“Go without me.” She'd never get through the dinner without breaking down, it was better to end this now.
“What?”
“Hey coach, we need you in here!” yelled one of the players.
“Be right there.” Max cupped her chin. “What is going on?”
Grace closed her eyes. She would not cry, not now. “Nothing.” Pulling away from his hold, she took a step back. “I just don't feel like going out to dinner but have a good time.” Then she turned and ran for her car. She heard Max calling her name, but she didn't look back. If she did, she'd break down.
Max drew his hand through his hair. Where the hell was Grace? He'd already called Phil and told him they'd be late for dinner. He'd gone to his house first, since she'd been living with him, but she hadn’t been there. He pulled into the driveway of her house. There were lights on.
He slammed the car door, before marching up the walk. He used the key she'd given him and stormed into the house. “Grace!” he yelled.
“Go away, Max.”
He let out a breath of relief. She was here and upstairs. After taking the stairs two at a time, he paused at the top before turning to the right and striding to her bedroom. Grace lay face down on the bed. “What is going on?” He drew his hand through his hair. At least she was safe and sound. He'd been so worried when he didn't find her at their home and when she wouldn't answer her cell.
“Go away,” she said, her voice muffled by the pillow she held.
“No.” He stomped over to the bed then sank down next to her and tugged at the pillow. “I demand you tell me what is going on.”
“Demand?” He almost smiled at the muffled outrage in her voice.
“Yes. Demand. I am your Master.”
The pillow was ripped from his fingers, and then it hit him in the head.
She hit him with the pillow? Grace hit him? He didn't know if he should be outraged or burst out laughing. Laughter seemed like a good idea until he saw Grace's tear-stained face.
“Gracie, what is it? What has you so upset?”
“As if you don't know.” The pillow came flying again, but this time he deflected the blow.
“Damn it, Gracie.”
“Don't swear at me, Max.” She crawled to the opposite side of the bed and turned her back to him. “Don't you have a dinner to be at?”
“Is that what this is about, my telling you we were going to dinner instead of asking?” Would a woman's mind ever make sense to him? Probably not. But Grace was never shy about telling him what she thought, in the bedroom and out. Something was bothering her and he wanted to know what it was.
“It's not about dinner. It's about what this dinner represents.” She sniffled, and he knew she was crying again. His heart clenched.
“Represents what?”
She spun, her blue gaze storming, tears running down her cheeks, and her arms wrapped around her waist. “You. Leaving.” She hiccupped the last word.
“Where the hell did you get an idea like that?”
“Come on, Max. Phil Harkness isn't here to watch you coach a high school team. One of the players let it slip that Harkness is looking for a coach for his team, and you're that coach.”
“It's true Phil is looking for a coach. But—”
“See.” She threw her arms up in the air. “Go. Go now before my heart breaks any more. I'll find a way to pick up the pieces.”
“Like hell I will.” Max strode around the bed and captured Grace by the arms, otherwise she could flee again.
“Let me go.” She struggled in his embrace.
“I'll never let you go again, Gracie.” He manhandled her into his arms then closed them tight around her even as she struggled.
“Please, Max, I'm begging you. I love you too much. Just go.”
His heart began to pound. She loved him? “Listen to me, Gracie.” He took a deep breath. “I have no intention of taking the position Phil is offering. I left you once, but I'll never leave you again.”
“What?” She sniffled and stopped struggling.
Max loosened his hold and waited until Grace leaned back and looked at him. “I love you.”
“You do?”
“Yes.” He pulled her into his arms.
“Oh, Max, I love you so damn much.”
“That's good because Master Max is not giving you up.” He grasped her chin then lifted her face to his. “And I'm dammed if I'm going to give up the woman I love for the game. You belong to me Gracie and no one else.” He lowered his lips to hers.
****
Epilogue
Grace waited at the front of the church looking down the aisle. She smiled at the groom’s side, full of the high school football team. Then she found the man she loved. Max, an impressive sight in his tux, stood at the altar.
Three months ago, Max had proposed to her at the restaurant after they had dinner with Phil Harkness. She'd been surprised and delighted.
Max gave her a sexy grin as he took her hand from her father then leaned down and whispered, “I love you, my Gracie, and I will show just how much on our honeymoon. I have a surprised planned.” Then he winked.
Unable to help herself, Grace laughed before turning to the minister. She couldn't wait for Max's surprise. Knowing him, it was a piece of new bondage equipment or a new toy to drive her crazy with. Oh, how she was looking forward to their honeymoon.
