Chapter 13

With Chloe's warm, soft body in his arms, Maverick stiffened for a moment. Almost instinctively, he lifted his hand, wanting to return the embrace to prove his affection. But the instant his palm touched Chloe's slender waist, an intrusive image came to his mind. It was of Nicole, the very first time he held her. She was shy and nervous, her body trembling slightly. An inexplicable feeling of irritation rose in his chest. He forcibly suppressed the discomfort, lowered his head, and tried to kiss Chloe, hoping that physical intimacy would overwrite those unwarranted memories. But just as his lips were about to touch hers, another image flashed through his mind. Nicole's first kiss, awkward yet sweet. His movement halted. In the end, the kiss landed only lightly on Chloe's forehead, carrying a perfunctory lack of passion that even he himself didn't notice. "Alright. Stop crying," he said as he released her. His voice was deliberately gentle, yet oddly indifferent. "Go get ready. We'l