MAXIMILIAN'S POV I didn't realize that my feet were taking me to the door that led to the pool outside rather than the dining room. I suppose I could spend a few minutes calming down before enduring dinner with Asher and Kimmy. I rested my back against the bar counter, enjoying the refreshing night air. I couldn't get the images of Meredith in that peach silk dress out of my mind. She looked so delicious. She didn't know the extent of her effect on me; the fragrance of her bare skin, with no lotions or perfumes, was one of the finest, most intoxicating smells I've ever inhaled. I felt uncomfortable with Asher trying to bond with her so quickly. I figured he would try to hit on her simply to play games with me. I refused to let that happen. With a sigh, I ran my palms over my face. I quickly came to the conclusion that I wouldn't become any calmer than I was now. That was when I noticed the devil approaching me. Oh, God!! Why me? I would much rather be hit by a bolt of lightning
MAXIMILIAN'S POVI felt victorious knowing that Kimmy had no effect on me. I believe I finally found the closure I needed after I pushed her into the pool. I'd come to see that she was just an opportunist. That night, as I headed home to share the news of my sixty-billion-dollar deal with her, I never got to tell her because I found her in bed with my brother. Asher and I had became a bit close the short while he lived with me. We kinda opened up to each other, so after he confided to me that mom and dad cut off his expenses, he begged me not to say anything to Kimmy because he was too embarrassed. The puzzle pieces were finally coming together. Asher likely informed Kimmy that he would inherit our father's company, which Kimmy believed had a higher value than my business. That was the only reason I could come up with for her cheating on me with him. I found myself laughing as I understood that Kimmy never truly loved me. She loved my money. And now that she knew I gained more weal
MEREDITH'S POVI was bored out of my freaking mind sitting at this excessively large table with people who kept staring at me as if I were beneath them. "So Maribel what's your last name?" Mr. McTavish asked while he cut into his bloodied steak. His fork scraping over the crockery made a sound that reminded me of car drawing brakes. "Father, for the last time, her name is Meredith," Max emphasized to his dad while drinking his wine. I shot him the dirtiest look I could muster. I could fight my own battles. "I apologize for that son. I just want to get to know the woman who has stolen my firstborn's heart," Mr. McTavish snickered as he placed a piece of the meat in his mouth. He tossed his head up so he could look over at me. "So your family's name, Meredith." Specks of saliva flew as he spoke my name. Max's dad was smug for a little old man. Quite intimidating, too. He still displayed strong muscles along with a slight belly, but at over sixty years old, he looked really good. Now
MAXIMILIAN'S POVThe wine was smooth as it trickled down my throat and into my gut. The air was getting thick, and the AC wasn't doing a great job of keeping my temperature down. Wearing this suit made me feel like I was stuck inside a furnace. I loosened my collar and tie. Furthermore, I couldn't believe father had promised Asher the company. I thought he would have at least called a family meeting so we could discuss who was the best fit to run the business after he retired. Asher was not ready. In fact, I didn't believe he would ever be ready for such a huge and important role. Genny also voiced her displeasure. However, mother quickly scolded us, saying this wasn't the right time or place for a debate. "That's enough children!" Mother scolded. "This is not a good time to discuss this. We have guests and besides, Max hasn't introduced Genny to his new girlfriend," Mother let out as she looked over at my date. Right, I needed to calm down before I smashed Asher's face on the tabl
MEREDITH'S POV"Don't look, but the ice queen is staring daggers at you right now," Blake whispered to me. I felt it, the burning stares on the tail of my neck. That Kimmy lady must be eyeing me with disdain right about now. "Alright Meredith, just relax," Blake mentioned, and I inhaled and exhaled. "Now laugh like I just said something funny." "What?" I mumbled. "Just follow my lead," Blake suggested as she held my palm, throwing her head back and laughing sweetly. What the hell. Might as well. I began giggling like an idiot, too. We were there laughing when all of a sudden I heard someone shout, "YOU'RE IN LOVE WITH HER!"I literally could feel Kimmy's gaze leaving the back of my neck. My skin almost felt cold. I guess she was staring at the person who had just yelled and disrupted the meal. I followed Blake's eyes as they settled on Genny, Max's sister. Mr. and Mrs. McTavish dropped their utensils onto their plates. Mrs. McTavish quickly wiped her mouth with a silk napkin befor
MEREDITH'S POV "Enough!" Mrs. McTavish shouted. "Surely, you three can spend one measly weekend with us and not fight like you are enemies," her voice broke, and I felt sorry for her. All she wanted was for her children to get along. Max relaxed in his seat with an embarrassed look on his face. Asher, however, still had that mischievous smirk plastered on his lips. "Your mother's right. If you two want to hash it out, then you'll do it when we go hunting tomorrow," their father announced. “Maybe bringing them around shotguns isn’t a good idea,” their mother sighed. "We're sorry, mother," Max apologized. "Don't cry mom," Genny added when she saw the older woman dramatically placing the back of her palm on her forehead and making sobbing sounds. Maybe I was sitting too far away because I didn't see one tear slide down her cheeks. "Mother we didn't mean to upset you," Asher let out. "I remember when you three were younger and that kid with the lisp, William pushed Asher do
MAXIMILIAN'S POV"This weekend sucks ass," I complained to Paxton over the phone. I was angry with father for making such a rash decision, and with mother for wanting us to act like we were one big happy family. I didn't like acting. I prefer to tell the truth and be myself. I needed to blow off some steam and when I say steam, I meant make sweet love to Meredith. Her sleeping in Blake's room was the worst punch in the gut for the night. This wasn't how I saw us spending our first night here together. Blake, I scoffed. She had been wiggling her way in between us since the day I met her. Why did she have to be such a nuisance?"Yeah, well, what do you expect if I'm not there." Paxton's chuckles reminded me I was still on the phone with him. I was in a stupor, but not a drunken one. I was in a 'I miss and crave Meredith's company' one. "Ha ha. Very funny," I sighed. "So, where's my girl?" He asked. I could tell he was pulling my chain by the playful tone of his voice. "Who Brenda?
MEREDITH'S POVI was breathing way too heavily as Max closed his bedroom door behind us. Why did my body have to react like this every time I was in a room alone with this man? My body tensed when he swift passed me and walked up to the closet. He opened the door and stepped inside. He shuffled around in there. I couldn't see him, but the sounds he was making in there told me he was taking off his suit. He emerged from the closet around two minutes later wearing a grey sweatpants and a black t-shirt. "You have eight minutes Meredith," his rough voice sounded. He plopped on the bed with his back leaning against the headboard and his eyes straining on me. "Make them count."I took a deep breath before I spoke. "I read something online, and I wanted to hear it from you.""You g00gled me?" He smirked. "You're a smart girl and should know that not everything you read on the internet is true.""I know that," I argued. "That's why I'm here, trying to get answers.""OK then. What's the ques