He studied me for a moment, his shoulders losing a little of the tension. “You didn’t feel safe in Toronto? Because of your landlord?”
I recalled Mary’s words when she told me Maxx and I had a lot in common. I leaned against the workbench, staying a safe distance from Maxx. I met his curious gaze and told him everything.
“I came home from work one day to find out my roommate was a thief. Aside from a few things she left behind, my apartment was empty, all my money gone, my bank accounts drained, and she had disappeared. Her name, everything, had been fake.”
His eyebrows shot up, but he didn’t say anything.
“Then, to make matters worse, I lost my job and found out Trish had been trading sexual favors for the rent money I gave her. So, I was behind on my rent, and my ever-helpful landlord offered to let me take her place until I could find the money.”
His eyes narrowed, and his hands clenched into fists. “He threatened you.”
“Yes. And since I told you the story of how that went for him at the bar the other night, you know I refused.” I shivered simply at the thought. “He was vile.”
I met his angry gaze. “I tried so hard to be brave, Maxx, but I was terrified about what he would do to me if he caught me. He was so…awful. I was equally nervous about your posting, but I was desperate.” I swallowed. “I knew you thought I was a guy, but I decided working for a curmudgeon who was angry was better than staying there. I was sure I could get you to come around and appreciate my work, not my gender.”
He didn’t say anything, and I told him about my terror and how I didn’t relax until the bus pulled away and my sheer relief at escaping that part of my life. I explained about the wallets and the money, laying it all on the table.
He listened, his expression intense. His brows drew down in anger at parts, his frown constant, but he never interrupted.
I blew out a long breath. “So, basically, I figured you’d be annoyed, but I had to get away. I thought once you saw how good a job I did, you wouldn’t be annoyed anymore. I had no idea all I would do was annoy you once I got here.” I lifted my shoulder. “Or the reaction it would cause between us.”
He lifted a brow. “Annoyance isn’t the main issue here, Charly.”
I was quick to reassure him. “What happens is mutual, Maxx. You don’t owe me an apology.”
“Yeah, I do.”
“Then I accept it.”
“I don’t want you to feel as if—” He huffed and ran a hand through his hair. “I don’t want you to feel unsafe because of me. I am not the kind of man your landlord was. I’m not trying to take advantage of you.”
I was touched by his words. “Oh heavens. I know that. You’re nothing like him, Maxx. What happens between us is mutual,” I assured him. “I understand you wanting to draw the line, but at no time have you ever taken advantage or made me feel unsafe.”
“Good.” He grunted, sipping his coffee, clearly uncomfortable. “I would hate that,” he muttered so low I almost didn’t hear him.
I told him the news that Kelly had shared about Terry.
“Will you have to go into Toronto to give a statement?” He scowled.
“I called the cops this morning. They said the chances were unlikely. They have a lot of complaints against him now. If I’m needed, they’ll be in touch.”
“I’ll take you if you have to go.”
“Oh. You don’t have to do that.”
He grunted. “Yes, yes, I do.”
I ignored the flutter of pleasure his insistence made me feel. I let his words go and moved back to the gist of our conversation.
“I had no idea who you were that night in the bar,” I confessed. “I didn’t expect to see you again.”
“I know how you feel. I was pretty damned shocked myself.”
“Don’t send me away, Maxx. I’ll do my job and leave you alone. I promise.”
“What happened last night—” he began, but I interrupted him.
“Won’t happen again. I get it. We’re both adults, we can figure it out.”
“Let me finish,” he growled, and I tried not to giggle. He sounded like Maxx again.
“I was rough and said some things I shouldn’t have said. Seeing that emblem hit me and brought up some bad memories. I’m sorry I pushed you away, and I’m sorry I yelled. But the bottom line is, we can’t keep doing this. I’m not in the market for a relationship, and you aren’t the kind of girl who sleeps with her boss with no chance of a future.” He met my eyes, his dark and serious, although I was certain I heard a trace of regret in his undertone. “Because there is zero chance, Charly. Let me be clear on that.”