Tailspin: A Top Gun Love Story - Pete "Maverick" Mitchell

Chapter 8

"Hold on," Maverick mutters, starting the engine.

You wrap your arms around his soaking t-shirt as the bike starts to roll forward. It doesn't take long for it to pick up speed and soon you are flying on the freeway. The faster you go, the more the rain feels like needles against your skin, so you tuck your face behind the back of his neck, wondering how he can keep his eyes open through the pelting. But, despite the storm, you feel warm enveloped in Maverick's jacket and shielded by his body in front of you.

He pulls up behind the building where you're less likely to be seen together. You climb off the motorcycle, rainwater trickling off the leather of Maverick's jacket as you move. The rain has stopped but the skirt of your sundress is completely soaked through and you start to shiver again.

Maverick, who's still seated on his bike, reaches out to place his hand on your waist, pulling you closer. His white shirt is sticking to his chest and he looks unbelievably sexy with water droplets catching the light of the streetlamps on his face. "Next time, I'm taking you up there," he says, pointing up at the sky with a playful grin.

You chuckle. "No way."

The hand slides idly up your waist until his thumb is drifting over your ribs. "That's what you said about the bike." He tightens his lips into a smirk. "But I can be pretty convincing."

You sigh, taking his hand off your side, and he instinctively clasps his fingers around yours. You let out a small gasp, and he sets his jaw, his gaze dropping to your lips. His thumb traces slow circles into the back of your hand, drawing you nearer until your mouth is hovering over his. "Maverick," you whisper, your breath hanging in the space between your lips and his.

"I know," he whispers back. "You have to go."

...

You walk into the apartment and see Tom walking around the bed to grab a book from the shelf. He's wearing pajama bottoms and no shirt, and you groan inwardly, knowing that he's been waiting for you to get home. He looks up at you when you enter and grins.

"There you are," he says. "I was getting worried."

You close the door behind you and lean into it with your back, keeping your distance. "I'm afraid I have some bad news," you say quietly.

He furrows his eyebrows, leaving his book on a side table and starting to walk toward you. "What happened?" He instantly appears angry.

You push yourself further into the door, as if you could magically melt through it. "It's the Buick."

He stops moving briefly. "What's wrong? Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," you say quickly. "The car is not. It's a blown gasket or something like that. At least that's what Maverick said."

He raises his eyebrows. "Maverick?"

You wince. "He was still at the bar when I came to get my purse. Good thing he was there because he was able to give me a ride."

"He gave you a ride?" Tom clenches his fists at his sides.

You bite into your lip. He did more than that, but you decide to omit the rest. "The car wouldn't start."

Tom nods, tightening his jaw. "Yeah, I bet."

You take a step forward hesitantly, deciding to just rip off the Band-Aid. "Tom, is this working?"

He watches you stoically. "What else happened?" he asks.

You sigh. "Tom, this is about you and me."

He shakes his head. "I'm going to kill him."