Fallen Stars and Broken Dreams - C.C. Masters Page 0,125
he murmured to me. “And don’t miss us too much while we’re gone.”
“Okay,” I said awkwardly as I patted his back. “I won’t.”
Kingston pulled away and made a face at me.
“What?” I asked innocently. “Isn’t that what you wanted?”
Maverik stepped to my side and took my arm. “I’ll walk you out.”
Kingston shouted more goodbyes at me while Kash gave me a sarcastic wave. Maverik shut the door behind us and walked me to the car that was idling in the driveway.
“Just because I won’t be here over the summer, doesn’t mean I won’t be watching,” he said cryptically.
“Um, that’s…stalkerish,” I lamely countered.
Maverik leaned in closer to me and I froze. He brushed a lock of hair out of my face and his eyes lingered on my lips. My heart raced when I saw the heat in his eyes. Electricity crackled between us and I couldn’t resist reaching out to touch his strong jaw. His stubble scratched me as I lightly ran my hand along his jaw and then to the back of his neck.
Maverik pulled me in close, but when he leaned down, it was to run his lips up my neck, to a sensitive spot right below my ear. My heart beat faster and I sucked in a desperate breath of air.
“Nothing is easy with you,” Maverik murmured.
He tangled both of his hands in my hair and touched his forehead to mine. I closed my eyes and almost trembled with how much I craved his touch. He pulled back so that he could meet my eyes and the intensity both thrilled and challenged me.
I eased my mouth closer to him, but instead of brushing my lips against his, I bit his lower lip. Maverik pulled away and laughed, his eyes sparkling.
“I deserved that.”
“Yes, you did,” I replied, hoping I sounded more confident than breathy.
Maverik inched closer as if he was going to try again, but then abruptly pulled away. “See you soon.”
The asshole actually winked at me before walking away.
I huffed and didn’t bother to reply to him. I just stood there, feeling like an idiot as he walked away from me. Maverik Wilder was just as confusing as he was gorgeous.
“Miss Katya,” Mr. Ferguson said politely. “Are you ready to go?”
I gave Maverik’s back once last glance before I turned to him. “As ready as I’ll ever be, I guess.”
Mr. Ferguson gave me an encouraging smile. “Bedford Academy is an excellent school, and I’m sure your friend, Abby, is waiting for you.”
I brightened up. “Yes, I’m sure she is.”
I looked back at the mansion, but Maverik had already disappeared inside. I slid into the car as Mr. Ferguson held the door open for me and I starting texting Abby. Maybe the summer wouldn’t be so bad if I had her smiling face there with me. I gnawed on my lower lip – Sergei had agreed to give me more time, but only until September. If I couldn’t do what he asked, this might be my very last summer. If Sergei didn’t kill me, Maverik certainly would when he found out the truth.
Chapter 41
Maverik
The schedule of our summer hockey program didn’t leave much free time. Our days were packed from morning until night, but I was willing to sacrifice some sleep if it helped me keep my family safe.
I tapped on my desk as I waited for Henry to pick up. He was one of the few people in the loop about my investigation into Nina, and his help was invaluable. He didn’t trust her any more than I did, but he was in a better position to catch her when she slipped up.
Kingston flung himself down on the bed across from mine. “Dude, I’m so sore.”
“I’d be worried if you weren’t,” I said as Henry finally picked up.
“Mav, hey,” Henry’s smooth voice greeted me. “I was just about to give you a call.”
“You completed your research on Sergei already?” I asked in surprise.
I’d given Henry the business card that Ryan had so kindly handed over to us. I wasn’t willing to leave any stones unturned, and Sergei was the only link to Nina’s real past that I’d uncovered so far. Sergei was involved with a lot of unsavory characters, and we needed to be careful with how we proceeded with this investigation. He couldn’t find out that we knew about his connection with Nina.
“No,” Henry answered. “But we found something that’s going to lead this case in an entirely different direction.”