Chapter Seven

Beth

I really wish the confidence that came with a buzz would follow me to work in the mornings. I understand that Maverick is trying to be the good guy here and not fool around with someone he works with, but he’s going to have to stop arriving to work in his perfect suit with his perfect hair and that perfect smile surrounded by that perfectly groomed face. It’s been more than a week and everything about him still screams irresistible, and unfortunately—or fortunately, depending on how you look at it—my body hasn’t yet learned what self-control is.

I also, obsessively, won’t let this go.

“Hey, Maverick,” I say, peeking into his office the way I always do when a quick message back and forth won’t work. Especially since this time around, I’m not here for work. Nope, I’m basically walking into his office with full intentions of being up to no good. Just because he says this thing between us can’t happen doesn’t mean the conversation ends there. I get a say too, damn it.

“Yeah.” He smiles at me from his desk. When I know I have his full attention I step through the doorway.

“I have a new print-out of the first slide,” I say, my diversion for getting close to him.

“Great, I was actually thinking we should have a presentation with words and one without. The one with we could send to them, and the one without can be the one we present to them. That way they are actually listening to us and not reading the projection instead.”

“That’s a great idea.” His enthusiasm only makes me want to make my next move more.

“Look, Maverick, I’m just going to get right to the point.”

“Is everything okay?” he asks, standing as he watches me with concern.

“Yes, but I can’t stop thinking about kissing you, and I was also thinking that maybe if we had sex once, I could get you out of my system and I’ll be all set.” The words are barely out of my mouth before he’s capturing mine with his own.

Everything about our embrace right now is desperate. Hands moving feverishly from our hair to our hips to our asses, gripping or groping where we can as our bodies rub against each other.

I push him back on his chair, resting my knee between his legs as I lean over him, never breaking the kiss. His hands go straight to my butt. That’s how far we get when I remember where we are. And that his door is wide open. And that’s exactly where his hands are continuing to rest when we hear him.

“I’m just going to speak with Maverick for a quick second.”

We both freeze at the sound of his uncle’s voice.

“Hide, now, under the desk.” Maverick nudges me; all the while I am protesting.

“You’re joking, right?” I laugh at him. “Just hold it together.”

“Uncle Bart, what can I do for you?”

I want to whisper that he shouldn’t sound so eager, but I think that would defeat the purpose of the issue we’re trying to hide right now. I don’t think I’ve ever seen Maverick sweat like he is right now. He clearly doesn’t seem to do well under pressure.

“Oh perfect, I was hoping to speak with you and Miss Moyer for a quick moment.”

“Oh … yeah …” Maverick’s choice of words trail off as he struggles to come up with something. Really, Maverick?

“About what, sir?” I ask and side glance Maverick. What the fuck is his deal?

“The owner of TACM contacted to me to let me know you pitched the station to the event center and that they accepted. He’s quite pleased and so am I. I’d like to meet with you both in my office a bit later to go over more details.”

“Of course,” I answer him because Maverick apparently isn’t talking anymore.

“Splendid, I’ll have Ann send you an email with a time slot.” He looks to Maverick. “Are you feeling okay?”

“Swell,” he manages to squeak out.

“All right then, I’ll see you both soon.”

The moment he’s out of view I swat Maverick’s arm. “What the hell was that?”

“I’m not really sure, but I think you should go back to your office.”

“What?”

“I have things to work on.”

“Maverick, we have things to work on together.”

“Just go.” His voice is thick and I’m a little taken back. “Please.”

“Fine, if that’s how you want it.” I grab the printed slides off his desk. “Strictly work it is.” I head for my office.

“Beth, I just need a few minutes.”

I pause and turn. “Trust me, Maverick, you can have all the time you need.”

Maverick

It’s after lunch by the time Beth and I meet in my uncle’s office. I know she is irritated with me, but I’m even more frustrated with myself. I’m here for one reason and I can’t even get my shit together long enough to get it done.

I feel extremely out of my element here, like I’m in high school all over again. Trying to get the girl by impressing her and doing the right thing. When I worked at the Colorado office, I felt much older than my twenty-six years; business is serious around there. It’s not a group of people competing for a job. It is the job and it came with a lot more responsibility than the spot I’m in now. Back home, I was busy the entire workday overseeing multiple accounts; now I’m working on one and feel like I’m not doing anything all. Either this place needs more structure and more work or being near Beth is throwing off my game.

I glance over at her, since we are both seated across from my uncle, who is finishing up an email. She isn’t looking at me and my uncle hasn’t said a word. I’d say both the structure and the girl are what are wrong with me.

“So, I hear the two of you have decided to team up away from Austin,” he says, folding his hands in front of him. He settles his eyes on Beth for a moment as she just nods and then he looks to me.

“Well, then, how’s it going?”

“As good as can be expected.” I answer.

“Yes,” Beth agrees. “We still separated out some of the Fourth of July fireworks event duties, so in a way we are still working together.”

“That’s good to hear. These next couple of weeks leading to the event will pass quickly.”

“Yes, sir. Maverick and I have already contacted a few different companies who are willing to make donations for raffles during the event,” she says. “Most of them are the same food and shop vendors that will be set up during the show. It’s a great way to cross promote.”

“They’ve agreed to work solely with TACM on their donations, too. The exclusivity will bring more people directly to us,” I add.

“Good, good, this is what I like to hear.” His computer pings. “I believe it’s time for my next meeting. I’ll schedule another meeting next week to go over your entire vision for the event.”

“Of course.”

He nods, and Beth and I file out of his office.

“Almost feels like sitting in the principal’s office, doesn’t it?” I ask.

Beth glares at me and turns for her office.

“Are you going to be mad at me forever or just today? I mean, we do have to work together and all.”

“I’ll talk when it’s necessary, and your poor attempt at a joke is not a reason to talk to you.”

“All righty then, when you’re ready to talk, I’ll fill you in on the progress I’ve made,” I say.

“Or you can come to me when you have something because we are adults and not kids. I believe your ‘come to me; no, go away; no, come back’ vision of life is the exact definition of a child.”

It impresses me that she speaks to me like she is my boss. Turns me on, too. I really do enjoy when she calls me out on this crap.

“I think I’ll wait till you come to me,” I say and walk past her.

I hear her huff as I turn the corner. She won’t hold out long. We have a lot to do to be ready for the event.