I frown at him. "I don't understand."
He just smiles at me and opens the passenger door, waving me in. "I know you don't. That's why he likes you so much."
"He doesn't like me that much. I irritate him."
Xander chuckles and shakes his head as I step inside thecar. He closes the door and taps the roof. As the car pulls away, I twist in my seat, watching Max get smaller and smaller until he's out of sight.
I slump back in my seat and try to process everything. He's so hot and cold with me. Touching me in the pool. Teasing me. His attention is intoxicating, and I'd do just about anything for those moments when I have it. Like, I'd do anything for that chuckle. For the small touches. For the moments he seems almost... protective of me.
But his personality flips from flirt to butthead in seconds and I never know which Max Butcher I'm going to get. My mere presence this evening seemed to infuriate him, so he humiliated me in front of Xander. And if Stacey also heard the way he spoke to me, then her too.
And why? He could have just ignored me. Not forfeited his hand to give me a hard time about being in his superior presence...
And what were the chances that he'd be at Jimmy's at the same time as I was? Is he friends with Aurora? I suppose they are family now.
So Max and his brothers are associated with Jimmy Storm. My eyes shift to the rearview mirror and I catch the driver's eyes just before he glances back at the road. I shuffle in my seat and take a big breath in, trying not to overthink this situation, but it’s hard to ignore so many red flags.
Be mindful of the company you keep.
Max is trouble. That's for sure. What I'm struggling with now is how little I seem to care.
You're a jerk
I'm writingnotes for Aurora's wedding when I hear a soft tapping at my window. My eyes dart to the clock. It's nearly midnight. I slide off the mattress, walk around the bed, and sweep my curtains aside. Max stares at me from the other side of the glass. I frown at him.
I mouth, "You're a jerk."
He scowls at me and mouths, "Open the window."
I sit on the ledge and brush my hair over one shoulder, feeling strangely empowered. "What do you want?"
His eyes turn into slits. Big biceps flex as his grip tightens on the lattice he's perched on. "Open the fucking window."
I slide the window open and step back. He pushes the screen in and jumps over the sill, his presence filling the room. He isn't wearing a suit anymore; he's looking casual—his age—in faded jeans and a black V-neck tee-shirt.
He peers around as if he's looking for something or someone and then fixes his eyes on me. I take another step back when he tries to close the gap between us. He halts when he notices my trepidation.
His brows tighten. "I was a dick to you, and I don’t like the way it's making me feel. I'm sorry."
My fingers find the hem of my pyjama shorts, fiddling with them. "You embarrassed me."
"I know."
Unable to think with him so close, I step back, but he steps towards me again. "Stop it." I hug myself because I'm not wearing a bra; I'm half-naked and he's fully dressed. My hands fumble around my body, adjusting my singlet and shorts before covering my exposed midriff.
"Cassidy." The word purrs from his lips and it’s the first time I've heard him say my actual name. "Little One, I was a dick. I overreacted. I'm sorry."
I continue to hug my waist, unable to make eye contact with him. I'm no longer feeling in control. He moves until there isn't any space between us, and I breathe out in a rush at the heat of his body. I stare straight ahead at the black shirt that covers his chest.
Big, warm palms enclose the crook of my neck and his thumbs caress my jawline. I gasp and close my eyes, drawing in big breaths. Time lapses.
With his thumb to my chin, he tilts my head. "Open your eyes, Little One."
I open my eyes and peer nervously up at him.
Oh my God.
His eyes narrow as he studies my expression. I glance down and try to collect myself for just a moment, but when his thumb moves to my mouth, I can't help but look back up. He traces the swell of my lower lip, folding it down to expose the pinkness inside. My heart begins to thunder against my ribcage. Yearning and fear both heat my skin. He tastes so good, like salt and man and him. Sliding my tongue out, I lick the tip of his thumb. He clenches his jaw, so I wrap mymouth around his thick pad and suck on it. A quiet groan escapes him, and he pushes his thumb between my teeth and into the hot depth of my mouth, moving it possessively inside me.
