Turbulent Desires(35)

"Okay," she said, but he could see she was still embarrassed.

"Come on. Princess can go with you."

She allowed him to help her back up, and then both of them climbed the  stairs with the two dogs close at their heels. After he left her in his  bedroom, he waited for her outside. He watched the stars and thought  about his conversation earlier in the day with Coop.

Maverick was beginning to think his brother just might be right about  how he was feeling about Lindsey. But did it even matter if he was  falling for the girl? It didn't change anything. He wasn't ready to  settle down yet.

That thought depressed him. On this night he didn't want to feel  anything other than happiness, so he pushed it away. He had a few things  to prepare for their perfect night together, so he focused on those  instead of focusing on tomorrow.





CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

Lindsey took her time in the shower, scrubbing her body clean. She still  felt dirty, though. That man's blood hadn't touched her skin,  thankfully, and though Mav had cleaned everything off her, it had been a  hell of a day and she was having a difficult time feeling sterile  enough.

When Lindsey walked out of the bathroom with the towel wrapped snugly  around her, Princess was sitting in wait, her ears perking up.

"Did you miss me today, little girl?" she asked before lifting the dog  and sitting down on the huge comfortable bed in the middle of the room.  Princess stretched up on her hind legs and licked Lindsey's chin. "I'll  take that as a yes," she said with a laugh. "I missed you, too."

Taking a little more time, Lindsey gave Princess plenty of love, which  they both obviously needed. She then went over to the bag Stormy had  sent.

When she opened it up, Lindsey wasn't a happy camper. There was hardly  anything in it at all-a few pairs of skimpy panties, brand new lingerie,  and a note that said to stay inside and enjoy herself.

With a growl, Lindsey thought about calling Stormy up and reaming her  best friend, but that wouldn't do her any good. She decided to raid  Mav's closet instead. At least Lindsey knew Stormy didn't disapprove of  her relationship with Maverick. She might be just as disappointed as  Lindsey was going to be when their time was up.

When she opened Maverick's closet door, her heart might have stalled  mid-beat. It was a woman's dream come true with a huge center island and  so many drawers that Lindsey didn't know where to start. Only a small  portion of the hanger space was even being used. She went over and ran  her hand down Maverick's formal military garments and thought she really  wouldn't mind seeing the man all decked out in them.

It took a while, but finally she found a pair of sweats with a  drawstring that she had to tighten all the way and a T-shirt that said  US Air Force on it. It hung all the way down to her thighs.

Taking a big whiff, she inhaled Maverick's scent, thinking she didn't  mind wearing his clothing. She felt relaxed in this room, with his  things. Plus, her day had been so draining. She thought about curling up  in his bed, but she needed to go back downstairs. He was waiting and  had made plans for the two of them. She was curious about what he  considered to be a soothing evening.

He'd already done such amazing things for her, she couldn't imagine what  he had planned. She hoped it didn't involve going anywhere. As much fun  as she'd had playing baseball and being whipped around a racecar track,  she was emotionally exhausted at the moment and didn't want to see  anyone other than Maverick.         

     



 

The lights were dim when she came down the stairs, but she could see  fine. Princess went off to look for Benji and Lindsey made her way to  the kitchen. A full wine glass was sitting next to a candle and a note  on the counter.

Picking up the glass, she took a sip of the delicious red liquid before reading the note.



Blow out the candle, grab your wine, and come out the back door. Follow the trail.



Nothing else was written. Lindsey's curiosity was fully piqued. She took  the glass and sipped on it while she exited the open patio doors. There  she found an illuminated path that appeared to lead to the beach, which  wasn't far away. There was a glow at the end of the path. Lindsey set  out to investigate.

It wasn't a far stroll through the trees. When the forested area  cleared, she found a perfect little oasis. There was a small sandy beach  surrounded by a rock wall on one side, and bushes on the other with  nothing but water in front.

The area was protected from the wind. In the center of it all was a tent, of sorts.

Maverick was standing to the side of the tent with a rose in one hand, a  glass of wine in the other, and a beaming smile on his face.

"What is all of this?" she asked as she stepped near him.

"We're going to enjoy a picnic beneath the stars," he said.

She walked closer and peered inside the tent. A large, comfortable  bedlike lounger with a blanket and cushions overlooked a soothing fire  and the water. Maverick had a picnic set up on a side table.

"Can we even see through the top of the tent?" she asked.

"Ah, the top is clear and there's a ventilation hole for the smoke. I don't want you getting chilled."

When she entered the tent, she realized it was a gas fire, which she  supposed was good. At least it wouldn't burn out or send sparks flying  at them, popping their air mattress. She could feel the warmth of the  fire. It was as heavenly as the entire setting.

"You really do know how to sweep a woman off her feet, don't you?" she said as he led her over to the picnic area.

"I've never done anything like this for another woman," he told her, the truth burning in his eyes.

"You better quit telling me stuff like that, or I might not let you go," she said, only half joking.

"I might not want you to," he said right back, making those butterflies  in her stomach take flight. "I see you found my sweats. What happened  with the stuff Stormy sent over?"

His innocent question set her cheeks to glowing. "She didn't think I needed much more than lace and silk."

His eyes rounded before a hungry growl rumbled from his throat. "Hmm. I might just have to insist on you changing."

"Not going to happen," she said before she sat down on the lounger with the cushions.

"A guy can wish, can't he?" he said as he joined her, then immediately  began placing items on a plate for her. It was all finger foods, which  she loved.

"Did you do all of this?"

Handing her the plate, he shrugged. "I came up with it, but I have to  admit that I hired it all out so I could wait at the hospital."

"Have you been watching the Hallmark Channel?" She took another drink of  wine, and he topped off her glass. She was feeling much warmer inside  and out with the tasty drink. Her worries from the hospital were fading  farther and farther away.

"What's that?" he asked. It took a moment for her to remember her question.

"It's a television station with romantic movies playing on it all the time. One of my favorites."

"Well then, I will have to watch it, and see if these men on the shows  come even close to being as suave as me," he said with a wink.

"So far, I have to say they don't compare."

"I like knowing I'm in the lead," he told her.

And the thing about it was, they really didn't compare to him. Maverick  was the type of man who got under a woman's skin, and then he was there  to stay. Even after their dates ended, he would remain lodged in her  heart. Lindsey truly hoped she was able to remain friends with him  because that seemed better than not having him at all.

"I left the dogs alone in the house, Mav. I completely forgot when I got  down here. I don't want anything to happen," she said, suddenly worried  about Princess and Benji.

"My housekeeper is up there keeping an eye on them. They won't get into anything," he assured her.

Her last worry put to rest, she closed her eyes for a moment and simply  appreciated being on this private beach with Mav, the sound of the water  gently splashing the shore, the stars shining bright, and the fire  keeping them warm.         

     



 

"Thanks for all of this, Mav. It's exactly what I needed."

"You can talk to me about what happened-today and when you were attacked. It might help you feel better," he told her.

Lindsey's throat closed as her mind spun. She wanted to share with him,  but she was afraid to. She was afraid of opening wounds that were  finally beginning to close again.

"I don't think I can," she whispered.

"When you are ready, I'm going to be here to listen," he told her as he stood up and pulled her to her feet.

But he wouldn't be there. That was part of the problem. In a week, maybe  two, he was going to be gone again. Sure, she would see him, but it  would be only once in a while.

He began rubbing her shoulder, and she immediately started turning into a puddle, ready to melt at his feet.

"I can't think when you touch me like this, Mav," she said, her breath starting to come out in pants.