There were a lot of things I wanted to do with Maverick right now. The ride here had revved me up into a hot mess – the vibrations alone were something unexpected. That wasn’t to mention the way my legs were spread around him the entire time. I hadn't spent a day like this with anyone in a long while. With his lips hovering a hair’s width from mine, I could think of only one thing I wanted to do.

So, I did it.

I pressed my lips into his. Wrapped my arms around his neck like this was going to be my last chance at having him all to myself and I held on for the ride. Scorching. Tantalizing. Fierce. His hands cupped my butt and pulled me up into a carrying position, with my legs going around his waist.

He was rock hard between my legs and I prayed for this to be the moment where Maverick would follow through on our agreement. Only today hadn't felt like an agreement at all. It never felt forced or planned. It didn't feel like either one of us was trying to appease the other.

We were simply doing what felt right.

And oh, God, how this felt right.

“Come on, let’s go home.”

Home. I know he didn't mean it the way it sounded but the term rolling off his lips almost made me weep. Home. A place I’d never shared with someone who cared enough about me. Would Maverick be that person?

I slid down the length of him and watched his large hand grab himself over his denim and adjust himself. Aside from hearing him have sex that night, it may have been the hottest thing I’d ever witnessed. A vision of him naked flitted through my mind. Completely naked. Grabbing a hold of himself that way for me to…touch…taste…I wasn't sure but the idea of maybe seeing how it would feel in my mouth suddenly didn't seem like such a terrible idea.

Maybe.

“I'm not fucking you tonight Grace so get that expression off your face.”

That snapped me back to reality. “What?” I asked completely astonished. How could he touch me the way he’s been all day and announce that?

“I'm not going through with our agreement. Changed my mind.”

“You’re fucking serious right now, Maverick?”

“Trying to be.”

“No. What is it? Are you back to thinking I'm your best friend’s little sister? That I’m too good for you?”

It was a good thing we were out here in the middle of nowhere with the way my voice was rising. I was so hot and turned on one minute and the next, he had me so upset.

“That would be a no and a no.”

“Really? What else could it be then? Oh, my gosh. It's because I want to get my chest done, isn't it?”

“Bullshit. Don't put words in my mouth.”

“It is. You only want them if they’re big and obnoxious, don't you? Fuck you, Maverick. How could you do this to me? Here. This one is for you then! Seeing as how you will never get to touch them again, that you will no longer think they’re perfect,” I cried as I pulled my shirt up and over my head exposing my bra, knowing there wasn’t a soul that could see us out here.

“Don't do this, Grace.” He acted so calm like I wasn't calling him out in the right way and it hurt me even more. “Put your fucking shirt back on.”

“No. You want to see them. Fine they’re all yours. Have a look, you bastard.” And I flipped the clasps apart in the back, yanking the bra off my shoulders and throwing it to the floor much like a child did with her favorite toy when she had a tantrum.

“What the fuck, Grace?” He looked around us as if someone might be out here with us and stomped toward me. “Put this back on. Those are not why I changed my mind.”

“No. Stop, Maverick. Have a look. It's what you want, isn't it?”

Maverick stood a foot from me, his eyes blazed with fury. My chest rose and fell, heaving because I was so upset. Angry that I trusted him. Angry at myself.

His blazing eyes fell to my chest and his eyes softened. “Fuck, Grace.”

I looked down, wondering what he saw. Did he see my imperfections? The stretch marks along my skin, the beauty mark above my left breast, just as I saw them? What I could see of them without a mirror.

“We need to get something clear first.” His tone was firm. Bossy. The same tone he’d used with me weeks ago when I’d begged him to help me with Echo.

“What?” I sassed.

