Picking Up the Pieces (Pieces, #2)(115)

I felt my eyes water as I processed what he’d said. I finally got it. While I had needed to grow up over the past year, I also still needed that spark that made me who I was. Somewhere along the way I’d lost it. Max had made me realize that there was room for both. I could be this mature woman who made good decisions and still be that wild girl who let Max f*ck her against a random wall here and there. In fact, being both was the only thing that would let me be truly happy. Well, that and getting Max somewhere more private so we could figure out where we went from there, and then see how many orgasms we could give each other in one weekend.

"What are you thinking about?" he asked as he lowered me to the ground.

I smiled. "About how similar this is to our airport escapade."

The smile he had been returning faltered. While that encounter had been mind-blowing, it hadn't exactly turned out the way Max had hoped.

I moved in closer to him. "And about how different the rest will be." His smile returned as I continued, "Take me home, Max."

And he did.





Chapter 41: Lily


Once blood began running to the top half of my body again, rational thought came back to me. I didn't want a whirlwind romance with Max. I wanted something that would still be there when the winds died down.

So instead of fulfilling the promise I made myself about the multi-orgasmic weekend that was ahead of me, I pumped the brakes. Max and I had needed to talk about so much, get on the same page, and sex would've been a hindrance to us.

But after two weeks of my denying him anything beyond a heated make out session on my couch, Max decided to play dirty. However, when even his expert fingers and roving tongue proved no match for my resolve, he tactfully reminded me that playing hard to get was usually reserved for those who hadn't already given up the goods. And after I'd leveled him with a lethal glare that was completely for show, I straddled him on my loveseat and made it clear that he'd yet to see the best of my goods.

From there, we were inseparable. I tried to retain some autonomy at first, pretending like I actually wanted to sleep by myself in my apartment. But after Max knocked on my door at two in the morning on a Wednesday, complaining that he couldn't sleep without me hogging all of the covers, we both decided spending time alone was overrated. My things slowly began taking over his house after that. I began taking over his house after that.

And that's how, two months later, I ended up on Bill and Marjorie's back patio, with Max casually holding my hand, and my parents talking about how great the food was.

"Really, Bill, everything is so delicious," my mom raved.

"Glad you're enjoying it, Lynn. It's nice cooking for folks who appreciate a good meal." Max's dad sent a purposeful look at his wife and son as he said the last comment.

"If we ever got one, we'd appreciate it," Max retorted, not looking at his father, but rather staring at our intertwined fingers as he drew lazy circles on my skin with his thumb.

"So, Max, Lily tells me you're doing really well with the hockey commentating. Is there room for growth with that?" My dad was smitten with Max, and who could blame him? It wasn't every day that I introduced him to my famous hockey player boyfriend. But he was still trying to play the protective father role. It was cute.

Max tore his attention from our hands to look my father in the eye, giving him the respect Max knew my father expected. "Absolutely, Howard. The post-game interviews I'm doing now could easily lead to doing play-by-play analysis during the game. I just need to wait for an opportunity to open up."

"Could that require you to move?" I knew my mom's question was asking more than it seemed. Even though she always wished I'd return to Chicago, she also didn't want me traipsing all over the country in order to pursue someone else's dreams.

"I have no intention of moving. My family's here." His eyes skated to mine. "Lily's here." Refocusing on my mom, he sat back in his chair. "I'm not going anywhere."

I knew he was talking about more than just relocating for his job. He was letting me know that he was in this for the long haul. And I loved him for it.

Our relationship had progressed rapidly, but none of it felt rash or sudden. I knew it was because we'd actually been building up to this for over a year and a half. And once we finally arrived, it just felt . . . right.

Which brought me to one of the reasons we were all having dinner together. Other than us obviously wanting our parents to meet, we also wanted to discuss something with them. I had tried to think of the best way to broach the subject, but nothing had come to me. So I finally decided to say the hell with it and just come out with it. "Max and I are going to move in together," I blurted as I pushed food around my plate.

Everyone looked up at me and set their silverware down. At least they no longer have weapons. I knew Bill and Marjory would probably be okay with the news, but my parents were pretty old-fashioned. There was really no telling how they would react.

"Are you two sure you're ready for that? It's only been a couple of months."

I had been prepared for that sentiment, though I'd been stunned that it was Marjory who had voiced it. But, when I thought about it, I had to admit that I had a habit of hurting her son. Therefore, I really couldn't blame her reluctance.

"I'm sure that I'm done waiting for my life to work itself out," I explained softy. "I want to start putting the pieces in place for my future. Our future. And I don't want to waste another second of my life. We only get one forever. I want to make every minute count."