Chapter 22
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Gwendolyn
Something kept buzzing, and it was annoying as fuck. I didn’t want to open my eyes and wake up fully, but if the noise didn’t stop soon, I was going to throw a fit.
When a weight lifted off my waist, I snapped my eyes open, and the memory of what Malice—Max and I did rushed in.
Rolling over, I looked toward the window and gasped.
I flung the blankets back as Max answered his phone with a rough “Speak.”
Quickly, I rushed to dress while Max barked orders at whoever was on the phone. Then I ran around the bed, bent, and kissed him quickly.
“I wasn’t supposed to sleep. Damn you and your snuggles.” I glared but gave him another kiss because he’d worked my body well last night.
“Shut up, Torment,” Max growled into the phone, and as I made my move toward the door, he called, “Gwendolyn, do not leave this house.”
Turning at the door, I gave him a thumbs-up and a wink. “Thanks for last night. I had a great time. Talk soon.”
“Gwendolyn,” he barked, but I was already on the run to get next door and hopefully up to my room before Felix, Amelia, and Greg woke. I didn’t even know what time it was. When I stepped outside, all I found was the sun shining brightly, which didn’t tell me anything about the time.
Shit. I think I left my purse and my phone at Max’s.
At the front door, I pressed in the code and slowly opened it. I walked inside and stopped.
Greg appeared in the kitchen and dining area doorway. “There she is.”
I gulped. Who was he talking to?
Of course, that was when Valentina moved into sight. “Oh, good morning, Gwen.”
I lifted a hand and awkwardly waved while wishing the floor would open up and swallow me whole.
“Hi, son,” Valentina added as warmth hit my back.
I looked up and over my shoulder at Max’s looming form and saw he was currently grinning. “Morning, Ma.” With his hands on my waist, he shuffled us forward and closed the door behind him. Then Max took my hand and led us down into the room where everyone was.
And I meant everyone.
Amelia and Felix sat at the dining table, eating with Max’s twin brothers, while Greg and Valentina went back to whatever they’d been doing in the kitchen.
“Take a seat. I’ll have more bacon and eggs done soon,” Valentina said with a soft smile.
“Hey, sis,” Felix called before he nodded at the man beside me. “Malice.”
“Morning, everyone,” Max called.
He started to pull me over to the table, but I slipped my hand from his.
With burning cheeks, I told him, “I’m going to change.”
The twins snorted.
Valentia snapped, “Boys.”
Max shot them a dirty glance but looked back at me. “Doll?”
I stepped close and kissed his jaw. “Be back in a second.” I turned and hurried upstairs.
Really, I shouldn’t be shy or embarrassed about my siblings knowing I slept with my boss on our first date.
Oh my God. His mom now knows I slept with her son.
I was just like all the other women who fell at his feet, spreading their legs on their first date.
I rushed through a shower, dried, and dressed in tracksuit pants and a tee. In the mirror, I studied myself.
I could do this.
It didn’t matter that everyone knew Max and I slept together.
On our first date.
A soft knock sounded, making me jolt.
“Gwen?” Valentina’s voice came through the door.
Moving over, I opened it. “Hey, sorry. Was I taking too long?”
Valentina shook her head. “Not at all. I just wanted to catch you on your own for a minute. Do you mind talking with me?”
“Not at all. Let’s sit down.” I waved toward my bed, silently thanking myself for making it for once.
After we sat, Valentina turned to me and smiled gently.
“My family’s world isn’t one for the weak.
Over the years, I’ve heard and seen more than most ever should.
I worry about them constantly, but I know they’ll do everything in their power to stay safe and face whatever comes their way.
They protect just as fiercely too. Still, I couldn’t help the concern that lingered when it came to my son. ”
“Max?” I asked, needing to confirm it like a weirdo.
However, as soon as I said his name, her breath caught, and she reached up to clasp her throat.
“Valentina?” I asked, worry seeping in.
She closed her eyes briefly and let out a watery laugh. “This is wonderful.”
“Sorry?” I asked.
She shook her head and beamed at me. “Nothing, dear. Everything is wonderful.” She stood, so I followed. She reached out to take my hand and squeezed it. “You are a true treasure for this family, Gwen, and I look forward to getting to know you over the years.”
My pulse spiked. “Huh?”
She let out a sweet laugh. “Ignore me. I’m being sentimental. Now, let’s get you downstairs before my son kills his younger siblings.”
“Okay?”
Valentina tucked her hand in the crook of my arm. “I’m just happy that Maxwell has you now, Gwen. Stay strong through it all, and you’ll never find another man who will treat you like a queen the way he will.”
“Ah, it’s early days yet.” Even though in bed last night, I literally declared to Max that he was stuck with me. I could blame postcoitus for it, though.
She laughed again. “All right, dear.”
Valentina sounded like she was certain I’d be in Max’s life forever—like he’d be placing a ring on my finger any day now—and it sent my nerves into a frenzy.
How could she be sure we were suited for the long haul?
I mean, I told Max I wanted something long-term, but we weren’t set in stone, no matter what was said in the heat of the moment. I had flaws he needed to see and decide if he could handle.
