Page 55 of Lust and Honor

“No, Marcel. I’m not coming back.”

He nods slowly.

“I see.”

After a short pause, he adds, “So… how about we grab a drink tonight?”

“Um… I don’t think that’s a very good idea, Marcel.”

His hand closes gently around my arm.

“Why not? Ever since the first day I saw you, I wanted to ask you out. But you were the hotel owner’s kid’s nanny. Forbidden fruit.”

I’m about to answer him when every trace of warmth suddenly disappears from his face. His gaze fixes somewhere behind me, making me turn around.

Maxim is standing there, staring at us with an expression so cold it instantly sends tension through my body. His eyes drag slowly from our faces downward, stopping on Marcel’s hand still wrapped around my arm.

When he looks back at us again, I immediately step away, and Marcel lets go of me so fast he almost looks startled himself.

He awkwardly clears his throat.

“Maxim. Didn’t expect to see you here.”

Maxim doesn’t answer. He just keeps staring at him with open hostility.

I literally watch the color drain from poor Marcel’s face.

Trying to ease the tension, I quickly say, “I came out to grab a few trash bags.”

Maxim shifts that cold look toward me before finally speaking a few seconds later.

“Go finish packing the rest of your stuff. I’m sure Marcel’s nice enough to bring a few trash bags for my daughter’s mother.”

Well.

I guess Maxim officially dragged me and Aurora straight into his dangerous territory, poor Marcel is now trying to escape with every survival instinct he has left.

He stares at us with his mouth slightly open for a few seconds, and once Maxim’s words fully sink in, he gives us the most awkward smile imaginable.

“Of course.”

Then he practically flees down the hallway like Death himself is chasing him.

Maxim watches me for another moment before stepping away from the doorway.

The message is clear.

Without another word, I head back into the suite, leaving poor Marcel and his drink invitation outside forever.

I move toward the closet to pack the last few things when I hear Maxim’s voice behind me.

“So this little French rooster is why you got all dressed up?”

I turn around and find him standing way too close, chest almost brushing mine, completely invading my personal space. My stomach twists nervously, but I refuse to back down. I won’t let him see he intimidates me.

How the hell does he have the nerve to judge me when he’s slept with half the female population?

I cross my arms over my chest.