Grayson turned back to him. “What’s your offense entail?”
Maverick grinned. “Dragging my long-lost lady love somewhere private, telling her I’m still in love with her, and then informing her that we’re going to spend the rest of our lives together.”
Grayson chuckled. “Subtle.”
“Right?” Maverick laughed.
“You think she’s ready to hear that?”
Maverick shrugged. “No clue.”
“What about the past? You going to bring that up?”
Maverick shrugged. “Uncertain.”
Grayson tilted his head, surprised by that answer. “Don’t you think you should? I mean, she dumped you without a second glance back. If it was because she was afraid or scared, that might be something you should find out.”
Maverick considered the kiss they’d shared in the wine cellar. The way he’d dragged Ella close, and how she’d responded to his hard, hungry kisses. She hadn’t reacted like a woman who was afraid. Hell, given her tight grip on his hair, he’d sayhewas the one who’d walked away hurt. His scalp had tingled for a good hour after she’d left.
Between that and the raciness of her romance novels, he thought perhaps the woman she’d grown up to be had a different take on bedroom encounters.
Regardless…
“I would never hurt or scare Ella.”
Grayson placed his hand on Maverick’s shoulder. “I know that, bro. And I want you to be happy. If that’s with Ella, then perfect, awesome. I’ll be best man at your wedding, and I’ll deliver one hell of a toast. I just…I don’t want to see you get hurt again. So, maybe belesssubtle,” Grayson said with a grin. “There’s a reason teams play offenseanddefense. You can’t win with just one.”
And this was why Grayson wasn’t just a brother but his best friend.
“You’re right, man,” Maverick said. “I can’t keep burying my head in the sand on the past. It’s just…”
“The past requires conversation. Right now, your dick is overpowering your head because all it’s looking for is action.”
“When she’s around, it’s like I’m that horny teenaged boy again,” Maverick admitted. “Okay, fine. So I’m playing offenseanddefense today. But I’m not making any promises on which side is going to win the coin toss and claim the ball first. I’m pretty sure the head’s not gonna win.”
“Guess it depends on which head you’re talking about.”
Maverick cracked up, but Grayson wasn’t feeling quite as chipper.
He drew in a deep, bolstering breath. “Just so know, you’re gonna owe me after this. Big-time. I fucking hate crowds. And talking to people.”
Maverick grinned and gave his brother a quick guy hug, slapping his back as he did so. “You got this.”
Grayson took Maverick’s place behind the counter and plastered on a smile that looked almost terrifying, it was so forced.
Maverick turned back toward where Ella had been sitting at one of the outdoor tables with Manny and Edith, frowning when he discovered her seat empty.
“As God is my witness,” he muttered under his breath.
If she was trying to hide from him…
He sighed with relief when he spotted her. It looked like she’d been waylaid just outside the restrooms by Jeff Timmons. Given the way he was leering at Ella’s cleavage in her sundress, and her pained smile, he’d say the asshole thought he was laying on the charm but failing.
Maverick took three steps toward them, ready to save her, when his path was blocked by an equally unwanted suitor.
“Hey, stranger,” Roni purred, placing a hand on his chest like she had every right to touch him that way. The biggest mistake of his life was making out with the woman, and it looked like he wasn’t finished paying the piper for it. “I was hoping I could convince you to take a break from whatever you’re doing and have a glass of wine with me.”
“I’m busy right now.” Maverick nodded toward Jeff and Ella. “Why don’t you invite Jeff to join you? He’s free.”