Then I needed to be completely sure that this life was the right one for me and my family.
Not like you want to walk away now.
Well, no, I didn’t want to walk away. Not after last night—and I wasn’t just talking about the sex.
Max made me crazy, annoyed, frustrated—but also cared for, appreciated, and wanted.
Goddam it.
I was already hugely invested in him, his world, and making it our own.
My stomach and heart fluttered, like they wanted out of my body to go in search for Max.
Jesus, Gwen, that sounds cheesy.
Fuck it.
I was going to double down and accept that Max and I were dating and looking at a future together. It was time for me to get my head out of my ass and believe that we had something worth fighting for.
“Dear, I haven’t upset you, have I?” Valentina asked.
Hugging her arm against me, I smiled and shook my head. “Not at all. Sorry, I was just lost in thought.”
“Are you ready for breakfast?”
“I’m actually starving, and you know what, Valentina? I’m looking forward to getting to know you too.”
Her smile made my chest warm.
For a brief moment, I had a pang of sorrow hit my chest for my own childhood. For a mother who was never there when I needed her. I wished our parents could’ve loved me and my siblings like Valentina did hers.
Once we were back downstairs, I listened to the twins and Felix chat as I made my way to the vacant seat beside Max. Before sitting, I kissed his cheek and jaw. He slid his hand across the table, palm up, and I took hold. He lifted my hand and kissed the back of it.
“Gwen, since I don’t have a game today, can I go with Cam and Enzo to hang out at their place?”
I faced the twins. In unison, they placed their hands under their chin, praying.
“Pretty please?” Cam asked.
“What will you three be doing?” I asked.
“Studying, gaming, and maybe some porn—”
“Lorenzo,” Valentina snapped, placing plates in front of me and Max.
“Enzo,” Max clipped.
The twins shared an amused look before Cam said, “He’s joking, of course. We’ll behave.”
“I will be home too,” Valentina added.
Honestly, I trusted the twins. Max would hand their asses to them if they let anything happen to Felix.
Smiling, I nodded. “Okay, sounds good.”
“But Felix has to be back for dinner,” Max added, making my stomach flutter from how it sounded so… family orientated.
“He does?” I asked.
“I’ll bring takeout for dinner for everyone who lives under this roof.” He eyed the twins, and they both gave him a salute, receiving the clear message.
Meanwhile I melted inside.
Max was going to eat dinner with us.
I mean, we were already here eating breakfast, and we’d eaten dinner at his house previously with everyone, but this time felt different. It felt… like more.
Which was good, since I was going to give our relationship my all.
“Max and I are dating,” I announced.
Everyone blinked at me.
Then Lorenzo mock whispered to Cameron, “She calls him Max.”
Greg cleared his throat and took a seat at the table. “Sweetheart, we know this.”
“And we’re very happy for you both,” Valentina said, smiling as she sat down as well.
“Well, okay. I just thought I’d let you know for sure.” I faced my siblings. “You’re both okay with this?”
Felix rolled his eyes. “Sis, no offense, but you can be a bit dense sometimes.”
“Felix,” Max warned my brother, like he’d already slipped into his place in our family.
My bottom lip trembled.
“I just meant we saw this coming the night you two met.” He thumbed toward Max. “He couldn’t keep his eyes off you.”
With watery eyes, I turned to Max. “You couldn’t?”
“No, baby.”
“But I’m nothing like—”
He pressed his finger against my lips, and he shook his head. He traced it gently over my bottom lip. “No one compares to you.”
I sniffed as all those soft emotions clogged my senses.
“She’s gonna cry,” Felix warned.
I glared at him. “I am not.”
“It’s okay if you do, Gwen,” Amelia told me. “And I think you two are perfect for each other. It was like destiny or something. You make him happy, but what’s more important—sorry, Malice—is that we see the happiness in you, too, Gwen.”
I swallowed thickly and made a choked noise in the back of my throat.
Max stood, stepped up to my chair, and lifted me out of it. Then he sat down and placed me on his lap, hugging me against him while gently holding the back of my head as a few tears escaped.
I heard Greg ask the twins about their classes at college while I composed myself once again.
Pulling back, I told Max, “You do realize I practically live in clothes like this? I’m not tidy. I don’t cook. I can bake, but cooking is boring and time consuming. I also probably snore and drool, and most of the time I look like a zombie.”
His lips twitched. “But you’re our zombie.”
Gripping his shirt, I shook him a little. “Max, I’m serious.”
He pinched my cheeks together so I looked like I had fish lips.
He roughly scolded me, saying, “You think any of that matters? It doesn’t.
You announced we’re dating. That’s what’s happening, no matter what doubt you might have.
But have fuckin’ faith in me. I know what I want, and what I want is you. No more questioning this.”
My gaze flicked over his features.
He was serious.
Deadly serious.
He wanted me to believe in him and us.
I could do that.
Then, if he did find something he didn’t like, it would be all his fault for not listening to me.
“Okay,” I managed to get out between my lips.
His expression softened as he leaned forward and pecked at my mouth. “Good. Now eat.”