Page 92 of Beautiful Chaos

His face was red, his jaw tight, and we could hear his teeth grinding together. He stared at Aster, allowing her to complete her story before he spoke. The whole time visibly fucking fuming.

“Hey Jasper, did you hear all of this?” he didn’t take his eyes away from Asters.

“Yeah.” I nodded my head.

Max scooted his chair back, placing his hands on the tabletop as he slowly stood. He walked over to Aster and kneeled beside her chair, hovering his hand over hers.

“May I?” he waited for her to respond. When she nodded her head once, he placed his hand on top of hers, where it rested on her knee. She followed his every move with her eyes.

“Are you okay?” He asked, his voice heavy with concern.

Her eyes widened at the gentle tone he used. Max may play around and tease a lot, but if there is one thing he firmly believes in, its fucking consent. Neither of us tolerate any bullshit when it comes to women being manipulated, or taken advantage of.

Aster hesitated and quickly glanced at Harper. Harper shrugged her shoulders and offered a small smile.

“Yes, just worried,” she whispered, staring at Max with something in her eyes that I couldn’t quite explain. It’s the same way Harper looked at me the night Hector brought her home. If it’s any sign of what’s in their future, I’d say Max is about to have his hands full.

“Don’t worry, Buttercup, I’ll do everything in my power to get that video, destroy it, and that Prestyn piece of shit, while I’m at it.” He said confidently.

He gently raised the back of his hand to Aster’s cheek, caressing it softly with his knuckles. I watched, amazed; my mouth open. Max, known for his playboy ways, was never this gentle.

Aster noticed the extra eyes on her and quickly broke through, whatever the hell the two of them had going on at that moment. She cleared her throat and swatted Max’s hand away, fidgeting in her chair.

“Cool, uh thanks, Max. I appreciate it. I mean, you owe me anyway. As mean as you are to me all the time,” she teased and flipped her hair over her shoulder, barely missing Max’s face during her swift movements.

… and she was back.

He chuckled, got off his knees, and then went to sit in his chair. He still had that glint in his eyes though, I caught him stealing glances at Aster through the night.

Shit, I’m going to have to talk to him about that.

* * *

We were sitting on the couch, cuddling and watching some girly rom-com Aster chose, I was ready to end the night, hoping for some alone time with Harper, but she suggested we make popcorn and play a board game, or watch a movie. We settled on the latter. I’m not a board game kind of guy.

“Oh my God, why are all the guys always so ugly in these kinds of movies? I feel bad for the female leads,” Aster announced, sipping her wine.

“Not all men can look like me. It took me a long time to fill this body like I have,” Max bragged.

“Get over yourself, Max.” Aster snorted and reached over for a handful of popcorn. She threw a kernel, and hit Max in the cheek, smirking. He playfully glared at her.

I heard a low buzzing sound coming from the entryway.

My phone bounced off the porcelain bowl Harper insisted I use for my trinkets and spare change.

I looked over at Max. He pulled his phone from his front pocket checking it first, then shrugged. Harper jumped up grabbed my phone, and brought it to me.

“It could be important,” she offered a smile. A rush of redness flushed her face. The way she blushes at the slightest thing…I fucking love it.

I looked at my phone and saw three missed calls from Chester. I haven’t heard from him since I sent him the signed paperwork on my father’s estate. I let out a noticeable sigh and stood. I leaned down and kissed Harper’s forehead.

“I’ll be right back, Doll, I got to return that phone call. Tell me what I miss.”

She chuckled because she knew I wasn’t interested in that movie. I walked into my office and closed the door behind me.

* * *

“How the heck are you, son?” I heard the annoying whine in Chester’s voice as he answered my call on the first ring. I have always hated how high-pitched he sounded when he used his fake I give a fuck voice.

---