"That’s why she's not wearing any chews today." Angel the idiot attempted to help. "So it chouldn’t have hurt too bad Mr. Ruiz, Sir." He gifted the VP with a condescending smile.
The VP waved off further conversation. "Let's get on with this, I have a flight to catch early in the morning and want to relax this evening. As a matter of fact Wells, how about you and Bernie join me for drinks. We can discuss the new software projects." He gave a flushed Bernie a pointed look.
Bernie choked on his saliva.
Her mind was spinning from a disastrous day at the office; she trudged into her bedroom to change. Her mother expected her for dinner and she wondered if she had the strength for it. Lisa entered the quiet space and let out a sigh. Hopefully Bernie would escape the after work drinks unscathed and make it to her mother's. He rarely missed Wednesday night dinner.
The doorbell rang and she looked at her ceiling. Did she owe anyone money? No. Did she expect a solicitor? No. It was too late for someone to attempt to save her soul. They tended to come in the afternoon on Saturdays. "Come In!" she shouted, it was probably Bernie or her neighbor Sheila, who always borrowed soap. Laundry, Dish, or multi-purpose, Sheila never bought any.
Lisa opened the cabinet under her sink. "I ran out of Mr. Clean."
"Delivery." She jumped at the deep voice. A man stood in the hallway with a floral arrangement. "Miss Pasqualone?"
"Yes?"
"These are for you." He looked at her with expectation. "I need you to sign for them."
"Right." She didn't move. She searched the countertops for a weapon. Just the night before on her favorite murder show, a fake flower deliveryman killed women and collected for his hand collection. "Umm, put the flowers down over there," She pointed to the dining table. "I'll wait for you outside." She dashed to the doorway and stood outside her apartment.
The man walked outside and when she moved away from the wall, he yelped. "Ma'am, would you please sign this?" He held the clipboard as far as he could from himself. "I'll be on my way."
Lisa snatched the board and scribbled her signature never moving her eyes from him. He snatched the item back and jogged to his truck. The truck's logo looked incredibly real, as a matter of fact so did the guys uniform. The lengths murderers went to was just astonishing.
After peering into her apartment and not seeing anything awry, she went back in. The flowers were beautiful, with a note attached. She pulled it and opened the tiny envelope to find a typed note.
Sorry About Your Shoe
Angel
"Awwww," Lisa said out loud and smiled at the spring bouquet. "Here I thought it was murder."
Rushing, she threw on shoes and brushed her hair then dashed out the door to the parking lot. She drove for half an hour and parked. She hurried to the front door of the house, hoping not to lose her nerve.
After her second knock a yawning Max opened the door. He wore sweat pants that hung low on his hips, the sleeveless torn t-shirt barely covered his ripped chest and he was barefoot. "Hey." He blinked at her. "What's up?"
"I came to see if you were going to Mom's for dinner?" Lisa shuffled attempting not to stare at his bared body. "Mom invited you and will be disappointed if you don't come."
His eyes remained flat, his voice even. "Really?"
"Look, I'm sorry about this morning. Bernie was putting up a front for some guy...er person that's been harassing him."
"He grabbed your ass." Max frowned.
"He's overly dramatic that way," Lisa explained with a weak smile. "It's been a long day. I lost a shoe, I thought a flower delivery guy was there to murder me and I accidentally kicked a VP under the conference table. I shouldn't have come. I guess you are the only person I want to see after a day like this." She slumped forward and adjusted her purse strap. "I better go. Sorry to bother you."
"Why did you think the flower delivery guy was going to kill you? Who sent you flowers?"
Of course he'd ask that? Men always wanted to know if they were one-upped and by who. "Angel, my coworker for losing my shoe." She bit her lip before answering his first question. "I watch a murder mystery series at night sometimes."
The clouds seemed to part and she swore angels sang when Max opened his arms to her. "Come here."
Lisa threw herself at him reveling in the feel of his warm hard body. She leaned her head on his chest and sighed. "You don't have to come to dinner if you don't want, but I really needed this hug."
Max walked backward and kicked the door shut.
"I'm sorry about your day." He said kissing her lightly.
"I'm sorry I assumed you were a man-whore."
Max chuckled. "Well, women were coming out of the woodwork. I'm sorry I made you believe you owed me a thousand dollars."
