Jennifer Probst - The Marriage Mistake

A strange expression flickered across her face before clearing. “No, of course you didn’t. But you can’t help it, Max. You flirt, and charm, and make women feel like they’re the goddess of your mortal soul. We get wrapped up and then feel shocked when you move on to the next woman.” Carina shrugged. “I was young. I had a crush on you once. I got over it. No biggie. I’ll get your report and be back within the hour.”

She left him while his head reeled like a cartoon character who got whacked and little birdies floated above. Her matter-of-fact confession rocked his world. Of course, it was all untrue. He didn’t do things like that to women. Right?

The memory of the party tickled his conscience and whispered him a liar. He remembered, though he wanted to forget. Back from her third year at college, she exploded before him with a youthful energy and passion that stole his breath. He remembered the little black dress she wore in place of her usual baggy T-shirts that made his mouth dry up. Remembered her laugh, and adoring expression, and sassy conversation that always stirred his interest and made him relax. He told himself he was just being a little protective of her because she was like a sister, but his body didn’t react like she was family. He’d grown uncomfortably hard and imagined doing some very bad things. Alone. Without the little black dress.

His thoughts freaked him out. He realized he treated Carina like a woman during dinner—a woman he was interested in. When the blonde in the garden approached him, he didn’t hesitate. She was the type who knew the score and engaged in full play.

The kiss had been full of intention, but flat. Max didn’t care until he heard the small gasp behind him. Carina’s eyes still haunted him. Dark depths filled with pain—betrayal.

He expected her to cry and run. He prepared for drama. Instead, she met him with her head held high and a look of good-bye on her face, handing over the glasses of wine with fingers that trembled. And she left. The grief surprised him, but he buried it quickly and went back to the blonde. He never looked back.

Until now.

His conscience pricked. Max wondered if she was right. Did he treat women like objects to conquer in order to get what he wanted? He liked to believe he indulged them. He loved to pamper and treasure and spoil. Sure, he refused to go too deep, but that was only so he could protect them from getting their hearts broken. He was honorable and exactly unlike his father. He remained emotionally distant, but every want was met, and he always remained faithful.

At least, until the breakup. Much better to cut off the relationship than lead them on. No, being honest may be a little rough, but Carina was dead wrong. Funny, that was the first time she admitted her feelings for him. The easy rejection of her youthful mistake stung his ego, but it was for the best. She acted as if he were an annoying mosquito slapped away and forgotten within a few moments. Was he that easy to get over?

Why was he even thinking about this now? They’d always be friends. It was enough. It was perfect.

He pushed the disturbing thoughts away and worked through the next hour. A slight tap at the door broke his concentration. “Am I interrupting?”

Laura Wells poked her head in. The director of a well-known supplier, she and he had hit it off a few weeks ago and had a great conversation. One date led to a second, and Max sensed she was the perfect package. Gorgeous with long blond wavy hair, green eyes, a slim body with long legs, and height that nearly matched his, she was also smart and held a common business background. He relaxed and waved her in. “No, I need a break. It’s good to see you.”

She sauntered over with an easy grace. Her sage suit matched her eyes and flattered her lean length. “Wanted to see if you’ll save me from an event filled with boredom. I need to go to Walter’s party. Are you going?”

Max guiltily remembered how he’d pawned it off on Bonnie. “I didn’t intend to.”

She gave a pretty pout. “Oh, please come with me, Max. My schedule’s been insane lately and I need to combine some business with pleasure.”

The look in her eyes told him the outcome of the evening.

Score.

He needed this, a night off with a beautiful woman who knew the rules. Maybe the promise of more. At least the promise of a satisfying encounter. “It would be my honor to escort you. I’ll pick you up at seven.”

“Perfect.”

He stood to walk her out and almost slammed into Carina. Her ruby red lips made a small O and gave him dirty images of what other things she could do with that mouth. He jumped a step back and cursed under his breath. “You scared the hell out of me.”

She tilted her head. “Jumpy today, huh? Oh, hello. I’m Carina Conte.”

Laura smiled and they shook hands. A sense of pleasure washed over him. Finally, he’d show her he was serious about his companions and treated them perfectly. He made the introductions. “Laura will be my date for Walter’s party.”

Carina’s smile never dimmed. “How lovely. You really should come to dinner one night at my brother’s house. Guests of Max are always welcome.”

Uneasiness shot through him. Laura looked a bit too eager. He shuffled his feet and tried to feign enthusiasm. “Um, of course. I’ll get back to you on some dates.”

“Friday nights,” Carina chirped.

“I’d love to. Thanks so much.”

He cleared his throat. What was she doing? He wasn’t ready for Laura to attend family events. Max frowned. “Did you need something?”

Carina held out a stack of papers. “Here are the reports. The Yankees won. The second floor had the game on, and Wayne got nailed in a photo.”

“You’ll need to reprimand him.”

“I’ll speak with him tomorrow.”

“Next time you allow a sick day, check the baseball schedule. And make sure they’re not hungover.”

“Understood.”

Her efficiency surprised him as much as her cool control. No matter what he gave her, she took it and never complained. In a matter of weeks she’d charmed the staff with her heart and humor. “Heard you let Tom go early today, too. I needed those sales figures. What was his excuse?”

