Beyond the Breaking Point (36 page)

“What was your response?” His unconcerned tone didn’t fool her, nor did the way he focused on his food.

Cassidy stretched a hand across the table, palm up and waited until he placed his empty one in hers. “That being with you feels too good to give up.”

A smile warmed his eyes and he briefly squeezed her hand before freeing himself. “Great answer. I put in my thirty-day notice today.”

“You found another position so soon?” she asked, surprised. It had only been a week since he’d spoken of his intentions to leave the firm.

He shook his head, but swallowed before speaking. “Not yet.”

Forehead wrinkled in bewilderment, she asked, “Then why…?”

“People are starting to pick up on the tension between me and Phillip.” When she made a sound of distress, he said, “It’s not your fault. It would have happened anyway because of the situation with Amber. That’s not something I’ll forgive, or forget. It’s better I leave now before things escalate.”

“Is he causing you problems?”

“Nothing I can’t handle,” Max said dismissively.

Sensing he would say no more on the subject, Cassidy left it alone, but inside she worried. It couldn’t be good that they were both keeping secrets from each other, all centered around Phillip. Most likely for the same reason as well. Neither wanted to get the other involved in something they felt they could handle. She’d yet to tell him the threats Phillip had made concerning the divorcing and had no plans on doing so. It would only anger Max on her behalf, and add to the tension between the men. No, she was doing right by keeping quiet.

“You’re off this Friday, aren’t you?” Max asked out of the blue.

“Yes, my doctor’s appointment is that morning. Why?” Cassidy sliced off a portion of the tender chicken patty and forked it into her mouth.

Max pulled out his phone. When she glanced inquiringly at him, he said, “Making sure I put it on my calendar. I don’t want to miss it.”

“You know Phillip may be there,” she cautioned.

“I know.” He set the phone on the table. “My family’s having another get-together that night. I’d like you to come.”

Cassidy took a sip of water to push down the noodles stuck in her suddenly dry throat. “If that’s what you want.”

Catching her tone, he glanced up from his plate. “Don’t worry. They’ll love you.”

“If you say so,” she muttered under her breath.

For the rest of the meal and as they cleaned up, they spoke of mundane things. As soon as Cassidy hung the dishcloth over the faucet to dry, Max took her into his arms. “I’ve been waiting all day for this.”

His lips met her smiling ones. “All day, huh? I guess that wasn’t you this morning checking my tonsils with your tongue.”

Max rubbed his hands down her sides until he reached her butt. “That was fourteen hours ago. I missed you.”

Cassidy melted inside. “I missed you too.” Then she ruined the moment by yawning.

“Tired?” Max began massaging her shoulders and her body went as gooey as her insides.

“Full,” she corrected, resting her chin on his chest. “And a little sleepy.”

“Bed or movie?” Max hit a spot that made her quiver and groan. “There?”

“Yes.” The man had magic hands. All that time spent with Amber served a purpose, and Cassidy was more than happy to reap the benefits. “Movie,” she said, picking up the thread of their conversation. She wasn’t ready to go to sleep and end her time with him.

Max straightened and gave her neck one last rub. “Go get dressed for bed while I pick a movie. Action or chick flick?”

Cassidy brushed his hair off his forehead, just because she could and because touching Max gave her so much pleasure. “You pick. I’ll probably fall asleep on it anyway.”

She returned a few minutes later in one of her skimpy summer nightgowns. This one was thin, made of cotton, with spaghetti straps and a short hem. It was more practical than sexy, but Max’s gaze still roamed over her and she could see his appreciation.

The man was definitely spoiling her.

They cuddled on the couch as the movie played, and true to her word, Cassidy drifted off to sleep. She woke to Max lightly shaking her shoulder. “Is the movie over?”

“No, but Sleeping Beauty needs her rest, especially when she’s pregnant.” He lifted the remote and flicked off the television. Holding her by the arm, he guided her into the bedroom.

Cassidy climbed under the covers and watched drowsily as he undressed for bed. She loved his body. Over the last week, she’d come to know it very well. As she’d told Erika, they’d spent every night together, alternating houses. Last night she’d been at his.

If this continued, soon they’d be making noises about leaving personal belongings at each other’s place—toothbrushes, grooming supplies, clothes—because it was more convenient than packing an overnight bag. Max already had a key to her apartment. He’d mentioned in passing that she needed a key to his place. If she weren’t careful, Cassidy would find herself living with Max.

She contemplated the thought. It wasn’t as scary as it should have been.

