Page 29 of The Maverick’s Forever Home (Montana Mavericks: Behind Closed Doors #2)

He started laughing then so, of course, she was laughing, too.

All of this was such an unexpected delight.

She’d suspected they’d have good sex—if they ever had sex.

Good didn’t come close to describing it.

Her body was still pleasantly humming. But it wasn’t just the sex.

It was this. There was a real intimacy in lying, naked, and laughing together. She liked it. A whole lot. Braden, too.

No . Like didn’t come close to describing how she felt about him. Not anymore. It was scary fast but real—her heart was certain of it. She swallowed.

Too bad she’d learned her heart wasn’t always the best guide.

“What are you thinking?” He was studying her closely.

She scrambled to come up with an answer that wouldn’t send him running for the door. “What do you think I’m thinking?”

He nodded. “I know exactly what you’re thinking.” He slid off the bed. “Close your eyes for a sec.”

She closed her eyes. “I’m pretty sure it hasn’t been seven and a half minutes yet.”

His chuckle sent a shudder down her spine. “Close. But not yet.” The bed shifted beside her. “Open them.”

She did.

“You need sugar.” He held out a bag of cherry sours. “A pick-me-up snack.”

She sat up and stared at the bag of dime-store candy. “You bought these for me tonight?” She’d been in a fog of lust, and he’d been responsible enough to buy condoms and thoughtful enough to get her candy.

He nodded, his brows dipping. “You said you liked cherry sours, didn’t you?”

She nodded, her emotions ping-ponging all over the place. Her eyes started burning.

“It’s nothing much.” His smile was slipping. “No big deal.”

“You’re wrong.” She scooted across the blanket until she was pressed beside him. “It’s thoughtful and sweet. That makes it a big deal.” This time, she worried her heart had gotten it right. How would she recover when it all fell apart?

“Are you sad?” He wiped at the corner of her eyes. “Dammit, Maggie, I thought—”

She raised up on her knees and silenced him with a kiss.

If she didn’t, she’d say it. She’d admit she loved him and there’d be no way to take it back.

She wasn’t ready to face the truth. There were too many variables.

Like real life. Real life was kids and jobs and family and everyday chores and responsibilities.

The two of them were already struggling with this.

And she had to go back to work.

She couldn’t break her promise to Angelique.

How could she when there were so many women and children that needed an advocate?

That was all it took for her to shove her feelings deep, deep down inside of her.

Her goal in life was to give back. Even if she tried to stay and make it work with Braden, she’d never be able to live with the guilt of breaking her promise—and deserting those who had no one to speak for them.

But what did that mean for she and Braden?

* * *

Braden hadn’t slept a wink. When Maggie dozed off, he’d watched her.

He was afraid if he closed his eyes, he’d wake up to discover all of this had been a dream.

He couldn’t let that happen. Their night together had given him a glimpse into what love could be.

Passion, yes, but laughter, too. When he hadn’t been discovering new ways to make her orgasm, they’d talked.

A lot. Some of it was big, important stuff, but mostly, it was silly things.

And the sillier it was, the more she laughed.

He liked making her laugh almost as much as he liked making her climax. Well, hell, it was a toss-up.

But now she was sound asleep against his shoulder and he was driving them home.

They’d tried to get out of bed at the crack of dawn but it hadn’t worked.

One touch, one look, and he couldn’t keep his hands off her.

Lucky for him, she was the same. But checkout time rolled around, and they could no longer delay the inevitable.

Besides, Delilah and Cody would definitely have questions if the two of them weren’t there after school.

“Sorry.” Maggie’s voice was thick with sleep. She yawned, sitting up to peer through the windshield. With a sigh, she turned to him—her face tilted up.

He dropped a kiss on her waiting lips and slid his arm around her, keeping her beside him. In a few minutes, he’d be turning into the drive of her family home and leaving her. Until then, he wasn’t going to let her go. “Get some sleep?”

She nodded, grinning. “More than I did last night.”

He chuckled. “I don’t remember you complaining.”

“That’s because I didn’t complain.” She rested her head on his shoulder again. “The drive was quick.” She caught his right hand with both of hers.

“Was it?” He smiled, keeping his voice light. “Or are you saying you’re not ready to let me go?” Because that’s exactly how he was feeling.

She squeezed his hand but didn’t say a word. Not when they turned off the highway and pulled into the Cooper Ranch. Not when he parked at the main house and turned off the truck. She sat, holding his hand, totally silent.

“You okay, Maggie?” He rested his head on top of hers.

She nodded. “I’m a little sad.”

“Why?” He pulled her against him and slid his arms around her.

“Because I’m not ready to let you go.” She looked up at him.

“Now that you’re my girlfriend, I can drop by more often.” He loved the way her face lit up with her smile. “It’s my right as a boyfriend, isn’t it?”

“You’re my boyfriend,” she whispered, a hint of mischief to her grin. “Well, boyfriend , why don’t you and Delilah come for dinner?” She blinked. “If you don’t have plans or—”

He kissed her. “We will be here.” He kissed her again, then stared down at her. “I need you to do something for me.”

“Okay.” She was wearing the sexy, sleepy smile from last night—the one that got his heart thumping.

“Take a nap and rest.” He pressed a finger to her lips to stop her from interrupting. “You were sick, Maggie. I don’t want last night causing a setback. I’d feel guilty as hell if I did that to you. Promise me you’ll take a nap.” He lifted his finger.

She blinked. “Can I take a shower first?”

“You took one this morning. I was there.” He’d washed her hair. Then washed her. “You were wearing bubbles.”

“You know what happened after the shower.” Her brows rose and her cheeks went a deep shade of pink.

