by Tina Saxon
“And when I’m not, or not recording,” I cut in, “we’ll live at Max’s house.” Max is having a recording studio built into his house as we speak. We’ll also search for a house in the LA area next week.
Addie squeals beside me and Aiden rolls his eyes at his wife. “Are you going to start a team in LA?” Jaxon asks.
He bobs his head a couple times. “Sort of. The team I hire will be solely for Sydney’s security, though. When I’m with Sydney while she’s touring, I don’t want to focus on anything else except her.” The girls coo around the table. They might think that’s romantic, but Max is pure business with my security.
“Shaw Security will manage perfectly without me. Kase will take lead when I’m gone.”
Aiden’s back straightens, and he leans an arm against the table. “What? What about Stone?”
Max chuckles, shaking his head at Aiden’s displeasure. “Stone didn’t want it. Kase has experience leading teams before and the guys all agreed he should do it.”
“He’s only been with you for a year,” Aiden argues.
“What is with you?” Addison snaps. “Kase seems like a great guy.”
“He’s not bad to look at either,” Harper purrs and Addison’s smile grows, pissing Aiden off more. I glance between Aiden and Max. Max has a shit-eating grin on his face, loving this. Yet, it wasn’t too long ago when Max tasked Kase with something else rather than standing post outside my hotel room when I asked about him. We spent the day with Kase and his girlfriend, Ellie, last week so at least Max is over the jealousy.
“If someone else was working for me, I wouldn’t have to fill that job.”
“Fuck that. You screwed that up, hiring him. That would mean he’d be around my wife all the time.” He gives his head a hard shake.
“He’s asking his girlfriend to marry him next week,” I say, laughing at his ridiculousness.
“I don’t care. I don’t need my wife ogling some SEAL whenever we’re around him.”
“I don’t ogle,” Addison spurts out, hitting him in the arm. “What the hell is wrong with you?”
While they argue, I lean over to Max and whisper, “I bet you they disappear in ten minutes.”
“I give it two.” Sure enough, a couple minutes later, Addison excuses herself to go the bathroom and Aiden follows a minute later. Their need to prove to each other they are each enough hasn’t changed, if anything it’s gotten worse. “How about we sneak out too?” He whispers back, sticking his hand in between my thighs.
I slap it away. “Nope. You’re cut off until tomorrow night.”
He jerks up. “What? Why?”
“Because, it’s the night before the wedding. It’s like bad luck… or something.”
“That sounds like some bullshit women made up.”
I shrug, smiling because I just made it up. “Probably. But you can wait.” He eyes me for a beat before leaning over and kissing me. I already know what he’s trying to do. When he kisses me like I’m his lifeline, it turns me on faster than a light switch. Not this time. My vajayjay is on lockdown.
Pulling back to end the kiss, Max looks at me in anticipation and I shake my head. His shoulders drop and he sighs. “If there ever was truth to the adage that opposites attract, you two would be the poster couple.” Jaxon laughs.
I slip my petite hand into his large strong palm and squeeze. “We each take over where one leaves off.”
We’re perfect for each other.
After Addie and Aiden join back up with us, complete with wild hair and rosy cheeks, they both declare we split up and start our bachelor and bachelorette party. Max and I already talked about this and decided we didn’t need to go out one last time as single. But it seems our friends won’t let us make that decision.
It’s crazy to think about how much my life has changed in just over a year and a half. I was always the one ready for a party. I was that girl, dancing on the bar, having men do shots off my belly. When I didn’t get hired at Coyote Ugly, I was livid. I would have been the perfect person. Except, I failed the bartending part of the test. Still. I bet they regret it now. I get to sing on stage for a living, making a shit ton more money and don’t have to sling one drink.
“Oh! And paybacks are a bitch,” Addison declares, standing. Harper and Katie join her, cheering as I think back to Addison’s bachelorette party. When I made her get on stage and practically hump a guy. This should be fun. Max growls at Addison.
