Maverick

by Juliana Stone

  “That’s good then.” He glanced around, aware that they’d attracted some interest. “Where’s Connor?”

  “He went with Davis to get some more pancakes.” She held out her plate. “I can’t finish these. They’re yours if you want them.”

  He accepted the plate from Charlie and dug into the pancakes. They were liberally doused with syrup and butter, and his Aunt Virginia would kill him for even thinking this, but they were the best damn pancakes he’d ever had.

  Charlie went to get them each a coffee and he’d just tossed his paper plate into the large waste bin when Charlie’s friend, Ava walked over.

  “Hey Rick, nice to see you out for the run. It’s a lot of fun and the weather’s perfect today.”

  “I’m looking forward to it.”

  She watched him closely and he had a feeling he was being judged in some way. “So I hear you and Charlie have been hanging out.”

  “You hear right,” he replied.

  “She’s a special girl.” It was a warning, of that there was no doubt, and he appreciated Ava’s concern for her friend.

  “So I’ve found out,” he replied.

  “I’m glad you guys figured it out.” Ava shrugged. “I haven’t seen her this…well, she’s just a lot more like she used to be and that girl needed some fun, so thank you.”

  “It’s no problem. I…”

  I like her.

  “I like her a lot.” Whoa. Now he was publicly proclaiming his feelings for Charlie. This was a whole new ball game for Maverick. But the of it thing was? He didn’t mind playing. Not at all.

  “Good,” Ava said with a wink. “Though if you hurt her in any way, I’ll have to kill you.”

  “You can get in line behind Davis.”

  “True.” She giggled. “Speaking of Davis.”

  They both turned as Davis, Connor, and Charlie returned with coffees and hot chocolate for the road. Maverick shook Davis’ hand and accepted a coffee from Charlie.

  “You ready for the big day?” he asked Connor.

  The little guy was bundled up and though he looked up at Maverick, he didn’t answer. He shuffled his feet and leaned into his sister.

  “We’ll be heading out in ten minutes,” Charlie said. “My skidoo is over there.” She pointed behind Maverick. “I’ll follow you to yours and we can ride together.”

  “Sounds like a plan,” Maverick said.

  “Who you riding with?” Davis asked Ava, as he fingered his helmet and sunglasses.

  “Seth Rogers,” she replied.

  Davis’ eyes narrowed and Maverick glanced at Charlie to see if she noticed the sudden tension, but she was busy securing her brother’s scarf.

  “Make sure he doesn’t leave you at the last stop. It’s happened before.”

  Ava stuck her tongue out. “Don’t be such sourpuss, Jason. You don’t like Seth so you think that I shouldn’t like him.”

  “You don’t like him.”

  She snorted. “Of course I do.”

  Davis pulled on his helmet. “No, Ava. You don’t.” He left without another word and headed toward his sled.

  “What the hell is his problem?” Ava asked, staring after the tall mechanic.

  “Who’s got a problem?” Charlie asked, finally happy with Connor’s scarf.

  “No one,” Ava replied sharply. “I’ll see you at the next stop.”

  Charlie watched her stomp off and turned to Maverick. “What was that all about?”

  Maverick shrugged. “I think they’re both thinking about it.”

  Charlie looked at him, an eyebrow arched. “It? As in, IT?”

  “I think so.”

  “Huh.” Charlie grinned. “Took them long enough.”

  Chapter Fourteen

  By lunchtime Charlie was beginning to think that she had a potential problem on her hands, and it had everything to do with a certain man riding beside her. Good Lord, had she ever seen a guy look so hot in aviators? Did his smile have to be so devastating?

  Did he have to smile at her every chance he got?

  The long line of skidoos pulled into the community center in Smithville, the first stop on the sled run, and she parked her machine, pulling off her headgear while Connor did the same. Rick pulled up alongside her and in a few seconds, slid from his machine.

  The day was crisp, but with next to no breeze and an abundance of sunlight, it was bearable. In fact she knew it was going to be one of the best days ever. And herein was her problem.

