That might be cool. Awesome!

I peeked over at Max and squeezed his knee lightly. "Can we go out for ice cream?"

He looked back in the mirror to his daughter and winked. "Anything for my girls."

At the very same time, Ceecee and I uttered excitedly, "Chunky Monkey!"

I turned and we both blinked at each other before I started to laugh. Ceecee giggled, and before I knew it, I was laughing so hard that tears streamed down my face.

I swiped at my eyes and spotted Max shaking his head at the both of us. But he did it smiling. "Knuckleheads."

Chapter Thirty-Six.

Helena I make my way downstairs on a mission to find Max. That's my main objective right now. The White Rabbit is jumping tonight. As the weather gets warmer, the more people decide making the trip out on a Sat.u.r.day night is worth it. I glance over the crowd and spot him by the bar, talking to a couple of pretty ladies. His smile is warm and engaging, but I don't care. The smiles they get doesn't compare to the ones he gives me.

Moving through the crowd, my deep purple maxi dress swishing around my ankles, my strappy flat-covered feet tread lightly across the dance floor, only seeing him. How can I see anything else when Max is in the room? Warmth spreads through me. I've never met anyone like him before. He's sincerely the most caring, thoughtful man I have ever had the pleasure of knowing.

At the end of the dance floor, I walk up the stairs towards him. When he spots me, he says a few words to the women before stepping closer to me, smiling wide. I beam at him, picking up my pace. My feet carry me faster and faster toward him. Finally, close enough, I leap into his arms. With no effort at all, he catches me easily.

I love you.

I press my mouth to his, hungry for his kisses, needing to show him how I feel.

I love you.

His mouth opens and I stroke his tongue with my own, snaking my arms around his neck, pulling him close.

I love you.

Pressing deeper into the kiss, I pull my lips away from Max's to whisper against them, "I'm in love with you."

When I try to kiss him again, he pulls back, hands tightly gripping my hips, looking down at me in confusion. "What did you just say?"

I'm done. I can't play this game anymore. I've not been playing for a long time. This just got real. "I'm in love with you." I smile warmly up at him and shrug. "I love you." His eyes darken a shade before he crashes his mouth to mine, taking my lips in a fierce, animalistic kiss. His fingers dig into my skin, and although it hurts a little, I feel the pa.s.sion radiating from him. Closing my eyes, I tangle my fingers into the hair at his nape and give as good as I get. Pulling back, I rest my forehead on his and breathe, "I love you, Max."

Today, after Max took us ladies out for an ice cream, it was with a heavy heart I asked to be dropped off at home. When Ceecee asked me to come watch a movie with them, I declined, even though I wanted to more than I wanted to take my next breath. As I stepped out of the car, Ceecee asked, "Helena, can we go back to the park tomorrow morning?"

Max looked back at his daughter, then over to me. He shrugged. "We're skipping breakfast anyways. I promised Nik I'd help him out with painting the girls' rooms before Coney."

I smiled back at her. A small part of me grinned knowing she likely wanted to see Sam again. "Sure thing. Same time?"

She nodded excitedly.

Max stated, "Then tonight, you'll sleep at the house and take the van to the park while I'm at Nik's. When you're done, we'll meet at home and head to Coney from there." He made everything seem so easy. I agreed, and with tension in my gut, I left my two favorite people in the world.

Felicity came by, and with what was quickly becoming a routine, we got ready together and caught a cab to the club. B-Rock accepted our hugs and kisses before letting us inside, and when we approached the VIP section, Willa-dressed as a s.e.xy Alice in Wonderland-waved us over with a huge smile. She hugged us and announced, "I'm doing it. Tonight."

Felicity and I glanced at each other, confused. Flick asked, "Doing what exactly?"

A sweet smile crossed Willa's face. "I'm going to kiss Whit tonight."

My jaw dropped. I shook my head to clear it. "Have you been drinking?"

She giggled, and I hadn't heard anything so sweet in my life. Covering her face with her hands, she uttered, "No, but he's giving me all the signs, like you said. And I'm done with waiting for him to make a move." She stood taller. "Tonight is the night."

Felicity took her hands in her own and beamed, "You'll have to find us and tell us how it went."

I scoffed and touched her arm. "Girl, if he kisses you right, we won't see you 'til Monday. And you'll be walking bowlegged."

We made our way upstairs and found Nat, Lola, and Tina sitting at the usual booth. Tina lifted her swollen feet onto a stool, while Nat rubbed them. As I approached, I smiled down at her and patted her belly lovingly. "You taking care of my nieces or nephews?"

She smiled sweetly. "I am, but they're not taking care of me. My back is killing me."

"Why didn't you stay home?"

Suddenly, Tina blurted out, "I needed to get away from my heathen children!" My brows. .h.i.t my hairline. I'd never heard Tina say anything but good things about being a parent. She laughed. "Don't misunderstand me. I love my babies to bits, but I need time away from them. You know? To talk to adults."

Nat muttered, "And to get your fat feet rubbed," then winked at Tina.

