Page 8 of Dangerous Obsession

MAXIM

Maxim took a seat on the modern sofa with a drink in his hand and felt a surge of fascination and interest in another man that he hadn’t experienced in far too long.

Not only interest in Cole and his reasons for coming to the spa before he’d blundered into Maxim’s private life, but intimate questions too. What was it like to survive cancer? How much had it changed him? What did he hope for now? What goals and dreams did he still cherish and want to accomplish?

Also, purely selfish questions. Was Cole straight or gay? Or was he bisexual, like Maxim?

He held those questions back. For now, at least.

Cole relaxed into the cushions of a matching sofa set at an angle to Maxim’s seat and sipped his wine. He’d taken off the wig earlier and laughed about it. The soft glow from the overhead lights seemed to shine in the golden stubble that remained on his head.

Jade was nearby. Maxim knew it. She’d eaten with them, of course, and she’d even seemed to thaw a little toward Cole during the meal.

Especially after Cole revealed that he’d served in the U.S.

military. She’d hit him with some probing questions only someone in the service would know, but he’d passed her tests.

That had put her at ease. A little. She’d even laughed at a few of Cole’s jokes.

Maxim smiled to himself. That was a lot better than having her kick him again.

Jade was one in a million. He didn’t deserve someone like her in his life. Maybe someday he’d finally get the chance to make things right. To change things back to the way they should be…

He shook those thoughts away and focused on his guest. He didn’t want to spend all evening mooning over Jade when his unexpected guest deserved his attention.

Besides, he knew that even if Jade had left them alone on the terrace after dinner, she remained ready to rush to his aid if there was danger.

Dimi had gone home after cooking the meal.

Now it was just the two of them in the terrace lights with the waves crashing on the rocks down below.

“The meal was great,” Cole said.

“Thank you. I’ll be sure to tell our cook. She’ll be happy to hear it.”

They’d had moussaka, and Dimi could make some of the best he’d ever tasted. Layered eggplant, spiced meat, and a creamy bechamel sauce, all in a baked casserole. Simple yet delicious.

“You don’t have much staff for someone who owns an entire island.”

“Ah, yes. Owning an island.” Max sipped his drink and wished this didn’t always come up eventually. “Truthfully, I didn’t own it to start with.”

“Isn’t that how it usually works?” There was a bit of mockery in Cole’s tone. “Rich men see what they want and buy it when it suits them?”

Max chuckled. “Fair enough.” This was a line of inquiry he would rather avoid. It was a delicate one. “The island had been in Jade’s family for many generations.”

Cole lowered his glass and tilted his head to one side. “She’s even more impressive than I thought. I wouldn’t have guessed her to be a rich heiress.”

“She’s not,” Maxim said bluntly.

Cole didn’t speak. He waited for an explanation. Maxim was sure Jade couldn’t hear them, but he wouldn’t betray her. It was a touchy subject. Still, Cole seemed to like her, even though she’d flattened him. Maybe that was why he seemed so intrigued. She was a very special woman.

Maxim would know. He’d lost his heart to her.

“Jade’s family owned the island once,” Maxim finally said. “I wanted to find someplace very private and secluded. It all worked out.” He waved his hand dismissively. That was enough. Especially without her in the conversation.

This was always the tricky part of his narrative when he talked with the rare guest or outsider.

How to pretend that he wasn’t hiding here on the island, making certain his all-too-effective AI program was kept out of the wrong hands.

Oh, and he’d been sick of the rat race and chaos of modern life.

But that almost went without saying these days.

“Well, it’s certainly secluded,” Cole said after a moment or two. “And you’ve got Jade with you. That must be rather satisfying.”

Maxim watched him. That was the second time Cole had made that type of comment. “You’re interested in her?”

“Who wouldn’t be? She’s stunning and fascinating.”

He couldn’t agree more, but he held his tongue. He didn’t intend to reveal how strong his love for her remained. He’d spent too much time crushing that love down because if he hadn’t, he would’ve lost her completely. Even a little of her in his life was enough. It had to be enough.

Cole leaned forward, his eyes shining in the light. “Are you two together?”

The bluntness of the question threw Maxim off step a little. He couldn’t fault the man for his curiosity. Maybe he believed he’d have a chance at Jade.

