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)
I choke over the word underwear because it doesn’t take much for me to imagine her in her panties.
Her cheeks get even redder. “Yes, he did.”
I flex my hands and then fist them together. “And then tried to break in while you were here?”
She nods her head again, and I can see the fear in her eyes.
I grit my teeth together. “Well, if you ask me, I think you need me.”
4
MAYA
Why does it freak me out when he says I need him? Maybe it’s because I’ve prided myself on never needing anyone. I’ve always been able to take care of things on my own. Yeah, I always know that I have my brother, but even with him, that was iffy because he is on a mission more times than not. I’ve been on my own since I turned eighteen and have made it through some crazy things. Surely, I can survive a stalker.
“I don’t need anyone. So I think you’ve wasted your time by coming here. I’ll be happy to pay you for your time and your flight.”
Under Legend’s scrutiny, I try not to fidget. From the moment he walked in the door, he’s had his eyes on me, and I’ve never been this close to anyone as handsome as he is, especially not in my house. And what was I thinking, asking him what he thought about the sex scenes? Can I make things any more awkward?
He doesn’t seem discouraged at all when I tell him I don’t need him. “I’m not leaving,” he grunts.
“But—” I start but stop when he slides closer to me on the couch.
He leans toward me. “Have you heard the story about how your brother saved my life?”
For just an instant, I feel like I’m going to throw up. I just met Legend, but I don’t want to think about him being in danger. My throat feels thick, and I shake my head.
“Well, he did. We were on a mission in Africa. We were supposed to be in and out. I was captured and tortured.” He points to the scar on his face. “Anyway, Mav refused to leave me behind even though everyone thought I was dead. He led a mission that was meant to extract my dead body, but he got there in time to save my life. He brought me stateside and didn’t leave my side until he knew I was going to be okay.”
“Wow,” I say and then feel ridiculous. He spilled his heart out, and that’s all I can say? I’m a writer, for goodness sake. Surely I can come up with something more than wow. “I’m so glad my brother was there for you and that you’re okay. He never told me that story, but that’s my brother. He doesn’t tell me anything that he thinks may worry me.”
He bobs his head. “Yeah, so you see that I owe Maverick and when he calls to ask for my help, I’m going to do it.”
There’s a part of me that wants to say thank you and then throw myself at his mercy. How nice would it be to have someone else to lay my worries on? For years, I’ve had to do it on my own, so I wouldn’t even know how to depend on someone else. “Legend, as much as I appreciate this, I can’t accept it. I don’t need you to help me because you feel like you owe my brother. I promise I have things under control.”
The fact that I’m telling him I don’t want him here doesn’t even faze him. “I came because of your brother, but I’m staying because of you.”
I lean back and poke my thumb in my chest. “Me? You’re staying because of me? What does that even mean?”
He smiles softly at me. “It means that there’s no way I can leave here knowing there’s someone out there that wants to hurt you. I’m staying until you’re safe.”
“I’m an author, Legend.”
He’s makes a steeple with his fingers and tilts his head to look at me. “Yeah, remember, I’m reading your latest bestseller.”
I blush, knowing that he’s reading my books, which means he’s reading the intimate scenes that I have written. “Well, that means that I’m here at home like ninety percent of the time. You’re going to be bored.”
He smiles. “I think I can handle it.”
Why does he have to be so good-looking? Even that scar on his face that he keeps trying to tilt away from me is sexy. There’s no way I can let him stay here because I will make a fool of myself. Especially with what I have coming up. I can’t have online sex with some random guy while Legend is here. No, now is not a good time at all.
I shake my head. “No, really. You don’t understand. Sometimes I don’t go out of the house for days. I sit at my desk most of the time or on this couch with my laptop. You will be begging to leave after one day.”