Max

by Tara Crescent

  “Yes,” I moan. Max is making every dirty fantasy of mine come true. With the bad boy talk, with the hard fucking, with the way his palm spanks my ass. “Yes, Max, yes.”

  “That’s my girl.” His fingers zero in on my clitoris once again. “I can’t,” I gasp out. “Too much.”

  “One more time,” he persuades. “I want to you to come with me.”

  Okay, I want that too. His strokes become wilder, more uneven. His control frays as he nears his release. His fingers coax my clitoris into another orgasm, and he times it perfectly. We both explode at the same instant, then he collapses limply at my side.

  “Amazing,” I gasp out.

  He turns his head toward me, a smile on his lips. “Right back at you,” he says. He releases my wrists from their confinement and presses soft kisses against my skin. “Sore?” he asks.

  I grin. “My wrists will be fine. My pussy, on the other hand? Well and truly fucked. I might never be able to move again.”

  His lips curve into a satisfied smile. “You’re good for my ego, Charlie Campbell,” he says. “That’s exactly what I want to hear.”

  * * *

  “Do you want to spend the night?” I ask after a little while. My eyes are beginning to shut. Max’s body is warm and infinitely huggable, and I don’t want him to leave.

  “Are you offering to share your bed with me, Campbell?” There’s a smile in his voice. “I’m honored.”

  “Just don’t hog the covers, Max, else you’re toast.”

  He grins at my threat. “Charlie, you’re all bark and no bite.” He kisses the back of my neck, and puts his arms around me. I wriggle into him, and the two of us lie in silence for a bit. “What are you doing this weekend?” he asks me after a few minutes.

  “Nothing in particular. I was planning to catch up on sleep.”

  “My sister’s having a barbeque. The entire Granger clan will be there. Want to come?”

  My pulse quickens. Max is inviting me to meet his family? What does that even mean?

  Then I realize something and my heart falls. Max doesn’t take women home to meet his family - I already know that. Sure, we’re sleeping together, but it’s just a casual thing. I’m being invited because I’m a friend. Nothing else.

  “Sure.” My throat feels tight. “That sounds like fun.”

  14

  Max

  I wake up tangled in Charlie’s body. A beam of sunlight falls on her golden hair, and she frowns before turning and burying her face in a pillow. My lips twitch. My baby’s not an elegant sleeper.

  There’s a warmth in my heart, a feeling of peace and contentment. I always thought that falling in love would be stormier and more tumultuous. Not so with Charlie. I’m in love with her, and it feels so right. Like coming home.

  She’s soft and warm in my arms. I nuzzle her neck and kiss her tender skin. Yeah, I’m cuddling and I don’t care. I told Abby that I don’t watch romantic movies, yet I invited Charlie over to watch Love Actually. I swore that I didn’t introduce women to my parents, but I’ve invited Charlie to Lily’s barbeque on Saturday. All that remains is a romantic weekend getaway.

  First though, I’ve got to tackle Annette Gorsky and her wedding cake. The initial consultation is today. Once I leave here, I’ve got a dozen different flavors of cake to bake as samples for Annette, her daughter and the bridesmaids to taste. Annette’s making a party out of it, for fuck’s sake. I’ve already been told to ensure there’s enough samples for a dozen people to taste. What a pain in the butt.

  Of course, Charlie’s day is going to be far more stressful than mine. Her client’s trial continues today. She’s going to forget to eat again. I make a mental note to have some food delivered to her at lunch.

  The alarm goes off, a shrill ring that slices through the early morning peace. Charlie squints open her eyes and finds me. “Hey,” she says softly. “Sleep well?”

  “I did. Did you?” I hold my breath, waiting for her answer. She’s told me she can never get enough rest when someone shares her bed. Did she sleep with me, or are we doomed for an early end?

  She blinks at my question. “I slept like a baby,” she says, sounding surprised. “How strange. Do you have magic powers, Max?”

  “Roll on top of me and I’ll show you,” I tell her with a wicked grin. She slept well in my arms. Yes!

  She looks again at her alarm clock, then her lips lift up in a smile. “How quick can you be?”

