Chapter 13
Chapter Thirteen
J uliette had believed she was nervous before she pulled into the driveway and saw Gabriella walking up to Max’s front door. The outfit the woman wore probably cost more than Juliette’s car. Then she noticed the Lamborghini that Gabriella was driving and shook her head as she glanced down at her simple blue summer dress and cringed.
Still, she wasn’t about to let the woman walk into Max’s life and take over.
Gabriella stopped and watched her park. When Juliette climbed out, Gabriella arched her eyebrows.
“You’re that girl helping Max, right?” she asked in a sweet voice.
“Yes,” she answered and stepped up to her. “Juliette Elliot.” She shook her hand. “It’s nice to meet you.”
“Right.” Gabriella ran her eyes up and down her, and she instantly felt judged.
“Was Max expecting you?” she asked. The woman ignored her and took a step up towards the front door.
“Max just loves surprises,” she purred as she continued up to the door. Juliette followed and stood off to the side.
She was interested in seeing just how much Max liked this surprise.
Watching the range of emotions cross his face had her grinning.
She was surprised at how well he handled the diva, and by the time Gabriella had left and they were standing alone just outside his front door, she had fallen even more for the man.
Then he pulled out the chair for her at the table and expertly plated their dinner, and she knew without a doubt that there was no turning back.
Juliette Elliot was in love.
When she took a bite of the salmon, she groaned with pure pleasure. It was the best salmon she’d ever had.
“Wow,” she said, taking another bite. “This is really amazing.” She took a bite of the vegetables and rice. Everything tasted amazing.
“Thanks.” He took a bite of his own food and then poured her a glass of wine.
“I bought this the last time I went to France. Try some.” He poured himself a glass too.
She sipped the wine and closed her eyes. “Very nice.”
Max watched her reaction, a small smile playing at his lips. “I figured you’d like it. I picked it up in Bordeaux a few years ago while filming. I have a few cases I’m going to store in my new wine cellar when it’s finished.”
Juliette let the wine linger on her tongue before setting her glass down. “Filming in France… sounds glamorous.”
He chuckled, shaking his head. “It was, and it wasn’t. Long hours, demanding schedules, and a director who changed his mind every other day. But I won’t lie, the food and wine made up for it.”
She leaned her chin on her hand, studying him. “You’ve lived such a different life than me. New York, Hollywood, filming in different countries… it must’ve been wild.”
Max swirled his wine, considering her words. “It was,” he admitted. “At first, it was exciting—constant movement, big cities, people recognizing you on the street. But after a while, it all starts to feel… empty.”
Juliette tilted her head. “Is that why you moved here?”
He exhaled, looking down at his plate for a moment before meeting her eyes. “That was part of it. Hollywood, especially, is a machine. It chews people up and spits them out when they’re no longer useful. I saw too many people lose themselves trying to keep up.”
Juliette traced the rim of her glass, absorbing his words. “Gabriella seems like she’s still in the thick of it.”
Max let out a short laugh. “Oh, she thrives on it. She loves the attention, the cameras, the chaos. It’s one of the reasons why we didn’t work. She wanted someone who would always be in that world with her. She thought that was me, but I realized I wanted something different.”
Juliette watched him carefully. “You’ve mentioned how things went with her, but… she acts as if you broke her heart?”
He hesitated, then shook his head. “No. I don’t think she was in love with me. Deep down, I believe she knew there wasn’t anything between us. I’m sure she used me to get more attention. I went along with it since I didn’t want to jeopardize the film’s success. I think for her, it was easy to get swept up in it all, the lies, the story. The red carpets, the exclusive parties… my entire time in Hollywood felt like a dream. You wake up one day and realize none of it is real.”
She nodded, understanding in her eyes. “And now?”
Max reached across the table, his fingers brushing over hers. “Now I want something real. Something solid. I want a life that actually feels like mine, not just a role I’m playing.”
Juliette squeezed his hand. “Well, I’d say you’re off to a great start with this place.”
He smiled, warmth filling his chest. “Yeah, I think so too.”
