Page 38 of Tempting Max

“If it’s okay, I’d rather not talk about it right now. I’ll tell you about it sometime. Just not now.”

“Of course,” I tell him, seeing the still very raw pain in his eyes. “Whenever you’re ready. I’ll listen.”

He closes his eyes for a moment and then lifts my hand to kiss it. I feel it everywhere. Most worryingly, in my heart. “Thank you.”

Tears threaten and all I can do is nod as he lets go of my hand and digs back into breakfast.

We’re silent for a few minutes and I finish my waffle with much less vigor, feeling like the bubble of perfection we’ve been in is already vanishing. I expected it, but I thought it would last until we got to Paintbrush.

Max inhales his breakfast and without much more to say, he pays the check, and we leave. I feel like a completely different person than I went in as.

When we get to his SUV, my stomach drops a little further until he grabs my hand and kisses me so hard, I have to catch myself against the vehicle. His lips are demanding, his tongue desperate but I love it.

He kisses me for a long time, probably too long for the middle of the day in a busy parking lot of a diner on the outskirts of Denver, but I certainly don’t give a fuck. When he pulls away, he tucks a strand of hair behind my ear. I can see by the look in his eyes that he’s deeply conflicted and I swallow as I wait for whatever it is he has to say, even though I know it has the power to destroy me.

“I like you, Gus.”

God, then why does it sound like he’s breaking up with me? Also, how could he dump me if we aren’t even dating yet?

I flatten my hands on the car behind me to keep myself tethered. “I like you too, Max.”

He glances skyward for a moment, his throat working as if he can’t figure out how to say what he needs to say. “This thing between us, I…” He blows out a breath. “I want it, Gus, I want it so fucking bad, but I don’t know if I’m ready for it to be…”

I don’t breathe. In fact, I don’t think I’ve taken a breath since he kissed me. I can’t tell what he’s going to say, I can’t possibly predict what might come out of his mouth because he’s so fucking impossible to read. I’m just about ready to pound his chest when he finishes his sentence.

“Known.” He slides a hand down his face. “I just…” He takes a breath. “Can we keep it between us for now?”

I don’t know what to feel first. At least a dozen emotions fill me before relief wins out. Now that I think about it, I’m not sureI’mready for everyone to know. It hasn’t been all that long since I fled Chicago with a broken heart. And tapping the breaks a little makes sense. Especially since he’s my boss, and twenty years older than me.

“Yeah,” I answer, nodding, getting used to the idea. “For now, I think that’s best.”

He lets out a sigh of relief so big I wonder if he’s held it his entire life. He presses his forehead against mine—a move I’m coming to recognize as something distinctly us. “Thank you. I wasn’t sure how you’d take it because, baby girl, I’m not sure I could live without knowing I can kiss you again.”

Oh, my heart.

“Besides,” I say, twining my arms around his neck. “It will be so hot stealing kisses from daddy when no one is looking.”

Growling, he pins me to the car with his hips and I can feel him harden against me. That word is like a grenade when it comes to his excitement and I fucking love that I have that kind of power over him.

“I’m going to fuck you on my desk the first chance I get,” he whispers, kissing my neck. “And if you’re a good girl, I’ll spank you too.”

I whimper as his punishing mouth meets mine and I melt all over again, right there in the parking lot. “You’d better.”

With a groan, he pulls away from me. “If I don’t stop touching you right this instant, we’re going to end up back at the hotel.”

“I wouldn’t complain.” I tell him as I watch his sexy ass make his way around the car to his side. I can’t believe I get to touch this gorgeous man—I get to feel his arms around me, his strong body hovering over mine.Me. “But you’d have to explain to my boss why I didn’t show up for my shift tonight.”

He chuckles and opens his door. “That would be a very quick conversation. Get in baby girl, let’s go home.”

The way he says ‘home’ makes my heart do a little pirouette and I get in the car feeling like I’m living my very own fairy tale.

Seems like new-era Gus is winning at life.

24

MAX

My phone buzzes on my desk as I’m in the middle of happily placing orders for a new cider recipe I’m working out.

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