There had been a few awkward moments, like the time she’d woken up in the middle of the night and walked into the kitchen, wearing nothing but a tank top and panties, so she could get a drink. At three in the morning, she hadn’t thought she’d need to cover up, but apparently Lucas had had the same idea. He’d walked in covered by nothing but a pair of tight boxer briefs, giving her a good outline of what was underneath. The second he’d caught sight of her barely there outfit, he’d gotten hard. And Maxie got a glimpse of just how big and thick he was.
She hadn’t been subtle about staring either. How could she have been when his erection was growing before her eyes? She’d wanted nothing more than to climb him, wrap her legs around his waist, and feel that masculine hardness against her sex. Her panties had grown damp, and she’d forgotten all about the drink, leaving it on the counter and escaping to her room before she could act on her desire. She’d returned to her room, slipped her hands beneath her panties, and rubbed herself to a nice, fast orgasm, thoughts of Lucas and what that erection would feel like inside her getting her off in seconds. She wouldn’t be surprised if he’d done the same to himself in the room next door.
Neither of them had mentioned the incident the next day, but it was never far from her mind, and keeping her gaze on his face and not his… package wasn’t easy. It had been a long time since she’d had sex. Since long before losing the baby, in fact, as Keith had lost interest in anything but his extracurricular activities. She’d thrown herself into the idea of becoming a mother and shut off all thoughts of intimacy and physical need.
Since moving in with Lucas, those needs had come roaring back to life, reminding her she was a woman. And this woman very much wanted the man she was living with. He should be off-limits but her body wasn’t listening. From the often heated, slumberous look in his eyes when he looked at her, she knew he felt the same way.
Together they were smoldering embers waiting to be set aflame.
Chapter Five
Lucas hated black-tie affairs. All three partners at Blink did, which was why they alternated attending the ones that they deemed mandatory. For personal reasons, Kade took the events that focused on mental health issues, and Blink donated a lot of money there. Tonight Lucas was attending the Life Counts Gala, an event that raised money for suicide prevention among teens. Especially teens who were bullied. For obvious reasons, the cause was close to his heart, and Lucas did more than just donate money or attend a gala once a year.
With his first million, Lucas had immediately set about searching for a school system where he could help kids in need. No, he couldn’t stop bullying on his own, but he could spend time with geeky kids like he’d been, children who loved math and computers and couldn’t relate to the jocks and athletes who were more popular. Like his brother had been.
Lucas donated computers and iPads, knowing that geeks like he’d been would appreciate the technology they wouldn’t have access to otherwise. These kids took one look at Lucas, who donated his time, saw his muscles and tattoos and his willingness to accept them for who they were, and it gave them hope that they, too, would survive adolescence. He loved giving them something to focus on, where they could learn to code, create, and get lost in their own worlds. Often a safer world than the one in which they lived.
He swore to himself that when he had a family of his own, no child of his would suffer at the hands of a sibling or feel as alone as he often had as a kid. So tonight’s gala meant something special, and for that, he’d wear a tuxedo.
He adjusted his bow tie and shrugged on his jacket, grabbing his wallet and shoving it in his pocket before walking out of his bedroom.
To his surprise, Maxie sat on the sofa in the family room watching television on the large screen. Since the night of the kiss, they’d retreated to their separate rooms each evening, and he hadn’t expected to have to face her before going out tonight.
“Nice outfit,” she said with a cute whistle, rising to her feet.
He stopped and walked into the room, his gaze drawn to her pajamas. She was totally covered, wearing a navy silk pair of pants and a long-sleeve top, makeup free, her hair pulled into a messy knot on her head. So why did he find her so damned sexy anyway?
“Hot date?” she asked lightly, but they both knew it was more than a fly-by question.
He managed a shrug. “It’s a business thing.” And he wasn’t going alone.
Arielle Costas was his date. Since the gala fell on the one weekend she was in town, he’d invited her before Maxie had moved in and his life had turned upside down.
“Umm…” He searched for a way to explain.
“Never mind.” She waved a hand awkwardly in front of her. “I shouldn’t have said anything. It’s none of my business.”
But he wanted to elaborate. And he needed to, because tonight’s event included a red-carpet walk-in and would be covered on the local news and tech blogs, and Maxie might see. And get the wrong idea.
“I’m taking Arielle,” he said, forcing the words out.
She blinked in surprise. “I see.”
He doubted she understood. He wouldn’t if the situation were reversed. Jealousy would eat at him despite the fact that they had no relationship other than friendship.
Normally he had no problem with his and Arielle’s bi-yearly get-togethers, but knowing Maxie thought he’d been engaged to her made this feel awkward.
And wrong.
“We get together once or twice a year, and this event coincided with her trip to New York.”
She nodded. “I get it. You don’t owe me an explanation. I’m just going back to watching TV. Have fun.” She waved in dismissal.
So he walked out and went to pick up Arielle. She wore a silver gown that clung to her curves. He’d always found the brunette attractive. He’d even contemplated making a move before nixing the idea of mixing business and pleasure, but her obvious beauty did nothing for him now. Not when a sad-eyed blonde waited at home.
He endured the flashing of the cameras and the long speeches that followed. Arielle made small talk during dinner, both with the other couples at their table and with him, but it must have been obvious his mind wasn’t in the present.
“Where are you?” she asked. “For the record, I’m asking for the second time. Which makes me wonder if I’ve gotten boring or you just aren’t paying attention?” she asked, always blunt and to the point. Something he admired about her.