Chapter 5
5
MAVERICK
I leave my office at Brash group headquarters, feeling like I've been put through the wringer. The day's stress clings to me like a second skin, and I'm about ready to faceplant into my couch and call it a night. Hell, maybe I need more than that. Maybe I need a vacation. Just spend a month doing nothing but sleeping and laying on a beach.
Honestly, that's a depressing thought. In the past, vacations were a lot of fun. We didn't do much relaxing —my brothers are not a calm bunch— but we were together and got into all kinds of shit.
Now though, it's just me and Ransom left single. And while he's not bad company by any means, I don't really want to spend time lounging on a beach with him.
No, I'd want softer, curvier company. Maybe someone with a wild mane of blonde hair, and the prettiest smile I've ever seen.
Fuck. I've got to stop thinking about her. It's pathetic. I'm nearly forty, and lately, I've felt more like a middle schooler with a crush.
Most of the cubicles on the executive floor are empty, so I head for the elevator. Suddenly, I'm in a headlock and register the lived-in leather smell of Nick's favorite jacket.
In most businesses, getting tackled and put in a headlock would be an HR violation. Here, it's a Wednesday. As rough knuckles press against my head, I yell and aim an awkward punch at Nick's junk, making him yank his hips away, laughing.
"Hey fucknut!" I grunt, wrestling out of his grip. It feels good to let loose for a second, to shake off the weight of the day. When I get out of his grip, I aim a slap at his cheek, which he dodges, of course. Then he tries to slap me back. He manages to connect, and it's on.
Cara wanders down the hall, "Night boys," she says casually as I land a particularly loud slap on Nick's cheek.
"Night Cara," we both mutter, still dodging and weaving.
We're too evenly matched, so eventually, we end up looking like two kangaroos, just slapping away at each other's hands in the space between our bodies.
"Truce!" he finally yells, backing up, raising his hands.
I study him, trying to figure out if it's actually a truce, or just a play to get the upper hand. Finally, I nod. "Truce."
We both take a second to smooth out our hair and resettle our clothing.
"So, what are you up to tonight?" I ask, trying to act casual. Truth is, the thought of going home to an empty apartment isn't exactly thrilling. Hell, I'd even third-wheel it with him and Bree if it meant some company. I have no shame in inviting myself to whatever they're doing, if it means not being alone tonight.
Nick's eyes light up the way they do anytime he thinks of Bree. "Bree and I are headed over to the rescue again to put in some volunteer hours. Might grab a bite after. Thai. I had a dream last night that I was dancing like the rockettes with a line up of chicken satay."
“That’s…something.”
“They all looked so tasty,” he says dreamily.
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 see her again? 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.
She blinks at me, confusion etched on her face. "Maverick? What are you doing here?"
I swallow hard, trying to get my racing heart under control. "I, uh, I came to volunteer. Nick said you could always use more help."
A slow smile spreads across her face, and I swear, it's like the fucking sun coming out from behind the clouds. "That's really sweet of you. We can definitely use the extra hands."
She stands up from the desk, stretching her arms above her head. I try not to stare at the strip of skin that's revealed as her shirt rides up. Fuck, I'm in trouble.
I clear my throat, trying to get my brain back online. "So, uh, how long have you been running this place?"
Cadence's eyes light up. "It's been about nine years now. It started out small, just a few dogs here and there. I'd take them in, help them get better, then find them homes. Then people started calling me about more, and I realized that if I wanted to help on a larger scale, I’d need a permanent space."
I nod, trying to focus on her words and not the way her lips move as she speaks, and the peek of her pink tongue. Even having a conversation with her is a sensual experience. "So you went straight to this place?"
"I wish!,” she says with a laugh. “We grew into this space a few years ago. I had to go slow. Money was tight because there's no profit in rescuing dogs. But eventually, I was able to get us here."
"That's amazing. You've really built something special here." At first glance, I thought she was in her late twenties, but a closer look at her makeup free face reveals little laugh lines around her eyes. She's got to be in her thirties. And damned if that doesn't make me want her more. I have nothing against younger women, but women closer to my age seem to have settled into who they are. There's something stable, and restful about them that I find appealing.
Another woman might duck her head at my compliment, blushing. She just plants her hands on her hips and grins. "Thanks. It's a lot of work, but it's so worth it."
We chat for a few more minutes, and the longer I stand here, the more tension seeps from my shoulders. Something about her presence is calming. She's just so easy to talk to, so warm and genuine.
I'm about to ask her another question when the bell above the door chimes. We both turn to see Nick and Bree walking in, hand in hand.
"Hey guys!" Bree calls out, waving. "Ready to get to work?"
I smile at Bree, giving her a peck on the cheek as she passes. Nick gets a glare. I was just starting to make some progress with Cadence, and he had to go and fucking cockblock me.
"Yeah, sure," I say, my voice a little tight. "Let's do this."
As we head towards the back, I catch Nick's eye. He grins at me, the little shit, and I resist the urge to flip him off. He told me to get here at six, so I rushed to get here before they did so I could get some alone time with Cady. Fucker knew it, too. And now he’s early.
After one more glare, I focus on Cadence, listening as she lays out what needs to be done. It doesn't seem that hard. Feed the dogs, take them out, clean the kennels. No big deal.
