Page 50 of Waiting for Sunshine

Me

The burger Jackie made you? He does make the best.

Max

I was thinking of the appetizer I had. It was a little more blonde, and a lot more wet.

My face goes completely red at his text message. I bite my thumbnail as I think of how to reply. Taylor leans over and reads my texts without me even noticing until she’s right in my ear.

“Damn babe, that’s hot as hell. ” I flinch and hold my phone to my chest.

“Ma’am. This is a private conversation.” I tease, knowing I was probably about to tell them about it anyways. Then I get an idea of how to respond.

Me

Wait until you see the main course.

Max

You’re killing me, woman.

Me

See you in the morning

Happy with my response, I focus my attention back on my girls. Tomorrow Max and I start back at the gym, and I honestly can’t wait. I have gotten so used to it being a part of my routine. A little over a month ago, I was wondering when I would get to make my way back to San Francisco, now I can’t imagine leaving Nashville. Which is something I never thought I would say.

CHAPTER24

MAX

Ruby would not leavemy ass alone last night while we were at work. I couldn’t help but smile every time I thought about Shane lying back on my desk. The look in her eyes, the way she told me how bad she wanted me to taste her,the taste of her.I was going crazy all night. I finally escaped her questioning when we got slammed and the rest of the night she never brought it up. Shane is on her way to meet me at the gym now, and I can’t wait to see her. Stolen moments with her aren’t going to be enough for me for much longer, but I just don’t know where her head is at when it comes to us. We never really talked about what this is – the thing happening between us, we’ve just let it happen.

I see her perfect body in her light blue workout shorts and an oversized sweatshirt that probably has a matching sports bra underneath like it always does. Her blonde ponytail whips back and forth as she makes her way down the sidewalk and into the gym. I lean down, picking up a coffee cup, before handing it to her.

Iced vanilla latte.

I have brought her one to every workout we’ve had since we started. It always makes her smile, and I’d do anything to see Shane smile.

“My hero.” She takes a long pull from the cup and dramaticallyAHHsafter. “We stayed up way later than we should have last night. So I may be dead weight today.” She takes another long sip of her coffee before setting it down.

“We could have pushed the time.” I offer, grabbing my own coffee and finishing it off.

“That’s okay, I actually have somewhere to go right after this.” She says cheerily. I look at her with a raised brow as I scan over the shorts she is wearing. It’s bad enough that every asshole in this gym gets to see her perfect ass in them. I will gladly follow her wherever she’s going after this to kill anyone else who tries to take a second look.

“Down boy, I have a change of clothes in here.” She swings a backpack around that I hadn’t noticed she was carrying. The added remark she made is not lost on me though.

“I swear to god, you and Tucker spend way too much time together.” I roll my eyes, recognizing his famousdown-boycomment from any time I get worked up about Shane.

“We do not. Only at the gym and the bar.” She argues, crossing her arms over her chest.

“Yeah, and that’s too fucking much.” I tease back. She’s the one that rolls her eyes now. After an hour of sparring, squatting, and strength training, we are both covered in a layer of sweat. “Well, I definitely need a shower.” She pants, running the back of her arm over her forehead. I look at her and my eyes travel down her body, taking in every defined curve. Her tan skin is a beautiful contrast against the blue workout set she’s wearing today, and her hourglass figure is enough to bring me to my knees right here. When my eyes finally lock with hers she’s got a brow lifted in return.

“Like what you see, Maxwell?” she teases, knowing I hate being called my full name. Though, it doesn’t sound so bad coming from her lips.

“Every single inch of it.” I tell her, closing the distance between us. “Go ahead, I’ll see you back out here.” I give her a kiss and she heads off toward the showers. Before I can follow suit and head for the men’s showers, Jimmy walks up to me.

“Hey there Max, I got kind of a favor to ask you.” He says, running his hand along his neck. “Heidi broke down on the freeway and I need to get out there and see what’s what. Tommy is out today so I don’t have anyone to watch the gym while I’m gone. Would you mind locking up here when you and your girl leave?” He asks, almost seeming embarrassed at the request.

---