Page 89 of Savage Heart

“Loud and clear.”

Chapter 23: Shover Downer

Iris

I still can’t believe I slept with Maverick.

It’s been two days, and I wake up again in disbelief after another dream about him.

My stomach is tired of the flip-flopping. I press my palm to my eyes, as if I can shove the memory back where it belongs.

Out of this world doesn’t even begin to cover it. It was the kind of connection people write songs about and then spend the rest of their lives chasing. I felt seen in a way that was terrifying and intoxicating, like he reached into me and touched something raw and bright.

I didn’t know my body could feel like that. I didn’t know I could let go in that way.

What was I thinking?

Now I know what I’ve been missing, dammit.

I roll onto my side and stare at the wall. My heart is still beating too fast, still in bed with the Maverick from the dream. Except it’s just replaying what really happened. The way it started with a look that lingered half a second too long, the way the air between us felt charged and inevitable. I should have stopped it. I should have thought about the consequences.

But thinking ahead was impossible. All I could see was him. And then once we touched, that was it. Everything else fell away.

Maverick has always had a way of getting under my skin, of making me forget the carefully built rules I’ve set for myself. And now those rules are in pieces, and I’m the one who has to pick them up.

I take a slow breath and tell myself it didn’t mean anything. It was a moment.

Except then he showed up at work yesterday like he was expecting more moments.

My body hums with the memory of him, and one thought keeps circling back.

If it was that incredible once, how am I supposed to forget it happened?

“Mom!” Linc sticks his head in. “We’re back. There’s something you have to see.”

Otis took Linc to feed the horses this morning because he said they were working on a surprise, and I let him because I’m trying my best to avoid seeing Maverick.

I squint at his back. “I haven’t even had coffee.”

“This is worth it.” He gives me a huge grin, and I can’t help but grin back.

“Okay, okay. What is going on?”

I pull a sweatshirt over my tank and follow him outside, the morning air cool against my skin. Otis is there, unable to hide his excitement.

Then I see it.

Parked a few feet from my trailer is a car. A beauty. Dark paint gleaming, not a dent or rust spot in sight. It looks brand new.

“What is this?” I ask.

“Pretty, isn’t she?” Otis says. “This is Betty’s replacement.”

“Oh no,” I say immediately. “No, no, no.” I stare at it and then at Otis when he doesn’t say anything. “Otis. Come on. Whose car is this?”

“It’s yours, honey girl.”

“Isn’t it pretty, Mom?” Linc says, bouncing over to look in the windows. He opens the door and sits in the passenger seat. “It’s so nice.”