Page 62 of My Pucking Crush

I wonder if Belova will be that for the rest of my life? Or just until I marry someone else? Lia and I didn’t divorce.

Till death do you partdoesn’t include relatives.

“They’re from L.A. They’re here fucking around. I paid them to leave.”

“How much?” Max drops his arms.

“Don’t worry about it.”

He takes me in with a full sweeping gaze. “You have money for very expensive suits, you walk like you come from wealth, and you pay off mobsters.”

“I’m comfortable. Don’t let the fact that I live on a crappy houseboat fool you. It’s to throw off someone looking for me.”

“If you paid them off for me, I want to reimburse you. I make eleven million a year.”

My eyes flutter, because I can’t comprehend guys who are essentially blue collar from middle class homes making that much money. Guys like Belova in his mansion built from dirty money, sure.

Max’s penthouse obviously set him back some serious green. He dresses well, but he doesn’t look like a millionaire. Or act like it. He acts like a bruising, glove-dropping defenseman, and dedicated to sport above and beyond anything else.

“They set me back seven grand.”

Max scoffs at the amount. “A small price for my safety. I’ll write you a check when we get home.”

Home.

I’d only had a home with Lia. Built on lies.

“If it pleases you.” I give him a once-over. “Who was that guy at the bar? Did you want to hook up withhim? Let him fan boy all over you? Quick, no strings. No death in the air when you fuck him?”

Max’s jaw tightens. “No.”

“No to what?”

“No to all of that. All I want is you.” His words shift something inside me, but I play it cool.

“Good.” I smooth my tie, wanting to wrap it around his wrists and bend him over the sofa arm, I’m pumped with so much adrenaline. “I really want to fuck you, Max, but you’re not ready, so I’ll break my rules...for you. I’ll letyoufuckme. On one condition.”

“What?” Max asks with a tight jaw.

But, holy fuck, that wasn’t aNo way. Or aGo fuck yourself, Luca.

“Let me at least finger you there. Earn your trust.”

Max’s lips twitch, his breathing ragged. “How?”

“While I blow you.”

Fire rages in his eyes. “Get your ass in my bed, Sheppard.”

THIRTY-TWO

Max

Ican get laid, or I can get answers.

Luca circles me in the bedroom like I’m his prey.

He’s strong and built like me, but he moves in a different way, so masculine and sure of himself.

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