Saving Maverick (18 page)

“I can't believe you let her in your house. She really did a number on you last time. She's going to do stupid stuff no matter if you're here or not,” Lara whispered.

“Yeah, but I did let her in and now I feel responsible for any stupid stuff she gets herself into.” Kelsey stood at her kitchen counter, her hands braced, praying for divine intervention. Her phone chirped and she looked down to see Maverick's name displayed.

Her heart fluttered and acknowledged the connection between them. The exact one her mother warned her of. Unlike her mother, she wasn't a naive nineteen-year-old with stars in her eyes falling for the first good-looking guy who paid her any attention.

No, she was a grown woman with needs. She could separate her emotions from her body's desire to be with a hot baseball player, separate screaming his name from the smell of orange blossoms and baby powder.

She looked up at Lara, her decision made. “You're right. She can make her own decisions, even if they're bad ones.” She responded to Maverick that they would be there in thirty. “Let's go.” Kelsey picked up her keys and purse, and after Lara followed her out the front door she locked the dead bolt and put her wayward mother out of her thoughts.

“
Are Caris and Noel going to meet us there or do we need to pick them up on our way?' Lara asked.

Kelsey swung her rental car onto the old highway leading south toward the new casino.

“Caris wasn't sure if she could make it and Noel said not to expect her. I'm not sure what her deal is. She's been more stressed than I've ever seen her. She could use a night to let loose,” Kelsey answered. “If she shows, we'll introduce her to one of the players. Maybe what she needs is a roll in the sheets with an energetic rookie.”

“Kelsey Marie, you hussy. What has Maverick done to you?” Lara laughed. “No, don't answer that. I can see by the look on your face exactly what he has been doing to you. I'm jealous. Maybe I need to find someone who only wants a good time and wants to make sure I have a good time too. It doesn't have to be a baseball player though; I don't want to be a copycat.”

“Just make sure they don't have a stalker, and you're all set,” Kelsey said.

“Is it hard? Having that weirdo out there? I mean, I don't think the photo was all that bad, but it wasn't me splashed all over the Internet.” Lara shook her head. “I've got to hand it to you, Kelsey, I'm not sure I could hold it together.”

“For Maverick it's frustrating, but he's been in the public long enough that it's just one more thing he has to ignore. But whoever this person is, they don't want to be ignored and I'm sure we haven't heard the last of them.”

“Does he have any idea who it could be? An old girlfriend? Or maybe it's not a woman at all. Maybe it's some guy who wants to be him,” Lara said.

“Hmm, I hadn't thought about that last option, but my gut says female. He's such a dynamic personality I think it's someone who wants him all to herself.” Kelsey tucked a stray
hair
behind her ear and sighed. “Whoever it is, Lara, I could really use a break with a clue. Trying to convince Mav he needs to watch his actions in public is getting tiresome. Even when we're in his condo we need to make sure the curtains are drawn. He's a man who doesn't care if we do it on a bed or not.” Kelsey blushed.

“Okay, TMI, but good to know he's so hot for you he can't wait to get you, the what, ten feet from the front door to the bedroom? See, that's what I need in my life, a man who is so in to me, he can't hold it together when we're alone and the first vertical surface is fair game.” Lara smiled and reached over to pat Kelsey's knee. “I'm hoping this is the one for you, Kels. He may be everything you thought you didn't want, but I think he's exactly what you need.”

Kelsey remained silent. She didn't know how to respond. Lara knew her so well. Well enough to know her issues with her father and mother and how she felt about baseball players.

The sex was phenomenal, but she also found herself looking at Maverick as something other than another cardboard ballplayer. Out for good times and moving on when the next skirt showed up.

“Lara, it's strange. I can't explain why I've thrown all my rules out the window with Maverick. It's a physical thing, or an elemental need, you know?”

Lara giggled.

