Maverick (Carter Brothers Book 5)

by Lisa Helen Gray

  “So, I can go? You don’t need me to keep in touch, ring you or anything?” I ask, confused. I thought they’d be more involved―this is serious, after all.

  “No. We’ll be by tomorrow, mid-morning to get the full details. If anything suspicious happens, or you see a member of staff selling drugs, go to Maverick. Just try not to be conspicuous about it in case you’re wrong,” Officer Grant says, a bite in his tone. I swear, he looks at me like I’m a woman yet treats me like I’m a kid who isn’t listening. He’s an aggravating jerk who I desperately want to punch.

  “Watch your tone,” Maverick warns, his tone deadly, and Officer Grant’s eyes narrow on him.

  Stepping between them, I block their view of each other. I glare at Evan’s amused expression as he watches my manoeuvre, seeming to find it funny, then turn to the issue at hand.

  “Want to walk me to work?” I ask Maverick.

  He looks down at me, his eyes softening. “Yeah, c’mon. I can introduce you to everyone, show you around and let you get to it.”

  “I better be getting paid overtime,” I joke. He looks taken aback for a second and it has me pausing, worried if I said something wrong.

  “Um, you are getting paid, Teagan. I thought you knew that. You’ll be getting paid triple the hourly rate,” he says, looking to the officers behind me. “You didn’t tell her?”

  What?

  “I thought we did,” Officer Grant remarks, sounding annoyed. He gives me a sour look before dismissing me in a huff. I glance at each man, waiting for an explanation, but get none.

  “I bet,” Maverick mutters before turning to me. “They’ll be paying you to do this, and so will I. It’s not up for negotiation.”

  “But I was only joking.”

  I went into this thinking I was doing him a favour, not getting paid in the process. Although, a little extra cash definitely wouldn’t hurt.

  “We won’t pay more than we agreed,” Officer Grant says, and I hear Barrett snap something at him.

  “I presumed you knew. Plus, you said you left your job at the doctor’s, so at least you’ll have some extra cash. Maybe we can take Faith to the seaside,” he says and I smile, melting once again. It’s not the first time he’s mentioned taking me and Faith somewhere, and each time it’s sent my belly fluttering.

  He really does know the way to a young woman’s heart.

  And the seaside does sound really good right now. Faith and I have never been on holiday. We’ve never even been to the seaside. I’m not about to voice that though; otherwise, we’ll never get out of here. Knowing Maverick the way I do, he’ll demand we go now.

  “We’ll catch up tomorrow,” Officer Barrett says, and Maverick nods before we follow them out, heading inside the club.

  “You’re coming?” I ask when Evan doesn’t leave like the others.

  “Only for a bit. I just want to go over something with Maverick before I head home. Why?”

  “I was just making sure you weren’t going to watch the dancers. I wouldn’t want your wife finding out.” I grin, teasingly.

  He laughs. “You two will get on fine,” he says, and then walks towards Maverick’s office. “See you in a bit. Don’t be long.”

  *** *** ***

  I swear, after I had Faith, all pride and dignity went straight out the window. Spreading your legs as wide as you can manage, pushing out a baby the size of a watermelon whilst having a bunch of midwives and doctors staring down at the most intimate part of your body will do that to you. But seeing a bunch of women topless, bottomless, well… it’s hard to look past. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve been smacked in the face by Holly’s, Sophie’s and Marley’s boobs. I’m surprised I don’t have nipple imprints with how hard they’ve hit me.

  Damn fake boobs.

  So far, I haven’t seen anything out of the ordinary, but I have managed to narrow down a list of suspects. There’s Holly who is twenty-six, a single mum to a little girl and is currently looking for another job. There’s April who is twenty-four and a student. She’s only on my list because of how bubbly and outgoing she is; no one should be that happy about taking their clothes off for a living. Sophie, who is the mum of the group at thirty-three, and a single mum to three kids, is also on the list. I’ve only added her because she seems to know all the girls on a personal level. Somewhat, anyway. I’m hoping I can get her to open up and talk about the other staff members.

