MAVERICK“That’s our baby, right? Like a little alien.” Lake looked baffled as the image of our baby appeared on the monitor with the fastest heartbeat I’d ever heard. “And that’s the heartbeat?”“Yes. Congratulations on the first glimpse of your baby about the size of a raspberry.”“Thank you, Doctor Chesca. That’s one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen. How far is she?”“Your baby is about eight weeks old. When I saw her name on the appointment, I remembered Striker and London.”“Wait. You’re their doctor?” I asked, surprised.“Yeah, I have a few high-profile clients, but I know Lake is Striker’s cousin.”“Let me guess, Linden’s wife is also your patient?” Lake asked amusedly.“Yeah. Both babies. I’m happy to be your obstetrician, Maverick. I like your name, by the way.”“Thank you.”Once the doctor finished the ultrasound, she gave us a booklet. “You can decide how you prefer your labor. Don’t worry. You still have months to think.”“We’ll go with less pain, but it’s up to
MAVERICKI made smokey stuffed chicken with ham and olives, which smelled delicious. I was also done preparing the dining table.The pie crust was ready, and I was about to pour the apple filling into the crust when I heard a doorbell ring. Lake never did that. He had a key, but I hoped Wallace rang the bell.Before I could reach the door, Homer was already there.“Mr. Winston,” Homer said.“Hey. Please, come in.” I smiled politely, even if my nerves were all over the place.“Thank you, Maverick. I thought I would bring something. A non-alcoholic wine.”“Oh, thanks.” I smiled as I took it from him. “That’s thoughtful of you.”I cornered Homer. “Don’t tell Lake.”“All right, but call—”“I’ll be all right.” I patted his arm before I went to Wallace. “Please have a seat.”“It smells delicious. I heard you can cook.” He followed me to the kitchen.“Not good, but I took culinary arts for a year until I shifted to Economics.”“If you love cooking, why did you shift?”“Nana wasn’t on board w
LAKE“Are you sure it’s okay?” We were completely naked in bed. Our bodies pressed together, but I made sure I wouldn’t put my weight on her. My elbows were on the sides as I caged her with my arms.I really missed being inside her. She still looked hot and beautiful. Despite her having our baby in her womb, her body hadn’t changed a bit aside from her tits seeming to increase in size, and they were sweet, and those pink nipples were ripe.“Oh, God.” Her eyes pierced into mine. “If you want to sleep with me, just do it, or I will sleep in the other room.”“Baby, I just want to make sure it won’t hurt you,” I said half-jokingly.“You’re unbelievable.”“Why grumpy? You’re so cute when you’re angry. Your cheeks are like tomatoes. Is it a pregnancy thing?”“No, asshole. This me being turn-on while you won’t give me what I want.”“Then maybe I should let you beg for it. That’s your punishment for leaving me alone for a month. Imagine thirty days without seeing you, hearing from you, I was
MAVERICK“Okay, Lake. You have to let me go,” I said between his kisses. I was not complaining, but I would be late for work.“Your office is just behind the walls.” He squeezed me again.“I know, but I can’t be tardy. I need to be a role model, not your wife.”“And the co-owner.” He kissed me again.“Stop it.”“We need to go shopping.”I looked at my corporate dress. “What’s wrong with what I’m wearing?”“Well, you’re gonna have a baby bump sooner.” He touched my tummy. “My raspberry is growing fast.”I saw Homer and Owen trying to hold their smiles. “They’re making fun of you, Lake.”“I don’t give a shit what they think.”“Maybe you should.” I fixed his red tie and patted his chest. “They think you’re a pussywhipped.”At the corner of Lake’s office, Owen’s body shook while Homer pretended to be looking away.“They’re not in love, that’s why. And they don’t have kids.”“Excuse me?” Owen raised an eyebrow.“Oh.” I turned my head at Owen. “Who’s the lucky girl?”“His boyfriend for how
MAVERICK“Why would I? I feel a little guilty, though. After what you’ve been through from what he did, you still cooked and baked for him, and that is something only a good heart could pull off without throwing the whole apple pie in his face. I gave my father a chance, not entirely, but you know what I mean. You should do it, too.”“Wait. You baked apple pie?” Beatreigh asked in surprise.“Yeah. She did, and that’s my breakfast this morning,” Lake said proudly to his mother.“Now, I’m jealous.”“Don’t be, Bea.”“Well, we can have dinner, all four or five, if your father’s new girlfriend will join us.”“I don’t think it’s a good idea, mom.”I gripped Lake’s thigh under the table. “It’s a good idea. I want to put all that negative energy behind me. I want to be on good terms with your father and his girlfriend now that I’m pregnant. I want to walk freely and eat ice cream in the park without thinking of threats or someone throwing tea on my face.”Lake sighed and nodded.“Really?” I a
LAKE“I trust you will take good care of the company and our staff, Rusher.” I signed the document appointing him as the temporary CEO of IMI.“I don’t know if I should be offended or grateful.” He grabbed a pen, scribbled down his signature, and gave me back the document.I chuckled. “You can appoint a COO yourself. I highly suggest Finch.”“I was thinking the same person, mate.”“Good. I have to go.” I rose from my chair and buttoned my suit.“Sorry to hear about your father. I wish him a fast recovery, and I’m glad you two are on good terms now.”“We’re testing the water, but it still feels surreal, and we managed to end the day without punching each other’s face. A few weeks ago, I was shouting at him and accusing him of something horrible.”“Maybe I deserved that money, mate.” He grinned.“Work your ass off.”“My arse works hard than you, arsehole.”“Really?” I stared at him until he barked out laughing.“Okay. Fair enough. You work harder than me. Now go. Good luck, mate. See yo
MAVERICKHe sunk inside me with a shuddering groan, stopping when it felt right, when it felt too much, tracing kisses on my exposed shoulder towards my neck and my hair, inhaling my scent.I inhaled a deep breath as I felt him. I felt so connected to him that I could feel his emotions like we were one soul, with no barriers between us, just our love and devotion. Then I reached out to him as I turned my head to kiss him.He granted me with a moan as our mouths sealed in a searing, vulnerable kiss. Then he rocked into me. I cracked my eyes open, and he looked at me as we made love. It was beautiful, and I watched him mesmerize.He pulled out, laid me on my back, and came on top of me. I moved my hand behind his neck, burying my fingers in his hair, and he dipped his head to kiss me and slid his length back inside me, thrusting into me with precise precision, no rush, not hard, just us taking our time, cherishing the moment.We moaned and sighed as it felt right and perfect.We moved t
LAKE“What the fuck is going on, Dad?” I quickly fastened my seatbelt the moment the pilot made an announcement.“I have no idea. Turbulence?” He did the same, and Aurelia did too.“Are we turning?” she asked. I could hear the fear in her voice.“We’re going higher? I thought we were going to land right now.” Something was wrong. I instantly felt the chill in my body.My heart pumped harder as I closed my eyes to pray. If the jet had had an emergency landing, the pilot could have just told us, but that seemed not to be the case. The jet flew smoothly when we left New York.After ten minutes of silence, and the jet was high enough, Dad quickly pressed the button.“Are you okay, Dad?” I looked over my shoulder. Aurelia was pale. “Just take a deep breath.” I pulled up the window shield, quite the opposite of what was supposed to be done.“What are you doing, Lake?”“One way to find out what’s going on— what the fuck?” I stared in disbelief at the Hover fighter jet flying with us. “Is tha