The Gamble (Colorado Mountain #1)(23)

“We’ll leave you alone,” Harry said and I noticed he didn’t look happy-go-lucky anymore. He looked pale and maybe a little frightened.

Because of that, I probably shouldn’t have said what I said next. But for some reason I couldn’t help myself.

No, I knew the reason. Because Shauna was far more of a bitch than Harry was a good guy and she deserved it, not only for saying what she said and for obviously, and in an ugly way, pining for Max, but for being with Harry at all. I didn’t know him but I knew he deserved better.

Therefore I snuggled my head into Max’s shoulder, wrapped my arm around his belly and invited, “Why don’t you two eat with us? It’d be great, getting to know some people from town.”

Harry grew paler, Max grunted in a way that made me think he was struggling with laughter and Shauna’s eyes narrowed.

“We’re good with our table,” Harry muttered. “You two look like you’d like some private time.”

“You sure?” I asked graciously.

“Yeah,” Harry answered.

“Well, maybe we can get together some other time,” I offered and looked at Shauna. “Does Max have your number? I’ll call you.”

Before Shauna could say anything, Max’s voice rumbled from behind me but he sounded funny, like he was now choking back laughter. “I’ve got her number.”

I lurched up a bit and doing my best imitation of Becca I cheerfully cried, “Great!”

“See you around,” Harry said as he and Shauna slid out of the booth.

Shauna didn’t say anything.

Harry gave us a half-wave as he walked away, I waved back and Shauna didn’t even glance in our direction.

They were five feet away when Max got my attention by curling me into his body front to front, so close I was almost in his lap.

“Enjoyed the show, Duchess,” he muttered, his other arm sliding around me and he still looked amused.

I pushed against his chest and muttered back, “Show’s over, Max.”

He ignored me and held firm. “Though, it was unnecessary.”

I quit pushing against his chest and looked in his eyes. “I’m sorry, I know your computer password is her name but she’s just… not very nice.”

“She’s a bitch,” Max declared bluntly.

“Well…” I drew the word out and then let it hang, allowing the way I said it to speak for itself.

“And her name is my computer password because she set up the computer and the password.”

I tipped my head to the side. “So, she and you –?”

Max cut me off by informing me, “Yeah, I used to f**k her,” my body jolted at his frankness but he kept talking, “but it’s been over awhile.”

“You should change your password.”

“Not exactly a priority so I haven’t got ‘round to it.”

“I’ll do it for you,” I offered.

His arms gave me a squeeze and he grinned. “What’ll you chose?”

Before I could stop my mouth from forming the words, I said, “Shebitchfromhell666.”

He burst out laughing, giving me another squeeze while he did it.

When he controlled his laughter, he looked back at me. “That’s kinda long, honey.”

“Maybe so, but you won’t forget it.”

His face got closer when he murmured, “Don’t figure I will.”

I realized where I was and what I was about and I pressed against his chest again.

“Let go,” I whispered.

“Like you here,” he whispered back, something tingled someplace private, it felt altogether too good and I pulled in breath.

“I have to use the restroom,” I kind of lied. I didn’t have to use the facilities. I needed to blow my nose.

“Run away and remind yourself to be uptight?” he asked, again bluntly, and I felt my brows draw together.

“No. I need to blow my nose.”

He looked at me a second, seeming at a loss then said, “Do it here.”

I wasn’t going to blow my nose at the table in front of him.

“I forgot tissues,” I lied outright this time.

He grinned again and declared, “You’re so full of shit.”

What? Did he have x-ray eyes and could see in my purse?

“I’m not full of shit,” I returned and his face dipped close again.

His arms got tight before he whispered, “You like where you are just as much as I like you here.”

Before I could say a word, his hold loosened and he slid out of the booth, taking me with him and setting me on my feet.

“Hurry up, the food’ll be here in a minute,” he said when he let me go.

I looked at the table then at him. “We haven’t ordered yet.”

“Yeah we have.”

“I haven’t even seen a menu!” I said, my voice raised.

“You’re gettin’ a buffalo burger with jack cheese and onion rings, just like me.”

I shook my head, those short, jerky shakes and I wasn’t certain I’d ever really done that before but I seemed to do it a lot around Max.

“But –”

“Go blow your nose, Duchess.”

“But –”