he looked at them. His team was back together again. Looking
over his shoulder at Tempest, he almost grew jealous as he
witnessed the lust her face until he remembered each of those
men was happily married.
Before he could head over to meet them, a slim arm
draped around his shoulder. “Hello, Maverick,” a sultry voice
purred. “I’ve missed you.”
The sweet and sickly smell of familiar perfume assaulted
Maverick’s nose and he noticed every single emotion in
Tempest’s face closing up. Talli. What the hell was she doing here?
“Talli,” he muttered as he shrugged her arm off of his
body. “Do I even want to know what you are doing here?”
Tempest glanced between them both before asking in a
tone Maverick knew was forced politeness. “Can I get you
anything to drink?”
Talli sat on a seat next to him and said, “I’ll just have
some of his.”
“No, you won’t,” Maverick snapped. He met Tempest’s
cold gaze and his heart, which had been so full of cheer at
seeing her, dropped to the wood floor beneath his heavy boots.
Tempest lifted a shoulder and moved away, her eyes
drifting back to the group of men who had settled down at a
table. The men were still watching the bar where Maverick sat.
Mili had graciously gone over there to take their orders.
Maverick knew he had to deal with one woman before
he could attempt to explain her presence to the other. His black
eyes fell upon the overly painted face of Talli. She was
watching his face with a longing he knew would never be
fulfilled on his end.
“What are you doing here, Talli?” Maverick lifted his
glass to his mouth and drained his drink.
“I’ve been here for almost a week. I had to track you
down, an act that was no easy feat.” She leaned closer to him.
“We need to talk.”
Mistrustful eyes roved her body. One strong shoulder
lifted and dropped with ease. “Why? We have nothing to talk
about.”
“Yes, we do,” she said as her brightly painted nails
moved along her slightly distended belly.
Shaking his head, Maverick stood up. “Oh, hell no! You
are so not about to pin a pregnancy rap on me.” He was
unaware of the eyes watching him.
Her lower lip was caught between her teeth. “You can’t
possibly think I would lie about something like that.”
“Please, I would expect a lot of things from you, Talli
and that is definitely one of them.” His eyes cast back to the
table where his teammates were sitting and being served by
Mili…and Tempest? “Why the hell would you say that?”
“Didn’t your parents call you?” One taloned hand
reached for his arm.
“What for?”
“To tell you. As soon as I found out, I went to them and
they were so excited about having a grandchild.” Her gaze
rang false. “As soon as we can, we should be married. We
wouldn’t want our child who was conceived out of love to be
born a bastard.”
“Can I get you anything, sir?” a male voice asked.
Maverick looked at the man speaking and found his son
watching him. He knew full well that Dakota had overheard
everything. “No, thanks, I see some friends and I’m going to
join them.”
Clenching his jaw, Maverick wondered just how far back
this was going to set him with Dakota. He knew Tempest
wasn’t going to be easy; and as sure as he was breathing he
knew Dakota would tell his mother what he’d overheard.
“But, Maverick,” Talli whined. “What about our
situation?”
The eyes that looked down at her were less than civil.
“We don’t have situation. You may, but I don’t.” Maverick
walked away, knowing he would say something harsh if he
didn’t go.
By the time he reached the table, Tempest had been
repositioned behind the bar. Scott’s hand was strong as
Maverick shook it in welcome. “It’s so wonderful to see you,
Scott.”
gestured to a chair and nodded as Maverick took the seat. “I
must admit, when I heard that you had a child…I was very
intrigued.”
Maverick felt the blush run over his cheeks. His dark
eyes landed on an unabashed Hondo who just shrugged.
“Well,” he admitted. “I was shocked beyond belief.”
“And how are you doing with him? And her,” Scott
added almost slyly. “I hear his mother is still around. Would
that be the one sitting beside you at the bar?” Scott’s blue eyes
twinkled with humor.
“No. She would be the one in the dark-blue jeans and
white tank top that brought some drinks here.” Seven men sent
him questioning looks. “And before you ask, the young man
behind the counter with her is our son.” Maverick knew all of
them picked up on the pride ringing his words.
Tempest wiped down the bar in between serving people
and stared at the woman Maverick had called Talli. The second
she’d heard that woman’s name, her heart dropped. All the
feelings of betrayal resurfaced as the memory of those
disturbing late-night phone calls flashed back just as fresh as if
they’d just occurred.
The woman wore too much makeup in Tempest’s mind,
but was very beautiful nonetheless. The longer Tempest
watched her, the more obvious the woman’s desire for
Maverick became.
Allowing her eyes to drift over to the table where the
group of imposing men sat, Tempest saw the joy on Maverick’s
face. It was apparent he had great feelings for them all. As their
perceptive gazes swung over her time and time again, she
began to feel a bit unnerved. All of them had that same
intensity that Maverick had.
