“And Sky. How do you feel about her?”
His first impulse was to scream back off, but he bit his tongue. From their first meeting, he and John hit it off. Two battle-hardened combat veterans with more scars inside than out. John listened when he needed to talk, sat quietly when he needed companionship, and understood better than anyone the hell he’d gone through.
John protected those he cared about, and he cared about Sky and her daughter. And Max.
“I’m crazy about her, old man. And Maddie, too.” He took a deep breath. “I tried not to. God knows she could do a damn sight better than me, but…I want to be with her. With them.”
After a slight pause, John spoke again, a noticeable smile in his voice. “Good. That’s great. Y’all have fun tonight.”
Before Max could form a reply, John hung up. What the hell brought that on? He slid the phone back in his pocket and looked at the clock. Five-thirty. Jason would be back any minute, and then he could leave. And do what? Kill time for three hours while he waited for eight o’clock to arrive? Face his taciturn houseguest who hadn’t said two words to him this morning? He pushed Logan from his mind and thought about his date with Sky.
He couldn’t remember ever being so nervous. It’s just a date, not brain surgery. We’re going out to dinner then maybe to a dance.
But what about the strings Sky mentioned? Where did they fit into the program? And better yet, what the hell were they? Of course, he had his own ideas, but he’d learned a long time ago not to hope for anything special.
His revelry was interrupted when his boss scurried in the front door.
“Sorry the deliveries took so long this time,” said Jason as he rounded the counter. “Everywhere I went people wanted to talk.”
“No problem, sir.” Max resisted the urge to salute. Old habits were hard to break. “All ready to lock up for the night.”
“There is no rank here, Max. It’s just us.”
“Yes, sir—I mean, right Jason.”
“So, ready for the big date tonight?”
Max didn’t bother to hide his shock. “How’d you know about that?”
Jason laughed and clapped him on the shoulder. “You forget how things are in a small town, son. You can’t do anything that somebody doesn’t see or know about. With nothing better to do, they talk.” His steady gaze met and held Max’s. “They talk a lot.”
He didn’t need him to elaborate. John’s call told him the gossipmongers were already having a field day at his expense. He was sure he had Cade to thank for that. “Unfortunately, they don’t always have the facts, or they choose to spread lies for shits and grins.”
“Well, personally, I’ve never put much stock in rumors and gossip.”
Max nodded, unsure how he should respond.
“So, where are you taking her?”
Jason’s easy change in the conversation helped lift the pall settling around him. “Steakhouse out by the interstate. Maybe take in the dance at the VFW.”
“Well, you deserve some fun. Take off. I’ll finish up here.”
Max didn’t need to be told twice. He rushed around the counter and headed for the door. “Thank you, sir. See you on Monday.”
His good humor lasted until he pulled into his drive and saw a strange vehicle parked behind Logan’s truck. Shit. Anna. Has to be.
He parked in his usual spot and sat inside for several deep breaths. As soon as he opened the door to get out, he saw Sky at the kitchen window. Her sad expression said it all. She knew he had more company.
The door opened before he knocked.
“Hey.” She motioned him in. “It’s cold out there.”
He shuffled into the kitchen and stopped at the stove, engulfed in old fears and the dull ache of foreboding. A whiff of her floral perfume said she stood behind him.
“She arrived a few minutes ago.”
Max turned around. “I didn’t expect her until tomorrow.” To his dismay, his voice wavered slightly.
Arms folded, she shrugged. “Well, speaking as a mother, if my child took off like that, I’d be here sooner rather than later, too.”
“I don’t know what’s going to go down tonight, but it shouldn’t interfere with our date.”
“I hope not,” she said softly, then looked away, teeth biting her lower lip.
He scrubbed his face with both hands. “Dammit. I wanted tonight to be special.”
After a brief hesitation, she took his hands and wound them about her waist, sliding her arms around his neck. “I know. Me, too. But stuff happens, Max. We both know that.” Biting her lip again, she looked down, then reached up and kissed him lightly on the lips. “I won’t lie to you. I’ll be really disappointed if things don’t work out.”
She lowered her eyes, then glanced up, a sensuous flame shimmering in their hazel depths. The look was so innocently seductive, his libido headed for the stratosphere.
“Do what you have to. I’m going to take a long, hot bubble bath.” She rubbed her hands up his chest again. “And get ready for our date.”
He pulled her to him, rougher than he should have, and covered her mouth with his, devouring its softness. She tasted so damn good. Felt so damn good pressed against him. He couldn’t be gentle. He wanted her with an intensity unlike anything he’d ever experienced. Needed her goodness and warmth to fill the empty spot in his soul. Only she had the power to ease the hurt inside. He loved her.
With all his heart and soul, he loved her.
Tremors racked her body as she returned his kiss, opening her mouth to his probing tongue, matching his intensity with her own.
