Max

by Terry Bolryder

  “Yes,” he said. “Which is odd for me. I don’t often find someone I’m interested in.”

  “Why me?”

  He shrugged softly. “I’m still figuring that out.”

  She let out a laugh. “I get that. I mean, I wanted you from the moment I saw you, but it’s been years since I even saw someone I would want to ask out.”

  He puffed up a bit at that, looking pleased. “I’m glad it’s mutual. So what now?”

  She put her hands in the blankets and twisted. “I don’t even know. I called off work today, and I should probably go home. My roommate already called and yelled at me about the trash since I was supposed to take it out last night.”

  Max’s expression was stern again. “He is a man, and he expects you to take out the trash? Is he not capable of doing it himself?”

  She bit her lower lip. “It was my turn.”

  “How often is it your turn?”

  “Ha.” She met Max’s eyes bashfully. “Maybe a bit too often.”

  “Hm.”

  “You got me,” she said, throwing her hands in the air. “I’m a bit of a pushover.” She pushed herself to a sitting position and felt woozy once again. She put her hand to her forehead.

  Max reached out to steady her. “You’ll stay here with me today. If you need to go get something, we can grab it, but you won’t be there with him. He doesn’t sound like he knows how to take care of a woman properly.”

  She smiled at Max’s astute observation. “Probably true, though it would be different if I were his type.”

  “If you’re not his type, then he’s crazy.” Max cracked his knuckles together, making all kinds of unsettling sounds. “But that’s a good thing because I don’t share with anyone.”

  She giggled. “You know, I totally could have guessed you were the caveman type. But we aren’t even together yet, and—”

  “Would you like to be?” His golden eyes were so serious, so sincere, as if what he’d asked were the most normal thing in the world.

  She thought about it for a moment. Didn’t people usually date first? Wasn’t there supposed to be a courtship phase and not just a few days taking care of a cat together?

  She’d been drunk for their only kiss.

  “I don’t mess around,” Max said bluntly. “If you date me, you date only me. I want to figure out this thing between us. Hell, if you want to stay here while we’re helping Lionel, we can even bring some stuff over and you can stay whenever you want. Or go home. But if you want to see what’s between us, you’ll just have to accept I’m a jealous bastard and won’t let you even look at anyone else.”

  She nodded slowly. “I mean… how could I? You take up all the space.” She worried for a second that she’d offended him, but then he threw his head back in a rich laugh.

  When his eyes returned to hers, he smiled. “Good.” Then he stood. “I know this may seem sudden, but I’m not someone who waits around when I know what I want.”

  “And you want to date me?”

  “I want to see where this goes. Exclusively.”

  She let out a little sigh. Not like there was anyone else she was dating anyway. Not like Max wasn’t more than she’d ever dreamed of, at least so far.

  Plus, wouldn’t it be good for Lionel if he had both parents, even temporarily?

  She giggled and stuck out a hand. “Okay. We’ll try it. Deal.”

  He reached out a hand, but instead of shaking hers, he pulled her in and leaned down, covering her lips with his.

  She let out a shiver as the kiss deepened, his tongue sliding into her mouth, familiar and shocking at the same time.

  Her entire body reacted, melting into liquid at his touch, his possessive warmth.

  And then he pulled back, looking satisfied.

  “Deal,” he said, straightening to look down from his full height.

  Then he walked out of the room before she could answer, leaving her breathless.

  Chapter 10

  When Jackie had finished changing, she walked out into the living room to see Max already feeding Lionel.

  Tucking back one of her frizzy curls, she felt her heart twist almost painfully at the sight of him holding something so small.

  Was it too late for her to have kids? Would a man like Max even want them?

  She really shouldn’t be thinking about something like this when she’d only just met someone, but things were different with Max.

  He wasn’t like anyone she’d met. He said what he wanted and he went for it, and now they were in some kind of semi relationship.

  And she still knew nothing about him other than his job.

  He set a content Lionel in his bed to sleep for a while and then put the bed into a small crate with a door so Lionel couldn’t accidentally get out and into trouble.

