Maverick stood and buttoned up his shirt. Meeting his
son’s eyes again in the mirror, Maverick said, “Well, don’t
make me force you or anything.” His sharp gaze witnessed the
quick flicker of shame that crossed Dakota’s face but he didn’t
comment on it.
They walked out of the room together and Dakota
recommended a place to eat. As he slid onto his bike, Maverick
felt another wave of peace flow over him. He was making
progress with his child.
_
“I know what I heard! And he said he was with his son!”
the woman snapped out irritably. One finger pointed at her
husband. “You need to fix this.”
“You were the one who called her; what did she say?”
“The bitch told me to stop calling her. Said no one
named Sarah lived there. I even said he had a child!” Her voice
rose two octaves as she paced her living room.
“What about Talli? Can we send her down there? Break
them up? Give her a chance to tell him face to face she’s
carrying his baby?” the man suggested.
“I don’t get it—that bitch was out of his life, and it was
perfect for him and Talli. Now he has to find out about her. It
can only be he feels obligated to her. That’s all. He couldn’t
possibly love her!” The venom in her voice even had her
husband backing away from her.
“I’ll go see what I can get her to agree to.” He left the
house and was soon knocking on the trailer door of the woman
he wanted his son to marry.
Twenty minutes later, he was buttoning up his pants.
The woman he’d come to talk to lay sprawled on her belly, a
rumpled and stained sheet covering her butt and legs. Making
sure he looked as together as he had before he entered, Rodney
tossed some money down on the table, “That’s to get you to
Albuquerque. And when you come back, you had better have
my son’s ring on your finger.”
Her body lifted and turned so she could see him. An
ugly sneer filled her features. “Oh, won’t he be so proud to
know his daddy fucked me while trying to get me to get him
back.”
One large hand closed around her windpipe. “I’ve never
touched you, bitch. Remember that.”
Talli watched him with hate in her eyes but still she
nodded. When he finally let go, she refused to give him the
satisfaction of watching her gasp for air. It was hard, but she
managed to breathe normally.
She didn’t move until she heard her trailer door slam
shut. Then she allowed the tears of shame and anger to fall.
_
The discussion over the meal remained neutral. Dakota
asked what he did in the Navy and Maverick told him. As they
waited for dessert, Maverick picked up his coffee and watched
his son over the rim of the mug. He knew there was something
else he wished to ask.
“You know you can ask me anything,” Maverick
offered, hoping the bait would be taken. It was. Dakota sucked
his lower lip in his mouth and nodded. It was an action so like
his mother, Maverick almost smiled.
“Well, I’m doing a paper for my Anthropology major
and my topic is on my heritage.” Maverick gave him an
encouraging go-ahead when he hesitated. “I know quite a bit
about mom’s side and I was wondering if you were going to be
around long enough for me to pick your brain about my other
side…your side…my father’s side.”
“I would be honored,” Maverick responded, his fingers
tightening on the ceramic cup.
“Could I ask a few things now?” Dakota reached to his
side and brought up a legal pad and pen.
“Go right ahead. I’m not in a rush. We can talk as long
as you want.” Maverick gestured to the server for more coffee.
“Really? You sure you don’t mind?”
He shook his head as his cup was filled. “I’d love to help
you understand this side of your heritage. Please, ask away.”
A grateful smile filled Dakota’s handsome features.
Taking a quick drink of his coffee, he picked up his pen and
began conducting his interview.
_
Tempest was in her office at work when there was a
knock at the door. “It’s open,” she said without pulling her
gaze from the paperwork before her. It was almost midnight
and she wanted this done before the night ended. She was
lucky enough that Mili could handle the bar on her own, which
left her free to deal with the boring part of the business.
“Evening, mitawin,” a low, masculine voice said.
She mentally gathered herself before looking up at the
man who seemed to fill her office with his presence. “What can
I do for you, James?”
His six-six body lowered itself gracefully into a chair
across from her. As he did, her eyes took in the fact the door
had been closed behind him. Oh, girl, remember what happened
the last time the two of you were in a room together in this building?
“Well?” she reiterated when he remained silent.
“You look beautiful tonight,” he said. His eyes roamed
over her French-braided hair and her tie-dyed tee.
Biting back her instinctive remark, Tempest rolled the
pen in her fingers and asked, “Is there something I can do for
you?”
“Why are you calling me James?”
Tempest dropped the pen and rubbed her hands over
her face. “I don’t have time for this. I have tons of paperwork to
get done tonight. Why I call you James isn’t important.”
He leaned forward, his onyx eyes full of impishness.
