Page 31 of Knot Really Engaged
“I’m just trying to make conversation.” Max’s eyes widen with his hands held up in a gesture of surrender. But the quirk of his lips betrays his amusement, and I know he’s enjoying every second of this.
Beside me, Audrey shifts in her seat, her body tense. “Didn’t you hear earlier? We haven’t set a date yet,” she says, her voice calm and even, but I can hear the underlying strain. “It’s not so easy to organize a destination wedding.”
“You would know if you had been paying more attention earlier today,” I add, my voice even. Tamping down the urge to reach across the table and smack that stupid grin off his face. My fingers curl into fists beneath the table, and I have to force myself to relax.
“We want it to be perfect,” Audrey adds, her hand finding mine. I can feel the tension in her grip, the way her fingers tremble slightly against my skin. She’s trying to keep her shit together, but I can see the cracks in her composure.
“Yes, perfect for my princess,” I agree, leaning closer to her and pressing a soft kiss to her cheek.
Her tantalizing scent surrounds me, which makes concentrating on anything else impossible. This close proximity is torturous, her warmth seeping into me, awakening the longing that I’m trying to bury deep in the darkest parts of my mind. I inhale deeply, savoring the moment, even as my heart aches with the knowledge that it’s all just a charade.
Under the table, Max kicks my shin, jarring me back to harsh reality. “Eyes and mouth off my sister, fucker,” he warns, his voice low and threaded with a hint of protectiveness.
“Fuck you,” I mouth, shooting him a withering glare loaded with silent promises of payback. He just grins wider, the asshole, his eyes sparkling with mischief.
“Stop with your nonsense,” his mother warns him. “They’re happy and in love.
“My baby boy, finally settling down. We’re just so happy for you both,” Mom suddenly says, her voice wavering slightly. I feel a pang of guilt in my chest, knowing that we’re deceiving her, even if it’s for a good cause.
“Liam, you must feel like you hit the jackpot,” Maximilian continues, folding his arms and leaning back in his chair as if he’s settling in for a show. His tone is light, but I can hear the underlying challenge in his words. “A whirlwind romance, and now you get to be a part of myawesome family.”
“Jackpot is an understatement,” I respond, my words laced with irony. I pop a cherry tomato into my mouth from the salad Audrey hasn’t touched, hoping the burst of flavor will distract me from the tightrope walk of this conversation. The tartness explodes on my tongue, but it does little to ease the tension.
“I’m just happy that you two found love—and with each other.” Mrs. McCallister’s words are kind, but her husband’s glare slices through me like a knife.
His eyes narrow, lips pressed into a thin line as he stares at me from across the room. I can feel the weight of his gaze, the unspoken accusation hanging heavy in the air.The guy used to like me, but now that he thinks I’m fucking his little girl, he just wants to kill me. He was very clear earlier today that I should’ve asked for his blessing. Which is weird though.
If I were to get married, I only need the blessing from Audrey and no one else. Still, Steve McCallister is ready to finish me or hire an assassin. Damn hostility, but it’s not like I can set him straight, is it? If I tell him that I haven’t done anything but kiss his gorgeous daughter this farce is over.
I swallow hard, my throat suddenly dry. My heart pounds in my chest, and I have to resistthe urge to squirm under the intensity of his stare.
Since there’s no point in paying attention to Mr. McCallister, I glance toward his wife and say, “Love often strikes when you least expect it.” The words feel hollow on my tongue, a pretty lie wrapped in a bow of sincerity. I force a smile, hoping it looks genuine enough to fool her.
I thread my fingers with Audrey’s and set them on top of the table, less for show and more for . . . not sure if it’s solidarity or to de-escalate my anger. I cling to her hand, drawing strength from the connection between us.
“Right, life is full of surprises,” Maximilian says, his gaze lingering on our intertwined hands before flicking up to meet my eyes.
There’s a warning in that look, something that almost says, “Little sister is off-limits.” I feel a flicker of irritation, my jaw clenching as I meet his stare head-on. Who the hell does he think he is, trying to dictate what I can and can’t do? This would be Audrey’s choice, not his.
Okay, I’m seriously digressing here. I have to stop thinking with my dick and start paying more attention to what’s happening around me. Maybe Audrey was right when she said no PDA.
Like I can stay away from her though. My fingers itch to wrap around her waist and pull heragainst me. Kiss her deeply just to spite everyone in this house. To show Max that she’s not some fragile doll he can dictate to. She’s a grown woman who can make her own choices.
My eyes drift over the curve of her hip, the slight swell of her chest beneath the thin fabric. The more I touch her casually, the more I want her. Want to run my hands over those soft contours, press my lips to the sensitive spots that make her breath catch . . .
I squeeze my eyes shut, grinding my teeth as I force the heated images from my mind. Get a grip, man.
I clear my throat. “Surprises are what make life exciting, don’t you think, Maxy?” I counter, using that nickname he’s always hated. “And if love isn’t the greatest surprise of all, I don’t know what is.”
Audrey’s soft yawn catches my attention. Though we’re expected to stay, I take that as a sign to leave right now.
“I think it’s time for us to head out,” I say. “Audrey’s still battling jet lag, and we have a busy day tomorrow.”
“Busy?” Mom asks. “What are you doing? Remember your grandmother will be here.”
“No. I remember telling you that I would go and head to New York to pick them up. That’s a long ass drive,” I lie since we plan on using thecompany’s jet for that. Though they don’t need to know that. I shoot a pointed look at Max, silently warning him not to say a word.
“Language,” Mom chides me.
