Honk! HONK!
“Excuse me, mister?”
Someone tapped on the window. Again.
“MISTER! You’re over the line!”
What the hell?
It was like the universe was conspiring to keep me from kissing this man.
I recognized that voice. It was Georgie again, and I wondered how much trouble I’d get into if I smacked the little turd upside his head.
I mean, can’t a girl get a kiss from a ravishing man without all this hullabaloo?
It had been a long time since someone had kissed me. A really long time. And the way he went about it?
Holy. Shit.
Max was holding me so tight it was a wonder I could breathe. I didn’t know how he did it, but he somehow converted the front seat of his stupid cool truck into one long seat and now I was wrapped up in his arms, with his lips on mine, and I did not want it to end.
“Mister!”
“I’m gonna kill that twerp,” Max growled, ending our kiss with a nuzzle.
Something was rumbling, and I wasn’t sure if it was him or the engine. Or maybe it was me. I didn’t have time to investigate, since he was already letting me go so he could move the truck farther back, like Georgie instructed.
“Don’t kill him. His mother is a good customer,” I teased.
Max just grunted, and Georgie soon left to hassle another car full of moviegoers.
My mind was racing, just like my pulse. I couldn’t get that kiss out of my head. I turned to face the opposite direction.
This wasn’t me. I was way out of my depth with him.
Men who looked like Max Leeds did not go around saying things and doing things that swept me off my feet every day, for fuck’s sake.
It was a damn good kiss. I needed a moment to collect myself.
I had no idea kissing a man could feel like this.
Like it was do or die.
All or nothing.
He tasted so good. Like sin and chocolate.
Decadent.
Delicious.
Dirty.
And for once in my life, I wished I was wild. Different. I wished I was the kind of woman men like him went after.
You’re here with him, aren’t you?
“Hey, Max?” I asked, uncertainty warring with need inside me.
When I turned to face him, I was shocked to find he’d been sitting there staring while I gathered my thoughts, watching me.
“Yeah, Sugar?” he whispered, and I swallowed, trapped by his blue stare.
“I, um, oh hell,” I mumbled and grabbed his collar, tugging him towards me.
I slammed my lips to his, and my heart galloped inside my chest. This man was magic. His lips worked with mine, feeling, tasting, sliding.
I moaned and gave him the opening he needed. Max’s long tongue licked into my mouth, and I swear my pussy pulsed in time with his ministrations.
“Popcorn,” he whispered, nuzzling my nose and slowing down this inferno I’d started.
Wait. What?
“Popcorn?” I echoed.
“Yeah. Popcorn with butter and salt, right?” Max asked, giving my lip a tug before smacking another kiss against my swollen mouth.
“You remembered,” I said, and couldn’t help but feel pleased.
“Of course. Come with?” he asked, waiting for me to nod.
“Yeah, I want to come,” I said, eyes wide once the words were out.
OMFG. I can’t believe I said that.
“You will, Sugarplum. I guarantee it,” he replied, squeezing my hip before he got out of the truck.
My cheeks were burning. I could not believe I said that out loud. But it must have been okay with him, cause Max simply walked around the front of the truck to open my door.
A hungry look spread across his almost too handsome face as he grabbed my hips and pulled me down. Max hummed a deep, rumbly sound as he lifted me.
His fingers squeezed, and I knew it was on purpose when he made sure I slid against every inch of his hard body until my feet touched the graveled ground.
Not that I minded.
He was fine as hell, and his body was incredible. I wanted to explore it. Without all the clothes, of course.
“I like your shoes,” Max said, taking my hand.
“Yeah? You got a thing for ladies who wear Converse?”
“Woman, those are sexier than stilettos, trust me,” he replied and threaded his fingers through mine.
We made our way to the snack stand just like that and I felt like a teenager with my first crush. It just felt right, walking beside him.
He chatted about everything and nothing, and I nodded at people I recognized as we made our way slowly through the couple of dozen cars that had already filed in for the Hitchcock double feature.
“What’s your favorite Hitchcock film?”
“Oh, Rear Window,” I replied easily.
“That’s playing tonight,” he said with a grin.
“Yes, it is. How about you?”
“I’m a fan of that one. But I really like The Birds. Unfortunately, it’s not on tonight.”
“Next time,” I said, leaning back to grin at him as we moved to the back of the line.
Max was taller by a foot at least, but he’d slowed his pace so I could match it.
That was nice.
Thoughtful.
Kind.
Tender.
The way he held my hand and casually touched my shoulder and back as we waited and talked was just so natural. Like he was taking care of me.
Touch was my love language, and I just couldn’t get enough of those little pats and caresses.
I wasn’t sure how he knew, but I was determined to enjoy it. More than enjoy, hell, I relished it.
Would he be like that in bed? Would he take care of my needs and make sure I was satisfied?
Something told me he would. I felt warm and tingly all over, eager to be with him like that.
And that was way out of character for me. It was way too soon to be feeling so comfortable with him. To be thinking about sex with him. But I was.
Heck yeah, I was.
I mean, Max was practically a stranger. But there was just something about him.
Like he had this inner glow. It was a spark that attracted me to him like nothing else.
Like a moth to a flame.
I wondered if this attraction would prove just as deadly. Shivers ran down my spine and he looked at me, concern on his face.
“You cold?”
“Oh, no. I’m fine.” I assured him.
“Sure? Oh, crap. They only take cash.”
