’t walk. That it took time to regain your strength.”

“While that was a big thing, that’s not what I’m talking about.” Here goes nothing. “After that injury, nothing below my waist worked for a while.”

She blinks at me. “Like…”

“Like my dick. It stopped working. I had a catheter and everything because I couldn’t even take a piss.”

“I’m… I’m so sorry. That’s terrible. Are you… are you okay now?”

“Even when I got back a few days ago, something was still off.”

“I’m afraid to ask.”

“I couldn’t get hard.” She chuckles, and I shrug. “It’s true. It went on so long, I was starting to get freaked out. I tried everything. I literally spent hours scrolling through porn, trying to get it up.”

She covers her mouth to hide her amusement. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t… this isn’t really funny.”

“It kinda is now . But when you’re afraid you’re never going to be able to jerk off or have sex again, it’s pretty damn bleak.”

“That would be scary.” She clears her throat. “I’m glad you’re feeling better. ”

“So you want to know how I can prove that you’re my type, right?”

She gives me a wary look. “Yeah…”

“Here’s my proof. You’re literally the only woman in three months who’s given me a boner.”

She folds her lips and tries not to laugh again. “I’m sorry. What?”

“I mean, you turn around and show me your cute little ass in those jeans? Instant erection. You flash me just the tiniest bit of cleavage? I’m ready to go. You say the most random, funny thing, and I am into it.”

Her face flames, and she nibbles her plump bottom lip. “I don’t know what to say.”

“I do. You turn me the fuck on, Baylee. You always have with your peachy little scent, beautiful face, and that sweet but snarky personality. And if I’m being really honest, the only reason I dated blondes is because they were the opposite of you.

Since I couldn’t have the real thing, I didn’t want an imitation.

Dating someone who looked nothing like you was just a reminder that it couldn’t be serious. Do you want to know why?”

“Why?”

“Because she wasn’t you.”

“Oh.” Her breath catches, and then her chest heaves.

With a groan, I lean back on the couch and close my eyes. “I can’t look at you right now.”

“Why’s that?” Her voice is a whisper.

“Because I want you too badly.”

The room goes quiet.

That’s it. I’ve ruined everything.

But then the couch moves, and she straddles my lap. Surprised, I look up at her.

Her hair tumbles over her shoulders, and I reach up and tuck a strand behind her ear. “You’re so beautiful, Baylee. ”

She scoots closer, and I grab her ass and yank her to me. She laughs and rests her hands on my shoulders. “Mav, I don’t want to hurt you. Should we be doing this?”

“Abso-fucking-lutely. Think of it as part of my recovery.” I grip her hips.

“But you said we’d go slow. This isn’t slow.” She starts to climb off, and I pull her back.

I hear what she’s saying, and I understand her fear.

“Yes, this will change our relationship. This right here is what I avoided in high school, but I don’t want to run from what we could have anymore.

” I brush her hair out of her face. “Fuck slow. We’ve done that for years.

What are we waiting for? The next ice age? Come here.”

I’ve been dying to get another shot with Baylee. With my hand pressed to the back of her head, I bring her mouth to mine and slide my tongue across her bottom lip. She lets out a groan that makes me rock hard. I tilt her head and delve into her mouth where our tongues do a slow duel.

Electric. That’s the only way I can describe the sensation rushing through my body. That high I get from playing a great game? From catching a touchdown pass? From nabbing all those football accolades? Nothing comes close to kissing Baylee.

I wasn’t lying when I told her I wasn’t ready for her when I was seventeen.

Because this? This is high-diving off Niagara Falls. Climbing Mount Everest. Surfing the highest ocean swell.

Sure, one wrong move might kill you.

But damn, it’s worth it.

“Baylee,” I whisper. “Baby, there’s nobody but you. I’ve just been too dumb to realize it.”

Tightening my fingers in her hair, I kiss her harder, and she moans again. Her hands grip my shoulders as she starts to grind.

Fuck, yes. I grab her luscious ass and yank her closer .

“You feel that?” I lean back and thrust up against her. “That’s all for you.”

A sultry smile spreads on her flushed face when she reaches down to put her hand over my dick. Her smile falters. “Jesus, Maverick. I knew you were big, but what the hell? Do you declare this on your taxes?”

I chuckle. “Unbutton me. My jeans are choking it.”

Thankfully, she obliges. I shift my boxer briefs down, and my dick springs up, delighted to see her.

Running her finger down my shaft, she smirks. “Want a rehab blow job? You know, just to make sure everything works properly.”

Fucking brilliant. “Only if I can return the favor.”

That makes her frown. “Mav, I don’t think you should be leaning over me for oral sex.”

“Who said anything about leaning? You’re gonna sit on my face.”

She lets out a choked laugh. “You broke your neck. I’m not sitting on your face.”

“Don’t worry about the details. Take off your shirt.”