Chapter 71
Max
I’m still sleepy even though it’s nearly noon. I don’t usually sleep in, so the fact that I’m still lying on the sofa in the middle of the day is strange.
I watch Kari sit by the window, looking over the Strip.
She has that faraway look on her face that I see a lot.
She’s such a complicated person in many ways.
Outwardly, she’s this charismatic, beautiful woman who’s always in control.
And privately, she’s quieter and a lot more sensitive than she lets on.
She wraps her arms around her knees and sighs.
I wonder what she’s thinking, but I know the odds are against me finding out.
She doesn’t open up much about things that matter and pushes me away when I try to get in.
It’s frustrating, yet I find myself more determined to break her code with every shove.
“Whatcha thinking about, sweetheart?”
A small smile touches her lips before she turns to look at me. “Nothing much.”
“You seemed to be thinking about something.”
“No, not really. Just wondering if Jada and Cane made it to Rome yet.”
I know she’s lying, but I let it slide. “Yeah, I don’t know. I haven’t heard from Cane.”
“They might not call. They are on their honeymoon.” She swings off the windowsill and walks toward me. “You know what happens on honeymoons, right?”
“I’ve heard stories.” I grin. “But I’ve never been on one.”
“Me either.”
“Want to go?”
Her lips fall for just a split second before recovering. “Not exactly. But I tell ya what. I’m all up for playing pretend.”
“You want to play pretend honeymoon?” I laugh, wrapping my arms around her waist.
She pulls my head into her stomach and sighs. “I can’t believe we pulled the wedding off. I mean, we planned a wedding in a few days, and it went off without a hitch. That’s pretty cool.”
“We’re a good team.”
I wait for her to respond to see if she reads between the lines.
“Yeah, we do. We’re like peas and carrots.” She grins.
I nip at her stomach, cupping her between the legs. “I’d liken it more to sex and candy.”
She grinds against my hand, and I feel her heartbeat pick up pace under my cheek.
“Well, I’m happy to be candy if you’d like a taste.”
The walls come down over her eyes, and I know she’s done talking about us. I will have to say the things I want to say to her in the only way I know she’ll listen. Physically.
“I have no intentions of passing up an invitation like that.”
Relief washes over her. She grabs the hem of her shirt and starts to draw it over her head, but I stop her.
“I just want you to know that I love ya and not just for your candy, sweetheart.”
She blushes and presses a kiss against my lips. She doesn’t say it back, but half the time, she doesn’t. And that’s okay. Because sooner or later, when she’s ready, she’ll come around.
I won’t have it any other way.
THE END