by Clarissa Yip
Her body shivered against him, sweat sliding off her skin as she met his movements. At the cry of his name, he knew she was close. Her inner muscles milked him harder, squeezing him tighter. Curving his arm around her nape, he kept her in place as each of his thrusts pushed her across the floor. His fingers slid between them, toward the bundle of nerves hidden behind her folds. He pressed down, and she came, but he thrust faster as each shudder tore through her, each spasm fueling his need to finish.
It wasn’t long before his own body stiffened, and his release knocked the breath from him.
He collapsed onto her just as the limo pulled to a stop. Trying to calm his beating heart, he looked out the window to see they were in front of her apartment. “Just in time.”
Lia laughed as he slid out of her and moved to the side. He whipped the condom off and threw it into the little trash bin in the side bar as she righted her dress.
The driver came around and opened the door. Before she exited, she turned to Max with a mischievous smile. “We’re never going to live this down if our grandmothers hear.”
He chuckled as he grabbed his jacket off the seat. “Only you would think about them at a time like this.”
She grinned, then brushed her lips over his cheek until she reached his ear. “So give me something else to think about.”
He didn’t need to. Once they got out of the limo, dread punched him in the gut at Lia’s white face, and he followed her gaze.
A woman in a black dress glared at them, blocking their entrance to the building. She didn’t have to speak for him to know who she was.
“Lia McEvers, how could you?”
Chapter Nine
The rage in Mindy’s voice sent fear pulsating through Lia, along with the pain and anger boiling in her chest. She latched onto Max’s arm, her fingernails biting into his shirt sleeve. “Maybe you should go.”
He swung around to face her. “I’m not leaving you.”
A chuckle rumbled in her throat even as her heart skipped with joy at his fierce expression. His protectiveness gave her a safety she’d never felt with Steve. “I’ll be fine.”
He drew her closer. “I’ll wait for you inside.”
She nodded, relief soaring through her. He pressed a kiss to her forehead and stalked past Mindy, who hadn’t moved. Lia waited until Max disappeared into the building before she took a step forward. “What are you doing here?”
Her ex-best friend closed the distance between them. From the looks of her black gown to the elegant updo, she must have come from the charity ball. Rage flared in her eyes, and a crazed energy emanated from her lithe body. “What right do you have to do that to Steve in front of all those people?”
Lia wanted to laugh. To think that Mindy and Steve had once been the people she thought she needed the most. If her ex-fiancé had found someone else to cheat on her with, Lia may have walked away relatively unscathed, but she’d bonded with Mindy more than anyone else in her life. She’d trusted her, believed that Mindy would never hurt her, and allowed Mindy to convince her that Steve wasn’t a good match for her.
As she studied the woman in front of her, realization dawned on her. She’d never loved Steve. He’d been the excuse she’d used to get away from Max and her mother. Mindy’s betrayal had hurt more than Steve’s infidelity.
Mindy folded her arms across her chest. “You’ve been avoiding my calls and never responded to our wedding invitation.”
Lia straightened her spine. She glanced at the glass doors behind her to see Max watching them. Knowing he was there gave her courage to speak. “You want me to come to the wedding so people won’t think you guys are jerks. Everyone knows what you did, Mindy. You wanted Steve for yourself.”
Mindy gasped and her eyes narrowed. “He’s finally making a name for himself and you had to embarrass him like that in front of all those people? Wasn’t it enough that he lived in your shadow for so long?”
“He’s a freaking deadbeat drummer that I supported for the past five years.” The words sounded hollow. She resisted the urge to slap her palm against her forehead. “So you have him now. What does it matter?”
Mindy pursed her lip. “We were trying to be nice and apologize to you. I don’t want our friendship to end.”
A pang struck her heart. She’d been grateful for her friendship, but was she truly that unlovable that even her best friend felt the need to hurt her? “It’s too late, Mindy.”
The woman’s fists clenched at her sides. “Well, if you won’t forgive us, the least you could do is return Steve’s grandmother’s ring.”
Lia shook her head. Mindy was never going to change. It didn’t matter to her the damage she’d done, the pain she’d inflicted. “We have nothing left to say to each other.”
As regally as she could, she strode past Mindy. Max watched her from the entrance. Her heart tightened at his smile. She wanted more from him. The pact was a façade she’d hidden behind to get him.
“You know what, Lia?”
Lia paused. She should ignore Mindy and just continue on, but she wanted to hear what else she had to say.
“That man in there is never going to love you. He’s probably just like all those losers that your mom dates.”
Doubts she’d long suppressed rose to the surface, but she drew in a deep breath and spun around. “And you can search for Steve’s ring in the Hudson. Good luck finding it.”
Mindy let out an outraged scream. Without another glance, Lia continued her trek to the entrance. Max held the glass door open, waving her in. She reached the entry and he pulled her into her arms.
“Hopefully that’ll be the last you’ll see of her,” Max said.
She nodded and hugged him back, soaking up his warmth. “I’m exhausted.”
A chuckle rumbled up his chest as he drew away and tilted her head up. He dropped a kiss on her mouth and grinned. “I can remedy that.”
