Page 42 of August 20

She closed her eyes, counting for patience and peace. "Why not?"

Warmth covered her back. She opened her eyes, aware that Maverick had moved behind her, and the heat came from his body.

"Because you're my wife," he whispered roughly against her ear.

"That doesn't mean—"

"Bullshit."

She swiveled until her breasts pressed against him and tilted her head to look him in the eyes. "Are you saying you expect to make this joke of a marriage real? Without giving me a choice?"

He cocked his brow, arrogantly taunting her.

"You're insane."

He cleared his throat. "Probably."

"Married and your hostage?" She blew out her lips. "Right. Like that'll work."

"You'll earn your freedom." He hemmed before he opened the bedroom door.

"Maverick?"

He stopped.

"When?" she asked. "When will I be free?"

"Eventually."

She hurried after him. "When is that?"

He walked into the kitchen and started the coffee pot. She grabbed his arm and squeezed between him and the counter.

"When?" She came up on her toes. "When can I leave this house without you?"

Hope filled her despite feeling as if he was messing with her head. She couldn't give up.

"When I trust you." He cleared his throat.

Recognizing the sign of when he'd talked too much and would refrain from speaking until he no longer coughed, she nodded and backed away.

She wasn't sure what it would take for him to trust her, but if it took not making waves with him, she'd be the most trustful woman he'd ever met.

Chapter Twenty Three

The Honda idled in the student pickup line in front of Seaglass Cove Elementary School. Maverick shifted in the seat, too big for the car for an extended time.

"I hope she had a good day." Brooke leaned to the side window and looked down at the line of cars. "Why won't they let us walk to the front door? I could walk there, pick Skye up, and bring her back before any cars move."

The last two days were quieter than normal. For some reason, Brooke had decided to leave him alone. She never questioned him when Rush brought a box of new clothes to the house for Skye that Maverick paid his teenage daughter to buy—Skye needed school clothes.

She never questioned him when he put Skye to bed last night and let her read a story to him.

She never batted an eyelash when he pointed to the bedroom when it was time to sleep.

Even when he pulled her tight against him to stop her squirming in bed, she took his touch and never made a peep.

He was bored.