Joy (Hell's Handlers MC 7)

When the orgasm claimed her, it wasn’t an explosion of pleasure, but a rolling wave that started low in her gut and undulated out through her limbs, cresting again and again.

When the need for air grew too great, she ripped her mouth way, “God, Maverick,” she cried. “So intense.” Her body trembled as the climax grew in size and strength.

All of a sudden, Mav’s arms clamped even tighter around her. He sunk his teeth into the side of her neck and groaned as his body began a rhythmic convulsion of release. “Jesus,” he said once his arms had finally slackened.

“Yeah.” Stephanie grinned down at him. He had this dopy, drunk glazed-over look in his eyes. “That was intense.”

He stroked a hand up and down her spine as he nodded.

Stephanie frowned. Where was the snarky Maverick quip about his prowess? “You okay?” Maybe he had already caught wind of what happened at the diner and it had him reeling. Though even if that were true, this subdued, reflective mood wasn’t his style.

“Yeah, baby, I’m perfect. You ready for your next Christmas Pre-game gift?” There it was, the mischievous twinkle he’d had since December kicked off.

With a laugh, Steph rolled her eyes. “What is it this time? Red Rudolph’s nose pasties for my boobs? Or maybe an apron with a naked elf and ‘Santa’s little helper’ written above the penis?”

Mav threw back his head and laughed. “Shit, woman, you’ve got a future in naughty greeting cards or something. You know that?”

“Mmm, my dream job.” She held out her hand. “Okay, lay it on me.”

Mav reached over to the desk where a flat rectangular box she hadn’t noticed sat wrapped in gold paper with a green bow. It had the look of a box of chocolates. Hmm, that she could get on board with even if they were shaped like body parts.

She gave it a gentle shake. “What is it?”

Mav barked out a laugh. “You ask that every time. If you would just open it, you could save your breath.”

“Good point.” Steph tore into the paper. She’d never admit it to him, but this little pre-game gift tradition was the best thing ever. Even if the gifts were one hundred percent ridiculous. Okay, fine, that vibrator wasn’t ridiculous. It had actually served her quite well. That aside, knowing Mav thought of her enough to buy all these quirky trinkets made her feel so damn special.

As the gift was revealed, Steph smiled in triumph. “Chocolates! I knew it.” The box boasted Santa shaped chocolates with liquor fillings. “And it’s not even perverted. Look at that!”

“No, but they’ve got booze, so if you eat them all, it might lead to all things perverted.” Mav waggled his eyebrows.

“True. Let’s start now.” What woman didn’t love her some chocolate?

She opened the box. Where to start— “M-Maverick?” Her hands shook.

“Yeah, babe?”

“Um, w-what is this?” The words came out whispered so low it was a good thing his ears were less than a foot away. Because she’d lost all her air and her throat had gone dry.

He chuckled. “This?” he asked as he picked up the sparkly platinum ring resting in the very center of the box where a chocolate treat used to lie. “Well, this is a ring, baby.”

She opened her mouth, but no words came out. He’d rendered her completely and utterly speechless.

Her heart raced so fast she grew dizzy.

As he lifted her left hand, Maverick said, “We met under the worst of circumstances. But from that horrifying experience, came the best thing to have ever happened to me. You, Stephanie.” His voice cracked. “You’re fierce and loyal. You love hard, and protect those you care about. You’ve fought for me, and played with me, and become my life. I want you to do all those things for the rest of our lives. And in return, I want to make each day for you better than the one before it. I love you with an intensity I didn’t even know existed.” He cocked his head and gave her his customary teasing grin, but his eyes held a suspicious shimmer. “Let’s lock this shit down, baby. Will you marry me?”

By now, tears streamed down her face, and her hands shook so hard, she’d never be able to hold onto the ring. Instead, she extended her trembling fingers and let Maverick slide the glimmering round solitaire on.

She couldn’t tear her eyes away from her hand. Like any woman in love, she’d hoped for this someday but figured it would take Maverick years to warm to the idea. Never had she imagined their second Christmas together would be celebrated as an engaged couple.

Still seated inside her, Maverick began to harden again.

Stephanie gaped at the incredible ring circling her finger. If she had her way, it’d never come off. With a grunt, Mav shifted, and she suddenly found herself on her back.