  I snort. “Quickness is not a virtue in bed, Charlie.”

  “It is now. Either you get me off in five minutes or less, or I get up to shower.”

  “Five minutes?” My voice is cocky. “Ah baby, you have enough time to come twice.”

  * * *

  Charlie:

  I’m still grinning when I get to work. Then I see Renee’s worried face, and I push thoughts of Max out of my head. Today’s about my client, and my focus needs to be on the upcoming courtroom battle.

  “I found the details about the video,” I whisper to her as we wait for Judge Tang to enter. “We’ve got this.” I cross my fingers as I speak, hoping I’m not lying and giving her false hope. The transcript I found was definite proof that the DA’s office is playing fast and loose with rules concerning evidence. But Judge Tang is an unknown, and I can’t predict how she’s going to act.

  “All rise.” There’s a rustle of sound as the entire room gets to its feet. Judge Tang walks in and takes her seat. I stay standing, my heart in my throat. My palms feel sweaty, and I discreetly wipe them against my skirt. The judge notices and gives me a searching look. “Yes Counsellor? If this is about a continuance, I’m not going to grant one.”

  “It isn’t, Your Honor.” I keep my voice even, though butterflies rattle at my insides. I can’t tell if she’s business-like or hostile. “Permission to approach the bench?”

  She nods, and I pull out the sheet of paper that is going to serve as the cornerstone of my efforts to get this case dismissed. “Your Honor,” I say quietly, as I walk up. “This transcript was part of the evidence the DA’s office dumped on me less than a week ago. As you can see, it confirms the existence of a video of the incident filmed by the bystander.”

  The judge holds up her hand. “Let me read this.”

  I bite my tongue and shut up. The needle’s swinging toward hostile, and for the sake of my client and my career, I need to keep my temper under control. I remember the tightness in Max’s shoulders as his old boss walked up to him at the farmer’s market, but mindful of the fact that we’d all been in a public place, he’d stayed calm. I need to do the same thing.

  The judge scans the document quickly, then her lips compress. She lifts her head up and fixes Nolan Thomas with a glare. “Counsellor,” she snaps, “approach the bench.”

  A whisper of relief trickles through me. She’s mad at him. This is good. Really good.

  Nolan’s face is blank as he nears, but a tic’s jumping in his neck. Yup - he’s nervous. About fucking time. Nolan Thomas has been skirting the rules for a while now. If there’s any justice in the world, he’s about to get his ass handed to him right now by the diminutive and fiery Grace Tang.

  “Explain this document to me, Counsellor.” The judge’s voice is steely.

  Nolan reads the paper, his face turning pale. His gaze darts back from the judge to me, to Renee, to the parents of the teenage bully. “It appears to be a transcript of some sort, Your Honor,” he says finally, rubbing the back of his neck. “I believe it was provided to the defense along with other pieces of evidence.”

  “He buried it among five boxes of paperwork,” I bite out, goaded by Nolan’s attempt to deflect this. “This is a highly exculpatory piece of evidence, and the defense should have been provided a copy of the video, not just a transcript.”

  “I agree with Ms. Campbell.” Judge Tag’s voice is icy. “I’m afraid I’m having a difficult time seeing this lapse as anything other than deliberate.”

  Nolan whitens further. On Monday, he
was all smirks as the judge denied my request for a continuance. Today’s a very different picture. “I’ll be having a prolonged conversation with the District Attorney’s office about ethics,” she continues. “In the meanwhile, I order the District Attorney’s office to release a copy of the video, as well as any other information that’s relevant to this case to the defense. Trial will resume in two weeks. Is that enough of a continuance, Ms. Campbell?”

  I have to bite the inside of my lip to keep from smirking at Nolan Thomas’ crestfallen expression. “Yes, Your Honor. Thank you.”

  I’m pretty damn certain that once I view the video, Nolan’s going to be pushing for a plea deal. Walking back to my chair, I give Renee a discreet thumbs-up. If I play my cards right, this case is never going to go to trial.

  I can’t wait to tell Max.

