Page 13 of Maximum
“You don’t want to do it.” I looked away. “I get it. Lying is wrong, I know. I just figured that a white lie was better than ruining my trip by getting into fights with my ex.”
Maximum groaned low. “It’s not that. I just think your plan is too weak to work. I’m a man and I can tell you straight up that a photo of you with another chap wouldn’t scare me off. If anything, it would make me want you even more.”
“You don’t know Pierre.”
“I know men.”
“Yes, but…”
“Trust me, Fleur, if you want to send Pierre a powerful signal that you’ve moved on, then you need to bring your fiancé and let him see for himself that you’re in love with someone else. I’m happy to play that part for you.”
I leaned my head back watching the white clouds against the blue sky. Obviously, I had already considered that option myself, but it held dangers.
“Maximum.”
“Yes?”
My gaze was direct and firm. “Promise me that you understand that I have no romantic interest in you or anyone else.”
He hesitated before he gave a slow nod.
“If I bring you on this trip, I’ll show you some amazing things, but my body won’t be one of them. There will be no intimacy between us, so if you’re hoping for something to happen, you might as well get it out of your head.”
He looked guarded and avoided my gaze.
“Do you understand?” I repeated.
“Yes, I heard you the first hundred times.”
“Alright. Before I give my final yes, I only have one more question to ask you.”
His eyes met mine as he waited for me to continue.
“Are you still single?”
I read sincerity in his eyes when he answered. “Yes. You already asked me that.”
“That was three months ago. Your situation could have changed, and the last thing I want to do is cause sadness to someone who might not understand that there’s nothing going on between us.”
“Trust me, Fleur, no woman will be upset with you for bringing me along. I’m still as single now as I was in February.”
“Good.” With satisfaction, I reached out my hand. “In that case consider this my invitation to come along to South Africa with me.”
Maximum shook my hand with a tiny smile flirting with the corners of his lips. “Thank you. I accept.”
When I let go, I hurried to add. “Just to be clear, I’m traveling on a budget, so it would suit me fine if we split the cost of the lodging.”
“I thought you said we’d be sleeping in tents. That doesn’t sound too expensive.”
“On our first two days in Cape Town we’ll be in a hotel and the same goes for the last night before we fly home. I’ve shared rooms with friends before.”
“Me too,” Maximum said in an earnest tone. “And to show my appreciation for you guiding me through your homeland, I’m happy to cover the expense of the hotels.”
“You don’t have to do that.”
“I want to.”
“In that case, I accept your kind offer.” I gestured for us to walk back to the others, but Maximum stopped me.
