Chapter 17

Maverick opened his eyes. In the dim light of the lamp, he saw Chloe in Nicole's nightdress, posing awkwardly as she tried to be seductive. At that moment, he felt no desire at all. Instead, a mix of grief and disbelief hit him, followed by a burning anger. Nicole's figure, her natural grace, the rare moments of gentleness she'd shown only to him. Chloe's awkward act turned those precious memories into a cheap, sick joke. Maverick sat upright and hissed, "Take it off!" He looked disgusted as he commanded, "Take it off immediately. You don't deserve to wear her clothes, and you sure as hell don't get to pretend to be her." Chloe flinched at his sudden explosion of anger, her body jolting. Tears flooded her eyes in an instant. Humiliation and despair nearly broke her. "Maverick, I'm your wife! Why shouldn't I be allowed to wear it? Nicole is gone. She left you! Why are you still hung up on her?" "Get out." Maverick pointed at the door, a vein pulsing at his temple. He was so