  There’s only one girl everyone steers clear of and that’s Marley, who I’ve labelled the bitch of the group. She doesn’t really get on with anyone, and if that doesn’t have suspicion written all over it, I don’t know what does. Then there’s Kathy, twenty-five, quiet student who has kept to herself pretty much the entire shift. The only reason she’s on the list is because they say to always watch out for the quiet ones.

  I haven’t seen Maverick since he left after showing me around, but I’m tired and my feet are killing me. He also promised me pizza―amongst other things.

  I rap my knuckle on the office door and walk in, finding him sitting at his desk wearing his light blue shirt with the top few buttons undone. He looks incredibly sexy and I can’t help the grin that spreads across my face, my belly doing that crazy flutter thing again.

  “Hey.” He smiles, looking up from his paperwork. “How’s everything going?”

  I shrug, watching as he gets up and starts making his way over to me. I smile, lifting my head as he gets closer.

  “Great, but I’m hungry. You promised me pizza,” I remind him, pouting.

  “Ahh, so I did,” he says, pulling me close to him. “I’m pretty sure I promised something else too,” he whispers against my neck. I move my head to the side, giving him better access as he peppers kisses across my skin. Shivers race down my spine and I sigh. It feels like heaven.

  “You did, huh?” I whisper back, lost in the feel of his soft lips.

  “Mmhmm,” he mumbles, and I hear the lock on the door click in place. A squeal escapes when he lifts me, carrying me towards his desk. I swing my legs around his waist and lean back, capturing his lips in a deep kiss.

  Yes!

  This is what I’ve craved ever since our first night together.

  “Fuck me,” I whisper, feeling bold as he sets me down on his desk.

  His eyes darken as he moves between my legs, jerking me forward so I’m pressed against him. “My pleasure,” he says huskily.

  I’m so turned on I can feel the heat of my arousal between my legs, seeping down my thighs. His hands come between us and seconds later, he yanks up my dress, exposing my damp knickers. My breathing comes in heavy pants as he leans forward, kissing me with promise and raw passion as he tears my knickers off my body.

  “Please,” I breathe against his mouth.

  He drops his trousers enough to free his cock, not giving me any kind of warning before slamming inside me. I throw my head back screaming, and he grunts, pulling out and slamming back inside me with powerful, forceful thrusts, driving me closer and closer to the edge.

  It’s embarrassing how close I am already. And based on the sound coming from Maverick, it’s clear he’s struggling to hold on too. My fingers dig into his shoulders, my legs widening as he thrusts deeper, filling me. I start clenching around him, squeezing him tightly in a vice grip.

  “Fuck!” Maverick rasps, his hold on my hips tightening as he shifts me forward, slamming into me over and over until I can’t take it anymore.

  “Maverick,” I scream, clinging to him as the most powerful orgasm tears through me, pleasure consuming my entire body.

  “Fuck,” he pants, his cock pulsing inside me.

  We take a few moments to catch our breaths, still clinging to one another. My hands fall limp around his neck and I drop my forehead to his shoulder.

  I’ll never get enough of him.

  “So, pizza?” I breathe out and he chuckles deeply, kissing the top of my head.

  “Yeah, baby, I’ll get you some pizza.”

  Yep,
I’ll never be able to get enough of him.

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  TEAGAN

  “So you’ve forgiven him, just like that?” Tish says from where she’s perched on my bed.

  I look at her through the mirror and sigh.

  Since I told her about Maverick turning up at my door nearly two weeks ago apologising, she’s been riding my ass about forgiving him so easily. She’s not a second chance kind of girl; if you screw up with her, you never get another shot.

  I can’t exactly tell her what made me change my mind about him. It’s no business of hers to know about his personal life or his past. And from the depth of Maverick’s confession, I know he hasn’t told another soul what he told me that night. His apology meant everything to me.

  “Yeah, Tish, just like that. You won’t understand, but trust me, please. When I say he’s sorry, I genuinely mean it. You know I’m not the kind of girl to be walked all over. I don’t trust many people, but I trust him.”