Nick zeroes in on a beautiful dog with a rust-colored coat, crouching down and talking softly to her. She snuffles at his fingers, giving them little licks. He carefully opens the gate, and after a slight hesitation, she steps out, and into him, pressing her head against his chest. Bree and Cady are busy at the other end of the kennels, so I'm the only one to witness the mix of devastation and love that passes over his face.
I carefully approach, keeping my steps measured and slow. The dog's eyes flick to me, wary, but she leans into Nick, her trust in him evident. I stop about five feet away, not wanting to spook her.
"This is your girl huh?" I ask softly, my gaze on the dog.
Nick runs a gentle hand over her head. "Yeah. She's been through a lot. Abused, abandoned. It's taken me over a month to get her to this point."
I watch as the dog nuzzles into Nick's hand, seeking comfort. "A month, huh? That's a long time."
Nick's eyes meet mine, fierce and determined. "I can be a very patient man, when it matters. And she matters."
His words strike me, resonating deep within. Letting someone come to you on their own terms, in their own time, is a foreign concept to me. I've always been the type to chase, fight, and argue. It's part of who I am, ingrained in my very being. And there's no doubt it makes me a great lawyer.
Would Nick's approach work for me? One where I ease up, give space, and let things unfold naturally.
"Does that work with dogs only? Or is it a people thing too?"
Nick chuckles and presses his lips to the dog's head. I swear she grins and licks his cheek. I didn’t know dogs had facial expressions. "Are you asking me if people can realize they're yours, and come to you without a push?"
"Um…yes?"
"Then my answer is…sort of."
"What does that even mean?"
He drops back onto his ass and rubs the dog's cheeks, making her eyes roll back in her head. "It means, if I'm in a negotiation, and I'm after a certain outcome, I have to figure out what the block is. People always have a reason for their choices. Those reasons might not be healthy, or logical, but to them, they're perfectly valid. So you want to lead someone to you? You have to eliminate the objections, gently. You can't just tell someone their thinking is wrong. You have to show them."
"Eliminate the objections," I repeat, staring blindly toward the women. "How the hell do I do that? Facts are facts."
"Facts. Like the fact that you're her boss, you mean?"
I glare at him again, but he just grins and winks at me. "Come on man. Why won't you just lean into it?"
"Because if it doesn't happen, I'll be really fucking disappointed."
"I think you'd be more than disappointed." He studies me, absently rubbing the tips of the dog's ears. "If she's working at the club, then she obviously needs the money. She takes her responsibilities seriously. I doubt she's going to be willing to jeopardize that by fucking around with the boss. That's the objection."
"So it's not really that I'm her boss that's the issue, it's that she doesn't want to risk losing her job."
"Right. She doesn't really have any way of knowing how you would handle it if things went south. For all she knows, you could be a vindictive ass and fire her. Then she's lost a killer income, and she has to start all over again."
"I would never do that."
One dark eyebrow wings up. "I know that. She doesn't."
"So how do I convince her?"
"Are you really sure you want to?"
Cadence, holding a small gray dog to her chest, throws back her head in laughter and like a magnet, my gaze is drawn to her. I swear there's a goddamn spotlight on her, making her shine. I know there isn't, but in my eyes, she glows. I turn back to Nick, and nod. "Yeah, I want to." I want her.
Nick leans back, considering. "Okay, here's what we're going to do. First, you're going to stop coming on so strong. No more flirting, no more innuendos. You're going to treat her like you would any other employee."
I open my mouth to protest, but he holds up a hand. "I know it's going to be hard, but trust me. She needs to see that you respect her as a person and aren't just trying to get her into bed."
I nod, because that makes total sense. But also, I want her for more than a fuck. I just haven't figured out how much more. "Okay, what else?"
"Next, you're going to make it clear that her job is safe, no matter what. Maybe mention in passing that you don't believe in mixing business with pleasure, and that you would never fire someone for personal reasons."
"But I do want to mix business with pleasure. At least with her."
Nick rolls his eyes. "I know that, dipshit. But she doesn't need to. The point is to reassure her that her job isn't on the line."
If that sweet dog weren't right there, I'd punch him. Condescending fucker. "Right, got it. Anything else?"
"Yeah. Show her that you're a good guy. Volunteer here more often, help out with the dogs. Let her see that you're not just some rich playboy who only cares about himself."
I think about it, picturing myself walking dogs and scooping poop. It's not exactly how I imagined wooing Cadence, but if it helps her see me in a different light, I'm willing to do it.
"Okay, I'm in. Operation 'Make Cadence Fall for Me' is a go."
Nick snorts. "We're not calling it that."
"Operation 'Show Cadence I'm a Stand-Up Guy'?"
"Better. But let's just call it 'The Plan' for short."
"Boring. Fine, 'The Plan' it is." I glance over at Cadence, who's now cuddling a tiny puppy, cooing softly. My heart clenches at the sight. "I really like this girl, Nick."
"I know, man. And if she's the right one for you, it'll work out. Just be patient, and follow the plan."
I nod, determination filling me. I can do this. I can show Cadence that I'm more than just her boss, more than just a guy looking for a good time. I can show her that I'm someone she can trust, someone she can depend on.
Someone worthy of her love.
Whoops. Where did that come from? We're not talking love. Not yet anyway. Right now, I just want a date.
With a deep breath, I square my shoulders and head over to Cadence, ready to put The Plan into action.