“I want you, Grace. All of you. But these aren't why I want you. If these weren't the same size or shape, whatever, it doesn't fucking matter. Don't you understand? Do I think they’re perfect? Hell, yeah. Am I going to leave marks on them from my mouth? Fuck yeah. Do I want you to be happy? Yes, goddamn it. You got so angry when you blamed me for assuming that you were judging me, why don't you take a page from your own book? Get the surgery! It’s not going to change the way I look at you. Being with you, sexually, will be more than just sex. And I’m not sure I’m ready for more.”

Oh, my. Now I felt foolish. Tears slipped from my eyes and embarrassment leaked its way into my body. My arms moved up but he blocked me.

“Don't even think about it.”

He kept eye contact with me, staring so deep into me I feared he could see my soul as hot tears left tracks on my cheeks. His rough hands moved over me. Slow at first. Just grazing along my flesh, sending tingles up my spine. His finger grazed my nipple ever so gently that I couldn't believe he was being so soft.

Then the other nipple. He pinched them lightly between his thumb and index finger as if he were familiarizing himself with something he’d never touched before. He wanted me. It was written all over his face and I wanted to look away under the scrutiny but I was locked into him. I couldn't force myself to look away even though I worried about the stretch marks and the things he was seeing.

He cupped my breasts into his hands and my head tilted back in pleasure. His touch was gentle. Kind. Non-judgmental or smart as we stood there in broad daylight and he teased my boobs with his magical, calloused hands.

Then he switched to his mouth. He closed his lips around one puckered nipple and then the other. Swirling his tongue with a perfectly lazy pass. He cherished me. My chest. I was taken away, flying on a cloud of endless possibilities at the way he pleased me and how much more he could.

“Maverick, I'm sorry-”

“Shh, don't be sorry. I want to show you what I can do to you. How I can make you feel. It doesn't matter how big or little they are, Gracie. All that matters is how you feel when I touch them…taste them…bite them.” I let out a moan as he did all those things.

A lightbulb seemed to go off in the far recesses of my mind as he continued his heavenly assault on me. He was nothing like I’d read in those romance novels. He was sweeter and kinder than those. He was nothing like I fantasized about.

He was better.

He managed to stop playing with my breasts and I reluctantly let go of the firm grip I had on his head. Once I was decent, he put his pole away and he led us back to his motorcycle.

“Ready for round two?”

“More than ready.”

I put the helmet on and once he was ready for me, I jumped on the back. If I ever rode this again with him, I wasn't wearing this obnoxious thing, even though I knew that was the right thing to do. He didn't wear one, it seemed unfair that I had to. I wanted to feel the sweet wind in my face, too.

The engine reverberated through my body and it was a deliciously good feeling I wanted to experience more of. Never in a million years would I have agreed with someone if they would have told me that I would love riding on a motorcycle. I would have laughed at the absurdity of even trying to get me on one in the first place.

As we rode back, I snuggled into Maverick as tightly as I could. I didn't want this to end. It would. Somehow this day was too great to not be a one-off. I squeezed his hips and stomach. His small jerk made me think he might be ticklish. My hands stroked his thick thighs as he tore down the highway. My fingertips brushed over his erection and I stilled. It was a full-on bulge in his pants because of me. I rubbed it a few more times before his hand clamped down on my wrist and settled it back against his thigh.

Boo-hoo.

It felt like he drove for hours. The sun began settling on the horizon, casting serious colors of pinks, purples and oranges across part of the sky. It was a true experience. I felt like an angel that had just gotten her wings and was granted the freedom to fly.

We took the back way into Lone Star, which I assumed was to avoid the possibility of seeing my brother. But when we turned down Maverick’s street, my brother’s truck was parked in his driveway.

Great.

My day went from fantastic to bad in a matter of moments. Dread filled my stomach as Thatcher watched us with fury as Maverick pulled into his driveway. He shut the bike off and I tore off my helmet, conveying a silent warming to Maverick that I was going to handle my brother.

“What the hell, Grace?”

“What the hell what? This isn't about being with Maverick again, is it?”

“Yeah, it is. Stay away from him. He goes through women like you go through shoes.”

