Page 5 of Maverick

Clenching all my muscles, I force the giggle determined to crawl up my throat, back down. A fucking giggle fit is not the first impression I planned on making with this woman. I haven't even seen her face but I already know I want to get to know her better.

Why does she seem so familiar, though?

That ass is unforgettable. Round, thick, and tight. And the glimpse of lush breasts straining the seams of the vest as she carefully unloads her tray makes my mouth feel like the Sahara.

"I'm working!" she says, voice sunny.

“What about the rescue?” Nick asks, looking confused. What rescue? Why does he seem to know her, and I don't?

She laughs and straightens, tucking the tray under her arm. Fuck, the face is better than the body. Wide brown eyes, thick lashes, a hint of freckles along her cheekbones, and a mouth too lush to be believed.

I want her to look at me. Enough with my brothers. I don't care how they know her. It doesn't matter. All that matters is she comes home with me tonight.

“I’m just making a little extra," she says, grinning. "I’m at the shelter in the daytime, and most of the nights, too. But things are a little tight right now.”

Jonas scowls. “I thought that we gave you a healthy donation.”

Her smile softens. “You did. You guys are amazing. I was able to help so many animals, and I fixed up the building.”

“You should be drawing a salary,” Jonas insists.

“I am. I do. I promise. I just had a few extra personal things pop up. Don’t worry. I’ve only been here a few days, but so far, it’s a great place to work.” She turns to Zach. “How’s your little girl?”

“She’s great. She likes to wake me up by licking my toes. She just sneaks right under the cover.” For a minute, just a minute, I think he's talking about Maya and again, there goes my imagination. Like, is that Zach's kink? Maybe he likes his woman to sneak up and suck a toe into her mouth.

It's a silly, uncomfortable thought, because it's Maya and I love her. But I could totally see Zach being a freak in the sheets. And women love him so much, they'd do just about anything with and for him. But my brain grinds back into gear and I realize he's talking about his dog. Cute little thing.

“She’s just the sweetest thing,” Cadence coos. “Anyone else looking for a dog? I have some wonderful animals right now. Youshould come on by. There’s only one that’s already claimed.” She winks at Nick, and he grins back.

Realization dawns, and with it, no small amount of horror. Fuck. I know who this is. I don't really remember her, I was too damned drunk, but I know. The woman that runs that rescue we donate to. The one that Zach adopted his dog from.

So much for first impressions. Fucked that one up a while ago.

Though maybe, she doesn't remember me. Could I be that lucky?

“And who are you, big guy?” she asks, turning to John. “I don’t think we’ve met before. I remember the rest of these guys, I think.” She taps me on the shoulder, and for the first time, our eyes lock. “Pretty sure you were the one singingTwinkle Twinkleto a Pomeranian.”

Aw fuckity fuck fuck. I don't remember much of that day, but none of it was smooth or attractive. We were helping Zach work out some shit, which lead to booze, then we all ended up at the rescue so he could talk to Maya. I woke up the next morning covered in dog hair, mouth tasting like ass, feeling like I should be embarrassed about something, but no idea what. Unfortunately, when we've had that much, that's not unusual. Thankfully, I don't remember most of the stupid shit I've done.

Other people do, obviously, but usually that doesn’t bother me. If I’ve done something cringeworthy, guaranteed one of my other brothers did too, so it was no big deal.

But this is way worse. This stunning woman had a front-row seat for my little show. So much for a great first impression.

What’s the plan here, counselor? Think fast fucker. What’s the plan? Deny, deny, deny.“Ah, I don’t actually remember. You run that rescue, the one Maya had us donate to?”

“That’s me,” she holds her hand to me, eyes dancing with warmth and humor. She's irresistible. “Cadence. My friends callme Cady. And can I just say, you have a lovely singing voice.” I take her hand in some mockery of a shake. I just hold it, stroking my thumb over the skin on the back of her hand, and pretend that this is the first time we're meeting. “If you ever wanna come by and sing to the dogs, or me, you just drop me a line. I can give you my number.”

Thank you baby Jesus, the saints, and anyone else up there. Maybe she’s got a thing for idiots. I don’t know, and I don’t care. I am so getting her number. Then I’m getting her in my bed, and then maybe we can get breakfast, and I can see where she lives and–Stop getting ahead of yourself asshole. You’ll scare her off.

Then Jonas opens his mouth and ruins it. “I’m sure he can find your number in the personnel records. You should call her Mav.”

Her own thumb starts a slow stroking on my hand, and all the blood is leaking out of my head to…other places.

“Personnel records?” she asks absently, looking down at me with a hazy grin.

“He owns this place,” Nick says casually. Cadence's hand tightens around mine, and her thumb makes one more slow stroke. Meeting my gaze, I see regret and resolve in hers.

“Aw shucks,” she mutters. “Well, nice to meet you, boss.” She pulls her hand away, then pulls an order pad out of her back pocket. “What can I get everyone?”

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