“We’re not together right now.”

“But you were.”

“Once.”

Cole sat back again, shaking his head before sipping his wine. “Sorry if I’m intruding.”

“Don’t let it trouble you. She is an extraordinary woman.”

“I agree.” He glanced at the house, at the balconies and terraces. “She’s keeping close, isn’t she? She doesn’t trust me.”

“It’s her job not to trust people. Don’t take it personally.”

“I won’t. The best thing about being bi? I can jump from women to men if the drama gets too intense.”

Ah. So there it was. The flag planted on top of the mountain, clear for all to see.

“She’s not one of those kinds of women,” Maxim said slowly. “She doesn’t enjoy drama.”

He wasn’t sure how he’d lost control of the conversation.

Cole was distracting in a way. He’d stirred up feelings that Maxim hadn’t experienced for another man in a long time.

Pinning him down earlier on the terrace had been…

interesting. He’d been thinking about it on and off throughout dinner.

How the other man’s powerful body had felt below his…

Like he’d said. Distracting.

But then Cole seemed to pull back. “You’re right. She’s clearly in a class by herself.” He grinned. “So tell me. How did you get involved in meditation?”

The conversation went on from there. Cole was clearly smart, but he also had a warm sense of humor and could laugh at himself.

That was always a good trait. They shared stories, and Cole did most of the talking.

He’d traveled the world extensively after getting out of the service.

His cancer diagnosis had only slowed him down, not stopped him.

It was quite late when Cole finally stood. “I’m pretty beat. I should head for bed.”

Maxim stood too. They were close together.

“I’ll show you to the guest room,” he said. But as he turned, Cole reached out and caught his arm.

Maxim glanced at him, his heart pounding. Cole leaned in to kiss him.

He could have drawn back. Stopped it.

He didn’t.

Cole’s mouth felt wonderful on his own, and for a moment, Maxim’s body took over and gave in. Without thinking, he kissed Cole back, deepening it, dialing up the intensity.

He groaned as he felt the power play between them. This was not the gentle yielding of a willing woman. This was the carefully banked power of a man, a rival. This was the bite of a male lover as they grappled for control in a passionate exchange of enjoyment and pleasure.

Pleasure. Maxim pulled him closer. Their tongues slid against each other as the kiss deepened even more. He could feel the other man’s arousal, the hard press of his cock straining against his clothing.

Absurdly, that made him think of Jade. Of how many desperate nights he’d spent hard for her, aching for her. Knowing he had to deny himself.

It was enough to cause him to pull back. He ended the kiss and stepped away, breathing faster.

And yet, when Maxim looked into Cole’s eyes, he saw the heat of interest and arousal there. Arousal that stirred his own desire even more.

Cole gave him a lopsided grin. “That was good. Now, don’t worry about me. I can get back to the guest room on my own.”

Maxim watched as his guest left the terrace, walking with confidence, his head held high as if he owned the world.

For the first time in forever, Maxim felt himself growing fascinated with someone other than Jade…

JADE

Jade had every right to keep an eye on Maxim and this unknown stranger who’d invaded their lives.

It was her job. She was his bodyguard. She was the woman tasked with keeping Maxim safe even when he was determined to do stupid shit like play host to a sneaky trespasser who was too handsome and charming for his own good.

Especially when Maxim was hiding something so valuable and dangerous from the world.

Dimi had long ago left for the small village near the health spa, so it was just the three of them.

Jade had chosen a place on the wall that functioned as the exterior barrier between the rocky native soil of Patroklos and the smooth white limestone of the villa, the gardens, and the marble terraces.

She was close enough to hear most of what was being said. She wasn’t spying. She was guarding.

But that kiss…

She should’ve been furious. She should’ve stormed in there and booted Cole off the terrace, maybe over the cliff. It would teach that conniving bastard to set his sights on her man.

But her jealousy was…strange. It was mixed with longing and even desire, arousal, need. It had been so long since she’d been touched like that. She ached for Max to kiss her like that again.

The deeply emotional tug that Jade felt in her chest was almost more than she could handle. She gripped the edge of the wall until it bit into her palm. But even that hum of pain did not make the sight of them go away. Or diminish its power.

