Page 92 of Maximum
CHAPTER 22
The Pact
Fleur
Jolene and Rose went to sleep in Noah’s old room while I walked my nightly round looking in on all the animals.
Maximum was calm when I joined him in our bedroom.
“You okay?” I asked him.
He lay with his naked torso propped up on pillows, and the duvet covering only to his belly button. I did a discreet double take because I loved the sight of his strong arms and his chest, which had the most delicious sprinkle of hair.
“I spoke to Jolene on the way back. She helped me see things a bit clearer.”
“Yeah? What did she say?”
“That…” He rubbed his face. “Hmm… I’m trying to remember her words, but she talked a lot. In essence she said that I can’t control you or other people and that I’ll drive myself crazy if I try.”
“Wise words.”
“She said that you and I need to make a pact and then I need to trust that you’ll honor it.”
“And vice versa,” I pointed out.
“Of course, but I would never cheat on you.”
I moved to sit cross-legged close to him. “Have you ever cheated on a girlfriend?”
He sighed. “Once, in revenge after she cheated on me, but I was young and stupid then.”
“Are we even defining cheating in the same way? What I did tonight wasn’t cheating in my book. I wouldn’t have a problem with you talking to other women or dancing. I just don’t want you kissing them or having sex.”
Maximum massaged his temples as if the subject gave him a headache. “Of course, you can talk to other men.”
“Good, because they make up half the population on earth so it’s hard to avoid them.”
“Jolene says that I should be proud that other men want you and that my jealousy is because of my insecurities and an underlying feeling that I’m not good enough.”
“At least we can talk about it calmly now. I prefer this conversation to you storming in and scowling at me, making me feel like I did something wrong. You were a bit much.”
“My name should have been a warning to you.”
I knew Maximum well enough to recognize that he was trying to lighten the atmosphere with a joke.
My lips tugged up. “Very funny.” Getting up on my knees, I straddled him, letting my hands run through his brown hair. “But Jolene is right; you need to trust me.”
Nestling his head on my shoulder, he folded his arms around my waist. “I’m sorry.”
I kissed his neck and whispered. “Can I be honest with you?”
“Always.”
“You’re intimidating when you get angry.”
Maximum sucked in a breath. “Were you scared of me tonight?”
“No, but I think the poor guy was. He was drunk and attending some kind of fund-raiser for his soccer club. You looked like you were ready to punch him.”