“Crap. I forgot. Um, I can Venmo you—”
“What? I’m not taking your money, Sugarplum,” he growled, and I had the distinct feeling I’d offended him.
“There’s an ATM,” I suggested, biting my lip.
“Okay, I can take some cash out. Be a good girl and wait for me right here, Sugarplum,” he growled, squeezing my hand before letting it go.
“Of course,” I whispered back.
Someone cleared their throat behind me, but my ears were still buzzing because of that look on Max’s face. Like he didn’t want to leave me for even a second.
I was getting way too caught up in my own head. This was just a date. Making it out to be more was a mistake. Sure, Max came on strong, but that didn’t mean he was looking for more than whatever this was.
It had been a long time for me. But I was single now and plenty old enough to have sex with a man if I wanted to.
And boy, I wanted to.
I was so busy daydreaming about Max and his delicious kisses I didn’t notice the line had moved.
“Next!”
I lifted my head and smiled at Jezebel, walking up to the counter. She owned the drive in and was working the concessions stand tonight.
“Hi Jez.”
“Hello Penny. What can I get you?”
She’d been a few years behind me in high school, but I knew her and her family well. Her father was living in the retirement center, and he’d left her this place along with a few acres of farmland.
“Um, my date is just getting some cash from the ATM,” I said, worrying my lip.
“No worries. Order now, and he can pay when he gets back. What will you have?”
“Really? Thank you! We’ll have two large Cokes, a large popcorn, and a box of Snowcaps, please.”
“You got it,” she said and turned to get my order.
“Still eating junk like that, Pigpen? You really should watch your caloric intake.”
I cringed.
Of all the bad luck!
Of course, I would have to run into Burt the Dirtbag tonight. I straightened my shoulders and turned to see my ex-husband and his new wife.
“Hello Burt.”
“I see you haven’t changed your habits,” he said, arching an eyebrow as he looked at me with feigned concern and disappointment.
“Hello Kelly,” I addressed his wife, who had the grace to look embarrassed.
Welcome to the club.
“My eating habits are none of your business, Burt.”
“What? I can’t be concerned. I am a doctor—”
“You’re a plastic surgeon. And even when we were married, you were only ever concerned about my laugh lines and cellulite, not my health.”
“Oh, here we go. Look, did you get the papers from my attorney?” he asked, expelling a bored breath.
I looked around, watching other people, people I knew, take in this scene. Burt just loved causing them.
“This really isn’t the time to discuss this.”
“Why not? I think it’s the perfect time,” he replied with that smirk I used to think was charming.
Dread filled me.
Would Max see this and run?
Probably. Shit.
He knew I was divorced, but I never mentioned what a scumbag my ex was. How he was trying to take half the earnings of my bakery from me. How he loved making me feel small.
“Burt, hush,” Kelly said, tugging on his arm and looking around at the attention we were getting.
She’d been his nurse for years, but we were never really friends. Now I knew why, of course.
“Where’s Avery? You two having a single girls’ night out, drowning your sorrows in sugar and oil smothered popcorn, Pigpen? You know, the older you get the harder it will be to lose the weight,” Burt stated loudly.
Humiliation washed over me. I could not believe he’d said that.
“Burt,” Kelly hissed.
“Hush, Kelly. She knows her weight has always been an issue. She never would follow my carefully planned meal schedules like you do. Really, Pigpen, you should avoid this stand altogether,” he told me, and I was so angry and embarrassed I was shaking with it.
“Excuse me,” Kelly mumbled and raced off to the restroom.
I almost felt bad for her. But then I remembered she’d started fucking Burt when he was still my husband, and it was kind of hard to have a lot of sympathy for the woman.
“Penny, are you okay?” Jezebel asked from where she stood behind the stand.
Her voice was low, and I remembered in school how she hated confrontations. It must have cost her a lot to ask that out loud, and I was grateful to her.
“Well? Are you going to answer?” Burt sneered.
I opened my mouth, but nothing came out. My very breath seemed stuck in my throat.
Why did Burt have to show up and ruin everything?
All those old things he made me feel rolled through me. I felt foolish. Stupid for thinking someone might want me the way I was.
Idiotic for thinking Max might actually be interested in me.
Burt always did this. He would tear at my esteem and make me feel like I would never be good enough for anyone.
But before my spiraling could get out of control, he was there. Like I’d conjured him with a thought. Suddenly, Max’s big, warm hands gripped my waist, and he was tugging me so his front was pressed against my back.
I breathed in his spicy warm scent, and suddenly, my anxiety was gone. Max’s arms wrapped around me, and he nuzzled my neck with his lips.
“Easy now, Sugar. Did you place our order?”
I turned my head, my eyes riveted to his handsome face. His jaw was tense, but he was smiling at me. And I knew whatever anger he was feeling, it was not directed my way.
“Yeah, I ordered,” I replied.
“Good. Would you mind paying with this while I introduce myself to this person?”
“Oh, you don’t have to,” I began, but then he kissed me, stopping my objection.
“Okay,” I said and turned my back on a sputtering Burt.
“Penelope? Who is this person?”
I ignored Burt, and fuck, that felt good. But before I walked away, Max leaned close, his lips brushing my ear.
“Good Girl,” he murmured, “Don’t forget the salt and butter.”
Then he stood to his full height, allowing me space to walk towards Jezebel whose mouth was hanging open.
Her eyes met mine, and she mouthed holy shit while she handed me my popcorn.
“Oh, can I have extra salt and butter on that?” I asked, then I winked because she was right.
Holy shit, indeed.