Aiden laughs. “How’s it feel, brother?” He pulls Addie into his side. “Just skip the prison part, okay?”
“I can’t promise anything.” His smile drops and he glares at her. “Kidding. I’m kidding. I promise, no fights tonight.”
Addie ended up in jail at the end of her bachelorette party. It was an interesting night.
“Knox is going with you guys,” Max states, looking up from his phone. The stern expression on his face means, don’t argue. I wasn’t going to. I’m in the spotlight now and after what happened with Shanna, I’m okay having a bodyguard follow me around.
Half an hour later, we’re pulling up to Gilley’s in a limo when I hear my phone ding. Digging it out of my purse, I bust out a laugh. Max just might be worse than Aiden. He’s only quiet about it. Harper leans over to see.
Hulk: listen to Eyes On You by Chase Rice
“I haven’t heard that song,” she says. I roll the privacy glass down and ask the driver to play it on the speaker. We listen and the sweet undertone of the song is drowned out by the innuendo that Max is always watching me. So, behave.
“What is with these cavemen we have?” Addison snickers.
Feeling spiteful, I reply.
Me: So What by Pink
“Ohhhhh. You’re brave,” Harper says over her shoulder, scooting over to get out of the car. “I can’t imagine Max being a fan of that song.”
Katie, touching up her lipstick by looking at her reflection in the tinted windows, stops and looks back at us. “I know Max, and I can guarantee you the boys’ll join us before the hour is up.” Not that that was my plan, but I wouldn’t be upset.
I forgot that Katie grew up with Max and I instantly forget about the text. “Katie! Guess who I met? Rex.” A rep from the club meets us at the limo and escorts us past the line outside. People yell my name and a wave of phones come out. I wave and smile.
“Who’s Rex,” Addie asks, ignoring all the fanfare.
Katie’s red lips curve up. “Wow. I haven’t heard that name in years.”
“Who’s Rex,” Addie and Harper both say again.
“Max’s brother.” We both answer together.
“Wait. What? Max has a brother?” Harper says, her voice filling with interest. “Where does this brother live? And is he single?”
“Don’t get your hopes up, Harp,” Katie says, wrapping her arm through hers. “Rex is the unattainable. From both the law and the women.” I glance at Katie as we’re led to the VIP section and sat at a u-shaped booth that faces the oversized dance floor. If she wasn’t already married, I’d ask if there was a story behind that comment.
“What the hell does that mean?” Addison asks.
“He’s the real life Danny Ocean.”
I laugh at Katie’s reference. It was my exact thought when I found out what he did. “Really? Max’s brother is a thief?” Addison’s gaze jumps from me to Katie. We both nod our heads.
“And y’all get to meet him tomorrow.”
I feel the vibration of my phone and hope it’s Max telling me he’s here.
Hulk: And here I was trying to be sweet
“Ha! As if,” I say out loud. Addie glances a quick peek. My fingers move quick with a text back.
Me: liar liar pants on fire
The bubble pops up immediately. My screen is still lit up when I get back a response.
Hulk: Something will be on fire. And it’s not my pants. More like your ass if you’re thinking like that song
I pull the phone to my chest, hiding it. Addie smirks
. “What did it say?” I shake my head. She doesn’t need to read this. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen a guy make you blush.”
Stuffing the phone back in my purse, I decide it’s best to stop our texting now. Or my new rule about no sex will be broken quickly. Because dominant Max is my favorite.
Chapter Forty-Three
Sydney
“Do you take this woman to be your forever? Because doesn’t that encompass everything?” Graham states, glancing at Max. I roll my eyes. Leave it to Graham to change the traditional vows.
Why did I ask him to marry us? Right. Because I love him like a brother.
When Max looks at me, those steel-blue eyes that stole my heart, captured my soul and made me feel again softens as he says, “Yes. I will love you, cherish you, remain true to you as long as I live.”
