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“This looks like toxic waste,” he grimaced and held up his hand. “I’m good. How about coffee and something safe? Do they have any saltines? Can you even ruin cheap, cardboard crackers?”
“Maaaaax,” she drawled in protest, smiling at him. “It’s not a five-star restaurant… but it’s edible. It’s a hospital, remember?”
“I don’t want to be admitted for food poisoning.”
“And you won’t be,” she smiled, nodding at him. He watched skeptically as she put a slice of limp pizza on the tray while looking at him – and he shook his head ‘No.’ That did not look appetizing at all to him, but he did pick up a plate with some pecan sandies-looking cookies. She selected a slice of pecan pie, getting them both a can of soda before moving to pay.
“Can we take this back to my room on the floor?” he asked the clerk and saw Daphne’s surprised expression.
“Yes, sir.”
“Perfect,” he hesitated and picked up a slice of chocolate cake that was squished on one corner from the Saran Wrap. “It might not be wedding cake, but it will do.”
“Aww,” Daphne teased warmly. “Look at you being all romantic…”
“That’s me,” he chuckled, blushing. “Incredibly romantic and sweet.”
“I like it.”
“I’m glad.”
“I guess those unattainable goals were met, huh…” Daphne joked evasively, looking almost nervous as she handed the woman her bank card. He leaned forward, whispering in her ear for her alone.
“Nah… it just changed slightly.”
“Oh?”
Instead of answering, Max just lifted her hair off her shoulder where he was leaning forward and hesitated before murmuring softly.
“A kiss was the first step…”
“To what?”
Max didn’t answer.
After all, he wasn’t sure how well it would be received. He wasn’t just looking for a quick score or a kiss, but he wanted this unexpected relationship to actually work between them. Yeah, he wasn’t going to be content with a kiss anymore.
He wanted Daphne’s heart.
That evening, Max tried to keep Daphne talking, wanting to know all about her. It dawned on him about halfway through a game of tic-tac-toe that this sudden meeting and marriage was soooo much better than getting any of those random pen pals that the guys fought over back in Ghazni.
She was his – it was just a matter of making her fall for him now. He knew Ortega wanted one of those pen pals so badly, but Max was always a little different. Sure, he once thought he wanted one just so someone out there was writing him or sending him goodies but that was it, and he knew it now. There was something special in winning over someone, the pursuit, which was why he was dead-set on charming Daphne.
Max wanted her towanthim.
“Sooooo,” he drawled pointedly as he drew an ‘X’ on the paper, blocking her move on the game. “You told me about your past and how you got your cosmetology license… but what about you,now? Present tense Daphne Collins.”
“What about me?” she chuckled, drawing an ‘O’ in another spot.
“Oh, you know,” he said evasively. “Likes, dislikes, little things that turn you on…” and gave her a look while trying not to laugh because it was so blatant of a question – and Daphne snorted in laughter, shaking her finger at him.
“Nice try, buster…” she replied and shook her head. “If I tell you, then what is the fun in that?”
“It’s fun for me,” he hedged hopefully. “There’s a whole lot less room for error while I’m trying to win you over.”
“Max…”
“Daphne…” he said dramatically and saw her roll her eyes. “You’re my wife. Why shouldn’t I know what you like? It’s a very valid question, and since we cut the dating down most efficiently, I thought we could do the same for the bedroom.”
