Page 29 of The Maverick (WaterFyre Rising #7)
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
VANESSA
After Attikus finished his plate of food, he sipped water from his bottle while watching me eat.
I lifted my eyes and met the heat of his gaze. “Are you done?”
“I’m done eating, but not done admiring my fiancée’s lovely features.”
I grabbed a sub from the box and placed it on his plate. “Here. Occupy yourself while I finish my dinner.”
Laughter sparked in his eyes. “My home is more entertaining with you here.”
I imagined him eating at this table all by himself, and sadness stirred in me. “Do you invite your mom and sister over for dinner often?”
“They’ve been here, but it’s not the same thing.” He flicked me an inquisitive look. “I can’t sit and stare at them like I stare at you.”
“You mean you can, but you won’t .”
“My mother and sister don’t interest me the way you do.” He bit into the sub, chewed, and swallowed. “They don’t make me wonder about things.”
I finished my dinner and gulped down water to cool the heat coursing through me.
What did he wonder about me? Would that question lead to more sexual tension? I didn’t want the thermometer in the kitchen to burst because of us.
He was enjoying this fiancé role a bit too much. I supposed I shouldn’t disappoint my future husband.
“Do you want to know what I’m wondering?”
“Yes.” He wiped his mouth with the napkin and drank some water. “What are you thinking?”
“Why are you exceptionally attentive to me tonight?” I glanced at his empty plate and the crumbs from the sub.How did he stay so fit if this was how he ate?
“I had an interesting day.” A muscle twitched in his jaw. “You’re the perfect distraction for me.”
“What happened today?”
His eyes darkened as he rose from his chair and walked over to me. “I got to experience the bad and the good today.” He offered me his hand.
I took it and stood. Whatever happened today must’ve been awful. If he wanted to tell me, he would have already, so I didn’t pressure him. Based on my experience, you had to push the ugly aside sometimes so you could breathe.
So I gave him the space he needed and became his perfect distraction simply by being his fiancée.
“Let me give you a tour upstairs. I don’t want you getting lost when I’m not home.” He held my hand, leading me up the stairs.
“I fear I might spot a woman’s underwear hiding in your bedroom,” I teased.
He squeezed my hand. “You must have hidden yours in there while I was out.”
He tossed me a lustful look that had my core tightening. Was that an act too?
When he stepped inside, I glanced around at the spacious room with the king-size bed, which looked welcoming with its taupe and gray sheets. I turned to a spacious extension with tall windows and comfy couches.
“This must be where you hide your sex toys.”
“You’re so smart.” He lifted my hand and kissed it. “How do you know everything?”
My skin heated where his lips touched. The SSG mission sparked in my head. I’d almost forgotten about it. I could use this opportunity to confirm his intentions. Was this all fake, or did he have genuine feelings for me?
What if I discovered they weren’t real? My chest tightened. I’d think about that later. He considered me a distraction from whatever had bothered him today. But he was also my distraction.
We were using each other to fill a void.
The fancy curtains dressed the tall windows beautifully.
Framed kids’ drawings hung on one wall. I released my hand from his grip and walked over.
Some drawings had burned edges. I smiled at the happy sun with the adorable clouds.
One drawing of a family of stick people was incomplete because the other portion had been burned away.
I loved looking at children’s drawings. They conveyed a sense of wonder, magic, and hope that adults often forgot.
The residual of fire had tainted the joy in these drawings. What happened to them?
I turned to see Attikus leaning against a side table, watching me. “Whose drawings are these? They’re precious.”
He walked up to the family drawing and ran his fingers along the gold frames.
“My younger sister. Amelia was a great artist. She drew our family when she was only four. When she was in middle school, she could illustrate anime better than me. I wish I had some of those illustrations. She wanted to be an artist when she grew up.”
The tone of his voice changed, and his fingers curled. I sensed his pain, so I took his hand in mine.
“I can see her talent.”
I wanted to ask what happened to his family, but he pulled me to him. “You have an incredible talent, Lily Pad.”
“What’s that?”
“For making me feel better.”
I sensed his erection against my belly and lost my breath. Things were moving too fast. Right now, he seemed vulnerable. I didn’t want him to make a mistake he’d regret later.
My eyes darted to the family picture frame sitting on the side table behind him.
“Is that you?” I broke free from him, stepped over to the table, and picked up the picture frame.
“You were a cute boy. What a beautiful family photo.” When I looked closer, I saw it also had smoke stains.
“You and your sister are a beautiful blend of your parents.”
“Thank you.”
The photo also showed the spark of a young Attikus. His eyes revealed a powerful glimpse into his soul—hope and motivation that could inspire the world.
I looked up at him.
“What?” he asked.
“You still have that spark.” I patted his cheek.
“How can you be sure?”
“It’s like looking at art. Sometimes, you just feel it.”
He considered my comment for a moment. Then he slipped his hand behind my neck, massaging it gently. He bent and pressed his lips gently to mine.
When he drew back, I said, “You’re breaking a rule in the contract.”
His lips pursed. “Some rules can be bent temporarily.”
“Says who?”
“Says the two people who are in heat right now.”
“I’m not in heat.”
“Okay.” He smirked, seeing through my lie. “Then it’s just me.” His Adam’s apple bobbed. “Please forgive me, Lily Pad.”
The sexual tension in the room increased several notches.
“I’m going to unpack and call it a night.”
Attikus nodded. “Okay. I need to get some work done. If you need anything, you can call, text, or walk upstairs.”
I nodded. “Let me help you put the food away.”
As we walked out of his bedroom, he said, “You’re welcome to leave your underwear in my drawers if you need more room.”
Was that an invitation? He knew he was unsettling me and didn’t back down one bit. Did he want me to jump him or something? Because if I had to stand next to him for another minute, I would.
Rolling my eyes, I stalked past him, rushing down the stairs.
He caught up to me. “As for the sex toys, I don’t have any. But we could start a collection if you want.”
Heat blossomed on my face and traveled down my neck. I glared at him. “Sounds like you want it more than me.”
He stood with his hands tucked into his pants, smirking as he rocked back on his heels.
“Where’s your cane? Is it safe to walk around without it?”
“Are you worried about me?”
“I’m worried about me . If you fall and knock yourself out, I’m not strong enough to drag you to safety.” I looked around and spotted it leaning against the kitchen wall. “Here.” I offered it to him. It was heavier than I had imagined.
“Thank you.” He took it but leaned it against the kitchen island. “The doctor told me it’s okay not to use it at home. During my physical therapy sessions, I don’t need a cane.” He walked back and forth in the kitchen like a lion owning his domain. “See?”
He walked without a limp. I wondered if his pain was sporadic, but I didn’t want to ask any more questions. I was supposed to get away from him.
As soon as I finished putting the food away, I said good night, rushed into my bedroom, and locked the door.
When I sat on my bed, I blew out a heavy breath, trying to calm my erratic heartbeat.
We weren’t even married, and he’d already broken one rule on the contract.
But you’re not mad about it.
I wasn’t, which made this entire situation dangerous. I didn’t want to get hurt, and Attikus was a man who had the potential to do just that. I could tell because my body had never reacted this way to anyone.
A hot shower would help me clear away his energy so I could unpack and get a restful sleep.