  “We’ll be back soon, little guy,” Max said, putting a hand up to the crate door. “Be good now.”

  As if in response, Lionel rubbed his face against the door and then curled up in his bed to go to sleep.

  Max straightened up to look over at Jackie, a pensive expression on his face. He was wearing the same sweater, but with jeans now, and had his keys in his other hand. “You ready to head over?”

  “Yes,” she said. “I just need a few things.” She wasn’t sure if she was going to pick up things to stay with Max or not, but she did at least need fresh clothes and some toiletries.

  And to take out the garbage.

  She only hoped Chad wouldn’t be home when she got there.

  She followed Max out of the room, and they walked down to the street level where Max headed for the white van she’d seen before.

  She didn’t mind that it didn’t seem like Max had a lot of money. She’d never been someone to spend a lot and enjoyed mostly simple, cheap pleasures like reading a good book or curling up by a fire. She kind of liked that Max wasn’t the type to try and win someone over with wealth and possessions.

  He only offered himself, and there was a lot to offer so far.

  He held open the door for her, and the van creaked as he helped her up into it.

  “Nice ride,” she said, smiling at him as he got in and started it up.

  “Are you being sarcastic?” He raised a thick eyebrow. His hair was pulled back but still beautiful in the morning sun. “I just use the club cargo van because I don’t really need anything else.”

  “Not at all,” she said. “It’s big and practical. Just like you.”

  Max let out a snort as he pulled out onto the street. “I don’t know whether to be complimented or insulted.”

  She cocked her head, thinking that sometimes he could be very formal and well-spoken for a bouncer.

  She didn’t think he would want her to ask questions about it, though, so she simply enjoyed the sunshine and his spicy, masculine scent as they drove all the way to her apartment.

  When she got out of the truck, she noticed with a frown that Chad’s BMW was in the parking lot, meaning he would be home right now.

  He worked as a club promoter at night and sometimes did cell phone sales during the day, though he apparently hated it.

  He’d never tried to get her to come to any of the clubs he promoted, and Jackie wondered if he’d ever heard of Club Crimson.

  Probably not since, based on the line outside, it didn’t need any promotion.

  She was a little nervous about walking up the stairs to go inside until she felt Max walk up behind her, his huge, solid presence steadying her as she got ready to deal with Chad.

  As she got out her keys to open the door, it swung open suddenly, revealing her irritated roommate.

  Chad’s bleached blond hair was mussed, and he looked as if he hadn’t been awake long. “Thanks to you, we’re going to be keeping the trash in the apartment until next week. I hope you’re happy.”

  She looked up at him agape, trying to figure out how to handle this. She’d never been very good at conflict, especially with rude people, so she’d always kind of just let Cha
d make all the rules. He was the one on the lease, after all.

  “Why can’t you do it?” Max asked from behind her.

  Jackie looked back and saw him standing protectively, hands on the railing, as if he were trying to make sure she wouldn’t fall backward if she tripped.

  Chad’s eyes moved up to greet the tall man over her shoulder, and he visibly paled. “I’m sorry, who are you?”

  “Her boyfriend,” Max said irritably, reaching over her to push Chad back. “Now stop blocking the door like an asshole.”

  Chad gaped as he stepped aside, speechless for once, as she and Max walked inside.

  “Get your stuff. You aren’t staying with this douchebag,” Max said firmly as Chad appeared to be gathering his strength.

  He stepped up to Max, jabbing his finger into Max’s chest, which was about where Chad’s head came to. “Who do you think you are? I know you aren’t her boyfriend. She’s a nerd—”

  Chad didn’t have time to finish his sentence before Max picked him up by his shirtfront, letting his legs dangle.

  “Finish your sentence,” Max growled. “I dare you.”

  Chad’s legs swung as he grunted, trying to get Max to release his hold. “Fine, I won’t say shit. But she doesn’t even try. You could be a promoter. If you want a job—”

  “Oh my God, put him down!” Jackie said, finally moving forward, still in total shock.

