Rule's Seduction (The House of Rule 4)

Not waiting to see if they understood or not, Max made a grab for Erin’s hand and began leading her inside—and he was infinitely pleased as she adjusted her wrist, entwining her fingers with his.

Marisol rushed towards them in obvious relief, holding a blanket in her arms. As his housekeeper clucked over his wet, bedraggled wife, Max allowed Marisol the moment she needed to make sure that Erin was safe. As the two women embraced, Max glanced back at the Rule brothers and saw that their faces wore expressions of disbelief.

Once they were inside, Max was aware that the Rule brothers followed behind them. Erin moved to take the lead and Max let her, allowing her to walk toward the atrium where she took a seat and then indicated that her brothers should do the same.

Max walked toward the drink cabinet and pulled out a bottle of bourbon as he concentrated on Erin’s brothers. They’d declined to take a seat, only stood looking around, almost as if taken aback by something they hadn’t expected.

Max glanced at Erin and found her watching him, a smile on her lips. She tilted her head toward the bottle in his hand and mouthed silently, “Maker’s?”

He returned her smile and shrugged, knowing she was on to him. So, he had it bad for her—so what? He’d had the entire house redone during the months he’d stalked her on the Internet. He’d also made sure that Marisol and his cook knew what her favorite foods were. Those were simple things he’d done to make sure she was happy here—so what?

He put five glasses on a tray and poured Maker’s in each—neat. Pacing over to where Erin sat, he placed the tray on the coffee table in front of her and handed her a glass. She took it from him, her fingers sliding over his before she took a small sip, her eyes holding his with a look that promised more. He wanted more—shit yeah, he did. Unable to stop himself and feeling no need to deny himself, he leaned over and sampled her lips. He tasted the lushness of her mouth, the sweetness that was her, and the hint of Maker’s that reminded him of the first time he’d met her. He lifted away slightly and said low, for her ears only, “Tastes good.”

She smiled back and her lips parted as if about to say something—but her damn brother broke in before Max was able to know what teasing quip he’d missed out on.

“Motherfucker—he’s in love with her.”

It was her middle brother who said it, and as Max rose to his full height, her oldest brother agreed. “He damn sure is.”

Max had a front row view when Erin broke into an enchanting smile, but before he could acknowledge the truth of their statements, Garrett broke in.

“Fuck no, he’s not. Son-of-a-bitch has no fucking heart. He’s fooled both of you, and you, too, Erin!”

It was as if one brother’s rage made the other two rethink their positions. As all three stood watching him suspiciously, Max decided to bury the bullshit before it went on any further. Not love her? Of course he loved her. And he could prove it.

Picking up a glass, he took a drink, swallowing half the liquor down. This was it—Erin either loved him or she didn’t. He prayed like fuck that she did.

He set the glass down and moved to the end of the sofa where he stood next to where Erin sat but where he could see each of her brothers’ expressions. They stood facing him, each refusing to take a glass even though Erin had indicated that they should.

Narrowing his eyes and squaring his jaw, Max put his hands on his hips and announced, “I love your sister.”

Damian and Nick stood silently; Garrett hissed, “Bullshit,” under his breath.

Max didn’t flinch, although he felt the need to brace himself. There was a distinct chance that he wouldn’t get to finish the point he wanted to make, and he wanted to be prepared if one or more of them came at him. “Erin, sweetheart, tell your brothers what I said would happen to their corporation if you didn’t stay here with me.”

It was Nick who exploded this time. “Goddamnit!” he swore as he started to come forward.

Max held up a hand. “Just a fucking second, okay?”

Erin reached up and grabbed his hand as she stared up at him. “You want me to tell them?”

“Yes.”

“The truth?” she asked, gasping.

“Yes, love.” He squeezed her hand in reassurance. “I want you to tell them what I said I would do to their business if you didn’t stay here with me.”

She looked horrified for a moment. “They’re going to be pissed!”

“They’re already pissed—just tell them.”

With a look that said she didn’t understand, Erin continued to hold his hand while she turned and looked at her brothers. “He said he’d flatten your business—that he’d make the corporation fall if I didn’t stay here with him.”