“Are you going to do something about it?” Nick asked.

“Yeah, I think it’s about time I did,” Mav said.

He took a step toward Lindsey. They were going to have a talk. Because he sure as hell wasn’t going to allow another guy to come in and sweep her off her feet. The thought of such a thing happening made his stomach churn.

All of his pep talks went out the window when he took off for her and touched her arm. She didn’t say a word as he led her off somewhere a lot more private. Only when they were away from other people did she turn on him.

“What do you think you’re doing? That was embarrassing, Mav,” she snapped.

“I want to know what you’re doing,” he snapped back. “What in the hell is going on with Dr. Stine?”

Her eyes rounded as he asked the question, taking a menacing step in her direction.

“Wh . . . what are you talking about?” she stumbled, but he saw the pink in her cheeks.

“Feeling guilty?” he asked.

That was the wrong thing to say. Her eyes narrowed as she lifted her hand, planting it in the center of his chest to stop him from pressing in closer.

“No. I have nothing to feel guilty about. Even if I were seeing another man it wouldn’t be any of your business. We aren’t a couple, have never been a couple, and won’t be one in the future,” she said, her chest rising and falling in her agitation.

“None of my business?” he thundered. “Everything you just said doesn’t make sense.” He had to take a breath. “If we weren’t in a relationship then what the hell were we doing?”

The feel of her small hand on his chest was making his head a bit fuzzy, even if the touch wasn’t in any small way supposed to resemble a caress. He’d missed her touch so damn much.

“You were on a mission. That mission ended. Now please leave me alone,” she told him, before turning and walking away.

Before she made it two steps, he grabbed her uninjured arm and pulled her back to him, this time making her stumble into his chest. He didn’t say another word, just bent down and devoured her mouth, putting his mark on her and making sure she knew he was around.

When he pulled back, she was panting. He leaned forward to kiss her again. She was faster though, and raised her hand, smacking him on the cheek before he knew what was happening.

He released her in his shock, and she stumbled backward.

“Don’t touch me anymore, Maverick. You’ve lost that right,” she said and then she turned around and ran, but not before he heard the slight hiccup of a cry escape her throat.

She was hurting and that was all on him. He felt her pain to the very pits of his soul.

That’s when Maverick decided he needed to do something about it. He’d let her go and it had only brought both of them pain. It was time to fix that.

CHAPTER FORTY-TWO

Sherman was sitting back in a nice lounge chair with Joseph beside him as he watched Maverick grab hold of Lindsey and take her off somewhere private. Neither man could hide their grins.

“Looks like those two are sure fired up tonight,” Joseph said as he puffed on his cigar.

“Yep. They sure have been foolish these past few weeks, but with his brothers prodding him, it won’t be long until Maverick is down on one knee proposing to that girl,” Sherman said.

“Why do they always have to make it so difficult? If they’d just listen to us in the first place we wouldn’t have to do all this meddling,” Joseph said with a chuckle.

“You know you would be bored silly if they made it too easy on us,” Sherman said. “Though I have to admit, I’ve been a little worried. Those two haven’t spoken for a while.”

“Well, it just gave me an excuse to throw a party,” Joseph told his friend.

“You don’t need an excuse, my friend,” Sherman said. “You love to have all your friends and family gathered close by.”

As he spoke, a group of Joseph’s grandchildren went rushing past, their giggles filling the air as they chased two puppies.

“Life is far too lonely all by yourself. I don’t understand these young people thinking they can make it on their own. Why would anyone want to do that when it’s so much better to have the love of your life by your side every single day?” Joseph grumbled.

“Yes. I miss my wife so much still that it brings an ache to my heart when I think about her,” Sherman said. “It helps me, though, seeing the boys slowly beginning to find love.”

“I wouldn’t know what to do without my Katherine. She’s the love of my life. If she knew how much I was messing in the kids’ lives, she would smack me, though,” Joseph said as he looked around nervously.

“Your grandkids are sure growing up fast,” Sherman told him.

“Yes, they are. There will soon be a whole new generation for me to get my hands on,” Joseph said as he looked out across the beach and spotted Jasmine, who was a true beauty. “She’s starting college this fall. I can’t believe how quickly the time passes.”

“Is there anyone special in her life?” Sherman asked.

“No. She’s still too young. I’ll give her a few years before I start thinking about great-grandchildren,” he said with a bear of a laugh.

“Yes. I still have to help Nick find love, and I desperately want to bring Ace home. That boy might think there’s too much water under the bridge, but when it comes to family, you never give up,” Sherman told him.