Page 54 of Tempting Max

“That’s because you’re a meathead.”

“That’s what I just called him,” I announce.

“Can we cut it with the meathead business?” Max asks.

“No,” we answer in unison.

He rolls his eyes.

“The tension between you two was high from the moment Gus walked in the door,” he explains. “Then there was the needless hiding in the back,” he motions toward me, “All the blushing when you were near. It’s not like you guys were terribly subtle.”

“Well, I didn’t notice,” Elliot answers, clearly irritated that he didn’t think of it first. Or that Liam didn’t let him in on the secret.

“That’s because you’re too busy trying to find a girl to take you home,” Liam mutters as if he’s exhausted by his younger brother.

Elliot flashes his million-dollar smile. “Yeah I am. Better than just watching everyone else fall in love.”

Liam frowns but doesn’t respond. “You’re responsible for getting this repaired,” he says, indicating the extensive damage Max’s fist caused. “But other than that, I’m happy for you two.”

Max puts his arm around me and tugs me close. Being claimed by him, even in such a small way, makes me feel like all is right with the world. “Thank you,” I tell him, my voice full of emotion.

As if on cue, Trace breezes by and comes to a screeching halt, complete with a record scratch sound effect. He looks into the office with beach-ball sized eyes. “Oh. Uh, what’s going on here?”

“Our uncle showed up, Max turned into the hulk, kicked him out, destroyed his office, tried to fire Gus, but she kicked his ass, and apparently, they’re now in love.” Elliot explains.

Trace looks from me to Max, to the wreckage around us. “I mean, I was only gone for an hour.”

Max laughs. Areallaugh. Not one that’s tied up in a thousand complicated emotions, not forced because he thinks it’s required. But a true, free-flowing laugh. And it’s the best fucking sound I’ve heard my entire life.

I love this man. Harder and better than I even thought possible, and I can’t wait to watch him heal.

* * *

“Would you stop?”Sally asks, batting my hand away as I straighten the—you guessed it—yellow barrette in her hair. “My hair looks fine. Just the way it does every day. And why do you care?”

“Because you’re meeting the man I love and my other bosses.” I don’t add that Hardware Store Bob is coming. That the guys and I have worked overtime to throw a locals’ event on short notice to make it work.

She rolls her eyes. “And while I’m thrilled to meet the man that makes you smile like that—I fail to see how my hair matters.”

I put up my hands. “Fine. I won’t fuss anymore. You look amazing.” And she does, even in her headache inducing yellow, she is perfect. She is exactly who she needs to be and if Hardware Store Bob doesn’t see it, he doesn’t deserve her.

When we get to Redpoint, I lead Sally to a stool at the bar, sit her down, and fetch Max so they can meet.

Her eyes flare comically when she sees him, tracing the size of him with disbelief. Her mouth is open when he approaches.

“Max,” I say, snaking my arm around his back like we’ve been together forever. “This is my Great Aunt Sally. Sally, this is Max Sutton.”

“It’s nice to meet you,” Max says, holding out his hand and giving her the eye-crinkle, knee-destroying smile that comes more freely now.

Sally actually blinks a few times before she puts her hand in his. “It’s nice to meet you too.” Her voice is a shade breathy. “No wonder Gus fell so hard for you—you are a beautiful man.”

I laugh out loud as Max blushes. He fucking blushes.

“Thank you, Ms. Carper,” he says, letting her hand go, before stuffing his hands in his pockets. “I don’t think I’ve ever been called beautiful before.”

Sally pokes him in his rib cage. “Well get used to it.”

He laughs. “I will.”

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