“What can I get you?” the bartender asked.
“Ten lemon drop shots and five house IPAs please,” she said over the noise of the party.
The bartender nodded then set about getting her drinks for her.
“That’s a lot of liquor for one person,” a familiar voice stated.
“Rex?” Chrissy looked at the man in front of her.
“The one and only.” He looked at her. “What are you supposed to be? A serving wench at Medieval Kingdom?”
She grimaced. “No, I am a sexy Scottish lass.” Chrissy motioned to her gown with a fitted bodice that pushed her breasts up. It was in a unique plaid that had crisscross stays on the outside of the bodice. She wore a simple faux emerald and diamond necklace that lay directly over her cleavage.
“Interesting. Is that from one of your mommy porn books you read?” he asked.
“Yep!” She looked at his costume. “What exactly are you supposed to be?”
“It isn’t a what. It’s a who.” He got the attention of another bartender motioning for another beer.
“Well…who are you supposed to be?” she asked.
“I’m one of the survivors of the Donner party.” He smirked.
Chrissy looked him over. He wore tattered clothing spattered with red. He even had some red smeared on his face. She had no clue what he was talking about. This was what she got for being friends with a history teacher.
“Sorry, still have no clue.”
Rex let out a frustrated sigh. “They were the most famous group of settlers that went west and were forced to turn to cannibalism to survive.”
“Oh,” she said.
He rolled his eyes. “Still no clue, right?”
She shook her head. The bartender finally gave her all her drinks on a tray for her to take to her table. Rex took the tray from her and made a shooing motion then waited for her to lead him to the table.
They had a huge table saved. Everyone was seated except Max. He said he was going to be late because he had a California conference call. Rex placed the tray on the table. She looked around the table. Granny Isla and Mr. Sutter wore matching Raggedy Ann and Andy costumes. They had been inseparable since the night they met. Alyssa wore some sexy cat/angel/witch costume. James was dressed as Sherlock Holmes. They all looked at Chrissy and Rex.
“Everyone, this is Rex. Rex is Talia’s twin brother.” Chrissy looked at Rex and introduced everyone he didn’t know.
Alyssa eyed him up then smiled. “Please tell me you are supposed to be one of the survivors of the Donner Party.”
Rex’s jaw dropped then he smiled. “Thank God someone remembers history.”
“That’s a cool costume,” she said.
“I like yours, too.” He blushed at her.
“Do you know what I am?” she asked.
He squinted at her. “I’d say you are a witch’s familiar.” He smirked then said, “A sexy one.”
A huge grin flashed on her face. She scooted out of the booth and grabbed Rex’s hand. “We’re dancing.” Alyssa grabbed his hand and dragged a very willing Rex with her.
Chrissy watched as Rex walked behind Alyssa with his eyes glued on her ass.
“Another love match?” Granny Isla said to Mr. Sutter.
“Possibly. It should be fun to watch,” he said bringing Granny Isla’s hand to his lips.
Granny Isla giggled and smacked him.
Chrissy plopped down in the booth. With a sigh, she took a shot then started drinking a beer. She wondered where Max was. There was no way a conference call could last that long. She absently looked around at the different costumes. Some were clever and had a lot of thought put into them. Most of the men were pretty common. Most of the women just had on something that was the sexy version. She saw more than one sexy nurse and witch. The people of Grandin were not known for their creativity.
Turning toward James, she asked, “How long did Max have to be on the conference call? Did you hear from your grandfather?”
“I’m not sure. It should be over by now.”
Chrissy sighed.
Granny Isla patted her leg then said, “He will be here, dear.” Her eyes flashed and looked at something over Chrissy’s shoulder. “Speak of the devil.”
Chrissy spun around and almost died on the spot. Max was walking toward her wearing a kilt that matched the plaid she wore. His chest was bare with only a plaid draped over his shoulder and tucked into the top of his kilt. He looked like he’d just stepped off the pages of one of her highland romance novels.
“You may want to pick your chin off the floor. You’re going to cause an accident from the drool,” James said.
Max held out his hand to Chrissy. “Dance, my love?”
All she could do was nod. Max linked their fingers together and took her to the dance floor. The moment they entered, the lights dimmed and a slow song began to play.
“Told you I’d show you how a kilt was supposed to be worn. Do you like?”
Chrissy nodded dumbly.
Max laughed then looked Chrissy up and down. “You look fantastic. I can’t wait for tonight so we can do some highland romance role play.” He winked and pulled her close swaying to the music.
“You did this all on purpose, didn’t you?”
“Of course. These are my family colors.” He looked down at the necklace and the bosom cradling it. “I love you in my colors.”
“I love you, Max,” Chrissy said softly in his ear.
Max froze. “Are you serious?”
She nodded. “I should have told you back in Costa Rica. I’ve never stopped loving you. Being away from you was so painful. It killed me that I never told you.”