  “I don’t get why you can’t tell me what he said to make you all gaga for him,” she huffs, leaning back against the pillows. “Can I use this?” she asks, picking up the midnight blue nail varnish.

  I barely nod before she’s picking it up and painting her toes.

  “Because it’s private. Now, which one?” I ask, holding up two dresses. The first dress is a purple skater-style dress with a deep V in the front; it’s dressy but casual. The second is black and fitted with a deep V at the front. This one is more dressy than casual. Both reach above my knee and fit great, but I have no idea where Maverick is taking me. He wouldn’t tell me or give me the slightest clue.

  “I’d go with the purple. You don’t know where that fucker is taking you, so you don’t want to look stupid wearing the little black dress at McDonald’s.”

  “He’s not taking me to McDonald’s,” I scoff before taking off my dressing gown. “He just said to be ready by seven and look pretty.”

  “Yeah, like you ain’t nothing but pretty, girl.”

  “Tish, please, just be happy for me.”

  “Oh, girl, I am happy for you, especially for your vajayjay. I was starting to worry you grew your hymen back.” She snickers.

  I look over my shoulder at her, my eyes widening at her words. I finish pulling the dress over my head and then stare at her in disbelief. Her tongue hangs out of her mouth as she concentrates on her toes, so she doesn’t notice I’m staring or haven’t replied to her comment.

  “What, girl? I feel your eyes bugging into me from over here,” she snaps, not looking up from her toes.

  “I didn’t grow back my hymen and my vajayjay is just fine, thank you very much. I’m beginning to have anxiety over some of the stuff that comes out of your mouth,” I admit.

  She looks up at me, grinning. “You should be worrying about what’s going in it.”

  “Ew, too much information, Tish. Could you at least pretend to tone it down?”

  “Sorry, no can do. Where’s the little human tonight?”

  “You make her sound like an alien,” I huff, putting in the pearl earrings my nan gave me.

  “She is to me. Damn, she tried making me watch that freaky fairy show.” She shudders and I chuckle.

  “It’s called Tinker Bell and it’s not as bad as you going to watch Paranormal Activity with her,” I remind her.

  “I didn’t know she wasn’t allowed to watch horror movies. She didn’t come with a manual.”

  I love my best friend, I really do, but her and kids? They just don’t mix. But even with all her faults, I know she loves Faith and would do anything for her. Which is why I know she watched Tinker Bell with her, whether she wants to admit it or not.

  Tish was by my side throughout my pregnancy, and during the birth. She screamed at any nurse or midwife who went near my vajayjay or came at me with any funny-looking instrument. She also pinched my gas and air because she couldn’t cope with the stress―her words, not mine. But she’s always been there for me. I guess that’s why she’s finding it so hard to accept Maverick.

  She was there when I got back from Maverick’s after the wedding breakfast, and it only took one look for her to know something had happened. And the fact that Faith told her everything before we even fully reached her.

  She held me while I cried, went to the shop to get some junk food, and spent the day watching films with me. She also bitched about how all men are wankers and should be burned.

  “I love you,” I blurt out, knowing I don’t tell her enough.

  She looks up at me, seeming taken aback. “You on something, girl?”

  “No.” I laugh. “I just want you to know I love you and I’m thankful for everything you do. You’re always here for me, protecting me, and would be my alibi if I ever needed one. You’re like a sister I never had.” I smile.

  “You need to be black to be my sister.” She chuckles, shaking her head. “Stop getting all emotional on me. It’s making me uncomfortable.”

  I notice her eyes water before she blinks, ducking her head. One thing I’ve learnt over the years is you don’t upset Tish. She hates emotional shit, or any kind of touchy-feely. She avoids it like the plague.

  “It’s seven. He late, girl,” she says, kissing her teeth. I hate it when she makes that noise―only because I can’t do it for the life of me. She tried to teach me but said I couldn’t do it because I’m white. It drives me mad that I can’t.