“I’ve never been outside of the state,” she admitted. “Well, actually, I went to Seattle when I was a kid.” She shrugged. “So technically I have been to two states.”
He set his glass down and frowned. “Seriously?”
She nodded. “I’ve dreamed of traveling, but something always keeps me from doing it.” She shrugged and took another bite. “God, this really is amazing,” she said, wishing she’d kept her mouth shut about her lack of worldly travels. She felt like a child now, especially after the recent comparison to Gabriella.
“That settles it. Next time I’m needed anywhere, I’m taking you with me.” He lifted his glass. “If you want to go.”
She held up her glass. “I won’t say no.”
He chuckled and tapped her glass. “You say that now, but my next trip could be somewhere… not so appealing.”
“Like?” She waited.
“New Jersey.” He chuckled.
She smiled. “We can head into New York City.” She suggested. “The Big Apple.”
He smiled. “Positive side of it.”
“Gabriella seems to think you like surprises,” she said, changing the subject. “Do you?”
He shrugged. “Not the kind she springs on me.”
“My brother always liked scaring me. I think he felt like it was his duty as a big brother. Did you ever scare your sisters?”
“Maybe Ally, but never Faye. She’s had enough fear in her life.”
“Right. Has she made up her mind to have the last surgery?”
“Not yet.” He took another sip of his wine. “I think meeting Iian Jordan helped her realize that, even if she loses her hearing completely, she can still do amazing things.”
Juliette watched as Max absently swirled his wine, his expression thoughtful. The way he spoke about his sisters always touched her. His love for his family was so unwavering, so steady.
“Iian’s incredible,” she agreed. “It must’ve helped her to see someone thriving, even with the challenges.”
Max nodded. “Yeah. But it’s still a huge decision. No guarantees. She’s scared.” He exhaled slowly, leaning back in his chair. “And I hate that I can’t fix it for her.”
Juliette reached across the table, resting her hand over his. “You’re already doing what you can—being there for her, supporting her. That’s more important than fixing anything.”
His gaze softened as his fingers brushed lightly against hers. “I hope so.”
A comfortable silence stretched between them as they continued eating. The sound of the ocean outside, the warm glow of the candles on the table—it all felt so perfect, like a moment she’d want to tuck away and keep forever.
She grinned slightly, remembering the new sexy underwear she was wearing under her dress. Then, breaking the quiet, she said. “Okay, so you don’t like Gabriella’s surprises. What about good surprises?”
Max narrowed his eyes. “That depends. Are you planning one?”
“Maybe,” she teased, taking a slow sip of her wine.
“Should I be worried?”
Juliette grinned. “Not at all.”
They lingered at the table long after their plates were empty, talking about everything and nothing—his childhood summers at the lake just outside of Portland, the places she still wanted to visit, the best and worst movies they’d ever seen. It was easy, effortless. Then Max stood and offered his hand, pulling her up from her chair.
“Come on,” he said, his voice low. “Let’s eat dessert out on the new deck. You take the wine, I’ll grab the dessert.” He handed her their glasses, which he had just filled again.
Then he grabbed two containers from the fridge, and she followed him outside while trying not to spill their wine.
The warm night air wrapped around them when they stepped outside. She was surprised to find two chairs and a gas fireplace sitting on the deck.
“I didn’t see these arrive,” she said, admiring the cozy spot.
“They came a few days ago. I had the guys put them together in the barn and then bring them up after you left.” He smiled. “I plan on putting a rug down and maybe hanging some string lights.”
“This is so cozy and, wow, look at the sunset.”
“Best view in the world. Without climbing a bunch of stairs.” He motioned to the lighthouse beside them. “Sit.”
She sat and set their wine on a small table between the two chairs. Then he handed her a container and a spoon. “Bon appétit,” he said, sitting beside her. The sun had disappeared and Max reached up and turned on the fire pit. “I know it’s probably warm enough, but I want to test this bad boy out.”
“It’s perfect for tonight.” She removed the lid from the little glass container and held in a gasp. “You made crème br?lée?” She smiled.
“I hope it’s as good as it looks.” He removed the lid from his own dessert.
