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Stand Off

Page 29

   


“Hey.” Max’s eyes went to the furniture behind her. “I thought you were only shopping for a mattress?”
“I am, but I couldn’t resist stopping at this. It’s gorgeous.”
“If you like it so much, maybe you can talk Max into making one for you.” The salesman’s words had Casey’s eyes going to Max, who shoved his hands into his pockets, looking uncomfortable.
“You made this?” Casey asked in shock.
“Not only this chest, but Max has a whole line of wooden furniture that he sells here at the store.”
“Wow,” Casey said appreciatively. “You’re really talented, Max.”
He shrugged offhandedly. “Not really. I’m good at woodworking, and I’m lucky Pete lets me use his shop. He sells the furniture and gives me a commission. It works out well for both of us.”
“So, why didn’t you tell me? You said that you load and unload trucks all day,” Casey asked in confusion.
“I do. I get bored standing still after a while, and loading the trucks keeps me busy.”
“You made this, too?” Casey moved toward a wooden bench that was made out of oak. The back was carved into delicate tree limbs with birds and flowers sitting on the branches.
“Yes.”
Her eyes went to his large, callused hands. She had never dreamed Max was capable of making anything so artistic.
“If I ever have a yard, I’m going to buy this piece. It makes me wish I had a flower garden,” she said wistfully.
“Ready?” The salesman motioned toward the mattress a few feet away.
“Yes.” Casey couldn’t keep her mind off discovering Max’s hidden talent. He must be doing well if there was a six week wait on the furniture he created with his own hands.
Absently, she chose the mattress she had come for that had been an advertised special.
“You can’t buy that one.” Max shook his head.
“Why not? I’ll take it in a full size, please.”
“Don’t write that order, Cory. She’ll take the one against the wall in a king.”
“I don’t want that one. It’s too big, and it’s not on sale,” Casey hissed.
Max motioned toward the mattress she wanted. “It’s not big enough, and it’s too thin.”
“It’s fine.”
“No, it’s not. Cory, write the order up for the Luxury Plush.”
“Cut it out, Max. I’m not buying that expensive mattress. I’m getting the other one.”
“It’s too small. How in the hell am I supposed to fit on it?”
As Casey’s face flooded with color, the salesman shifted his gaze from her to Max.

“I’ll pay the difference,” Max said stubbornly. “There is no way I’m sleeping on that piece of shit you picked out. Go print out the receipt, Cory. We’ll be there in a minute.”
Casey tapped her foot, trying to keep from kicking Max in the leg. She wanted to sink to the floor in embarrassment.
“I can’t believe you did that! You made it sound like you stay at my place.”
“When you buy that fucking mattress, I will be. Come on.” He placed an arm around her shoulders, pulling her close to his side. “Does it really matter what he thinks?”
She shoved her elbow into his stomach. “You’re a jerk. I’ll buy the freakin’ mattress, and I’ll use your discount, but I’ll pay for the rest of it.”
“I’ll—” Her heated glare had him snapping his mouth closed. “Okay. Happy now?”
“Not really,” she said stiffly.
“You going to be mad for a while?”
“Possibly. Why?”
“Because you need to get over it by tonight. I’m going to make sure it gets on the last truck going out today. Tonight, we can break it in.”
“Max, don’t press your luck.”
It didn’t take them long to pay for the mattress. Casey ignored the knowing look in the salesman’s eyes as Max walked out of the store with her.
“I better go on home so I’ll be there when they deliver it.”
“Don’t be a sore loser. You’re going to thank me for it tonight.”
Casey wanted to strangle Max yet found herself trying to hold back her smile. His good humor made it difficult to stay angry with him.
“I need to check in at the clubhouse. I’ll bring a couple of pizzas when I come over tonight.”
“I don’t remember inviting you.”
Max swept her into his arms, pressing his mouth to hers and kissing her until the rest of her temper dissipated.
“Invitations are for pussies. I’ll see you at eight.” He planted her firmly back down on her feet before striding off to his motorcycle.
“Damn, that man knows how to kiss.” It was worth the extra money she had spent on the mattress.
She rushed to her car. The last thing she wanted to do was miss the delivery. That mattress was going to come in handy tonight.
* * *
Max felt a pair of tits pressed against his back as arms circled his waist.
“I need some loving, honey bear.”
Rita’s voice grated on his already frayed nerves. Spending time with Casey that afternoon had his dick hard and his mind in turmoil.
“Piss off, Rita. Go find another brother to fill that greedy pussy.”
Her arms fell away, and Max heard the sound of her high heels moving away. As he lifted his beer to his mouth, his eyes met Ice’s as he leaned against the bar.
“Give me a beer, Crush.”
The woman set one in front of him before going back to the end of the counter with Jackal. The woman considered herself Jackal’s, despite the brother making sure he spread himself among all the bitches.
“How’s it going?”
Max didn’t have to ask what Ice was referring to.
“Good. She believes everything is cool between us.”
Ice nodded, taking a drink of his beer before asking, “She ever give up why she did it?”
“Nope, she’s tighter than a virgin’s cunt on why she tried to snitch on us. I’m working on it. Going to spend the night at her place tonight. I didn’t want to come on too strong and make her suspicious. She’ll tell us what we want when she really believes we’re going to give her a pass.”
“The only pass she’s going to get from us is passing her around the club,” Buzzard joked loudly as he played pool.
Max stiffened, wishing he had kept his big mouth closed when he had first found out about Casey’s duplicity. Then he tossed back the rest of his beer.
“Don’t,” Ice warned.
“Don’t what?” Max wanted to punch Buzzard in the face so badly a muscle in his jaw twitched.
“Let her twist you into knots.”
“I didn’t see you giving a fuck what anyone thought when you decided you wanted Grace,” he snapped then wished he had remained silent.
“You telling us you’ve changed your mind?”
“No. I’m not saying that. I told you and the brothers we’ll get our revenge. Have I ever not kept my word?”
“No.”
“Then don’t doubt my loyalty. Pussy is pussy. Casey doesn’t have what it would take to tie me into knots.”