Breaking the Cycle (15 page)

Max gripped Chloe’s arm as they hit the concrete at the bottom. “Sweetheart, it’s only overnight.”

She forced a smile on her face. “I know. It’s all right. Really.”

“Chloe, don’t lie to me. I can read it on your face. It’s not.” He pressed his forehead against hers and gazed into her eyes. “I love you. I hate leaving you even for a night or two. I promise you, nothing will happen, no matter where I have to go with Hard Drive.”

“I know.”

He smiled at her then tilted her head up, softly enveloping her lips with his. A collective gasp filled the gym. There was a loud slam of plastic against metal somewhere in the direction of the reception desk, as if someone was throwing a temper tantrum. When they parted, he chuckled.

They had been so wrapped up in each other, it felt like they had been kissing since the first day of their relationship. For never having a boyfriend and never really having been kissed, she picked up the intimacy very quickly. The bedtime kiss was earth shattering. The good morning kiss was enough to make him forget to eat breakfast. He didn’t want food anyway. He wanted her.

Chloe’s face flushed. “I need to start my class,” she breathed.

“Yeah. I better get to sparring with Rico.” Max pressed one last kiss to her lips. “Love you.”

“Love you too.”

He watched her wander off to the girls waiting for her next to the cardio machines. Rico slid up beside him. “Kissing now, huh?”

“Yeah. So?”

“So, nothing. I like seeing you two happy together. Especially after the hell Chloe’s been through. Which reminds me. Do you want to take our girls out for dinner Friday night? Before we leave for Chicago on Saturday morning?’

Max grinned. “Sure. Where do you want to go?”

“Maybe that new steak place downtown. I could use a good, hearty meal before I beat on Lopez for the title.”

“Sounds great. Chloe and I will meet you and Phoebe there at seven.”

“Great. Now, go get your gloves on. I’m going to work my way to beating Lopez by beating on you first.”

Max roared in laughter. “As if
that’s
going to happen.”

Max spent the week dedicated to getting Rico prepared for Chicago. By Friday night, he was ready for a night out. He sat hunched in the armchair the living room, waiting. He glanced around taking in the beige paint on the walls, the pictures of family, the lamps on the end table with the gauzy lampshades. Their house. He loved the fact he shared a house with Chloe. He wanted to share a home with her for the rest of his life. He re-adjusted his black, silk tie for the fifth time. He hated dressing up. He would never make it in a business setting. He tried to remember the last time he had worn a shirt and tie. Then he cocked a small smile.

The last time he had dressed up, he had taken Chloe on their first, disastrous date. After that night, he never figured he would end up here, waiting for her again, to go on another date, under a roof they shared.

He was jostled from his thoughts as he heard her clear her throat to get his attention. He looked up. She stood on the bottom step in a tight-fitting, crimson red dress. The hem on the skirt reached mid-thigh. The neckline curved against the swell of her breasts. The short sleeves hugged her arms. Her long, brown hair swirled down her shoulders in large curls. On each foot was a black, strappy heel.

He lost his breath. Beautiful was a poor description. No word came to his mind to define just how incredible she looked. Perfect was the closest that came to it.

“Do I look okay?” she asked.

“Wow,” was all he could choke out.

Chloe smiled as she sashayed across the living room to him. She gripped his tie in her fingers. Tugging it, she worked it into the right place. Then, she skimmed her fingers across his crimson dress shirt. “Look, we match! We didn’t even coordinate it.”

“Do you want me to change?”

“No. I think it’s cute,” Chloe cooed.

Max fought a snarl. No man wanted to be cute. He gazed down at her perfect face and exhaled slowly, feeling any resentment he held vanish. For her, he’d be as cute as a puppy.

His eyes focused on her lips. Whatever makeup she had used was minor, if she had used any at all. Her look was natural, and he loved it. Her lips were soft, pink, perfect, and irresistibly kissable. Every part of him wanted nothing but to kiss her.

“Are you going to kiss me?” Chloe murmured.

“I’m afraid I’ll mess up the way you look,” he confessed.

She slid her arms around his neck. Standing on her toes, she nudged his lips with hers. “I can fix it.”

Temptation got the better of him. He wrapped his strong biceps around her, pulling her deeper into the kiss. He was in no hurry to get to dinner. Frankly, they could just skip out on Rico and Phoebe, for all he cared. As long as he could substitute the time with Chloe’s kisses, he was happy to stay home and go hungry.