“But he has his good points, out of the bedroom,” she added. “Get your mind out of the gutter. And he seems to be coming around where the PR strategy is concerned. But this whole new act we're supposed to be putting on is getting a bit deep for me. The more I pull away and want to keep it simple, the more he's sending me flowers and taking me out to be ‘seen,' but then acting like we're the only two people in the restaurant. He doesn't look around a room to see who's watching us, or if there's a photo op to be had. In fact, he seems irritated when a photog
shows
up and I point out that we should pose for a picture. It's getting to be a bit too much for me.”

“Okay, so what about tonight?” Lara asked.

“I'm hoping tonight to show him I'm okay with just scratching that itch when we're in private and it's all play acting when we're in public,” Kelsey said.

“Have you talked to him about how you feel, I mean really feel, about this pretend relationship?” Lara asked.

“Not really. If I'm not kissing him he's yanking my blouse off, and we spend much of our time together in bed, or on the couch or . . .”

“Again, I get the idea. You're having a ton of sex and I'm not. Okay, so he's having to buy you new clothes to replace the ones he rips off you, but what about after?”

“You mean the afterglow where we have hours of pillow talk and share our deepest desires, hopes, and dreams?” Kelsey asked drily.

“Yeah. That.” Lara smiled.

“Doesn't happen. It's usually late by the time he's free after practice, and I, well, I don't exactly stick around after it's over.” Kelsey looked out the corner of her eye waiting for some snide remark from Lara. It never came.

“Okay, so you don't stick around for pillow talk. Probably smart if you don't want to get close emotionally, but how do you feel the next morning? Are you able to go about your day and not wonder what he's thinking or how he really feels about you?” Lara asked.

“I told you, Lara, that's not the type of relationship we have. The type I want. I'll do what I do best and enjoy this new side to myself. When his image is back on track, we can both move
on
and look at it for what it was.”
Kelsey, you're such a liar. Of course you want more.
And it was scaring the crap out of her.

“And what exactly is that?” Lara asked.

Kelsey looked from Lara to the entrance of the casino and back again to Lara before she cruised into a parking spot. “I'll let you know.”

Chapter 21

Maverick kept looking at the entrance to the casino. Where the hell was she? Thirty minutes had come and gone. He couldn't shake the anger he felt over the photo he'd received today, but he'd decided to wait and tell Kelsey after they had a night of fun. He stepped away from the bar when Kelsey and Lara strolled in. Laughing and carefree, their energy took over the room. Every eye shot toward the two gorgeous women.

He wanted to stake his claim before some hometown guy decided to take the initiative and make his move. He noticed Luke had also perked up when they entered, but he soon forgot his buddy and made his way to greet the woman who'd tied him up in knots.

“Hey, Doll Face. About time you showed up. We were going to send out a posse.” Maverick cupped her face, leaned down and captured her lips, staking his claim. He sucked in her bottom lip and pressed into her while his hands captured her curves.

He was tempted to just pick her up and carry her to one of the rooms above, but caught himself and ended the kiss. He placed his forehead on hers and whispered, “Later.”

“So sure of yourself, cowboy? I came here to gamble and drink.”

Hell, he couldn't care less about hanging out with their friends and gambling. He wanted her all to himself.

A
flash exploded to his right followed by the sound of shuffling. The photogs had found them. Shit. She stiffened, but he wasn't going to let them ruin his evening. Or hers.

“Damn, you look good, Kelsey. Are you sure I can't interest you in a little . . . ?” he murmured just for her ears.

If she didn't stop rubbing herself up against him, he was going to haul her over his shoulder and drag her sweet ass upstairs. To hell with all propriety, photographers, and even the elusive stalker. He wanted her—now.

But Kelsey recovered her senses first and pushed slightly against his chest. “Maverick, it's been less than twenty-four hours. I want you too, but maybe later, okay? The photographers aren't going to go away. You want to take a breath? Then we can turn around and give them a picture or two.”

“Dammit, Kelsey, is that what tonight is about to you? I thought we could let loose and enjoy being with each other. With our friends.” Maverick stepped back farther and swiped a hand through his hair. His erection gone, he tried to make sense of his anger at her refusal to play it his way for once.

