Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 78542 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 393(@200wpm)___ 314(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78542 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 393(@200wpm)___ 314(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
“No way, woman. We made plans. I’m free, you’re free, and we both know Ada misses me.” I can hear the humor in his tone, and I can’t resist a smile. Thankfully, he can’t see me. “I’m on my way to pick you ladies up.”
“Thank you, Maverick.” I know he’s not going to give up. I might as well have dinner with him and thank him again in person for all that he’s done. It’s not exactly a hardship to spend time with him. He’s easy to be around, and I can admit he’s just as easy on the eyes.
“See you soon.” He ends the call, and I toss my phone next to me on the couch. Ada is still sleeping. Carefully, I stand and place her in her Pack ’N Play while I rush down the hall to my room to freshen up.
Ten minutes later, my hair is combed, and I have a diaper bag packed. I changed into a shirt without baby drool all over it, and that’s as good as it’s going to get. Besides, it’s not like Maverick is interested in me. He’s just a nice guy, one of the few in my experience, and he’s out of my league. He could have anyone he wants. He’s not going to set his sights on a single mom who can’t afford to fix her car and is living with her grandparents.
A soft knock on the door tells me he’s here. I’m thankful both of my grandparents are at the hardware store today. Something about inventory. Grandma doesn’t go in often, but she always helps with inventory and if someone calls in sick. Grandma was giving me one of those smiles. You know the one who says they think they know more than what they do, or that they think they know more than you do? Yeah, she gave me one of those when I told her Maverick Kincaid dropped me off. When she heard about my day, how he helped, and then took me to a family event, well, let’s just say I can see the wedding bells in her eyes.
Yeah, I’m glad she’s not here.
When I open the door, I’m greeted with Maverick’s cocky smile. “Hey, Stel,” he says.
He’s not the first person to shorten my name, but damn if every time he does it, my heart races in my chest. “Hi. Ada is sleeping, so give me a second.”
“No.” He rushes to reach out and grab my arm. “Don’t wake her up. Babies hate that.” The expression on his face is so intense that I almost laugh. Almost.
“I know. I was dreading it, to be honest.”
“Why didn’t you tell me she was napping?”
His hand is still on my arm, and the heat of his touch is like a bolt of lightning racing through my veins. I ignore it, pretending like his touch doesn’t affect me. “Because you’ve done so much for me. I wasn’t about to dictate when you take me to pick up my car that you’re paying for.”
“Stella.” He sighs, shaking his head. His hand drops from my arm as he takes a step into the house and closes the door behind him. Keeping his voice low, being mindful of Ada sleeping, he says, “She’s your little girl. She comes first. I could have waited. I got rained out of work today, and I’ve just been sitting at home with Merrick. I was going stir-crazy, but I could have waited.”
“I couldn’t ask you to do that.”
“Yes, Stella, you can. From here on out, you tell me what you need. Hell, tell me what you want. Don’t just go with what I say.”
My heart is going crazy in my chest. Is it because he’s standing so close, I can feel his hot breath against my cheek? Is it because he’s putting us first? Putting Ada first? Honestly, I think it’s a combination of all of it. Then his words register. “From here on out?” I ask, my voice barely audible.
“Yes, from here on out. You tell me what’s up? Got it?”
I want to ask him what that means. Will I be seeing more of him? I assumed not. He’s being a nice guy, but once I have my car, there’s no need to see him again, right? I open my mouth to ask, but Ada’s cry stops me. I turn toward the living room with Maverick hot on my heels.
“Hey, baby girl,” he coos at my daughter. His long-ass legs beat me to the Pack ’N Play, where he lifts her into his arms and snuggles her close. “How was your nap?”
Ada instantly stops crying as she stares at him. Her little hand brushes against the stubble on his face, and she giggles at the feeling beneath her fingers.
“Are you ready to have some dinner with Mommy and me?” he asks.