  Him. Rick. The guy with the wicked smile and eyes that could charm the panties off any woman that he chose. For whatever reason he’d chosen her and Lord knows her lady parts were already buzzing. But it was more than the hot sex they’d shared.

  He was starting to matter to her. And that was scary for a whole host of reasons, the main one being that the guy was just passing through. He didn’t belong here and he sure as hell wasn’t staying. She was crazy to get involved with a guy as dangerous as him.

  “Not gonna think about it,” she muttered to herself, smiling at Connor as he grabbed a handful of snow and tossed it at her.

  “Hey,” she said, scooping some up into her hands. “Do that again Mister and it’s game on.”

  Connor laughed. He actually laughed. When was the last time she’d heard that sound fall from his lips? She didn’t want to make too much of it because she knew he’d retreat if she did.

  “Let’s get some lunch. It’s hotdogs and soup.”

  Rick’s hand settled at the small of her back as they made their way over to the lineup for food. She liked the feel of it. Liked how the women eyed him up with interest as they walked by. It was so high school, but she felt like shouting, ‘he’s mine’.

  Cheeks pink, she banished the thought. High school indeed. She was way past those days.

  After they mingled with the townsfolk and had some hot lunch, everyone climbed back onto their machines and headed out to the trails once more. The next leg was the longest and would take about three hours. Ava was still with Seth, and Charlie loved how hot under the collar Davis was being about that.

  The snow was pristine and the trail wove in and around a few lakes before they headed into the interior and higher ground. They spied a lot of wildlife along the way and Rick’s grin told her that he was enjoying the outing as much as she was.

  By the time they reached the last town, Springs Falls, it was nearly five o’clock and the air was changing. It was colder. Crisper. It was time to relax. The town hosted a meal at the community center, but this time the festivities were inside and there was live music. Buses were parked and would begin running every hour, shuttling those who didn’t want to do the return trip on their sleds, home to their respective towns.

  “We’ll take the bus back when we’re ready,” she said to Rick. “And I’ll come back for our sleds tomorrow.”

  “Sounds good to me.”

  He checked his cell and scrolled through a few messages, but pocketed it without answering.

  “Everything okay?” she asked, leading the way inside. He looked pensive, which wasn’t something she was used to.

  “Yeah. For now.” He didn’t elaborate and she didn’t ask any more questions, even though she kinda wanted to know what had made his eyes shadowed.

  Once inside, they made their way over to the tables and Maverick insisted she sit with Connor while he went to grab them bowls of homemade chili and bread. The fresh air had made her hungry and the smells were to die for.

  Davis appeared and went off with Rick while Charlie settled back into her chair, content to relax and people watch. Connor must have felt the same because he melted against her, his big eyes wide as he gazed around the room.

  Her heart softened and she fought the urge to hug him tight. She still wasn’t sure if he’d let her, but man, to see him engaged—his eyes full of interest—was something she’d longed for ever since…her father had died.

  There really were no words.

  “Charlotte Samuels?”
<
br />   Startled, Charlie blinked away her tears and whipped her head around, smiling when she spied Danielle Mason, an old schoolmate. The brunette was about five foot nothing and curvy with a wide smile and kind brown eyes.

  “Oh my God, you haven’t changed a bit,” Danielle said, bending over and hugging Charlie. “I thought that was you in Smithville, but I wasn’t sure. I didn’t know you were back in the area.”

  Charlie got to her feet and smiled. “It’s me and yes, I’ve been back for a couple years now. After my dad passed I, um, took over the garage.”

  She saw the surprise in Danielle’s eyes. “Oh. Yes, I was so sad when I heard about your dad, you know? What a tragedy.”

  “It was.” Charlie glanced at her brother, but Connor was still people watching and quite content.

  “And this is little Connor?”

  She nodded.

  “Poor thing,” Danielle whispered. “So you went to Boston University, right?”

  “No, MIT.”

  “Wow, that’s impressive. Did you finish or…”

  “No. It just wasn’t possible.”

