Chayton's Tempest (26 page)

didn’t go.

By the time he reached the table, Tempest had been

repositioned behind the bar. Scott’s hand was strong as

Maverick shook it in welcome. “It’s so wonderful to see you,

Scott.”

The tall man grinned. “It’s wonderful to be seen.” He

gestured to a chair and nodded as Maverick took the seat. “I

must admit, when I heard that you had a child…I was very

intrigued.”

Maverick felt the blush run over his cheeks. His dark

eyes landed on an unabashed Hondo who just shrugged.

“Well,” he admitted. “I was shocked beyond belief.”

“And how are you doing with him? And her,” Scott

added almost slyly. “I hear his mother is still around. Would

that be the one sitting beside you at the bar?” Scott’s blue eyes

twinkled with humor.

“No.
She
would be the one in the dark-blue jeans and

white tank top that brought some drinks here.” Seven men sent

him questioning looks. “And before you ask, the young man

behind the counter with her is
our
son.” Maverick knew all of

them picked up on the pride ringing his words.

Tempest wiped down the bar in between serving people

and stared at the woman Maverick had called
Talli
. The second

she’d heard that woman’s name, her heart dropped. All the

feelings of betrayal resurfaced as the memory of those

disturbing late-night phone calls flashed back just as fresh as if

they’d just occurred.

The woman wore too much makeup in Tempest’s mind,

but was very beautiful nonetheless. The longer Tempest

watched her, the more obvious the woman’s desire for

Maverick became.

Allowing her eyes to drift over to the table where the

group of imposing men sat, Tempest saw the joy on Maverick’s

face. It was apparent he had great feelings for them all. As their

perceptive gazes swung over her time and time again, she

began to feel a bit unnerved. All of them had that same

intensity that Maverick had.

Mili
stopped beside her and groaned. “They all have

rings on, expect
your man
.”

That comment drew her attention away from the
goodlooking

crew. “I don’t have a man,” she protested. “At least not

in here. Burl is elsewhere tonight.”

The Latina burst out laughing. “Oh, please, Tempest.

That is
so
not who I mean and we both know it.” Her finely

manicured hand settled on Tempest’s shoulder. “But we can

pretend if you wish it.”

“That would be a wonderful idea,
unless
you don’t want

a job tomorrow,” Tempest ground out.

Mili
laughed even harder. “Please, I so need to get that

embroidered for your wall. You say it to me all the time.” She

hugged her boss before moving away and stepping back.

“One day,
Mili
, one day, I’ll mean it.” Tempest tossed

the empty threat back. The only indication she’d been heard

was a wave of one hand as
Mili
moved down the bar.

Tempest’s eyes kept drifting back to the group of

handsome men that seemed to be a main attraction in her bar.

Unconsciously, she licked her lips when the tall blond with the

crutches stood and approached. Even with the walking aid, the

man screamed power, wealth, and danger.

It seemed that the room followed his movement as he

neared the teak bar and sat down directly before Tempest. His

magnetism took her breath away. His blond lashes blinked

slowly over cornflower-blue eyes.

“What can I get you?” Tempest asked, somehow finding

her sense.

“Coke, please.” A smooth Southern drawl went from his

mouth to her ears.

 
“That’s it, plain Coke?” Tempest double-checked.

“Yes, ma’am. My doctor seriously frowns upon me

mixing alcohol and pain meds.” His blue eyes assessed her as

she quickly got him a drink.

“No charge.” Tempest waved off his money. “I don’t

often meet men who listen to their docs.”

He flashed a grin. “I’m
bettin
’ you don’t meet many men

who listen, period.” His head turned and he glanced pointedly

back at the table where Maverick watched them intently.

It couldn’t be helped; she burst out laughing. “You’re

good. And you’re right, I don’t.” Wiping down the bar before

him, she said, “Name’s Tempest.”

“Scott.” He reached his hand across the bar and smiled

as she took it. “I must say, I’m thrilled to meet you.”

Suspicion crept into her gaze and she retreated behind

her instinctive protective wall. “Why would that be?”

It wasn’t that her tone was any less friendly, but her

posture was one of mistrust and Scott immediately picked up

on it. “Because Maverick has spoken so highly of you.”

Her eyes were still guarded. “Really? That’s a surprise.”

Scott drew back. “Why—?”

“I need a drink,” a female voice interrupted, breaking

the moment between Tempest and Scott.

Tempest looked to Scott’s left and saw it was
Talli
who

requested another drink. “Sure, sorry. What can I get you?”

“I’ll have a Kamikaze and whatever that man over there

had. I’m buying him another round.” She pointed behind her.

