Page 17 of Maverick

My heart did a little flip at the mention of the rescue. Images of Cadence flood my mind—her smile, the way her eyes crinkle when she laughs. I try to keep my face neutral, but I can feel the heat creeping up my neck as I steer the conversation back to something more important.

But fuck if I don’t want Satay now, too.

"The rescue, huh? That's the one Cadence runs, right?" I ask, hoping I sound casual. Course it just ends up sounding dumb, because of course it's hers. It's not like he's out volunteering at other rescues.

I am so profoundly un-cool.

Luckily, other than his grin widening, he gives me a pass. "Yep, that's the one. Why? You wanna come along, Mav?"

I stare down at the cuffs of my shirt, just peeking out under my jacket. Do I want to come along? And seeheragain? The most stunning woman I've seen in…maybe ever?

"You think she could use some more help?"

Nick's still grinning. Fucker. I didn't give him a hard time when he was mooning over Bree.

Well okay, I sort of did. And I'm not mooning. Not technically. This is more like…wishing.

"There's always shit to do man. If you come and help, it'll just go faster."

Hoping he'll urge me to come, I just stand there and stare at him. But he reads people too well, and today, he's going to make me work for it.

"Yeah, I wanna come," I mutter, glaring at him.

"I bet you do," he says, laughing. I flip him off, and he just laughs harder.

"We're going to head there for around six. And trust me, you're going to want to change before you get there. That suit would be trashed in minutes."

I like this suit, maybe a little more than my others. I didn't really think this whole lawyer thing through when I was younger. I loved the law, I loved figuring out ways of skirting the edges of it, but I never pictured the suits. Course we were poor, so other than Ransom, none of us wore them.

Now, it's my fucking uniform. And I sort of hate it. But it's part of the job, and I've accepted it.

But I don't have to like it.

I head out to my car, sliding into the leather seat with a sigh. It's a nice ride, all sleek lines and purring engine. The kind of car I used to dream about owning when I was a kid. But now? It's just a thing. A way to get from point A to point B.

I remember how excited I was when I first bought it. The thrill of signing the papers, of knowing that this beautiful machine was all mine. But somewhere along the way, that excitement faded. Just like everything else in my life.

Well, not everything. I'm excited for my brothers and the families they're building. I'm excited to be an uncle many times over. But all that excitement? It's for other people.

There's only one thing - one person - that's made my heart race in anticipation this way in a very long time. Cadence. Just the thought of her sends a jolt of electricity through my veins. It's like nothing I've ever felt before. It's baffling.

I pull up to our building, leaving the keys in the ignition, nodding to the doorman with a quick "I'll be right back." I stab the button for the elevator, impatient, and for a minute consider running up nearly forty floors. Worry about passing out somewhere around the thirtieth floor, and missing my chance to see Cadence again, is the only thing that holds me back.

In my apartment, I strip off my suit, tossing it carelessly on the bed. I rummage through my closet, looking for something casual but still flattering. I want to slap myself for even thinking that, but I need to make sure I look good for her. I settle on a pair of dark jeans and a fitted T-shirt that shows off my arms, I give myself a once-over in the mirror and smooth down my hair.

I'm being ridiculous, I know, but I can't help but wonder what Cadence will think of me when I see her tonight. Like, if I look good enough, she might forget all about the fact that I'm her boss, and let me press her up against the wall and feel her curves against me. I know I'm in good shape - I hit the gym regularly and it shows, and realistically, I'm sure that's not going to sway her.

But a guy can hope.

Twenty minutes later, I pull up to the rescue, heart racing in my chest. I didn't need directions. I'm a little embarrassed that I've driven by this place a few times. But not in a creepy way, I swear. I just…wanted to see where she spends her day. The fact that it’s in the middle of the industrial area makes sense, but it still makes me uneasy. This is not the nicest area of town. I know, since our original garage is a few blocks over on Knight Street. We spent a fuck of a lot of time in this not nice area.

I flip the mirror down, making sure the cowlick at the back of my head is staying down. It's a losing battle, but I do my best. Satisfied that I don't look like a complete disaster, I exit the car and approach the front door.

My hand is on the door handle when I freeze. Through the glass, I see Cady slumped over the desk. My heart leaps into my throat and I yank the door open, the bell chiming as I rush inside.

I'm halfway to her when she raises her head and gazes at me blearily. I wheeze out a breath, giggling in relief. Fuck, I thought...

"I thought you were hurt," I admit to her, running a hand through my hair. Adrenaline is still pumping through my veins, making my hands shake slightly.

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