Chapter Fifteen

Max

“That went well,” I said once we got into my car. After her father’s behavior, Jade didn’t want to stay, but I hated leaving with a canyon of tension between them.

“I’m sorry.” She paused long enough for me to cut my focus to her and away from the road. “I knew he wouldn’t be happy, but I didn’t expect him to be that angry.”

“He was just caught off guard. Give him time.”

“I’m not sure time will help,” she said.

A part of me worried she was right, especially once he learned I was having another child with another woman in another state. I would’ve liked to comfort her, tell her things would be fine, but I couldn’t bring myself to lie.

I meant it when I said I didn’t regret our night together. If it were someone else, I wasn’t sure I’d feel the same. But even before our visit with her family, I knew Jade wasn’t promiscuous, and since that night, I often wondered what made her sleep with me.

Deciding to take advantage of our somewhat lengthy drive home, I went for it. “Can I ask you a question?” Shadows from the streetlights played across her face as she nodded. “What made you take me home that night?”

I waited out her silence until she said, “Honestly? Amy.”

Couldn’t say I was surprised. “Was it a dare?”

“No. More like a reminder that I was…” A resigned sigh came before she continued. “Boring.”

“You’re not boring.” It was the goddamn truth. This woman intrigued me more than anyone ever had. And while our union may have started because of a challenge from Amy and Brad, even that night I knew it was more than just sex. And shortly after, I hoped it would lead to more down the road. “But I get it. Brad, knowing I had eyes on you, rigged the contest so I’d be your partner.”

An unexpected laugh came, and hearing it caused my own chuckle. “Well, I guess our kismet came disguised as a pushy best friend and meddlesome brother.”

“Seems we owe them,” I admitted, and cutting my focus away from the road, I met her gaze with a wink.

Somehow, she managed to get under my skin. Weeks ago, I wasn’t looking for a girlfriend, and I certainly didn’t need to complicate my life more than it already was. That argument seemed to fall on deaf ears within my heart when it came to Jade. Then there was the tiny issue of how she affected my libido, also known as the fucker between my legs, who had a constant hard-on for her.

After pulling in a long inhale, I shifted the conversation to safer ground. “What’s your middle name, Jade? Wait, let me guess.” I pretended to ponder a bit. “Garnet? Emerald?” She went to speak until I stopped her with a finger against her lips. “Onyx?”

“You’re hilarious,” she mumbled behind my finger. “I don’t have a middle name.”

“Good. Jade is a beautiful name; you don’t need another.”

When I took her hand, she relaxed and a bit behind her seat belt, shifting toward me. “Do you have a middle name?”

“Vincent.” Her grin caused my own. “What?”

“Nothing. It’s great. Max Vincent. I like it.”

“Well, thank you. What kind of music do you like?”

“I know what you’re doing, Max Navarro.”

“What?” I pretended innocence. “Just curious about the woman having my baby.” I glanced her way and gave her a wink. “So, music?”

“Almost everything, except rap. You?”

“Same. Because of my parents, I especially love classic rock. Did you and Sapphire get along when you were younger?”

“Most of the time. Just typical sister stuff. What’s it like to have two others who look just like you roaming the earth?”

“Annoying,” I admitted easily, to which she laughed. “Dating was a pain in the ass. If a girl dated one of us, it wasn’t long before she wanted to find out if the other two were better versions. School was fun, though. Nate is brilliant and on a few occasions took tests for us when Brad and I weren’t prepared.”

“No way.”

“Yeah. My parents were called in to the principal’s office weekly.”

The conversation bounced back and forth between us. I learned she hated pineapple, desperately wanted to visit Italy, and felt she was a true Gemini to the core. I shared my loathing for anything pumpkin flavored, that I had family in Italy, and I actually did find the Olympic sport curling riveting.

“Curling?” she said. “Isn’t that when they use brooms to stop the…the thingy?”

“It’s called a stone. And don’t knock it. Manipulating its path isn’t an easy feat.”

“Yeah, okay,” she said, unconvinced.

“Tell me why you decided to be a lawyer.”

“Law always fascinated me. Even as a young girl, I loved watching anything on TV that included a judge, jury, and lawyer. People’s Court was my favorite.” The look on my face prompted her to shrug. “I know…a boring, snooze-fest childhood.”

“I doubt you were ever boring. What did you do for fun?”

She looked away and then waited a pause. “Oh, the usual, softball, hanging with friends. Amy had a knack for getting me in trouble.”

“I’d love to hear those stories. Do you believe things happen for a reason?” I asked, watching a man walking eight dogs at once cross the street.

“I don’t know. I’m very factual… Guess I have to be in my profession. Sometimes facts don’t point favorably to fate and kismet.”

