Chapter Twelve
She rested the nextfew days, until her cut started to itch.Max’s ex-army friend came to the apartment and changed her bandages, pleased she was healing well.He warned her it would be nearly impossible to not have a scar from diaphragmatic breathing, but he would be by in a couple more days to take out the stitches.
One morning, Max ran a finger down her nose to wake her up.She blinked sleepily, and smiled at him as he leaned down and left a lingering kiss on her lips.
“We’ve been summoned,” he said.
“By whom?”
“My boss wants to meet you.”
Oh no.“Am I in trouble?”
Confusion creased his brow.“Why would you be in trouble?”
“Because I’m not one of you.”
“But you are because you’re going to be my wife.”
“Oh.”That’s right, she was marrying him.“Of course.What should I wear?”
“Clothes.”
She rolled her eyes.“Such a guy thing to say.”
He grinned, and then just stared at her.His gaze traveled over her face with a curious intensity, as if seeing her for the first time.So, she studied him in return.Before, she hadn’t known Max.Didn’t know the real him.Secrets had lurked in his unfathomable eyes, with an air of mystery that was part of his allure.Now, the enigma of Max Chevalier lay untangled and she saw his soul.Saw what had shaped the powerful man who currently studied her.Saw his brief flash of vulnerability that only made him more real.More ...everything.Specifically,hereverything.
“Penny for your thoughts,” he murmured.
“I’m thinking...”She could not tell him what was streaming through her head.“I want to see the Mona Lisa.”
His eyes narrowed.“Why do I have the impression that’s not what you’re really thinking?”
She shrugged.“Paranoia is caused from a delusional disorder, you know.”
Now his eyes lit up with mirth.“Delusional?”