Finally, Chloe broke free, gently patting him against the chest. “Sweetheart, we’re going to be late.”

“So? Rico won’t mind. And I’m not excited about dinner with Phoebe. That girl gives me the creeps.”

“But we told them we’d be there. Let’s just go, eat quick, and then come home for more kisses as dessert,” she suggested.

“Hmmm…Your kisses for dessert? There’s no way I can say no now.” Max took her hand in his and led her out the front door, locking it behind them. He escorted her to the car and helped her inside.

The steakhouse was packed from wall to wall. Max scanned the crowd for Rico and Phoebe. At this rate, they would never eat tonight. The wait had to be at least three hours. Rico and Max had to be at Hard Drive by six o’clock in the morning to leave for Chicago. Eating at eleven wouldn’t work.

He breathed a high sigh of relief as he found the other couple already seated in a high-back, red, patent leather booth. The wood table and trim were stained a deep, chocolate brown. Max threaded his fingers through Chloe’s and led them through the crowd.

“I was beginning to think you stood us up,” Rico greeted. Phoebe was tucked close to his side, clinging to his arm with both of hers. Her blonde locks bobbed against her breasts.

“Just running late.” Max nudged Chloe into the booth then slid in beside her. They each ordered an iced tea before turning their attention back to Rico and Phoebe.

Max noticed Phoebe’s subtle seduction before the drinks arrived. Her blue eyes locked on his as she grazed her fingers along Rico’s jaw. The couples had barely ordered their dinner before she was clinging to him like a choking vine, her lips and hands wandering where they shouldn’t in a public restaurant.

Every few moments, she would turn and stare at Max for a moment. Was she hoping for a reaction from him? Did she think he would be jealous? He gazed down at Chloe by his side. How could he be jealous of Phoebe when he was with such a beautiful girl?

Chloe glanced up at him, unease evident in her eyes. She too was uncomfortable with the lewd public display of affection. Did she catch Phoebe’s glares at Max, also? She laced her fingers in his and snuggled a little closer.

Rico and Phoebe barely took a break from each other to eat when the food arrived. There was a little talk between the men about the competition until Phoebe broke in between them. All of what she had to say was directed to Max, not her boyfriend. She never said a word to Chloe. In fact, the most Chloe got from Phoebe was a snarl.

Max tugged Chloe even closer to him to defend her from the blonde’s wrath. At the first opportunity, Max paid the bill and excused himself and Chloe, wishing the other couple good night. They couldn’t get out of the steakhouse fast enough.

Together, they walked hand in hand down the sidewalk. “That was awkward,” Chloe laughed.

“You can say that again,” Max agreed. He stopped and pulled her to him. “Do you remember the last time we dressed up and went out for dinner?”

“Yes. It didn’t end well. Why?”

“I was wondering what would happen this time if I tried to kiss you.”

“Guess you’ll just have to try and find out.”

Max dipped his head low, brushing her lips apart with his. He heard her sigh as she tilted, allowing him to go deeper. He parted sooner than he wanted. They didn’t need to duplicate what they had just witnessed in the restaurant.

Chloe smiled dreamily at him. “Ready to go home?”

“Oh, yeah. Let’s go.” Max wrapped his arm around her waist as he led her to the car.

Max held Chloe’s hand in his as he drove home, only letting go to shift gears. He helped her from her seat and gave her his arm to escort her into the house. Once he shut then front door he turned to her. “Do you want to watch a movie?”

“Absolutely. I’m going to change into my pajamas and make some popcorn.”

“Sounds great. I can’t wait to get out of this tie. When is your mom coming home?”

“I don’t think she is. I think she’s out with Al all night. Go ahead and lock it.”

“Yes, mi’ lady.”

He watched Chloe disappear up the stairs before he turned and locked the door. He ascended the steps to his room, shedding his clothes the moment he shut the door. He tugged on a T-shirt and his favorite pair of pajama pants. He opened the door to the scent of popcorn coming from below.

He slipped a movie in the DVD player then settled on the couch. He grinned as Chloe plopped down next to him in a T-shirt and fuzzy pajama pants. She set the bowl of popcorn in his lap then wrapped her arms around his waist.

