Page 55 of Cowboy Devil's Embrace

But before my spiraling could get out of control, he was there. Like I’d conjured him with a thought. Suddenly, Max’s big, warm hands gripped my waist, and he was tugging me so his front was pressed against my back.

I breathed in his spicy warm scent, and suddenly, my anxiety was gone. Max’s arms wrapped around me, and he nuzzled my neck with his lips.

“Easy now, Sugar. Did you place our order?”

I turned my head, my eyes riveted to his handsome face. His jaw was tense, but he was smiling at me. And I knew whatever anger he was feeling, it was not directed my way.

“Yeah, I ordered,” I replied.

“Good. Would you mind paying with this while I introduce myself to this person?”

“Oh, you don’t have to,” I began, but then he kissed me, stopping my objection.

“Okay,” I said and turned my back on a sputtering Burt.

“Penelope? Who is this person?”

I ignored Burt, and fuck, that felt good. But before I walked away, Max leaned close, his lips brushing my ear.

“Good Girl,” he murmured, “Don’t forget the salt and butter.”

Then he stood to his full height, allowing me space to walk towards Jezebel whose mouth was hanging open.

Her eyes met mine, and she mouthedholy shitwhile she handed me my popcorn.

“Oh, can I have extra salt and butter on that?” I asked, then I winked because she was right.

Holy shit, indeed.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN-MAX

The line for the ATM was longer than I expected.

An elderly couple tried several times to type in their pin, and normally, I would have been annoyed, but all I could think about was how sweet they were together.

Since when did I call anything sweet? Was that what love did to a man?

Shit. Love?

I didn’t even have to think about it. My evil surged, and I knew the feelings I had for Penelope were more than just animal attraction.

The seed of love had been sown by the Fates and meeting her had triggered its growth.

“Sorry about that, son. With the help of my Sue, I got it now,” the old gentleman said and winked as he placed his weathered hand on his wife’s back.

“No problem, sir. You two have a good night,” I replied with a nod.

“Oh, we will, son.”

The old man winked, and his wife giggled like a schoolgirl. I laughed out loud and shook my head.

It wasn’t often I felt sentimental, but I sure did then. Penelope was such a gorgeous woman. Curvy and soft, with a smile that was pretty as a shiny new penny. I wondered if that was why her parents had picked that name.

It was perfect. But so was my nickname for her. Sugar plums were my favorite seasonal fruit. I didn’t mean the candied nuts and dried fruit concoction. Rather, the sweet little plums that I could only get for about a month during the summertime.

Fucking delicious. Just like her.

The taste of Penelope’s kiss lingered on my lips.

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