Page 32 of Hearts on the Line (The Maverick Key #1)

Maddie

Scott rests his hand on the gearshift, his eyes flicking toward me like he’s trying to be sure I’m still here. We turn onto a sandy drive, and the headlights sweep over his house. I gasp.

Tucked behind a canopy of palms and sea grape trees, the house belongs on a postcard. It’s simple and understated, perched by a private stretch of beach. A wraparound porch hugs the structure, and in front of it, there’s a fire pit surrounded by several Adirondack chairs facing the ocean.

“This is incredible.” I get out of the truck and the cool, soft sand covers my bare feet. Endless swaths of water open beyond the beach.

Scott rubs the back of his neck. “It’s nothing fancy, but it’s home.” He grabs a blanket from the backseat.

We walk toward the shoreline hand in hand. “It’s beautiful.”

“ You’re beautiful .” He pulls me close, wrapping an arm around me as we walk.

As we stroll along the shoreline, the moonlight sprinkles the sand with shimmering dust. Waves roll in and try to keep pace to match the beat of our hearts.

Scott leads me to a weathered driftwood log that washed ashore long ago.

He motions for me to sit, but before I can, he picks me up and cradles me in his arms, spinning me around until we’re both dizzy with laughter.

He gently puts me on the log and sits next to me, holding me tight so I don’t fall over.

“You’re too good to me.” I snuggle in to his chest and squeeze his waist.

Scott lifts my chin to turn my face to his and clears his throat. “I just want to make you happy.” He takes a deep breath and looks at the sand. “I want…” He meets my eyes, suddenly he looks so much younger.

“What?” I brush my fingers along his jawline.

“You. I want you. I really thought this part of my life was over. I never expected to find someone again, someone I can trust…”

A pang of guilt shoots through me. I should tell him what I’m doing with Wes, but I can’t.

“…with my heart. Do you see us together for the long term? Just us?” He takes another deep breath. “I want you badly.”

He takes my hand and kisses it. “This chapter in my life. It’s one I can’t wait to begin—with you.” He waits for my answer.

My gaze drops to the ground, and I trace small patterns in the sand with my fingers. My heart is pounding in my ears. I’ll tell him everything soon. But right now, this moment is for the two of us.

“What are you thinking, Maddie? What are you feeling?”

My muscles tighten. “This is my home. And you’re the one I want.” I swallow. “I want us.”

He pulls me toward him. A warm shiver rushes over my skin and I catch my breath when he lets his hands linger at my waist and gently, but firmly, squeezes his fingers into my skin. He gazes at my lips.

Then he kisses me. It’s a tender kiss but deepens quickly. The spark in my stomach spreads like wildfire through my entire body. I place my hands against his chest and the rapid thrum of his heart pounds against them.

He rests his forehead against mine. “I don’t want to stop this time.” His smoky, sweet, masculine scent surrounds me, intensified by the rising temperature of his skin.

“Don’t.” My fingers trace his jawline and move down across the valley of his neck, pausing at his scar. I kiss him there. “I can’t wait any longer,” I whisper, huskily.

He smiles and lays the blanket across the sand.

Gently, he lifts me and puts me onto it, careful not to get me dirty.

Resting beside me, he leans over my body, trailing his fingers down my neck, grazing over my collarbone and softly cups my breasts, caressing and circling them through the fabric of my shirt.

“My sweet girl.” He covers me with his body and pushes his hips into mine—I can feel his hardness.

“God. I need to kiss you, every inch of you.” His voice pitches.

“Right now.” After unbuttoning and pulling down my blouse, he nuzzles his face into the soft spot between my shoulder and arm, then moves slowly back up my neck.

He breathes in deeply as he caresses my skin.

“So soft… you smell so good.”

I tug at his shirt. He pulls it over his head and tosses it aside, lying back down on top of me.

“Tell me what you want. Let me make you feel good.” We continue our kiss as he moves his hands over my bare breasts and squeezes my nipples.

I gasp, pulling away. “Here,” I pant into his ear, gently easing his head down, begging him to move his mouth to my breasts. He moves his hot tongue over my nipples in playful circles as he takes his time with them while he moves his hands beneath my underwear.

“Mmm. Your taste is driving me crazy. Vanilla, jasmine… so sweet.”

He helps me remove the rest of my clothes. Kneeling, he reaches for me. Hot puffs of air warm the soft skin of my thigh. He pauses for a moment, breathing hard. I can’t bear the stillness.

“Please…” I whimper needily and push my thighs together, pressing him in.