“Hmm.” He kissed her softly. “I like this better than dinner. I put that movie in that you just bought.”

“I bought that for you.”

“And I’m excited to watch it.”

“I’m sure you are.”

He click the remote and set it beside him. “Shush. It’s starting.”

Chloe gave him a dirty look before laying her head on his chest. He brushed the strands of hair from her face then reached for a couple kernels of popcorn. Holding her in his arms was better than anything.

As the movie played he felt her breathing slow. Then he heard her snore. He nudged the quilt on the back of the sofa over her then turned back to the movie. His eyes grew heavy. He wasn’t sure when the movie ended. The next thing he knew the sun was just lighting the living room and Chloe was stirring in his arms.

He gently shifted her out of his arms then laid her back down. He tiptoed up the steps. His heart felt like a lead weight in his chest. He didn’t want to leave Chloe. Not even for a day. He tugged his shirt over his head then shrugged the pants from his legs. He pulled out a clean T-shirt and a pair of jeans from his dresser. Once he was dressed again, he tossed his Hard Drive polo in the duffle bag and zipped it closed. Then, he hoisted the strap of the bag over his shoulder and shuffled down the staircase.

Liz stood at the stove cooking breakfast, leaning on her cane as she scrambled eggs. He suddenly realized it had been days since he had seen her. Had she just got in from her night with Al? “Can I make you breakfast, Max?” she offered.

“I’m running late, Liz. But thanks anyway.”

She hobbled to him and pressed a kiss to his cheek. “I understand. Have a safe trip, sweetheart.”

Max fought the look of confusion from his face. Had Liz just used a term of endearment with him? He turned toward Chloe leaning against the back of couch. He expected her in her pajamas to tell him goodbye. Instead. she was fully dressed, the keys to his car dangling in her hand.

“What are you doing, Chloe?” he asked.

“Taking you to Hard Drive, so I can spend more time with you.”

“You’ll have to pick me up tomorrow.”

“I know. I want to.”

“All right. Let’s go.” He held the door for her to pass through then followed her. As they reached the vehicle, he held his hand out for the keys. With a mischievous grin, she unlocked the driver’s door and slipped inside. Then, she reached across to pop the lock on the passenger side for him. With a chuckle, he tossed his bag inside and settled into his seat.

He was a little nervous with Chloe driving his Mustang. He had saved for years for his first car. He had spent months with his Dad restoring it. Did she even know how to drive a stick? As she merged into traffic on the interstate with a calm, content smile on her face, he relaxed a bit. “What are you doing while I’m gone?”

“Well, I was going to just stay at home and read. But yesterday, Tami called. I didn’t even know she had my number. Anyway, I guess Tyson is dying to spend his birthday money. He wants to go to the Mall of America to the Lego store then he wants to ride the rides in the amusement park. He told Tami that since shopping is for girls that Uncle Max wouldn’t want to go, but maybe Aunt Chloe might. I couldn’t believe he called me Aunt Chloe. I couldn’t say no to that. So your mom, Tami, Jenny, and Tyson are picking me up for a day at the mall.”

“Oh. Sounds like fun.” Max frowned a bit.

“I won’t go if you don’t want me to.”

“It’s not that. Where did Ty get the idea I wouldn’t want to go shopping with him? I love doing everything with him. I was there when he was born.”

Chloe smiled as she patted him on the knee. “I’ll straighten him out. You know he adores you.”

“My dad and I are the only men in his life. His dad took off before he was born. I try to be there whenever he needs me. It was hard to move to Minneapolis away from him.”

He heard her sigh. He looked at her, finding her watching him with stars in her eyes. “You’re pretty incredible, Max.”

“So are you, Chloe.”

Chloe parked in front of Hard Drive a few spots from the van Jack had rented for the trip. They wandered to the others packing the vehicle with their things. He pulled her to him and gently kissed her. “I better let you get to your day of fun with Tyson and the girls.”

“Yeah. Please stay safe.”

“I will. I’ll call you tonight after the fight.”

“All right. I love you, Max.”

“I love you too.”

He kissed her one last time, feeling his heart rip apart as his fingertips grazed the last of her skin when she pulled away. He didn’t move until the Mustang disappeared from sight. Then, he tossed his bag into the van a little harder than needed to emphasize his heartbreak.

“Gonna survive without her?” Rico asked as he leaned against the side.