That couldn’t happen. She wouldn’t let it happen.

CHAPTER EIGHT

It was a perfect morning, the sun warm, the breeze gentle. Mav would much rather be here at his brother’s place than the empty shell of a home he’d taken possession of thinking it would make him more responsible—or more of the man his father wanted him to be.

He hated it there. Hollow, it was. Empty. Lonely. He would never admit that to a single soul. He was pissed the thoughts were even going through his head. Sipping on his cup of coffee, Mav turned and then lost his air.

It took a lot for him to lose his breath, but lose it he did as he watched Lindsey’s long dark hair blow freely in the breeze while she walked barefoot along the beach. Damn, she was a vision in her summer dress, looking free and innocent as she watched a flock of seagulls fly by.

If Mav were being honest with himself, he would have to admit that he’d had a crush on Lindsey from the first moment they’d met, and time hadn’t seemed to dull his infatuation. If anything, time had only made it grow stronger.

Before the horrific attack she’d dealt with a year earlier, he’d chased her harder than he’d ever chased a woman, trying like hell to gain her attention. Then in a weak moment at his brother’s wedding, she’d finally succumbed to him. He’d thought one night would be enough to quench his thirst.

He’d been so very, very wrong. One night had been nothing more than a tease—and he wanted the entire package now. But then the attack had happened, leaving her vulnerable—making him feel like a monster for continuing to pursue her.

And yes, he wanted her back in his bed, but he also wanted to see her happy. He’d never cared enough about a woman to feel responsible for her happiness, but it seemed that all bets were off when it came to Lindsey Helm.

She was just so vulnerable. His protective instincts had taken over. Maverick knew a thing or two about trauma. And one thing he knew for certain was that it wasn’t good for a person to dwell on it. It would only fester to the point that a person might give up on living.

He’d seen it with fellow soldiers, and he’d had to deal with it after he’d been captured. That thought almost sent him through his own spiral, so he quickly shook his head and pushed it away.

The point was that he knew how important it was to heal. And if he could control his libido long enough, he might just be able to help this woman. Damn! He was sounding like a sissy even in his own head.

A smile overtook his mouth. He was sure if he helped her heal she would be back to that vibrant woman who could match him barb for barb. The fireworks would once again ignite. His smile turned up a few watts. He was back from nearly starring in a Hallmark movie, thank goodness.

“I’m beginning to think you enjoy staying here far more for the view than for my pleasant company,” Cooper said with a laugh as his brother followed the direction of Mav’s gaze.

He had to admit that his hulk of a brother looked pretty domesticated while cuddling his three-month-old tiny son against his chest. Both Nick and Mav were in love with the little tot. It was amazing to Mav that he could care so much for a tiny human who did nothing but eat, spit up, and poop all the time. But love the kid, he did.

“Yeah, the view around here has certainly improved in the last couple years,” Mav told Cooper as he shook off thoughts of babies and took a sip of his coffee while he watched Lindsey.

“Well, then, why in the heck haven’t you done something about it?” Sherman grumbled from his spot beneath the umbrella.

“What?” Both brothers turned and looked at Sherman, who was giving Maverick a nasty look.

“If you’re so dang infatuated with the girl, then stop acting like a baby and go and talk to her,” Sherman said. “Or are you afraid she’s too good for you?” he goaded.

“Uncle Sherman!” Maverick said, his mouth hanging open. All the boys were used to their uncle saying whatever was on his mind, but he was going over the top at the moment.

“She’s not just any girl,” Mav told him.

“Plus, she’s broken right now. He needs to be careful,” Cooper warned.

“I would never hurt Lindsey,” Mav said, slightly offended.

“Of course you wouldn’t hurt her,” Sherman grumbled. Both boys ignored him.

“I don’t think you would do it maliciously, but if anyone could hurt her, it would be you,” Cooper said.

“I’m not going to hurt her. Matter of fact, I plan on helping her so this place isn’t so dang depressing,” Mav said.

“Now you’re talking,” Sherman said. “I knew you couldn’t help but take care of a woman in distress.”

“Help her how?” Cooper asked with suspicion.

“Not in the way you’re thinking,” Mav growled. Though, in reality, he wouldn’t mind bedding Lindsey again—not at all. But that wasn’t the objective of his mission. And he wasn’t going to say anything like that in front of his uncle. He was likely to get boxed in the ears if he did.

“Just know I’m going to be keeping an eye on you,” Cooper warned.

“If you’re into that sort of thing,” Mav said with a laugh and a wink.

“You’re disgusting,” Coop said with a frown as he pulled his son a bit closer as if to protect the baby’s delicate ears from the crude talk.

“I’m not the one with his mind in the gutter,” Mav pointed out.

Before Cooper or his uncle could say anything more, Mav set down his coffee cup and then quickly scooted away. Stepping off the back deck, he jogged down the wide expanse of lawn that led to the beachfront access.