“He didn’t want to miss his son’s spring concert.” She didn’t even wince. “I contacted Edward, and he’s going to help me get them to you within the hour.”

“Fine. I’ll need you to work late tonight again.”

“Of course.”

The door opened again and Edward came in. Max’s office suddenly resembled Grand Central Station. “Hey, boss. Heard you need sales reports this afternoon.”

“I needed them hours ago.”

“Carina and I will work on them now.” Edward smiled at Laura, and Carina jumped in to make introductions. They chatted as if at an intimate tea party instead of the office. “I guess we’ll see you at the party then. Let’s try to sit together,” Edward said.

Max lifted a brow. “Sit together? Are you going?”

Edward grinned. “Sure. I’m taking Carina with me.”

He watched as his assistant shot his salesperson an intimate smile. As if she also intended to combine business with pleasure at this party. Irritation scratched through him at the image of Carina sleeping with Edward. For God’s sake, didn’t she listen anymore? He curbed his temper. Time to have another little chat. And be a bit more forceful this time. Max ushered Laura and Edward out, and motioned for Carina to stay in his office.

“Laura seems very nice.”

His gaze tried to strip off her polite veneer but came up empty. “She is. I’m surprised you’re attending a work party with a business associate.”

“Many office employees attend these parties together.”

Her bland tone challenged him to take it up a notch. “You made it clear I should stay out of your private business. But I’m concerned about your reputation at La Dolce Maggie.”

“How so?”

Hmm. A slight tremble in her hands finally steadied. Her new ability to rein in her emotions intrigued his dominant instincts to push. “You are a founding member of this company. You don’t want it leaked around the office that you’re easy.”

A flush hit her cheeks but she remained still. “Easy? One date and you have me whoring around the office, huh?”

He almost jerked back but caught himself. “Rumors are easy to start. I already saw the way Ethan in accounting was following you around like a trained puppy. Are you dating him, too?”

The slow smile threw him off. “Wouldn’t you like to know?”

He stared at this woman he didn’t know anymore. “I’m looking out for your career. I told you many times American men are different. I want you to be careful. Capisce?”

“You disrespect me more than any man wanting to get me into bed, Max.” Tiny puffs of breath escaped her lips, but she remained in control. Not one stray curl escaped her ruthless chignon. Her almond eyes simmered with a banked heat he itched to play with. “Men with physical needs are quite simple. But you use that masterful brain of yours to play head games. Setting up women for the kill. You like to control all the elements on the playing field so no one gets hurt, don’t you? But poor Laura is already falling for you, and you won’t even invite her to dinner.”

Merda, when had she gotten so sarcastic? “Laura knows the rules. You do not.”

She gave a humorless laugh and moved in. Her cherry red fingernails snapped at his tie in pure dismissal. “I’m making my own rules now. And I’m more honest than you.” Her scent wrapped around him and made him want to run in circles like a dog trying to catch his tail. “You couldn’t have a real relationship if your life depended on it, so you’ve focused your attention on me. Nice diversion, but it’s not going to work this time.”

“You know nothing about me and my relationships. All I’m trying to do is guide a young girl through her training. Just like Michael asked me.”

His final shot caught its mark. Anger steamed from her pores. She teetered on the edge of her famous temper, and he prepared for the ensuing drama—almost welcomed it. This Carina he knew and could handle.

Instead, she brought herself back from the edge and shot him an almost pitying stare. Took a few steps back. The severe cut of her black jacket only emphasized the earthy curves of her hips and breasts, a delicious contradiction that hardened his dick and screwed with his head. “If that’s what you need to believe to sleep at night, so be it. But while you’re comfortable with your illusions, know this. I don’t care what you do anymore, Max. Your relationships don’t concern me, but mine do. And if I want to boink Tom, Dick, and Harry in my own private time, stay out of it. Because I don’t want to sleep comfortably at night.” She smiled. “Not anymore.”

Her heels clicked on the polished wood. “I’ll be in accounting if you need me.”

He stared at the closed door for a while. This was no longer a girl he faced. This was a full-blown Eve, and he was in more trouble than he thought. He raked back his control and wondered what the emptiness in his gut meant. Since he didn’t know how to get rid of it, Max guzzled some water and moved on.

Just like he always did.

Carina walked around the tiny loft apartment. Boxes littered the gunmetal carpet and the kitchen barely had enough room to fit a person with generous hips. The canary yellow futon splashed color and mixed with the array of crazed watercolors hung on the wall. Definitely not an artist worthy of a showing, but at least they were cheery and interesting to look at. The large windows opened to view an array of towering trees, as if she lived in a modern tree house from one of those fantasy movies.

It was perfect.

Joy splintered through her. Alexa’s apartment was her first official home that was all her own. Finally, she had the privacy she craved, and an endless array of opportunities stretched ahead of her. She didn’t intend to waste a single moment.

And it started tomorrow night with her first official date.

Footsteps echoed. Michael and Max pushed through the narrow doorway and collapsed on the sagging futon. “That’s the last of it.”

She giggled at the sight of two strapping, masculine men huffing over the long climb. “I thought you guys worked out at the gym every day. Yet here you are exhausted over moving a few boxes.”

They shared a look of incredulity. “Are you kidding me? What did you put in those boxes, anyway? Stones?” her brother asked.

“I need lots of shoes. And my art equipment.”