Page 37 of Maximum Dare
“Oh, I wouldn’t want you to drive me.” I lied because the feelings I had were so intense, they scared me. I didn’t want him to see I had a silly crush.
Our eyes met as the panic in my words weighed heavily in the small space between us.
“Then I won’t drive you,” he said flatly.
I gave him a weak smile. “Thank you again for the soft landing up there.”
His expression softened and he broke into a grin. “The pleasure was all mine.”
I wasn’t imagining it, was I? The sparks that sizzled when we were close…the undeniable chemistry between us.
The doors to the lift opened.
“I’ll walk you to the car.” He gestured for me to go first.
“Such a gentleman.” I headed out to the lobby.
He caught up and rested his hand lightly on the small of my back. “Guilty as charged.”
His touch sent a shiver of delight through me, his accent making me delirious.
We exited through the front door of the hotel and strolled out into the chilly evening air. Self-conscious about the lost button, I tugged my coat tighter.
Max rested a hand on my arm.“Até logo, doce Margarida.”
“I feel the same way.”
His brow furrowed. “That was, ‘Goodbye, sweet Daisy.’”
“I know.” I gave him asilly youlook.
He chuckled, and then his lips pressed together as though he were trying to prevent more words from spilling out of his perfect mouth.
We reached the curb where the SUV was parked. Before I thought better of it, I rose onto my toes and planted a light kiss on his cheek to thank him, brushing my lips across the stubble there just to see how it might feel. He smelled so damn good I didn’t want to pull back.
His lips were now lingering close to mine.
I heard Carl open the back door of the SUV. “Everything all right, sir?” he asked.
Max jolted back. “Of course. Miss Whitby is ready to go home now, please.”
I lowered my head and climbed into the back of the car.
Max leaned down to peer at me. “Let me know how the next one goes?”
“Next one?”
“Your next dare.”
Oh.I’d already forgotten about that.
He cupped my face with his hand. “You’re going to get through this, I promise.”
“The dares?”
“No, that’s not what I meant.”
I wanted this moment to linger, but he pulled his hand back and gave Carl a nod. “Get her home safely.”
