Page 8 of Dangerous Play

Max threw his head back and laughed. “Nicely put. Sue me.”

“Waking you up at three in the morning was enough satisfaction.”

Max grinned and then switched to a higher gear, running faster.

I ran after them, determined to make it as close as possible to talk to Max.

“What’s the story with Sanchez’s dirty laundry?” Maddox asked, referring to me.

A frown pulled my lips from the nickname.

“Is she looking to switch teams?” Maddox went ahead with the line of questioning.

“Oh, the silent treatment, bro.” He barked out with a laugh. “Are you even interested? She is not your type.”

Max turned to throw a glance over his shoulder at his friend, but his eyes caught mine. We looked into each other’s eyes, and time stood still. Max diverted his gaze and looked at Maddox.

“She’s behind you,” he said as his strides slowed, allowing me to catch up to them, positioning between the two of them.

“Hey,” Maddox greeted me, without much enthusiasm.

I arched a brow at him, making him grin.

“Not gonna apologize… found it funny you get conveniently dumped before the start of the season when Max and Sanchez both make captain, and now you bet your eyelashes at him. It doesn’t smell right.”

“What you’re smelling is your own sweat from trying to keep up with Max,” I retorted.

Max barked out a surprised laugh, ducking his head to hide his grin.

“Got to agree with her, dude.” He winked.

My heart skipped a beat at that.

“Come on.” He motioned toward the endless beachfront road. “I have a feeling you want to talk to me.”

“You’re a mind reader.” I offered him a soft smile.

In a couple of minutes, our breathing took the same rhythm and we ran at the same pace, our feet hitting the pavement in synch. The wind calmed and suddenly the smell of the ocean and sand dissolved and all I could smell was the pine and wood scent radiating from Max. My lungs filled with his intoxicating and masculine scent.

“What were you going to reply?” I asked, catching my breath.

“Nothing. There are conversations that are not worth my effort. Maddox’s teasing was one of these moments.”

“Not worth your effort? Wow.”

“I just select carefully what I engage in to keep my mental peace. That’s why your ex could never get to me,” he said, flashing me his usual signature grin.

I nodded, trying my best not to be bothered by his words.

“I understand where Maddox is coming from,” I started saying, taking a different approach to the conversation. “How it looks, but… it’s not it.”

“Oh, I know.” He chuckled. Despite his sunglasses, I could still make out his dark eyes. “I could tell by your face when you were watching your sister with him. You can fake many things… heartbreak isn’t one of them. That’s something that takes so much away from you. And you looked heartbroken. I felt bad.”

“Not bad enough to help me out.”

Max contemplated my words. “Why me?”

“He hates you,” I replied immediately.

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