Scandal (Dirty Laundry Book 2)

by Jackie Paxson

  Chrissy nodded her head.

  “Alright, sexy. Put on your suit so you can torture me and give me another pair of blue balls.”

  Sliding off the bed, she walked over to her suitcase where her dried bathing suit had been placed. Striding toward the bathroom, she felt a slap on her left butt cheek. She jumped, and Max gave her a lustful look. Feeling a little frisky she wiggled her bottom. When he reached out to smack it again, she dodged the swipe. With a girlish giggle she escaped into the bathroom locking the door behind her. She didn’t really think he’d try to sneak in, but she needed a few minutes to herself.

  One look in the mirror told her everything she needed to know. Her makeup was wiped off, and she had a red crease across her face. Her hair was flattened on one side. Some strands stuck to her face from the drool she’d apparently been busy doing. Leaning toward the mirror she groaned at her hot mess reflection.

  “There goes any mystery for us. If he can say he loves me after seeing me like this, maybe it’s true.”

  “It’s true.” Max’s voice made her jump. He hadn’t pulled a Houdini and appeared out of nowhere, but apparently he was a phenomenal eavesdropper.

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she said in a sing-songy voice.

  His deep chuckle caused all of her lady parts to stand at attention. Damn him and his sexiness. Sighing she began rushing to make herself look presentable instead of what she really looked like, a zombie that had been drooling over some delicious human brains.

  Chapter 34

  Not the Papa

  Chrissy sat next to her mother on a deck chair adjacent to hers. When she and Max had arrived at the pool she sat down while he did a cannonball splashing everyone in the pool. Another giggle escaped as she saw him surface flipping his hair out of his face and effectively splashing Mariah and Jeremiah.

  “How are you feeling, sweetie?” her mama asked with a concerned look.

  “I’m fine.”

  Her mama let out a small laugh. “You always were a bad liar. Tell me what is really going on.”

  “It’s a long story.”

  “We have time. Your father missed munchkin and will be swimming with her until she is done. He will probably be a giant prune by the time they are done.”

  A sad smile painted Chrissy’s face. “Mariah’s father is here.”

  “What?” Her mama gasped.

  “I know I told you I wasn’t sure who her father was.” Her mama nodded. “Well, I knew exactly who her father was. He had been my boyfriend for about six months when I got pregnant. The minute I told him he left only leaving a dust trail like the road runner.”

  “Ok.”

  With a deep breath, Chrissy went into the events that had happened since she’d arrived at the resort. Throughout it all her mother just nodded and held her hand. A sense of relief lifted off her shoulders for finally telling the truth. The weight of the lie she’d been telling her parents didn’t seem like a burden until she finally let it go. When she’d gotten to the part about Ben threatening to take Mariah away her mama just shook her head.

  “What?” Chrissy asked.

  “I don’t give a shit who he knows. He won’t be taking that little girl.”

  Chrissy smiled feeling tears pool in the corners. “Thanks, Mama.”

  Her mama moved to sit next to her on the deck chair. She pulled Chrissy into a hug. Chrissy sniffled holding back tears so as not to upset her mama. Her mama handed her a tissue. Where her mama had been keeping a tissue, she had no clue. It didn’t matter though. Chrissy blotted at her eyes.

  “You know, sweetie, when you said her father was here, I thought you were talking about Max.”

  Chrissy looked at her mama as if she’d just grown a second head. “Why would you think that?”

  “Well, the way he looks at you tells me more than anything you could say. He also clearly loves Mariah. Just look as how he dotes on her. He would be a good father to her.”

  “Mama! Max and I are just having...fun.”

  Her mama tilted her head, looking at her. “If you say so. I just hope you told that boy it’s just for fun.”

  Chrissy bit her lip. She couldn’t say that to Max. It would be a lie. She knew she was developing strong feelings toward him. If she said it was just a fling it would break both of their hearts.

  “It can only be fun. When my internship is done, I will be moving back home. I still need to help you run the B & B. It would never work long distance.”

