His father looked at him with...pride? The ground was shifting under Max’s feet. He glanced across the room, at Natasha, who was still chatting with TJ. Damn, he wanted to be next to her right now.
His father put his hand on Max’s shoulder. “I’m telling you this because I see the way you look at this woman, and I see the way she looks at you. This is your route to happiness. What are you waiting for?”
Natasha’s head turned, and she met his gaze. Her smile was warm and full. Was there love in that expression, too? Time to find out.
“Nothing,” he said. “I’m not waiting for anything.”
His father chuckled. “Good. Just watch your temper with your brother.”
“Your father let Max spend the night in jail?” Natasha gaped at TJ.
TJ laughed. “The police were all friends with my father, and Max was too drunk to know the difference that night. My father thought Max might learn something from the experience.”
Natasha rolled her eyes. “I doubt that.”
“Me, too. He—” TJ stopped midsentence, just as Max’s hand slipped possessively around her waist.
“She’s my date, TJ,” Max grumbled.
TJ gave his brother a good-natured shrug. “You’re the one who left her alone.” He kissed Natasha on the cheek. “Let me know if you want to hear more stories.”
She smiled. “Thanks. I’ll be in touch.”
TJ walked away, leaving her with a surly looking Max.
“You trying to make me jealous?” he said. His tone was only half-joking.
Natasha rolled her eyes. “I’m trying to be friendly to your brother. He had some interesting stories about your teenage years.”
Max snorted. “I’ll bet.”
The whole night he had been a little on edge, and from across the room, the conversation with his father had looked tense. She turned to face him. “How are things with your father?”
He brushed his lips over hers. His hand moved lower, over the top of her ass, as he pulled her closer. “Better than expected.”
She slipped her hands under his jacket and rested her cheek on his chest, letting her mind drift. Nowhat-ifs, no rules, no pressure, just the sizzling warmth of his body against hers. The evening sun was long gone, and the candlelight glowed and flickered against the glass of the windows. Over the din of conversation, the band was now playing, a slow, seductive number.
“Want to dance?” she asked.
“With you? Always.” He smiled and settled his hand on the curve of her waist. Their bodies pressed together, moving, teasing.
Natasha glanced across the room at the dance floor. “Here?”
Max nodded, and a slow smile spread across his lips. “No one’s paying attention to us. Which means no one will notice when I slip my hand under your dress.”
She laughed. “Classy, Max.”
She laid her head on his chest again, and he pressed a kiss into her hair.
“You seem to be handling this scene well,” he said.
“You were right,” she said. “I don’t feel exposed here when I’m with you.”
He squeezed her against his chest, and her heart thumped harder.
“Have I told you how much I’ve missed you this week?” he whispered. “So much.”
Such simple words, but they filled her with a bright burst of happiness. Oh, this man. She was falling in love with Max Jensen, a notorious heartbreaker, right in the middle of a public event, for everyone to see. The idea should’ve been frightening, but it wasn’t. But this didn’t have to mean she was following in her mother’s footsteps. She trusted Max would protect her privacy, no matter where their relationship went. That was what made the difference.
