Max (A Carter Brother series Book 4)

by Lisa Helen Gray

  The room to my door bursts open and I throw the pillow from my head, wincing at the sunlight streaming through the curtains, momentary blinding me.

  Max stands in the doorway wearing the tightest pair of trousers I’ve ever seen on him and an even tighter top that reads, ‘Girls gone wild’.

  “What the fuck, Max?’’ I grumble, feeling queasy again. “What the hell are you wearing and why are you so blue?’’ I gasp. I’d laugh if I didn’t feel so sick and pissed he interrupted my pity party. But know, I am laughing deeply on the inside.

  “Live out my wildest fantasy, she said. It will be fun, she said. I’ll make it worth your while, she said. What she didn’t fucking say was that she’d leave me butt naked, freezing my balls off at Hawthorn Farm while she slept snuggled up warm in her bed,’’ he grits out, looking kind of pissed.

  “I love Hawthorn Farm,’’ I smile, cheering up. I remember staying there when I first arrived in Coldenshire. The place had so many barns full of animals and hay, that it kept me there out of sheer fascination. The animals had been so friendly. I really loved it there, but it was short lived when the owner found me sleeping in the barn. He didn’t get mad like I thought he would, but he did tell me I couldn’t sleep there anymore; that I needed to find somewhere else to squat. That’s when Antonio found me hunting for food and directed me to Joan and the church.

  “I know,’’ he bites out. He opens his mouth but Joan walks in with flushed cheeks and stops him. He turns around, sees her and groans. “Not now, Joan.’’

  “Get out of Lake’s room, right now,’’ Joan hisses but her eyes flick to me before narrowing back on Max. “Now look what you’ve gone and done. You’ve woken her up.’’

  “If I’m going to get my ass reamed then so is she. This is all her fault,’’ Max cries, aghast.

  Me? What did I do? My head ping-pongs to and from the other as they argue, wondering what alternate universe I’ve woken up in. Have they lost their complete minds? And why am I even involved.

  My head is spinning trying to work out what is being said and what my involvement is. But if I’m honest, I’m more curious as to why Max is dressed between looking like a really bad drag queen and a Smurf.

  “Because you got arrested. Again!’’ Joan shouts, throwing her hands up in the air. My ears perk up at that. I didn’t catch the first part of the conversation, but at this point, I don’t think it matters.

  “He was arrested?’’ I ask shocked. Why, when the first time I met him he was being arrested, I don’t know. I guess I thought he had learnt his lesson. I sit up, the dizziness hitting me with force once again.

  “What did you think would happen?’’ he shouts in my direction and I blanch. There he goes again, blaming me. What the hell did I do last night?

  “Don’t shout at her,’’ Joan yells at him, shutting him up. “You’ve got no one else to blame but yourself, young man.’’

  “It’s her fault,’’ he whines, pointing at me.

  “Me?’’ I yell, wincing at the noise.

  “Yeah. You! You told me to go there…’’ he stops, looking at Joan before groaning. “Can I please have some other clothes? My dick can’t take anymore.’’

  “Here,’’ Joan snaps. Clucking her tongue she hands him a pile of clothes and scissors.

  What on earth is he going to do with scissors? I grab my wild, tangled hair and scrape it to the side, hoping he doesn’t have any ideas.

  When he starts cutting the tight top off himself, I giggle. Oh my Lord. Only one snip and the poor, strained material bursts right open. He really is confined and restricted in those clothes.

  “Don’t,’’ he warns, narrowing his eyes on me.

  “Ignore him,’’ Joan says. She clearly dismisses Max when she turns her back to him and it makes me want to giggle again. For such a tiny person she’s so full of energy and sass.

  “Why was he arrested?’’ I ask her, hoping I’m not to blame like Max is accusing. That would really suck.

  “He was caught jaywalking drunken and disorderly down the Galsby Road from Hawthorn Farm,’’ she tells me, looking back at Max in disappointment. “Now he’s trying to blame you for it.’’

  “It was her fault,’’ Max grunts, his voice sounding out of breath.

  “He’s blamed me?’’ I ask Joan, ignoring Max completely. “Why would Max jaywalking have anything to do with me? I’ve been here all night. I have been here all night, right? How did I get here last night?’’

