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“Obviously, the New York and Chicago teams.” I turn onto my street, hoping the conversation will end here. There’s only so much I can fake before I crack and he knows it. “Shit,” I mutter.

“What?” Mav sits up straight, ready and fully alert.

“Lo’s here. Be prepared to be interrogated.” Lo stands at the top of the stairs in the cold, staring daggers at us.

“This is the emergency you needed to borrow my car for?” Lo quips. “Hello, hockey hottie. If you hurt my friend, I’ll gut you.”

“Mav, this is Logan. Lo, this is Maverick.” My hand gestures to both of them.

“My friends call me Lo; you can call me Logan,” he says, still towering over us.

“You’re all intimidating while on the top stair. What happens when we’re at the same level?” I toss him his keys.

Mav holds out his hand. “Nice to meet you,” he says, ignoring Lo’s insults. It’s easy to dismiss when Mav could do bicep curls with us.

Lo kisses me on both cheeks when I reach him, then gives Mav the once-over before shaking his hand.

“I would’ve brought your car to you.” I angle my body between him and Mav. I love Lo, but he’s a gremlin when he wants to be.

“Duty calls.” Lo rattles the keys above his head and heads to the car. “A certain club can’t get weeknight action without me and begged for my appearance. Tootles.” He gets in his car and zooms away.

“What was that?” Mav asks, watching Lo’s car until he can’t.

“No idea. Come inside before the wind picks up.” I key in the code and open the door for him.

He sets his bag down, and I step into his arms. “Hi. What’s your question?” I set my chin on his chest and look up at him.

Mav swings me around. “Let’s go sit.”

“You’re making me nervous.” I lead him to my reading nook, fearing I’ll need comfort.

“This is going to be a major letdown. It’s not that big a deal.” Mav settles me on his lap in the same position as last time. “Sooo…every year the Enforcers have a fancy gala to raise money for charity. It was supposed to be earlier this month, but it was rescheduled because of snowmageddon. Anyway, I’d love to take you, if you’re willing.” He rubs my leg, like his hands are on autopilot.

My brain went to seriously dark places and needs a second to catch up. “You want to take me to a charity banquet?”

“It’s a little fancier than a banquet. Most of the guys wear custom Trevor Fox suits. He’s the groom you met that night.”

“I know who Trevor Fox is.” Only because I searched the shit out of everyone afterward.

“It’s sort of last minute and you might have to work, but I really want you to come with me,” he says, but I’m still processing. “We can go with a group if you’re worried.” His hazel eyes cloud over.

I cup his cheek and exhale. “I’d love to go.” I’m going on a very public date with Maverick Maher.

Chapter 13

Maverick Maher

Sky’s sweet smile appears, and he actually agrees to go. I haven’t told him the date, so it’s not for sure, but he said yes. We video chat all the time, but he has a tendency to say no when I ask him out on a date, almost as a default. I didn’t think he’d come with me because of the press exposure.

“Really?” I grin foolishly. “Can I kiss you?”

He doesn’t answer me but leans in with his lips hovering over mine for a second that lasts an eternity before closing his eyes and kissing me.

I thread my fingers through his hair, holding him, but letting him set the pace. His mouth explores mine in an effort to relearn it. He’s warm and tastes of decadent vanilla with a hint of sharpness, like salt.

Sky keeps our lips connected while he sits up and straddles me, cupping my face in both hands. I groan and he swallows it, smiling and taking the kiss deeper with his leverage.

I’m beyond exhausted, but I could kiss him until my lips sprout wings.