  Her mama took both of her hands in hers. “Sweetheart, you need to think about you. The B & B will always be there. It was a dream of your father’s and mine. I know it isn’t yours. If your heart lives in California, then you need to follow it. Your father and I have been thinking about moving to a state with arid heat instead of the heat of Georgia. You’d give us the perfect excuse.” She winked at Chrissy.

  “Mama, that is crazy.”

  “All I am saying is that there is nothing holding you there. Mariah is young and will adapt. You told me she already has a best friend in California. It would seem she’d be fine with a move.”

  Chrissy watched Max race Mariah. He lazily swam next to her as she tried to propel herself faster and faster but only managed to splash everyone close to the splash zone. Max watched Mariah swim and held back letting her tap the side in victory. He picked her up out of water as she hooted about her win. Both little fists were raised as she looked toward Chrissy and her mama.

  “Grammy! Mama! Did you see? I won against Max.” She looked at Max as he lowered her back into the water. She tapped his shoulder to console him. “It’s ok, Max. You just need to practice and maybe one day you will be able to beat me.”

  Max gave Chrissy a WTF look then laughed. Chrissy laughed watching her swim over to her grandfather.

  “That one is a keeper, sweetheart. Don’t just throw it away.” Her mama moved to the edge of the pool near where Mariah and Chrissy’s father sat.

  Her mother’s words echoed through her mind. Could she just throw away things with Max? Her heart ached at the thought. It was a pain that Bengay couldn’t fix.

  Chrissy realized she was in danger of falling in love with the movie star. And why did that scare the shit out of her?

  A shadow blocked the sun in front of her. After talking with her mama, Chrissy decided to take some time and enjoy the sun. If she’d been paying attention, she’d have noticed the noise of the pool quieted. She lifted her sunglasses off of her face to see what obstructed the sun. As hot as it was a cold shiver ran down her spine.

  “Hello, love,” Ben said looking down at her.

  Ben stood next to the chair looking over her. He wore swim trunks and a towel around his neck. Jane stood next to him with an obscenely skimpy bathing suit. Panic gripped Chrissy, and she looked to see where Mariah was. She was still in the pool with her parents, but they were now paying attention to the scene before them.

  “Ben,” Chrissy bit out.

  Ben sat on the chair next to hers. “I’d like to see my daughter.”

  Chrissy ground her teeth.

  “What are you doing here, McGee?” Max said sitting next to Chrissy on the chair.

  She had no clue when he’d gotten out of the pool. She noticed Jeremiah and James were exiting the pool, too. They sat on chairs behind her.

  “This has nothing to do with you, wanker,” Ben ground out.

  “Hi there, Max.” Jane waved with her fingers.

  Max’s gaze didn’t waver from Ben. “If you have business with Chrissy or Mariah then it has everything to do with me.”

  Chrissy couldn’t help her visceral reaction to Max when he acted all alpha male on her behalf. He loved her and her daughter. It was such a turn on.

  “Ben, now is not the time,” Chrissy began.

  “Mama, I’m tired,” Mariah said, curling up between her and Max.

  Fire burned in Ben’s eyes when he saw Mariah comfortably lean against Max as if she belonged there. “Hello, Miranda. I’m
your da,” Ben said with a look to Max.

  Mariah scrunched her face up. “My name isn’t Miranda. If you were my daddy, you’d know that. That’s why I asked Mama for Max to be my daddy.” She went back to leaning against Max.

  “Excuse me? No one is your father but me.” He raised his voice to Mariah.

  Mama bear burst from Chrissy. “Ben! Do not talk that way to Mariah.”

  Ben stood looming over Chrissy and Mariah. However, Max rose standing between Ben and Chrissy. Max’s muscles rippled with him clenching and unclenching his fists. Chrissy was momentarily mesmerized by it. She blinked to shake herself free from the show.

  “I think you should go, Ben,” Max said with a growl.

  “You’re playing at being her da. I’m really her da. You will never replace me.”

  Max’s jaw clenched.

