It didn't surprise me in the least that she'd talked her way through the pedestrian gate and straight to our front door. In fact, she had probably given the poor soul Dimitri had assigned to the post a blowjob simply because she could.
Even with Ravi facing her, I knew he was gaping at the vision that was Maxine. If chaos had a goddess, then Maxine held that title because she was all sensuality, destruction, and sin.
Her dark hair tumbled across her shoulders and her severe bangs only served to enhance her already sharp cheekbones. An air of danger always seemed to hover around her, and even from here, I could tell that she was wearing an outfit that aimed to both tempt and shock.
For a moment, I wondered how Dimitri would hold up against Maxine's brand of sensual chaos - would he submit to her? Would Maxine try to sway him?
You could never be certain when it came to Max, and if she did try she would probably laugh it off and argue that she was testing him.
Anxiety shook my core, but before it could grow roots and embed itself beneath my skin, Dimitri's lips brushed the shell of my ear as he spoke in that husky tone of his.
"Your Witch looks like she could eat my men for breakfast."
"You think any of them will let her?" My voice hitched slightly as I voiced the question, unwilling to speak the words that truly plagued me.
"I'm going to issue an order that none of them are allowed to touch any members in your Club. No offense, Little Vedman, but her kind of venom is not something I need poisoning my ranks."
His fingers dug into my waist with all the reassurance he didn't voice, and I allowed myself to lean back into him as I drew strength from his words.
"You going to let me in, handsome, or should I shift position so you can stare at me some more?"
Ravi stepped aside, allowing Maxine access to my house, and I wondered if any of us would recover from her presence.
"Stop teasing, Ravi." I volleyed the words towards her and caught sight of Maxine's grin that was all mischief.
In two long strides, she stood before me in nothing but a pair of cut-offs, a black lace bra, and a leather jacket. And even dressed in her scrappy clothing, she looked magnificent.
"I believe I'm supposed to offer you my congratulations." Her wicked grin skated over Dimitri and I, and under her knowing gaze, his hand snaked across my waist possessively.
"And I believe my response should be one of gratitude." I answered deftly, knowing Maxine and her games all too well. Her gaze lit up at my response, delighted that I was willing to play with her.
"Oh, Corinne." Her sigh was the epitome of drama. "I hope his dick is good enough to tie yourself to for life."
Dimitri choked back a cough at her crass words, but I simply smiled, allowing my unspoken retort to answer for me.
“And this is Maxine everybody.” Brenna pushed herself forward, her palms crashing together in a slow clap that had each of us remaining motionless with the smell of violence scenting the air.
There was no love lost between Maxine and Brenna. They held two vastly different beliefs, and no matter how much each of us tried, the lines they had drawn could not be whittled down to a meeting point.
“Oh, I’m sorry.” Maxine turned towards Brenna, and for a moment I thought the two might lunge at one another, but instead, Maxine continued with all the confidence of a woman who knew she could land any man. “Did you get here first?”
The implication in the words spoken sat between us, and even Brenna’s golden tanned skin couldn’t hide the blush that burned across her face.
Dimitri was silent, but he did not remove his hands from me for even a moment, as if he suddenly viewed the women before him as a threat.
“Am I stepping on your toes?” Maxine pushed the words from her chest, drawing them out in that breathy, sultry way of hers. “Someone caught your eye?” She grinned as she moved closer towards Brenna, enjoying the way that Brenna shifted before her.
The Sun fidgeted before The Tower.
The words whispered in my ear, unfurling in my mind in a way that caused me to shiver.
“If you point him out, I’ll be sure to -”
“Enough.” I cut in, bringing Maxine’s taunting to an immediate halt.
Maxine simply grinned at me, and I wondered if I had made a mistake inviting her - including her in this. She was just as unstable as Charl was at the moment, and the last thing we needed was for The Tower to tumble around us.
“Coffee’s ready.” Ravi broke the tension as he held out a coffee pot as if it were a peace offering.