As I push against him, I feel a little poke. I break our kiss and lay small kisses on his neck until I reach his ear. “Do you seriously have a fucking erection now?”
He grabs my shoulders and spins me so that I’m up against the wall. “Wasn’t that the goal?”
I break the kiss. I look at him, trying to read if he’s joking. He’s usually such a smart ass, but it almost sounds like he’s serious. Maybe the lack of accent is throwing me off. He smirks, then pulls me back to him for one last tongue-twirling kiss.
When we separate, he takes my hand and leads me back through the club. He high fives one of the guys at the table. “I’m out,” he says with a wink. We hold hands till we get to the car.
I get in, lock the doors, and look at Max. “Holy shit, that worked. I was sure Rafe was on to you.”
“Slugger, we have to get out of Tucson before we can say that. He knows something’s up, but he hasn’t pieced together what yet. Get moving.”
I put the car in gear and pull onto Congress Street. “Do you have anything you need to get before we leave town? Anything incriminating?”
“Lily, this isn’t my first rodeo. I’m smart enough not to leave loose ends. Now drive the car.”
I weave through Tucson’s small downtown area until we hit I-10. Neither of us says a word for the first twenty minutes. As the city lights disappear on the horizon and we realize we’re safely out of the city, Max looks at me.
He points his thumb behind us. “That back there was a suicide mission we somehow escaped from. Rafael’s the one that called the hit out on you. He’s running the whole Southwest operation, and moving up the ranks quickly. He’s convinced you know more than you let on and that Ash has more shit hidden somewhere. You could have gotten us both killed by coming here!” he shouts. “How did you even find me?”
I tap my thumbs on the steering wheel. “It’s a long story.”
“Then start talking. Now.”
Chapter Seventeen
I tap my thumbs on the steering wheel as I drive. “I need to know that I’m talking to Max my best friend, not Max the agent. Can you promise me that?”
“They’re one and the same, slugger,” he says firmly.
“If I can talk to Max my friend, then I can tell you the whole story. Max the agent will get the sanitized version. You make the call.” I trust that he’ll be honest with me. If he can’t keep my secrets, he’ll tell me.
When he doesn’t reply, I say, “Why don’t we start with you? Why did you reach out to Sabrina?”
“I heard rumblings about you. I think there’s a hit out on you. I reported it, but as this is a DEA case, they just want to know where the drugs are. I was told that they didn’t find the threat credible. She was supposed to protect you, not let you go Charlie’s Angels on me.”
“Yeah, dude, there was a hit on me because my roommate decided to try to infiltrate the cartel to defend my honor. You were made a while ago. They were just waiting to take you out.”
“How do you know this, Lily?” he demands.
I grip the steering wheel so tight my fingernails dig into my palm. “I had this handled Max. I was finally in the clear, then you had to go and get involved,” I say, ignoring his question. “Now they want to kill you and me. Of course they won’t go after you because it’ll bring too much attention, but I have a huge target on my back. Again.”
He reaches over the center console and touches my arm. “I need to know how you know all of this,” he says softly.
I take my eyes off the road for a moment and catch his eyes. “I can’t. You just have to trust me.”
He shakes his head. “No can do, Slugger. You need to tell me more. This may end here for you, but I have people to report to. There are a dozen policies and procedures that we just completely disregarded. Ignoring protocol can fuck up an entire investigation and I have to answer for that. My job’s on the line. You owe me more.”
“I can’t give you more. I’m sorry.”
He bangs his fist on the dashboard. “Damn it, Lily. That’s not going to fly.”
Knowing that we are at an impasse, I say nothing and allow silence to overtake the car. We’re both tired, wired and too emotional to have this discussion. I’d rather sit in uncomfortable silence than fight for the next five and a half hours. I’m guessing Max feels the same ways since he doesn’t say a word until I blow past the exit to Sky Harbor Airport.
He points to the exit as we drive by it. “Ah, Slugger, don’t we need to catch a plane?”
