𝒎𝒂𝒇𝒊𝒂

𝒒𝒖𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒏𝒕𝒂

Maverick's POV

I woke up to an empty bed. Upon that realization, my eye snapped open and I hopped out of bed as quickly as I could and ran to of the room.

What if something happened to her?! What if they took her?!

My mind raced with different scenarios, each scenario more awful than the next. I knew my thoughts were illogical because the premises were surrounded from here to 15 miles out with my men but I couldn't help but think of the worst-case scenario. I ran down the stairs looking around frantically through each room but to no avail. The sound of laughter pulled me out of my trance. I followed the sound until I made it into the kitchen.

I found my men sitting with Alayah perfectly fine, laughing. I blew out a breath I didn't know I was holding and rubbed a hand over my face. I guess that grabbed everyone's attention because everyone went quiet before they turned to me.

They all abruptly got up as I walked over to them and slightly bowed their heads as they muttered, "Signore." (Sir)

"Lasciaci," (Leave us) I said tiredly before the men filed out of the room. The only men that dared not listen to me were Dimitri and Adriano.

"Why'd you go and do that?" Alayah said with a scowl on her face. I have her a lopsided grin. "Because I can," I said kissing her nose. She rolled her eyes before she got up and started to collect the dishes that were on the table. "Let me help you," I heard Adriano say before he got up and started collecting dishes too.

I eyed him before I sat down across from Dimitri. "You look like shit," he said drinking the dark liquor that was in his cup.

"I feel like it too."

"And you smell like it." I rolled my eyes as he started to laughing. "Подонок." (Fucker) It only seemed to make him laugh harder much to my dismay. I got up and walked over to Alayah and stood behind her. She was washing dishes while Adriano dried them.

I wrapped my arms around her waist and pulled her against my chest. "Maverick," she said as she tried to wiggle away from me.

"Sí, bambina?" I said holding her tighter as I started kissing her neck.

"I'm kinda doing something right now," she said but made no move to push me away. "Mhmm."

"So let me finish then I'll be up to our room, ok?" I grumbled out fine before I released her. As I started to walk away she resumed her conversation with Adriano. I involuntarily rolled my eyes as I trudge up the stairs once again.

I knew Alayah was entitled to her own friends, even if they were of the opposite sex, but I still couldn't help but feel some type of way. Not to mention, Adriano was womanizer so there no doubt he'd flirt with Alayah even if she is mine.

Wow. Since when have I called her mine?

I continued to walk down the hall to our room. It was pretty late so everyone should be going to bed soon. Tomorrow I had a meeting with my father's IT/Intelligence Chief to discuss the Bianchi's recent actions. My father delegated the task of monitoring the Bianchi's to me since as I was going to "take over the family business" so I should at least be involved.

If I'm being honest I hadn't been taking my task too seriously. I know now that I probably should've cared a little more.

I also didn't have my security detail with me for a better part of a year. That was pretty careless of me too but I know I could defend myself and I felt smothered.

I walked into the bathroom and took a long and much needed shower. I made sure to wash my hair before I got out. I walked into the room to find Alayah sitting on her side of the bed scrolling through her phone. She looked up at me after I closed the bathroom door.

I walked over to the closet and skipped putting on boxers before lazily pulling on some sweatpants. I walked back into the room and walked over to Alayah. I pulled her legs apart and laid in between them. I rested my head on her stomach and her hand automatically found its way into my hair.

I groaned softly as her fingers glided across my scalp.  "Baby?"

"Hmm?" she said looking from her phone to me. "Can you give me a massage?" I said looking up at her with a pout on my lips. She huffed and said, "You love being baby'd, don't you?" I grinned up at her taking that as a yes before getting up and sprinting to the closet.

"So what if I do?"

She said nothing opting to snatch the oils out of my hands. I laid face down on the bed before she straddled my hips and got to work. As she slowly worked me into a deep sleep I asked her a question that had been nagging at my mind.

"Do you love me too?"

At this point, I was wearing my heart out on my sleeve. I'm glad I was face down in the mattress or she'd see the vulnerability showing right through my eyes. She could read me so easily. My voice cracked a little when I spoke so I think I made my vulnerability known.

Her hands slowed to a stop as she thought. Her silence was killing me. Every second that passed felt like an hour. After what felt like an eternity, she spoke.

"No — well I don't know."

My heart sank. My body grew rigid as my breathing grew faster. She doesn't love me?  A wave of emotions hit me. I wanted to punch a wall but at the same time, I wanted to curl up into a ball and die. I just wanted to be alone. It didn't help that she was on top of me. I tried to push her off so I could get up and leave but she wouldn't budge. "Alayah move. Please," I said but she gently pushed me back down.

"No. You didn't let me finish," she said as she continues to run her hands up and down my back sensually. "I love you Maverick but I don't know if I'm in love with you yet. I'm new to this, Mave, and I want to sort out how I feel so when I do say 'I love you,' I actually mean it," she said squeezing my shoulders. I quickly rolled onto my back so she was now straddling my lap. I grabbed her waist and pulled her into me.

"How long will it take for you to fall in love with me?" Vulnerability returned to my voice. She smiled softly to her self and wrapped her arms around my neck.

"Not long. I promise."

"Take as long as you need."