  Ben left with Jane in tow. She made sure to watch them exit the pool area before releasing the breath she’d been holding. Max sat back down and looked at Chrissy. He had a look she couldn’t identify.

  “Mama, was that really my daddy?” Mariah asked with her lip trembling.

  Chrissy looked at the watery eyes of her little girl. In that moment it seemed as if everything around them stopped. She couldn’t even hear the ocean.

  “Yes, sweetie.”

  Mariah’s lip trembled more then looked over to Max. “Why can’t you be my daddy? That daddy isn’t very nice.”

  Max looked at Chrissy over Mariah’s head. Then he said, “Sweetheart, not all daddies are nice. But sometimes ones who aren’t your real daddy love you just as much or more.”

  Mariah leaned into Max letting him envelope her in a hug. “I’m sleepy. Can I take a nap?”

  “I’ll carry her up.” Max stood, picking up Mariah, then left.

  Chrissy’s mama caught her eye and smiled. She knew exactly what her mama was thinking. Max was a keeper. She was starting to believe it.

  Chapter 35

  Shine Like a Diamond

  Mariah and her parents left a few days after the Ben incident. It was just her and Max until the crews started coming back. She had every intention on enjoying their time together before the real world came crashing down.

  The sun filtered into her bedroom. She must have forgotten to close the blackout curtains. Stretching she realized she was alone in bed. Disappointment filled her. She’d planned on finally consummating her and Max’s relationship. Unfortunately, she couldn’t do that if he wasn’t there. Grabbing his pillow, she curled herself around it finding comfort in his smell. But when she reached for the pillow her hand landed on something crunchy. It was a folded piece of paper.

  Rolling onto her back she held the paper up to the light. She smiled at the familiar scrawl.

  Good Morning My Love,

  I have plans for you today. First, whenever you get up you have an appointment at the spa. You will be pampered within an inch of your life. This will take most of your day. Second, we have an early dinner. I am not telling you where just yet. When you are done being pampered come back here and I will have instructions for you. Lastly, I will be monopolizing the rest of your evening.

  So, go enjoy your spa day. I love you. I will see you soon.

  Love,

  Max

  Chrissy took a deep breath in and relaxed. She’d never had a spa day before. She rarely had time to get her nails done let alone be pampered. Excitement and apprehension flowed through her veins. Glancing over at the clock she realized it was almost 10:30. Hopping out of bed she threw on some yoga pants, a sports bra, and a t-shirt. Tying her hair into a messy bun completed the look. She slid her feet into sneakers then left the suite.

  “Ms. Benson?” the woman at the spa reception asked.

  Chrissy looked around at the empty spa. “Yes.”

  “Come this way.” She smiled and led her down a bright white hall. Opening the door, she smiled again then said, “I think you will enjoy what we have planned.”

  “Ok. I have no idea what to expect. I’ve never had a spa day before.”

  “Ok. So, first you will have an hour and a half long massage. After you’re relaxed from your massage, we will do the body wrap and facial. That will take approximately an hour. Next, you will have a wax treatment. Now, Mr. Hamilton didn’t suggest this, but we wanted to offer this to you. If you don’t want anything waxed, we can skip this.” She looked at Chrissy.

  “Oh, uhm, sure. I’ve never been waxed but might as well if I’m getting the full treatment.”

  She clapped her hands. “Wonderful. Once the waxing is done, you will go to our salon. Unfortunately, I don’t know their plan, but I can find out for you if you’d like.”

  “No, that’s ok.”

  “Alright. For your massage you can undress to the level that you are comfortable. Shannon will be in shortly to begin your massage. I hope you enjoy. If you need anything, please feel free to ask for me, Layna.”

  “Thank you, Layna,” Chrissy said.

  The woman gave a little bow and exited the room. As Chrissy began undressing her mind was spinning. This was probably costing Max a fortune. She’d just have to pay him back later. A warmth built in her that only Max would be able to quench.

  Feeling relaxed, waxed and ready for some Max, Chrissy entered the suite five hours after she’d left. She expected to see him waiting for her, but the room was quiet. When she entered the bedroom, she found a large box with a smaller box on top. A note with her name was taped to the lid of the box. Butterflies fluttered in her stomach as she opened the envelope.