Cupping her cheek, Max leaned in and kissed her softly. “I love you, Chrissy Benson. Know this, I will fuck up again but there will never be another love for me. You are it. You and Mariah are my world.”
Chrissy felt tears form in the corner of her eyes. Max pulled out a small box and handed it to her. “Please move in with me. Let’s be a family.”
She slowly opened the box and saw a key on a sloth keychain. She smiled and nodded. “Yes, I will move in with you.”
He pulled her close and swung her around almost hitting a nearby couple dancing. Max bent Chrissy back and kissed her passionately.
While he had her in a dip, he said, “By the way, I’m traditional underneath this kilt.”
Chrissy blinked then felt her face flame. “Ooo…you naughty Scotsman.”
Max grinned. “I’m your naughty Scotsman.”
Epilogue: There are no endings
Chrissy sat at the island in Max’s kitchen. Correction, it was her kitchen, too. She and Mariah had moved into the massive home three months ago, but she still had a hard time thinking of it as anything other than Max’s house. She held a wrapped gift in her hand. Her nerves were going crazy.
Max had been putting in a lot of hours lately. Since they reconciled and Chrissy and Mariah now lived with him, he decided to put his acting on hold and become a producer. Apparently, it was a lot more work than he’d bargained for. He worked closely with Top Dog where Chrissy now had a permanent job, but it didn’t make it easier.
Ever since she and Mariah returned to California things had fallen in place. She had the job with Top Dog. Mariah was doing great in school. Her parents were even contemplating leaving Grandin for the west coast life. But the best part was Ben. All of his blustering about spending time with Mariah was just that. The moment a new blonde or brunette entered his life Chrissy never heard from him again. Max’s high-priced lawyer was now trying to find him and get him to permanently sign over his rights. Max wanted to adopt Mariah and become the dad she’d never had.
As her thoughts floated wildly around her mind, she heard the main door swing open. She had given Alyssa money to take Mariah and Granny Isla to the newest cartoon that was out. Chrissy knew Mariah would come back buzzing from caffeine and sugar, but it was a small price to pay for a bit of time alone with Max.
/>
“Hello?” His voice echoed through the house. “Where are my girls at?”
“In here,” Chrissy yelled back.
He strode into the kitchen looking a bit disheveled. The expensive suit he wore was rumpled, and he’d loosened his tie as he approached the kitchen. His sexy smile had her clenching her thighs together. Chrissy jumped off the stool she’d been sitting on and gave him a hug and kiss.
“Where is everyone?” Max asked, breaking their kiss.
“I gave Alyssa some money to keep Granny Isla and Mariah busy for a bit.”
Max’s eyes flashed. “We’re alone?”
“Yep.”
Max’s briefcase dropped to the floor as he wrapped both arms around Chrissy, picking her up. She squealed as he carried her back to the island. His hands began to wander over her body setting it aflame. Max unbuttoned her top allowing him just enough access to her breasts. She leaned back giving him better access. When her hand landed on his gift it felt like a bucket of ice water was poured on her.
“Wait,” Chrissy breathed.
“No. We don’t get alone time like this. I’m using it to have sex with my wife on a surface that isn’t our bed.”
Chrissy bit her lip. She loved it when he called her his wife. They had eloped a month after they reconciled. They both knew they wanted to spend forever together, so they didn’t want to wait. Her ring glinted in the light of the kitchen as she ran her fingers through his hair while he burrowed his face into her bosom.
“Seriously, Max, I have a surprise for you.”
He pulled back and looked at her. “No panties?”
Chrissy smacked him. “Be serious.”
“I am. That would be a great surprise.” His hand explored the inside of her thigh getting dangerously close to something that could derail her plan.
Without thinking she grabbed the box and held it in front of her like a shield. “Here.”
He furrowed his brow but took the box from her. She watched as he meticulously opened the wrapping paper. He drove her crazy when he did that. She had to restrain herself from grabbing it and ripping it open. When he finally got the paper off, he lifted the lid and smiled.
“Aww…thank you, baby. I love it.” He put it to the side and leaned in to kiss her.
That wasn’t exactly the reaction she thought she’d get. “Did you really look at it, Max?”
He gave her a sexy smile again. “Of course, love.”
No, he didn’t. “Look at it closely, please.”
Heaving a sigh, he picked up the frame and focused on the picture. She knew what he was looking at. A very happy Mariah stood in the backyard holding balloons while wearing a shirt that said big sister.
Chrissy’s knee started to bounce. She was beginning to wonder if she should have just given him the five positive tests she’d taken. However, when he blinked more than once and pulled the frame closer, she knew he’d finally seen it.
“Big sister?” His eyes were wide as he looked at Chrissy.
“Yep.”
“Are you sure?”
Chrissy huffed out a laugh. “I took five tests, and the doctor confirmed it. I’m pregnant.”
Max’s jaw hung open. He looked at Chrissy with a mix of awe, fear and excitement. “I’m going to be a daddy again,” he breathed out softly.