When he got into bed, Cassidy slid gratefully into his arms, marveling that they already had a favorite sleeping position. She knew she should slow down and proceed with caution in this thing between her and Max, but life was short. Tomorrow wasn’t promised, and Cassidy intended to grab all the happiness she could handle, while she still had the chance.

In the wee hours of the morning, she woke to Max’s talented fingers and greedy mouth on her most intimate parts.

“Max.” She moaned his name.

“Always,” he confirmed before dipping his head and returning to his task.

Cassidy tangled her fingers in his hair and surrendered to him. As she did, she prayed this moment would last forever. After she’d convulsed in pleasure, she opened her arms and welcomed him as he kissed his way up her body. Max plunged deep, groaning her name. His body shuddered as he let go of the tight rein he’d kept on his desire. Cassidy wrapped herself around him, holding him tight and matching him thrust for thrust. When he climaxed, she was right there with him.

As he drifted off to sleep with his head on her chest, Cassidy lay staring at the dark ceiling, running her fingers through his silky hair.  Deep in her heart she knew it was too late to protect herself. She’d have to see this through to the end, no matter what that end would be.

Phillip stepped off the elevator, studied the sign and turning left in the corridor, made his way to the doctor’s office. As he entered, several women in various stages of pregnancy looked up. He glanced dismissively over them all, standing in the doorway until he spotted his wife. She had her head bent, reading the magazine in her hand.

As he strode over to take the seat at her side, Phillip acknowledged he’d mishandled their last meeting. His goal had been to make Cassidy realize that divorcing him wasn’t going to be as simple as she thought. He’d wanted to wake her up, shake her confidence, and make her reconsider. What he hadn’t intended to do was piss her off.

Because of his misjudgment, she hadn’t spoken to him in over a week. Since that night, in fact. All calls were ignored or sent directly to voicemail. If she responded, she did so through text.

Telling her mother about her pregnancy was another mistake. When Mrs. Palmer had called expressing her concerns over Cassidy’s decision to divorce and stating emphatically she was against it, he’d given her the information, knowing it would add fuel to the fire. All’s fair in love and war, wasn’t it?

He unbuttoned his suit jacket and sat in the chair right next to hers. She glanced up briefly, grunted an acknowledgement of his presence, and returned to her article.

“How have you been?” he asked.

“Fine.”

“What are you reading? Anything interesting?” Phillip purposely leaned forward into her space, using the magazine as a ruse to get close to her.

Cassidy’s cool, disinterested gaze met his. “What do you want?”

“You and our baby. Our marriage. You to forgive me and come back home,” he said with no hesitation.

She frowned and a hint of strain showed around her eyes. “Phillip—”

Whatever Cassidy was going to say was lost because at that moment the door opened and Max walked in. His gaze zeroed in on Cassidy and Phillip thought Max didn’t see anyone else in the room. He glanced at his wife in time to see a soft smile of welcome light her face.

“What the hell is he doing here?”

As Cassidy’s gaze switched to him, her smiled died. She must not have liked whatever she saw in his expression because she leaned close and said in a low, vicious tone, “I swear to God, Phillip, if you cause a scene, I’ll have the receptionist call security and remove you.”

Phillip didn’t bother protesting his innocence. Instead he settled his glare on his nemesis. It was petty, but he took satisfaction in knowing he’d taken the only available seat next to his wife.

However, Max snagged a nearby chair and set it down right in front of Cassidy, smiling at her and ignoring him completely. “Hey, I made it.”

“I thought you had a client conference you couldn’t avoid?”

Max shrugged. “I told them I had a previous appointment and rescheduled.”

Phillip opened his mouth to say something snide, thought about what Cassidy threatened, and instead sat silently and fumed. It pissed him off knowing Max was fucking his wife. The man didn’t even have the decency to try to hide it.

Neither of them were.

He’d gone by Max’s place extremely late, several nights in the last two weeks to find his wife’s car parked blatantly on the street. On the nights she hadn’t been at Max’s, he’d gone by her place. Though he’d never spotted the other man’s car, he’d seen Max’s shadow through the street facing the window and knew Cassidy wasn’t alone.

It was eating him up on the inside.

“Mrs. Brannon,” someone called and they all looked up.

That’s right, Phillip thought savagely. Mrs. Brannon. My wife, my child. He cautioned himself to be patient. He had the upper hand in this situation.  They simply didn’t know it yet.

When all three stood, the woman’s eyes goggled. “Are they both with you?”

“Yes. Is that a problem?” Cassidy asked, her tone saying it better not be.

“No, not at all. If you gentlemen will have a seat, I’ll call you in a little later,” she said.