Saving Maverick by Debra Elise Page B

who’d been in her life since childhood. Damn, it was good to be home.

Chapter 7
    â€œThanks for meeting me on such short notice, Mr. Jansen.” Kelsey couldn’t sit still. Her nerves were getting the better of her and she crossed her legs, again. She took a moment to calm herself and admired the restaurant. Soft yellow walls with the glossy surfaces of the tables and the floor-to-ceiling windows created a fusion of old-world charm.
    â€œI know you have an early morning pitching camp tomorrow, but we need to get on top of the firestorm you’re in the middle of and I believe the first thing you should do is send out an apology on Twitter. You could do it right now actually.”
    Maverick’s gaze didn’t miss a thing; she’d caught him staring at her legs.
    â€œCall me Maverick. So why didn’t you tell me who you were the other night at the party? Did you set it up just to test me?”
    There was no anger in his voice, but his hands clenched and Kelsey noticed a slight tic underneath his right eye.
    On his gorgeous face.
    Keep it professional, Kelsey
, she chided herself. And she would. After all, professional was her middle name. She’d decided last night that in order to distance herself from the superstar and the man who’d triggered something new, something exciting within her, she’d address him as Mr. Jansen.
    Clearing her throat, she continued. “I’ve read everything I could find on your career, your personal life, but I’d like to hear it from you. If we’re going to restore your reputation, I need to know it all. Let’s start with the video,” Kelsey said.
    â€œ How about you call me Maverick? Everyone else does.” He grinned.
    Damn those dimples
.
    â€œWhy are you avoiding using my name?” he prompted, while his smile made her insides twist and shout.
    â€œUm, I’d rather keep this on a purely professional level and I promised T.S. he would be the one to tell you about my new role with the Outlaws and with you. I didn’t want to break his confidence.”
    â€œThat’s not much of a reason. Sure, T.S. hired you, but we’re going to be working together—closely, and I don’t want to start off our association with secrets or hidden agendas. Plus, I want to hear how you say Maverick.” He took a moment and made a production of looking her up and down. Damn if she didn’t feel it right to her bones.
    Her skin heated as his gaze traveled up her legs, making them itch with awareness. Higher to her waist and then he briefly stopped on her chest. An area that she was desperately trying to control movement in by using a breathing technique she learned in yoga. One she also found quite helpful when she was stressed. And lordy, was she stressed now, but he didn’t need to know that.
    Kelsey wasn’t going to give him a reason to continue his flirtation. She didn’t want him thinking she was as easy to woo as every other woman he came across or that she’d fall all over herself for a chance to be seen on his arm—or naked in his bed.
    â€œMr. Jansen?” She put a thread of old schoolmarm into her tone. “Eyes up here. I know you’re used to women fawning all over you and maybe you even think you can sweet talk me, but I can assure you that it won’t work,” she said.
    â€œIt won’t?” He blinked and gave her a look of innocence she knew darn well wasn’t.
    â€œ No. There is a goal here and playing footsie is not a part of it. I need your cooperation. Not your seduction attempts,” Kelsey responded.
    He shifted forward and placed his forearms on the table between them. “Kelsey, look, I know you think I’m what the media portrays me to be. And maybe I tend to play it up a bit too much, but that spark I felt with you last night, that was real. And professional relationship or not, I plan on exploring it. So, fair warning, Doll Face, when it