by Debra Elise
“All right. Mom, this is Maverick Jansen. Maverick, this is my mom, Vicky Sullivan.” She turned to her mom. “Satisfied?”
Vicky ignored her daughter. “You that ballplayer that’s been all over the TV and Internet?”
Maverick was more entertained by the two women than he was worried about the reprimand he knew was coming from Kelsey’s mother. “Yes, ma’am. That would be me. Nice to meet you.” He stepped closer at risk to his sinuses and held out his hand.
“I know all about you ballplayers, young man, and my Kelsey is a good girl. You watch your step around her, you hear?”
“Mother, that’s enough. I stopped being your little girl a long time ago and whom I spend my time with is my business,” Kelsey said.
Her mother squinted her eyes and mumbled, “Whatever,” and threw herself on the sofa and reached for the remote. “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.” Her cackle followed them out the front door where Kelsey closed it firmly behind her and locked the deadbolt before she turned to him.
“Okay, I’m ready. Let’s go,” she said.
Maverick had a decision to make. Did he ask what the hell that was all about or did he ignore it and file it away for later to avoid what was sure to be an upsetting topic with Kelsey? He wanted her relaxed and happy for what he had planned for later.
Decision made, he offered her his arm. “You look great, and smell even better.” He gave her a soft kiss on her temple. “The reservations are for eight. We should get going before we miss the paparazzi.”
Evergreen’s was packed. A longtime gathering place for the rich and famous to party and play, it was a floating restaurant anchored in an inlet of Kokanee River and boasted year-round outdoor dining. It was a haven for the paparazzi when they needed a celebrity or pro ballplayer sighting. Now that the Outlaws had moved to Pineville, business had exploded, which equally pleased and irritated the locals.
The boost to the economy was more than welcome as it offered plenty of college bound kids the opportunity to make some money to help finance tuition fees. It also provided a headache for the local police department that now had to put more officers on patrol to corral the over-the-top fans who barhopped up and down the town’s main drag, Sherman Avenue.
Mav noticed Kelsey seemed preoccupied with other matters and acted as if she’d forgotten about the plans they had worked out for tonight. A group of them were going to be seen hanging out, having a good time.
She and Maverick would act like the lovebirds they weren’t, or were, depending on which one of them you asked. They needed to be seen holding hands, sharing secret whispers, and unable to keep their hands off each other. It was a great follow-up to the press conference and the countless interviews he’d done where he talked about Kelsey nonstop.
Maverick had to nudge her forward as the hostess showed them to a table already crowded with his friends. She stumbled slightly but recovered with the help of Mav’s hand at her elbow. An unplanned opportunity, perfect to show off his caring ways toward the new love in his life. “Kelsey, Maverick.” Luke called their names and grinned as he stood up while Kelsey took her seat at the round table covered with bottles of cabernet and antipasto. “We were just talking about you two.”
“Oh yeah, hope it was PG rated.” Maverick chuckled and took his own seat, scooted it closer to Kelsey’s, and placed his arm around her shoulders. He pulled her closer into his side and gave her a quick kiss on her head. The restaurant was smart enough to put out giant space heaters to encourage patrons to sit outside in the chilly night.
He’d noticed two men with cameras on the opposite side of the street and began to give them what they came for. What they all came for—publicity. The positive kind.
“Hi, Kelsey, I’m Tamara. I’m with John Reese, the team’s leftfielder. I love your dress. Where do you shop?”
Kelsey looked at the pretty redhead who was the first to engage her in conversation, make her feel welcome. Bless her for not asking about the stalker.
“Hi, Tamara. I haven’t had a chance to go shopping since I’ve been back in town, but I think I picked this dress up at Bloomingdale’s.”
“Oh, well. We don’t have one of those stores here, so maybe I could check out their website. I’m always interested in what other players’ girlfriends are wearing.” She sent John a sidelong glance and giggled.