“Flying out of Vegas. I have to return the car and the costume. Plus it’s safer. Don’t worry, it’s a smooth drive.”
“When was the last time you slept?” he asks.
I shrug. “More than a nap? Christ, I can’t recall.” I left London two days ago, but it feels like a month.
He taps my elbow. “Pull over, let me drive.”
When we drive past the 101 Freeway, I see something my body simply can’t resist. In-N-Out Burger. I exit the freeway and pull into the drive-thru, but the bastards are closed! Hungry and tired, I pop out the contacts and curl up on the passenger seat. I’m asleep before Max gets back on the highway.
I wake up as we cross over the Hoover Dam. “Hey,” Max says. “Good nap?”
“Much needed one. I’ve gone from London to New York City, to Buffalo, to Vegas, to Tucson and now back again. I need a bucket of eye make-up remover, a long shower, and an actual meal.”
“I bet you are eager to get out of those pants,” he teases. He reaches over and pats my thigh. “I’m not ready for you to be out of those pants, but I bet you are.”
I punch him in the arm. “Jackass.”
He rubs his bicep. “I forgot how hard you punch.” He looks me up and down. “Were you trying to look like Gavin’s junkie ex, or was that just a coincidence?”
I punch him again. “Touchy, touchy,” he says while rubbing his arm.
We’re both quiet until we pass a string of billboards advertising various casinos on The Strip. “I’m guessing once we get situated we’re going to part ways. I think we should talk about what happened in Tucson before we split up.”
I look away, focusing on the landscape. “I told you, I’m not telling you more than I already have.”
“Not that part. The other part. What happened while we were there.”
I look at him, hoping not to find anything other than friendship in his eyes. “We did what we had to do to get out of there alive.”
“Between us, Lily.” He points his finger back and forth between us. “You’re telling me you didn’t feel anything?”
Urg. I do not want to go here. I’d rather spill my guts and risk Carlos’s wrath than discuss kissing Max. “You’re my best friend, and I adore you, but I love Gavin.”
“Yeah, I get that. But this has nothing to do with Gavin. This is about you and me and what went on there. Our lives are too tangled to ignore it. We’re not leaving this car until we talk about it.”
I hate it when he puts on his agent pants. He can be so condescending. How can I tell him that kissing him was one of the most revolting things I have ever done? That I feel sick and wrong, and I desperately want to bleach my mouth.
His hand is resting on the gear shift. I place mine over his and intertwine our fingers. “Max, it was just two people doing a job. It was no different than any other task.” I know he’s had to fake relationships while undercover before. There’s no way he’s thrown by our pretend attraction. Sure we kissed, but when we were living together, we’d done intimate things and he never showed signs he was interested in being more than friends. I’ve cuddled with him, slept in his bed. He’s seen me in my underwear and never given me a second glance. A bad kiss shouldn’t have changed that.
He brings my hand to his lips, and places a gentle kiss on the top of my hand. “There was heat. We can’t ignore that.”
Oh crap. Apparently a bad kiss can change everything. I pull my hand away. “Yeah, Max, it’s called Arizona. O
f course it was hot,” I say, trying to deflect.
He shakes his head and quietly laughs. “That was bad, Slugger.”
All of a sudden the leather pants feel too tight, and my tank top feels too low. I adjust my clothes as much as I can, but it doesn’t make me less exposed.
“I’m assuming you and Gavin are on the outs. There’s no way he’d go along with this,” he says.
“He doesn’t know I’m here,” I say quietly, looking away.
He cups his ear and leans toward me. “Excuse me? I must have misheard you. I thought you said he doesn’t know.”
“Yup, that would be what I said.” I brace myself for a lecture.
He puts both hands on the steering wheel, griping so hard his knuckles are white. “Wow, I’m not sure who I’m more nervous about, the cartel or the big bad Brit. Thanks, Slugger. Remind me again why you’re here. I thought you said it was to help me, but after this little escapade, I’ll probably lose my job and it’ll be a toss-up who gets to me first. The cartel or your boyfriend. ”
“He may not be my boyfriend anymore,” I reply. Why did I just say that? Having a boyfriend is my fast pass out of this conversation. But I’m an idiot and have now opened the door to a discussion about Max and I becoming more. If there’s a pile of shit around, I always manage to step in it.