“I do. It happened several times.” If they hadn’t run out of condoms, it probably would have happened a few more. “That’s why you need your rest. Or I’ll worry about you.”

Her green eyes were glued to his mouth.

“Maggie?” He sighed.

“Hmm?” She stayed as she was.

“What are you thinking?”

“You could put me to bed.” She nibbled her bottom lip. “That way you know I’ll rest.”

Braden wasn’t sure how his body was so ready and willing, but it was.

He was tempted, too. Not to make love to her again, but to make sure she went to bed.

He felt guilty she hadn’t gotten more sleep.

But, the front door of the house opened and Mike Cooper stepped out onto the porch.

“I’m not so sure your brother would be okay with that. ”

“What?” Her head swiveled toward the front door and her cheeks went from pink to red.

Mike waved.

Braden waved back. When he turned to give Maggie a final kiss, she’d already scrambled out of the truck and was headed for the door.

Well, damn . He hadn’t expected to feel so uneasy watching her walk away.

After last night, he should be feeling more confident about them.

What they’d shared had been nothing short of magical.

But they’d never once mentioned what was in their hearts.

All he knew was his heart was so full it might burst.

Braden started his truck as Mike went inside. Maggie paused at the door, spun on her heel and blew him a kiss. She waved before closing the door behind her.

“You’re damn adorable.” He chuckled, oddly comforted.

The minute he got home, he showered and changed. He had a lot of work to do and a short amount of time to do it in. Not that he minded. He wouldn’t give up one minute of his time with Maggie—even if it spared him the heckling and grief he was going to get.

He had two pipe gates that needed tack welding. It was quick, easy work that would have been done this morning. He loaded up his gear, closed the tailgate on the work truck and headed for the driver door.

“Look who finally decided to show up.” Miles was leaning on the hood of the truck.

Braden adjusted his beaten cowboy hat on his head. “Need something?”

“Nah.” Miles shrugged. “Figure I’ll tag along—in case you’re too tired.”

“I’m good.” He opened the truck door.

“I’m sure you are.” He climbed in on the passenger side and draped his arm along the back of the bench seat. “Come on, let’s go.”

Braden ignored him on the drive along the west pasture fence line to the corner cross post. Miles didn’t help one bit. Instead, he leaned against the fence and pointed out what Braden needed to do. His brother was doing his best to push buttons, but Braden was too happy to care.

Nothing and no one was going to ruin his mood.

“You keep smiling.” Miles stooped to check out Braden’s handiwork.

“And?” Braden wiped his brow with the back of his arm.

“And nothing.” He shrugged. “Just making an observation. I’m guessing things went well last night?”

“Yep.” He shot him a look.

“Got it.” Miles held up his hands. “No kiss and tell.”

Braden loaded up the equipment and got back into the truck. He started the vehicle and honked, laughing when Miles jogged over. “You’re slowing me down.”

Miles shook his head. “You’re awful feisty this morning.”

Braden shrugged and drove to the next gate. He didn’t bother asking Miles for help—he didn’t need it. He wanted to get the gates fixed and go pick up Delilah from school. And then, head to Maggie’s.

“Hey.” Miles slapped his shoulder. “There’s a rock.” He pointed. “Or are you aiming for it?”

Hell . Braden corrected the truck without batting an eye. “You wanted to come with me.” But he needed to focus on what was right in front of him—work. “How are things with you? Renee good?” When Miles didn’t answer, he glanced his brother’s way. “What?”

“Nothing.” But Miles was grinning. “She’s good. Watching her manage her diabetes, how upbeat and dedicated she is to staying healthy, keeps me from feeling sorry for myself and my failing vision. She’s perfect for me. I’m a lucky man.”

Braden chuckled.

“Laugh while you can. You just wait.” He kept on grinning. “Maggie’s gonna wrap you around her little finger in no time.”

Did loving her mean she had him wrapped around her finger?

If so, it was a done deal. She was his girlfriend.

It was a good place to start. Delilah would be thrilled.

Maggie was one of her favorite people. And Cody?

Her hero-worship for the boy grew with each playdate.

His brothers might give him crap but they wanted him happy.

So did his parents—his mother especially.

She’d probably start picking out dates and wedding locations.

“And there’s no shame in it, either. Renee tells me to jump, I’ll ask how high.” Miles chuckled. “When you know, you know.”

Braden envied his brother that. The certainty. Miles and Renee were a team working toward the same future. He was certain about Maggie and what he wanted for them. Was Maggie?

Then there was her job. It was the one hurdle he’d yet to clear.

But it was a big one. Was she planning to start traveling again?

If she did, he wasn’t sure he could be okay with it.

She’d been sick, hospitalized, and put herself at risk.

He admired her for wanting to make a difference and respected how devoted she was to her work, but, for him, family came first. After what she’d been through, he wondered if she’d feel the same.

For Cody’s sake, he hoped so. For he and Delilah, too.

“Hello?” Miles waved his hand in front of his face.

“What?” Braden blinked and turned to his brother.

“Your phone.” Miles laughed.

Braden glanced at the screen. Maggie had texted him.

He came to a stop and opened his phone. It was a picture of her—in bed.

Her hair was a mess, her eyes were heavy-lidded and she was wearing that sleepy smile he couldn’t resist. No text, just the picture.

But it was enough. He’d asked her to rest and she was. And it made him so damn happy.

“What did she say?” Miles leaned closer.

Braden put his hand over Miles’s face and pushed him back. “None of your business.” He stepped on the gas. That picture was for him and him alone. “But Delilah and I can’t come to dinner tonight. We’re going to Maggie’s.”

“Yeah, it’s too late.” He held up his pinkie finger. “She’s got you right here.” And he laughed for the next five minutes straight.