Page 40 of Dr. Bad Boy

“Thank you for such a lovely time. It was so nice to meet you both.” I feel awkward. Unsure. Where do I stand with these people? Offering my hand to shake seems too formal considering the casualness of our visit, but we’ve only just met, and this is the prime minister and his fiancee, after all.

Max puts his hand at the small of my back and gently rubs with his thumb, making my heart thud heavy in my chest.

A beat or two later, Ellie comes to me, pulling me into a warm hug. “I’m so glad you came. He’s the happiest I’ve seen him in months,” she whispers.

I’m a little startled, but return the hug. “I’m glad, too.” And I realise I am.

“I was serious before. Let’s get together for coffee, sometime. Just us.”

“I’d like that.” I’m still fairly new to Ottawa and not exactly flush with friends.

Max and Gavin exchange a bro-hug, then we put on our jackets and step into the cold, dark Ottawa night.

Drinks with friends.

Something tells me nothing about exploring this thing with Max is going to be ordinary.

12

Max

We drive backto Violet's place in silence.

Maybe tonight was a mistake. Maybe I shouldn't have pushed her so hard into something so…social. So vanilla. Hell, I don't know anything about being a boyfriend.

I wanted her to see me as a real guy. Less of a threat. Now I'm a guy with a high-stakes best friend. That's hardly better.

But on the other hand, she seemed to get along well with both Gavin and Ellie—and God only knows, they definitely make me look better.

"Did you have a good time?" I finally ask as we walk up to her building.

She nods and gives me a weird smile as she punches in her code. I follow her into the lobby because yes, I'm seeing her to her actual front door.

"I did," she says slowly.

"But?"

She raises her eyebrows. "Max, they're your family. And you don't introduce your…" She lowers her voice. "Potential submissives to your family."

I laugh under my breath. "My…family…is pretty kink-positive." And kinky themselves.

"It just wasn't what I expected," she says with a sigh.

I reach out and take her hand, then pull her against me. Another sigh and she relaxes into my body.

"I've got a lot to learn about clear communication," I mutter into her hair as I hug her tight. "But I hear you about being honest. I do."

"Good."

But that reminds me. I ease her back against the door, then brace my arms on either side of her and give her a mock-glower.

"What?" She frowns as she arches beneath me. The invitation is clear.Touch me, Max.

Oh, I want to touch her all over.

“Speaking of honesty…"

"Yes?"

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