The kissing grew hot and heavy. They grappled together, taking one another in an embrace that was as fierce as it was desperate.

Jade held back a groan as she watched their tongues tangle together in a heated exchange of power that left her wet between her legs and longing to join in.

Desire coursed through her veins, a feeling she could barely control.

Join in. That was insane. She didn’t trust Cole. She loved Maxim. If anything, she should kick Cole again.

And yet, she couldn’t deny the feeling, the arousal twisting and aching inside her.

Then Maxim broke away. The two men stood there, staring at each other like fighters in the arena. She clenched her thighs together even more tightly. The sight of them was turning her on so much, and it shouldn’t. She shouldn’t be this aroused seeing Maxim with someone else. That was crazy.

It didn’t help that she’d overheard his praise for her earlier. That had really started the warm feeling inside her chest. And now this, seeing Maxim clearly drawn to Cole but stepping back out of his embrace.

She knew it had to be for her. He denied himself something his body clearly wanted, all for her sake.

For her.

Cole said something about finding the guest room.

She was barely listening, but she watched him walk away.

Once he was back in the house, she headed for one of the side doors.

He might’ve looked hot as hell kissing Maxim.

She might be sopping wet after the whole scene.

But she didn’t trust him alone in the house.

Maybe tomorrow he’d leave. Or maybe he’d walk naked into the ocean like some Greek god who’d only appeared long enough to stir up trouble before vanishing again. And maybe doughnuts were a health food.

As she slipped into the house, she found Cole waiting for her near the door.

“You were watching.” Cole’s words were quiet but forceful. There was no question in the words, but no accusation either. It was a statement.

Why bother denying it? “I saw you kiss him.”

His low laugh made her belly tighten. She cursed him silently. Why was she attracted to him when every cell of her being told her that he shouldn’t be here? She loved Maxim. This man was a pretty distraction, a problem with an attractive face. And ass.

“He kisses well,” Cole said, his eyes blazing.

“I know. He does a lot of things well.” There. That was her return shot.

That seemed to please Cole even more. His eyes grew even more intense as he leaned toward her a little.

“He wants you ,” Cole said, his voice low and yet fierce. “But you know that.”

She didn’t say anything. What could she say? It was the truth.

“If you don’t use something, it goes to rust,” he warned.

She scowled at him, suddenly angry. “You have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“I don’t, huh?” His damned smile was so cocky. “I don’t want to compete with you.”

“You’re no competition for me.”

He laughed. It was irritating as hell how he seemed to enjoy when she was being a hardass to him. What was he? Some kind of sub?

No. Definitely not. She might’ve believed him weak this morning, but looking in his eyes had her thinking very differently now.

“You don’t understand,” he said. “I mean we can share him.”

“No.”

He was so close to her. Her nipples were hard, their tiny points reaching for him as though they could not resist. Her lips were parted. He leaned in slowly, his eyes never leaving hers. She tilted her head up to him, her breath catching.

Then she raised her hand and pointed her finger in his face. “Don’t even think about it.”

He stopped immediately and drew back. He didn’t seem offended. He didn’t even seem scared, which annoyed her. He seemed to accept her will and her warning, even though her body felt as if it were melting tonight, and she wanted so badly to feel another person’s touch.

But she wasn’t weak. She was in control.

“He wants you,” Cole said again as he stepped back, giving her space to breathe.

“You want him.” His grin widened even more, and the desire in his eyes was still undeniable.

“I want you both. There are ways to make all three of us happy.” He paused, watching her like a jaguar. “All three of us at once.”

She ground her teeth together. This bastard had no idea what was really going on. He didn’t understand anything. He needed to shut his face. “You should go back to the health spa tomorrow. First thing tomorrow morning. I’ll make sure it happens.”

Cole only nodded, his smile lingering. “Good night, Jade.”

He turned and headed into the guest bedroom.

She watched him leave. When she sensed someone behind her, she turned to see Maxim in the doorway, leaning against it with his hands in his pockets, watching her with an intensity she thought might set her body on fire.

But Maxim didn’t say a word. He walked past her and up the stairs to the master bedroom suite…where he slept alone.