I look at him out of the corner of my eye. He looks giddy. “When did that happen?” he asks, trying to sound concerned, but failing miserably.
“We had a big blow up, then I got the call from Sabrina and hopped on the first flight. We really haven’t spoken since.”
He taps his thumb on the steering wheel. “So you’re not officially broken up?”
I shrug. “Honestly, I have no idea what we are.”
He smirks. “Interesting.”
I turn up the radio hoping to end this conversation. Waking Up in Vegas blares through the speakers. Max laughs, then says, “It’s a sign. We should get married.” It’s official. God has it out for me.
I lean my head against the window and close my eyes.
I open my eyes just as we approach the city. Dawn over Vegas is an interesting sight. The clean light of day on the blinking lights of the casinos is just odd, making the City of Sin look rather out of place. Like wearing last night’s party clothes, smeared makeup, and torn stockings at seven a.m. while everyone else is dressed and ready for work. The Strip in the morning is the physical representation of the walk of shame.
I call Brittany, who is shockingly up at this hour. Perhaps she still hasn’t gone to bed. Who am I to judge? She gives me directions to her house, and Max and I head right over. With any luck I can be back in London today.
Brittany’s house is in Green Valley, an upscale part of town I’m not familiar with. Pulling up to her house, I see being a showgirl can pay off. Her house is huge! There are a bunch of cars in the driveway, but I seriously doubt she’s hosting brunch. I’m guessing the party is still going on from last night. After parking, I jump out of the car. I cannot wait to get out of this costume and shower, but I need to clear things up with Max first.
“Let’s clear the air before we go in,” I say. “I want to leave all of this in Tucson, so get it out now.”
He folds his arms across his chest and plants his feet. Everything about his posture is telling me he is not going to budge. “I need to know more about what you know. I have to tell something to the FBI.”
I mimic his movements, making it clear I’m not budging either. “Tell them your cover was blown, and leave me out of the story altogether. Tell them you had an opportunity to get out safely, and took it. It’s the truth. You don’t need to know anything else,” I reply firmly.
“Fine, I’ll see if I can make that work. But I’m not hopeful. You’re going to have to find a way to meet me halfway here.” He exhales loudly, and soon his shoulders soften and he lets his arms fall to his sides. “We need to talk about what happened between us, though.”
I avoid his gaze and focus on a crack in the driveway. “Nothing happened between us. It was acting.”
He steps toward me. “I don’t think so. There’s more there.”
I look up and meet his gaze. “No, there’s not.”
Before I have a chance to say anything else, he grabs me and kisses me.
I push him back, and wipe my mouth with the back of my hand. “Max! What. The. Fuck?”
He looks crushed. “I- I- I’m sorry,” he stammers. “I had to know.”
“Boston, what the hell are you doing here?”
“Em?” Max and I say in unison. Oh, this day just gets weirder and weirder.
Em’s hands are on her hips and she looks ready to pounce. “Who the hell is this hooker?”
“Max, what the hell are you doing here?” That’s the last voice on the planet I expected to hear. I turn to face Gavin.
When his eyes meet mine, his jaw drops. “Lily?” He looks at Max and growls.
Before any of us have a chance to speak, Gavin throws a left cross and drops Max to the ground.
“That’s gonna leave a mark,” Em deadpans. She walks back toward the house shouting, “Britt, we’re gonna need some ice out here.”
I bend down to see if Max is okay. Knocked out, but probably okay. “Jesus, Oxford. What was that?” I ask, still in shock.
He glares at me. “Yes, Lily. What was that?”
I let out a long sigh. “We have a lot to talk about. Can we take care of Max first and get into this later?” I examine Max, trying to avoid the anger radiating from Gavin. “I hope you didn’t break his jaw.”