He wasn't sure he liked her setting the pace. He'd never met a woman who acted like a guy before where sex was concerned.

“I'm done with pictures.” He grabbed her elbow and guided her away from the bar. “C'mon, there's some slots you might like.” He marched her through the flashing and beeping machines until they were tucked in the back of the casino, out of direct view from prying eyes.

“Maverick, wasn't the point of going out to be seen—together? I know you're getting tired of the press, but I don't think we'll have to do this much longer. There haven't been any
new
texts or pictures the last couple of days and now that the season is about to begin, I'm sure your pitching is only going to improve and—”

“I need to ask you a very important question, Kelsey.” Maverick didn't give her a chance to respond, let alone breathe. He backed her into a slot machine and braced his hands on either side of her. “Do you like me?” he whispered.

“Wha-what?” Kelsey stumbled over her words.

“It's a simple question. Do you? Like me?” Maverick held her gaze and dared her to look away.

“Sure, but why are you so concerned all of a sudden? Mav, really, I'm only looking for a night to relax, have fun. Today was a not so fun day with my mom and I'd like to blow off some steam.” Kelsey pushed him back, or tried. He stood firm.

Concern feathered his features, with worry lines. “What about your mom? I didn't know she lived here. Maybe I can help?”

“You can't and she doesn't. Live here, that is. She tends to . . . drop in when she feels like it or when her latest boyfriend kicks her out, or cheats on her. Sometimes both.” Kelsey tried again to move out of the cage he'd created. He wasn't letting her go. He was over her evading him just when things turned personal.

“That's too bad, maybe she only needs a place to regroup. I'm sure she appreciates you letting her stay till she figures things out,” he said.

“Yeah, well, you've never met my mom. She hasn't had things figured out since before I was born, if even then.” She took a deep breath and looked over his shoulder, not meeting his eyes. “Look I'm sorry I even mentioned it. I don't want to talk about her right now. Let's get
back
with the group and have some fun. Nothing heavy tonight, okay?” She pushed herself even closer and gave him another shimmy.

“Why do you keep doing that?”

“Doing what?”

“Pretending there isn't something special going on between us? Jesus, Kelsey, you must feel it too?” Maverick stepped back from her and ran his hand through his hair, then placed both hands on his hips, feet shoulder width apart. Like a soldier, ready to strike. “It's not just great sex for me. I think you feel the same way.”

“Oh, I felt it all right.” She reached for him and he took another step away. She let out a short, throaty growl. “Look, we've only known each other for how long? A couple of weeks? I have a hard time believing you could feel anything for me beyond the initial spark of passion. I told you that first night, Maverick, I don't have it in me right now to make this anything but a short-term thing.”

Kelsey was wringing her hands and he could tell she was on the edge of throwing in the towel with him. She'd pushed all the wrong buttons with him and he was pissed. But if he wanted any type of chance with this woman, he realized he needed to back off now.

“You're right. We don't have an exclusive, or hell, even a permanent situation here. Maybe I'm confusing you with someone else. We can continue having hot monkey sex for all I care. If that's all you want from me, you got it. No problem. I'm sure by October we'll both be ready for new adventures.” He threw out his arm and waved her back toward their group. When she stood there with her mouth hanging open, and not moving, he didn't know what else to say, so he walked away.

She
didn't want the romantic or personal side of him, fine. He'd deal. He'd also get her so worked up and addicted to his brand of loving that in the end the only choice she would have left was to be his.

Chapter 22

Different day, same shit. Maverick was staring at the doctored photo he'd received two days ago. But now he was staring at it on a gossip website. He closed his browser and called Kelsey. Guess he should have told her about it when he'd first received it. Shit.

But before he could place the call, his line rang. T.S.'s name appeared on his screen. Double shit. He couldn't avoid the call, but he really wished he had a chance to talk to Kelsey before he dealt with an irate T.S.