  Max set Chad down reluctantly but continued to glare at him. “I’m a bouncer. And my club doesn’t need promoters. Especially greaseballs like you.”

  The two men were still facing off, and Jackie didn’t like the tension.

  “Are you really her boyfriend?” Chad asked, rubbing at his collar and looking confused.

  Max nodded. “Not that it’s going to matter to you since she’s moving out. Today.”

  “Well, before you go, you might want to get in touch with Tasha because she came by here today.”

  “Tasha did?” Jackie asked. “When?”

  “Like an hour ago,” Chad said. “She’s in from out of town. Turned me down, as usual. Not sure what she sees in you—”

  A loud growl sounded from Max, and Chad paled again, taking a step back.

  “Whatever. I’m not staying here with a bunch of crazy people. I gave you the message. Now I’m getting out. Good riddance.”

  “I’m not moving,” Jackie insisted, irritated with Max for thinking he could make such a decision for her. He didn’t know how hard it was to find safe places to rent.

  And despite Chad’s obvious dislike, it was pretty safe here.

  “Whatever,” Chad said irritably. “I don’t have time for your drama right now.”

  Jackie decided to ignore him, as usual, and headed to her room to see if there was a message from Tasha.

  On her bed, she found a note.

  Can’t stay here with le douchebag. Went out to get some breakfast. Call me soon. Can’t wait to see you!

  The note made Jackie smile. It was just like Tasha to try and surprise her.

  Tasha tended to blow in from out of nowhere, wanting to hang out and have fun and drag Jackie out on the town.

  “Your friend?” Max asked, following her into the room.

  “Yes,” Jackie said. “I really should go meet her.”

  Max cocked his head. “Does she not come often?”

  “No,” Jackie said. “She lives on the other side of the country. I miss her a lot. I usually only see her every few months. Are you mad?”

  “Why would I be mad?” he asked, sitting on her bed and making the whole thing sink beneath his weight.

  “Because I was going to spend the day with you, and—”

  He shook his head. “It’s fine. We can spend time together later. As long as you aren’t hanging out with Chad.” He sent a nasty glare at her bedroom door, as if he could burn Chad with lasers from his eyes.

  She laughed. “I knew you wouldn’t like him.”

  “The way he talks to you makes me want to bash his face in, but I suppose I can’t make the choice of where you live.”

  She smiled because he didn’t look happy about it, and there was something about having a big, handsome man worry about you like that. “Yeah. I need to make that choice on my own.”

  “Well, my door is always open. If you and Tasha want to stay at my place tonight—”

  “Oh, I don’t know,” she said. “Sometimes we get a hotel or something. Tasha’s a bit of a party animal.”

  His golden eyes narrowed slightly. “Well, be careful.”

  “Hey, I could bring her to Club Crimson. You could meet her.”

  His lips pursed. “Still, be careful. Remember what I said.”

  “What?”

  “I don’t like sharing.”

  “Oh, don’t worry about it. I doubt anyone would approach me at all. I’m a wallflower, remember? If it weren’t for Lock, I would have been sitting on a stool alone.”

  Max didn’t look convinced, and his hard jaw looked even harder as a muscle there flexed. “Huh.”

  “Anyway, don’t worry about it. Look, I appreciate you bringing me home, but Tasha will have a rental car. I’ll call her to pick me up, and it’ll be fine. We’ll go to the club tonight to pick up my car, even if we don’t stay there.”

  Max finally nodded. “I suppose it’s not my place to stop you. I’ll be working tonight.”

  “Perfect. Maybe I’ll see you there? I’ll stop by to feed Lionel, too.”

  Max pulled a key from his pocket and handed it over. “Here. In case you need to stay or get in when I’m not there.”

  She looked at it, blinking in shock. She’d never had a key to a man’s place. Everything had started moving so suddenly, and she kept expecting Max to retract everything he’d said about trying things out.

  Apparently, when he made a decision, he stuck to it.

