no. I mean, I wouldn’t say no if he asked, but they never do. Ask, that is.”
I feel bad for her and she laughs self-consciously. “It’s fine, I know the score. The guys I mix with are just looking for a distraction most of the time. Me too if I’m honest but sometimes it’s hard not to feel more, do you get what I’m saying?”
Now I feel bad and nod. “It must be hard.”
“Don’t get me wrong, Sophia, I love my life here. The guys are great and it’s not a chore going with them. I don’t know why I want Maverick as much as I do. He has never promised me anything but a good time and yet he’s something else entirely. There’s something edgy about him that’s mixed with a lost feeling that makes me wonder what happened in his life before he came here.”
Now I’m interested and whisper, “How did he get to come here?”
“Not sure really.” She shrugs. “Most of them are ex-military or along those lines. Maverick isn’t, that much I do know. The thing is, he keeps his cards close guarded and isn’t one for answering questions.”
She looks at me and half smiles. “Anyway, I should be heading in, it’s been one of those nights.”
It strikes me that she’s not dressed for breakfast and appears to be wearing last night’s clothes, judging by the look of her smudged eyes, and she grins as she sees me looking. “Don’t you worry about me, honey, I had the best night. Razor’s back and starved of female company. He was out of control, which is just how I like them.”
She winks and heads off and I feel a surge of pity for the attractive girl. She deserves someone who makes her feel like a queen, not used by the men here because even though she pretends it’s what she wants, I can see the yearning for more behind those pretty eyes.
However, her mentioning Maverick sets me on edge. What’s he hiding behind and why is he here? She’s right, he keeps things close, hell, so do I but if I’m going to trust him with my darkest secrets, then he should trust me, surely that’s how it works.
14
Maverick
As runs go, that was the best of my life and I have the pretty lady to thank for that. She was a willing student in every way and against my better judgment, I am enjoying every second I spend with the delectable Miss Moretti. That alone has surprised me because she is so different to how I imagined. There’s a hard edge that shows itself once in a while but behind it, she’s soft, feminine and has a quick wit that I want to help her sharpen. She has the makings of a great woman and I want to be the man on the receiving end of that. Two days ago, I wanted nothing to do with her. Now I’m thinking up ways to keep her.
I can tell something’s up the minute she walks into my apartment and I say roughly, “What happened?”
She looks up in surprise and tries to wave it off. “Oh, nothing, it’s silly really.”
“I’ll be the judge of that.”
I walk toward her and she looks down, which rings the alarm bells. Reaching her, I lift her face to mine and say firmly, “Tell me.”
“It’s nothing. I met up with one of the um… ladies and she made me think on a few things I shouldn’t.”
“What did she say?”
I’m curious because I’m not sure what anyone could say that would worry Sophia so much and she shakes herself and laughs self-consciously. “She told me you were hiding behind something and it got me thinking.”
I can’t speak because she is so close to the truth, I can’t let my guard slip for an instant.
“What about?”
“Me, I suppose. Ever since I came here, I’ve been hiding behind a secret. I haven’t told anyone because quite honestly, that secret will be my downfall. But you, it hurts me so much to think you have to live with something you can’t explain. I want to help you the same as you helped me, but I don’t know how. I’m not one to give advice, but I want a shot at least.”
“There’s nothing to tell.” I sigh with exasperation and say bluntly, “Whoever told you that is stirring the pot unnecessarily. You’ve got to know that some of these whores would give anything to be in your shoes. They will say