Page 41 of Falling Stars (Wild at Heart #2)

BAYLEE

I wake with a start.

“It’s okay,” Maverick whispers, pulling me close. “I got you.”

My heart races as I try to suck in a breath. “Mav.”

“I’m here, baby. Another nightmare?”

I nod, hating how some nameless asshole has invaded my house, my business, and now my dreams.

Maverick’s arm tightens around my waist. I know he’s not supposed to be in this position, but I’m too freaked out to push him away. “I’m not gonna let anything happen to you, Bay. You’re safe. I’ll always protect you.”

My heart starts to slow.

It’s been several days since that break-in. Although it wasn’t worse than what that dickhole did to my baby shower gifts or clothes, this still hit hard. Because it wasn’t just a plate-glass window or clothes I could replace.

Every day at work, I see hints of that dye on the tile my grandmother installed decades ago, and I feel like I’ve failed to protect a family heirloom.

I don’t know what this person wants. I don’t know why he or she is so preoccupied with me.

And the sheriff is no closer to figuring this out.

He’s run background checks on Kira and Sean, and neither have any red flags.

He said he’s keeping an eye on Estelle to make sure her competitive nature hasn’t got the best of her, but his assurances don’t help me sleep.

The next morning, I wake to the smell of bacon. My stomach rumbles. I peek over the couch to see Maverick cooking while he talks to Leo, who’s sitting in his car seat on the counter.

“Morning.”

Mav smiles and holds up a hand. “Stay there.” He picks up Leo and brings him over to me. “He was getting fussy. I fed him and changed him, but nothing beats Mommy time.”

“Thank you. I’m sorry you had to get up early with him. I didn’t hear him on the monitor.”

“That’s the whole point of taking a day off. So you can sleep in. What kind of boyfriend would I be if I didn’t help you get a little shuteye after the week you’ve had?”

Lifting my chin, I smile when he takes the hint and leans over to kiss me. “You’re the best boyfriend ever.” Then I snuggle Leo to my chest and admit what’s bothering me. “I feel guilty for not working.” Maverick and Paige thought I needed a mental health day to regroup.

“The girls have everything in hand. Vera is taking the one client you couldn’t reschedule, and she texted this morning to let us know the shop is fine.”

“I love her. She’s always so helpful.”

“Paige said she’s excited for Leo and Ella’s playdate, and we’ll drop him off for a few hours while we run our errands.”

He hands me a cup of coffee, and I hold it to the side so I don’t drip any on Leo as I take a sip. “You’re still not telling me what we’re doing?”

“Nope. Then it wouldn’t be a surprise.” After I set my coffee down, he gives me a plate of food. “Just so we’re clear, I’ve never cooked for another woman. ”

I grin around a bite of bacon. “You’ve made my day.”

A few hours later, after we’ve dropped off Leo at Paige’s, Mav and I are walking hand in hand through the mall a few towns over. I keep stealing glances at him. He hasn’t told me why we’re here. Just that he needs to pick up a few things.

I assume it’s for his trip back to New York.

My stomach sinks when I try to imagine what life will be like when he leaves. Having Maverick is the only reason I’ve gotten any sleep at all since that break-in.

“Bay, do you have any early mornings next week? Since I’ll be stopping by the high school, I want to make sure I get everywhere on time.”

“You don’t have to open the salon for me.” Because now, not only does he insist on walking me to work, he does a walkthrough before he lets me and Leo in. It’s a little overboard, but terribly sweet.

That gets me a scowl. “Your safety comes first.” I can’t seem to talk him out of being my personal bodyguard. “Here we are.” We pause in front of my favorite department store.

“Do you need some clothes?”

“No. But you do. This is something I should’ve done sooner.”

I glance down at my t-shirt and jeans. “Are you saying you don’t like what I’m wearing?” I tease.

“Shut up.” He laughs and presses a kiss to my forehead. “You know I think you’re perfect. But I also want to replace the clothes that got destroyed at your house.”

“So this is why you asked Paige to babysit? So you could take me shopping?”

“Surprise.” He glances around at the different shops. “I thought we’d start here, but we can go wherever you want.”

I sigh. Maverick’s so damn sweet. I love him so much, my heart hurts. “Thank you, baby, but you don’t need to spend any more…” I trail off, feeling like a broken record .

He pulls me close and wraps his arms around me. “If I can’t treat my favorite girl, what’s the point? Please enjoy today. Get what you need. If it really bothers you, consider it an early birthday present.”

“My birthday isn’t until the fall.”

“A really early birthday present.”

Reaching up, I grab his handsome face. “This isn’t fair. What will I ever be able to give you to show you how much I love you?”

His returning smile dazzles me. “Just be with me. You and Leo are all I need.”

I kiss him and try to memorize how good it feels to be in his arms. How sweet his lips taste. How sexy he smells.

He steps back and adjusts himself with a chuckle. “I can’t take you anywhere.”

We both laugh, and he tugs me into the store. When I don’t know where to start, he takes me to get jeans and shirts and dresses. Then he makes me try on boots and accessories.

“This would look great on you,” he says, dangling a gold necklace and earrings in front of me.

I shake my head. “That’s too much.”

“You’re a stylist. You have to look good. Think of this as an investment in your salon.”

Damn, he’s good. I growl, and he chuckles.

I get a few outfits and a beautiful pair of black boots, but when I get to the cashier, Maverick points to the smoothie shop across the way. “Why don’t you go get us a snack, and I’ll meet up with you in a few minutes.”

“Why don’t we go together?”

“Because I need to make a quick call.”

“Oh. Okay. Then I’ll meet you over there.” I point out the spot. “You want a banana strawberry smoothie?”

“Please.”

He gives me a strange smile, and I head off to get our drinks. I expect him to take a while, but he joins me when I’m still at the counter. “That was fast.”

“Yup.” When we sit, he hands me my bags. “There’s something small on top. You should get it out and tuck it in your purse.”

I open the shopping bag and reach in and pull out the gold jewelry. “Maverick, you shouldn’t have.”

“Baylee, I absolutely had to.”

I hold the necklace up. But it’s not the simple one he showed me earlier. This one has a little gold bee medallion dangling at the end. “It’s beautiful. Thank you.”

“Put it on.”

Smiling, I nod. “Will you help me?”

I hand him the necklace and hold up my hair. His hands come around, and he drapes it across my neck before he leans close and nibbles the soft skin just under my ear. “Perfection.”

Giggling, I pull away. “That tickles.”

Then he hands me the earrings. “These too. Come on.”

“You’re spoiling me. If you keep doing this, I’ll be insufferable, always wanting pretty things.”

He gives me a crooked grin as he tucks my hair behind my ear. “And it will be my pleasure to get you those pretty things.”

I model my stunning new jewelry. “Thank you, Maverick. I feel like a queen.”

“Love you, pretty girl.”

I’ll never get tired of hearing that. “I love you too.” I weave our fingers together and lean over to kiss him.

I want to enjoy our afternoon, but behind our smiles and laughter, I hear the ticking of a clock because we only have two weeks left.