Smokescreen

When Matt brought up the situation with Erica, the mood in the kitchen changed. Max motioned for me to come to him and then tucked me into this side protectively. All eyes were on us as he filled them on his plan to move her out as soon as possible. They heard the rant from the night before, but Max explained what led him to the decision and her tricks in New York.

I was shocked still when he announced to everyone that it wasn’t only her normal tricks and antics, but me that made him decide to finally evict her not only from his home but also from every facet of his life. I wanted him to explain more, but he changed the subject and we sat down for breakfast.

When we left, Sara made me promise to meet her for lunch soon, when work was calmer. She had the same glimmer in her eyes when she kissed Max goodbye was well.

This week has been much lighter now that we have all the support we need. Today, Laci and I are going to meet at the Hurst & McCoy offices with the team Max picked. Edward is sure to make an appearance so I’ve spent the majority of the morning giving myself a pep talk.

I’m telling myself for the tenth time how impressive my plan is when I catch Landon and Laci in the doorway watching me. Both have tense lips and red faces from holding back.

“Go ahead, laugh at me. I know I sound like an idiot talking to myself.”

Both burst into laughter and come into the office. I explain the morning plan, ensuring once more that Landon is comfortable taking over while Laci and I are gone. Landon has only been around for a few weeks, but he already has a handle on all the office dynamics. More so than Laci, but she is taking on more of business development role. I was surprised when she asked, but she enjoys talking to the potential clients and doing initial discovery into their needs.

After we wrap up the plans for today and tomorrow, I look up to see both of them looking at me funny. “What’s up you two?” I ask.

“We want to go out tomorrow night,” Laci answers.

“Okay, then go out.”

“No, Stels, we want you to go with us. We’re going to celebrate hiring Landon full time.”

“Where are you going?”

They exchange a look that makes me instantly suspicious.

“Landon wants to check out a new bar downtown. It’s a great excuse for us to get dressed up and dance. It’ll be a sort of girls’ night out celebration,” Laci tells me.

“Wait, girls’ night out? Landon doesn’t quite fall into that category.”

Both sets of eyes look at me as if I’m stupid. “Okay, so maybe he could fit into that category. Where do you want to go?”

“So you’ll go?” Laci presses.

“Maybe, if you’ll tell me where.”

“Let’s just say, we won’t have to worry about picking up men. This is purely Landon’s scene.”

I look between the two of them until it dawns on me. “We’re going to a gay bar?” I squeal.

“Yep! Complete with a Drag Show and all. It’s the hottest place to open this year. I pulled a few favors and have our names at the door.” Landon bounces in his chair.

I clap and turn in a circle laughing. We talk for a few minutes about our plans to meet at my house after work and get ready together. I’m mentally going through my closet when Max walks in.

He takes my breath away in his custom made suit that molds to his body. His eyes capture mine instantly and a buzz fills the room. Laci and Landon stop what they’re doing and look between us. He doesn’t even give them a second glance as he stalks to me and tugs me against his chest, casing me in his arms.

“You left before I got up this morning. I missed you,” he says into my hair.

“Well, it was a bad morning. I realized we were out of coffee, which made me even grouchier. I was already nervous about this meeting today and didn’t want to bother you.”

“Never leave the house without telling me goodbye. I told you before, even Medusa wouldn’t scare me away.” He doesn’t wait for an answer, but lowers his head down and takes my mouth greedily. His hands come up to frame my face and he angles me so our lips are fused together and our tongues spin in rhythm.

My hands clutch at his back, gripping the fabric and holding as close as possible. I lose myself in the feeling of him. This is a new level of intimacy for us. Even when we made out in the pool around his family and friends, it wasn’t this intense.

“Sweet Baby Jesus,” Laci says loudly and starts to clear her throat.

Max breaks away but kisses along my jaw before pulling back and looking at me. His eyes are deep blue, the color of sapphire, boring into mine. I grin slightly and let go.

“Tell me you’ll never leave again without saying goodbye,” he groans.