We danced to the words, moving slowly back and forth across the room. My fingers played gently in his hair, the words soaking into my psyche.
Max squeezed me tighter, his strong arms embracing me for all I was worth. The candlelight flickered, casting shadows on all four walls.
I breathed him in, letting his scent dance through my senses, seducing, comforting, exciting me, calming me all at once.
Will I ever be able to say I will?
The final notes of the song played out and Max kissed the top of my head softly, letting his lips linger. Finally, I pulled back and looked up to him, his features strong, yet soft. The glimmer I always saw in his eyes was present, but for the first time, I saw it for what it was—love. The kind of love my father had for my mother, that Cane had for Jada. Max had that for me.
And I had it for him.
“Wanna marry me?” he asked, grinning.
Instead of my usual immediate response, I stood on my tiptoes and kissed him on the cheek. “Just not tonight,” I whispered.
His eyes widened a bit, understanding evident in them. “One day, sweetheart. One day.”
TWENTY-NINE
MAX
My office door opened and before I could even look up, a set of plans and specs were tossed on my desk with a resounding thud. I didn’t need to look up to know it was Cane, but I did anyway.
I’d known Cane long enough to know that he was in overdrive. His shirt collar was popped up and I wasn’t sure if he knew what a razor was anymore. His eyes were wide, alert, and ready to tear into something. I knew this look well and I knew enough to keep him pacified.
“This Trimble job—you started it already?”
“Half way through it, Alexander.”
Cane exhaled and grabbed the back of the seat in front of him. “Thank God someone knows what’s going on around here. I’m fucking scattered. I’m a nervous wreck.”
“What’s going on?”
“I’m having a baby.” Cane looked at me blankly, like I had no clue.
I laughed. “I’m aware.”
“And you asked what’s the matter? For fuck’s sake, Max! Jada is miserable. Still sick as hell. I don’t want her doing anything and shestill tries to get up and fix dinner. I’ve had to have Penny come by and just clean stuff all day so there will be nothing for Jada to do. She’s gonna be the death of me, I swear it.”
I knew Cane was being serious, but I couldn’t let the opportunity to mess with him go by. “Well, you know it isn’t going to get any better if you have a daughter, right?”
Cane stood straight up, his back rigid. “You know what? Fuck you, Quinn. Fuck. You.” I laughed loudly as he shook his head. “Not even kidding, Max. It can’t be a girl. It can’t.”
“Fifty bucks says it is.”
“Hey, you’re going to be her godfather. So it’s on you, too, asshole.”
“I feel sorry for her already.”
“Why’s that?”
“Between you and me? There’s no way that girl will ever date. Or see a boy. Or talk to a boy. Or know boys exist.”
Cane’s face lit up. “That’s what I’m talking about! Want to go to the shooting range this afternoon? Sharpen up a little?”
“Kari’s taking Jada shopping today and I’m going to try to meet up with Brielle this afternoon.”
“She need bail money or something?” Cane asked, one eyebrow cocked in the air.