I looked down at her belly and asked, "How much longer?"

She shrugged. "I don't know. The doctors say from next week it could be any day." A serene look crossed Nat's face and I knew deep inside me that she'd be a great mother. She couldn't wait to hold her babies.

Lola looked up at me, squinting. "Aren't you supposed to be in California?"

I bunched my nose. What kind of crack was Lola taking? "No. Why would I be?"

She shook her head, distracted. "I could've sworn I heard Trick say Max was taking you home for the day. Something about missing the beach."

It was then that I remembered.

"I sort of...had something planned for you. A surprise."

He wanted to take me home, to California, for the day, because I missed the beach? Sweet baby Jesus.

I muttered absently, "Excuse me," as I walk towards the edge of the staircase.

I had to find him. And I had to find him now.

Gripping my a.s.s tight, he groans into my mouth as he leads me away from the bar. Taking my hand, he pulls me up a flight of stairs I haven't seen before. When we reach the top, he swipes his keycard at the side of a door and it unlocks. I've never been here before. "Where are we?"

Gripping my hand so tight I think it might fall off, he mutters a short, "The office."

He opens an office door and turns on the light, pulling me inside and shutting the door behind us. I stand in the middle of the room, eyes darting left to right. I spot the photo of Ceecee and I realize we're not just in any office. We're in Max's office. My heart stutters when I notice the photo next to Ceecee's.

It's me. Fast asleep. And I'm snuggled deep into Max's throat as his eyes smile into the camera, kissing my forehead. When the heck did he take that? Drawn to the photo, I move towards it and ask a small, "When did you take this?"

He locks the door and states, "The first night we slept together." My gut coils. Why would he do that? I look over at him questioningly, and he says reluctantly, "Knew you were special."

My throat thickens with emotion. "But..."

"You told me the last guy you slept with was four years ago." He blinks up at me. "Know how long it's been since I last f.u.c.ked a woman?" I shake my head slowly. He steps closer to me, accentuating every word with a step. "Nine. Long. Years."

How is that possible?

"How is that possible?" I ask, perplexed.

Toe-to-toe, he cups my face gently, running his thumbs over the apples of my cheeks. "Got bored. Having s.e.x without emotion wasn't doing it for me."

I close my eyes to stop the sting behind them. "And me?"

His breath warms my lips. He presses a whisper of a kiss to them before repeating, "Special." He kisses me once more before uttering a soft, "You're my cupcake." Another kiss. "You're my sugar rush."

d.a.m.n. Did he really just say that? I blink back tears. I'm in bad shape over here. I sniffle. "That's the sweetest thing anyone's ever said to me."

He kisses my cheek and his lips linger. I feel his smile there. "Don't cry, baby. You're killin' me here. I want you happy. Always happy."

Even though I close my eyes tight, a tear escapes as I promise a choked, "I am happy. The happiest." I open my eyes to look into his. "I can't remember when I've ever been this happy before." His eyes soften on me, his thumbs still at my cheeks, wiping away stray tears. I lean forward, pressing a lingering kiss to his mouth. "So, does this mean you want me around on a semi-permanent basis?"

A small smile plays at his mouth. "Helena, baby, didn't you hear me last night?" His eyes bore into mine. "I am never letting you go. Not ever."

My breath leaves me in a whoosh. I thought that was just s.e.x talk! Unable to catch my breath, I whisper a shaky, "Don't say that if you don't mean it. I-" I swallow hard and tell him honestly, "My heart couldn't take it."

His smile deepens and he presses into me, forcing me back a step. My calves. .h.i.t his desk, making me sit. Eyes wide, I ask softly, "What are you doing?"

As if it's an everyday occurrence, he lifts his shirt to unbuckle his belt. "Making love to you on my desk." He unb.u.t.tons his jeans. "Whenever I'm in here, I'm thinkin' of you." He lowers the zipper. "I don't want some made-up fantasy." He lifts the hem of my dress up over my knees. "I want the real thing..." I lift my b.u.t.t, helping him to lift my dress higher still, to my waist. He hooks his forefingers through the sides of my panties and lowers them down past my ankles, "...'cause nothing compares to you."

Holy hotness.

His hands slide up my thighs, reaching under me to cup my a.s.s. He lifts me and places me closer to the very edge of his desk. It feels like I'll fall, but I don't stress about it. I know if I slip, Max will catch me. Lifting his hand to my mouth, he presses two fingers at my lips. It takes me a moment to understand, but when I do, I part my lips and he slides his fingers into my mouth. I suck at them, enjoying the pained look on his face. His erection twitches through the gap in his jeans and it fuels me. Reaching up, I grip his hand and suck his fingers harder, wetting them well. I release them with a pop and he smirks, lowering his hand between my legs.

He slides in a finger, testing how aroused I am. When he quickly realizes I'm already there, he slips in the second finger, gently f.u.c.king me with them. My face flushes as I gasp. This has never felt great for me, but when Max does it, it's amazing. My core clenches, milking his fingers, and he looks down between my thighs in wonder. "Never wanted anyone like I want you."

