Chapter 37

Maverick had assumed Heidi was still sulking and throwing a childish fit. He hadn't expected her to take off her wedding ring, let alone toss it into some forgotten corner. A heavy pressure settled in Maverick's chest. He turned off his phone's flashlight, walked back to the bed, leaned down, and bit Heidi on the cheek. The sharp pain jolted Heidi awake, but before her mind could fully register what was happening, her body reacted on instinct. She swung her hand without thinking and slapped Maverick. The slap stunned Maverick, and it stunned Heidi herself too. She was instantly wide awake. As she stared at his shocked expression, her heart skipped, and a flicker of panic rose in her chest. The first thought that crossed her mind was absurd. Great. Assaulting a police officer. She spoke first, seizing the initiative, saying, "What's wrong with you, biting people in the middle of the night? Are you out of your mind?" Maverick lifted a hand to touch the spot she had hit, his bro