She, the Kingdom (She #1)(22)

“I’ve never seen that look on your face before,” Amelia said.

I grinned. “I guess money can buy happiness.”





Chapter Seven I stood at the front door, tightening the belt of my robe as Max walked up the drive. He gave my new car a second glance and grinned. Under a full moon, it was easy to see the wheels in his head spinning, wondering if I’d enjoyed my new paycheck. If his thoughts were anywhere close to my speculations, I could appreciate that.

He had changed from his suit into a gray sweatshirt and sports shorts, and again wore his faded, stretched out moccasins. For some reason I liked that he went to work in thousand-dollar tailored suits and arrived at my house in his ten-year-old sweatshirt and favorite slippers.

“Good evening,” he said, tipping his baseball cap before slipping by me. “I trust the electrician was here today?”

“You look rested,” I said. Our small talk was unsettling. I wasn’t sure when or if that feeling would go away. We were standing alone in the dark, the only light was from the hood over the stove and the night table lamp glowing softly from the bedroom.

He ignored me. “Morgan. The electrician?”

“He was here. The dimmer switch was installed. It has a remote,” I reported.

“As requested,” Max said, looking pleased with himself. His smile faded. “Was it Pete or Colton?”

“I don’t know.”

“Old or young?” he asked.

“I wasn’t really paying attention. I guess he was young.”

Max tensed, bracing himself for something. “Did he speak to you?”

“No.”

His expression softened, and his shoulders relaxed. He was happy again.

“Are you?” I asked again. “Rested?”

Max looked down at me, his eyes flickering. With anyone else, in any other situation, I could have mistaken it for desire, but Max only wanted what I had to offer Sunday through Thursday nights. “For the first time in a long time, I can say with confidence that yes, I am.”

“Good. I’m glad.” I shoved my hands in the pockets of my robe, watching him walk straight to the bedroom.

“And how are you?” he asked, taking off his hat and rustling his hair.

“It was a good day.”

He pulled his sweatshirt over his head, this time letting his undershirt go with it. He turned to me, taking off his shorts like it was the most natural thing to do—like we were an old married couple getting ready for bed and chatting about our day. “Mrs. Jameson took care of you?”

“She did.”

“I’m delighted to hear it,” he said, walking over to me. His hands settled on my hips, and he moved me backward toward the bed until the backs of my knees touched the mattress. I crawled back, sitting against the pillow prop I’d fashioned before he’d arrived.

Max curled his fingers around my ankles and gently pulled. “I’d like you a bit flatter if you don’t mind.”

I shook my head, and he reached up, bending my knees and then loosening the knot of my belt before peeling away my only clothing. Just as he did the night before, he kept my breasts covered, but I was certainly exposed.

As Max got comfortable and lowered his head, he kissed my upper thigh. He froze. “Christ, I’m so sorry,” he said without looking up. “Habit.”

My thighs were tight, and my knees were turned inward, a reaction to his unintentional display of affection. “It’s okay,” I said, willing my thighs to relax and staring up at the ceiling. “It’s a sweet habit to have.”

“Tell that to Sophie.”

“It would feel strange to tell her anything about you. How…” I hesitated.

“How was she today?”

I nodded.

He sighed and sat up. He wasn’t annoyed, just giving his answer the focus and consideration it deserved. “She was fine.”

I frowned, confused. “And that’s a bad thing?”

“No, not at all. I supposed I just expected her to…” he trailed off, watching me cover myself. “I expected her to have questions. But she didn’t even ask. She was in a great mood. She was humming and bouncing around the house like she’d received good news. When I tried to talk to her about it, she said there was no need.”

“She must be well rested, too.”

“I suppose so.” He snapped back to the present. “The remote?”

It took a moment for me to process what he was referring to, and then I reached up, dimming the lamp. Max touched my knee for a second before sliding my robe to the side. I assumed the position he preferred, and his eyes locked with mine for half a second before his warm tongue was gliding over my most sensitive parts, tracing the same lines as he had the night before.

I took in a deep breath, and pushed my head back against the pillows. Max jerked his head up, looking panicked.

“What?” I asked, sitting up on my elbows.

“You… nothing.”

He started to lower his head again, but I pressed my fingers against his forehead to stop him. “What is it?”

“You moved. I thought you were… becoming aroused.”

“I told you—”

“I know. I know that, and as we continue, I’ll be able to trust that more. But for now, I’m very wary of keeping to Sophie’s only request.”