Chapter 25
25
CADENCE
T he second Maverick pulls into his parking spot, the back doors fly open and Kade and Declan spill out. We get out a little more slowly, Mav resting his hands on the hood of the car, scowling as he watches his brothers hurry to the elevator. "Clean my fucking car!" he yells after them. They freeze, look back at us, then turn and break into a sprint, banging through the door that leads to the stairs.
Are they planning to run up forty flights of stairs? They really must not want to clean.
"Fuckers," Mav mutters, looking not at all surprised by their exit.
"You knew they would bail on you?"
"Yeah. They might come down and do it later, but right now, they're on a sugar high and probably heading to the gym."
He doesn't seem that upset about it. I might be, if I had a car as nice as his that now smelled like…the shitter in a Mexican restaurant, as the cop put it. I snort out a laugh, and immediately cover my mouth. "I'm sorry," I tell him, trying to look apologetic. "It's just, what a night. And your poor car."
Those rich brown eyes lock on me, and warm. The way he looks at me makes me feel all gooey. "It's just a car. In the end, it'll get clean, or they'll be buying me a new one."
"Which for them, is the equivalent of buying you a pack of gum?"
He stares at me for a minute, then laughs and rounds the car, offering me his arm like some gentleman in a movie. "I suppose. Though it's a bigger pain in the ass. They'll probably just call one of our detail guys and get him to clean it up. Not as satisfying for me, but I'll get them back somehow."
"You planning on destroying a convenience store too? Can I come and watch?"
He laughs, tucking an arm around my waist as he guides me to the elevator. "Nah. Not my style. But I'll think of something." He presses the button for our floor, and a little pang of disappointment hits me.
"I…is our date over?"
He looks down at me. "No! I'm not ready for it to end. But I thought maybe we could head to the roof?"
"The roof? What's up there?"
He grins, and gently urges me out of the elevator, letting us both into his apartment. "Grab your bathing suit."
Get in my bathing suit on my first date with my total hunk of a roommate slash boss? That's not intimidating at all.
I grab my bathing suit and slip into the bathroom, careful not to wake Nan as I pass her closed door. It’s not that late, but she’s often in bed by nine, and I like her to get as much healing sleep as she can.
The suit is a simple black one-piece, but it hugs my curves in all the right places. As far as bathing suits go, it's a good one, but still, Maverick seeing me in it on our first date? I know he appreciates my body - he's seen me in nearly as little at The Escape. But this feels different, more intimate somehow.
I throw a light, flowing sundress over my suit and meet Maverick by the front door, my heart fluttering with anticipation. He's wearing nothing but a pair of swimming trunks, leaving his chiseled chest on full display. It's like he wants me to look, and I really don't want to disappoint him.
My eyes roam over his broad shoulders, sculpted abs, and powerful legs, drinking in every inch of his incredible body. The sight of him standing there, looking like he just stepped off the cover of a fitness magazine, makes my breath catch in my throat. I decidedly don't look like I stepped off the cover of a fitness magazine. I'm all curves and softness, but the way he's staring at my bare legs tells me he's not going to have a single problem with it.
We head back to the elevator, and he hits a button I've never noticed before. When the doors open, we step out onto an oasis like rooftop, complete with patio furniture, a firepit, and a massive swimming pool. The city lights twinkle below us, casting a soft glow over the rooftop.
"Shit," Maverick mutters beside me. "I hoped we'd have the place to ourselves."
I follow his gaze to the pool, where Colton is waddling along the edge, decked out in pink water wings around his wrists, a pink snorkel set, and flippers. He dives in with a splash, and laughter bubbles up from my chest.
I take Maverick's hand in mine, giving it a reassuring squeeze. "I like spending time with just you, but I really like your family too. Let's go."
Most of the brothers are already in the pool, splashing and laughing. I spot Kade and Declan among them. Did they bother to shower before they got in? I'm praying so, because the thought of finding chunks of beans and god knows what else in the pool makes me shudder.
When I get a little closer, I spot Evie and Mia. They're both in the water, and Colton is right there with them, making a complete goof of himself. His goggles and snorkel match Mia's, but while her flippers are a delicate pink, his are massive and black.
Colton's antics have Mia howling, her laughter ringing out across the rooftop. He's thrashing, legs closed like some kind of insane mermaid. Mia keeps trying to show him how to do it gracefully, but either he's not capable, or he's playing it up to keep her laughing.
I'm kind of betting on the latter.
It's clear that Colton adores Mia and would do anything to make her happy. He's equally infatuated with his wife. Every time he passes Evie, he flails in for a kiss, making her giggle, then continues on his circuit. Watching them together, I feel a warmth spread through my chest. I want that.
