Page 80 of The Forbidden Trio

She had to smile at his protectiveness. It felt damn good to know he cared. “I also work hard,” she went on, “which leaves little time for anything more. Or maybe I haven’t wanted more.”

He lifted her chin with one finger. “Because?”

“Come on, Max. You know why.” She swallowed, hard. “You know it’s because they’re not you.”

A slow smile spread over his face—his beautiful face, the one she’d dreamed of forever.

“I have to admit I was hoping you’d say that.”

He kissed her again, and she felt the shiver all the way down to her toes. Did she dare hope he meant what he was saying? Or should she try not to read too much into it and simply enjoy him while she could? But this was Max, the one man she couldn’t help but fall for, because she already had a long time ago.

Still, it scared the hell out of her that he could hurt her, tear her heart apart.

“What are you thinking, beautiful girl?”

She shook her head, trying to shake the doubts and the overthinking away.

“I’m thinking I’m starving.”

“Ah, that I can take care of. How about some French toast?”

“Ooh, I love French toast!”

He grinned. “I know. Come on—I’ll make us some coffee and then we’ll have breakfast. Or do you have to be back in Greenwich?”

“No, I’m good. Patty, my manager, is running the show today.”

“Okay, then—coffee and breakfast, and then we talk.”

“We are talking.”

He took her by the hand and drew her to her feet. He stared down at her, a wicked gleam in his blue eyes. “Let me clarify. Then we negotiate.”

“Oh…”

A shiver ran through her. Negotiations meant kink with Max was about to getveryreal.

“But first I feed you,” he said. “Want to jump in the shower while I cook?”

“Sure.”

“Towels are on the shelf, and the shower’s pretty well-stocked. Feel free to use anything you find in there.”

“You’re not going to join me?” she asked, her body heating at the thought of being in the water with him again, hot and soapy.

“If I do, we’ll starve.”

“You sure? I kind of have a thing for sex in the shower. Kind of abigthing. It might be one of my top five, in fact.”

“Mine, too, pretty girl, so I’m damn glad to hear it, but I need to make sure we both have plenty of fuel. I plan to work you hard later.

“Ooh, promises, promises, little brother!”

“Which you’ll find I always keep. Now off with you, wench! And no touching yourself in the shower—you save that for me.”

“Spoilsport.”

“Aster,” he commanded, authority in that single word.

---