He curses and lets out a choppy groan into my thigh. Moving to my center, he grips me tightly, playfully squeezing.

Anticipation laps at me, and I try not to show my frustration, but he sees it and laughs.

“Okay sweetheart… I won’t make you wait any longer.”

Then he puts his mouth on my aching skin. His kisses are sweet and hungry. He’s murmuring words I can’t understand while he moves his tongue and lips over me and teases me with his teeth. I plea helplessly.

He lifts his head. His hair’s a mess and his face strains with desire. “That’s it. Let me hear those sweet sounds. Give them all to me.” His voice is so deep it’s gravel.

I pant and beg, twisting under his touch.

Delicious and unbearable at the same time.

I cry out so loud the ships offshore can probably hear me.

Encouraged by my cries, he quickens his pace.

I clutch desperately at his shoulders, lifting my hips, trying to hold back the swell pushing to break the surface. Then I let go.

“Scott!”

Pleasure surges through me as he continues with his kisses and touches, helping me ride through it.

After the last bubbles of sensation burst, I lay stunned.

So happy, I just laugh. I’m flushed from head to toe and my arms and legs no longer work.

Once I catch my breath, Scott moves back to my mouth and kisses me with all the passion we’ve been kindling for months.

Without a word, he cradles me in his arms and gently pulls my head to his chest, kissing me sweetly on my forehead. I can hear the rapid beating of his heart. He carries me into the house and to his bed. This time, when he kisses me, he doesn’t hold back. He wants to make me his.

“I can’t wait to be inside you,” he murmurs. “I need to be inside you right now.”

I slide my hands into his soft, thick hair, and the world blurs. He reaches for the nightstand, his hands shaking, searching for a condom.

“It’s okay. I’m on the pill.” Placing my hand softly on his chest, I look into his eyes.

“Are you sure?”

“Yes.” My chest flutters.

He groans, squeezes me, and pushes me down. I’m lying on my back, and he’s on top of me in an instant. Burying his face into my neck, he whispers breathlessly.

“I love you.”

Then he’s overtaken by desire. His hands, mouth, and body are all over me, and urgency rushes through me, too, as I wrap my legs around him, begging him to go as deep as he can.

He moans in pleasure as he pushes into me. “Oh yes—you feel too good.”

I encourage him as he moves.

“You’re made for me Maddie—you’re mine. Mine.” I reach out with both hands and caress his face. He turns his head and kisses my hand.

Scott’s gentle. A generous and a greedy lover, moving from one place on my body to another like there’s not enough of me.

He pulls me up and takes me from behind, as he runs the palms of his hands down my back and grasps my hips. Caressing my skin slowly so he can tease me and I can feel how much he wants to please me. His breaths are rapid and choppy. He’s at the edge of his control.

“So tight…” He leans in and I feel drops of his sweat hit my back. I yelp when he reaches a spot that sends sparks shooting up my spine. I can’t control my whimpers anymore.

“That’s it… let me hear you, baby.”

He slows a moment and fondles my breasts and kisses my back before returning to his thrusts, still maddeningly slow.

“I need all of you,” I pant, clutching the sheet.

He shouts a curse.Breathless now, he loses his grip on my hips and tries not to fall over as he continues to move, clasping my waist. He lets out another loud string of curses.

His filthy words send more pleasure through my core.

I look over my shoulder. His eyes lock on mine.

I gently touch his thigh. Catching his breath, he holds himself as he rolls me over.

I put my arms around his neck, holding onto his shoulders as he pushes into me again.

He kisses me fiercely, gazing into my eyes a moment longer before closing histightly.

“Maddie—” He rolls his hips once more, his legs trembling, and releases a long groan, his face softening into bliss.

Drained, he collapses beside me, pulling me into an embrace against his chest, still kissing me as he catches his breath.

“ You’re beautiful ,” he whispers.

Then we’re silent. Overwhelmed in a good way.

Only a few minutes pass before his soft breathing and murmurs break the silence. He’s dreaming. I smile. My fingers trace lazy patterns across his chest while I take him in. He looks so different in sleep—younger and at peace.

I love you too, Scott.

I listen to his heart’s steady beat and close my eyes, letting myself sink into sleep with him.

The ceiling fan spins above us, cooling our bodies after our latest round. Scott’s insatiable. A contrast to the constraint he’s shown for months. The afternoon sun streams through the windows. I giggle.

“What?” he laughs. “Should I be worried?” His face is dreamy. We’re both crazy drunk with exhaustion.