“But do you want to be with him?” he asked. “Because it doesn’t—”
“Yes.” I didn’t think twice about my answer, and that was scary. Even after what he did, I knew he was the man I wanted to be with. My heart ignored his faults because it only cared about his positive qualities. I saw so much of the good and not enough of the bad. I was already getting soft for him once more, and we hadn’t even spent much time together. I drove to the city early just to get him a Christmas present when I didn’t have to do a damn thing. “Brandon, I’m sorry if I hurt you, but I was clear about what our relationship was.”
“You aren’t wearing your ring—”
“Because she doesn’t need to wear it.” Low and threatening, Maverick’s terrifying voice fell across our shoulders like a heavy fog. In a black suit with combed hair, he owned the backstage with his presence, murder in his eyes. His shoes tapped against the wood as he slowly came closer. “She’s still my wife.” He stopped in front of Brandon and stared him down hard, his eyes steady with violence. “She’s mine—not yours. Now, run.”
Brandon turned his gaze back on me.
I stopped him before he said anything stupid. “Run.” Maverick wouldn’t be patient for long.
Brandon made the right decision and walked away.
Maverick watched him go without turning his head. His eyes followed Brandon until he left the area and returned to the auditorium. In his hand was a single red rose, and he set it on my dressing table. “For you.”
“You didn’t need to threaten him like that—”
“He’s lucky I didn’t kill him. I’m a man of my word. Luckily for him, I’m not today.” He stepped closer to me, his black ring matching his attire. The wedding ring was so sexy on him. It was a fantasy, seeing him as a devoted husband…especially when I was his wife. “If he bothers you again, I will kill him. Let’s just hope he finally gets the hint.”
“He will.”
He picked up the rose and held it out to me.
I brought it to my nose and smelled it. The scent of rain overcame my senses. “Thank you.”
“You were wonderful tonight. You’re always wonderful.”
I placed the rose back on the table. When I returned in a couple of days, it would be wilted. But it was difficult for me to throw away anything Maverick gave me. It was the reason I’d worn my wedding ring for weeks after I’d left. It just felt wrong to take it off. I wondered if it was hanging on a chain underneath his clothes at that very moment.
“Can I take you home?”
“My car is here.”
“My guys will drive it back.”
“Oh…then, yes.”
He noticed my bags sitting beside my table. “Are these yours?”
“Yeah, I picked up a few things for Abigail and the girls…”
He picked them up and carried them for me. “Would you like my jacket?”
“No. I have mine.” I grabbed it off the back of the chair and pushed my arms through the sleeves.
He held the bags with one hand and helped me.
It immediately reminded me of the way my father would help me put on my coat. He did it when I was a child, and even when I became an adult, he still did the same thing…always helping me.
We suddenly felt like a married couple, like a husband and wife going home after a long day. My throat tightened when I realized how comfortable it was, how much I wanted it. When my jacket was secure, I faced him again.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing…I’m just not looking forward to walking in the rain.” Our wedding day had been such a painful event, but Maverick had made it as bearable as possible. He’d taken my hand and guided me the entire way, helping us navigate the lie so everyone would believe it was true. He’d been guiding me all along…since the moment we met. He was the one who’d entered my apartment and convinced me to marry him. If I didn’t, I would die. And marrying him was the best thing that had ever happened to me.
Love couldn’t be contained or controlled. It couldn’t be shoved in a can with a lid on top. Since it was ever-growing, it was always getting bigger, always filling the space with pressure until the lid popped off. That was how it’d been with us since day one. It was a slow burn, hatred turning to dislike, and dislike turning to admiration.
Maverick kept watching me, noting the way my eyes changed. “It feels right to me too.”
He carried my bags into my bedroom and set them on the coffee table. “You’ve got a lot of stuff here.”
“I got Abigail a box of chocolates and a couple of bracelets I found at my favorite boutique. I never see her go out, so maybe this will give her a reason to get dressed up.” I picked up the bags and placed them in my closet so Maverick wouldn’t spot the collared shirt.