Her Invisible Knight (Book 4)

Eleven

Mackenzie

He took me inside a room that looked like a simple office painted with dark grey cement-like textured walls. It only had a wooden desk, a black comfy chair behind it, and two leather seats facing it. Behind the office chair were floating shelves with a few books, and on the right side, there was only one blow-up photo hanging on the wall and it was a candid picture of Maddox, Sky, Jaxon, and Maverick in black and white taken in some parking lot with buses around them as they smoked and held coffee cups. “Wait a minute. What’s your photo doing up there?” I asked as my eyes ping-ponged between Maverick and the photo. “Umm... yeah. That was what I was telling you over the noise earlier, I own this club,” he said, sounding embarrassed and my mouth formed into an O. “How many businesses do you own exactly?” I questioned because I couldn’t deal with the idea that aside from being a famous rockstar, who probably goes on tour and concerts a lot, he was also into putting up super random businesses. “Uh, currently I have three clubs around LA, the dance company, and a motorcycle shop down by S Robertson," he answered as he studied my reaction.

"Okay... Next question, did you take me up here to show me your lack of interior design knowledge?" I asked as I waved my hand around. It wasn't my intention to sound bitchy when I asked the question, but it was true. The design lacked character, it lacked warmth, it lacked Maverick's presence. But more importantly, I asked the question because it was more of me realizing that we were the only ones here and the office didn't have much space. Basically, I was starting to panic and was wondering what Maverick would do next. He scared me, not because I thought he would take advantage of me, but I was scared because, as much as I wanted to deny it, the Maverick I knew then was somehow different from the Maverick now. He made me nervous and unsure of myself.

“You're right, this doesn't look like a respectable office at all, but I don't do any valuable work here. This is more of a facade I guess, just a room where I can have peace and quiet when I've had enough of the noise outside. And no, I took you here because I really wanted to get some fresh air,” he chuckled before opening the window to the fire escape. He motioned for me to follow and then held his hand out to help me up the window. Once I was outside, I was greeted by a comfortable breeze and already I felt myself immediately relax. “This is nice,” I smiled as I took in a deep breath. It wasn’t like the alps or the middle of the forest, but I still welcomed the smell of LA.

"Yeah, it is," he said as he took out a lighter and a pack of cigarettes from his pocket. He scanned the scene below us, probably wondering if there were people looking at us. Then he leaned on the wall with one foot up and lit the cigarette he took out from the box. It was such a mundane thing for a guy to do, but I swear, he looked like a model posing for Vogue. And because I couldn't help it, I just rolled my eyes, thinking how unjust the world really was. Some people just had it all, money, fame, looks, talent, you name it! Maverick was one of those people, while I was the other seventy-five percent who would never stand out even if I held a sign above my head that asked everyone to notice me. "I'd offer you one, but I guess you still hated these nasty things," he smiled and so I narrowed my eyes at him and stepped closer before plucking the cigarette with my fingers. "Give me that!" I demanded and puffed the damn thing.

Of course, my eyes started tearing up as I tried so hard not to cough my lungs out. I tried smoking once, but just like now, it was only for show. You know, doing things in front of people just to look cool. Unfortunately, I could no longer hold the smoke in, so I coughed and gasped as I pounded on my chest. It burned and I felt like I was drowning in smoke if that was even possible. "Yeah... I still hate these nasty things," I admitted while I coughed hard. Maverick gently patted my back, his hand grazing the bare parts, and immediately I stiffened. I stiffened not because I hated his touch, but because it made my heart race and sent electric currents right between my legs. Damn this man's effect on me and damn my reaction!

"You alright? Do you need water?" Maverick asked with concern and intrigue etched on his face. "Yeah, no. I'm fine," I coughed out, then I rummaged through my tiny purse for my mints, and not once did he look away from me. He just watched me like a hawk until I was able to find what I was looking for. Once I found the god-forsaken mints, I nervously smiled and offered one to him, which he gratefully accepted. Both of us unwrapped our mints at the same time before them in our mouths, and when I chanced a glance at him, his lips suddenly descended on mine.

Holy f**k! I thought to myself as his lips started moving slowly over mine. And then when I felt his tongue slide over my bottom lip, I found myself kissing him back while I freaked out in my mind. I kept telling myself that this wasn't supposed to happen and that I should push him away or something. But the more he kissed me and held me closer to him, the more I felt the urge to continue kissing him too. And holy shit... his kiss now was far different from back when we were in high school. This was no longer a child's kiss. This was a hot manly kiss and it was frying my brains out. What exactly was happening? Why am I kissing him back and actually liking it?

Gathering my strength, I pushed at his chest and pulled back. I looked up in time to see him lick his bottom lip and suddenly I was questioning why I even stopped. "I'm sorry," Maverick whispered, and I blinked a couple of times processing how I should react. "Sorry for what?" I finally asked. He stared into my eyes for a minute before saying, "Sorry for failing to stop myself from giving in."