  15

  Max

  Oh god. Confronted with a room filled with spoiled, giggling women, I’ve never appreciated Charlie more.

  For a woman getting married in less than six months, Natasha Gorsky is fucking handsy. Before I met Charlie, I’d have tolerated the constant innuendo, the touching and the accidental brushes against my body with good humor. Now, I just feel dirty. I’ve a girlfriend, and you have a fiancé, lady, I want to say.

  But the deposit on this order will buy a lot of necessary equipment. I need baking trays, cooling racks, and so much more. Better signage for the farmer’s market stall will help more customers find me. A six-location chain approached me the other day about supplying their stores, but if I’m going to bid for the contract, I’ll need to find a larger space to cook in. And everything costs money…

  A hand pinches my ass, and I grit my teeth. This is Natasha’s maid of honor, and she’s clearly had one too many mimosas. “Max’s buns,” she slurs. “Very nice.”

  Fine, I brought that one on myself with the tongue-in-cheek business name. “Thanks.” I give her a pleasant smile. “Can I interest you in another slice of cake?”

  “You can interest me in one.” Annette Gorsky, the mother of the bride, steps in front of me, giving the tipsy woman a quelling look. “How are you, Max?”

  I haven’t had much of a chance to chat with her. She wasn’t around when I arrived, and only made an entrance once the party was in full swing. “Hello, Mrs. Gorsky.” Smiling in greeting, I hand her a slice of an almond cake on a white porcelain plate. “I seem to remember you being partial to this one.”

  Her smile warms. “I’ve missed your baking, Max. The Waterfall Inn’s current pastry chef is no match for you. So, how’s the new venture?”

  “Busy.”

  “That’s good.” She eats a spoonful and her eyes close in bliss. Ms. Gorsky is a woman who likes her desserts. “This simply must be one of the layers, Max.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” I don’t know whether Mama Gorsky or Grabby Gorsky is footing the bill, but I like the older woman, if only because she hasn’t tried to grab my ass.

  “George Pascal implied your business was failing,” she continues, her eyes shrewd.

  I roll my eyes. “George’s just in a snit because I left.”

  “Yes,” she nods, her voice wry, “I assumed it was something like that. Still, every new business needs a helping hand, right? My friend Babs is having a surprise retirement party for her husband and needs a cake in a hurry.” She hands me a business card. “I’ve recommended you. Give her a call.”

  I’m a baker. I bake bread and muffins and cake. Cake decorating isn’t exactly something I’m good at, but at the same time, the extra money will definitely help. While I’m good financially in summer because of the extra income from the farmers’ markets, when winter comes, I’m going to be scrambling for a replacement source of income. This kind of gig - wedding cakes, retirement cakes, party cakes - it pays the bills year round.

  “Thank you, Mrs. Gorsky.” I take the card from her. “I appreciate the referral.”

  * * *

  It’s close to lunch by the time I’m done. The instant I leave the Gorsky estate, I dial Charlie. “Hey,” I greet her, my tone soft. “How was this morning?”

  “Oh my god, Max, it was amazing!” There’s barely concealed glee in her voice. “You should have heard Judge Tang chew out Nolan. It was like Christmas came early.”

  The sound of her voice makes me smile. “Can you take time for lunch if I drop by?” I ask her. “I’m on the road already.”

  “I’ll have to share you with my friend Debbie.”

  “Whoa.”

  Her bright peal of laughter fills the receiver. “I meant you’ll have to eat lunch with the two of us, Max.” Her tone is amused. “Admit it, you pictured me making out with some chick, didn’t you?”

  “Totally did.” I can’t lie to her. “As long as your friend Debbie doesn’t pinch my ass, I’d love to meet her.”

  She laughs again. “The party at Lawrence Park?” she asks. “Poor Max. I’ll make it up to you tonight.”

  My cock hardens at the promise in her voice and a silly grin covers my face. I’m crazy about this girl.

  16

  Charlie

  I thought I was nervous on Wednesday in the courtroom with Judge Tang.

