Page 4 of A Love So Sweet
“Come on, Treat,” Savannah urged. “Let’s get some coffee and catch up.”
Treat held Max’s gaze a beat too long, and she felt her cheeks flush with desire. She wanted to tell him it was okay—even though it wasn’t—to take his handsome face between her hands, and kiss his luscious lips one more time. Why were her feelings for him so overwhelming? She’d never believed in love at first sight, and certainly not with a man who could be so quick to judge her, but her heart was racing the way it had the first time she’d seen him in Nassau.
“Treat?” Savannah’s eyes darted curiously between Treat and Max.
“Right,” Treat said sharply. “Max, may I call you?”
How can you ask me that with your girlfriend standing right there?
“You have a date with Dad, remember?” Savannah said in a singsong voice.
“Dad?” The word slipped from Max’s lips before she had a chance to stop it.
“Yes. I’m here to visit with my father,” Treat said. “Savannah hijacked me on the way to his ranch.”
There was that look again. Not the one he’d given her, but the way he looked lovingly at Savannah. “Nothing like being hijacked by a beautiful woman,” Max said a little too snarkily. Jealousy was not a pretty thing.
Amusement rose in Treat’s eyes. “She’s beautiful, yes, but she’s also my younger sister.”
Savannah crinkled her nose at him in a cute, sisterly way. “He’ssonot my type, all suited up and proper. Hey, Max, why don’t you and Chaz join us for coffee?”
Max was too embarrassed about her misconception and was still struggling with too many emotions to be clear-headed. “I have to be on-site to field any problems that come up, and I have so much to do—”
“Go, Max. You deserve the break,” Chaz urged. “She works like a maniac sunup till sundown. Max, just keep your earpiece on in case there’s an emergency.” He turned to the others and said, “Sorry, guys. I appreciate the offer, but I’ve got to run to a meeting. Max, don’t forget to ask Joey about that sign when you have a chance.”
She watched Chaz walk away and quickly remembered the list of excuses she’d already thought up. “I actually have some lighting issues that I need to attend to.”
“Are you sure?” Savannah arched a brow in her brother’s direction.
“Max, I would be honored if you’d join us.”
The disappointment in Treat’s expression was palpable. She was this close to changing her mind. Every bit of her—especially those naughty parts that she was trying so hard to ignore—screamed,Yes! Yes! Go!But Max was too confused by his showing up and his apology to think straight. “I’m sorry, but I really can’t.”
Treat took her hand and brought it to his lips. She closed her eyes as his lips warmed her skin, bringing another rush of emotions.
“May I call you?” Treat asked again.
Still lost in that single kiss, thinking about what she’d like him to kiss next, Max had to shake her head to pull herself back to the conversation. She tapped her earpiece, hoping to pass off her zoning out as a technical issue. She was acting like those brainless bimbos she hated. Max couldn’t believe Treat was laying it on so thick in front of his sister, but maybe Savannah was used to seeing this side of him. Hewasa billionaire who owned properties all over the world. He probably treated all single women this way.
If she believed that, why was she tearing a piece of paper from her planner and writing her phone number on it? And why was she staring at his butt as he walked away, hoping he’d call?
I’m in so much trouble.
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Chapter Four
HAL BRADEN’S CROWDED driveway told Treat that the rest of his siblings, or at least most of them, had come to see him. He stepped from the SUV as Savannah parked her car. She had peppered him with questions when they’d had coffee, and he’d tried to downplay his feelings about Max and simply said she’d worked with Scarlet to help organize their cousin’s wedding. He thought he’d seen a hint of disbelief in Savannah’s eyes, and the last thing he wanted to deal with was more questions—especially in front of his siblings.
“This was supposed to be a relaxing getaway, not a party,” Treat said as Savannah looped her arm through his.
“It’s not a party. Everyone’s schedule was clear, so we thought…”
Treat sighed at the thought of a chaotic visit, but it would be good to see his family all in one place again. They each had built successful careers that had made them very wealthy—but kept them too busy for regular get-togethers.
They climbed the porch steps of his childhood home, and the familiar scents of fresh-cut wood, steak on the grill, and too much testosterone wrapped around him like a warm embrace. It was good to be home.
“There’s my boy,” his father called from the living room. He stood from his favorite leather recliner and hugged Treat. At six foot six, Hal Braden stood shoulder to shoulder with his eldest son, his broad chest and arms still solid and strong from years of toiling on the family ranch. His thick black hair now had patches of gray around his temples, hints of his age Treat liked to ignore.
