\[Serenity’s POV\]
I stare at Uncle Jose in disbelief as his brilliant plan settles around us.
Sneak in.
Did he really just say that he wanted us to sneak into a blood bank and steal human blood? Was he out of his mind? Didn’t he fear getting caught and then…
“What?” Uncle Jose asks, looking around at what I’m certain are mirrored looks of shock. “What’s wrong?”
“You’ve gone off the deep end.” My father huffs. “There is no way in hell that we are going to steal blood from a blood bank. I’m sure that Emerald Moon’s doctor will be able to get his hand on blood.”
“Aw,” Uncle Jose huffs. “You’re no fun.”
“We’re trying to save the world, not land ourselves in jail.” Uncle William points out.
“If you want to do that, you can do it yourself.” My father adds.
“Fine,” Uncle Jose huffs, his excitement over his idea fading from his eyes. “We will do it the boring way.”
“Great,” my father snaps. “I’ll go and call Tristan then.”
“Great,” Uncle Jose claps. “Then I will retire to my office for a drink, William,” he continues, turning his gaze to Uncle William. “Would you like to join me?”
“Sure,” Uncle William responds without any hesitation. “I could use a drink.”
“Then the children can do what they want,” Uncle Jose says now, eyeing Maverick and me. “Or rather, the young adults, although dear Maverick isn’t all that young, care to join us for a drink?”
“No, thanks.” Maverick answers, narrowing his gaze. “I have no interest in letting my guard down for even a second.”
“Suit yourself,” Uncle Jose shrugs, wrapping an arm around Uncle William’s neck. “Then we will be off.”
Lifting a hand, Maverick waves as the two men disappear, leaving us with just my father.
“Serenity,” he says, eyeing me, “I think it is best if you go ahead to bed.”
“Now?” I ask in shock. “But why?”
“Because…”
“I was actually about to get some fresh air.” Maverick counters, cutting my father off. “Serenity, would you like to come with me?”
At his words, my father’s expression shifts the need to kill flashes in his eyes, but before he can say a word, Maverick is grabbing my hand and pulling, tugging me along behind him as he bursts into a run.
“Don’t forget to give Tristan a call!” He yells over his shoulder as my father’s shouts reach us. “The sooner he comes, the better, right?”
I bite back on the giggle that wants to escape me over how bold Maverick is being in front of my father. I have to admit, I like it.
Beaming, I take the lead, bursting into a run so that Maverick and I head out of New Moon’s packhouse and onto the grounds that are lit by a perfect full moon. It makes Mahogany stir, wanting to take control, but since Maverick can’t shift, I remain in human form.
We continue to move, making our way away from the building until we reach a clearing that gives the perfect view of the moon above.
Releasing Maverick’s hand, I collapse on the damp grass, spreading my arms wide as I stare up, taking in the view. Maverick doesn’t move though; he just stares down at me, his eyes filled with an emotion that makes my stomach churn. And when he finally takes a seat beside me, he reaches out, grabbing my hand and bringing it to my lips.
For a moment, my breath hitches, and I feel like I can fly with such a simple touch, but I don’t speak as I’m too afraid of saying the wrong thing.
“You’re going to end up forcing my father into an early grave.” I say instead, ruining the moment entirely.
“He will be fine.” Maverick shrugs, keeping my hand in his lap. “But I didn’t bring you out here to talk about your father.”
“Oh,” I whisper, expectancy beginning to flow through me. “Then what did you bring me out here for? It couldn’t possibly be for a secret steamy rendezvous, right?”
My question is meant to be light and joking, but by the look that Maverick gives me, I feel a wave of shock rush through me. Was that the reason he brought me out here so that we could do this and that?
“Did you know?” he chuckles as I wait to see what happens. “You’re pretty perverted.”
“P-peverted!” I stutter, shooting up. “Who are you calling perverted, you…”
I don’t get to finish my words as he leans forward, pressing his lips against mine and cupping the back of my neck, meshing our mouths together perfectly.
Instantly, the world disappears from around me, and all that exists is Maverick, his scent, the feel of his lips moving against mine and his hand against my skin, and his warmth that always, always unfreezes the deepest parts of me.
He was my world, my whole world, since long ago, but I guess I was too oblivious or too afraid to venture into what he truly meant to me. Who knew it would take a lie and an act to get us to this point, but even now this still wasn’t enough for me.
Maybe it was the mood in the moment or the heat that was beginning to awaken in me, but before I can even stop to think about it, I’m moving, climbing onto Maverick’s lap so that I’m straddling him, feeling his bulge that has formed from just kissing and pressing against my most sensitive of areas.
Unable to stand the sudden need I feel, I move slowly, testing how far Maverick will let me go, and when a groan escapes his lips and his hands find their way to my hips, slipping beneath my shirt to touch my skin, I know he isn’t going to stop me.
“Serenity,” he breathes as I continue to move, feeling what it is like to be pleased for the first time in my life and finding that I liked the heat building beneath my belly button and the way my core throbbed with anticipation for something more. It was so overwhelming, but I wasn’t afraid because the one I was with was Maverick.
“You need...” he continues, digging his nails into my skin so pain and pleasure shoot through me. “You can’t…”
“Ssssshhhhh,” I whisper, grabbing his face with my hands and making him look at me. “It’s alright,” I continue, kissing him. “If it’s with you, it’s alright.”
“Dammit,” he growls, attacking my mouth again. “Do you know what you’re doing to me?”
“Maybe,” I giggle, loving how he was coming undone right beneath me. “But I’d prefer if you showed me.”