“Thatch, look man, it's not like that between us,” Maverick said, sneaking up behind me.

“Yeah, what's it like then? Someone saw y’all tear out of town earlier and mentioned it at the feed store. Saw you get on his bike with him. In fact, are you living here, Grace?”

“No-”

“Who told you that?”

Maverick and I answered in unison.

“One of your neighbors mentioned it. I want to know what’s going on between you two. Now, Grace.”

“Lighten up, Thatcher. I’m twenty-seven years old. Not a child. Quit sounding like you’re my dad.”

“Dude, exactly. She’s twelve, no, will it be thirteen years younger than you in a few more days. What are you doing messing with her?”

“It's our business, man. Not yours. She can make her own choices.”

I put my hand on my hip as if to back up what he was telling my brother. He looked at Maverick, then back to me. “He’s going to hurt you, Grace. He’s not the kind of guy that you need.”

“You don't know what I need,” I cried.

“You’re my fucking sister. I know you need someone to respect you which Cap and I both know he doesn't give enough of to women!”

“Stop! You guys just stop. Listen to me, Thatcher. Please, listen to me. I don't know what’s going on between the two of us. But frankly, it’s none of your business. I have to take risks, okay? Trust me, I know about his reputation. I need you to stop butting into my personal business on this. I appreciate the thought behind it, but you have to stop. You have no right!”

Thatcher threw up his hands and stormed back to his truck. Before he hopped in he turned back, “Stay away from him, Grace. Don't get her mixed up in whatever it is your dad’s wanting you to do, Cap.”

I looked at Maverick, who looked at me. What did that mean? Maverick raised a two-fingered salute to his forehead just as Thatcher drove off.

“Come inside,” he ordered.

“Let’s go out back so I can let Echo out.”

I opened up her crate and she jumped excitedly at my legs, “Ouch, puppy. Calm down, calm down. Mama’s here. Do you have to go potty? Come on, girl. Let's go outside.”

She was so excited to see me, even jumping onto Maverick’s pant leg where he too bent down and ruffled her head.

“You never told me exactly why you named her Echo.”

“Oh, seems silly now. When I heard you having sex, I was so turned on by it,” I slid the glass door open for the dog and we followed her out, “I thought there must be a name for that. Turns out there is, it’s called ecouteurism. So, I named her Echo for short.”

“Ahh, so I did ruffle your feathers back then. You down played it like nothing could get to you.”

“Now, I have two questions.” I wiggled my index finger and my middle finger at him. He slid into the chair I normally sat in but surprised me when he grabbed my hips and guided me into his lap.

“Shoot,” he said.

“Why don't you like dogs?”

“Next question.”

“For real?”

“Yeah, next question.”

“What does my brother not want you to get me mixed up in with your dad?”

“You just go straight to the guts, don't you, Grace?”

I raised an eyebrow at him, hoping he would answer at least one of my questions.

“I got a letter from him about a month ago. Wants me to find my mom. Wants her to go see him at the pen.”

“Why?”

He shrugged, “My uncle thinks he might be dying and wants to apologize.”

“Do you know where your mom is? I thought you two weren’t in contact-”

“We aren’t. But thanks to Hoop, I know where to find her.”

Echo pawed at my legs and I picked her up into my lap, rubbing her head. “Are you going to go see her?”

He looked away, “I haven't seen her in over twenty years.”

My heart ached for him. I heard it in his voice too. “Maybe going to see her can give you some sort of closure.”

“I don't need closure.”

“Where is she?”

“Up in Longville. At that therapeutic riding center. Know what I'm talking about?”

“I do. She’s there for therapy?”

He shrugged.

“That's a good sign.”

“Time will tell. Addicts never change.”

I didn't answer because I didn't know. I had no real experience with addicts unless you counted my mother. Which seemed strange because no one had ever tried taking her martinis away. We’ve all just enabled her more by not addressing the issue. Thatcher and I can deal with her when she’s drunk. We knew what to expect. Which seemed crappy considering what Maverick had gone through with his mother when he was younger.

