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“Got it,” I manage to choke out not because I’m scared but because I’m kind of excited. I’m indebted to Maverick up to my eyeballs, including this little outing—three IOUs if you must know—but the way that particular threat sounded, seemed like it was on a whole different payment scale.

“Good,” he clips when I just stand there gawking. “Now press the fucking button and let’s do this before I change my mind.”

I do.

Not only do I press the button on the wall, signaling to the staff that we’re ready to go, but I pick “Legend” by The Score to play over the loudspeakers. It’s a catchy and kick-ass kind of tune that you can destroy stuff to.

“I’m surprised,” says Maverick, his fingers grazing over one of the aluminum bats. “I felt sure we’d be listening to Beyoncé or some kind of girl power song.”

My heart flutters just thinking he would be willing to endure girl power music if I wanted.

“Nope,” I say with a smile. “This trip is all for you.”

And me. Sort of.

I’ve wanted to try this place for a while, and well, now was the perfect opportunity. Maverick and I both have demons we need to work out of our system.

“How thoughtful,” he muses right before rearing back and leveling an old fax machine on the table. Pieces of plastic and metal fly everywhere, sliding along the concrete floor.

“You’re right,” he says, rolling his shoulders with a stupid grin on his face. “This feels incredible.”

He takes another swing at a glass vase, shattering it with a victory yell that pops a silly smile on my face.

Then he takes another swing. And another .

I’m watching in awe as the uptight man I know lets loose and enjoys himself like a big kid gone rogue in a toy store.

His swings are strong, and his form is impeccable, but that just might be me. I don’t think I’ve ever really sat back and enjoyed the view that is Maverick.

Sure, I’ve noticed sexy qualities here and there. Especially his dark, messy hair and tattoos. But he always has a shield up. That shield keeps you from enjoying the hottest things about him, like his smile. His quick-witted personality. And his beautiful broken heart.

I think even if Maverick were on the lower end of the hot spectrum, I would still want to stare at him for hours because I know that underneath all the rumors and masks is a good guy with a caring heart.

“Ainsley, stop standing there and hit something!” he yells between panting breaths.

I grin. “I’m not sure you’re going to leave me anything to destroy.”

Those broad shoulders stop mid-swing before turning and leveling me with a look that says I will break some shit before we leave.

“Come here. Now.”

Yep, that tone he just used tingled below my belt line.

I clench the bat and walk over to where Maverick waits impatiently, one hand tucked halfway into his pocket. “Look at this old TV and tell me what you see.”

I cock my head to the side, looking for a hidden image or something.

“Uh . . .”

I can hear his sigh over the music.

“Ahh!”

He snags me around the waist and places me in front of him roughly, his bat clattering to the floor. Warm and strong, his hands grip my hips. “You want to know what I think you see?”

Gah, his breath tickles along my neck. I should not have put my hair up. This outing is destined for a mistake.

“I think you see the woman Fuckface and his wannabe girlfriend kicked out of her apartment.”

It’s like he threw an ice-cold bucket of water over me. I try wrenching out of his hold, but he keeps going. “Look at the TV, Ainsley. Tell me what you see.”

I swallow. “I don’t want to do this anymore.”

Why did he have to bring up Tucker when we were having such a good time?

“You will do this,” he growls. “Look, Ainsley. Look at the TV. Tell me what you see.”

Fine. If it will shut him up, I’ll look.

Hesitantly, I pull my gaze from the floor and find the screen of the TV. Huh. The reflection is me and Maverick, locked together, his hands on my hips, proving strong and imposing.

“I see me,” I tell him softly.

“And?” His voice is approving.

“And I see you.”

“Want to know what I see?” he asks, his voice warmer as his head bows to my ears and speaks the words directly to my heart. “I see a survivor—a force to be reckoned with.”

Chills break along my skin.

“I see a strong and independent woman. One who forgives no matter what she’s been through. The woman in that TV reflection is brave, bold, and full of life.”

His fingers wrap around mine before he repeats the process.

“She’s caring and kind.”

He brings my left hand across my body and places it on the bat.

“Beautiful and funny.”

He turns us to the side, and I stare at our image. His penetrating gaze peering at me through the reflection.

“She cowers to no man.”

His head leans into mine like he can’t get close enough. “She takes what she wants.”

The bat is lifted.

“She’s fucking invincible.”

And then we swing together. Glass and hardware go in all different directions .

“Ahh! You’re right!” I do this little jump in his arms. “This does feel great! Fuck Tucker! And Twatface!”

I turn and face him, and immediately his arms go to my waist. I feel small tucked into his imposing body.

“Thank you for saying all those nice things about me.”

A groan vibrates in his chest. “Shut up.”

“I mean it. It was really sweet.”

He’s just a big old scary teddy bear.

“You deserve to be happy,” he finally says after a moment.

“I am happy.” The words came out before I realized it. “I—” I start to apologize but think better of it. “You know what? I won’t apologize. I am happy. I’m glad Tucker cheated on me. I’m glad he forced me out of my apartment. I’m a better person because of it.”

I hesitate with my last declaration because as scary as Maverick is, I think he gets spooked with too many emotional words.

“I’m happy because of you . Thank you for being my friend, even if you didn’t want to be.

” He rolls his eyes. “And thank you for letting me crash on your couch, eat your food, and pretend to be your roomie even if it’s only temporary, and I owe you like a million firstborns and souls. ”

I pull back and flash him a megawatt smile. “You truly are my genie in a bottle.”

“What?” His brows furrow.

I wave off his concern. “Don’t worry about it. I’m just saying you’re not such a bad guy after all, Maverick Lexington.”

I stand on my toes and kiss his cheek. “And I’m going to miss you when I move out.”

Those stormy eyes flash with an intensity I’ve never seen from Maverick. At least when he’s not been pissed.

His hands graze up my waist and over my shoulders until they rest at my cheeks. His jaw ticks as he watches me watching him. Gah, he really is stunning.

And then he growls out, “Fuck it,” before smashing his lips to mine.