  Danielle’s brown eyes softened. “You can always go back. I mean, you must have been close to graduating.”

  “I was but I don’t think that’s ever going to happen.” She shrugged and changed the subject. “So, you live in Springs Falls now?”

  Danielle’s grin was huge. “I do. I married Mitch Williams. Do you remember him? No? He’s a doctor and I work with him in the office. We have twin babies.”

  “Twins. Wow.”

  “I know right? Little girls. Jenna and Emily. They’re almost three so we’re thinking now’s a good time to try for one more.” Danielle’s brown curls bobbed as she talked. “What about you?”

  “Me?”

  “Yes you! Are you married? Any kids?”

  “Ah, I’m…no. I’m nowhere near where you are yet.”

  “Oh. Who’s the hot guy I saw you come in with? Are you two together?”

  “No,” Charlie answered abruptly, but when Danielle looked at her strangely, she blurted. “Well, yes but not really. You know how it is. You hook up with these guys and then you know, move on to the next one.”

  Oh my God, she was rambling. Someone please stop me.

  “Oh.” Danielle looked confused.

  Charlie strained to see behind Danielle. Where the hell were Davis and Rick?

  But Danielle wasn’t letting her go just yet. “But who is he?”

  “His name is Rick.”

  She frowned. “Rick. Hmmm. He looked familiar to me somehow. Is he from the area?”

  “No. He’s just visiting for few weeks.”

  “Oh.” Danielle’s eyes widened. “Oh. I get it. You guys are just…” Her cheeks turned a deep rose. “You’re just…”

  “Screwing?” Charlie said dryly.

  “I didn’t mean anything by that. I mean, a woman certainly has the right to do those kinds of things with whomever she wants to.”

  “Do what kind of things?”

  And of course Rick would walk back just when the conversation was getting interesting.

  Danielle turned to him and just like most of the women today, she kind of melted when exposed to Rick’s charm. She smiled and giggled like a teenager.

  “Rick, this is an old schoolmate of mine, Danielle.”

  “Nice to meet you. I’d shake hands but…”

  Charlie grabbed the bowls from his tray and set them on the table, while he deposited a basket of warm bread and butter. Davis slid into a seat beside Connor, not bothering to look up when he spoke.

  “So Ava is sitting clear on the other side of the room with Seth.”

  Charlie glanced at Rick but he just shrugged and stepped around Danielle, who was staring at him strangely.

  “Are you sure we haven’t met?” she asked Rick, taking a good long look.

  “I’m sure,” he replied. “I’ve never been to Fisherman’s Landing before or Springs Falls either.”

  “I guess you just have one of those faces,” Danielle said, a thoughtful expression on her face. “Where are you from?”

  “Danielle, we need to eat before the food gets cold.” Charlie sat down and hoped her old friend would take the hint.

  “California,” he replied.

  Huh. That was new information. For a moment Charlie stared down into her bowl of chili. She realized that she knew next to nothing about this man. They’d spent most of the previous evening talking, but they hadn’t talked about anything that mattered. Not really. She knew his name. Rick Simon. She knew he had a brother. She knew that he was an amazing lover, with gentle hands and a mouth that was to die for.

  She knew that he was a musician—that he wrote and sang.

  And that was it.

  She supposed it was more than he knew about her.

  “California! Wow. Why in hell are you out here when you could be in the warm sunshine?”

  “I guess we always want what we don’t have,” he replied, glancing at Charlie. She raised her eyebrows and grabbed a hunk of bread.

  “I guess so,” Danielle replied.

  A moment of awkward silence fell and Danielle stepped back. “Oh my goodness. Sit down. You must be starving.” She waved to Charlie. “So nice seeing you again and Jason Davis, wow, nice to see you too. Remember me?”

  Davis stopped chewing his food and glanced up. He nodded and pointed to his full mouth. Danielle laughed and moved away. “I’ll stop bothering you guys and let you eat your dinner. Are you staying for the dance?”