  “He’s not late,” I scold, looking at my phone, which reads one minute past seven.

  There’s a knock at the door and I look to Tish, giving her a smug smile.

  “So, where’s the little human at?”

  “She’s in her room watching a film. I’ll go say bye, so let Maverick in. And be nice,” I warn as I head downstairs, moving towards Faith’s bedroom.

  I hear Tish interrogating Maverick and roll my eyes. I should have known she wouldn’t listen.

  Faith looks up when I walk in, and then smiles.

  “You look so pretty,” she gushes before yawning.

  “Thank you, gorgeous.” I sit down next to her on the bed. “I’m going out now, but I’ll be back later. Be good for Tish. Make sure she doesn’t eat all the chocolate, watch scary movies and she behaves, okay?”

  She giggles, nodding. “I promise to have her in bed by eighty ninety,” she says.

  I shake my head at her reference to time and lean down to kiss her head. “Be good. Love you.”

  “Love you more.”

  “To the moon…”

  “… and back,” she finishes, and I smile softly down at her.

  I wave goodbye and shut her door too, knowing she hates it completely shut. Maverick’s standing by the door with a stoned-face expression as he listens to what Tish is saying. He looks bored and ready to kill at the same time.

  Knowing I need to step in, I move quickly. Maverick notices me first and his eyes widen with appreciation. The heat in them as he takes in my outfit reminds me of the time he looked at me when I first wore the work outfit he supplied me with. Since then, we’ve made good use of that outfit, and his office.

  I grin when his eyes reach mine, raising my eyebrow. “Hey.”

  “Hey. You look beautiful.” He smiles, a dimple showing in his left cheek.

  “Hell yeah, she does, and if you don’t treat her good or you take her sexy MILF ass to McDonald’s, we’re gonna be having words, boy,” Tish scolds, all sass and attitude.

  I groan, grabbing my coat off the back of the sofa, slipping it on.

  “McDonald’s?” he asks.

  I shake my head at him, silently warning him not to go there.

  I don’t wait for Tish to explain, I take Maverick’s hand, pulling him out of the door.

  “Hold up.” He chuckles, stopping me at the bottom of the stairs.

  “Sorry. She can be a little overprotective.”

  “I gathered that when she started threatening my balls if I didn’t treat you right.”

  I wince, but he doesn
’t seem bothered by her behaviour at all. Instead, he pulls me against him and kisses me. I sigh into the kiss and put my arms around his neck, leaning on my toes for better access.

  “I’ve been dying to kiss you all day.” He grins when he pulls away.

  I smile. “You have, huh?”

  “Sure have. You ready?”

  I nod, still smiling. “Where are you taking me?”

  “We’ll be going to Numero 38 for a starter, Sam’s Grill for our main and Millie’s, for dessert,” he tells me.

  “Three places?” I ask in awe, not just because it’s the most romantic date I’ve ever heard of, but because all three restaurants are hard to get a table at. I’m flattered and blessed to have met such a charming man. He really does have some hidden attributes.

  “Yeah. I’ve never been on a date before, but from what I know, it’s always dinner and a movie. Well, if we go to a restaurant for two hours, we’ll get a dead ass, and backache from crappy chairs, and end up getting drunk. At a movie, we won’t be able to talk to each other. Yeah, I could cop a feel, but where’s the fun in that if I can’t finish what I started,” he says, winking at me as he helps me into his car.

  I wait for him to get in before turning to him, a huge smile on my face. He’s put a lot of thought into this date, which tells me he’s taking us seriously and wants to try. We were meant to go out last Saturday but I had to cancel because I couldn’t get a babysitter. I felt so bad, but then he brought round pizza and a movie, spending the night with me and Faith. It was brilliant, but this… this is something else entirely.

  “I don’t kiss on the first date,” I tease.

  “You’ve never been on a date,” he teases back, leaning forward to kiss me. “So, did I do well?”

  “With three yummy restaurants, three types of food? Hell yeah, you did. But what I want to know is what replaced the movie?”