The Maverick Read Online Free PDF

double entendre intended.” Then he spoiled his comment with a wolfish grin.
    She laughed and gathered her purse. Griff was the most fascinating man she’d met in ages, and she could go swimmingin those eyes of his. Was the giddiness she felt from the wine or his charm? Remember he’s a New York lawyer, she reminded herself, and he studied Charm 101 at Harvard.
    Still, despite her own admonitions, a shiver went up her spine when he touched his hand to her back as they left. The man was another heartbreaker, but her hormones didn’t seem to care. If she was smart, she’d drop him like a hot rock. Now.
    But instead of thinking of ways to discourage him, all her mind could conjure up were visions of silk sheets and a hot mouth.
     
    O N THE DRIVE BACK to her apartment, Griff had to clutch his thighs to keep from taking Cass in his arms and kissing her. He’d never wanted to kiss a woman so badly. He hesitated, not wanting to rush her, nor embarrass her with the driver present. Griff wanted to do more than kiss her, but he blocked those thoughts as best he could.
    Should he accept her invitation to the picnic Sunday? Yes, he decided. Ingratiating himself with her family couldn’t hurt.
    “Were you serious about my going with you to the picnic on Sunday?” he asked as they walked upstairs to her apartment.
    She hesitated for a millisecond, and his heart lost a beat. He prayed she wasn’t having second thoughts about him.
    “Of course. I can pick you up at your hotel about ten-thirty, and we’ll drive to Wimberley.”
    “Wimberley?”
    “My cousin Belle and her husband live there. It’s a small village southwest of here, very picturesque. It’s casual. Jeans or shorts.”
    When they reached her door, she turned and lifted her face. Kissing her was the most natural thing in the world.
    And the most mind-blowing. He had the strangest urge tothrow her over his shoulder, beat his chest and carry her into his cave. She would have hated it.
    Ignoring the urges he felt, he smiled and said, “I’ll see you on Sunday.”
     
    A BOUT MIDAFTERNOON ON Saturday, a florist box arrived for Cass. She took it to her office to avoid the curiosity of her staff. Inside she found three perfect yellow roses and an adorable stuffed kitten with big round eyes and a stitched smile.
    The card read: “Thank you for a wonderful evening. Maybe this kitty will do until you can have a real one. I’ll be the one pacing eagerly in front of my hotel on Sunday morning. Griff.”
    She put the roses in a bud vase from the supply closet and hugged the kitten. How dear of him to remember her comments about a cat.
    She smiled. Charm 101 again. She had his number for sure, but it was fun playing the game. And it was only a game, a flirtation. Despite his interest in moving to Austin, she suspected he’d be gone in a week or two.

Chapter Five
    Griff was true to his word. When Cass pulled up to the front of his hotel at ten-thirty on Sunday morning, he was waiting by the door. He wore khaki shorts, some high-end sport shoes and a pale blue polo shirt the exact color of his eyes. He looked good enough to eat with pecans and fudge sauce.
    He broke into a grin when he saw her drive up in her little red convertible. “Good morning,” he said, climbing in. “I love a woman who is punctual.”
    “That’s me.”
    She’d worn khaki shorts as well, but her shirt was red and her shoes were a third the cost of his. But then, she told herself, she wasn’t interested in engaging in a fashion price war. Today was for fun and comfort. When he was buckled up, she headed through town toward Mo-Pac, the freeway that ran along the railroad track and would take them southwest to join up with the more scenic route to Wimberley.
    “I like your ponytail,” he said. “It makes you look like a teenager.”
    “I wish,” Cass said. “I love to ride with the top down on days like today, and a ponytail is the easiest way to cope with the blowing hair problem. Isn’t