Maya's POV
My blood ran cold. I knew exactly what he was doing. This wasn't about being mates. This was blackmail.
I should tell Kieran. He'd protect me. He'd promised to protect me, and I believed him, I mean, he'd done it time and again. But if Liam exposed me now, everything would be over. My dream of playing hockey. My freedom. Everything I'd risked by running away.
I couldn't lose it all. Not now.
"I'm just nervous," I said quickly, grabbing his hand. "I've never had s*x before. That's all."
His eyebrows shot up. "Never?"
I shook my head, heat flooding my cheeks. "Never."
His expression softened, and he squeezed my hand. "We'll take it slow then. We'll have s*x when you're ready."
Relief washed over me, but it was short-lived.
"But that doesn't mean I'm letting you go so eas
