He nodded. “I did.”
“How many bedrooms did you add?”
He crossed his arms, drawing her attention to his well-defined chest. She could bounce quarters off those firm muscles. “Two,” he replied. “And I expanded the porch.”
He extended his hand, which she claimed, leading her to a new set of sliding-glass doors that hadn’t been there before.
Peering out, her eyes widened. “Holy huge deck, Batman.”
Maverick had cleared out quite a few trees so that he could build what was the largest deck she’d ever seen. And when he started explaining his plans for it, she understood why.
“Going to put a hot tub in right there, next to that wall. The gas grill will go there, with an outdoor table. Got a round one with a big umbrella. On that side, I’m putting in an outdoor seating set, with a long gas fireplace in the middle. Imagine sitting out there at night, bundled up next to a fire, staring up at the stars through the trees.”
Maverick had always been very good at drawing pictures in her mind. He’d actually make a wonderful writer, because his imagination was vivid and detailed and beautiful.
“It sounds like heaven on earth.”
His smile grew. “I’m glad you think so.” He pulled her away from the doors, guiding her to the kitchen, which was part of the great room, along with the dining room. All of the appliances and cabinets were new, and an island had been added. “We gutted the kitchen. Complete overhaul. Before fall, all the appliances were the same ones from when we were in high school.”
“Oh my. They were old back then.”
He laughed. “They were ancient. It’s a miracle that nineteen-seventies stove hadn’t caught fire and burned the place down.” Maverick continued the tour, guiding her through the new section that contained two decent-sized bedrooms, each with a walk-in closet and connected by a Jack and Jill bathroom. From there, he took her back through the great room to the master bedroom. It had been relatively small before—now, it was triple the original size.
“Put in a hell of a walk-in closet in this room.” Maverick opened the door, and Ella gasped. “It’s twice as big as my bedroom at home!”
“But my favorite part,” Maverick said, “is this.” He opened the door to the master bath.
“Holy shit.” Ella walked in, running her fingers over the double sinks as she made her way to the huge whirlpool tub. The bathroom also contained a walk-in shower with double showerheads, and the toilet had its own private area, complete with a door that closed.
In Meridian, she and Gigi had shared the lone full bathroom in the house, the only other a half bath near the living room.
“I bet your family winds up with a long waiting list of people wanting to rent this cabin.”
Maverick shrugged. “Maybe.”
The two of them walked back to the great room together, hand in hand. The old couch with its wooden frame and rock-hard, threadbare cushions had been replaced with a plush leather sectional.
They sat down next to each other, Maverick closing the distance until his thigh was pressed firmly against hers. He twisted his torso, wrapping his arm around her shoulders, tugging her tightly to his chest. Ella sank into the hold, needing his strength if she was going to get through this next part.
“I’m sorry,” she blurted out. “For that letter. For the way I left.”
Maverick gave her a kiss on the cheek. “In case it wasn’t obvious, I’ve already forgiven you for that, Ella.”
“But you don’t know why.”
He sighed. “I’m not going to lie. That letter rocked my world for quite a long time. It made me question things, not only about us but about myself as well.”
Ella frowned. “About yourself.”
“I was afraid I’d hurt you…with the bondage and the spanking. I thought I’d forced you to do something?—”
“Oh my God, no!” Ella loudly interjected, Maverick’s words cutting deep.
The truth of the matter was, she couldn’t recallallthe words she’d written in that letter. At the time, she’d been in too much pain—physically and emotionally—to register what she was writing. The idea that he thought he’d abused her in some way killed her.
“I loved everything we did together, Maverick. I mean…I know we were young, but you’ve sort of been the ideal I’ve held other men up to. I never came close to finding what I wanted with Silas or Joel. I think it’s why I started writing steamy romance novels. The only way to fulfill my needs was through my words…because it sure as hell wasn’t happening in real life.”
“Ella,” Maverick said, shaking his head. “You’re too incredible to ever settle.”