Page 55 of Tempting Max

“Holy mother of God,” Sally gushes when Max wanders off to greet other customers. “You didn’t tell me he was the size of a house and as solid as concrete.”

I shrug. “I said he was big.”

“Understatement of the year,” Sally mutters, “Now how about you grab me one of those pear flavored beers you’ve been going on about.”

“Will do,” I tell her, feeling the lightest and happiest I have in years.

“He’s nearly here,” Calla Winnett-Mowry tells me breathlessly, running up to the bar while I’m handing Sally her beer. I employed her help to make sure Bob shows up because everyone in this town loves Calla and most will do whatever she asks.

“Who’s almost here?” Sally asks.

“Oh,” Calla flushes bright red, “Sam, he was out of town this morning,” she says unconvincingly, apologizing to me with her eyes. “And he’s going to make it back in time for the event.”

“Ah,” Sally says, thankfully too interested in her beer to delve any deeper. “Oh wow,” she says once she takes a sip. “This is incredible.”

“Truly,” I agree.

“Oh, I forgot to tell you,” Calla continues. “We’re putting my great aunt’s house on the market soon and I know you and Max will probably be looking for a place soon. We don’t want to sell to just anyone, so I’m telling you first.”

“Oh my God,” I gush, taking Calla’s hands. Her great aunt’s house is the cutest cottage I’ve ever seen. Not far from the brewery, and close to Sally too. “Are you serious? That would be incredible.”

“Of course,” Calla says happily. “I’ll have you guys come look at it soon, okay?”

I clap my hands together, “Thank you, thank you so much.”

“Of course,” Calla says lightly, “You can repay me with a couple girls’ nights out. Deal?”

“That’s a deal,” I tell her, hugging her over the bar.

Just before Calla can say something else, Hardware Store Bob enters the brewery looking like he recently showered. The creases in his dress shirt look as if he just took it out of the plastic, and I think he ironed his pants, judging by the off-center crease.

My heart melts when his eyes land on Sally and his whole face lights up.

Calla, social butterfly that she is, floats over to him and guides him to the stool next to my aunt. “I was just telling Gus and Sally that we’re putting Petty’s house up for sale. You know Sally, right?”

Sally turns to see the two of them and blushes from hairline to neckline and I’d bet money it goes even further.

“Course I know Sally,” he says, almost embarrassedly. He nods at her. “How could I not know the most beautiful woman in Paintbrush.”

I nearly fall over where I’m standing, Calla squeals at a pitch I think only dogs can hear, and Sally turns her whole body to him.

“Why Robert, that’s quite a compliment.”

“But a fair assessment,” he counters.

Who knew Hardware Store Bob had game?

Bob looks at me, “I’ll take what she’s having.”

“You got it,” I tell him, pouring another glass, so excited I think I might rocket through the roof of this place.

Once I deliver it to him, they are off in conversation, smiling, touching hands, and my heart feels so incredibly full.

I have the job of my dreams, a family that cares about me, friends, and… I catch Max watching me from across the bar and heat gathers in my stomach. Without a single word, I know exactly what he means to do to me later and I can’t fucking wait.

I smile at him, grab my phone, and text him.

GUS:Daddy, I need your cock.

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