What was it about this woman that his body had such an instant reaction to? He hadn’t even talked to her. Touched her. He needed to find out before he embarrassed himself in front of everyone.
Screw it. He was not going to let this opportunity get away from him, even if the last thing he needed to add to his long list of problems was hitting on the owner’s girlfriend. He needed to find out who she was.
Chapter 4
Maverick noticed the slick way the beauty in green avoided him as he walked over to TS, quickly making an exit. So he played up his public persona and gave his new boss a hearty backslap and handshake.
A photographer appeared out of the shadows and snapped a photo. The perfect scene: owner and player together—united. It couldn’t have been planned better if they tried. The picture was sure to be trending on social media before the end of the party, and hopefully this time the headlines would be kind.
“TS, thanks again for including me tonight. I appreciate your confidence in me.” Maverick spoke loud enough to ensure that those around them could hear the exchange.
But TS was no pushover and Maverick could tell by the hard and penetrating stare he received that TS knew exactly what he was up to. Forgiveness for the potential career-ending video making the rounds and then taken off the disabled list before training began, then on the mound for the first game of the regular season. Yeah, that was a lot to hope for.
“Maverick, I have some things to discuss with you, but I think my office is a better venue. Not sure if a charity event is the right place to talk . . . strategy.”
Keeping his smile in place, Mav listened while on the inside, his guts churned. Nodding, then released TS’s hand and in a practiced move, he turned his attention to the photographer. A skill he never thought he’d have when he played college ball but served him well. He gave the guy a few sound bites before tactfully sending him on his way.
“I can assure you, Mr. Scott, I’ll make it right with you, the team, and the league.”
“And the community? The ones that watched as one of the best USBL players lost it over moving to their city? What do you say to them?”
Determined to show TS the hothead he saw in the video was not the man standing in front of him or the player he was and would be again—hopefully on the pitching mound come opening day.
“How do you propose we fix that problem, Jansen?” TS waved a hand to the guests in the room. “Because they’re the ones that buy the tickets. Without them, you can bet the media will seize on it all season long. They’re dogs with a goddamn bone when it comes to crap like this.”
TS shifted a fraction of an inch closer, maintaining a relaxed look on his face, but his tone was anything but friendly. Then, just for Maverick’s ears said, “I need you to think long and hard about how you’re going to help the Outlaws on the field—and off.”
“I’m on board with anything that needs to be done to correct my screwup. I promise you, TS, that video or anything like it will never happen again,” Maverick said.
“And the drinking?” TS asked.
“Temporary. I assure you. I can handle my liquor.”
Silence. He hated silence. His father had always used it against him when he was young and struggling to fill it with the words he thought his father wanted to hear.
If he wavered in front of TS, then he wasn’t the man he knew he was, so he looked TS in the eye. “All I have is my word, and with all due respect, you can take it or let me out of my contract now.”
TS didn’t blink at the challenge. Instead, he placed his hand on Mav’s shoulder, then lowered his voice and said, “Prove it. Prove you’re worth the millions I’m paying you and get us over .500 for the season and maybe throw a no-hitter while you’re at it. If you do, I’ll frame your ugly mug over my desk and invite Sports Weekly in to do a cover story.”
Maverick took the deepest breath of his life and let it back out in a rush. No pressure, just do the impossible. In one season. “Done.”
“I’m betting on it, Maverick.” TS sounded hopeful and pissed all at the same time.
“Thanks for your support, sir. I won’t let you down.” Maverick relaxed his too-tight shoulders and smiled in relief.
“Cut the ‘sir’ crap. I’m not much older than you.”
“Right.” Maverick chuckled, looking around to see if the gorgeous brunette had returned. She hadn’t, so he took the moment to find out her story. “I’ll let you get back to your girlfriend. I didn’t want to interrupt your evening with shop talk.”
“Girlfriend?” TS’s brow knitted. “Oh, you mean Kelsey? We’re not involved, romantically. She’s like a sister to me. We grew up together right here in Pineville. She’s ah, here to support me and the team.”
Maverick felt a surge of heat bloom in his chest at the news. He wanted to ask a hundred more questions about her, but TS wasn’t stupid and would know why he was interested in Kelsey. But now he had a name.
“All right and thanks again for your time.” Shaking hands, now confident TS would back him, as long as he didn’t screw up anything else.
“My secretary will be in touch with an appointment time. Enjoy your evening, Maverick, and maybe make it an early one, hmmm?”
“I will.” And he would. No more women or late nights in bars. And he’d do whatever it took to restore his image and get his pitching back on track. But he’d work that out tomorrow. Right now, he needed to track down the curvy beauty he couldn’t stop thinking about.
Kelsey leaned against the balcony railing, rolling the tension out of her neck and shoulders. How much longer should she hide out here before going back in? She didn’t want to chance looking at Maverick and get caught staring again. She kept her gaze on the still, dark blue lake below her and gave in to the flood of memories she’d been holding back since returning to Pineville.
A few minutes later, she was so caught up in her thoughts; she didn’t hear the terrace doors opening. But she did hear the footsteps right before a hand brushed her arm. She looked up and an instant heat shot straight to her core. Maverick stood inches away, his eyes locked on her, and the interest in them leaving little mystery as to why he joined her.
“Excuse me, miss. I hope I’m not intruding, but I noticed how relaxed you look and had to find out your secret.”
Kelsey released a snort, not the least bit worried about how unladylike it sounded, then laughed. He joined her. His low chuckle sent a wave of tingles through her and reignited the heated flush she came outside to cool.
“So, is that a line you practiced, or did it just come to you?” She asked.
“Well now, it got you to speak to me, so I think practiced or not, it had the desired result.”
From the corner of her eye, she watched as his face transformed. Gone was the sensual smile and in its place was a dimple-filled grin.
He held out his hand. “Hi, I’m Rand Jansen, but everyone calls me Maverick, or Mav.”
Accepting his sport-roughened hand around her smaller one, she tilted her head to the side. How did she play this? He may be the first man in a long time to make her feel even a twinge of sexual interest, but they would soon be working together. Should she test him? See exactly how he would handle a woman turning him down.