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"Remember where you are, Konnor," Blesk says softly.
"Right, that's enough testosterone-based bullshit," I hear a female voice say from behind me. I turn to see Blesk's best friend Elise approaching in a black fishtail gown, and my whole face lights up. I've only ever met her once, but she made an impression - the good kind. She is about my size - petite - and she has blue eyes and brown hair and mismatched nail polish.
Elise eyeballs Max. "I don't even know you, but you have trouble written all over your face." I nearly choke on a laugh. "And you." She points at Konnor. "This is a very important evening for you, so behave yourself appropriately." Then she is all smiles and weirdness when her eyes land on me. "Congratulations on the baby, Cassidy." She cuddles me hard. "Are you happy?"
We break our embrace, and I nod. Looking up at Max's weaved brows, I giggle. He is staring down at Elise like he has no idea how to handle her. Most people know him, so the fact that she doesn’t is hilarious. I doubt anyone would usually talk to him like that.
I glance back at her. "I am very happy."
She shrugs at Konnor. "Then why are you all cranky-pants about the baby? She's happy. And he" –she looks at Max again– "is kinda scary but hot. I think he's happy too; are you happy too?"
He clears his throat. "I need a drink."
I cover my giggle. "Weare very happy."
Max reaches for a waiter and pulls a beer off the serving tray before draining half the bottle. "Cassidy makes me happy," he states before grinning at her, that charming dimple setting into his masculine face. His mien is dangerous and sexy and smooth all at once. My heart expands at the sight of him trying to be sociable when I know he hates small talk.
She leans against me, muttering, "He's kinda intimidating. In like, a hot way. A scary way. Is he trouble? You can tell me."
"He's a right menace," I whisper through a silly smile. I touch Max's arm. "This is Elise, Blesk's best friend and-" My eyes are suddenly locked on Jaxon as he appears through the crowd with a glass of water in his hand. I jump up and down, squealing a little. "There's Jaxon." He is Konnor's best-friend. They play rugby together, and by the way Jaxon is tilting his chin at Max, I suppose they know each other too. Jaxon is built like Max but shorter, so he looks quite stocky. He passes Konnor the glass of water before moving behind Elise. Wrapping his arms around her middle, he rests his head on top of hers.
I grin so hard my cheeks ache. "Hi. You two are so cute. When did this happen?"
Jaxon chuckles. "She finally wore me down."
"Woreyoudown?" Elise drawls. "You have been waiting for me outside of my dorm every day since we met in casesomehow,between my room and the entrance to myfemale-onlydormitory, I get hurt or trip or fall into someone's arms. He basically stalked me. I really should have just called the police."
I giggle.
Jaxon grins at me. "Little C, hear you're in the family way. Congrats. And ah" –he looks up at Max– "you too, mate. Congrats."
"Thank you," Max says, feigning a casual demeanour, his stance loose and easy, convincingly so. His jaw is set tight though; it’s a small thing, but I notice it. I know that all this baby talk is grating on him, making him feel like someone is right in the middle of our business, riffling through it, having a say on it. And I imagine that it feels like fingernails scratching inside his brain because my lover is a private man who shares with only his family and me - and even then, I have to sweet talk it out of him.
After downing the rest of his beer, Max places his hand on my lower back and leans towards me. His lips meet my ear. "I'm serious, little one. Stop fucking jumping around or I'll do something to limit your movement."
I twist my head to meet him, a smile playing with a corner of my lips. "Like what?"
He lowers his voice further, adding a luscious growl to it that forces the air from me. "Likeput a ball up your pretty little arsehole so every time you jump, it bounces inside you."
My cheeks burn and I giggle nervously through the next sentence. "I kinda want to jump even more now."
We chat amongst ourselves, but Max seems to know a lot of other guests and they keep approaching us. He introduces me each time though, making me feel wonderful and at ease even with the constant flow of women wanting his attention and asking about our relationship with insincere interest.
"So Max Butcher does have a type then," one girl says, twisting her strawberry-blonde hair around her finger.
"My type is Cassidy Slater," Max replies, and I swoon.
At the sound of the announcer, we make our way over to our lavishly set circular tables. We eat three courses and talk, keeping things light even though the whole night is about something so heavy and personal, it's hard to concentrate. Thanks to Elise, there is never a dull moment or a lap in conversation.
Nearly everyone at our table appears to be keeping their beverage intake virginal, and I suppose it is out of respect for my recently reformed big brother. Max, though, has been enjoying his beers with enthusiasm.
Konnor has barely said a word, but he has been displaying that double dimpled smile all night. The one he often has around Blesk. I've been watching him intently, worrying about what this might be doing to him. Being here. I wonder if anyone knows who he is? If they do, they are all purposely leaving him alone.
Casually leaning back in his seat, Max drapes his arm across my chair, his fingers making little patterns on my neck and shoulder. Their course across my skin is claiming. Hot. Intense. They whisper a yearning. I feel a shiver rush through me. Turning, I catch him nailing me with a powerful stare. His touch no longer whispers but screams instead.
As my cheeks heat up, he brushes his knuckles down them. "You're blushing."
I glance across the table at Konnor but find him staring at his food, shuffling the pieces around, not conversing with anyone.
