Page 45 of Property of Max
“This is just lunch,” Lila laughs nervously. “No one’s talking about love.”
“You have my word,” I cut in. My tone is firm, steady. “Man to man, I’ll treat Lila with every ounce of respect she deserves.If this thing between us doesn’t work, we’ll part ways, no harm done. But Micah…just know this. I don’t plan on it not working. I’ll make damn sure of that.”
Micah doesn’t look at his tablet again. Doesn’t need to. He looks me square in the eye, and in that moment, I know we want the same thing: for his sister to be happy. To be safe. To be loved.
He blinks slowly. I nod back. Agreement sealed.
“Ready, baby?” I ask Lila as I rise. “I’m starving.”
“See ya, baby brother,” she says, bending down to hug him tight. “I’ll be back in a bit.”
I follow Lila through the apartment and back outside to where my bike waits.
“We’re takingthat?” she asks, eyes widening. “Are you sure? Am I even dressed right? I should probably put my hair up. Maybe find some glasses so bugs don’t fly into my eyes. What if we wreck? Leather. That’s why you bikers wear it, right? Protects your skin if you slide across the asphalt. I don’t own leather. Wait, I do. I have a leather bra. But you didn’t need to know that. It’s old. Probably doesn’t fit anymore. I don’t even know where it’s at. I’ll shut up now.”
I chuckle, low and rough. “You done, babe?”
Her cheeks blaze red. “Maybe.”
Shaking my head, I unfasten the spare helmet from the bike and press it gently into her hands. Then, without a word, I shrug out of my cut. Holding it for a beat, I drape it over her shoulders, settling the weight across her like it belongs there.
She blinks up at me, stunned.
“Not supposed to let anyone wear this,” I murmur, my voice rougher than I intend. “But I’ve got a feeling you’re not just anyone to me.”
Her lips part, breath catching, and I can’t resist leaning in closer, letting my mouth ghost against her ear.
“And for the record, baby, if you ever want to try on your old leather bra, I want a front-row seat to find out if it still fits.”
Her gasp is half outrage, half laughter, and the sound goes straight to my chest.
After helping her with the helmet, I steady her as she climbs onto the bike, her movements hesitant but trusting. Once I’m settled in front of her, I reach back, my hand finding the small of her back, and tug her forward until her chest presses flush against me.
“Closer,” I murmur, guiding her arms around my waist until she’s holding on tight.
Fucking perfect.
***Lila***
I smooth the blanket over Bree and press a kiss to her forehead. “Goodnight, baby girl.”
“Goodnight, Mommy,” she whispers, eyes already heavy. She shifts to smile sleepily at the corner. “Goodnight, Uncle Cody.”
“Night, princess,” Cody says softly, wiggling his fingers in a wave.
Her eyes flutter closed, and within moments her breathing evens out. I linger just long enough to be sure she’s settled before flicking off the lamp. Cody and I tiptoe out of the room and pull the door mostly shut behind us.
In the hallway, I finally exhale. “It was perfect,” I murmur, glancing at Cody as we walk toward the living room. “Not a single awkward moment. He told me about his past. Even the bit about how he lost his place as a Shadow because of the stuff he did for that cartel guy. Told me about his mom, and how after she was killed, everything she owed landed on his shoulders.”
“Damn,” Cody whistles, dropping onto the arm of my couch. “He laid it all out bare, huh?”
“He said he wanted everything clear before we started anything.”
“So are you?” he asks, one eyebrow cocked. “Going to start something?”
“Well…” I admit, easing into a chair. “He asked me out again tomorrow, and I may have said yes.”
“You go, girl.”
