"Complete honesty," he agrees. "Even when it's scary."
"Especially when it's scary."
He reaches for my hand, threading our fingers together. "So, what does that look like? Complete honesty between a billionaire hermit and a marketing manager from Atlanta?"
"I don't know. We figure it out as we go along." I lean into his shoulder. "But maybe we start with you telling me your middle name, since I just found out your first name two days ago."
He laughs, the sound warm and genuine. "James. Maxim James Chen."
"Maxim James Chen," I repeat, testing how it sounds. "I like it. It suits you better than just Max."
"What about you? What's your middle name?"
"Rose. Chantay Rose Jackson."
"Beautiful. Like everything else about you."
The compliment sends warmth through my chest, but this time it feels different. Grounded in truth instead of carefully crafted charm.
"So," I say, absently petting Ranger, who's claimed my other hand. "What happens now? I mean logistically. You live in Nevada, I live in Atlanta. That's not exactly a short distance relationship."
"We figure it out. Maybe I spend time in Atlanta. Maybe you spend time here. Maybe we find somewhere that works for both of us."
"You'd consider leaving your mountain sanctuary?"
"For you? Yes. Though I hope you'd consider visiting more often. Ghost seems to approve of you, and he's very particular about houseguests."
I look over at the wolf hybrid, who's been watching our entire conversation with intelligent yellow eyes. "How can you tell he approves?"
"He hasn't tried to establish dominance by stealing your shoes. That's his usual test for new people."
"Good to know I passed the Ghost test."
"You passed every test that matters." Maxim brings our joined hands to his lips, pressing a soft kiss to my knuckles. "Chantay, I know I have a lot to make up for. I know trust has to be rebuilt instead of just declared. But if you're willing to give us a real chance..."
"I'm willing," I interrupt. "But I have conditions."
"Name them."
"No more lies. About anything. Even little things. Even things you think might hurt my feelings or complicate our relationship."
"Done."
"No more making decisions about what I can and can't handle. If something affects both of us, we discuss it together."
"Agreed."
"And I want to meet Elena. Your assistant. If I'm going to be part of your life, I want to understand all of it, including the parts that involve billion-dollar companies and board meetings."
"Elena's going to love you. She's been telling me for years that I need someone who won't let me hide from my own life."
"Smart woman."
"The smartest. She's the one who told me to stop thinking like a CEO and start thinking like the man you fell in love with."
"And what did that man decide to do?"
"Risk everything for a chance at forever with you."