“My dog died in the car crash with Candi and Corey. I decided it’s best for me not to get my feelings involved with pets and people.” Maverick added nonchalantly as he twirled a piece of my hair between his fingertips.

“That I can understand.”

That night, Maverick and I sat outside on his back porch and watched the stars in the sky. He didn't talk much and I had a feeling that I wasn't the only one affected by today. I felt change in the air, in my bones, and I suspected—or hoped—that he did too.

Thatcher was right about him hurting me though. Maybe not intentionally, but I knew it deep down. I wanted this so badly that I was willing to pretend my heart wasn't being set up for heart break. Because of his lifestyle – his choice not to want a relationship. It was clear he wasn't cut out for commitment and I knew there was no way little ole me, could change that. But because of the day we just had, it was easy to put all of that on the back-burner.

I kept it all to myself though. He made me feel things I hadn't felt in a long time. I wasn’t ready to let it go just yet.

The next morning Maverick was already outside working in his garage when I woke up. Echo stared at me through the sliding glass door and my heart stuttered that he let her out for me.

The screen door opened and he stepped inside, “You’re up. Good. Will you come with me?”

“Where? I need to get ready.”

“To Longville.”

He didn't have to say any more. I filled two bowls with food and water and then I took those and her crate out onto the back patio, making sure the crate was beneath the shade, and the crate door propped open with a rock. She would be okay out here while we went to Longville. We made a short stop at my apartment so I could change and freshen up and we high-tailed it out of town.

Longville was about a four-hour drive from Lone Star, thus making it my longest ride on a motorcycle. My butt began to hurt. Today, I had enough sense to wear my boots and jeans. I’d thrown on a random V-neck t-shirt and when I seen the look of appreciation on Maverick’s face, I was happy I chose the shirt.

After a few stops we arrived in Longville a little after one in the afternoon. Maverick pulled alongside the road next to the large wooden sign indicating we’d made it to our destination. The Champion Horse Therapeutic Center. Est. 1996. Where the road to recovery begins.

I didn't think it was a good sign that she was still seeking treatment for her drug addiction problems. Not after twenty plus years. I didn't mention this to Maverick but I suspected he thought the same thing. Hence his reluctance to pull in.

He shut the engine off and didn't make a move. Just sat there staring at the sign. I squeezed his waist, unsure of what to say or do but wanting him to know that I was there. I had his back and I had him, no matter what happened with his mother once we got in there.

“Maybe she isn't there,” he said, hopeful.

“Do you think we should pull in to find out?”

“We’ve come this far.”

He started his motorcycle and steered it the short distance to the driveway that led to the center. Endless miles of blacktop weaved its way through large groves of oak trees. A wooden fence, the same that matched the sign, bordered the edges of the blacktop and we meandered through what seemed like endless fields upon fields of wheat. A pack of horses huddled in the distance as we made our way to the center.

Finally, a massive log structure came into view. Mostly brown in color, the lower half that surrounded the building was made up of large stones. Visitors were greeted by several stairs that ascended to a large porch where white rocking chairs sat empty. It was a warm vibe for sure and I could see how first glimpses would have to be considering what kind of place it was.

Large chimneys stuck out from the roof on each side of the building and windows upon windows made the building look more like a house than an actual place of business. Beyond the main house, I could see bright red barns and matching sheds. Smaller log cabins dotted the rear of the property but I lost sight of them as they angled behind the larger building. Again, more fences and horses could be seen towards the rear.

It was magnificent.

Maverick stopped the ignition and rolled the bike a few paces with his feet before coming to a rest. I couldn't imagine what he was thinking and instead of being my chattery self toward him, I didn't want to steal away his thunder. This was all about him. I was merely along for the ride.

“Let’s get this over with. We’re looking for a woman by the name of Lori MacArthur.”