She smiled at the desire blazing in his eyes and warmed at the sensual curve of his mouth, but Mindy’s words ran through her mind. Was Max just like the men her mother dated?
…
Lia took a sip of her wine, avoiding Max’s gaze. He watched her from across the hot tub, a satisfied smirk playing across his face. She couldn’t believe what had transpired once they reached the inside of her apartment. His stamina amazed her.
Maneuvering her sore back muscles against a jet, she sighed. He set his glass on the edge of the tub and slid across the distance. Instead of settling next to her, he tugged her legs around his waist until their bodies molded against each other. Modesty was no longer an issue, since he’d already seen and feasted on every inch of her skin. And counted freckles in places she’d never known she had them.
“What are you thinking about?” he asked. He leaned in, rubbed his nose against hers, and gently kissed her.
“Nothing much. Just…” How could she tell him? He may never want to see her again if she told him the truth.
Max frowned. “Are you thinking about that dirtbag?”
“I feel stupid, I guess.” She hated to admit failure. When she’d followed Steve to the city, she had vowed to return home a success. Far from it—she’d come back alone with no best friend, no fiancé, and a business that had not much to show for itself.
Max cupped her jaw. “For what?” He nibbled her lips, and she whimpered. The man seriously knew how to make a woman feel loved. Her whole body ached, but she wanted him again. Curving her legs around his waist, she leaned back. Who would have ever thought she’d be here with Maxwell Sheraton? Except she didn’t want to be just another one of his conquests.
She wanted to be his girl for life. And he probably just wanted a one-night stand. Or a fling until their pact ended. Why would he want anything more? She pushed the thought aside. This foolishness had to end. “Just…everything, I guess.”
His thumb flickered over both nipples and her breath caught. Needing the distraction, she clamped her hands around his wrist and pulled them around her so he
r chest brushed up against his. “Max…” she warned.
He grinned. “Did I wear you down?”
Swallowing hard, she moved out from around him and got out of the tub. She drew a towel over herself. Looking at the clock, she realized it was past four in the morning. The longer he stayed here, the more she’d have to be ashamed for—the more she wouldn’t want to let him go. Without a glance at Max, she made her way to the bedroom.
“What are you doing?”
“It’s late. You should head home.”
“Hey.” A hand wrapped around her upper arm and whirled her around. “What’s going on?”
His concern didn’t make it any easier on her. “It’s late. I have to work tomorrow.”
He frowned, drawing her to him until his palms settled on her lower spine. “Let me spend the night.”
Her heart tightened. She’d never slept with anyone overnight besides Steve. She wanted Max to stay more than anything, but she didn’t want to think of what she’d face later if it was all a mistake. “I shouldn’t.”
He kissed her forehead. “Just sleep. I want to stay with you.”
Biting her lower lip, she settled her hands on his chest. Temptation warred with her conscience. She should push him away, send him off, but the idea of sleeping alone in her near empty apartment held no appeal. The past seven months, she’d been on her own with no one to talk to, no one to laugh with, or tease. She hated being alone. In the five years since she’d left town, she’d had Mindy and Steve to keep her company until they’d betrayed her. Was she truly that unlovable?
She traced a finger over his jaw. “It’s not right for us, Max.” She prayed he’d understand. She was broken, too messed up to deal with anything emotional. Neither did she want to face Max if he admitted to wanting just a fling.
“I won’t do anything you don’t want, I swear.” He gave her an innocent look. The man was adorable and utterly charming.
She snorted. “What haven’t you done yet?”
Max laughed and kissed her hard. “Oh trust me. There’s a lot more we have yet to do.”
Without another word, he swung her up into his arms and carried her back to her bedroom. Instead of arguing, she allowed him to take her towel away and throw her to the center of the bed. She landed with a bounce as Max turned off the lights and slid in next to her. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her to his side.
The darkness was comforting, until he broke the silence. “Tell me about you and dirtbag and Mindy.”
She stiffened. The pain was still raw, but the months had given her time to think about her predicament.
“There’s really nothing to tell. Steve cheated on me with Mindy and now they’re together. End of story.” She drew a finger over his chest.
Max clamped her palm down flat against him. “Do you still love him?”
She wanted to tell him no, but couldn’t bring herself to answer. Not that it mattered since Max would never be hers.
“Answer me.” He brushed a lock of hair behind her ear and trailed his knuckles against her cheek.
“What does it matter?”
Lifting himself on his elbow, he stared down at her, his eyes narrowing. “Really?”
The fierce glare almost made her laugh. “No, okay? I don’t love him. I don’t know if I ever have. Maybe I thought he was the one I’d end up with, but I was already having doubts even before he proposed.”
He grunted as he lay back down and drew her to his side again. “What about Mindy?”
Lia sighed. “She was my best friend. The one who taught me all the ropes to survive in the city. The one who took me in when I was mugged and—”
“You were mugged? When?”
“When I first arrived there. Steve stayed at his friend’s and I had nowhere else to go, since he was already bumming off him. I had no money, no credit cards, and no place to stay, so Mindy took me in for a few weeks until I got back on my feet.”
“Why didn’t you call home?”