  My mind begins to panic at all the various possibilities. Was I with Max? Is that why he’s saying this is my fault? I start to feel sick but it’s not from all the drink from last night. It’s from the fact I don’t remember anything about how I got home.

  “Maverick, ever the gentlemen, carried you home from the club. Apparently you passed out asleep in his arms.’’ Joan’s words soothe me instantly and I feel my shoulders sag with relief. Maverick is one person I’d trust with my life. Something about him draws you to him. Don’t get me wrong, he’s scary as hell because he’s so secretive and broody. But when you look in his eyes you can see the fierce love, and loyalty he has for his brothers and those closest to him.

  “What were you doing in his arms?’’ Max shouts outraged.

  “Bless him. Hope I wasn’t too much trouble for him,’’ I smile at Joan, hoping I remember to thank him when I next see him.

  “Not at all. I’ve also popped a few painkillers and a glass of water on the side,’’ she says. Her eyes flicker to the bedside table before coming back to me. “I see you haven’t taken them.’’

  “I didn’t see them,’’ I tell her, looking to the side to see them. I don’t waste time grabbing the two pills and downing them. The water feels cool and soothing down my dry throat. I feel like I’ve got a fur ball of Thor’s stuck down there it’s that dry and scratchy. “Thank you so much, Joan.’’ My throat clogs up at her thoughtfulness. She’s taken care of me so much already and now this.

  “Oh, yes. Nearly there,’’ Max grunts, the sound off-putting. My eyes flicker over to him to see him struggling on the floor trying to do something with the jeans he’s got on.

  “Why are you wearing those clothes?’’ I ask again.

  He grunts. Narrowing his eyes on me he answers. “Because, it’s all they had at the police station. Whatever. The fucker was probably still pissed at me for throwing up on his shoes.’’

  “I’m not surprised. You were rude, Max. You… I don’t even know what to say to you.’’

  “How about; are you okay? Would you like me to get you some painkillers, my lovely, dearest, Max?’’

  Joan just stares at him before turning back to me. Instantly her expression softens. “It seems you’re not the only one with a hangover.’’

  “No shit. I am here,’’ Max grunts, still trying to pull the jeans off while trying to use the scissors at the same time. It’s an accident waiting to happen. I want to warn him to be careful but the way his eyes are narrowed on the jeans, and how much he’s pissed at me right now, I don’t think anything I say will be helpful.

  I’m just grateful Joan brought up a spare set of clothes for him. And for the fact he’s used his brain and used a towel to cover himself up for when his trousers do come off.

  “Why? Who else isn’t feeling good?’’ I ask her. As soon as it escapes my lips I regret asking. It’s pretty obvious we were all hammered last night except Harlow. Only due to the fact she didn’t drink. So unless someone is immune to alcohol, we should all be dying this morning, bar Harlow.

  “Denny’s the worst I’ve seen this morning. She came rushing over at a God awful hour, crying and screaming.’’

  “Really?’’ I ask. My eyes wide. The only thing stopping me from worrying is the fact Joan looks amused and not concerned. “What happened?’’

  “Could someone help? How the fuck do girls wear these things?’’ he mutters, sounding out of breath. “Is there a fucking technique I don’t know about?’’

  �
�She thought she cheated on Mason last night,’’ Joan answers, rolling her eyes. Why on earth would she get that crazy idea in her head?

  “What? Why?’’ I shriek, immediately covering my head in agony.

  “Keep it down. I’m suffering enough over here,’’ Max snaps, cursing.

  “She didn’t. She woke up wearing half of a hooker outfit. Her words, not mine,’’ Joan grins. “But she couldn’t remember what happened last night and Mason wasn’t there when she woke up. There were also other things that made her think it but none of what she said sounded logical. It didn’t even make sense,’’ Joan cackles. “It all got sorted out, thank heavens, when Mason came back with coffee and a McDonalds breakfast,’’ she waves off. Looking to Max when he makes a strangled noise in the back of his throat, she shakes her head in disappointment before turning her eyes to me.

