"Language," I tease, pressing a kiss to her hair.
"Don't even start with me right now. You just fucked my brains out and you're worried about my language?"
I laugh, the sound rumbling through my chest. "Fair point."
"Max?"
I meet her eyes. "Yeah?"
"I'm really glad I accidentally sent you that photo. Definitely the best mistake I've ever made."
As she drifts off to sleep in my arms, I stare at the ceiling and try not to think about all the ways this perfect night could be ruined when she finds out who I really am.
But for now, she's mine. And that's enough.
7
CHANTAY
Iwake up in Max's arms feeling like a completely different person. His chest rises and falls beneath my cheek, steady and warm, and for a moment I let myself pretend this is normal.
But as consciousness returns, so does reality.
I'm naked in a penthouse suite that costs more than my monthly salary, wrapped around a man who claims to be a simple wildlife consultant but clearly has serious money.
I ease out of his arms carefully, not wanting to wake him. I need time to think, to process what happened and what it means.
The bathroom is bigger than my bedroom, all marble and gold fixtures. I catch sight of myself in the mirror and barely recognize the woman staring back. Thoroughly debauched. And happy. Happier than I've looked in years.
But as I splash cold water on my face, doubts start creeping in.
What do I really know about Max? He rescues animals and lives in Nevada and is apparently wealthy enough to affordpenthouse suites without blinking. He's educated, sophisticated, clearly successful at something that isn't just wildlife consulting.
My phone buzzes from the bedroom.Maya.
Maya:Please tell me you're alive and Mountain Man didn't turn out to be a serial killer.
Me: Alive. Definitely not a serial killer.
Maya:And? How was dinner?
Me: Dinner was amazing. He's... complicated.
Maya:Good complicated or bad complicated?
Me: I don't know yet.
I needto see his room key, his ID, something that might give me a clue about who he really is. The nagging feeling in my gut is telling me that Max the wildlife consultant is only part of the story.
I quietly search where Max left his wallet last night. Inside, I find exactly what I was afraid of finding.
A driver's license that doesn't say Max anything.
It says Maxim Chen.
And a black American Express card with the same name.
Maxim Chen.I Google the name with shaking fingers, and my stomach drops.
