Oh, I hated that question. Hated how he always asked it. My eyes begged to roll, but I refrained, forcing a tight smile instead. “I was never in any,” I said.
“Said the world’s biggest damsel in distress. Very convincing,” he countered.
Damn the man and his stupid, perfect hair. It was messy. Dark.Curly.I wanted to mess it up, maybe even run my fingers through the ends.
“Don’t tell me you’re here to babysit me again. Always the bitch and never the boss.”
“Ah, your mouth hasn’t changed. I can see why your father hasn’t saddled any man with you yet.”
My mouth opened. I closed it. The nerve of him ... This man drove me up the wall.
“What makes you think I want one? I’m no man’s peace,” I snapped.
“Clearly. How many have you run through, again?” he pondered.
I stifled a laugh no matter how much his words burned in my gut. Max and I were like flint and steel; a guaranteed spark, usually an insult, within seconds of being near each other. He was aware of my past.Clearly.It only made his words sting more.
Ugh, curse the man.
“You know I can’t stand you,” I snapped.
He took a slow, deliberate step closer, lingering his attention on my exposed skin as he gave me a side-smirk. “Oh, I know.”
“Why are you here?”
“I’m here to drive you. The car is ready to go whenever you are.”
“Seanis my usual driver, not you. I’ll be waiting for him,” I said, hoping he’d take the hint.
“Sean is a little busy. You’ll be waiting all night.”
The man could hardly stand me. I would not willingly trap myself in a car with him.
“If you’re the driver, I’d rather walk.”
He raised an eyebrow. “You? In those heels?” He gave me a once-over. “You wouldn’t make it a block.”
There it was—that annoying smugness. Max was back, and no matter how undeniably attractive he was, he got on my last nerve.
The truth was, much as I hated the idea of being stuck with him, walking wasn’t exactly an appealing option either. I wouldn’t admit that to him, but the bastard knew me, and he knew me well.
I needed to remember how to deal with his grumpy mannerisms quickly. It seemed like an impossible task. I’d have to have a serious talk with Sean about this ... new arrangement.
With a defeated sigh, I muttered, “Fine. Take me home.”
CHAPTER 2
ROSALIE
Five minutes.
Five whole, agonizing minutes of silence, and I was already regretting my decision to get into this car with him.
It didn’t help that Max didn’t even try to entertain the idea of talking. His lips looked sealed shut no matter how open they were. He was fully capable of having a conversation with me, but he simply didn’t care to. He never entertained any kind of conversation that didn’t benefit him.
That didn’t stop me from trying. “We should play some icebreakers,” I suggested, leaning my weight forward on the center console.
Max turned to face me, his scowl still present. I worried it was permanent. I smiled. Was I already talking too much? I knew how much he hated that—a habit of mine he despised for some reason.