“True. But I don’t believe in coincidence,” I said firmly. I felt her gaze on my face and turned to meet her eye. Our eyes locked as our breathing came in unison. Her cheeks flushed while her lips parted, and the desire to kiss her thrummed through me.

I was just about to when the light turned green.

Reluctantly, I maneuvered the car the last few busy city blocks and pulled up to her building. “Do you want to come up?” she said.

Did I ever. But I forced myself to shake my head. “You’ve had an emotional day and should get some rest. I’ll call you tomorrow?” On her nod, I leaned in and pressed my lips against hers. The kiss quickly morphed into our typical passionate-filled union until a car honked annoyingly behind us.

Pulling away first, it took a few long seconds for her to open her eyes. The look on her face, the way her chest rose with each breath she took, created a new form of torture for me. That was until she licked her lips while staring at mine. “Jade, please don’t make it impossible for me to drive away.”

The horn honked again, and I wasn’t sure if she said, “Okay, okay, I’m going,” for their benefit or mine.

She opened her door and stepped out of the car. The neckline of her blouse gaped when she bent her head back in. “Bye, Max. Thank you again for being there with me.”

“Always.” Pert nipples pushing behind the silky fabric…a rosy hue to her cheeks…full lips still glistening from my tongue forced me to say, “Night, Jade.”

Once the door was slammed shut, I hastily drove off. Jade managed to overshadow the memory of our day. I really enjoyed being with her. And knowing how great we were together continued to stack layer upon layer of more desire each time I saw her.

Earlier, she handled herself better than anyone could have expected. It wasn’t just her beautiful face, stunning body, or enchanting personality that drew me in. It was her tenacity, and once home, I knew I’d be taking a cold shower before attempting sleep.

…

Jade

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry. I lost track of time.” I threw my bag into my side of the booth before sliding along the cushioned seat across from Amy.

“I ordered you one,” she said, pointing to what looked like pulverized hummus in a glass.

“What the hell is that?”

“The Power Twist. Bananas, oranges, and carrots.” Ignoring my scrunched expression, she asked, “You look tired. How did it go Saturday?”

“Awful.”

“Really?” she asked. “Your family is always so supportive.”

“I should clarify. My mom and sister eventually came around, and both have called me no less than a dozen times since last night. Greg had nothing of substance to say, but I know he’s disappointed in me. My father, on the other hand…” I left my sentence to dangle. I still couldn’t wrap my head around his behavior. It scared me.

“Well, you had to know, going in, he would have a hard time with this. He was always very protective of you and your sister. Do you remember your first date with Billy Landon?” Her eyes widened to emphasize her point. “The poor kid practically peed himself when he saw your dad sitting on the porch. In the dark. Waiting for you while holding a baseball bat.”

“I was sixteen then. I’m a grown woman now.”

One perfectly sculpted brow lifted. “Not to him, Jade. You’re still his little girl.”

“I suppose.”

“How did Max handle it?”

“I could tell he refrained from saying what he wanted to. He sat there and took it. Dad was very hard on him.” I hated being in conflict with my father. My entire life, all I wanted was to please him. It was never an issue before. I wasn’t a misbehaved child or defiant teenager…unless Amy got caught doing something wrong, and I was only guilty by association.

But even then, my father always knew I was only involved because I was such a good friend, one who would never abandon her bestie even when it meant trouble for me. Dad once claimed, during one of his lectures after Amy had been caught with a boy in the library, although playing lookout was noble, it was wrong. He then went on to say that quality would serve me well when I became a lawyer.

So, all in all, even during the missteps that I had throughout my youth, he still made it known he was in my corner. He had different expectations for Sapphire and me. He’d always known my sister would marry young and be a mom.

He knew I’d get there eventually as well, but my drive and ambitions meant family would come later for me, which was fine. And the day they eventually would, Dad expected love, marriage, and baby…in that order.

From an early age, he saw himself in me. I was so much like my father. He was always my biggest fan, but that supportive man I knew was nowhere to be found Saturday night.

Amy shook her head. “He’ll get over it. Give him time.”

“I’m not so sure, Aim. All I keep focusing on is my father doesn’t even know about Max’s other child yet or his life in Miami.” Part of me wished I had gotten that out last night, even if it would worsen the situation. Because now that piece of Max’s puzzle hung over my head like a cartoon anvil ready to drop on its unsuspecting victim at any moment.

Her crystal blue eyes flipped up to stare at the ceiling with a very dramatic sigh. “How many times do I need to tell you that isn’t the important part of this equation? The man is into you; that’s obvious. Focus on you and him, spend time together, and build a relationship.”

“That’s easier said than done when neither of us has the time to nurture one.”

“Oh, come on, Jade. We’ve been through this before. Find the time. You can’t work twenty-four-seven.”