“Yes.” Chrissy felt tears pool in the corners of her eyes as his teary gaze met hers.
“Oh, my God!” He picked Chrissy up and swung her around but dropped her a moment later. “Oh, my God! I’m so sorry. Are you ok?”
Chrissy placed her hand over her flat belly. She felt the small flutter that told her their newest addition was growing.
“I’m fine, Max.”
Max kissed her deeply and pulled her close. He picked her up again and put her on the island. Just as they were going to rekindle the kitchen sex her phone rang with Talia’s specific ringtone.
“Let me answer this then you can have your way with me.”
Max nuzzled her neck. “Make it quick, baby.”
Chrissy shivered but answered Talia’s FaceChat call. “Hey, Talia.”
“Did you tell him? Did he cry? He seems like a crier.” Talia’s face looked twice the size it was because she still didn’t know how to hold a call on FaceChat.
“Talia knew?” Max whispered.
“Of course, I knew. Chrissy knew before Zeke when I started incubating the demon spawn.”
Chrissy rolled her eyes. “He just found out. I plead the fifth on the second question.”
“He totally cried. Don’t worry Max, Zeke cried like a baby when I told him. I’m still not sold on it having been a happy cry.”
“Lia are you spreading unnecessary lies?” Zeke peaked into the frame hugging Talia from behind and squeezed her breast.
“Mmmm…that feels good.” Talia practically purred.
“Ok. Well, clearly you two are about do things I don’t want to see. I will talk to you tomorrow, Talia.” Talia perked up.
“Wait. You need to know something.” Talia leaned too close to the camera. All Chrissy could see was her one eye and most of her nose.
“Back away from the camera, Talia. We can count your nose hair,” Max said.
“Shut up!” She put her hand over her nose but thankfully pulled the phone back.
Chrissy smacked Max. “What did you need to tell me, Talia?”
“I wanted to tell you how good pregnancy sex is. I mean Max will have to get past you being as big as a house but once he’s past that it’s like your whole vagina is one big erogenous zone.” Talia closed her eyes and had a bit of a blissful smile.
“When Max is around it’s like that anyway, Talia.”
Talia scrunched up her nose. “Gross. Well, at least Zeke and I won’t be the only people who have a baby before they are married.”
“You didn’t tell Talia we’re hitched,” Max said with a glint in his eye. He knew damn well she hadn’t told her. Talia was too busy being a drama llama about her wedding and being pregnant, so they both decided not to tell anyone. Honestly, it was quite the miracle Mariah hadn’t spilled the beans yet.
“What? Did he say you’re already married? What the fuck, Chrissy?”
“Talia, I think the reception is breaking up. I will have to call you back another time.” Chrissy figured ten more years would allow her to cool down.
“No, you don’t,” Talia started.
“Ok, sweetheart, it’s time to hang up.” Zeke wrestled the phone from her. “Congrats, guys. Oh, and Max wait until her sex drive spikes. My one piece of advice. Hydrate and stretch. You will need both to survive.”
The phone went blank.
“That was not cool, you jack ass.”
Max shrugged. “It was about time she knew.” He took the phone from her hand and placed it on the counter. “Now, let’s get back to that sweaty sex we were about to have.”
“Take me to bed? My butt is kind of numb on this counter.”
He leaned in and kissed her softly. Max picked her off the counter and made his way to the stairs. Just as they were ascending the stairs the front door swung open. They froze and watched as Alyssa, Mariah and Granny Isla walked in.
“Fuck my luck,” Max grumbled.
Alyssa saw them and gave an apologetic smile. “Sorry. All the showings were sold out. Did you tell him?”
“Lyssa, what does it look like to you?” Max snapped.
“Honestly, I have no clue but if I had to hazard a guess, I’d say you were reenacting a scene from Gone with the Wind.”
“Alyssa Sioban Owens, leave Patty alone,” Granny Isla said. “I’m going to take Mariah outside. Have fun you two.” She waved and walked toward the kitchen.
Chrissy began shaking in Max’s arms.
“Are you ok, love?”
She giggled and put her head on his chest. “Yes. I love you, Patrick Maxwell Owens.”
“I love you, Chrissy Owens.”
Max continued up the stairs. She stared at Ma
x. He was one of the best men she’d ever met. Chrissy knew being in his arms was the only place she’d ever want to be. Chrissy smiled at the thought. Their life would always be messy, but in the end, it would always be happy as long as they were together.
Acknowledgments
–To Leanne Burkholder, Kim Redmon, Dana Armstrong and Danielle Melo without the help of my tireless Betas Chrissy and Max wouldn’t be what they are.
–To my Mom who always encourages me to be the best whether it is a mother, a writer, a teacher or a cuckoo bird she is always there cheering me along.
–To all my friends and colleagues who have been such supportive and enthusiastic sounding boards.
–Finally, to my family, you all have put up with my long hours holed up in the office typing away. Thank you all so much!
Scandal (Dirty Laundry Book 2) Page 27