“Not many can call me that and get away with it. Normally, it
makes me angry; but when it rolls off your tongue, I have a
completely opposite reaction. Wanna know why?”
Blowing out a breath with semi-exasperation, Tempest
leaned back in her leather chair, the pen remaining on the desk.
Arms settled upon the arm rests and she met his gaze head on.
“Sure, why not. Tell me why.”
Maverick smiled. “Because I like anything that comes off
your tongue.”
Nails dug into the black leather arms of her chair.
Tempest fought to keep from squirming. “How lovely for you.
Now is that all? I have work to do.”
Unfurling from the chair, Maverick placed his hands on
her desk and leaned toward her. “So that’s how it’s gonna be?
You’re gonna act all indifferent toward me? Like we both don’t
know you’re dripping wet right now,” he purred seductively.
Tempest couldn’t help shifting on the chair. Wet? That’s
an understatement. The understatement of the year. “I have work to
do,” she repeated. They both noticed how low and breathy her
voice had become.
“I want to—” Maverick stopped abruptly and pulled her
to him instead.
He didn’t give her any chance to protest. His thick
tongue plundered her mouth, taking what he longed for. Her
taste, her submission to him.
“Do you have any idea how much I long to be deep
&n
bsp; within your body?” he mumbled the question as he lessened
the pressure of the kiss. “I want to enjoy your body the way it
was made to be enjoyed.”
She whimpered.
“Yes, baby. I long to be buried inside you. Deep inside.
Until we can’t tell where one ends and the other begins. Buried
so deep that I can feel your heartbeat.” He sucked on her lower
lip. “I want to feel your body as it cradles mine in velvet heat.”
“Work,” she muttered.
“Work what?” Maverick moved around the desk and sat
on the edge before dragging her chair back in close.
“I have…work…” Tempest was near panting with
desire. Her body was so wet and it craved one thing—the man
whose crotch was almost at eye level to her.
Watching Tempest lick her lips made Maverick’s cock
twitch within the confines of his pants. He closed his eyes
briefly. The light touch of her hand upon his erection made
them fly back open.
“Damn you!” Her words were low and hissed even as
she reached for the fly on his pants. “Damn you for making me
feel things like this.”
Maverick’s eyes grew hooded as the sound of his zipper
lowering echoed in his head. “What’s wrong with feeling,
She didn’t answer as one hand gently removed his
swollen cock from his pants. Sliding the chair even closer, she
leaned over and covered him with her mouth. Her tongue ran
over the bulbous head before slipping along the underside.
Maverick jerked at the feeling. His eyes rolled back into
his head as Tempest blew him. She worked him like no
professional had ever done. The pressure she maintained was
second only being buried deep within her hot, tight body.
It didn’t take long for Maverick to reach the brink of
explosion. His hips shifted on the desk as he tired not to take
over the control she maintained. Strong, bronzed fingers
clamped around the edge of her desk as his head dropped
back. “Oh, God!” he moaned. “Tempest, I’m about to come!”
Her fingers stroked the part of his erection that her
mouth wasn’t over, continually heightening his pleasure. The
more he slid forward on the desk, the more she took in of his
thick cock.
He bit back his shout of gratification as his erection
jumped and erupted in her mouth. She milked him for the rest
of his seed, and he managed to bring up his head and look at
her.
Her eyes were closed and the image of her full lips
stretched around him sent another wave of blood right down to
the organ she was sucking on. Her dappled-brown eyes opened
and looked directly at him when his cock swelled.
As if releasing a lollypop, Tempest let the head of his
cock pop out of her mouth. Her tongue ran around her lips as
she slowly sat upright in her chair. Those deep pooling eyes of
hers were full of lust for him and he reveled in that bit of
knowledge.
“I have work to do,” she said once more and slid her
chair further back from where he sat.
Maverick couldn’t believe it. His entire body blazed and
the woman who had created that sensation within him was
acting like she were bored. Carefully putting himself away, he
stood and walked the short distance to where she sat.
“Why?” He knelt down as he asked the question. His
eyes found and held hers.
“You seemed a little tense.” Tempest tried valiantly to
ignore the need her own body cried out for.
The back of one hand stroked along her cheek while his
other one rested on the black shorts she wore. “What about
you?” He leaned closer, clearly enjoying the increase of her
pulse. “You are extremely tense as well. Will you allow me to
return the favor?”
Her lids fluttered closed briefly as she conjured up a
mental image to go with his words. It was hard to drag her
eyes back open, but she did. “No. I have work to do.”
