But nothing happened. He dropped his gaze and finished the pie in two fast mouthfuls. Then he cut another slice, added more ice cream, and walked away. “Help yourself, Charly. You get one piece. The rest is mine for later.”
“It’s all yours, Maxx,” I mumbled, my knees feeling weak.
I heard his chuckle as he walked outside. I also heard what sounded like him saying, “I wish, Red. I wish.”
But I was certain I was mistaken.I made a concerted effort to stay away from Maxx again. I spent the week acting like the perfect employee. I did my job, made sure he had his meals, and spent the evenings in my room, often taking a bike ride and enjoying the scenery. I found it incredibly difficult to try to remain aloof. Watching Maxx without him noticing became an art form for me. I could peer at him as he talked to customers. Paced while on the phone. Ogle his fine ass as he bent over the hood of a car. Groan with barely suppressed lust as he slid underneath the hood on a creeper, his torso disappearing. I wondered how he would react if he felt my hands on his thighs, stroking him, unzipping those jeans and taking him in my mouth, all the while not being able to see me.
I almost fell off my chair imagining the snarls and cursing that would happen under the car. And what he would do to me when he rolled out. More than once, I had to squeeze my thighs together to ease the ache between them.
My little room was the only place I could totally relax. I longed for a bath but hadn’t yet asked Maxx if I could use the tub in the house, worried that would be overstepping. I felt lonely at times, yet fairly content.
Saturday, I did the shopping again, happy not to have run into Wes. Mary and I went for supper later at Zeke’s, enjoying a good burger and some fine cocktails. She always had interesting stories to tell me, some including Maxx and his parents. When we were walking out of the restaurant, Wes Donner and his brother were getting out of their truck. He leered at me, saying something to his brother that amused him and made him eye me up. I ignored them. Mary shot them a look that shut them up.
“I wish I had that talent.” I smirked.
“Years of practice,” she replied with a wink. “Those boys are trouble. I never know who is worse—Wes or Chase. They’re both overgrown children who need a good spanking.”
I snickered at the image. If anyone could do that, it would be Mary.
“You be on your guard for them. Especially Wes since you embarrassed him. He doesn’t like that.”
Maxx had said the same thing.
“I am,” I assured her.
“Good.”
Then she changed the subject.
Sunday, I helped her plant some vegetables, and I baked Maxx another lemon pie. Mary got one too.
That night, I fell into bed and slept soundly, exhausted from the long week of avoiding Maxx, while fighting the desperate longing for not avoiding him. I wasn’t sure how long I could keep up this charade. He seemed to be handling it just fine. He was polite and courteous but went out of his way to avoid me. He thanked me for his meals, always complimented them, and I knew he’d already taken another pie from the freezer. He was a great boss, but the bottom line was, I liked him better as growly, unpredictable Maxx.
On Monday, I carried a sandwich into the garage, setting it on the workbench. It had been a hectic morning, and I’d barely had time to talk to Maxx at all. At one point he’d received a call that he’d walked outside to take, and when he came back, his glower was deeper than usual. I knew better than to ask him about it, though. Instead, I stayed busy.
Maxx was talking to a customer as I went by. He was busy with his hands as he worked on a nice-looking Yamaha. But he glanced up, and I offered him a smile. “Your lunch, boss man, whenever you’re hungry.”
He nodded, his attention on the man he was talking to. The man chuckled. “Wow—she’s good. You get lunch?”
Maxx made a low noise, and the customer stepped forward, his hand outstretched. “Cam.”
I shook his hand. “Charly.”
“Pleasure.” He indicated Maxx. “You’re far cuter than this lug. You smile too.”
I had to laugh. “It’s part of the service now.”
“What else is included?” Cam teased.
“I want those numbers this afternoon, Charly,” Maxx snapped. “Stop flirting and get to work.”
Cam threw back his head in amusement. “I hope you get paid well for putting up with the attitude.”
“I think Maxx considers that one of the perks.”
Cam chuckled and looked at Maxx. “I like this one.”