“What’s your favorite color?”
His lips tipped. “Gray.”
Makes sense since that seems to be where he lives.
“How old are you?”
“Thirty-three.”
That was about what I figured, but it was still surprising.
“That’s young to own resorts and,” I gestured around, “all this.”
“I inherited three of my four properties, though I’ve worked hard to build them up and make them my own.” He gave a similar gesture around. “And they do well.”
That’s an understatement.
“Is your family around?”
I couldn’t imagine family dinners happening while I’d been locked upstairs, but I had no idea.
“No. I’m an only child and my mother passed away seven years ago.”
“And your dad?”
“He died when I was nineteen.” He took another drink of his coffee before setting it down. “We’ve talked enough tonight. Go get some sleep.”
Since I wanted to go do more research, I didn’t argue.
When I stood, he ordered, “Kiss me goodnight, dove.”
I hesitated, not because I didn’t want to, but because he’d caught me off guard.
He pushed his chair away from the table, his air of authority filling the room until I felt like I couldn’t breathe.
Or like I was breathing him in.
“Now.”
I jolted and stepped closer to stand between his spread legs. Bending, I pressed my mouth to his. When his tongue teased my lips, I parted them and involuntarily moaned at his taste.
And then the kiss went wild.
Spearing his fingers into the sides of my hair, Maximo cupped my head in both hands. He held my mouth to his as he stood so fast, his chair fell back with a clatter. Backing me up until the table dug into my thighs, he devoured my mouth. His kiss tasted of rich, dark coffee and something even better.
Him.
He released my head to grip my hips and lift me onto the edge of the table. His hands dropped to my thighs, spreading them before running his palms up.
I wanted him to keep going. I wanted him to touch me. I wanted it all.
But Maximo had more control than I did. He tore his mouth from mine and stepped away, his gaze locked on my parted lips. “Go to bed.”
Shimmying off the table, I tugged my dress back into place and walked on shaking legs.
I was at the threshold when he called, “Juliet.”
I looked over my bare shoulder to see he was sitting, casual and chill like he hadn’t just rocked my world with a single kiss.
“This isn’t a choice between me and homelessness. If you don’t want this,” he motioned between us, “you can stay here, same as it was before today. If you want to move out, I’ll get you your own place somewhere safe and help you. You can take your stuff with you, no strings attached.”
Again, it didn’t say good things about my life that his kindness surprised me. It also made me choked up and suspicious at the same time.
“Why would you do that?” I asked.
“Because I like you.” Even at the distance, I could feel the heat from his gaze. “And you need someone to take care of you for once.”
My emotions and thoughts were so jumbled, I didn’t even know what to say, so I remained silent.
“Happy birthday, little dove.”
“Thank you,” I whispered before hightailing it out of there.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
A Taste
Juliet
I CAN’T DO IT.
It’d be crazy.
The whole thing is wrong.
Right?
Kicking off my heels, I paced my room.
I shouldn’t have been considering it. He’d offered me two easy—and generous—outs. I should’ve been deciding between them.
But I wasn’t.
Because I wanted him and what he offered. I just wasn’t sure I was brave enough to accept.
Going to the sitting room, I grabbed my MacBook and brought it to my bed. I opened the browser and searched what a gimp suit was.
And then I laughed before quickly exiting out of that tab.
Well, thank God he’s not into that.
I switched to the tab I’d been reading when Ms. Vera had come in earlier. It was informative, talking about the power dynamics of the relationship and what each person got from it.
As helpful as it was, they were just words. They didn’t tell me how I’d feel. Whether I’d enjoy it or hate it. I could think something sounded great in theory but hate it in practice.
Or I could assume I’d hate it and end up missing out on something incredible.
Closing the MacBook, I showered before pulling on a tank top and sleep shorts. I climbed into bed and closed my eyes, but my mind wouldn’t turn off.
And neither would my body.
I was overheated and restless. Sliding my hand