****
About Marie Tuhart
Marie Tuhart can't remember a time when she didn't have a book in her hands. She began writing at 19, and after several years decided to get serious about publishing. Marie loves to spend time in bookstores and traveling.
Website: http://www.marietuhart.com/
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Other Hooked Up Titles Now Available
The secret fantasy, hooking up with someone, no strings attached, then walking away. While on vacation, has a hot body by the pool, someone strolling by or a fellow vacationer caught your eye and triggered the “what if” question? In a hot steamy situation, where it’s all about blowing off steam and releasing some tension, three authors present five short stories about just that.
Old Habits by Sandra Sookoo
Acting as a chaperon to students in Clearwater, Florida, Jillian Elwood’s determined to enjoy herself on her one night off before returning to her cold, solitary home in Michigan. She invites Cameron, the sexy concierge, to her room on the pretense of servicing her phone, but when she gets him alone, she hits him up for a more personal service, of the sexual kind--just the thing Jillian needs to round out her stay.
Island Exploration by Emma Lai
Hoping for a little r & r—research and relaxation, of the sexual kind—Professor Josh Harper booked a bungalow at an adult resort only to find adult meant couples. Lucky for him, a marine biologist grad student stops by and offers her assistance.
Tension Relief by D. L. Shorts
Wanting nothing more than to lounge by the pool, Rayne goes home with her college roommate, but when one of Kim's sexy relative offers to show Rayne the best way to ease her tension, how can she resist?
Out for a Spin by Sandra Sookoo
Traveling on the company dime, Kevin Russell only has business on mind, but when sexy co-worker Cara Sanders reminds him life's not all about work—sometimes one just has to sit back and enjoy the ride—he happily takes her out for a spin.
Letting Her Hair Down by Emma Lai
Enjoying a quiet evening with her e-reader and a glass of wine at a local hotel bar, librarian Liza Chambers isn't surprised when Alex, a college frat boy, approaches her about helping him to win a bet. She agrees to help, but first he and his friend Mike have to assist her in letting her hair down.
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The secret fantasy, hooking up with someone, no strings attached, then walking away. Has the best man, caterer or another guest at a wedding caught your eye and triggered the “what if” question? In a situation where love, romance and sex abound, three authors present six short stories about
just that.
The Final Dance by Emma Lai
Ashley Beaufort’s duties as maid of honor take her back to the ballroom after all the guests have left, but the bride’s shoes aren’t the only things waiting for her, and she gets the chance to live out a fantasy with a her favorite country-western singer.
Buttercreamed by Sandra Sookoo
Kyle Morrison is a cocky cake decorator with an ego to match his talent. If there’s one thing he likes more than seeing a bridal couple enjoying his creations, it’s hooking up with a willing woman at a wedding.
When he’s propositioned by Paige, who’s also a fan of his work, how can he resist such a sweet challenge? Sex in a work room is more than icing on the cake.
Unexpected Gift by Marie Tuhart
Most men can't handle Sabrina Orin’s job as a doctor since the hours can be 24/7, but she still has needs. What better way to satisfy them than to hook up with a hot guest at a wedding?
Ryan Caine never expected to find a woman at the wedding he’d want to hook up with, and when Sabrina agrees to go to his room with him, he finds he doesn't want to let her go, but she's gone when he wakes in the morning. What’s a man to do?
Letting Memories Go by Emma Lai
After seeing John Cabot, her first love, over spring break, Liza Chambers realizes she needs to let some memories go before she can move forward. She seizes the opportunity at his sister’s wedding to put the past behind her. Will her actions rekindle their old flame, or only create more bittersweet memories?
Proper Women Don’t by Sandra Sookoo
Delia Latham’s back in Savannah for a friend’s wedding. Though she’s moved away from the life of tradition and snobbery, she’s always needed to tell her old beau—Chase—goodbye.
When Chase and his friend Jarod catch Delia unawares while she’s skinny dipping late at night, how can she refuse when he suggests a three-way hook-up? Proper women don’t do such things. Good thing she’s not one of them.
Unexpected Surprise by Marie Tuhart
Eric Montgomery has had the hots for his best friend’s fiancee’s maid of honor for months. When he finds her in his hotel room and his bed, he thinks the gods are granting him a gift.
Close proximity to the sexy best man has left Marina Landers desperate for release, and when Eric appears in her hotel bedroom, she seizes the opportunity to find out if the rumors about his domineering ways are true.
They have a wild night of kinky sex, both thinking when morning arrives, they'll go their separate ways, but things don't go quite as planned.
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Thank you for purchasing this Sybarite Seductions publication. For other available titles, please visit our website at sybariteseductions.com. For questions or more information, contact us at [email protected].
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