She laughed. “And what? Prove to my mom that it was a bad idea that I chose Steve when you all had told me I shouldn’t have left?”
Max hugged her tighter. “We would have sent you money or something.”
“And tell me ‘I told you so.’”
“It wouldn’t have been like that.”
“You were the first one who told me it was a bad idea to leave with Steve.”
Max stayed quiet. “Well, Nanna and Grams would have wanted to help.”
“I know, but I didn’t want to show my mother that I’d once again failed, that I couldn’t take care of myself.”
“Dina doesn’t mean any harm. She got pregnant young and didn’t know how to handle having a child, since she was a child herself. But she is trying now. Better late than never.”
It didn’t excuse her mother’s behavior, or the neglect. “Your mother married young, too, Max.”
“What can I say? Maybe my mom was more mature, but our grandmothers raised us more than anyone. They were the ones who taught us everything.”
She scoffed. “You know how my mother is. Once Henry leaves her, she’ll be on the hunt for the next boyfriend.” She sat up. “I really don’t want to talk about my mother or Steve or Mindy. Besides, you should go.”
Tugging her back down against him, Max pressed his lips to her forehead. He adjusted her legs around his waist and slid both hands to her bottom. “Fine. We’ll talk about something else.”
Lia gasped when she found that he was already hard. “Are you serious?”
“I can’t help it around you. I’ve wanted you since I saw you at the construction site.” He rolled her until she lay beneath him. “No, since that first time I kissed you.”
Her insides clenched. She stared up at him. Gliding her leg over his butt, she urged him closer. “Really?”
He gave her a lopsided grin. “I know. Who knew we’d be here, like this, now?”
Fear rocked her for a second before his finger grazed her cleft. Desire seared into every nerve of her body. He bent and took her nipple into his mouth. The sensation he drew made her toes curl and hips rise to meet his cock. The thought of never feeling his touch again sent a quiet desperation through her as she wrapped her arms around him. She refused to be hurt like her mother.
One last time was all she’d allow herself.
Chapter Ten
Lia had managed to avoid Max for three days. It was for the best. Each message he’d left her started with cajoling until anger tainted his tone. He was right. She couldn’t avoid him forever.
But she was a coward.
Nanna and Gram had called her cell, which she had to turn off. She wasn’t ready to face anyone. Her time was probably running out. Shame, along with guilt, ate at her. It had been wrong of her to get involved with Max. She’d lied to herself, believing the pact was the answer to avoid hurting their grandmothers, so she wouldn’t fail them. But it had been the perfect excuse to fulfill a dream—a dream with Max.
“Ms. McEvers.”
Lia looked up to see her secretary at the door.
“Mr. Sheraton is on line one and Nanna is on line two.”
She groaned. She couldn’t avoid them forever. “Tell Mr. Sheraton I’m with a client, and I’ll talk to Nanna right now.”
Her secretary nodded and closed the door. Lia picked up the receiver, drew in a deep breath, and pushed the button for line two. “Hey, Nanna.”
“Where have you been, missy?” she scolded.
Lia winced. “I’ve been out of town.”
“We’ve left you messages and Max has been to your apartment a few times.”
She knew. After Max had left, she’d spent the day staring at the boxes she’d never unpacked. And he’d returned looking for her, but she wouldn’t answer the door. Instead of facing him, she’d gone off to the city to clear her head. Meeting with her partner had given her a sense of ease, and she was surprised to learn that applications had increased since attending the charity event, but that
didn’t dispel the emotions churning in her gut. Did she even belong in Grant anymore? Wasn’t it best for her to end the situation now before it was too late? The temptation to stay in the city seemed an easy answer to her dilemma.
“I had a meeting with my partner.”
“Always working. It’s not healthy, I tell you. You promised to come help me hang frames and get the house ready for the party.”
Lia groaned. She’d completely forgotten. “I can’t…”
“You promised. And maybe Max can come help you.”
She squeezed her eyes shut, her insides churning with what she needed to do. No doubt Nanna and Grammy had been talking up a storm about her and Max’s appearance. “Maybe I can swing by after work on Thursday.”
“No, no, no, no. The party is on Saturday night. Today is already Wednesday. Lia, what is going on?”
Leaning back in her seat, Lia picked up the pencil on her desk. “Nothing. I’m just busy.”
“I heard what happened at the charity ball.”
Lia winced. “Nanna…”
“Good for you. That guy deserved it. And Mindy? To think she was your best friend and—”
“I really don’t want to talk about this.” She shouldn’t have been surprised that the town was gossiping about her, but it reminded her why she’d left the city: failure. And now she’d only made a mess of everything by sleeping with Max. No doubt once their grandmothers found out, it would give them hope for the inevitable. But Max would never love her.
“Okay, honey. So how are things with Max?”
Lia sat up. “Um…”
“He seemed so worried about you when we talked to him. Almost angry.”
She winced again. “Nothing. I-I tried to set him up on the dates, and he didn’t seem interested in anyone, and then…and then…” And then what? She’d used him to ease her own loneliness because she wanted him. She allowed her head to fall onto her desk with a thud. Pain exploded through her skull.