Oh lord, hopefully she wasn’t another gold digger. What was it about professional athletes? They let their notoriety and newfound wealth mess with their heads, thinking they needed beautiful women on their arms. Maybe she could help out in that area when she became the vice president of communications. She’d offer a class on how to meet an attractive woman who wanted them for more than their wallet or a trophy bedding.
“Tamara, what you’re wearing is fine, baby. I like your taste in clothes.” John took a drink of his beer and turned red.
Maverick had told her John was known for his temper and antisocial behavior. She was surprised he had even been asked to join them tonight. She turned her attention to Luke. He was dateless. He had been with Syndi the stalker for a short time, and she wanted to assure him that she wasn’t going to hold that against him.
She waited until Maverick poured her glass of wine and took a sip to address his best friend. He planted a quick kiss and pulled her into his body and made the rest of the introductions.
“Kelsey, that’s our left fielder John Reese next to Tamara, and down on the end there is Blake Anderson, our manager. He can’t find a date so he and Luke are batching it tonight. Next to him is Brock Cameron, our newest shortstop, and his date.”
A quiet, dark-haired woman leaned forward and gave her a small wave. Cute, but was she even eighteen? She’d make sure to find out. Dating underage girls was definitely not going to happen when she was around.
“And Kelsey, this is Manny, the best trainer in the league, and the very pregnant lady next to him is his beautiful wife, Alicia. He made sure everyone knows how studly he is. They’re expecting twins.” Maverick ducked as Manny tossed his wadded up napkin at him.
“Good aim, buddy. And finally, Luke Garibaldi. Our bad-ass catcher and the real bad boy of baseball. But don’t let him fool you. He’s a six-foot-three teddy bear when it comes to the fairer sex.”
Kelsey looked between the two men and knew instantly the connection they had was rare. More like brothers than friends. They’d been through a lot, and she’d read that Luke and Maverick were the league’s premier pitcher-catcher duo. The on-field chemistry had been likened to the great Madison-Latner duo of the late eighties. Every time those two played together, their team never lost and in that season the Falcons had gone on to win the World Championships.
“Hi, Luke. I’m so glad to finally meet you. Maverick has told me you two are quite the combo on the field.”
He’d been studying her when Maverick was making the introduction. His eyelids had become hooded as he quietly listened to his buddy. He half stood from his seat and put out his hand.
She took it and said for his ears only, “Maverick told me about, well, you know who. We’re going to make sure she doesn’t cause any more problems.” Kelsey gave him a smile and squeezed his hand. “I’m so glad Maverick has such a great friend.”
He gave her a nod. When he sat back down she noticed his shoulders had relaxed and he gifted her with a relieved smile. “Thanks, Kelsey. I’m glad, hell, we’re all glad Maverick found himself a woman who’s not only gorgeous but can put him in his place when it’s needed.”
Luke laughed at Maverick’s reaction.
“Hey, man. Quit flirting with my woman. Damn straight she’s gorgeous and a hell of a lot smarter. Actually, I’m having trouble believing she’s with me, but I’m not letting her go. So don’t get any ideas, Garibaldi.”
Kelsey squirmed in her chair. She hadn’t expected Maverick to lay it on so thick. But when she looked at him after his statement her breath caught in her throat. His gaze, intense and smoldering, released a thousand butterf
lies in her tummy. She squirmed again for a whole different reason.
All this man ever had to do was look at her and she was lost in his desire for her. Her body instantly craved his touch and wouldn’t be happy until he was buried deep inside her. She fanned herself and took a sip of water. He picked up her free hand, turned it palm up, and softly kissed her.
He whispered, “Later,” and winked.
She tried to recover and failed. She heard Luke’s chuckle but she kept her gaze on Maverick.
“So, what are we ordering? I’m starving and if someone doesn’t feed me soon, I’m taking my woman home.”
The rest of the table exploded in laughter, and innuendos were tossed back and forth. Kelsey was now in Mav’s world and it worried her she’d never want to leave it when their charade was over.
