31. Max
CHAPTER 31
MAX
A fter a long, frustrating day of work, nothing beats lounging by a pool with a beer in hand and a beautiful woman by my side. Especially when that woman is Callie, looking ridiculously hot in a cherry red bikini that’s tied with little strings high on her hips.
I want to tug at those strings with my teeth.
She had the nerve to come out of the bathroom after she’d put it on, and ask Miles and me if it looked okay on her. If it looked okay! Neither of us could speak, until she started to turn around to go back into the bathroom, and we each drooled out a long string of compliments that made her cheeks blush.
The memory of that pink shade on her skin has me fantasizing about the color of her nipples. It doesn’t help that they occasionally go hard and poke into the fabric of her bikini top.
Unfortunately, Callie and I aren’t alone. We’re surrounded by her family at a party being held at one of the resort’s smaller pools. There’s an open bar, servers passing finger food, a deejay spinning classic summer tracks, and it would all be perfect if Callie weren’t so obviously ill at ease.
She was fine until her mom came over, directing a look of displeasure at Callie’s swimsuit before rattling off a list of concerns about the event, from the flavor of the shrimp canapes to the music selections, as if Callie were responsible for any of that.
Now, Callie’s taking long sips from her pi?a colada while she watches her mom across the way flirting with Mr. Hargrove. You don’t need to be a body language expert to figure out that the woman is throwing herself at him, or at least trying to. He doesn’t appear to be buying what she’s selling, though.
I lean over so only Callie can hear me. “Miles told me to be on the lookout for your aunt Iris.” This draws a smirk out of her.
“Did he? I thought he was going to tell you to seek her out.”
I bark out a laugh. “Was he? No, I got a full report on her, skating skills and all.”
“She really likes Miles,” Callie says before taking another sip.
Reading between the lines of everything Miles told me, I don’t think Aunt Iris is the only one who likes him, but I keep that thought to myself. My goal is to make Callie smile, not send her into her shell.
“Would you like to dance?” A small cluster of people, mostly bridesmaids and a few kids, are gathered in front of the deejay table, moving to the music.
She shakes her head. “Not right now.”
“Ready for another drink?”
“Not yet.”
Something’s definitely bothering her, but I don’t want to push.
A few minutes later, Ms. Baker hurries over to us, a frown on her face. “Callie, can you go find the events manager? There aren’t as many servers passing food as they promised.”
Callie gets up immediately, a quiet sigh huffing out of her. “Will do.”
“Do you remember where the meetings office is?”
Callie nods before turning to me. “I’ll be right back.”
“I’ll go with you.”
“Thank you, Max,” Ms. Baker says. “Maybe they’ll be more apt to listen if a man is doing the complaining.”
Callie adjusts her wrap around her waist, unfortunately covering those tantalizing bikini strings, and slips her feet back into her flat sandals.
As we make our way down the path that leads to the main building, I say, “There was plenty of food. The servers almost came by too often, in my opinion.”
She lets out a bigger sigh this time. “I agree, but in my experience, it’s easiest to just do whatever she wants.”
Before we reach the building, a woman in a silk blouse and skirt comes along, and Callie apparently recognizes her as the events manager. Callie communicates her mother’s issue, clearly but very politely, and the manager nods and continues toward the party, moving at a faster pace.
“All taken care of,” Callie says, not sounding any happier as she turns to reverse our route.
“No need to go back right away, is there? Want to take another walk?”
She seems happiest when she’s away from her family, but selfishly, I just like being alone with her.
She shrugs a shoulder. “Sure. Where to?”
“This place is huge. Let’s explore more of the grounds.” She doesn’t protest when I take her hand and lead us down a path that cuts between manicured trees and curves toward the far wing of the building. “I’m sorry for not participating earlier today. I hope Miles was okay.”
When she gives me a confused look, I remind her of her concerns that Miles is too quiet and stiff, and that our energies wouldn’t match. “I also recall you saying that he didn’t have any charm.”
Her mouth curves into a small, private smile. “I suppose I’ve changed my mind about Miles.”
Intentionally, I keep my gaze on the path ahead. “Do you like him?”
After a few beats, she says, “Similar to what you said yesterday, it’s easy pretending he’s my boyfriend.” Her steps slow, and I match her pace. “The confusing thing is that I feel that way about both of you.”
I bring us to a stop altogether, then, spotting a recessed doorway, I tug her toward the building, where we’ll have privacy. I can’t fully read her eyes, so I need to find out how her body responds.