With trembling fingers, he opens the box and takes out the most exquisite aquamarine diamond set in a platinum band.
“Ainsley James.” He clears his throat. “I love you more than life itself. Let me owe you a lifetime. Let me attempt to be the man and the father”—he kisses my stomach again—“you both deserve. Marry me.”
I nod. “Yes, I’ll marry you.” Tears stream down my face as he slides the ring on my finger where it will never come off.
“One more thing.” He holds up a finger and reaches around, finding a marker on the table. Uncapping it, he places another kiss on my stomach before writing out the letters IOU on my skin. When he’s done, we both stand there staring at the words on my body.
“So what do you want, Maverick? What do I owe you?”
Those long fingers drag across his lips thoughtfully while his eyes rake down my body lazily.
“We,” he corrects. “Youbothowe me everything.”
He stands and pulls me closer, the distinct smell of Maverick wrapping around us like a warm blanket.
“You owe me every smile.”
His hand cups my face, his thumb dragging the corner of my lip down.
“Every laugh.”
I don’t smile but instead I watch the intensity flash across his face. This is the man people fear when he collects a debt, yet all I feel is safe and revered as he states his demands.
“You owe me every tear.”
A soft kiss is placed to the corner of my mouth, his strong hands tilting my head so he can nuzzle in close.
“Every second you breathe ... is mine. I want it all, Ainsley James. Every. Single. Part.”
It’s a hefty price to pay, but someone has to do it.
“What if I say no?” I’m completely full of shit. I love the hell out of this man.
His chest rumbles and his breath tickles the fine hair on the back of my neck.
“All right, I’ll play,” he says, pulling back, his poker face in play.
I eye the man who showed me that one bad apple doesn’t ruin the whole bunch. That some men are good with good intentions and good hearts. They might be standoffish and gruff, but deep down there is a gooey center.
“What will it take?” His voice is clear, but his mouth twitches.
“Your soul,” I tell him with a grin.
The twitching stops and a boyish grin forms. Gah, he’s adorable when he wants to be.
“I’ll take your soul and raise you—”
“Mav!”
This negotiating ass ...
His arms go around me before I can get the rest out.
“We have a deal, Ms. Lexington. A soul for a soul.”