Without following the glance, Tempest knew whom she

was talking about. “Sure.” In her usual fashion of mixing

drinks, it wasn’t long before
Talli
had her Kamikaze and

another open beer. Tempest was polite as she took money and

gave change, then she walked away after a nod to Scott.

Catching her son’s eyes, Tempest let him know she was

taking a break. When he nodded, she slipped from behind the

bar into the calm, cool, and quiet sanctuary of her office.

Maverick rarely took his eyes off Tempest as she worked

behind the bar. The smile and laughter she shared with Scott

made him clench his fists.

“Sucks when another man pays attention to your

woman, doesn’t it?” Maverick looked over to see Tyson

watching him. “Especially when you aren’t sure she’s totally

yours.”

“Man, have I apologized to you for
hittin
’ on
Jayde
in

Belize yet?” Maverick remembered how angry his teammate

had become when he’d flirted with his wife.

Tyson grinned and took a long swig of his beer. “Nope,

but don’t worry. I have a feeling you are in for a much bigger

fight than I was. You’re last to fall, man, and you know damn

well all of us are
gonna
be razzing you the whole way.” His

hazel eyes glanced in the direction Maverick was trying

desperately to not look in and flickered back to the tall Native

American sitting with them. “And I’m
bettin
’
she
isn’t about to

make it any easier on you.” Tyson smirked. “Bet you not so

proud to be a ladies’ man now, are you.”

Maverick followed the subtle eye flick of his friend and

groaned.
Talli
was heading toward him. “You have got to be

kidding me,” he muttered.

“Payback’s a bitch, man.” Tyson rested his elbows on the

table and waited for the show to begin.

Talli
sat down in the chair Scott had vacated. She slid a

drink over to
Mav
and said, “Here you go, handsome. I

brought you a refill.” Her dark eyes moved around the table.

“Aren’t you going to introduce me to your friends?”

“
Talli
,” Maverick bit out between clenched teeth. “What

are you doing here?”

“I came to talk about our situation.” Her hand rested

upon his strong arm.

Draining his beer, Maverick ignored the replacement

Talli
had brought and fixed his black gaze on her. “What is the

situation you think we have?’

Big brown eyes blinked at him. “The baby of course.”

His hand was placed over the swell of her belly. “Our baby.”

Maverick jerked his hand off her like it had been burned.

“Baby? We don’t have a baby. If you’re pregnant,
Talli
, that has

nothing to do with me.” Shards of ice made up his eyes.

Her lower lip quivered and she looked at him with hurt

and pain in her eyes. “Why don’t you want our baby, James?

What did I do wrong?” Her voice raised in pitch. “Why are you

so insistent to ignore this baby? You said we would be married,

James. You swore you would take care of me and our baby.

You said you would protect me.” Movement over her shoulder

captured Maverick’s attention. Tempest stood there.

Eighteen

Tempest exchanged a bowl of fresh nuts with an empty

one with a smile. Maverick noticed how her smile was directed

at his teammates, but mostly Tyson, the one she stood beside. If

Tyson weren’t happily married, Maverick would be pissed

over the blatant male appreciation he witnessed in those hazel

eyes.

“Can I get anyone anything else?” Tempest asked, her

gaze lingering over the six members of the team sitting there.

“We’re fine,” Maverick bit off as he fought back a

warning growl.

“Actually,” Tyson corrected with a brilliant smile, “I’d

love another drink.” That sentiment was echoed by the others

at the table.

“What’ll it be?” Tempest waited for the orders.

“Beer, please. Any lager will do for me.” Tyson spoke

with as easy shrug and Maverick rumbled low in his chest. The

rest of the table placed orders as well and Tempest nodded at

them all without blinking.

“Very good.” Tempest’s eyes skimmed over him and

Talli
. “And you two? Can I get you anything else?”

“I’m still good with mine and his is still full,”
Talli

answered for them both. Maverick opened his mouth but

stopped as Tempest said, “Okay,” and walked off.

“I’m
Talli
,” the woman beside him said to Tyson. “Are

you a friend of his?”

Maverick caught the flicker of amusement Tyson had

and bit back his frustration.
Why is
Talli
here? And why is she

claiming this baby is mine?

Tyson’s eyebrow rose. “Friend? Yes, you could say that.

We’ve worked together for a long time.”

 
“I’m
Talli
, it’s nice to meet you.” she reached her hand

out to Tyson.

Tyson shook her hand. “Ma’am.”

“Nice to see your rant is all forgotten,
Talli
,” Maverick

snapped sarcastically.

Her eyes turned to his. “I know you don’t like scenes.”

Maverick rolled his eyes in exasperation.

“Here you go,
hon
,” Tempest’s voice said as she placed

the last bottle beside Tyson. Maverick never took his eyes off

Tempest.
Look at me,
mitiwan
.
She ignored his silent plea.