He grabs my arm and jerks me up harshly, causing me to crash into his chest. “Max can piss off. Why were you kissing him? And what the fuck are you wearing?” he asks motioning to my costume.
I pull my arm back. “It’s a long story I would be happy to tell you if you stop punching people and let me get a word in edgewise,” I bark at him.
He folds his arms over his chest. “Does this story explain why you left me without a bloody word?” he sneers.
I try to match his glare, but once I see the pain in his baby blues, I turn away. It hurts too much to see him this upset.
Brittany’s husband, Phil, comes out, looks at all of us, and laughs. “I love my life. Never a dull moment.” He whistles, and two mammoth guys come out and carry Max inside. “Come on in, everyone. Looks like you have some issues to sort out.”
We enter the foyer of their spectacular home, and Brittany gives me a hug. “You played the part well, my lovely. Come on, let’s get you out of character. Emily, you keep that handsome man settled down. I have way too much crystal in this house to tolerate a brawl when that one wakes up,” she says pointing at Max.
“Sugar Cube, no fair. I don’t want to be on babysitting duty. Let’s remember who has seniority here,” Em says. Em was Brittany’s big sister in our sorority, and she loves to pull rank.
Brittany grits her teeth. “You know I hate it when you call me that. And in case you didn’t get the memo, I am queen bee here. Stay, supervise, protect my breakables while I bring our Lil here back to her naturally beautiful self.”
Em huffs and puffs but does what she’s told. “Whatever you say, Sugar Cube.”
Ah, sorority sisters. Get them together, and we all become eighteen again.
Brittany takes me to a guest bathroom and helps me out of the wig and cap. More importantly, she helps me out of the leather pants. They may look sexy, but they practically need to be cut off. They might as well be a chastity belt. Picturing trying to take them off in the throes of passion sends me into a giggle fit.
Britt looks at me like I lost it. “Oh, suga’, you need a nap. How long have you been running like this?”
“Two days, maybe three. It all blurs together.” I’ve been going balls to the wall for days. I’m going to crash at some point.
After a long shower, I finally feel back to normal, but I can’t seem to make myself leave the bathroom. Gavin is just down the hall, and I’m
too petrified to talk to him. He’s here, so that has to mean something. I need to know the truth about what happened that night, but I’m not sure I’m ready to hear it. I’ve replayed that night over and over in my head, and while I don’t question what James saw, I just can’t see Gavin as a cheater. Certainly not with O. But even if I set the O thing aside, his mood that night was completely out of line. Just thinking of the cold look in his eye before he left gives me chills.
Brittany knocks on the door. “Quit hiding, baby cakes. Time to face the firing squad.”
I groan. When I don’t come out a minute later, she says, “I do have the key to this door. I’ll give it to that sexy man in my living room if you don’t come out on your own. I have a strict no pussy policy in this house. That goes for whores trying to sleep with my husband, and cowards hiding out. Time to face the music.”
Reluctantly, I open the door, and Em pushes past Brittany and hugs me. “What the hell’s going on? You left Gavin? For Max?”
“No! Of course not. It’s really complicated, but there’s nothing going on between me and Max.”
From the look on her face I can tell she doesn’t believe me. “That’s not what it looked like.”
“Trust me. Max may actually be deluding himself into thinking there’s something, but I can promise you there’s nothing. Less than nothing. He’s just a friend. You know that. I’d never come between you two.”
She stares at me indignantly. “There is no me and Max.”
I roll my eyes. “Whatever you say.”
I pick up my costume off the floor, fold it and place it on the counter. Em points at it. “Is this crazy trip why you made me lug your crap back to Boston?”
I nod. “It’s a long story, but coming here was a necessity. Thanks for bringing them back for me. You saved me a humiliating call to Gavin to beg him to ship it to me.”
“I know things got seriously messed up that night, but I think you jumped the gun a little bit. I’ve spent the last day with that man, and I think he’d move heaven and earth to get you back to him.”
I lean against the wall. “How did you get dragged into this anyway?”
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