Chapter 24
Dinner had been a success and the other players, as well as Maverick, stayed on their best behavior. After dessert everyone decided to call it an early night. After some autographs and pictures with fans and patrons of the restaurant, Maverick helped Kelsey into the cab of his truck.
They were both lost in their thoughts as Mav drove to his condo. He didn’t even ask her to come home with him. He knew she wouldn’t turn him down and yet a part of him wished she would. Or at least speak up and make a comment about his presumption that they would go back to his place for sex.
He pulled into his spot, threw the truck into park, and turned off the ignition. He didn’t move. Kelsey looked over at him, no sign of the former ice princess from the first night they met. She was exactly what he wanted her to be tonight. Relaxed and happy. His body was primed to show her how much happier she soon would be.
It had taken every ounce of willpower during dinner to not reach under her short linen skirt and stroke her inner thigh. She’d tempted him by slipping out of her heels and running her foot up and down his calf for most of the meal. He’d had to shift too many times to count and right before they’d left, he pulled his shirt out of his waistband to help hide his growing erection.
Now, as he looked at her, with her head thrown back and eyes closed, he wondered if he was the one who’d put that soft, pretty little smile on her raspberry-hued lips. He’d never be able to eat that particular fruit again without thinking of Kelsey.
She touched him on so many levels. Her intelligence was a huge turn-on, something he’d never considered a possibility. Her curves fit him perfectly and the noises she made while under him haunted his dreams. He wanted more with her. More than sex. More than temporary.
He needed to figure out a way to convince her they could make this thing work, beyond the bedroom, beyond the season. Tonight his mission was to exhaust her with orgasms until she couldn’t remember her own name. Tomorrow morning, after they’d satisfied each other again, he’d convince her they could be more.
“Tonight was pretty successful if I do say so myself,” she murmured and opened her eyes and sighed. His cock hardened even more. He’d need to unzip his pants soon or risk further pain.
“Sure,” he said. “You want to come up or should I drive you home?”
“Considering we’re already at your place and were probably followed, I think my choice would be obvious,” she said.
“Right.” He looked out the front window to hide his frown, opened his door, and slammed it shut. He jogged around to the passenger side, threw open her door, reached in and scooped her out.
“Maverick.” She giggled and held on tight. “Whoops.” One of her shoes flew off as he strode toward the stairs. “Maverick, wait, my shoe.”
“I’ll get it later,” he growled.
“Okay, but what’s the big hurry? I mean it is nice being carried, but there’s no need to rush. I’m not going to change my mind.” She nuzzled his neck and tasted his hot skin in tiny little nips.
He was going to come right there on his doorstep if he didn’t get her in his bed. “Hold on, I need to get my keys.” He stood her up, held her tight to his side and ignored the sultry look she sent his way. He dug his key out of his front pocket, slammed it into the lock, and pushed open the door.
He reached back toward her, grabbed her hand, and dragged her inside. He didn’t stop until they reached his bedroom. He set her down and whipped his shirt over his head. Through controlled, deep breaths he said, “Clothes. Off. Now.”
Kelsey looked at him and placed her hands on his chest and scored her nails around his pecs and flicked a nipple. “Maybe you could help me?” she cooed.
He grabbed her hands and cuffed them behind her back with one hand and yanked down her skirt with the other. Kelsey gasped, but didn’t protest. He offered her a choice. “Take off your blouse now, Kelsey, or I rip it off.”
She bit her lip and he saw her eyes light up with another level of desire.
“I’m not looking to be gentle tonight. I need you too bad.”
“I see that. I can also feel it. But one problem,” she said.
“Hmm?”
“I need my hands to remove the blouse.” Her voice shook and he sure as hell hoped it was with excitement.
He released her wrists and with everything he had, stepped away from what he wanted more than anything in the world. Empty without her pressed up against him.
Kelsey took her time with the buttons. She knew. She knew he was desperate to be inside her, hearing her scream his name. The little tease. She was making him sweat it out.
