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Hell. Max hoped they never did. Even though he knew exactly what Kade was talking about, he asked innocently, “What?”
“The disgustingly in love stuff. It’s getting nauseating,” Kade answered in a disgruntled voice.
Max looked up as Mia entered the room, looking gorgeous in a sexy red dress that made his cock instantly hard. “Mia’s ready. We’re out of here. We need to get to a charity function. Thanks for helping me out. I’ll have what I’ve got sent over to you,” Max told Kade absently, reaching out to disconnect the call.
Coming to his feet, Max brushed the arms of his tux, never taking his eyes off his wife as he met her in the middle of the room.
The last month had been a time of exploration and discovery for them. Every day he thought there was no way he could love his wife any more than he already did. But every single day, he tumbled just a little deeper in love with the incredible woman standing in front of him, a woman who had bared her soul to him over the last month, and allowing him to do the same. They were close in a way they had never been before, sharing the joy and the gut-wrenching emotion of a love so strong it was almost terrifying. Almost…but not quite. The ecstasy was definitely worth a little fear. For him, Mia was worth everything.
“You look beautiful.” He knew the words were inadequate. She looked amazing. The red silk cocktail dress flirted with her knees, the material hugging her curves intriguingly.
“You’re looking pretty gorgeous yourself, Mr. Hamilton,” Mia said flirtatiously, straightening the bow tie of his tux. “Are we ready?”
“Whenever you are, sweetheart. Are you sure you’re okay with this? I know you aren’t particularly fond of these events. But if somebody irritates you, tell them exactly what you think.” Honestly, Max didn’t think his wife had much of a problem doing that anymore.
Max knew that Mia only agreed to go with him to these types of events because he had to go, but she attended with him anyway. He was grateful that she stayed at his side, but he didn’t want her to continue doing something she didn’t like to do to please him.
“I’m fine with it. It’s something you need to do and I want to be with you,” she told him calmly. “I’m ready,” she said suggestively, turning toward the door.
Max’s jaw dropped as he saw the back of her dress. Or rather, when he saw that her dress pretty much had no back. The front of the dress was deceivingly demure, but the back was completely unacceptable. “You aren’t wearing that?” Max said, but it was a question rather than a statement.
“You don’t like it?” she questioned innocently, winking at him cheekily.
Hell yes…he liked it. Every male within viewing distance would love it. The back dipped down to the top of her ass, showing an abundance of smooth, creamy skin. “I love it. And so will every other guy at the ball. I’ll end up in a brawl by the end of the night,” he grumbled, but his mouth was dry and his breath caught as he watched the silk sway temptingly near the curve of her ass.
“I don’t care about any other guy. I only care what you think,” she told him bluntly.
Max moved forward slowly, staring at the expanse of exposed skin on her back with a covetous, possessive look.
She’s mine. She always has been and always will be.
“How exactly do you wear undergarments with that?” he asked in a husky voice, pretty certain he didn’t want to know the answer.
“It’s a little tricky. Honestly…I can’t. They don’t work with this dress,” she replied nonchalantly as she headed for the door.
I was afraid she was going to say that.
Max caught up to her at the door, his hand moving to the back of the dress, nudging it gently aside. It only took a little nudge to expose her tattoo. “Damn. You know what that does to me.”
“I know. But it’s covered,” she reasoned.
It didn’t matter to Max. He still knew it was there, and he was looking at it right now. “You remember what I said,” he rumbled in a warning voice.
“I do,” Mia said, turning to shoot him afuck-mesmile.
She was reeling him in, and she had him: hook, line, and sinker. “I’m a man of my word,” he told her dangerously. “And we’ll be late for the ball.” Not that he cared. His balls were blue, and who the hell would really miss him anyway?
“It won’t exactly be the first time.” Mia turned and put her arms around his neck.
Max was a goner, but he didn’t even try to hide it. He scooped her into his arms and kissed her as he carried her to their bedroom, Mia’s laughter echoing throughout their huge home, a home that was now completely filled with love.
They weren’t late for the ball; they never even went.
Max sent an apology the next day, but it was just a formality, a note claiming something urgent had come up. Really, he wasn’t actually sorry at all, and the excuse wasn’t exactly a lie. But he couldn’t tell the whole truth…that they had never made it out of the house that night all because of a silky red dress, a sexy tattoo, and a certain something that really had urgently come up!
~ The End ~
The Billionaire’s Game