“I say that as a man who understands a simple truth.”
“That truth being?”
“You’ve always been mine,” he says simply. “You’ll always be mine, as well.”
“You’re delusional.”
“I prefercommitted. Enough of this argument; get up. Breakfast time.”
Breakfast turns out to be an elaborate spread of foods, ranging from traditional American pancakes, waffles, sausages, and literal mountains of bacon to French pastries and delicacies.
“Didn’t know what you’d like, so I had the chefs make a bit of everything.”
“Abit?” I repeat dubiously.
“Well, more of the thingsIlike. I’m a growing boy, Flame. I eat a lot.”
“Obviously.” I cast a degrading glance over him. “Maybe you should ease up on that.”
Rather than taking offense, he grins and lifts his shirt, revealing a nearly blinding eight-pack. “Nah, I think I’m good. My body and bloodwork are all ideal, so I won’t be worrying about an early death just yet. Not from my eating habits, anyways.”
He watches as I take a seat and hungrily pull a bunch of different items onto my plate. I’m not too proud to refuse food when offered; food is the fuel I need to survive, and if Max doesn’t intend to deprive me of it, that’s his oversight. I’m far more dangerous when I’m well-fed and exercised.
“Can I use your gym?” I ask, putting a napkin on my lap.
“Sure,” he responds easily. “We can go before lunch—the guys are usually busy at that time.”
“Can I see Scarlett after breakfast?” I hate having to ask permission, but for now, my best bet is just to play the game. Fighting back mightput me in the same position I experienced yesterday, and I don’t want to deal with that again.
“Why?” Max questions sharply. “To give her more shit?”
“To apologize,” I correct, pausing to gaze at him. I search his expression, finding a wealth of protectiveness and warning. For some insane reason, that pisses me off.
Jesus, is he pining after this girl? It kind of seems like it, even though his fixation on me has been made clear. Could he want both of us? To take Scarlett from Greyson and make a little harem?
No, he was happy at seeing the two of them together, and I sensed he’s protective ofbothof them. I don’t know why the idea of him being protective over a random woman pisses me off, but it does. He’s gone through extreme lengths to get me here, only to focus on another girl?
I try to calm myself down and point out my own irrationality, but I barely succeed, so my next words are sharp.
“Is that a problem?”
He seems to relax a bit. “Not if you’re being honest. I’ll text Greyson. Maybe she can come over after breakfast, keep you company while I go to a meeting.”
Perfect.
Greyson agrees to let Scarlett see me—the fact that this requires his permission is both ridiculous and insanely unfair, but it’s not my problem. She shows up at the door an hour after breakfast is cleared, appearing equal parts hesitant and excited. Max lets her in, then asks about Greg.
Shit,Greg. His dog. I haven’t seen him around since that first introduction—did Max give Greg to Scarlett for a while? It sounds like it. Why would he do that? Just because his dog was making me uncomfortable?
Is he that attuned to my needs?
“Alright, ladies,” Max says. “I have a meeting to haul ass to. Ember, play nice, or yesterday will look like a slap on the wrist.”
He winks, gives me a dazzling smile that makes my jaw clench, and then strolls right out. Leaving me alone with Scarlett, who watches me with a gaze filled with one part curiosity and one part caution.
“You have dog hair on your jeans,” I say to break the ice.
She glances down and grimaces. “Actually, that’s probably cat hair. I have a black cat—Lucifer, though I call him Luci. He likes rubbing his body all over me.”