“Sk—” Graham stops and shakes his head and I smile, giving him a reassuring nod. This is the first time he’s used my name since I crashed into his home so I’m not surprised. “Sydney, do you take this man to be your forever?”
We decided not to do our own vows. Max would rather show me how he feels than tell me in front of everyone. He said he doesn’t need to prove it to them. Instead, we each picked out a song to dedicate to each other at the reception.
“Yes. I will love you, cherish you and remain true to you as long as we both shall live.”
As we exchange rings, tears blur my vision and I swallow the emotions getting the best of me. Max cups my neck, his thumb wiping a tear away. Leaning his forehead against mine, he whispers, “I love you, Tink. You’ll never know how much my heart beats for just you.” The tears run down my cheek. “Thank you.” I lift my head, our lips are a whisper away as we close in.
“Stop!”
We freeze, our lips barely touching. “You can’t take this away from me. Okay, Max, you may now kiss your bride,” he proudly announces. Max smirks right before he fuses his lips to mine. The world ceases to exist for a couple moments. It’s just us. Two lost souls twisting together. Our new song begins, and it encompasses our past, present and future. Do you feel it? I want to ask him. I want to know if it’s as loud and clear to him as it is to me.
Claps and whistles seep into our bubble until it’s so loud we don’t have a choice but to let it envelop us. “I love you, too,” I say, breaking away. The attendees jump to their feet in the little white church house, cheering as Max and I turn, hand in hand.
“Ladies and gentlemen, I proudly present to you, Mr. and Mrs. Shaw.”
“Are we done yet?” Max walks up behind me and whispers into my ear. I tilt my head, leaning back into him as he nibbles my lobe. Spinning in his arms, I smile up at the gorgeous man. He’s lost his tie somewhere, the top couple buttons open. He rolled his sleeves up, displaying his tattoo and the veins in his forearms. I cup his chiseled jaw, his five o’clock shadow tickles my palms. “Please?”
“The reception started fifteen minutes ago and you look like you’ve had a rough night already.”
“You know how much I hate these penguin suits.”
“But you look sexy as hell,” I purr.
“That’s not making me want to stay longer.” His voice is deep and pleading, he grabs my hands and brings them to his chest. “This holding out bullshit hasn’t made tonight easy. Seeing you in that dress, it’s fucking killing me.”
“Holding out?” I laugh. “Max, it’s been one night.” The flash of a camera lights up Max’s face. This will always be known as the picture where he’s begging for sex. I almost feel sorry for him.
“See. Killing me,” he snickers, pulling me to his chest. We sway to the song playing. “But I’ll wait. It just gives me time to devise my plan of action.”
“You sound like you’re saving someone.” I giggle into his chest.
“I am. Me.”
And he says I’m dramatic.
Our night continues as we float around the room, twinkling lights above our head, moving from table to table to greet everyone. In between tables, Max throws out a word. A hint at what he’s planning. So far, I’ve heard handcuffs, wedding cake icing, blindfold, ice, balcony, anal. Anal? I tense at the last hint, staring up at his lazy smile, slightly panicked. Max is not a small man. Anywhere.
He lifts a shoulder in a non-committal shrug, guiding me to the next table like what he just said was as casual as let’s eat. “Just thinking out loud,” he whispers into my ear.
I adjust the tight-fitted lace dress against my heated body, wondering why I picked such a form-fitting dress. The only part that flares out is the bottom. I wanted simple, but as soon as I put on the vintage fit and flare lace dress, I fell in love. This morning, Graham set up a dress fitting for all us girls with seamstresses ready to make any adjustments. Most of them didn’t need any since Graham had been sneaky and got all the girls’ sizes beforehand. He had a few dresses I had already picked out, flown in from Los Angeles.
Max’s hand rests on my ass as we talk to a few of the band members and their dates. We don’t stay long as we want to talk to everyone who came out on such a last-minute notice.
“Helicopters.” Harper beams, pointing up to the ceiling. “It’s crazy, there are helicopters outside, trying to get a shot of you two. This is so cool.” I giggle at her excitement. I’m used to it now, nothing surprises me.