Tilting my head back in pleasure, I sigh softly and pledge myself to him. "You have me." He wastes no time. He gently pulls his fingers out, places the head of himself at my entrance, and slides in all the way. My eyes shoot open as electricity flows through me. Every nerve in my body has been awakened.

He lifts my arm, wrapping it around his neck as he pulls me close, our lips a hair's breadth away from one another. But he doesn't kiss me. Instead, he thrusts into me, eyes open, watching me as though he needs it. We breathe into each other as our bodies rock, working as a team. I clench my internal muscles, and closing his eyes, he hisses.

My nipples become taut. His hand comes up to cup my cheek, and when his eyes open once more, they're hooded with desire. My legs wrap around his thighs as I feel myself start to lose control. I need him close. Closer than close. I feel the telltale tingles in my bottom, working all the way up my spine. My stomach clenches and my eyes flutter closed as I mutter, "I'm coming."

He speeds up his thrusts. "Open your eyes, cupcake. See me."

Panting, I whisper a hoa.r.s.e, "You're all I see."

It hits me like a shockwave. My p.u.s.s.y clenches around his thick c.o.c.k. A moment after my release, he stills, pushing in to the hilt. He groans through gritted teeth and I feel every warm spurt of his climax inside of me. It feels like heaven. Dropping his forehead to mine, he presses a small kiss to the tip of my nose before smiling like the cat who got the cream. "Well, work will never be the same."

I blink up at him a second before I burst into laughter. Max lowers his nose to my neck, his silent laughter coming out in short, hot puffs against my skin, and all I can think about is how great it feels to hold this man.

After we clean up, we walk back out to the bar hand-in-hand, wrapped up in each other. Nothing could burst my bubble of happiness. The second we walk out the door, we're almost bowled over by a couple of h.o.r.n.y patrons sucking face and groping each other like there's no tomorrow.

It takes me a moment to realize that the h.o.r.n.y patrons are actually Willa and Whit.

Helena Waking up next to Max should be illegal. No man should look that good in the mornings. Even though we got to the house after three, we managed to somehow go to bed well past four. I don't know how that happened.

Okay. I lie. It might've had something to do with the fact Max wanted me in the middle of his bed, on all fours, and he wanted to ride me slow. Who would I have been to decline such an offer?

He set his alarm for seven-torture, I know-and when his alarm trilled, he woke with ease, showered, and kissed me goodbye. He whispered, "I gotta go, babe. I left the car keys on the bedside cabinet. Come home when you girls are ready to go."

Blindly reaching out for him, he allowed me to snuggle him a minute more before he placed a kiss to my forehead and left. I set my alarm the night before for nine, but it felt like I had just snuggled Max before my alarm was violently vibrating on the bedside cabinet.

I roughly remembered the front door opening and Ceecee calling out, "Helena? Are you up?"

That about did it. My feet found the floor and I stumbled out into the hall, half asleep, with my hair everywhere. As soon as I saw Ceecee, her smile was as bright as a pure ray of sunshine. "You didn't forget about the park, did you?"

My voice rough from sleep, I uttered, "No way, Jose. Let me grab a shower and we're outta here." Before I walked over to the bathroom, I kissed the top of her head, loving the sweet smell of her.

In no time at all, I showered and dressed in jeans ripped in all the right places, flip-flops, a slouchy sweater, and my aviator sungla.s.ses before piling my hair onto the top of my head and tying it in a messy bun. Ceecee was waiting for me in the hall dressed in faded jeans and a sweet floral top, her hair brushed and let down to fall at her shoulders. I smiled to myself. My little girl indeed has a crush. No one dresses up to go to the park. She made a good choice. Sam won't know what hit him.

We drove to the park, chatting about nothing in particular. When we arrived, Ceecee let herself out and I asked, "When is Sam meeting you?"

Ceecee's brow furrowed in confusion. "Sam? I'm not meeting Sam."

I felt my own brows furrow to match hers. "Then who are you meeting?"

Ceecee opened her mouth to respond, but something in the distance caught her attention. She smiled then, bigger than I'd ever seen her smile, and wheeled herself off in the direction behind me. I turned, and with the sun in my eyes, I removed my sungla.s.ses, holding a hand up to shield myself from the distracting rays. Ceecee approached a woman sitting at a bench. A slender, pretty woman with shining auburn hair, falling in waves down her back, and with one look at this woman, my entire world shattered.

There was no mistaking it.

The woman was Ceecee's mother.

Chapter Thirty-Seven.

Ceecee I know it's her the second I see her. The photos in the box were old, but she hasn't changed that much. She looks like me. Well, I guess I look like her. The only difference is that I have my dad's eyes. My heart pounds as I move closer to her. As soon as she sees me, a sad smile crosses her face and she stands.

She's pretty. I mean, really pretty. Her long reddish-brown hair is wavy and sits just at her waist. I immediately decide to grow my hair to that length. Maybe she'd like that. I'll have to ask her. What do I call her? Mom? I guess she is my mom, even though I can't ever remember her being around.