  “So what happened?’’ I ask, dying to know. I’d rather be in bed asleep so I can sleep the whole hangover away, but this seems too good of a story to miss. I’m afraid if I don’t get the deets now I’ll forget all about it when I wake up.

  “I thought getting them over my ass was the hard part. It’s like they’re glued to my fucking legs,’’ Max growls frustrated. He’s been twisting and turning and making a racket on the floor trying to yank those trousers down for a while. When I look he’s only managed to get the jeans over his ass. You can see the slashes in the denim where he’s tried hacking away at it to no avail.

  Joan laughs and at first I think it’s because of Max. “Turned out Mason was the bloke she hooked up with. Neither can remember where she got the outfit from, though. Shame, I was going to see if they had it in my size.’’

  I giggle. I’m used to this side of Joan now and none of it surprises me anymore. I lift the blanket up to reveal my outfit and wonder if she’s talking about this exact outfit.

  “Was it white and orange?’’ I ask her.

  “No, black leather. She had the whole thing back on, covering it with a dressing gown, before running over here,’’ Joan cackles, the noise making my head spin.

  “Seriously, could you please help me?’’ Max groans from the floor.

  “So glad they sorted it. I honestly don’t remember much myself. When my friends used to tell me they never remembered the night before I always thought they were liars. But after last night, I’m proved wrong.’’ I shake my head, wishing I could recall some more of it. “Most of the night is pretty much a blur.’’

  “I’m glad you had fun, sweetie. I’ve been scrolling through Harlow’s videos and photos,’’ she giggles.

  “I don’t want to see them,’’ I groan, falling back onto the bed with a loud yawn.

  “I’ll leave you to it. Take some more of those pills in a few hours and get some rest. Do you want some breakfast before you sleep?’’

  “I could eat a full English,’’ Max answers, pausing at what he’s doing.

  “I’m fine,’’ I groan. “I can’t even think about food right now. It’s making me feel worse.’’

  “Okay. Get some rest,’’ she smiles and turns to leave but Max calls out her name, stopping her. “What?’’ she huffs.

  “Are you making me breakfast?’’ he asks, his eyes drooping half closed and giving her a Carter grin, full dimples and all.

  “No. I’m not happy with you right now and neither is your grandfather. You’re lucky I’m allowing you to be in this room. You’ve disturbed everyone’s morning enough already, you don’t need to disturb Lake’s too.’’

  “But it was Lake’s…’’

  “I don’t want to hear it,’’ she snaps but there’s no aggression behind it.

  I grin when she shuts the door behind her before turning to look at a stunned Max.

  “What?’’

  “How the hell do you do it?’’ he growls.

  “Huh?’’ I ask, looking at him confused.

  “You’re the reason I got arrested, yet you’re shitting golden eggs.’’

  “I am not. I don’t even know what happened last night,’’ I groan.

  Max stands up in a huff. “These are a fucking nightmare. I can’t even cut through them.’’ I watch him stand trying to yank them down but it doesn’t work. When he falls over to the floor, I begin to laugh.

  Feeling sorry for him I swing my legs off the edge of the bed and grab the ends of the jeans. Pulling with what little strength I have left, I get them loose enough for Max to get them off. He stands up with the towel still wrapped around his waist but as soon as he tries to pull his boxers up, it falls loose. I get a glimpse of his impressive dick before he covers it with his boxers. He pulls on a t-shirt covering his rock hard body and I feel slightly disappointed. The naughty dream I had about him last time floods through my mind and I remember the feel of his muscles beneath my fingertips. I also remember how good it felt when he was inside me. Not that I’d admit that to him.

  I must have been staring for a while because all of a sudden Max lets out a deep chuckle.

  “If I wasn’t so hungover and so pissed off with you right now, I’d be getting you on your knees with my dick deep in your throat. Or maybe I’ll fuck you on the dresser. You seem to have a thing for desks,’’ he rasps huskily.

  My eyes widen in shock. He couldn’t possibly know about my dream or where I fantasised having sex with him. In the dream we had sex in Maverick’s office. It was rough, it was fast, but mostly it was so fucking good.

  “Don’t look so innocent, you begged for it,’’ he winks and climbs over me to slide into bed.