She used her spoon to crack the hard shell top and then scooped a mouthful into her mouth. Closing her eyes, she moaned. “How did you know that crème br?lée is my favorite?”
“I didn’t. Lucky guess, I suppose.” He smiled after he took a bite of his dessert. “Okay, adding this to my favorites. Third times a charm.” When she looked confused, he added, “My first two tries were not as successful.”
“The first time I made chocolate chip cookies, I added a cup of salt. To my defense, my mother’s cookbook pages were stuck together and the print had faded.”
He chuckled. “I bet you make great chocolate chip cookies now.”
“You know it,” she teased, and finished off her dessert. “I make batches of them for Christmas and gift them to my friends every year.”
“Lucky friends.” He set his bowl down and reached for her hand.
“I’m sorry about earlier with Gabriella,” she said, feeling the need to soothe whatever feelings were swirling around in him. “I didn’t want her to spoil our evening. If she was really in love with you.”
“Don’t be.” He squeezed her hand gently. “She has a line of men waiting for her call.”
“Yeah, but none of them are you,” she pointed out and instantly felt stupid. “What I mean is…”
His chuckle stopped her. “I think I get it. I don’t have a big head. Gabriella likes attention and, right now, we’re getting a lot of it with this place. Plus, she wants what she can’t have.”
“Yeah.” She nodded. “Exactly.”
“Juliette?” He turned towards her.
“Hm?” She shifted and watched the firelight wash across his face, enjoying his features in the dancing light.
“I really want to take you inside. To be with you, not just tonight.” He frowned slightly. “Every moment you’re here, I wish time would stand still. Then, when you leave, I spend every waking moment thinking about you.”
She smiled. “Me too.”
She stood up and pulled him to his feet. “Max, turn off the fireplace and take me inside.”
He kissed her first, a kiss deep and so filled with passion she swayed. He turned off the fire, then he took her hand and led her inside.
She’d seen the new furniture in his bedroom when he’d led her outside to the deck. The new king-size bed, nightstands, and dresser were all sturdy looking antique models that fit perfectly in the environment.
Just inside the doors, however, he turned to her and pulled her into his arms. Passion and heat. That’s what he made her feel the moment his lips touched hers.
His hands moved over her skin as she tugged his shirt over his head so she could explore those sexy muscles she’d been filming for other women to drool over. Now was her time to enjoy and explore all of him. While his hands made their way up her skirt to her thigh, she traveled down his shoulders, his arms, his chest, until she reached the button of his jeans.
His hands stilled and moved to cover hers.
“I wanted to go slow this time,” he groaned against her mouth. “To take my time enjoying every inch of you.” He started walking her back towards the bed as he removed her dress in one quick motion. “Wow.” He stilled as his eyes ran over the new undergarments that she’d bought with this moment in mind. “For me?” he asked. She nodded and smiled. His fingers trailed over the lace softly.
“Surprise.” She chuckled nervously. “I’m not sure I can do slow,” she admitted. She lifted her hands to his chest, and he lowered her down to the bed.
“Hold on to me,” he said and moved down to trace the lace with his mouth.
Keeping her hands still while he covered her and kissed her everywhere was probably the most difficult thing she’d had to do in her life. She needed to explore him and enjoy every minute of being with him again.
Then his hand moved up her thigh and his fingers brushed under her new underwear and her last bit of willpower to go slow faded. Her body jerked under his, aching for him to touch her.
“Max,” she moaned, reaching for him. “Please.”
He chuckled and she wanted to scream. Wanted to flip him over and straddle him and ride him like she did last time. But his hands moved up and gripped her wrists, holding her firm to the mattress.
“Mine,” he said as he brushed his lips across her collarbone. “My turn to send you over.” He held her down, trailing his mouth over her skin, leaving trails of goose bumps.
When his fingers brushed against her pussy, she arched into his touch. Then he slipped a finger underneath and dipped it slowly into her and a scream burst from her lips.
How did he have such power over her body?
Would it always be like this?
How in the hell was she going to tell him that she’d already fallen deeply in love with him?