Breaking The Rules | Complete

Chapter 41

Maverick's motorcycle between my thighs was something I was surprised to miss. The rumble beneath me was both thrilling and strangely...comforting. A complete one-eighty compared to the first time he coerced me into the back of his bike. The engine purred as Maverick pulled into the restaurant's parking lot. I latched on to Maverick's solid torso, pressing my chest into him as I breathed in the smoky scent of leather.

I almost wanted to skip dinner all together.

Maverick cut the engine. If I wasn't more self-aware of my face I would have pouted. Without a word I slipped off the back of his motorcycle and slipped off the helmet before smoothing my hair. The golden glow from the family-owned restaurant washed over us.

I glanced at Maverick, who was removing his helmet and running a hand through his dark hair to tame it. The lack of tension in his shoulders, the glint of confidence in his eyes. Everything about him screamed 'night-out' and not 'dinner-with-my-maybe-girlfriend's-parents'.

"You ready?" he asked, slinging the helmet onto the bike.

I hesitated, biting my lip. "Mostly."

"Mostly?" He stepped closer, his hand finding the small of my back in that familiar, grounding way of his.

It was almost instinctual, I peered to the side, cheeking to make sure my parents weren't watching us from the side window of the restaurant. Why was I so nervous?

I sighed, leaning into his touch. "My parents don't know about everything. You know, with Miles."

There was a softness to Maverick's eyes when he regarded me. It caused my heart to flutter erratically in my chest. A swarm of butterflies trapped in a cage.

The playful spark in his eyes was replaced by something quieter. "Do you want to tell them? I don't mind being your dirty little secret for a little bit longer."

"The fact that you're showing up with me tonight and not Miles is more than enough for them to realize who you are to me."

"And what am I to you?" Maverick whispered. The tips of his fingers twitched against my back.

I peered up at him for a moment. My lips parted as I took in just how beautiful he was with the night sky draped behind him. "What do you want to be?"

"Yours."

The butterflies I had been concealing rattled my chest again.

Maverick Sousa, the womanizing hockey player who had sworn off relationships was standing in front of me and telling me he wanted to be mine.

He leaned forward, pressing a tender kiss to my forehead. "But we can talk more about that later." Maverick's hand slid from my back, his fingers finding mine. "Come on, let's go eat dinner with your parents."

Realization dawned on me. My parents were going to meet Maverick for the first time. As if knowing I needed the extra support, Maverick gave my hand a gentle squeeze, the pressure reminding me to breathe.

The warm scent of baked bread and garlic enveloped us as we stepped inside. My parents were already seated at a corner table in the back, my mom chatting with my dad, who was studying the menu as if he were reading the morning newspaper.

"There she is," my mom said, her eyes lighting up as she spotted us.

Maverick had let go of my hand, probably realizing I didn't want to lay things on too thick. I led the way to the table, his steady presence beside me as I reached my mother. She was already standing and I threw my arms around her as if I hadn't seen her in months.

When I stepped back her warm brown eyes were on Maverick.

I rolled my lips into my mouth, trying to control my breathing. "Mom, Dad," I said, my voice steady despite the flutter in my chest. "This is Maverick."