"What?" Lisa pushed away. "I don't owe you a thousand dollars?"
He pulled her back against him and she didn't resist. "Nah I had the plants and sod to replace the damage. I just wanted an excuse to see you."
"Oh. Well, then I'm sorry about....wait what happened between you and Gloria." She attempted to push away again, but when his mouth covered hers, she stopped trying. His hands slid down her back, every inch he touched coming to life.
Lisa reached around his head and threaded her fingers through his hair, not caring if she ever made it to her mother's. His lips traced a naughty path from her lips down her throat. "Oh wow," Lisa whispered. "You sure know how to kiss."
"Um hmm," he replied between kisses. "You're easy to kiss."
"About Gloria." Lisa persisted. "Did you and my cousin… do it?"
Max lifted his head and looked at her. "She attacked me at the hospital, while I waited for Tina to come back from her tests. Luckily Dean returned with Tina before she could rape me." He shook his head. "Is your cousin is a nympho or something?"
"Yeah, pretty much. She sleeps with most of the men anyone in the family dates or marries once they become an ex. She's like our version of a farewell party."
"Then I have nothing to worry about."
"Why is that?" Lisa pressed her lips against the soft skin of his neck.
He inhaled and his hands slipped lower. "Because, I don't plan to ever be your ex."
"Are you asking me to be your girlfriend Maxwell Collins?" Lisa batted her lashes coyly.
"Yes I am."
"I would like that very much." With her fingers she traced circular patterns on his chest. "I want to take this off you."
"Sounds like a plan to me. As a matter of fact, you can watch me undress."
Lisa clapped and did a little jig.
"And you can watch me dress. I'm not missing dinner at your mom's. I don't want to start off on the wrong foot." He was already walking away down the hallway, yanking his shirt over his head. "Better hurry."
"Damn it." Lisa murmured.
Two weeks later.
"Lisa. Lisa." The deep familiar voice penetrated through her slumber and her lips curved.
"Wake up." Max leaned over her, his handsome face the perfect view to wake up to. She still could not believe the hunk was her boyfriend.
"I'm awake." She mumbled and sat up scanning the nightstand for the alarm clock. "Hey it's like six o'clock in the morning. It's Saturday." Suddenly she was wide-awake and noticed Max's distressed face. "What's wrong?"
"Dean's in trouble again."
She got up and grabbed one of his discarded t-shirts and pulled it over her head. "Why?"
Max came to her and hugged her, the gesture told her he needed to be reassured. She ran her hand up and down his back. "What do we need to do? Should we call your dad?"
"I already did. Remember the woman who stopped by, the one that was upset and screaming. She's been killed. They're questioning Dean about it."
"Yeah, I remember her.” Dean's words buzzed in her mind. "...I will see to it they don't ever come around again." But she pushed the memory away. Surely Dean was not capable of murder. "I'm sure there's been some sort of mistake." She assured Max. "Let's wait and see what you
r Dad finds out."
Max lifted her face to him seeming to search for something. "I'm sorry to wake you up, but I needed to talk. I am worried about my brother."
"It's okay Max. I'm glad you did. Want a cup of tea?"
His smile made her insides warm. His eyes still locked to hers, he kissed her lightly. "I love you."
She knew her eyes rounded. "Really?"
"Yes I think I loved you from the moment I attacked you with my concealed paint gun."
"It wasn't concealed. I love you too."
"Really?"
"Yes Max I do and I'll be here for you. Together we'll help Dean and do whatever needs to be done to clear his name. Now how about that hot tea?"
Max bent down and swooped her off her feet. He went towards the bed. "How 'bout some hot loving instead?"
"Anything I can do to help."
The End.
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Hildie McQueen bestselling author of Paranormal, Historical Western and Historical Erotic, loves storytelling and unusual settings, pair that with humor and you’ve got an idea of what her writing is like.
Hildie makes sure action, intrigue, and sizzling romance add up to a story, her readers won’t soon forget. Her favorite past-times are traveling, shopping and reading. She resides in beautiful small town Georgia with her super-hero husband Kurt and two unruly Chihuahuas.
For a list of all her books, visit her blog at www.h
Table of Contents
Dedication
Chapter OneLisa
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Concealed Carry Page 7