Total pages in book: 21
Estimated words: 18896 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 94(@200wpm)___ 76(@250wpm)___ 63(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 18896 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 94(@200wpm)___ 76(@250wpm)___ 63(@300wpm)
“See? Proof to back up my claim.” Max sounded smug and Brandy was happy.
Stevie held her tray against her black shirt. “Can I get you two something to eat? The burgers are the best.”
Max raised his eyebrows, silently asking her to choose.
“A burger sounds great,” she said.
“Two,” he said and Stevie walked off to put in their order.
Max dragged the empty stool close to hers and swung himself into it.
She nodded. “So you’ve got your own table. Do you call this place home?” Brandy liked the rustic, comfortable decor. The place emitted warmth and a down-home atmosphere that welcomed its customers.
“As a matter of fact, I do. I have an apartment upstairs… if you’d like to see it.”
“Really.” She leaned forward and rested her chin on her hand, her heart beating out a rapid crescendo in her chest. They’d just met tonight but she’d never felt so much so fast. “And if I don’t?” she asked softly.
Max leaned closer. “If you don’t, we eat dinner and I drive you to wherever you live.”
“And if I would like to see your place?”
“Then tonight you stay with me.”
His warm breath tickled her cheek and she realized she could easily fall hard for this man. All six feet of him put her at a petite disadvantage, yet for a woman who prided herself on her independence, she had to admit she liked his overpowering air and the heady way he made her feel.
Enough to consider spending the night?
“Your burgers have arrived.” Stevie interrupted the electric current of awareness running between them. She set the plates on the table. “Can I get you anything else?”
“No, thank you,” they said at the same time.
Stevie chuckled. “Well, you two be good,” she said and left them to eat.
* * *
Max ate and watched Brandy do the same. He wasn’t a guy prone to talking about himself but she had him explaining the types of cases he handled and describing the thrill of working in the field as opposed to behind a desk or in a courtroom the way his father had wanted. To his surprise, she didn’t turn her nose up or question his choices. If anything, she not only approved but seemed to envy his ability to walk away from the pressure and grind to do what he enjoyed.
No matter what they discussed Max found himself drawn to her. Not just because they shared a passion for take-out Mexican food and running in fresh air, but because she was unique. She was a woman who made him want to open up, a woman who interested him so much he wanted to know more about her life, and a woman who accepted the choices he made. A woman he desired not just in his bed, though that was a given, but in his life, to see where things led.
And if her footwork was any indication, she wanted the same thing. She’d obviously let her elf boots fall to the floor and she’d brushed her foot against his leg one too many times for it to be accidental. The light flush in her cheeks and her inability to look him head-on told him she didn’t find her overt moves easy. But he was grateful for her interest and he intended to keep things light and fun—to give her space to decide how far she wanted to take things, knowing he wouldn’t accept just tonight. It would be her decision to stay or go, no matter how much his body ached with growing need.
Conversation became more difficult as she intentionally massaged his calf with the arch of her foot, inching it upward beneath the table.
He leaned closer. “You’re a naughty girl, Brandy.” He captured her foot between his legs, stilling her arousing movements.
It was either stop her or let her continue her upward climb, in which case their evening would end before it ever began.
“Being naughty’s the whole point, Max.”
“You sound like a woman with a plan.” He paused, thinking of their unusual meeting. “And it started with that kiss.”
Her lips lifted in a smile. “I already told you I acted on opportunity.”
“In a way that was out of character.” Max was as certain Brandy wanted him as he was that she had a bad case of nerves.
“And you know this how?” She drummed her fingertips on the table, trying hard to maintain her nonchalant façade.
Max grinned. “Gut instinct.”
* * *
Max understood her already, Brandy thought, as she inclined her head. Not only did he get her in a way few people did but he seemed to see inside her, too. Her aggressive act was just that, an act, but in no way did that minimize how badly she wanted this night with him.
He stopped her nervous tapping and threaded his fingers through hers. “Relax, sweetheart.”
The softly spoken endearment wrapped around her heart and her adrenaline picked up speed. “You really think that’s possible?”