Page 43 of Deal Breaker
Max took the coffee mug from my hands and placed it on the table. He slid his cool fingers inside the cuffs of my jumper to thread into mine. His face was inches from mine, his breath pooling the air like puffs of smoke.
“We can’t let it end like this.” He tilted his head to one side. “I mean, perhaps it didn’t pan out exactly as we’d expected. I’m glad we spent last night together, and I hope you are too. I’d love to spend another one with you, properly this time.”
“Only one more night?” My heart sank down to my boots. Did he see this as an extended one-night thing?
Max pressed his forehead to mine. “One more night here. Then many, many more nights back in New York. Sophie, I want to be with you, wherever we are.”
Not realizing I’d been holding my breath, I let out a long exhale. “Then yes. Yes, Max, I will stay with you.” I pulled my hands out from his and cupped his face. “No throwing me out the window this time though, right?”
His grin practically split his face. “You got it!” Then he covered my lips with his, and I practically melted.
Chapter Eighteen
Max
The sound of my sister clearing her throat made me reluctantly draw away from kissing Sophie.
“Your timing is impeccable as ever, sis.” I traced a finger along Sophie’s jawline, watching her smile back at me.
“Sorry to disturb you and all, but we need to go and check out.” Autumn crossed her arms across her chest. “Otherwise we won’t get back to the city before dark. Remember Jodie’s navigation skills?”
Sophie took my hand and turned to her best friend. “Um, I’m actually going to stay another night. With Max.”
Autumn’s eyebrows shot up. “You’re doing what?”
I chipped in. “Come on, Autumn, cut us some slack. You said this was okay, remember?”
She sighed. “I guess I hadn’t expected it to escalate so quickly.”
“Quickly? I’ve had a case of blue balls for the past ten years!”
“Ugh. Gross. Too. Much. Information.” Autumn screwed up her eyes and held up her palm. She shuddered and turned to go back inside. “You can at least help us with the bags.”
“Yes, milady.” I gave her a mock salute and kissed Sophie’s forehead before standing up. I followed Autumn to her room and picked up her duffel bag and backpack, before going into the room Sophie should have shared with Jodie all weekend.
“I guess I’ll put my stuff in your truck?” Sophie glanced at me.
I nodded. “Sure. Tell me what’s yours, and I’ll make sure it goes in the right place.”
She pointed at a little grey wheeled suitcase, which stood at the end of one of the single beds.
“You travel light compared to these two.” I picked up Jodie’s two bags and headed out to their rental car.
With little effort, I tossed the bags into the trunk and slammed it shut.
“Why don’t we check out for you? Then you two can head off straight away?”
“Yeah, we can do it in the morning,” suggested Sophie.
“We’re not staying in the cabin tonight,” I said, hastily.
Her brow wrinkled. “We’re not?”
I leaned across and kissed her temple. “It’s a surprise.”
We said our goodbyes to Autumn and Jodie, then waved them on their way.
Finally alone, I couldn’t wait to show Sophie the room I’d organized us for that evening. While she’d been in the shower, I’d slipped out of the cabin and headed over to Guest Services, where I’d wrangled with a woman named Becky over what I wanted. It had taken a few attempts, but I was pretty sure Sophie would be happy.