  “What? We had sex? It was real?’’ I choke out.

  “My ego can’t take the hit right now. I already got arrested having the worst case of a shrivelled up dick because of spending the night in the freezing cold.’’

  “About that,’’ I begin, going back to him being naked. “Why were you there? And why is it my fault?’’

  “You really don’t remember?’’ he asks, looking into my eyes carefully. Most likely for any signs that I’m lying to him.

  “No, and how are you not so hungover? And how do you remember everything when I don’t?’’

  “Well, shit. Now I’m going to see if we can use Maverick’s office for twenty minutes to re-enact the best sex of my life,’’ he grins.

  I roll my eyes. “Only twenty minutes?’’ I tease.

  “Babe, I just said my ego was bruised. Now it’s fucking crushed.’’ He fakes hurt and I smile. We both turn to our sides so we’re facing each other.

  “So? How do you remember everything? And explain about the whole naked thing and why you weren’t near your clothes.’’

  “Because I only had one of Gavin’s fucking specialities. That stuff is fucking lethal. It seemed you girls were drinking it before we arrived.’’

  I remember the fruity drink I had last night. It was yummy and didn’t taste of alcohol so I drunk more than I normally would.

  “Okayyyy,’’ I nod, wanting him to continue.

  “Anyway, all this happened after we had the best sex ever and you told me some nonsense, but I’ll go into that when I’m not sporting the worst headache ever. We were dancing and I asked you out. You told me if I made your fantasy come true you would. So I did.’’

  “What was my fantasy?’’ I ask, unsure if he’s pulling my leg. I yawn, feeling really tired all of a sudden.

  “To fuck under the stars against a tree. I found the tree but you never arrived. You told me where to go, what to do, the lot. I could have woken up to being raped by an animal.’’

  I choke out a laugh. “You did not just say that.’’

  “I fucking did,’’ he growls. “I woke up to a fucking dog licking my face. It could have been my dick.’’

  “Oh my God, stop,’’ I laugh, holding my sides. The room still feels like it’s spinning and laughing isn’t helping the nauseous feeling in my stomach.

  “I must have thought I had gotten the wrong tree and moved on, leaving my clothes behind. I don’t remember. I was
too cold and fucking tired by that time. I won’t be surprised to find my junk on Facebook or Twitter. I had to walk down the main road,’’ he growls.

  I’m still laughing. I can’t help it. It’s fucking hysterical. If what he’s saying is true, and I did indeed say it, I can’t believe he followed through just to go out with me.

  “I can’t believe you did that,’’ I laugh.

  “Told you last night and I’ll tell you again since you’re having a case of amnesia; I’m not letting you go now. You’re mine.’’

  “Max,’’ I say softly but stop. It’s not that I don’t like him, I do. We’ve grown closer than I’ve ever been to anyone but he doesn’t know the real me. He doesn’t know what I did.

  “Nope. Not listening to your bullshit. You got me arrested. I had to face my granddad and tell him what happened and why I was buck naked. To make it worse, Malik and Mason went along for the ride and took loads of pictures of me.’’

  I laugh, putting away that timid bit of information so I can remember to get copies from Malik.

  “Now sleep. I woke up with bark and leaves in places they shouldn’t be and pains in places I never knew existed,’’ he growls.

  “Okay,’’ I giggle, rolling over so my back is to him. Not seconds after his arms wrap around me, pulling me snug against his chest.

  *** *** ***

  Waking up, my bladder screams in pain, needing to be relieved. It doesn’t help that I have a huge, muscled arm wrapped around my waist, pressing heavily down on my bladder.

  Not wanting to wake him I silently slide out from under him. He grunts when I’m free and rolls forward so he’s lying on his stomach, his arms curled around the pillow I’d be using.

  He looks different sleeping. I’ve thought this before. His lashes are ones girls would cry for: long, dark and brushing across his cheeks. His full lips make even myself envious. They’re full, plump and have a natural redness that beckons even the strongest of women to want to kiss them.

  He really is beautiful. Not that I’d ever tell him that. I’d never live it down. He’d never see it as a compliment either, just another hit to his massive ego.