Page 8 of Maximum Dare
“Arrangement?”
“A financial agreement. I’d like to avoid a lawsuit and keep this out of the press.”
“What are you talking about? Anyway, we don’t go around suing each other here.”
“People actually do take legal action in the U.K. all the time.”
“How would you know?”
“I’m a lawyer.” He turned his head to look at me. “In São Paulo.”
“Nick didn’t really talk about you.”
“We’ve been mysteriously kept from each other.” The way he said it made me think he, too, was feeling stung by Nick’s secrecy.
I felt sorry for him. He was clearly finding this charade uncomfortable.
“I forgive you,” I said softly.
He dragged his teeth over his bottom lip. “Why?”
“Well, all that was missing was the handcuffs and a nice spanking.” I gave him a wicked smile.
He went to say something and seemed to change his mind.
My cheeks flushed. “I’m joking, of course.”
He gazed at me intently, his deep brown eyes revealing conflicting emotions, and then he slid into a heart-stopping smile and held it.
My breath caught in my throat.
I looked away and changed the subject. “Why do you have a bodyguard?”
He exhaled sharply. “Carl’s my mum’s chauffeur.”
“Why doesshehave a bodyguard?”
When he didn’t answer right away, I turned to face him. He looked confused, as though I should know the reason.
“I’ve not met her,” I admitted.
“Mum’s cautious, that’s all.”
“She’s not famous, is she?”
“Not in your circle.”
What the hell did that mean?
“Nick told me that after his dad died, he stopped speaking to his family.”
Max shrugged. “My brother acted out for a while, but he’s fine now.”
“Doesn’t seem fine to me.”
“Look, if there’s any way I can make up for tonight—”
“Maybe you can talk to Nick.”
