Page 29 of Broken
“You could have your pick of anyone at this point and you didn’t even pick a patched in brother?” The shock is evident in her voice.
I shrug. “It kinda started when we were spending all that time together.”
“What exactly has happened?” She wiggles her eyebrows at me.
“Not that.” I laugh. “We’ve just kissed a couple times. He’s been avoiding me ever since we found out who I was.”
“Well, yeah, I’m sure he values his junk enough to stay far away.”
“That’s the thing, though. I don’t want him to, and now I don’t know what to do.” The door opens and we all look over to see Max walking through it. I can feel my heart immediately speed up. Once our eyes meet it’s pounding so hard it feels like a jackhammer in my chest. His eyes rake over my body, widening slightly. Once he sees Nikki and Lucy with me he quickly looks away.
“Jesus, you two are in trouble. Just being in the same room with you all the sexual tension is getting to me.” Nikki laughs. We watch him walk toward the back hallway and my heart slows down a bit. “Tell you what. I’ll take the caveman outside and distract him. Go ahead and see the boy.”
She walks over to the bar and grabs Twisted’s hand, leading him outside. I turn to Lucy. “What do I do?”
“Go talk to him. Tell him how you feel. Then at least the ball is in his court.” She offers me a small smile before following after Nikki.
I take a deep breath and go in search of Max. I’m halfway down the hallways before a door opens and he walks out. He stops when he sees me standing there. Neither of us makes a move. His hands are in his pockets and his eyes are studying me like he’s trying to commit me to memory.
I take a few more steps until I’m standing in front of him. “Hi.” My fingers play with my hair nervously. I can see the wheels turning in his head.
Max grabs my hand and pulls me into the room next to us. It’s a bedroom, but it’s a lot smaller than mine. The door shuts and the room fills with electricity. His face has some stubble on it and his eyes look stressed, the small bags under them letting me know that he hasn’t been sleeping well. He’s leaning against the closed door; I take a step closer to him.
“What are you doing, Izzy?” His voice seems strained.
One more step and I’m right in front of him.You can do this. Channel your inner badass.
“I miss you. I want to be with you. I don’t care who my brother is or what the rules are. I just want to be yours like you talked about. I miss being around you.” My hand reaches up, resting on his cheek. I inch closer, pressing my lips against his and after a couple seconds, he returns it.
Being this close to him again feels so right. It’s what I’ve needed. He is what I’ve needed. I want Max in every way. Lucy and I talked about this the other day. The way she describes things with Whip. It’s what I want. We take a few steps and I feel the bed hit my knees. I sit down on it, breaking our kiss.
Max is looking down, and I can tell he wants me as much as I want him. He is about to reach for my neck when he stills. “I can’t do this, Izzy.” Before I can say anything he almost runs out of the room.
My eyes well with tears as the rejection sets in. After a few minutes, Lucy appears in the doorway. “I’m guessing it didn’t go well?” She sits down next to me.
I shake my head.
“I’m sorry, babe. I’m sure it’s because of the warning T gave to him. I saw the way he looked at you.” Her hand rubs my back. “Hey, I have an idea.”
I look over, and she’s smiling.
“I know these guys and they are extremely territorial. Even though he won’t admit it to you, Max thinks of you as his. Get your sexy little ass out there and show him what it will be like if he keeps pushing you away.”
I look at her confused, not really understanding what she’s getting at.
“Make him jealous. Go outside and chat up anyone and everyone. I’ll tell Nikki to keep Twisted busy so he isn’t cock blocking you all day too.”
“You think it will work?”
“I think that it will be a slam dunk.” She laughs. “Now come on.”
I take her hand, and she leads me outside. We walk up to Cutter, and Lucy taps him on the shoulder. “Cutter, have you met Izzy? She’s T’s sister and totally available.” She winks at me before walking away.
I’m completely uncomfortable and have no idea how to flirt or anything.
Cutter’s eyes take me in before he smiles at me. “So you’re club royalty then?”
I laugh. “I guess you could say that.” My skin heats and I know that Max is watching me. I scan the yard and find him leaning against a wall. I take a seat on the bench next to Cutter and angle my body toward his.
