Page 9 of Tide and Seek

I smiled.“You’ll get there, Pinocchio.You just have to believe.”

His lips twitched.“I think you’re getting Pinocchio and Peter Pan all twisted up.”

I kissed him softly.“How about we get all twisted up?”

“Sounds like a great idea, Tinker Bell.”He opened his mouth to my tongue, and the kiss deepened.

After a few seconds, I whispered against his lips, “We should get naked.”

“I like the way you think.”He reached for my belt buckle, and when the doorbell rang downstairs, we both groaned.

“You expecting someone?”I wanted to be a good sport, but I was frustrated as hell that someone was interrupting us.I was feeling uncharacteristically insecure having Maxwell’s wealth shoved in my face.I really wanted to feel connected to the Max I knew and loved.

But apparently, that’s going to have to wait.

“I have no idea who it could be,” he grumbled.“I didn’t tell anyone I was coming back to LA.”

The doorbell rang again several times.Whoever it was, they weren’t going away.

“They definitely don’t like being ignored,” I murmured, redoing my belt.

“I’ve been back in LA five minutes, and I’m already sick of people.”He scowled, running a hand through his hair.

“We should probably answer it.Maybe it’s the security company checking up on things?”

“They let some hooligan break into my house, but when it comes to cockblocking me they’re here instantly.Unbelievable.”He turned and strode out of the room and down the stairs.

I followed more slowly, willing my dick to go down.

When we reached the front door, Max called out, “Who is it?”

There was a short silence, and then a deep male voice asked, “Maxwell?Is that really you?”

Max frowned.“James?”Without another word, he opened the door.

On the front stoop stood a tall, handsome man of about forty with dark hair and eyes.He was dressed in a pricey-looking suit with a red tie.When he saw Max, his face lit up like a kid on Christmas morning.

“Maxwell, it is you,” he cried, lunging forward and engulfing my startled boyfriend in a passionate hug.

Chapter Three

Maxwell

I was stunned when James hugged me.Not only was it unusually enthusiastic for him, but it was awkward with Royce standing right behind me.I didn’t hug him back.In fact, I politely disentangled myself from his arms.I didn’t want to be rude, but James and I hadn’t seen each other in over a year, and most importantly, I wasn’t a hugger.

James’s face was flushed as he stared at me.“I can’t believe it’s really you.You’ve been gone so long, I worried you’d never come back.”His eyes flicked to Royce as he suddenly realized there was someone else in the house.He blinked in confusion.“Oh, you have a friend with you.”

Royce stepped forward and held out his hand.“I’m Royce.”

“Uh… hello.James Harper.”They shook hands and while James’s expression was polite, his mouth was tight.

“Nice to meet you, James.”Royce’s voice was congenial.

I was grateful that Royce simply rolled with the awkward situation.And it truly was awkward.I’d barely been in LA half a day and already my boyfriend was face to face with one of my ex-lovers?Sometimes it seemed the universe really did like to screw with me.

“What are you doing here, James?”I asked, but then realized I sounded unwelcoming.“I mean, it’s great to see you, of course.How… how’ve you been?”

If James was offended, he didn’t let on.“I’ve been well.I rushed over when I saw the lights.You know, after the trouble from the other night I thought I should investigate.I had no idea it would be you.”