Page 4 of Brewing Brilliance

“Uh-oh, that bad?” He raises a brow as he asks the question, but his sole focus is on me. I can’t help but tuck my head and try to hide behind my hair. I really don’t need to be this man’s center of attention, especially when Chayse is about to spill my dirty laundry. But, it’s not her fault. She’ll never understand how uncomfortable the spotlight on me makes me feel.

“Yep. Her fiancé who she had been with for seven years was found balls deep banging the music teacher during school hours where they all work together.”

Maverick’s face gets dark as his brows furrow and his jaw clenches. His hands ball in a fist around the glass of liquor he was pouring, and I wonder if he’s strong enough to shatter it with the shear force in which he’s gripping it.

“Fuck that. Cheaters are the lowest scum imaginable. I’m with you on the murder route. Anyone who cheats is a spineless coward. Especially on a woman as gorgeous as you.” He turns from Chayse as he says the last part and gives me a wink and the sexiest, devilish smile I have ever seen. I can’t help but blush as he sets a shot down in front of me. Needing to break eye contact, I take my shot and slam the glass onto the bar top. He smiles again before tapping his knuckles on the bar and heading the other direction to serve more patrons. Before I can release the breath I was holding, he turns back and looks directly at me.

“Drinks are on me tonight, Spence. Let loose and have a good time with your girls. I’ve got you.” My jaw drops and I’m literally stunned where I sit.

“Holy fuck, that was hot.” Leave it to Chayse to break me from my frozen state with her lack of filter. “I’m not the only one who saw that, right?” She asks as she turns to the other girls.

“Nope, definitely not. That really was hot. I’ve gotten to know Mav pretty well, and I’ve never really seen him flirt or be that open with anyone when I’ve been in here.”

Finally finding my voice, I can’t help but chime in. “He wasn’t flirting. He just feels bad that I was cheated on.”

“Sure, sweetie. You keep telling yourself that.” Now Seraphine was chiming in, too. I have no idea why I thought coming out with them was a good idea tonight. But, before I can weasel my way out, Chayse says she’ll quit with the teasing, and we head to a table to get some food and just enjoy being together.

Once the shot kicks in a little bit, I can feel myself relax and enjoy the show that is my sisters and best friend. I don’t care anymore if people are staring or talking about me. I just get lost in the carefree laughter and joy that always accompanies me when I am with my sisters and Sera.

Of course, they don’t let me off that easy, though. It appears Maverick wasn’t kidding when he said he’d take care of us. Not long after we sat down, we had a few different pitchers of beer and several appetizers delivered to the table. When I tried to tell the waitress it was a mistake, she just giggled and looked towards the bar. Sure enough, Maverick was watching and sent a little wink my way.

After a few rounds, what little filter Chayse and Emerson had, began to melt away. “Okay, I backed off a little bit because I know you hate being the center of attention, but are we going to keep ignoring the hunk of a man that can’t seem to take his eyes off Spencer since he first stopped to get us our drinks?”

I deliberately sat with my back towards the bar because I knew there was no way I would be able to hide my wandering eyes or the blush that crept up my neck and face when I was caught in his stare. Hell, even with my back towards him, I could sense him watching me and every time I turned around and caught him, instead of acting like he didn’t just get caught, he’d smirk or give me another wink acknowledging that he was definitely aware of me.

“Seriously, if the hubs looked at me like he was ready to eat me like that, we’d have a hell of a lot more kids than the preteens who are currently making my life a living hell.” We all laugh at Seraphine because we know she’s full of shit. Her husband is hopelessly in love with her. Her kids are really good kids, especially in these awkward years.

“He sure is fine to look at, but I wouldn’t go any further, Spence. He’s a really great guy, but he doesn’t date. In fact, he’s got a bit of a bad boy, or love ‘em and leave ‘em reputation because he hasn’t dated anyone in the two years that he’s lived here.”

“I don’t hear anything wrong with that statement.” Chayse chimes in rather loudly. “She just got out of a seven year relationship. I can’t imagine she’s ready to dive right into another one. Besides, I can 1000% guarantee he could give Spencer an amazing “O” or two without even trying. I’m sure the pencil dick didn’t even realize she’s been faking them with him for years.”

“CHAYSE! I told you that in confidence.” I’m so embarrassed that she said that, but I can tell that once she realized what she did, she immediately regretted it. She forgets that not everyone is as forth coming with their private, especially sexual life as she is.

“Shit, Spence. I’m sorry I said that out loud, but even more sorry that it’s probably the truth. Besides, your vagina deserves some premium, grade A dick and that man sure looks like he’d fulfill that order.”

Seraphine shoots her drink out of her nose she’s laughing so hard while Emerson almost falls out of her chair. My jaw is literally on the floor over what Chayse said, especially considering we are out in public. I’d like to say I can’t believe she actually said that, but she’s been like this since we were young.

“On that note, I need to get home to my spawns. I’m not as young as you ladies, and dealing with 25 kindergarteners requires my beauty sleep. Call me if any of you need a ride and I’ll send the hubs out to get you.” We all stand and give Sera a hug and I whisper a thank you for knowing what I needed better than I did.

After she leaves, Chayse doesn’t hesitate to go right back in. “Okay, joking aside, I really think he’s into you. Maybe you should get his number.”

“If I say I’ll think about it, will you let it go?”

“Absolutely. And I know I’m usually the life of the party, but I need to get home and get some sleep. I’m coming off a 12 hour shift from hell. You okay to drive or do you want me to take you? Emerson rode with me so it’s no big deal dropping you off as well.” I hadn’t even realized Chayse quit drinking, but it makes sense that she wouldn’t risk it since she sees the first hand devastation drinking and driving can cause at the ER.

“Nope, I’m good. I’m going to head to the bathroom and then be on my way as well.”

“Okay. Text me tomorrow?” Chayse gives me a hug before Emerson hip checks her out of the way. She may be small, but she’s strong.

“Me too.” I give my baby sister a squeeze and a kiss to the forehead like I’ve done since she’s little. They both make their way to the door as I make my way to the bathroom. When I come out, I’m looking in my purse for my keys when I run into what feels like a brick wall. Calloused hands grip my arms as I steady myself. My hand instinctively lands on the most glorious set of abs I’ve ever felt. I can’t help licking my lips as I imagine tracing them with my tongue. It takes me a minute to realize it’s Maverick that I’m clinging to and he’s talking to me. I don’t fully acknowledge the fact until his fingers grip my chin and he’s tilting my head back.

“Spencer, I asked if you are okay? Did you hit your head or are my abs just that distracting.” I’m mortified to realize I had inched my hands under his shirt and have been caressing his stomach. I can feel the flush rush to my face as I try and take a step back, but Maverick won’t let me go.

Instead, he tucks a strand of hair behind my ear and trails his finger down my neck towards the v-neck where a hint of cleavage is sticking out. I shudder out a breath and close my eyes. I’ve never felt an instant attraction or pull to someone like this in my life. I know touching him is not okay, but I can’t make myself stop. And the thought of him letting go of me now, makes me want to weep.

His eyes get serious for a second and he asks me again if I’m okay. For some reason, I know he doesn’t mean just because of our run in, but because of what happened with Brant. It makes me even more attracted to him that he seems to sincerely want to know how I’m doing.

I bite my lip and take a step closer, making our bodies align from head to toe. He lets out a low groan as his hips thrust into mine. I can’t help but to move even closer and slide my hands up his chest around his neck. I don’t know what’s come over me, but if Maverick is down with it, I want to know what it’s like for him to keep me up all night long.

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