The next day, I didn’t go for lunch break. I was so swamped with work that by dismissal, I wasn’t even halfway done, and I was more than tired. Max too was so busy, we barely even texted. I’d tried to keep things strictly professional in the office, since it seemed like we would be spending a lot of time in his home afterwards, but we still found a way to sneak a text or two to each other despite our busy schedules. Now, as I stood in front of my vanity, staring at my reflection and combing my hair, I couldn’t help but feel giddy. He’d promised to take me out for dinner tonight, and when I asked where he told me it was a surprise, and I was going to love it.
Stoked and thrilled, I didn’t mind rushing into a thrift shop to buy a brand-new dress. There was no way I was going to keep borrowing and wearing Cora’s, even though she insisted that it was completely fine. I loved putting on my own stuff. While she was out on a date with Terry tonight, I’d be with Max, while Finn would be staying over at Ma’s.
I’d decided to tell Max everything about Finn tonight, over dinner. I had a feeling that he was in a good mood, so I was hoped all would well. Suppressing a smile as I reminisce about the amazing sex we had last night in the shower, I picked up my bag and headed downstairs, feeling like a lady just engaged when I saw him waiting at the foot of the stairs.
My nerves started acting up, and it felt as if there was a horde of butterflies throwing a house party in my stomach when I saw his eyes lit up as they took in my dress. When I halted at the last stair, he held out a hand and I slipped mine in, my toes curling in sheer excitement. “Hello, sweetheart.”
“Baby,” he brought the back of my hand to his lips, kissing softly. “You look so fucking gorgeous.”
I wasn’t prepared when he stepped forward in a rush and crushed his lips against mine, wrapping his arms around my waist. I giggled like a sappy schoolgirl, moaning as my back hit the edge of the wooden railings. “This escalated so fast.”
He sucked on my bottom lip, then pulled off, shutting his eyes tight as he tried to control himself. “I can’t explain this,” his blue eyes held mine, admiration and love in their depths. “You’re the best thing to ever happen to me, Elaine. I don’t think I can say that enough.”
I pecked his cheek. “I understand you, love. I feel the same way as well. I can’t stop thanking the heavens for bringing me to you. Moving from Manhattan to New York has got to be the best decision I’ve ever made.”
He led me to the sofa and we both sat down, side by side, our legs touching at first. Then he pulled me onto his lap. “Here’s where that arse belongs. How was your day?”
I nodded with a grin. “It was cool and stressful as hell. Yours?”
“I felt so fucking exhausted. I wish you’d agreed to my idea of running away, then we wouldn’t have to deal with any work,” he mumbled, leaning forward to press a light kiss on the side of my neck.
I laughed. “I wish that was the only way out of this, but it’s not. And we’re being selfish.”
“I don’t care, anyway,” he shrugged, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear like he normally did. “As long as I get to see, text and hold you this close every day, then I’m good. Fuck all the stress.”
“Naughty boy,” I sucked in a deep breath as his fingers danced along the skin of my shoulder, his face etched with concentration. “Tell me, then. Where are you taking me tonight?”
“I thought we agreed that we’d let it be a surprise, princess?”
“I actually don’t remember ever agreeing to that.”
“You have no choice because I can’t answer that. It’s a secret. Exposing it will ruin the surprise. Meanwhile…” he hooked a finger around my spaghetti strap, pulling it off my shoulder a little, “… I can’t wait to take these off completely when we get back tonight. You look so fucking hot… I feel like ripping it apart right this minute.”
I nudged his side happily, rolling my eyes. “You won’t dare. This dress costs a weighty sum.”
He snorted. “I can get you at least a hundred of this particular dress, and that’s not bragging.”
“Really? Then what else is it?”
“A fact,” he pulled the strap back on and stood up, holding out a hand to draw me up. “Come on, now. Let’s get going or we’ll be late.”
“What if someone sees us?” I gulped. “We’ll be in a whole lot of trouble.”
“That won’t be a problem. I’ve already told Manny that I’m seeing you. He doesn’t approve of it, but I don’t care.” He shrugged as we neared the door.
I gripped his arm, forcing him to stop. “What?” I frowned. Oh, my fucking God. “Tell me that’s a fucking joke.”
“It’s not. I’m being real here. This whole hide and seek thing, I can’t keep up with it. If someone sees us in public and make us a stupid cover story, I’ll be sure to hunt down the arsehole’s arse and whip it hard. I’m not kidding. I won’t stop seeing you because you’re my assistant.”
Warmth filled my chest, and I blinked back tears of hope. “Really?”
He sighed, wiping my eyes with his thumb. “Elaine, yes. You mean a lot to me. Fuck, you’re all there is to me. I messed up once before, but I’m not doing that again. Let’s go.”
The drive was silent, safe for the slow bass-pumping music from Max’s car stereo. I had my hand on his thigh as he drove through the dark streets, aided by his blinding headlights, while I was having a quiet freak out over Manny. Was this the right thing for the both of us? He doesn’t want to give up on us. The thought of that was exciting, but I was also worried that I could get into trouble. Worse, the media had their nose all up on his business, and I didn’t think I could navigate the attention seeing us both in public would bring. Worse still, I feared that he might take back those sweet words when I tell him the truth in, like, half an hour from now.
I peered out, surprised when we stopped in front of huge, black gates. Max tapped something on a fancy looking device and the gates began to open, and we wheeled in, pulling up in front of the grandest mansion I’d ever seen. Even more tastefully constructed than Max’s.
“Max?” I said in confusion. He turned his blue eyes to me and beamed. “This isn’t a restaurant.”
“No,” he helped me take off my seatbelt. “It’s not. This is my brother’s house. I told you, didn’t I? I’d love you to meet my family.”
Oh shit.