True, the reminders of my stressful job seemed to vanish whenever I floated in a Max-induced euphoria, but that didn’t ease juggling my pregnancy and work. Adding emotions and feelings into the mix could very well muddy the waters, and then drama and heartbreak would be sure to follow.

“Just take one day at a time.” Clueless to my inner turmoil, Amy leaned in with a devious leer spreading over her full lips. “So, when are you seeing him again?”

“No clue. He’s back in Miami for a few days. I know he hasn’t told his mother and stepfather yet, and I offered to be with him when he does. After his support, it’s the least I can do.”

“You need go with him to Miami one of these times. Have mind-blowing sex on the beach at night.”

“You’re delusional.” I shook my head. “I can’t drop everything and go with him. Besides, he didn’t ask.”

“I’m a hopeless romantic, not delusional. There’s a difference.” Her hand flew up to catch the attention of the waiter walking by.

Amy recited her very detailed, very specific, very annoying dinner order. Meanwhile, I zoned out, thinking about Max. Him being on my mind so much lately was getting distracting.

My friend, the enabler, wasn’t any help when she said, “Okay, back to Max. Why do you have a look of panic on your face when you talk about him?”

“I don’t know.” I shrugged. “Maybe because I worry a man like Max can destroy me.”

She considered my words and with a firm shake of her head responded, “Yeah, but in the best of ways.”

I hadn’t realized Max had called and left a message until Amy and I got back to our apartment. Amy looked over my shoulder at the missed call notification and shook her head. “Keeping your phone on vibrate all the time doesn’t work when you’re in a relationship.”

I really couldn’t argue with her. Amy couldn’t understand how I wasn’t glued to my phone like other people our age.

“I need to call him back.”

“What you need is to have FaceTime phone sex with him and make up for missing his call,” she said before sauntering into her room.

Even though it was only nine p.m., I rushed through getting ready for bed so I wouldn’t have any distractions once we got on the phone. And, well, that phone sex recommendation was still stuck in my head.

“Hey, beautiful,” he said as I settled on my bed.

“Hi.” Sounding a bit winded, I cleared my throat before asking, “How was your trip?”

“Good.” There was a slight pause on his end. “Um…I went with Tracey to her sonogram appointment.”

“Is everything okay?” I asked, ignoring the twinge of jealousy that pinched in my thoughts. I shook my head to clear the negativity, reminding myself this was Max’s child. He had every right to be there…even if I wished I were the only one he experienced it with.

“Yes, everything is perfect. It’s a girl.”

Another pang hit hard as I said, “That’s fantastic, Max. Congratulations.”

“Thank you.” Silence drifted between us before he asked, “Have you spoken to your father?”

“Not yet. I’ll give him a few days and then I’ll call him.” I really didn’t want to waste our call on something as depressing as my father’s reaction. “So, tell me about the gym.”

“Every visit brings me closer to finally opening.” He painted a picture of all the work that had been done and all that still needed to be done. “It’s been a long time coming, but it’s getting there.”

“Who takes care of your Manhattan gym when you’re away?”

“I have a great assistant manager who I’ll be promoting soon and three amazing trainers.”

“That must give you peace of mind. Why did you wait so long to open your gym in Miami after you graduated?”

“The gym idea came later. While I played football, I wanted to stay in Miami after I graduated to become a personal trainer.” Remembering that picture I saw on his desk of Max instantly distracted me…specifically those tight white pants molding over every delicious inch of his legs…including what was hidden behind a protective cup. Somehow, I’d have to subtly find a way to get him to model that uniform for me.

“Sometimes life doesn’t go according to plan,” he went on, oblivious to how I had clenched my thighs together still stuck on the image of Max playing college football. “But the fall after I graduated, my dad suddenly passed away, and I chose to come back to New York to be with my family.”

His last comment slapped me out of my salacious thoughts, and a reactive gasp came automatically. “I’m so sorry, Max.”

“Thanks,” he said with a sigh. “It was a tough time for us. Dad was a firefighter. His department called him Big Mike…so fit and strong. His death shocked everyone. It came on quick, out of nowhere, massive heart attack. One day he was fine; the next he was…just gone.”

My breath hitched. I couldn’t imagine losing my dad so suddenly. “Oh my gosh, that’s awful. And your mom?”

“She’s great now. Remarried and is still living in the home we grew up in. Funny, she was so scared of his career choice and the danger he’d always be in, but in the end, it wasn’t what killed him.” He paused for a bit. “Anyway, life is too short. It’s important to not take anything for granted.” Someone called his name in the distance. “Crap, I have to go. I’ll talk to you soon?”

“Of course. Good night, Max.”

When the line went dead, I pushed aside the disappointment that came from our call being cut so short. More and more, I found myself aching for him. And not only physically, but even the connection that came when we spoke on the phone or when he texted me just to check in. Without the distractions of work to focus on, it was Max that now consumed my thoughts.