Mili stopped beside her and groaned. “They all have
rings on, expect your man.”
That comment drew her attention away from the goodlooking
crew. “I don’t have a man,” she protested. “At least not
in here. Burl is elsewhere tonight.”
The Latina burst out laughing. “Oh, please, Tempest.
That is so not who I mean and we both know it.” Her finely
manicured hand settled on Tempest’s shoulder. “But we can
pretend if you wish it.”
“That would be a wonderful idea, unless you don’t want
a job tomorrow,” Tempest ground out.
Mili laughed even harder. “Please, I so need to get that
embroidered for your wall. You say it to me all the time.” She
hugged her boss before moving away and stepping back.
“One day, Mili, one day, I’ll mean it.” Tempest tossed
the empty threat back. The only indication she’d been heard
was a wave of one hand as Mili moved down the bar.
Tempest’s eyes kept drifting back to the group of
handsome men that seemed to be a main attraction in her bar.
Unconsciously, she licked her lips when the tall blond with the
crutches stood and
approached. Even with the walking aid, the
man screamed power, wealth, and danger.
It seemed that the room followed his movement as he
neared the teak bar and sat down directly before Tempest. His
magnetism took her breath away. His blond lashes blinked
slowly over cornflower-blue eyes.
“What can I get you?” Tempest asked, somehow finding
her sense.
“Coke, please.” A smooth Southern drawl went from his
mouth to her ears.
“That’s it, plain Coke?” Tempest double-checked.
“Yes, ma’am. My doctor seriously frowns upon me
mixing alcohol and pain meds.” His blue eyes assessed her as
she quickly got him a drink.
“No charge.” Tempest waved off his money. “I don’t
often meet men who listen to their docs.”
He flashed a grin. “I’m bettin’ you don’t meet many men
who listen, period.” His head turned and he glanced pointedly
back at the table where Maverick watched them intently.
It couldn’t be helped; she burst out laughing. “You’re
good. And you’re right, I don’t.” Wiping down the bar before
him, she said, “Name’s Tempest.”
“Scott.” He reached his hand across the bar and smiled
as she took it. “I must say, I’m thrilled to meet you.”
Suspicion crept into her gaze and she retreated behind
her instinctive protective wall. “Why would that be?”
It wasn’t that her tone was any less friendly, but her
posture was one of mistrust and Scott immediately picked up
on it. “Because Maverick has spoken so highly of you.”
Her eyes were still guarded. “Really? That’s a surprise.”
Scott drew back. “Why—?”
“I need a drink,” a female voice interrupted, breaking
the moment between Tempest and Scott.
Tempest looked to Scott’s left and saw it was Talli who
requested another drink. “Sure, sorry. What can I get you?”
“I’ll have a Kamikaze and whatever that man over there
had. I’m buying him another round.” She pointed behind her.
Without following the glance, Tempest knew whom she
was talking about. “Sure.” In her usual fashion of mixing
drinks, it wasn’t long before Talli had her Kamikaze and
another open beer. Tempest was polite as she took money and
gave change, then she walked away after a nod to Scott.
Catching her son’s eyes, Tempest let him know she was
taking a break. When he nodded, she slipped from behind the
bar into the calm, cool, and quiet sanctuary of her office.
Maverick rarely took his eyes off Tempest as she worked
behind the bar. The smile and laughter she shared with Scott
made him clench his fists.
“Sucks when another man pays attention to your
woman, doesn’t it?” Maverick looked over to see Tyson
watching him. “Especially when you aren’t sure she’s totally
yours.”
“Man, have I apologized to you for hittin’ on Jayde in
Belize yet?” Maverick remembered how angry his teammate
had become when he’d flirted with his wife.
Tyson grinned and took a long swig of his beer. “Nope,
but don’t worry. I have a feeling you are in for a much bigger
fight than I was. You’re last to fall, man, and you know damn
well all of us are gonna be razzing you the whole way.” His
hazel eyes glanced in the direction Maverick was trying
desperately to not look in and flickered back to the tall Native
American sitting with them. “And I’m bettin’ she isn’t about to
make it any easier on you.” Tyson smirked. “Bet you not so
proud to be a ladies’ man now, are you.”
Maverick followed the subtle eye flick of his friend and
groaned. Talli was heading toward him. “You have got to be
kidding me,” he muttered.
“Payback’s a bitch, man.” Tyson rested his elbows on the
table and waited for the show to begin.
Talli sat down in the chair Scott had vacated. She slid a
drink over to Mav and said, “Here you go, handsome. I
brought you a refill.” Her dark eyes moved around the table.
“Aren’t you going to introduce me to your friends?”
