Page 28 of Maverick

I hesitate, knowing I should refuse. The extra half hour isn't that big a deal I guess, but still, it's Nan. It would be smarter to wait for Nick and Bree. But the thought of spending more time with Maverick, even just a few minutes in the car, is too tempting to resist. "Okay," I agree, hoping I don't regret it.

The ride back to the rescue is quiet at first, the silence between us awkward. But not like we're strangers awkward. More like, we're two people ignoring a big sexy elephant in the car. I fidget with my purse, stealing glances at Maverick's profile, the streetlights casting shadows across his face.

Normally, I don't have a problem with awkward. It's not that I don't feel it sometimes, but usually I can let it wash away prettyeasily. Tonight, I'm struggling. "You've been quiet tonight. Is everything okay?" I finally ask.

He winces, his hands tightening on the steering wheel. "I'm sorry. Our conversation earlier, it just...it brought up a lot of memories of my mom. I didn't mean to be so distant."

My heart clenches at the vulnerability in his voice. "I understand," I say softly. "Losing someone you love, it stays with you. It changes you."

He nods, his jaw tight. "It does. I was so young when she died. But still, thirty years later, it still feels like yesterday."

"I know what you mean," I murmur, thinking of Pops. "But I like to think that they're still with us, in a way. That their love never really leaves us."

Maverick's phone chimes a few times, but he ignores it, his eyes fixed on the road ahead. We talk quietly for the rest of the drive, sharing little memories of our loved ones. The whole time, I feel like a fish on his hook, getting reeled in without a fight. Just a 'take me I'm yours' attitude. Is he doing it on purpose, or is this just his natural charisma? Either way, I should create distance, I know that. I'm way too attracted, and I don't have a great track record of denying temptation. I'm the kind of girl who sees a ride she wants to ride, and hops right on. This denying yourself shit sucks.

But this time, I have to.

As we pull up to the rescue, just for a second, I consider asking him to just keep driving, not wanting our time together to end. Maverick walks me to the front door, his hand warm on the small of my back. God, why does he have to be a gentleman? It was hard enough to resist him before.

For a moment, we just stand there, the air between us electric with possibility. His eyes flick down to my lips, and his low groan fills the air between us. The smart thing would be to walk away. To stop staring at his mouth, wondering if his lips would be assoft as they look. To stop thinking about tugging that shirt over his head.

But he doesn't look like he's going to back up, to step away. And my hormones are in complete control now.You want to kiss sexy man? Hell yeahthey're screaming.

His phone rings, shattering the spell. I jerk back, my face flushing with embarrassment. "You should get that," I mumble, fumbling for my keys. "Thanks for the ride."

With jerky movements, he pulls the phone out of his back pocket. The scowl on his face turns to remorse. He nods and takes a step back. "Anytime," he says, his voice rough. "Goodnight, Cadence."

I wave goodbye, my heart racing as I slip inside, leaning against the door as I try to catch my breath.

"You should have kissed him," Nan mutters from the dark corner.

"Jesus Fuck!" I slide down the door and press my cheek to the floor, praying my heart doesn't pound straight out of my chest. Nan cackles, shuffling over and leaning down to pat my head.

"You're too jumpy. So why didn't you kiss him? He looks tasty."

"Nan!"

"Oh please, it's not like I'm dead. I might be in my seventies, but my parts still work. Your grandpa and I had a wonderful sex life, nearly right until he passed, bless his soul."

I moan, and close my eyes, willing images of my grandparents fucking to dissipate. "That's just wrong."

"Prude," Nan says with a sniff.

"I am not a prude. I am rightfully traumatized!"

"Whatever. I bet you would have kissed him, if you weren't such a prude."

"I'm being bullied by my own grandmother." I stare at the brown streak on the concrete floor in front of me. Probably poop. I should fire my cleaner.

Laughing, because of course I'm the cleaner, I push myself off the floor. "He's my boss Nan. If he weren't, you'd be hearing things that would make even you blush."

"Your boss huh? At that sexy club you work at?"

"He owns it."

She sobers. "That's too bad."

Kind of wishing she would tell me it doesn't matter, that I should follow my bliss…okay, not bliss, ovaries, I wrap my arm around her shoulder, guiding her to the back, and the little room we've called home for the last few months. "Yeah, it really is. If I had met that man before…wait. I did meet him. But I mean, if I'd had just a little one on one with him before all this happened, I would be hauling out my best bras and putting the girls to work."

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