Page 38 of Dangerous Play

“They got here early,” I muttered, my knuckles turning white as I held onto the Switch. Anxiety rolled off me in waves, and I started to sweat. I wished I could sink into the cold ocean water instead of going through this family weekend.

“It’s going to be okay.” He reached over and squeezed my hand. “I’ll be with you every step of the way, don’t worry!”

I forced a smile and nodded, trying to look confident, but I was terrified.

“I’ll even go surfing with you,” he offered, his lips curling into a sexy smirk. “I know you want to see me in a wetsuit.”

A chuckle escaped me, and just thinking of his hard abs and lean body wrapped in a wetsuit got me hot. There was no denying Max was hot as hell and my body noticed it too. But he was making a sexual joke in private that never happened before.

“Ivy!” The entrance door swung open, almost hitting the wall of the house as Daisy marched out. She was wearing a yellow sundress that would have washed her out if it wasn’t for the fake tan she wore. Her long blonde hair was braided to the side and her grin wide as she approached Max’s car. “Wow, what a shitty car.”

Max let out a low laughter and pulled away. “Sanchez is rubbing off on your sister and not in a good way.”

“Tell me about it.” I sighed and reached for the handle. “Guess, there’s no more hiding.”

“We don’t need to hide. Just remember, there’s no shame in upgrading from that.” He nodded toward the door where Ander stepped out in his faded jeans and Lion’s T-shirt. His hair was messy.

With a nod, I watched Max exit the car and rounding it, he opened the door for me.

“Daisy.” I nodded at her with a smile and she threw her arms around me, squeezing me into a tight hug.

“I missed you!” I cringed internally, like she wasn’t the one siding with her boyfriend and humiliating me during the past weeks, but I ignored it. “Mom’s going to be so happy you came. She was worried you might feel bad coming to celebrate withus.”

I felt Max’s hand around my waist as his fingers danced over my lower back and he protectively pulled me to his side.

“I’m Max, by the way, but I guess introductions aren’t necessary.” He looked at Daisy once I nestled against him.

“Nice to officially meet you.” She batted her fake eyelashes at him. I was taken aback by her change in appearance mostly because before she never showed any interest in fake tan and fake eyelashes.

Ander approached, his arm reaching around Daisy’s shoulders and pulling him into her. “Aarons.”

“Sanchez.” Max nodded to him, his tone cold, but offering his hand to him. Ander reluctantly shook it.

“What brings you all the way here?” Ander asked like he was oblivious to the fact that it was my mom’s birthday and attendance was mandatory.

“Good food. Pretty girls. Curiosity.” Max shrugged with a grin, and I almost chuckled. His usually sweet personality was taking a passenger seat and I didn’t recognize his underlying alpha side as it took over the driver’s seat.

Ander scoffed, and Daisy immediately ran her hand over his chest. “You should come inside, we were just starting with lunch. Weren’t sure how long you were going to take.”

I rolled my eyes as she turned away, and Max brushed his lips over my forehead before reaching for the gifts in the back seat.

I was annoyed he only showed sign of affection once they turned away, but I caught a glimpse of Ander looking back and catching the moment which seemed way more intimate this way.

“Mom, Dad, Ivy and Max are here!” Daisy informed the whole neighborhood as she bounced into the house, Ander on her toes.

“Mr. and Mrs. Ridge,” Max greeted my parents with his beautiful smile. If I was worried how my parents were going to react to him, I shouldn’t have been. My mother’s face immediately softened as she took him in, her face showing an appreciative glimmer as she gave him a once-over and found him hot enough to replace Ander. They were both built similarly, with similar dark hair and dark eyes. But while Ander’s personality was manipulation, there was something warm that radiated from Max.

“It’s nice to finally meet you,” my mom said, stepping up to him and giving him a hug. “Call my Irene.”

“Sure, Irene, thank you! These are for you.” Max handed her the flowers with a grin. “Happy birthday.”

“Ah, beautiful,” she cooed. “Daisies and lilies, my two favorite flowers.”

I ignored that Ivy’s weren’t her favorites when she named her first daughter after them. Max laced his left hand with mine, giving it a small squeeze.

“Thank you for having me, sir.” He stepped up to my dad, still holding my hand and handed him the whiskey.

My dad’s eyes lit up slightly seeing the brand he liked and the impressive age of twenty on the whiskey. “Welcome to our home.”

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