Chapter 2
CHAPTER TWO
Maverick
“ K itchen’s closed.” I cross my arms over my chest and stare my little brother down. “No exceptions.”
Ryder presses his lips together in a smirk. “She’s?—”
“I should have known. It’s a woman.” I blow out a frustrated breath. It’s bad enough I’ve been stuck in the kitchen again this year on Ma’s birthday. Not that I blame my brothers. Not really. Out of the five of us, I’m the worst at customer service. It’s better for Ma’s business if they hide me away. “Look, if you’re trying to get your dick wet, that’s on you. But I’m not serving one fucking bowl of chili one second before three.”
“You’re being an ass, Mav. She’s?—”
I don’t hear anything else Ryder says because Ma chooses that moment to push through the kitchen door. I look up when I hear the door, and my eyes lock on a curvy young brunette with a head full of curls like a porcelain doll sitting at the bar with a massive map spread out in front of her.
My breath catches in my throat and for an instant, I can’t feel my legs beneath me. Who is she?
“Is that right, Maverick?”
The door shuts, and I turn to see Ma staring at me, her hands on her hips. I missed something, and judging by the look on Ma’s face, she’s not happy about it.
“Sorry, is what right?”
Next to Ma, Ryder smirks, and I have to stop myself before I react. He’s lucky it’s Ma’s birthday, or I’d wipe that smirk right off his face. I love my brothers, but they can all be a massive pain in the ass at times.
Like right now.
“Ryder says you’re refusing to serve a bowl of chili thirty minutes early.” Ma’s lips are pressed into a frown, and instantly I feel like a chastised child. “You know we never turn anyone away, Maverick. Especially a hungry young lady who’s new to town.”
“She’s new to town?” My head shoots up, and I stare at the kitchen door as if I can see through it with sheer will.
My damn brother isn’t blind; he sees my enthusiasm and laughs. “Oh, so now you’re interested?”
“Shut the hell up, Ryder.”
I don’t even know her name, but after only one glance, I know I want to.
“Boys.” Ma puts a hand on each of us.
She knows there’s no way I’ll tell her no. Especially not on her birthday.
Dammit. That’s another reason it’s easier to stay on the mountain.
I don’t meet my brother’s gaze as I pull away. It’s for his own safety, because if I see him gloating, even a little bit, it’ll be a fight. Ma’s birthday or not.
“Fine.”
“Thank you, Maverick.”
“Of course, Ma. Happy birthday.” I give her a kiss on the cheek. “Go enjoy your day. I’ll get the chili.”
“I’ll wait here.”
“To hell you will.” I spin on Ryder and growl, “I’ll take it to her.”
Madison
I’m doing some quick calculations in my head about how much food I’ll need for two weeks in the bush when a dark shadow falls over my notebook and the mouthwatering scent of chili fills my senses.
“You ordered a bowl.”
The same gruff voice I heard object from the kitchen a few minutes ago rumbles through me. Only now that it’s closer in proximity, the deep voice does something to my insides.
I look up from my notebook, my pen still in my mouth, and almost choke. If I thought the man who took my order was big, this man is downright massive. He has an apron over his T-shirt, but even so, I can see how tightly fit his T-shirt is. The cotton hugs the ridges of muscles that make up his torso.
Never mind his arms. He’s holding the bowl of chili out, but I can’t look away from his strong, sinewy arms that look like they can snap a log in half.
I swallow hard and nod slowly, completely aware that I should say something. But for the life of me, I can’t find any words.
His blue eyes are watching me intently, making it hard to breathe, and I can feel my chest rising and falling as I only barely manage to suck air into my lungs.
Finally, I pull myself together and smile. “Yes,” I say. “But I heard that the kitchen was closed.”
“Want it or not?”
“Oh yes. I want it very much.”
His eyes darken and a sound like a low growl rumbles from his chest, but he still doesn’t make a move to put it down.
It’s only then that I realize my papers are spread out all over the bar and he has nowhere to put the bowl. “Sorry,” I say quickly and start to gather up my things to give him space.
He puts the bowl down with a thunk and turns to leave. But before he does, he says, “It’s better with a bun. I’ll get you one.”
It’s not a question. Even if it was, there’s an air of authority in his voice that I have no intention of defying.
I shiver as I pick up the spoon and dip it into the thick chili. It’s hot, so I lift the spoonful and blow on it before sliding it between my lips. It’s so good, and I’m so hungry that I close my eyes and moan as the flavors explode on my tongue.
“Ahem.”
My eyes fly open to see the mountain of a man watching me. His eyes are dark, the bright blue from a moment ago morphed into a deep navy. I can’t fully read his expression, but there’s something about the way he’s staring at me that makes me feel things deep inside. Things I’ve never felt before.
I know my cheeks are flushing with embarrassment as he hands me the plate with a bun. “Thank you.”
“You’re enjoying it?”
I nod and scoop up another spoonful. He looks away when I stick it in my mouth and after a moment, he moves to the far end of the bar. But I notice he doesn’t disappear into the kitchen again. Nor does he help any other customers.
I can feel his gaze on me while I finish the entire bowl and wipe it clean with the freshly baked bun.