Page 58 of All the Forbidden Things

“I’m not sure that’s how it works, sweetheart. But hey, if you say so . . .”

“So, how are the kids?”

“They’re actually doing okay. Carmen has taken them to a friend’s house in Lake Sherwood and has someone home schooling them. I’ve been off for coupla days, but I’m heading back tomorrow.”

“That’s good, and I’m happy you got to keep your job.”

“You could’ve kept yours too. The kids and Carmen miss you; we all do . . . especially me.”

“Staying wasn’t an option.”

“Not even for me? For us?”

“Drew . . .” I fidget uncomfortably in my chair as I huff out his name. From the slight slur of his words, I think he might’ve been drinking. I want to get up and find somewhere private to have this conversation now that he’s taken it in a direction I wasn’t expecting, but Max’s amber-coloured eyes are scorching a path across the table and heating my skin. It’ll be blatantly obvious I don’t want him listening if I move.

Whydon’tI want him hearing this? I’ve nothing to hide.

“I thought maybe you might’ve stayed, found someone else to work for, and given us a go.”

“I need my family around me right now, and I’d been thinking of coming home anyway, even before everything happened.”

I hear him let out a long slow breath as I watch Max lean back in his chair, one arm slung across his chest, a glass of brandy being held in his opposite hand.

I take in the hand holding his glass, the fine, dark hairs on the back of his long fingers, and my pelvic floor involuntarily pulls tight when he taps his middle finger on the glass. I swallow and lick my lips. My eyes then roam up his inked forearms, across the black T-shirt covering his chest, his beard, his full lips, finally resting back on those expressive eyes of his, which are still on me.

The merest hint of a smile lifts the right corner of his mouth, but at the same time, his dark brows are drawn down into a frown. The whole combination leaves my brain scattered, and I let out a noise resembling something between a sigh and a groan.

Bloody man.

“Billie?”

“Ugh, sorry.”

I totally missed whatever Drew said, and I watch Max’s chest and shoulders move in a silent chuckle.

Fucker!

I raise my brows and glare at him. His smile intensifies, and I shake my head as my heart and belly go into free fall. My vagina has suddenly developed a mind and a pulse all of its very own. A pulse that’s beating loud and strong right now, making it known that it’s very much alive and in need of attention.

The Max Young kind of attention.

“Listen, Drew, I’m having dinner with the family right now and need to go, but could you tell them I’d love to hear from them and maybe see some pictures of what they’re up to? And please, give them all my love.”

“That include me? You sending some of that love my way?”

With the slur in Drew’s speech now apparent, it’s obvious he’s been drinking.

I decide to shut things down. “Of course. Gotta go, Drew. Thanks for calling me. Speak soon.” I press to end the call and put my phone back down on the table.

Max’s smile turns into a cocky grin, his posture totally relaxed, composed, and oh so fucking hot as he sits draped in his kitchen chair.

He tilts his chin my way and asks. “So, Bamm, you gonna move in and come help me look after my baby girl?”

Good job I’m sitting down because the room and my whole world both turn sideways.

Max

No.