  Hello My Love,

  I hope you enjoyed your pampering. It’s not done yet. Please put these on then go down to the concierge. They will be waiting for you.

  I love you,

  Max

  P.S. I’ve missed you all day.

  Goose flesh peppered her arms when she read that he’d missed her. She’d missed him, too. During her pampering all she could think about was what she was going to say to Max. It was during one of her long treatments that her mind wandered to what would happen when Costa Rica was over. She would be returning to Georgia and the Winkin, Blinkin and Nod. He’d go back to dating starlets and being a man whore. Why did that idea make her blood boil?

  Placing the note on the nightstand, Chrissy opened the first box. A gasp escaped her lips. Sensual lingerie sat on a bed of purple tissue paper. She picked up the beautiful pale blue strapless satin bra and its matching thong. Naughty thoughts of Max ripping the thong off of her with his teeth floated through her mind. She’d conjured up so many things she wanted Max to do to her she didn’t realize she was petting the thong like it was a sweet kitten. Jerking her hand back as if it burnt her hand, she placed the box to the side.

  The larger box held two things. First, there was a pair of simple low-heeled sandals. With the name on the sandals she realized they may have looked simple, but they were quite expensive. She placed them next to the lingerie box. Peeling the tissue paper away she sucked in a breath. A gorgeous blue dress lay there. Picking it up with shaking fingers the dress almost slipped through them. It was awe inspiring. She’d never seen something so simple yet so elegant. Chrissy held the dress up by the spaghetti straps. Holding it up she got to experience the full effect. The dress had a fitted bodice that went into a skirt that when twirled would surely flare. It had a sweetheart neckline. She’d be showing a lot of cleavage. But it was the unique coloring that had her staring for quite a while. The blues swirled and mixed into intricate patterns. From the straps to the hem just above the knee, the blues turned from light to dark and then back to light. How could they even make something like that? With a shrug she took pictures of her goodies and sent them to Talia, Jeremiah and Annie.

  Her phone almost immediately buzzed from answered messages.

  Jeremiah: Ooo, girl, you need to bed that man.

  Chrissy rolled her eyes. He was always trying to get people laid.

  Talia: OMG! Have you tried them on yet? I need pictures when you do. />
  Annie: I am so jealous right now. I need a picture of you in that stuff.

  Annie: Well, not the lingerie but the whole package.

  Chrissy laughed then began undressing. She was careful not to smudge the make-up that the salon had put on her. Sliding into the lingerie, Chrissy immediately felt sexy. She hadn’t felt sexy in a bra and panties for years. After the goods were covered, she grabbed the dress and stepped into it. Over the head was a no go. They’d given her a really expensive cut, color and style. She wanted to make sure that Max got the full effect and made sure every hair stayed perfect while she put on the beautiful dress.

  Feeling giddy, she walked over to the door to take a picture in front of the full-length mirror. Before snapping the picture, she looked at herself. Her hair hung loosely around her shoulders with the sides pulled back expertly. The make-up the salon had applied was still perfect. Her eyes shone while her lips looked plump from the gloss. Chrissy’s curves were accentuated by the beautiful dress she wore. Quickly snapping the picture then sending it to her three friends and throwing her phone into her purse, she took a deep breath then headed to her next destination.

  With every step her nerves had her fidgeting. As the elevator doors opened, she walked toward the concierge desk. The lobby was quiet with only a few people visible.

  “Chrissy!”

  Stopping midstride she turned to see Frank Stone leaning against a pillar with his phone in his hand. “Hi, Frank.”

  He pushed off the pillar and walked toward her. With a quick glance he took her in completely. Frank smirked then said, “You look lovely.”

  “Thank you. What are you doing here? I thought most people weren’t coming back until tomorrow.”

  “I wanted to make sure everything was ready when everyone returned.” A grin tilted his lips. “Looks like the movie star has been good to you.”

  Chrissy blushed. “I have no idea what you are talking about.”