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“Thanks, Mom.” I glance over her shoulder at Max, who is hugging my dad, his face blissful. I love the relationship they’ve developed. He treats Max like his son and best friend, which warms my heart. And provides Max with the type of familial love and belonging he’s craved for… well, probably most of his life, except for the love he received from his grandparents.
He laughs at something my dad says, clapping him on the back, a huge smile on his face as his eyes lock with mine.
Even from across a room, Max’s searing gaze fills my heart and soul with unconditional love. He looks at me like I’m the only woman he sees, even when we are at a crowded party with ladies far more beautiful than I am. But he never wavers from me. His loyalty is unmatched.
Vanessa slips away from Darin’s embrace, throwing her arms around me. Her excitement knocks me backward, both of us tumbling against the wall. We laugh long and hard, having experienced random hugs like that from one another since our freshmen year of college. “Just like old times,” she whispers, tears springing to her eyes. “Happy birthday, best bitch forever.”
I squeeze her tighter, laughing at the nickname, memories of the first time she called me that flowing through my head. “At least you aren’t drunk and trying to grope me this time,” I joke.
She squeezes my ass before I can react. As I jump and squeal, she grabs my boobs, one eyebrow raised. “I may not be drunk yet, but the groping...” Her eyes twinkle as she looks at Max. “You are a lucky man, Max. She has really nice tits and ass. Every man’s fantasy.”
I smack her arm, laughing. “Vanessa! My parents are here.”
She shrugs as everyone laughs.
“We are used to it, kitten,” my dad says. “And I think Max is lucky for the total package he’s getting.” My dad gives me a wink as my eyes move from him, locking on Max.
“Hell, yes.” He moves across the room, hating to be away from me for too long.
Like a magnet, I gravitate to him, my hands sliding up his chest, then locking behind his neck as soon as I’m close enough to touch him.
“She is perfection,” he says to everyone in the room, but his baby blues are locked on me. “I’m the luckiest man on this planet.” He gives me a chaste kiss, knowing the harassment he’ll get if he kisses me longer, especially after he made everyone wait to see me.
“What was the magic word?” I ask, remembering Darin complaining that Max was supposed to say one to let Vanessa and him know when to jump out and surprise me.
Max’s grin widens. “Chocolate cake. Since you love all things chocolate.”
“I never would have guessed anything was amiss, since that word is a daily part of my vocabulary.”
Darin hovers near us, his eyes on the plate of food I abandoned. “Can we eat now? I’m starving and Max is one helluva chef.” He tugs on a lock of my blonde hair. “I almost made him my wife so he could cook for me.” He gives me a wide grin and a wink, making all of us laugh.
Max snorts. “He tried to pay me to be his chef, but when that failed, the asshole offered to marry me.” He shakes his head. “He even held out a lock nut in his motorcycle shop and tried to slip it on my finger.”
Darin shrugs. “I figured I needed to give you something for you to say yes.” His eyes move to me, then Vanessa. “Don’t worry, ladies. We would have had an open marriage.”
As we all laugh hysterically at them, Darin is the first to regain control over the room. “So seriously… can we eat?”
Pulling from Max’s embrace, I put my hands on my hips. “And here I thought you were going to wish me a happy birthday?” I pretend to pout as Darin groans.
“Oh, I hate it when you and Vanessa pout.” He leans forward, kissing my cheek. “Happy birthday, sis. Even though technically Max and I aren’t brothers, I love him like one. Which means you are my sister since you are marrying him.”
I squeeze Darin’s bicep. “Thank you. I’m thrilled to have you as my brother.” I kiss him on the cheek as Darin puts his hands in their air in mock surrender.
“I’m not touching her. I swear, Devlin.”
Max’s arm wraps around my waist, pulling me against his side. “Thank God for you. Otherwise, I’d have to beat your ass.” He grins at Darin, then kisses me on the cheek. “Let’s get you seated, then I can serve everyone.”
As he guides me forward, I begin to protest. “But Max, I was going to help—” My words die in the air as his brows lower and he glowers at me. “Or I’ll just sit on my ass and let you handle it,” I finish with a grin.
His eyebrows relax and a soft smile spreads over his face. “That’s what I’m talking about, babe.” He pulls the chair out and once I’m settled, pushes me in. “Your job is to relax and enjoy the night, gorgeous.” His lips move to my ear. “That includes the bedroom later. Or wherever else I decide to take you.” He leans over my chair, his fingers lightly brushing my arm. His warm breaths tickle my skin, making me squirm. Kissing my cheek, he gives everyone else a calm, serene smile, then says, “I’ll be back with your food.”
As he walks out of the dining room, he tosses me a look over his shoulder that practically causes my panties to incinerate.
Jesus, I can’t get enough of him.
Though we’d already spent all morning and part of the afternoon having sex, my panties are wet from my desire.
Gripping my fork tightly, I smile at my family and friends, pretending to pay attention to the conversation flowing around me. And though I join in with comments and jokes of my own, the second Max appears in the dining room, plates in hand, every inch of my body is aware of him, and only him. He winks at me as he serves my parents their dinner, causing Darin to groan and put his head in his hands, mumbling about being tortured. I laugh, but it’s mechanical. The way Max’s eyes lock with mine, he knows exactly what I’m thinking. And how badly I want to climb him like a tree.