I want the doting husband and beautiful children.
I want this.
I scan the pool area, taking in the lively scene, when my eyes land on a familiar figure lounging nearby in a flowing flower printed caftan. I'd recognize it anywhere. Nan picked it up on her and Pops thirtieth anniversary trip to Hawaii, and wore it every time we went to the pool when I was a kid.
I make my way over to her, noticing Ransom approach with a drink in hand, setting it on the table at her elbow. He drops onto the lounger next to her, looking relaxed and at ease.
Leaning down, I press a kiss to her soft cheek. "Nan? I didn't expect to see you up here."
She looks up at me with a smile. "Ransom here knocked on the door and invited me up. Such a nice young man."
I glance at Ransom, who gives me a nod and a wink.
"He's a good kid," Nan adds, patting Ransom's arm. “And he cooked. Well…he had someone cook.”
Ransom snorts and grins. “I had a chef come barbeque up here. Trust me, you wouldn’t want anything I can make.”
Before I can respond, Bree and Nick plop down on the loungers on Nan's other side. They're dripping wet and bickering playfully.
"I totally had the straightest handstand," Bree insists.
Nick scoffs. "No way! Mine was way better."
They turn to Nan, eyes pleading. "Nan, you be the judge," Nick says. "Who had the best handstand?"
Nan leans forward, a mischievous glint in her eye. "Alright, let's see what you've got."
Bree and Nick scramble back to the pool, determination written all over their faces. I watch as they take turns attempting handstands. Nick manages to get his legs fully out of the water, but there's a lot of flailing involved.
When they return, breathless and grinning, Nan doesn't hold back, pulling out her most supportive voice. "Wow Nick. You sure tried hard honey. So much trying. Good job." Ransom coughs, hiding his laugh. "Bree, those long legs of yours are killer. And they were so straight and still. You are the best, for sure."
Nick pouts, but quickly scoops up Bree, hauling her back to the side of the pool. "Come on beautiful, teach me how to do that," he growls, then jumps right back in, Bree laughing in his arms.
Across the pool, another arm goes up. "Nan, watch me."
Nan rolls her eyes, but it's all for show. She's practically glowing, loving all the attention and love being demanded from her. She pushes off the lounger. "All right, all right. Hold your horses."
I drop into her spot, smoothing my dress over my thighs as Maverick sits right next to me. He leans back, bracing an arm behind my back, then curses and pushes up as his phone rings. "Be right back," he mutters, pulling his phone out of the pocket of his swim shorts and moving to the clear glass railing at the edge of the roof. My stomach twists uncomfortably, seeing him that close to the edge, forty stories up, so I suck in a deep breath, yank my eyes away from him, and pray I don't puke.
Ransom grins. "Not a fan of heights?"
"I'm fine with them when there's a whole wall between me and the outside. That railing's a little low, isn't it?"
He doesn't look, just shakes his head. "It's all to code. Sometimes the best way over a fear is through it. We could take you skydiving."
"Shut the fuck up. I don't ever want to hear those words leave your mouth again." I mean, seriously? No fucking way. It's only after I curse him out that I realize I may have mis-stepped, but the grin on his face reassures me that I didn't offend him.
Out of habit, I check on Nan, finding her sitting at the edge of the pool, legs dangling, chatting with Cara and Becca. "Did they just get here?"
Ransom shakes his head. "Nah. They've been here an hour or so. They came straight from the Dojo."
"Were they worried about Declan and Kade in jail?"
A low chuckle rumbles through his chest. "Not even a little bit. If Kade were in danger in any way, Becca would be right there, backing him up. She's protective and deadly. But if he's acting like a dumbass and has to face the consequences, she's got no sympathy for him."
"And Cara?"
"I think she said something about not wanting their mess in her car."
"So they called Maverick."
"Yeah." Head tilted, he peers at me. "Does that bother you? That he's always on call."
I watch Maverick at the railing, phone pressed to his ear looking a mix of exhausted and frustrated. Turning back to Ransom, I shake my head. "No, it doesn't bother me. Actually, I admire it. I haven't had many reliable people in my life, aside from Nan. It's... comforting to see how dependable he is."
Ransom nods, a knowing look in his eyes. "He's always been that way. Ever since we were kids."
"I worry about him a little though," I admit. "Does he ever take time for himself? I mean, between the club, his legal work, and being there for all of you... it seems like a lot."
Ransom's expression softens. "Yeah, it is. And you're right to worry. We all do, to be honest. Mav's always put everyone else first. It's just who he is."
