Page 38 of A Bride for the Billionaire Bad Boy

“Gorgeous, isn’t it?” Lucas said to Maxine as he stepped behind her.

Maxine was caught by surprise. A very pleasant surprise! When did he arrive? She had been admiring the beautiful flowers in the massive garden. The hedge was professionally trimmed by the family’s gardener into heart-shaped motifs. Maxine was oohing and aahing over them.

“Yes, they are…beautiful,” she murmured after she turned to face him. “I didn’t see you arrive. When did you get here?” Her heart was pounding hard and fast in her chest. Butterflies were tickling her stomach again. Being this close to Lucas did that to her, didn’t it? It never failed. There was simply something about him that lifted her spirit and elevated her mood.

“Well, you know I wouldn’t miss this for the world. My cousin’s…ahem…baby shower,” Lucas said with a charming smirk.

Maxine could just imagine the two cousins teasing each other or having a mock spat over the fact that they were both forced to attend the Romero family’s first official Jack and Jill baby shower. In fact, she noticed that Toni was extra perky today. She could literally feel his joy over having a new grandchild in the family. His very first. How exciting! And Maxine got to be a part of that.

There was the pang in the center of her chest again. A longing that she wished she had a big, close-knit family such as the Romero family. She could see how much they stuck together and supported each other whether they were busy or not. They were all in attendance.

“Can I get you a drink?”

“No. I’m good, thanks. Actually, maybe a glass of water.” The hot sun was making her mouth dry all of a sudden. Or was that Lucas? She was thirsting for a taste of his sweet lips. She hungered for his passion. But this was not the time, nor place, was it?

Lucas took a glass of sparkling water from the tray of one of the waiters who happened to brush by them at the time.

“So, how are you doing?” he asked as he handed her the glass. His gaze focused intently on hers.

Maxine melted inside. He was inches from her with a glass of champagne in his own hand. “Thank you,” she said, taking the glass from him. “I’ve been…busy.” She lifted the glass to her lips and felt quenched by the cool water sliding down her throat. A naughty thought crossed her mind as she licked her lips after taking her sip. Lucas’s gaze was fixed on her mouth for that moment and she thought she caught a wicked grin from his lips.

Okay. She would not be doing that again. The last thing she wanted to do was tease him. Or appear like some sort of flirtatious tease.

“Good. How’s the Dream software holding up?”

“Oh, it’s fabulous. Thank you again. We’ve had a few good prospects who have tried the online program and were happy to have us do the rest. It’s sort of some pre-screening for them. They love it and so do we.”

“Glad to hear,” he said sincerely. He lifted the glass to his lips while his eyes stayed on Maxine.

“I’ve missed you,” he said almost inaudibly when he’d finished taking his swig of alcohol.

“What?”

“Why does that surprise you?”

“Um. Well, you haven’t even called me since you went out west.” She placed a hand on her hip.

“Sorry. I’ve been busy.”

Maxine rolled her eyes playfully.

“No. Seriously. I wanted to call you but I’ve been working on this new project and trying to dodge the local media there, too.”

Maxine’s heart squeezed. That scandal again. How could she have forgotten? It had been a while since things died down a bit but as she knew that could change in a heartbeat.

“It’s still hanging over you, huh?”

“You’d better believe it. We’re opening up a family-friendly center there and all they could keep asking about was my unborn child—the one I’m denying.” Bitterness crossed his handsome face.

Maxine’s insides twisted. “How awful. I’m so sorry to hear that, Lucas. That’s the last thing you need. Why can’t they just drop it? You’re innocent until proven-”

“Guilty?” He cocked a brow and grinned.

“That’s not quite what I meant, you know.”

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