Page 18 of Maverick

She blinks at me, confusion etched on her face. "Maverick? What are you doing here?"

I swallow hard, trying to get my racing heart under control. "I, uh, I came to volunteer. Nick said you could always use more help."

A slow smile spreads across her face, and I swear, it's like the fucking sun coming out from behind the clouds. "That's really sweet of you. We can definitely use the extra hands."

She stands up from the desk, stretching her arms above her head. I try not to stare at the strip of skin that's revealed as her shirt rides up. Fuck, I'm in trouble.

I clear my throat, trying to get my brain back online. "So, uh, how long have you been running this place?"

Cadence's eyes light up. "It's been about nine years now. It started out small, just a few dogs here and there. I'd take them in, help them get better, then find them homes. Then people started calling me about more, and I realized that if I wanted to help on a larger scale, I’d need a permanent space."

I nod, trying to focus on her words and not the way her lips move as she speaks, and the peek of her pink tongue. Even having a conversation with her is a sensual experience. "So you went straight to this place?"

"I wish!,” she says with a laugh. “We grew into this space a few years ago. I had to go slow. Money was tight because there's no profit in rescuing dogs. But eventually, I was able to get us here."

"That's amazing. You've really built something special here." At first glance, I thought she was in her late twenties, but a closer look at her makeup free face reveals little laugh lines around her eyes. She's got to be in her thirties. And damned if thatdoesn't make me want her more. I have nothing against younger women, but women closer to my age seem to have settled into who they are. There's something stable, and restful about them that I find appealing.

Another woman might duck her head at my compliment, blushing. She just plants her hands on her hips and grins. "Thanks. It's a lot of work, but it's so worth it."

We chat for a few more minutes, and the longer I stand here, the more tension seeps from my shoulders. Something about her presence is calming. She's just so easy to talk to, so warm and genuine.

I'm about to ask her another question when the bell above the door chimes. We both turn to see Nick and Bree walking in, hand in hand.

"Hey guys!" Bree calls out, waving. "Ready to get to work?"

I smile at Bree, giving her a peck on the cheek as she passes. Nick gets a glare. I was just starting to make some progress with Cadence, and he had to go and fucking cockblock me.

"Yeah, sure," I say, my voice a little tight. "Let's do this."

As we head towards the back, I catch Nick's eye. He grins at me, the little shit, and I resist the urge to flip him off. He told me to get here at six, so I rushed to get here before they did so I could get some alone time with Cady. Fucker knew it, too. And now he’s early.

After one more glare, I focus on Cadence, listening as she lays out what needs to be done. It doesn't seem that hard. Feed the dogs, take them out, clean the kennels. No big deal.

Nick zeroes in on a beautiful dog with a rust-colored coat, crouching down and talking softly to her. She snuffles at his fingers, giving them little licks. He carefully opens the gate, and after a slight hesitation, she steps out, and into him, pressing her head against his chest. Bree and Cady are busy at the otherend of the kennels, so I'm the only one to witness the mix of devastation and love that passes over his face.

I carefully approach, keeping my steps measured and slow. The dog's eyes flick to me, wary, but she leans into Nick, her trust in him evident. I stop about five feet away, not wanting to spook her.

"This is your girl huh?" I ask softly, my gaze on the dog.

Nick runs a gentle hand over her head. "Yeah. She's been through a lot. Abused, abandoned. It's taken me over a month to get her to this point."

I watch as the dog nuzzles into Nick's hand, seeking comfort. "A month, huh? That's a long time."

Nick's eyes meet mine, fierce and determined. "I can be a very patient man, when it matters. And she matters."

His words strike me, resonating deep within. Letting someone come to you on their own terms, in their own time, is a foreign concept to me. I've always been the type to chase, fight, and argue. It's part of who I am, ingrained in my very being. And there's no doubt it makes me a great lawyer.

Would Nick's approach work for me? One where I ease up, give space, and let things unfold naturally.

"Does that work with dogs only? Or is it a people thing too?"

Nick chuckles and presses his lips to the dog's head. I swear she grins and licks his cheek. I didn’t know dogs had facial expressions. "Are you asking me if people can realize they're yours, and come to you without a push?"

"Um…yes?"

"Then my answer is…sort of."

"What does that even mean?"