I glance back at Maverick, still deep in conversation. "Has he always been like this? So... committed to helping others?"
"Pretty much," Ransom chuckles. "Even when we were in the group home, he was always looking out for the younger kids, making sure everyone was okay. It's just ingrained in him."
I bite my lip, considering. "Do you ever worry he might burn out?"
Ransom's eyes meet mine, serious now. "All the time. But you know what? I have high hopes that you might be the one to slow him down a bit."
I blink, surprised. "Me?"
He nods. "Yeah, you. I see the way he looks at you, Cadence. You make him want to take time off, to enjoy life a little more. And that's something he desperately needs."
Part of me is flattered that he thinks I could be good for Maverick, that I might help him find balance in his life. But another part of me bristles at the idea.
"I... I don't know about that," I say, fidgeting with the hem of my dress. "I mean, I care about Maverick, but I don't want to change him. That's not my place."
Ransom nods, understanding in his eyes. "Of course not. I didn't mean to imply that."
Eager to change the subject, I wave in Nan's direction. "Hey, thank you for inviting Nan up here. She seems to be having a great time."
Ransom laughs, running a hand through his hair. "To be honest, I didn't have much choice. Everyone kept asking where she was. 'Can Nan come?' 'Is Nan joining us?' They've all kind of adopted her as their own grandma."
I glance over at Nan, surrounded by the Brash brothers and their partners, all of them hanging on her every word. A warmth spreads through my chest at the sight.
"I hope that doesn't bother her," Ransom adds, a touch of concern in his voice.
I shake my head, smiling. "Trust me, Nan's not shy. If she didn't want to be here, she wouldn't be. She loves the attention, actually. And the company."
Ransom's shoulders relax. "That's good to hear. She's become a part of our family pretty quickly."
"Yeah," I say softly, watching as Nan laughs at something Kade says. "I think she needed this just as much as I did."
I watch as Maverick finishes his call and makes his way back to me, an apologetic look on his face.
"I'm so sorry about that," he says, running a hand through his hair. "I didn't mean to step away."
I wave off his concern. "It's no big deal. I understand you have responsibilities."
"I'm done for the night now, promise." His gaze drifts to the pool. "Want to go for a swim?"
Do I want to get in the water and admire droplets as they travel down Maverick's abs? Um, yeah. "Sure," I say, trying to sound casual.
I stand up, my fingers finding the hem of my sundress. With a deep breath, I pull it over my head and drop it onto the lounger. When I look back at Maverick, his eyes are wide, his mouth slightly open. Any lingering doubts I might have had about my body are gone. That's pure lust in his eyes.
Feeling bold, I turn and walk towards the pool, deliberately swinging my hips a bit more than usual. I can feel Maverick's eyes on me as I step into the cool water.
He's right behind me, and as soon as we're deep enough, he pulls me into his arms. The water laps gently around us as we drift to a corner of the pool, away from the others and Colton's big splashes. I can feel the warmth of Maverick's skin against mine, sending tingles down my spine.
"So," he says softly, his arms tightening around my waist. His fingers trace small circles on my lower back, and I find myself leaning into his touch. "About that second date..."
I smile up at him, my hands resting on his broad shoulders. "Yeah?"
"Let's do it soon," he murmurs. His breath tickles my ear, and I shiver despite the warm water. "And this time, I promise - no interruptions. Just you and me."
"That sounds perfect," I reply, my heart racing at his closeness. I allow my fingers to explore the contours of his shoulders, marveling at the firmness beneath my touch.
His eyes are warm as they meet mine, and he reaches up to tuck a wet strand of hair behind my ear. The gentle caress sends a wave of excitement through me. "I mean it, Cadence. No phones, no emergencies, no brothers needing bail money. Just us."
I laugh softly, feeling both thrilled and a little nervous at the intensity of our connection. "I'd like that." I trace my hand down his arm, relishing the feeling of his skin under my fingertips. It's been so long since I've been this close to someone, and I find myself craving more of his touch. At the same time, a small part of me feels vulnerable, exposed in a way that's both exhilarating and a little scary. We're in full view of his whole family, and what's left of mine. And as much as they're trying to pretend they're not interested in what we're doing, they very much are.
Sliding my hands up his arms, over his shoulder, and to the top of his head, I shove, dunking him, then dart away laughing as he gives chase.
This has to work. Because if it doesn't, despite Ransom assuring me we'll always have a place here, I'll lose them all. In the end, it'll be Nan and I, on the outside.
But, you know, no pressure.