  “Um, well, thank you,” she said, flushing. “I guess I should probably shower and get ready to see my friend.” She stood to walk him out, and he opened the door to the living room, scowling as he looked around for any sign of Chad.

  “He’s gone,” Max said, looking satisfied. “That means I can go, too.” He walked to the front door, and she followed nervously, wondering how they were supposed to say good-bye.

  To her surprise, he bent to kiss her, gently tilting up her chin. As always, the kiss filled her with warmth and excitement and made her body feel weak for more.

  Then he pulled back and, with a satisfied look at her, walked out the front door and headed down the stairway to get back in his truck.

  As he drove away, she let out a pent-up breath, wondering how she’d ever managed to be suddenly dating someone that hot.

  Chapter 11

  Tasha looked as though someone had just handed her a winning lottery ticket just when the numbers had been announced.

  “He’s a bouncer? You, the chronic homebody, are dating a bouncer?”

  Jackie nodded, blushing slightly. Tasha was everything she wasn’t, and it had always worked out that way.

  As a stylist, Tasha always had her blond hair dyed funky colors, and today she had highlights of blue and purple over an icy silver base. Her bright-blue eyes sparkled, probably imagining every possible way Jackie dating a bouncer could work out.

  Tasha was curvy, like Jackie, but flaunted it in fitted leather jackets and tight pencil skirts, unlike Jackie, who preferred to hide in sweatpants as much as possible when she wasn’t working.

  Tasha’s pale skin was dotted with freckles across her nose and cheeks, adding a delicate look to her heart-shaped face.

  Tasha leaned her cheek onto her hand, sighing loudly. “Wish I could find myself a hot bouncer man. So how did you meet him?”

  “We’re sort of… taking care of a kitten together.”

  “Oh?” Tasha raised one thin eyebrow. “What do you mean?”

  “We found him in the alley outside the club, and he was dying and—”

  Tasha put a hand over her face. “So
you went to a club with a really hot bouncer, and you were in the alley instead of inside dancing?”

  Jackie shrugged. “It worked, didn’t it? Anyway, he came out to find me, and when I told him Chad wouldn’t let me have a pet, he offered to help out. Then things just kind of progressed from there.”

  Tasha fanned her face. “Hot, a bouncer, and likes animals? Oh man.”

  “Did I say he was hot?”

  Tasha pinned her with a stare. “I know he’s hot. I can see by the way you talk about him.”

  “That obvious?”

  “Yes.”

  Jackie sighed, taking a sip of her coffee. She still wasn’t hungry after eating Max’s donuts. “Anyway, I told him we might be by the club tonight. I need to pick up my car, and—”

  “You slut,” Tasha said, a sparkle in her eye. “You slept over there, didn’t you? And he brought you home?”

  Jackie nodded. “Yeah. But we didn’t do anything because I was drunk, and—”

  “You drank?” Tasha’s eyes bulged in disbelief, and she sat back in her chair in shock. “Wow, this guy is good for you. I can’t believe the wild life my shy little friend is living now.”

  “I’m not little. I—”

  “Hush with that talk. You’re gorgeous. I’ve always thought so, and I have very good taste.”

  Jackie just smiled at her friend, glad she was in town. “So what brought you here?”

  “Oh, just doing some training for extensions,” Tasha said, fingering her long hair. “When they said it was taking place out here, I obviously volunteered. Any chance to see you.” She leaned forward. “Between us, I’m thinking of moving out here. I like the weather. Not yet, though.” She ran her tongue over her lower lip. “So your bouncer have any hot friends?”

  Jackie frowned. “I mean… the whole club is full of hot guys. The girls at work agree. They’re the ones who took me there.”

  Tasha snapped her fingers. “Those cretins are good for something, then.”

  Jackie fought back a laugh. “That’s a little harsh.”

  “They treat my best friend like trash. I’ll call them cretins if I want to.” Tasha blew a lock of hair out of her eyes. “Anyway, I definitely want to go there tonight and check out the scenery and meet your guy. I could use a night to cut loose.”