Acceptable Risk by Anne Marie Becker

Author:Anne Marie Becker [Becker, Anne Marie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780990314509
Publisher: Anne Marie Becker

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Catherine let the bluesy music of the jazz band that had been hired for the charity event flow over her. She wished her mind could drift to some beach somewhere, or maybe the French Quarter of New Orleans, eating a beignet or sipping a Ramos Gin Fizz.

A little escape therapy never hurt anyone, especially when the women seemed to be lining up to meet Max. She wondered how much of that was staged by his parents and how much was due to Max's innate charm. He could easily handle this crowd like a pro, a future politician or whatever he wanted to be. For a big, bad ex-SEAL, he certainly was sociable. Every laugh he coaxed from a flirtatious bachelorette cracked Catherine’s heart open a little more. This was his element and these were the eligible women he should be pursuing.

In her mind, she was just settling onto a towel on a private beach with a good book when she felt a pinch at her elbow and looked up—right into Max's frustrated eyes.

“When I said I wanted you by my side, I meant mentally, too.” His words were a low growl. “Where do you keep drifting off to?”

She hadn't realized he’d noticed, what with all the female attention. “What do you mean?”

“I can tell by that silly smile on your face that you're not here, at this party.” His gaze moved around the room as if cataloging all of its faults. He looked like his imperial mother in that moment. And here, she'd thought her benign smile was an excellent cover. Apparently, he'd used his super-SEAL powers and seen right through it.

“Sorry,” she said. “I'm here, I just don't want to be.”

His anger softened and he blew out a breath. He opened his mouth to say something, then closed it abruptly and pulled her by the arm out of the crowd. The banquet room at the country club opened onto a golf course. Each hole was lit up like a beacon, but in between there was darkness. The perfume of moist grass and fresh blossoms filled the warm night air. Max tugged her along with him until they were on the edge of the green, in the shadows.

She pulled loose from his gentle but firm hold. “You wanted to talk?”

“Yes. No. Shit.” He tugged at the bowtie of his tux and she automatically lifted a hand to soothe him, then let it fall when she realized what she was doing. She couldn't be that for him. She couldn't be anything for him—just a friend and a pretend fiancée, for a short time longer.

So, take advantage of that time.

She reached up and cupped his cheek, rubbing a thumb against a sharp cheekbone. “What? Did you want to work on your swing?” She hoped teasing would ease his frustration.

He groaned and his hand moved to hold hers against his cheek. “I don't know what I want, but my swing sure seems to need some work lately. Why can't I seem to get things right with you? Everything I say is wrong.

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