“It’s all because I’m marrying hashtag AMA’s most wanted.” I air quote the name I know he hates.
“I’m going to hashtag your ass if you call me that again.” He yanks me against his hard chest, his eyes bore into me. I lift a brow in defiance.
“What exactly would you hashtag on my ass?” I snicker.
“I’m sure you don’t want me to hear that answer,” Harper says, sneaking away.
Max’s eyes cast up, contemplating. “Hmm. Something like… Max’s property. If found, return stat.”
“That is so caveman of you.”
He shrugs. “Aaannnd? I’ll get the same tattoo with your name,” he says, wagging his brows.
I smile up at him knowing he would.
“I’m stealing your woman,” Addie states, pulling me out of his arms. “We haven’t danced together in forever.”
“See, that’s why you need that tattoo.” Max points at Addison.
I laugh at his seriousness. “Addie won’t be looking at my ass anytime soon,” I joke, over my shoulder as I’m being pulled on the dance floor.
We start two-stepping around the floor like we did in the old days. “What tattoo are you getting on your ass?” Addie asks, smiling.
I shake my head. “There won’t be any ass tattoo.” I laugh. Addison would kill me if I branded myself that I was someone else’s property.
“Can you believe how much our lives have changed since we graduated college? It’s insane to think about.”
I think back to the day we were laying on the lawn at the University of Texas the last day of college. It feels like that was a different life. We were both young and trying to find our place in the world. It definitely didn’t go the way either of us had imagined.
“It is. I wouldn’t be where I am today without you.”
“Shut up. You went to California—we won’t talk about why—and kicked ass out there. On your own. You are a strong, independent woman, Syd. Own it.” She stares at me, waiting for me to accept her words.
“But, had you not—”
She spins me around to stop me from talking. When she stops me and we continue moving around the dance floor, she repeats, “Own. It.”
“Fine,” I sigh. “I’m a strong, independent woman.”
“That sounded as believable as you liking vanilla ice cream.”
Memories flash in my head and I burst out laughing. “You’d be surprised how that’s changed too.”
Before she can ask about it, Graham comes over the speaker, requesting Max and I join him on the dance floor. Max is at my side in a matter of seconds, claiming what’s his. He playfully stares Addie down. “Mine.”
“I swear you and Aiden must have been the stingiest children ever,” she snickers, making him chuckle.
“Max and Sydney decided instead of writing their own vows, they would dedicate one song to each other tonight. First is Max’s song.”
Max wraps one arm around my waist and links our hands with his other. “You’re the most gorgeous woman,” he whispers, giving me a chaste kiss while we wait for the music to start. Whistles and catcalls surround us. Max rolls his eyes at our obnoxious friends.
The song “Speechless” by Dan + Shay floats out of the speakers. Word for word, I listen so I don’t miss a beat as we sway to the music. Max sings a few parts to me. Goosebumps pebbled my skin from the heat of his words and the passion in his voice. By the time the song ends, tears are streaming down my face. He cups my face, swiping the tears away with his thumb. “You told me you liked my singing,” he teases.
I slap him. “Stop. That was amazing. You’re amazing.” I lift on my toes and bring my lips to his. My nerves kick in when Graham talks again. My song choice is from my heart and my voice. This song is about Max.
“The next song is from none other than Sky Owens-Shaw. You guys might know her.” Laughs surround us as Max tilts his head in confusion. I bite my lip, hoping he likes it. “Without further ado, here is Twisted Wings.”
Twisted Wings
You hid in the shadows
watching over me
I tried to make you understand
You should’ve set me free
But you held on tight
Your grip tighter than your ego
Your determined mind
You’re the unsung hero
Every heartbeat,
Every breath,
Every flight,
Belongs to you.
The power in those steel-blue eyes
Made these twisted wings come true
I’m not running anymore
Take all of me
All of the love in my heart
You hold the key