“Kelsey,” Maverick pleaded. “I need you naked and if you don’t hurry up, that designer blouse will be ruined.” She grinned, shook her head at him, and twirled away. Damn, he’d created a monster. He had a feeling tonight he’d be the one doing the screaming. Kelsey did something she hadn’t tried before, tease a man to the edge of no return. Tonight there was something different about Maverick. An intensity he couldn’t hide. He was already on the edge and so was she.
She also suspected that he wasn’t faking his public feelings for her. He wasn’t that good of an actor. Instead of scaring her, it made her feel powerful. Invincible. And maybe a tad nervous. What would she do if he asked for more than she was willing to give?
She’d thought she could keep her feelings in check. Keep from falling in deep. But, she’d become hopelessly addicted to his hands on her body, his mouth on hers, and his toned body entwined and inside hers. She’d finally found the sexual satisfaction she’d heard of—craved.
Too bad she’d found it with the one man she should stay away from.
“Maverick, you have no idea what you do to me. I can’t even get through an hour without thinking about your mouth on me, in me.” She shrugged a shoulder and let her blouse fall down her arms. She held the top of the blouse together, barely covering her breasts. She could feel her nipples scrape against the material and wanted his lips there.
She walked toward the man of her dreams, all the naughty ones, and let her arms fall to her sides. The blouse fell to the floor, forgotten as she watched him track her movements and caress her aching, lace-covered breasts with his heated gaze.
“Whatever, however you want me. Take me. Please.” She stood proudly in front of Maverick. Moisture pooled between her legs in anticipation. He grabbed her waist, and pulled her into his body. His erection pressed into her stomach as his lips captured hers in a deep, soul-searing kiss. She was lost.
He wound his hand around the nape of her neck and held her still, consuming her. She rubbed her breasts against his chest and forgot to breathe. Yes, she thought, yes. This is exactly what she needed, they needed.
He must have sensed her thoughts, because his wicked fingers found their way from her hip to her feminine curls in record time. He pushed her panties aside and delved with two fingers into her wet heat and rubbed her clit. She moaned and arched her back, pushing her mound into his hand, begging for release. He wasn’t giving in to her silent plea and pulled out his fingers and cupped her, stroking his thumb on her sensitive lips. Dammit, not where she so desperately wanted him.
Sh
e tore her mouth from his and grabbed his head to force his eyes on hers. “Inside me,” she pleaded.
Maverick ignored her request and shifted his leg in between her thighs and shocked her by pushing none too gently on her shoulders. Kelsey tumbled back on the bed. He followed her down, covered her body with his and tugged her panties and skirt down her legs. He placed the tip of his cock at her entrance, stopped and waited.
“Impressive move,” Kelsey said. She brought her knees up and circled his waist and pushed herself even closer, on the edge of impaling herself onto his cock. “I want you inside me. Please.” She rained kisses on each side of his mouth.
Maverick laughed. “Sorry, babe, but I’ve got something else in mind.” He nipped her on the chin and followed the line of her neck down to her collarbone and placed hot kisses on each breast. He was a man on a mission, on a journey to where she wanted him most.
Kelsey stretched her body and held on tight to her lover’s shoulders. With each kiss on her breasts, stomach and inner thighs, she melted, her body primed for him. She raised her hips and felt his teeth scrape her female lips. She jumped. Tiny shocks ran through her. “Yes, please.”
Maverick placed the tip of his tongue on her swollen clit and began his assault in slow strokes. No matter how much she moved her hips, he wouldn’t increase the pressure. Now he was the one who was teasing her. “Maverick, I need—please.”
He stopped and she screamed in frustration. “What’s that? You want me to stop?” She could feel his grin on her stomach as he kissed her quivering body.
“No, damn you, Maverick, you know what I want.”
“Yes, yes, I do. I like hearing it. Hearing you beg is a huge turn-on,” Maverick said.
“Please . . . please, I need you to . . .”
“What?”
