Page 94 of Savage Heart

The joy vanishes instantly.

“What?” Vera cries.

Kell’s smile drops. “No. No, you’re speaking nonsense. Say it again, but fix it this time.”

“It was a one-time thing,” I say. “That’s it.”

Kell crosses her arms. “That makes zero sense.”

Vera looks over at the bar and laughs under her breath. “Tell that man who is eye-fucking you that it won’t be happening again, I dare ya.”

I glance over there and swallow hard. He is looking at me like he’s imagining all the ways he’d like to have me.

I shake my head, partially to defog it.

They stare at me, stunned.

Vera leans in, eyes fierce but soft. “You can’t deny the attraction any longer, Iris. Don’t forget—I’ve seen you dance with him. I think the two of you hooking up is you finally getting it right.”

I close my eyes.

“I can’t afford to believe that,” I say quietly. “Maverick and I may have formed some kind of truce, but I just can’t go there with him.”

It would be too painful to lose him again.

I glance at Maverick one more time and tell myself that I have to be done and mean it.

Unfortunately, my body is not convinced.

Chapter 24: News Travels

Maverick

When she walks out of Hog Heaven, I throw cash on the bar and follow.

“Iris,” I call.

She’s almost to her new car with the girls and turns to look at me over her shoulder. The car is one sexy ride, and I’m so goddamn pleased that she’s out of that hunk of junk she called Betty.

“Can I have a minute?” I ask.

She hesitates.

“I’ll have Russell pick us up,” Kell says.

Iris protests, but Kell is already calling Russell.

“Go,” Vera tells Iris.

I need to remember to thank Kell and Vera later.

Iris sighs in exasperation and walks toward me, looking none too happy. When she gets close, I tilt my head toward the side of the building, and we walk over there, the gravel crunching under our boots. She leans against the weathered brick wall and stares up at me.

“What is it, Maverick?” She sounds tired.

I take my hat off and run my hand through my hair. She watches and licks her lips. My dick gets harder than it already was. I set my hat on a post and move closer to her.

“I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you . . . about everything . . . and our night together.” I pause and watch her pulse thrum in her neck. I want to press my tongue there. “It was the most amazing experience I’ve ever had, but the way you ran out of there, I thought maybe it wasn’t the same for you.”