Page 44 of Tempting Max

I laugh. “What?”

“Bear-man is what I called you in my head the first time we met. You are aware that you’re absolutely massive, right?”

“Believe me, someone reminds me every day.”

“Well, I don’t feel sorry for you,” she says cutely. “Because you’re handsome as sin too and that just seems unfair to everyone else on the planet.”

The grin on my face right now is probably not going to go away. Ever. “You think I’m handsome?”

She turns to look up at me. “Are you really fishing for a compliment? Do you not see women tripping over themselves when they see you?”

I shrug. “I just thought women had bad centers of gravity.”

She punches me on the arm, and I open it for her to come closer. “You are funny. When we first met, I didn’t think you had a sense of humor.”

As much as that stings, I understand. She’s only known me at my lowest. “It’s in here. Sometimes it takes a while to uncover.”

“I’ll be patient.” Her cute smile makes me lean forward and kiss her lips andfuck me, it feels good to have that privilege.

“You might have to be.”

She purses her lips. “Can I ask what happened with Sutton Brewing?”

I kiss her again, so she knows I’m not going anywhere but I’m definitely not ready to talk about it. “I want to talk about it. I need to, but right now, I’m not ready.”

She gives me an understanding smile and kisses my lips. “I’ll be ready to listen when you’re ready to tell me.”

My heart thumps heavily in my chest and I know right in this moment that if I don’t find a way to make this woman mine for the rest of eternity, I really will shrivel up and die a miserable old,grumpy, man. “Thank you, beautiful.”

I shake my head as I gaze at her. “I can’t believe some loser sent you packing. You are hands down, the most amazing woman I’ve ever met.”

Her cheeks flush. “I doubt Ethan would agree with you.”

Ethan.The guy even sounds like a loser.“Want to tell me about it?”

She cocks her head to the side and thinks about it. “Actually, yeah. It’s probably time I talk through it again.” She crawls on my lap and straddles me, so we’re face to face. I wrap my arms around her, so she knows she’s safe while she talks—that I’m honored she’s giving me this little part of her life.

“I met Ethan in college,” she starts. “I was studying journalism, so was he. He was tall and two years older, charming, and I fell for him fast.” Her eyes fall and it makes me want to punch the bastard into another universe.

“He always made it seem like I was so lucky to have a catch like him and I was young and stupid and believed him and before I knew what was happening, I moved in with him. And then when he graduated and found a job, he asked me to quit school and work so I could basically be his full-time house maid and fuck buddy.”

She catches my grimace and pats me on the chest. “Don’t worry, he had absolutely zero skill in that area, I think I had maybe one orgasm and I’m pretty sure it was accidental.”

I growl. “Please don’t tell me his last name, I don’t want to go to prison for murder.”

She grins and kisses my lips. “That’s sweet, but he’s really not worth your energy. And I don’t think I could handle only seeing you once a month for conjugal visits.”

I laugh. “That’s fair. What happened, then?”

“Oh, we got engaged, at a baseball game of all places.” She makes a face. “I mean, I don’t dislike baseball or anything, but it was definitely more about him being seen as the dreamy, good guy on the jumbotron, than it was about making me feel special. But I didn’t see the light yet, I was flattered, excited by the giant ring, and completely stupid.”

“You could never be stupid.”

“That’s sweet of you, but believe me, I’ve grown a lot in the last few months. Thanks to time away, weekly chats with my therapist, and Sally.”

She sinks further into me and cuddles on my chest, I can’t help but kiss the top of her head. “Anyway," she goes on. "After I gave up everything for him, after I made all the wedding plans by myself. He decided I wasn’t good enough. That he’d rather have the coffee girl at work that sucked his cock whenever he wanted. He blew up our engagement,” she snaps her fingers, “like that.”

I hold her tighter to me, fuming at Ethan, hurting for her. “I’m so sorry, baby.”

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