Total pages in book: 25
Estimated words: 23483 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 117(@200wpm)___ 94(@250wpm)___ 78(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 23483 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 117(@200wpm)___ 94(@250wpm)___ 78(@300wpm)
“Maya… are you there? I can’t hear you.”
There’s more static, and Maverick’s voice is breaking up, but I’m able to make it all out. “I’m here. How will I know it’s Legend?”
I’ve watched all the shows, SVU, CSI, FBI all the letters, but I’m still a novice when it comes to thinking like a criminal. Heck, anyone can be tapping into my phone and then posing as this Legend.
“Same tattoo…on chest.”
I repeat what I think I heard. “He has the same tattoo as you but it’s on his chest? Got it.”
“Love you… sis.”
“I love you, too, Maverick. Please be safe—”
I don’t know if he heard me before the phone cuts off.
I stare at my phone for the longest time thinking back on the days when Maverick and I were younger and how he’d always looked out for me. I feel bad that I’ve put even more pressure on him with everything he has going on.
I stand up and walk over to the home office I’ve set up in the large corner of my living room. I grab my laptop and make my way back to the couch. While I wait for Legend to show up, I try to do some work on my manuscript. It’s done except for the sex scenes. My agent says that my reviews are great except for the reviews that focus on the intimacy and sex scenes. She said that they are holding me back and that if I want to put my books at the top of the charts and then stay there, I need to learn to spice things up a bit, and I need to do it for this current book.
I’ve taken all the writing craft classes, read books that are popular for their sex scenes, and did all the research I could, but nothing has helped to inspire me. I’ve resorted to my last resort and have started looking into something that offers a little more of a physical research.
Just as I open the search window on my Internet tab, I hear people talking outside, and I jump up and cross the room to the window. As I peek through the blinds, I suck in a breath because standing on my porch is the biggest, broadest, sexiest man I’ve ever seen.
His dark hair is short, and he has a trimmed beard. His eyes are big and expressive even though his face is set in a determined stiffness. My gaze travels down his body and back up again, and it’s obvious he’s fit and in shape. The way his jeans fit his thick thighs has me blushing as I wonder what he’s packing under his denim.
If this is Legend, then his name does him justice. He dismisses the two men on my steps, and after looking around my porch, he comes to the front door and knocks. My lower belly pulls because even his knock is sexy.
3
LEGEND
When I pulled up to the address that Cerberus sent me, I froze seeing the two men on her porch. I knew they’d be there, but seeing them here, protecting my target, my best friend’s sister, my woman… damn, where did that come from? Maya is not mine, and I’d better keep reminding myself of that fact. I haven’t even laid eyes on the woman and already I’m having thoughts I shouldn’t be.
After I dismiss Walker’s men, I stand on the front porch and take a few deep breaths. Why am I equally nervous and excited about this assignment? I knock and see the fluttering of the shades next to the front door. So she’s been watching me? I wait for the door to open, and after a few seconds go by, I knock again.
“Who is it?” a soft feminine voice asks.
Even though it’s muffled, I hear her plainly and respond with as much chill as I can muster. It’s like I’m vibrating on the inside, and maybe it will go away when I finally lay eyes on her and know she’s okay. “Hey, Maya, my name is Legend Johnson. I’m Maverick’s friend.”
It’s like I’m tuned into any noise or movement on the other side of the door, and I can hear her shifting her weight. This time she stutters, “How…how do I know it’s you?”
Smart girl. I smile. “I have an ID. Do you want me to show you in the window?”
“Anyone can fake those.”
I nod because what she’s saying is the truth. Anyone can make a fake ID these days. “Okay, how can I prove it to you? I may have an old picture or something or I can—”
She cuts me off. “Maverick said you have matching tattoos.”
Instantly, I put my hand to my chest. “Yeah, we do. Want to see it?”
Her voice seems to have raised an octave. “Yes.”
I step over in front of the window and wait. My body is tense as I wait for her to open the blinds, and when she does, my heart does a flip in my chest. She’s even more beautiful in person. Her hair is in curls, hanging over her shoulders. Her eyes are wide as she stares through the glass at me, and even from here, I can see her stunted breath. She puts one hand to the glass and then pulls back. She feels it too.