  Charlie didn’t have a chance to answer, because Rick did as he slid into the spot across from her. “I think we’re heading back sooner than later. The little guy’s had a full day of sun and fresh air.”

  “Oh of course. Okay, I’m glad I ran into you all.”

  She walked away and Charlie breathed a sigh of relief.

  “Who the hell was that?” Davis asked, when he had a chance to swallow his food.

  Charlie laughed. “She’s a few years older than me so you would have went to high school with her. She used to run the pep rally’s remember?”

  “Nope.”

  “You’re hopeless.”

  They settled in to eat their dinner and with Davis preoccupied and Connor still people watching, the conversation was light. And that was fine. Between the scorching hot looks from Rick, she was having a hard time concentrating.

  She wanted him. She wanted him in her bed tonight.

  And as much as she wanted that, she couldn’t help but feel afraid. Because try as she might, Charlie couldn’t shake the feeling that things were about to get very complicated.

  There’d been a day when she would have been all over a challenge like Rick Simon, complicated or not. But she wasn’t the same girl she used to be and complicated had a way of biting a girl in the ass. Challenge or not, was she ready for that?

  She glanced up from her half eaten bowl of chili and her breath caught at the back of her throat. Rick was looking at her, his dark eyes smoldering, his generous mouth curved into a wicked grin.

  Why did complicated have to be so damn hot?

  Chapter Fifteen

  Rick left the community center of Springs Falls by seven, along with Charlie and Connor. Davis had been in a mood and decided to stay for a bit. His excuse had been that he wanted to catch the band, but Rick knew when a guy was a lost cause. He had a thing for Charlie’s friend Ava, and anyone with a brain could see it.

  If Davis were one of his cousins, or his brother Cooper, Rick would have told him to stop being a pussy, find his balls and go after the woman that he wanted. But Rick didn’t know the guy well enough to offer that kind of blunt advice, so he shook Davis’s hand and wished him a good night instead.

  The three of them hopped onto the bus and snagged a couple of seats in the back. Connor climbed onto the one beside them and immediately curled onto his side. The little guy was so tired and didn’t say a word, closing his eyes and drifting off before the b
us had pulled out of the parking lot.

  It was dark out, but the sky was clear, full of thousands of stars and a moon that was nearly full. It created a surreal glow over the snow covered ground and was a real pretty thing to look at. Of course it had nothing on the woman beside him and he glanced over only to find Charlie’s eyes on him. She didn’t say a word. But then she didn’t have to.

  Maverick’s blood boiled at the look in her eyes. When her lips parted and she sighed, a low sexy sort of thing, he felt himself tighten and thought that it was going to be one hell of a long ride back to her place.

  And it was.

  By the time they reached Fisherman’s Landing, Rick was strung so tight that one little touch from her would have made him explode. Charlie had melted into his side and the warmth of her body seared through his jacket and clothes, driving him crazy.

  They still hadn’t said one word to each other, but their body language and eye contact spoke volumes. Her legs were crossed as if to alleviate some kind of stress. He grinned at the thought, because he was pretty sure he knew exactly where her problem area was. Not that he was going to gloat. How could he? He was hard as a rock and if he didn’t watch it, some of the older ladies up front were going to get a glimpse of the bulge between his legs.

  The bus pulled into the parking lot where they’d left their vehicles and Rick handed Charlie the keys to his truck, taking a moment to slide his thumb over her palm. He couldn’t help himself.

  Her breath hitched.

  His dick throbbed.

  “I’ve got Connor,” he said roughly. “You can drive.”

  He scooped up the sleeping boy into his arms, surprised at just how light he was. As he followed Charlie out of the bus and across the parking lot to his truck, he realized that he didn’t even know Connor’s age. He’d been figuring about ten, but he didn’t know for sure. He guessed that there was a lot that they didn’t know about each other and maybe it was time to remedy that situation.

  His smile slashed through the darkness as he climbed into the passenger side of his truck. Of course, there was time for that later. Priorities.