When I woke again, Maverick was seated beside the hospital bed, holding my hand as he dozed.

The memory of those disgusting videos surfaced, icy and revolting. I yanked my hand away instinctively, now repulsed by the once-strong, protective touch of his palms—they felt filthy beyond measure.

The motion startled him awake. His face lit up with delight. "Baby, you’re awake!"

That one word—"baby"—made my stomach churn, as if I'd been forced to ...