“Let me pleasure you, chante. Allow me to help you find
the release I know your body is craving.” His lips moved
lightly against her chin as he stayed kneeling between her legs.
“No. I have tons of work to do. Isn’t there some woman
you should be trying to get into your bed?”
His eyes gleamed with promise. “I am and she’s right
here.” Both hands dropped to rest at her waist and he slowly
slid her lower body closer to him. “I can smell your desire,
Tempest. Don’t tell me you’re going to refuse me.” Taking his
face away from hers, he buried it in between her legs and
grazed the inside of her left thigh, hitting both material and the
sensitive skin with his teeth.
Tempest whimpered as her body shivered with need.
She didn’t fight it when he pulled her closer to the edge of the
chair. In fact, she even spread her legs further apart.
Maverick took his time licking along where the edge of
her shorts rested against her tantalizing dark, smooth skin, one
side and then the other. Her spicy scent filled his nose and his
cock was rigid in the confines of his jeans.
“James.” Her voice trembled.
“Tell me, it’s okay. Be honest and admit you want this,”
he mumbled against her skin. His face moved directly to the
center of where her legs met and he inhaled deeply as his
tongue began to run along the seam.
“Please, James. Stop tormenting me.” Her thighs
tightened around his ears, holding him in place.
door, Maverick indulged himself on the abundant juices that
flowed from Tempest. Her legs were spread wide over the
arms of the chair and his face was buried deep in between
them. The only important thing was what they were sharing,
nothing else.
Seventeen
Maverick strode confidently into the bar. This was going
to be the night he put it all out on the line. Of course, that was
what he’d been saying for the past few weeks he’d been
separated from her. Damn, I could use a cigarette. His black eyes
scanned the nightly crowd, easily recognizing some of the
patrons.
It had been instinctive for him to come here after the last
mission he’d just returned from. The stint had been a shorter
one; they’d gone back to where Harrier had been wounded,
eager for revenge, although not the main reason they went.
They were a man short with their leader still out of commission
in the hospital; however, they had a much better prognosis for
him. And with Lex at his side, all of them knew Harrier would
pull through.
The music was loud and kept the place hopping. Like a
heat-seeking missile, his gaze zeroed in on Tempest in a flash.
She was behind the bar serving drinks in a way that would
make many bartenders jealous.
He watched her toss a bottle behind her back and catch
it effortlessly. She poured the drink and slid it across the table
to the custom
er waiting. The next time she flashed the man a
grin, Maverick moved forward, shouldering his way up to the
bar.
He leaned against it once there, nodding to Mili before
taking in the attire that graced his woman. Another pair of
deliciously tight, low-rise, dark-blue jeans hugged her lower
body. A white tank top gripped her torso in a way that made
him remember what it was like to hold her himself.
Dakota stopped in front of him and met his gaze. “What
can I get you?”
“Evening, Dakota,” Maverick said. “I’ll take a Jack and
Coke.” His son nodded and within seconds, the drink was in
front of him. There was no asking of where he’d been, or how
he was doing. Maverick wasn’t entirely sure of what to make of
that.
Tempest almost dropped the bottle as her gaze landed
on the handsome man who sat at the bar. My life was so much
easier before you waltzed back into it, James Lonetree. She refused to
admit how much she’d missed seeing him these past weeks. It
was unlike anything she’d experienced when Burl was gone.
Maverick winked across the bar at her as if he knew
exactly what his presence did to her. “Evening, Tempest.”
Maverick lifted the drink to his mouth and took a sip, never
releasing her eyes, not even when he ran his tongue over his
lips to get every last bit he could.
“James,” she gritted out.
“I need to talk to you, Tempest,” he told her as she
stopped in front of him.
Her eyes briefly dropped to meet his before she looked
over the crowd. “About what?”
“Us,” he said.
The towel that had been over Tempest’s shoulder landed
on the bar before Maverick. He looked up at her face and
scowled. The admiration she had in her eyes made him furious.
“Damn!” she drew out on a long breath. Even Mili was
frozen beside her with that same look on her face.
She looks like she’d just had a steamy and intense round of
passionate love making. Maverick turned around on the stool
he’d sat upon and followed the women’s line of vision. Almost
all of his irritation at her reaction disappeared.
The men of the Megalodon Team stood there. All of
them. Tyson. Ross. Osten. Dimitri. Aidrian. Ernst. Scott. The
last used a pair of crutches to assist with his walking and
balance; but, damn it, at least he was standing upright. And
alive.
Maverick couldn’t stop the grin that crossed his face as