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Hell, even now, his little man reacted at the sound of her voice.
You really have a death wish, Cock. There are so many women out there, so why the hell are you insistent on standing for the one that could chop you off without blinking twice?
He stopped in front of her. “Bose, Clinton, leave us,” he ordered while looking at her.
They nodded and bowed their heads before they walked out and closed it behind them.
Max and Tesiera stood in silence for a moment, the tension thick between them. She took a step towards him, her eyes blazing with defiance. “What?” She spoke with a mix of anger and curiosity. “Say what you’re going to say. I know you want to.”
“I’m a monster, right? I know that better than anybody, Doc. So, if you’re gonna give me a talk, you can save it for your patients.” Her words were sharp, her eyes locked onto his.
Max closed the distance between them until there was only a breath of air separating them. He leaned in, his voice low and gentle. “You did a good job today, Tesiera. Thank you,” he whispered into her ear, and then took a step back, watching her closely.
He was as surprised at his words as she was, but as he said them, he realized that he meant them. He continued, sincerity lacing his voice. “The doctor in me is appalled and uncomfortable about the things you did. But a different side of me—a bigger side—feels gratitude and satisfaction. I don’t know what that says about me, but that’s how I feel. I am indebted to you, Tesiera Anderson. You did what we couldn’t. You got us what we needed. Thank you.”
Her expression remained blank, but Max noticed some tension leaving her shoulders and her arms relaxing by her sides. She shrugged noncommittally. “You’re welcome.”
There was a white lie in that statement she made, after all. Max thought as he watched her. She did care about what he thought—no matter how little it might be. She gave a damn and that was all that mattered.
Did that mean that she was even half as attracted to him as he was to her?
Only one way to find out.
He covered the distance between them once again. Tesiera’s eyes met his, and he noticed her gaze lingering on his mouth.
It did something to him, made him hot inside. He couldn’t help but focus on her beautifully shaped lips, aching to taste them. “About last night…”
.
.
.
CHAPTER 25. THE BARBIE AND THE PRINCESS
“About what you said last night…” Max began, but he was interrupted by a knock at the door. A security personnel came through. “Sir, there’s someone out here looking for you.”
Max frowned, annoyed at the interruption. “They can wait. I don’t want to be disturbed—”
A high-pitched squeal interrupted him. “Honey, where are you!? I’m back in town and I miss you so much, baby!”
Max froze. He knew that voice all too well. It was Kamira McDonald, a twenty-seven-year-old supermodel with an unbearable attitude. He had dated her in the past, but their relationship had ended badly, and he had no interest in seeing her again.
Tesiera stepped back and blinked as if to clear an unfamiliar, persistent fog. When she looked up at him, it was her usual blank expression.
“I’ll take my leave now,” she said, inclining her head.
“Get our stuff ready. I’m already late for work.” He glanced at his watch. “We have to leave soon.”
Tesiera tilted her head in thought, but then she nodded again before walking out.
Kamira burst into the room, grinning widely like a Cheshire Cat, throwing her arms out to hug him.
Max caught her before she touched him and he pushed them down. “What are you doing here, Mira?”
Her grin turned into a pout. “Aren’t you happy to see me, honey?”
He was decidedly not happy to see her. Her presence grated on his nerves, and he wished she would stay away.