“Talli,” Maverick bit out between clenched teeth. “What
are you doing here?”
“I came to talk about our situation.” Her hand rested
upon his strong arm.
Draining his beer, Maverick ignored the replacement
Talli had brought and fixed his black gaze on her. “What is the
situation you think we have?’
Big brown eyes blinked at him. “The baby of course.”
His hand was placed over the swell of her belly. “Our baby.”
Maverick jerked his hand off her like it had been burned.
“Baby? We don’t have a baby. If you’re pregnant, Talli, that has
nothing to do with me.” Shards of ice made up his eyes.
Her lower lip quivered and she looked at him with hurt
and pain in her eyes. “Why don’t you want our baby, James?
What did I do wrong?” Her voice raised in pitch. “Why are you
so insistent to ignore this baby? You said we would be married,
James. You swore you would take care of me and our baby.
You said you would protect me.” Movement over her shoulder
captured Maverick’s attention. Tempest stood there.
Eighteen
Tempest exchanged a bowl of fresh nuts with an empty
one with a smile. Maverick noticed how her smile was directed
at his teammates, but mostly Tyson, the one she stood beside. If
Tyson weren’t happily married, Maverick would be pissed
over the blatant male appreciation he witnessed in those hazel
eyes.
“Can I get anyone anything else?” Tempest asked, her
gaze lingering over the six members of the team sitting there.
“We’re fine,” Maverick bit off as he fought back a
warning growl.
“Actually,” Tyson corrected with a brilliant smile, “I’d
love another drink.” That sentiment was echoed by the others
at the table.
“What’ll it be?” Tempest waited for the orders.
“Beer, please. Any lager will do for me.” Tyson spoke
with as easy shrug and Maverick rumbled low in his chest. The
rest of the table placed orders as well and Tempest nodded at
them all without blinking.
“Very good.” Tempest’s eyes skimmed over him and
Talli. “And you two? Can I get you anything else?”
“I’m still good with mine and his is still full,” Talli
answered for them both. Maverick opened his mouth but
stopped as Tempest said, “Okay,” and walked off.
“I’m Talli,” the woman beside him said to Tyson. “Are
you a friend of his?”
Maverick caught the flicker of amusement Tyson had
and bit back his frustration. Why is Talli here? And why is she
claiming this baby is mine?
Tyson’s eyebrow rose. “Friend? Yes, you could say that.
We’ve worked together for a long time.”
“I’m Talli, it’s nice to meet you.” she reached her hand
out to Tyson.
Tyson shook her hand. “Ma’am.”
“Nice to see your rant is all forgotten, Talli,” Maverick
snapped sarcastically.
Her eyes turned to his. “I know you don’t like scenes.”
Maverick rolled his eyes in exasperation.
“Here you go, hon,” Tempest’s voice said as she placed
the last bottle beside Tyson. Maverick never took his eyes off
Tempest. Look at me, mitiwan. She ignored his silent plea.
His eyes moved over her tight jeans and white shirt,
wishing they were alone so he could strip them from her
mouthwatering form and make love to her all night long. Her
flawless movement and genuine smile as she took money from
the others for their drinks made his body clench with desire.
It still cut deep when she walked away from the table
without another glance at him. Talli’s gasp of outrage pulled
him back from his zone on Tempest. “What, Talli?” he asked,
annoyed.
“Are you going to let him talk to me like that?” she
hissed.
Looking at the woman his parents wanted him to marry,
Maverick saw a lost little girl. Granted, she was hidden behind
a conniving and vindictive bitch of a woman, and that woman
was pissed at the moment.
“Let who say what?” Maverick demanded.
“That…that…that man.” Her finger pointed at Hondo.
Maverick met his friend’s gaze. There was suspicion and
disbelief in Hondo’s black eyes. “What’d he say?” His eyes
never left his friend. Maverick trusted Hondo implicitly. While
his bond was tight with all the men, he was closest to Aidrian
“Hondo” O’Shea.
Hondo’s accented voice answered, “I just wondered
why she was drinking a Kamikaze if she were pregnant.”
Maverick swung his gaze to Talli. “That’s a very good
question, Talli. Why are you?”
Her eyes spit daggers at Hondo. “I wanted something to
calm my nerves before telling you about the baby. I was scared
of your reaction.”
Maverick narrowed his eyes. “This is your second one.
Besides, you are not having my baby.” He ate a pretzel.
“Whosever baby it is you should take better care of it and
yourself. Stop being stupid, Talli, and grow up.”
Anger flashed in her eyes again as she stared at
Maverick. “How can you say that? It’s your baby. You know
we slept together.” Desperation filled her eyes. “Why are you
doing this to me?”
Maverick leaned in close to Talli. He was aware of his