Page 48 of One Night With The Nanny

“You didn’t fix the sun,” he said and stuck out his tongue, then jumped when they heard a crack of thunder and it began to rain. “Fine. What are you in the mood for?” he replied, wiggling his brows. “Want to try out the handcuffs before I go?”

“I want you to stay and spend the day with me.”

His head shook and Reid would have abandoned ship but Max caught his arm before he could jump over the side of the bed. “We have gone so far past my ‘one time only’ rule, Max.”

“Most people would consider this dating, I believe.” Max covered the center of his chest, laughing at the soft tickle under his sternum. He couldn’t wait to tell Mia and Sophia and Agnes that he was dating Reid.

“Stop it. Don’t say that.” Reid put his cup and saucer on the bedside table and Max dove, hooking an arm around his waist. He pulled Reid back onto the pillows.

“We might as well. We’ll both spend the day thinking about each other—”

“I won’t—” Reid started to argue but Max cut him off with a kiss.

“I’m going to miss you and wish I could talk to you and touch you and taste you. Wouldn’t you rather spend a rainy day together, than worrying yourself sick and pretending last night wasn’t phenomenal?”

Reid bit his lip and looked away, shrugging and blushing. “It was pretty good, as far as dates go,” he mumbled.

“It was phenomenal, Reid.” Max pushed his nose into the back of Reid’s hair, breathing him in. “Let’s stay in bed and I’ll feed you breakfast and make you drink too much champagne. I’ll give you a massage and we’ll take a shower. If you’re feeling up to it, you can help me pick a gift for the girls for Wednesday night. I could have Banks do it, but I thought it would be nice to pick something myself. With your help. We can shop online or we could go out, if you’re in the mood. Bergdorf Goodman is just around the corner. It’s been a long time since I’ve been shopping.”

“You want to go shopping?” Reid asked dazedly.

“If you want,” Max said with an easy shrug. “I enjoy shopping but I can’t remember the last time I stayed in bed and did nothing. I’ve certainly never had anyone to stay in bed and do nothing with.”

“That sounds like it would be really nice but it could also be dangerous. We’re setting ourselves up for disappointment,” Reid warned.

Max squinted at him, trying to imagine how a day in bed could be dangerous. “We managed to survive the night,” he pointed out, making Reid roll his eyes. Max shushed soothingly as he kissed Reid’s cheek. “Then, we’ll go to Bergdorf’s and then to Daniel for lunch. I had the black truffle risotto the other day with Agnes and it was lovely.”

“Max!” Reid laughed but it turned into a groan as he wound his arms around Max’s neck. “Last night was perfect. Too perfect. Everything is moving so fast and we’re both getting confused.”

“For the first time in my life, I know what I want and who I want to be,” Max said clearly, cradling Reid’s cheek.

“That’s wonderful, Max, and I’m really happy for you. But I think you’re confused because things are going so well with your family and we’re having a lot of sex.”

“That is true… There’s a bit more going on than that but I’m not confused, Reid. After fifty years of worrying about everyone else’s expectations, I’m finally figuring out who I am and what I want. You made all of that possible and you make me happier than I’ve ever felt in my life. There’s nothing confusing about that, it’s actually rather clear to me,” Max said but Reid didn’t look pleased. Not pleased at all.

“I told you it wasn’t a big deal!” He threw back the covers and Max let him go, hoping a little naked venting might calm Reid down and offer some insight into why he was still fighting so hard. “But you keep making it a big deal and we keep breaking rules.” He swiped a pain au chocolat from the tiered tray and tore off a corner. “I think you’re great,” he said and took a bite from the pastry, waving the corner as he chewed. “And I am so happy about how well things are going with Mia and Sophia. They’re great.” He paused to take another bite, then pointed the smaller chunk at Max. “You should be dating. You deserve someone great who can make you and your girls the center of his world. Do you understand?” he asked and chewed another bite.

“My girls are the center of my world and they always will be, but they’re not little girls anymore and they’re rather independent,” Max countered, earning a wry snort.

“They still deserve to be a priority and you’re a prince, Max. That comes with all kinds of baggage and responsibilities.”

“I’m mostly retired now and it’s a ceremonial title. I’m only allowed to use it outside of Austria,” he said and Reid threw him a hard glare.

“Do you think that matters downstairs? Or in the papers? You should be dating someone who can navigate the extra attention and protocols or…whatever,” he said, flailing the hand holding the corner. “That’s not something I have a lot of time for or would be very good at.”

“I beg to differ,” Max replied as he got up. He figured that champagne couldn’t hurt and might settle some of Reid’s nerves. “You’re a respected businessman with an impeccable reputation and you can navigate any situation with confidence and class. But I’m not asking you to give up your privacy so you can be my arm candy and co-host galas. I have Agnes for that and she doesn’t mind the attention.”

“I’m. Busy. Max,” Reid said firmly. “The agency and my family keep me running all week and I love that! Saturday is my one day to sleep in and take care of myself. Saturday nights are when I leave responsible, dependable, sensible Reid behind and do all the things he’d never do. Wes was my outlet and how I protected my life and my business from messy complications.”

“Like Austrian princes?” Max guessed helpfully.

Reid snorted and rolled his eyes. “The king of all complications,” he muttered under his breath, then attempted to tear off a piece of the corner and found it was all that was left of the pain au chocolat. He shrugged and popped it into his mouth and chewed. “Wes kept everything neat and simple and we had rules so his world never collided with Reid’s. Now, everything’s all jumbled and you want to talk about feelings.” He grimaced and thanked Max when he handed him a flute.

“You said I should share my feelings,” Max argued, causing Reid to choke as he sipped.

“With your daughters! Not with me, for God’s sake. I have one-night stands with awful men so I can avoid feeling things and caring about them.”

Now, Max was confused. “I’m sorry I’m not awful?”

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