Page 69 of Trust Issues
“So how’d you do today without the wig you stitched from your own leg hair?”
“Didn’t you say it was my back hair not too long ago?” I laughed.
“It’s whatever I want it to be at the moment,” Max’s face brightened with a smile. To anyone else on the outside looking in, I’m sure our banter seemed toxic but it gave me such a rush.
Something was wrong with me.
“I ran into my boss the minute I walked into the office.”
“And let me guess, he told you that you’re a damn good attorney and he doesn’t give a fuck what your hair looks like.”
“Ugh. I hate when you’re right.”
“You love when I’m right.” He wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me close to him. He smelled like cologne and sunshine. I wished I could bottle it up. “And I love when you cook dinner. It smells amazing, Kyle. Thank you.”
Love. Love. Love.
Why was that word following me?
“I wanted to take your mind off of whatever is stressing you out.” I didn’t want to bring up Nate’s name but Max already knew what I was alluding to. He loosened his tie and I felt wetness pool in my panties. I had a serious tie-loosening fetish and Max scratched that itch more than he realized. I waited patiently for him to loosen the buttons at his wrists and roll his sleeves up to reveal his strong forearms.
I bit my lip when he did it.
“I have been thinking about my brother all damn day. It’s like you’re in my head.”
“I know. I’m good at that,” I smirked. I lingered a little longer on his forearms.
“You should see how they flex when I choke you or pull your pretty hair.” He tugged a little on my locs and I pushed my ass back on him. “Don’t get fucked in this kitchen, Kyle. Finish fixing dinner first. I wouldn’t be a gentleman if I made you burn it.” The way his deep voice caressed every letter of every word made me so goddamn hot. I pulled at my t-shirt and swallowed back the thick knot of lust swelling in my throat.
“Why don’t you talk to him?” I suggested nonchalantly.
“Talk to who? Nathaniel? Ha. Right.”
“Don’t get me wrong, what he did was fucked up. Beyond fucked up. He’s your brother though and she was just a…”
“Don’t pretend to be nice, Kyle. I need to hear your cut-throat silver tongue.” His smile was sad and I hated it. I wanted his happy smile back even though that sad smile held a different kind of beauty.
“She’s a dirty-foot, trout-mouth, whore.” I shrugged my shoulders and took the non-stick pan off the burner to let the steak settle. Max let out the deepest laugh. It filled up the entire kitchen and probably spilled out into the living room. It was its own melody.
“I can’t forgive him though. I can’t. He knew how much I loved her and he fucked her anyway. I’m definitely holding her accountable but Nathaniel knew he was wrong.”
“You’re right. But at what point does the hurt dissolve and heal? You don’t have to rekindle your relationship with her. I wouldn’t recommend it because you know I’m crazy. Your brother will always be your brother though. You’re going to have to deal with him again at some point. You two don’t have to be best friends but being cordial isn’t a bad idea.”
“I hear you, Kyle but I can’t heal because every time I think about what happened, I feel betrayed all over again.”
“That’s because you need to let go of it, Max.” I walked over to him and stood between his long legs. He was seated at the small kitchen table, staring up at me like he thought I was the most beautiful girl in the world. My skin buzzed like the stars in his eyes were ripe with electricity. When he held me, resting his hands on my waist, it felt like I was flying. Like some sort of invisible magnet pushed us together and nothing short of an act of God would pull us apart.
How did things get so heavy so fast?
“I don’t know how to let go of it. I have a feeling that being with you will help though. I promised myself I’d never be in another relationship after what happened but here I am, looking at you wondering why the fuck we waited so long.”
“We were both fighting the inevitable because we’re both stubborn as hell.” I touched the side of his face and ran the pads of my fingers over the prickly stubble on his jawline. Currents pulsed through me in steady purposeful waves. I was being tilted off my axis.
“We are. I’m glad we came to our senses though.” I could tell he wanted to say more. Shit,Iwanted to say more but I didn’t. I wasn’t fully unguarded yet but clearly, neither was Max. I found the strength to back away from him so I could finish up dinner.
We ate at the dining room table and had glasses of tequila and pineapple juice. “It’s good isn’t it?” I asked him, raising my glass.
“It is. You also don’t know the meaning of mixing drinks. You put a splash of pineapple juice in this, Kyle.”
