“Nah.” Angelo grins. “I don’t even like taking selfies.”
Rolling my eyes, I jerk my chin at the door. Angelo opens it for us, and I help her into the car. She’s still trembling, and I reach out and link our hands. She squeezes back without a word, seeking comfort. I rub my thumb over the back of her hand, content that I can offer her solace.
Angelo gets behind the wheel and maneuvers the Cullinan through the L.A. traffic. After a while, he catches my eye in therearview mirror. “Did you know roaches can live without their heads for over a week?”
“That’s such a lie,” I say, while Max shudders.
“No, it’s true! I saw it on a documentary. I watch ’em during downtime. Keeps me engaged.”
Engaged with what?I make a mental note to give him something to do while waiting for me. Like memorizing the latest HR manual. It’s even longer than before because Kaitlyn loves rules.
“I really didn’t need to know that,” Max mutters, her fingers flexing hard. “Now I’m going to dream about headless cockroaches coming for me.”
Angelo shrugs. “Just gotta outrun ’em. They die eventually because they can’t eat or drink. Horrible way to go, though. I’d be heartbroken if I couldn’t eat or drink.”
“Roaches don’t need your sympathy,” Max says.
“Ah, man, no need to be so cruel,” Angelo mumbles. He loves all living things, except those posing a danger to his employer. “Besides, Rhys will protect you, so why be so heartless?”
“I respect your love of bugs, but can’t share it.” She tightens her hand and moves a little closer.
I inhale her scent over the leather interior. She smells like honey and woman. Wonder if she tastes like it too. I didn’t get to sample the most intimate part of her that night. Thought I’d have a chance the next morning, except she ran.
Heat starts from the hand holding hers, then my dick gets hard. I shift a little to disguise my reaction, but Max notices. She tenses and raises her eyes to my face.
I shrug. “Biology.”
She lowers her voice. “Seriously?”
“If I don’t get hard around you, take me to see a doctor. Because I’ll be terminal.”
Her left eyebrow twitches, but the tip doesn’t pulse—an indication she’s amused and trying to hide it. If it visibly throbs, she’s losing her temper. “Happy, aren’t you?”
“Relieved I’ll live.”
This time she laughs, and finally relaxes. The aerial roach encounter seems to vanish somewhere into her mind, because her eyes sparkle like well-polished emeralds. The soft line of her mouth draws my attention. I trace it with my eyes. The urge to steal a taste zings through me. Angelo hasn’t raised the partition. I glance at him. He’s distracted, trying to find a gap in traffic to make a left turn. I swoop down and press my lips on hers, like stamping my possession on her.
She blinks. “What was that about?”
“Do I need a reason? I just wanted to,” I whisper.
Her eyes slide to Angelo, who’s still preoccupied with the turn to be made. “Is Angelo going to be the first to know? About us…” She mouths,Dating.
I shrug. “Up to you.”
She eyes me suspiciously. “You’re too accommodating. It’s scary.”
“I’m an easygoing guy.”
She scoffs. “You apparently don’t read your upward feedback.”
“Did you tell HR I was impossible?” Several indicated that meeting my expectations is difficult, if not impossible. Since I never expect more than they can deliver, it just means they can’t measure up.
“Ha. Nice try, but I’m not telling. It’s supposed to be anonymous.”
I take another quick glance at Angelo to make sure he’s still distracted, then place another quick kiss on her pouty mouth. Unrestrained elation buzzes in my veins. I haven’t felt like thissince forever. Max has a magical ability to make me forget everything but us.
We reach the huge mansion I bought when I hit ten million with my own abilities. White stone and marble makes up the exterior, with an enormous outdoor pool in the back. A hip-high fence was installed after my gardener—who can’t swim—slipped and fell in. Jasmine vines grow over it to give it a nice look.
