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“All you can do is keep telling her that. And as for Max…why don’t you go out with him? It’s been a month and he hasn’t given up. That means something.”
“It means he wants a conquest,” I huff.
“Oh, Aster. Max isn’t like that. I won’t say that he’s never been with a woman. But he has never chased one like he’s chasing you.”
“I know that you’ve never really dated except for the two guys you went out with that the studio fixed you up with. I know that you think there’s always some kind of alternative reason that someone would want to be with you. But I don’t think that’s the case. I’ve talked with Max. He’s really into you. A lot. Just give him a chance. I wouldn’t let anyone use you. You know I’ve got your back.”
I sigh and slump into the chair. “I’m scared, Fern,”I whisper. “I think I really like him. Which means I think he can really hurt me. And that scares the hell out of me.”
Fern stands up and comes around to hug me. “I’m gonna tell you something and I want you to listen good. I don’t think that Max will hurt you. I think it’s more likely that you can hurt him. I trust you not to though. Because I know the two of you and I had plans to fix you up with Max. I knew that you would be perfect for each other. Give yourself a chance. Go out with Max.”
“Fine.” I sigh into her shoulder. “I’ll go out with him. But if this doesn’t go well, I’m gonna smack you.”
She laughs and hugs me harder. “I promise it will go fine. But if it doesn’t, I’ll give you one good shot.”
“That’s all I can ask for.” I stand up, sigh and stretch my arms out. “I better get going. They’re finishing up the house today and handing it over to me.”
“Yay! Housewarming soon?”
“You know it!”
“Alright. Enjoy your new house. I can’t wait to see it.” She smirks. “Tell Max I said hello.”
Glaring at her, I stalk to the door. “Don’t push it, girlfriend.”
She throws back her dark head and roars with laughter. “I would never.”
“I’ll talk to you later. Love ya!”
“Love you, too! I’m so happy you’re here. And I can’t wait to be your sister-in-law.”
“Ugh! Behave. I’ll see you later.”
I walk out to my new jeep. I didn’t want a truck but Fern soon talked me into getting a four-wheel drive jeep.
I slide in and head back to my house. When I pull in, I’m just in time to see most of the crew saying good-bye to Max. Finn is the last one to go and I see him eyeing me and talking to Max. Max smacks him on the back and pushes him away.
“Get out of here, dude.”
Finn smiles as he walks by me and I swear I hear Max growling under his breath. My head pops up and I stare at him.
“Max?” I ask.
He runs his big hands through his dark hair. “It’s fine, princess. You ready to get your place back?”
Nodding, I chuckle. “I’m not sure what I’m going to do without a houseful of big, hunky guys.”
He stalks after me and backs me into the wall of the cabin. I can feel the chill from the logs on my backside and shiver.
“Max?” I whisper.
“Damn, you’re killing me. I’ve tried being good, Aster, but I’m really struggling. I need you.”
There’s a little kick in my belly at the hoarse, raspy need in his deep voice. It washes over me and sizzles along my nerves like lightning in a bottle.
He sounds like he’s in pain and it matches the hunger that I’m feeling.
“I came home to tell you that I’ll go out with you,” I blurt out.