  That’s nothing compared to the way I feel right now, as Max and I drive to his sister’s house in the suburbs on Saturday afternoon. Meeting Max’s family? My stomach is churning, and I’m convinced I’m going to throw up all over Max’s van.

  Another thing that’s making me crazy? We’ve had sex precisely three times. Actually, that’s not true. Each night Max and I have spent together, sex has happened multiple times. But if I’m counting nights - and I can’t stop myself counting - Max and I are going to break up sometime in the next few days.

  A thousand times, I’ve urged myself to be bold. To just ask Max where we stand. But I quail away from the honesty. I was vulnerable once with Dominic, and he ran away. I’m too terrified to open myself up again. Max is far more important to me than Dominic ever was. He’s the first person I think of when I wake up, and the last person in my thoughts before I fall asleep. Every day, his texts make me smile and the small caring things he does makes my heart melt. He’s brought me pink roses because I told him they’re my favorite flower. He’s dropped off groceries at my door because he knows I don’t think about stocking my refrigerator until it’s completely empty. When we met at Joe’s bar on Friday night, he already had my drink waiting for me, and he’d ordered my favorite meal - Joe’s burger and fries with extra mushrooms - so that it would be ready for me the moment I walked in.

  And each night, when I fall asleep in his arms, I sleep the deepest, most restful sleep.

  Apart from the fact that he doesn’t commit, he’s utterly perfect.

  You don’t commit either, remember? But the words feel hollow and untrue. I’m in love with Max. I’m crazy about him. I could see a future with him.

  It’s not fair to Max that you suddenly have feelings for him, Charlie. We’re keeping things low-drama, remember? Simple. Casual.

  “You’re really quiet.” Max’s voice cuts in on my thoughts, and his hand covers mine. “Is everything okay?”

  I’m panicking at the idea of losing you, Max.

  “I’m fine,” I mutter.

  He gives me a sidelong look. “Good.” He tucks a strand of my hair behind my ear. “You look beautiful.”

  “I’m wearing jeans and a t-shirt.”

  “Jeans that make your butt look amazing.” His gaze heats. “One of these days, I’m going to fuck you in the ass, Charlie.”

  My skin tingles in awareness. My mind registers that he’s talking about sex, and I allow myself to relax very slightly. Maybe I’m wrong. Maybe we aren’t breaking up after all.

  * * *

  Max:

  Lily always makes enough food to feed an army, so I don’t bother to let her know I’m bringing Charlie. When we get there, she’s slicing up some vegetables for a salad. “Max,” she greets me without turning around, “can you corral the twins and ge
t them to come inside for a minute?”

  I grin. Lily’s twins, Madison and Morgan are six, and they’re a handful. Right now, they’re probably stuffing their faces with burgers in the backyard. “Will do. Lil, stop what you are doing for a second and meet Charlie.”

  She turns around, and her eyebrows rise in surprise when she sees Charlie at my side. “Hi.” Her smile is tentative. “I’m Lily.”

  “I’m Charlie. Max didn’t tell you I was coming, did he?” Charlie’s voice is rueful.

  Lily shakes her head with a grin. “Nope.”

  “You always have plenty of food,” I state in my defense. “I brought dessert, by the way. The parents here yet?”

  “No, Mom called. She had some kind of potato salad crisis. She said she’ll be here in fifteen minutes.”

  Yeah, that sounds like my mom. I turn to Charlie. “Want to go meet the hellion twins and Lily’s long suffering husband Bill?”

  Lily swats my upper arm in ire. “Long suffering my ass. Charlie, will you do me a favor? Could you take this salad out?”

  “That’s my sister,” I quip. “She’ll make everyone work for their meal.”

  This time, Charlie swats my arm before grinning conspiratorially at Lily. “Sure thing.”

  An hour later, things are in full swing. The twins are running around, amped up on sugar. My mom is chatting amiably with Bill, and my dad’s in deep conversation with Charlie about politics. I sip at my beer and watch the scene, feeling oddly sentimental. I never really thought I’d bring a girl home to meet my family, but this just feels nice. Charlie belongs.

  “I like your friend.” Lily’s voice cuts in.