Shira (8 page)

Shira squeezed her legs around his waist. “You’re on!”

Chapter Seven

Shira woke up to her hand killing her. If her stitches weren’t busted under the bandages, she’d be surprised. Not once in their all night sex party had she thought of the injury, but now it could not be ignored. She climbed out of bed and went to the bathroom. Max wasn’t beside her when she opened her eyes. He was an early riser, yet he didn’t mind eating breakfast late. Only at that moment, looking at herself in the bathroom mirror, did she realize they had fallen into a routine over the last couple of weeks.

She grinned. “Damn, I almost look like a woman in love.”

Shira shook her head. No way. Too soon. Max would be a rebound relationship, so it couldn’t go anywhere. As she brushed her teeth, flossed, and used mouthwash, she wondered what he thought of them having sex the night before.
I just hope he’ll want a repeat as often as possible.

After she was dressed, she headed toward the kitchen, checking rooms to see if she spotted Max. He was nowhere in sight. When she got to the kitchen, she noted the sheet of paper there, and a flutter stirred in her chest.
Get a grip, Shira. You’re not in love, girl.
She thought the words in a sing-songy tone that did nothing to help her pull it together.

The note was short and without emotion:

Needed to go to the bank. We will make arrangements about where you’ll go when I get back. Do not leave before then.

- Max

Shira sank into a chair, glad it was behind her because she hadn’t checked before her knees gave out. All the giddiness of a moment ago drained away. Whatever she’d thought about last night was
not
how Max saw it. He was, under no circumstances, in love. To her bitter disappointment and shame, tears welled up in her eyes and spilled down her cheeks.

Of course she couldn’t blame him. After all, she’d been trying to convince herself from the beginning. A man like Max Macgregor didn’t choose a woman like her to be with long term. He was on another level. The sex had been good. She knew he’d enjoyed himself, but that was it. Shira could feel good that she had brought him out of his funk and helped him to smile. He had protected her, and it sounded like he wanted to help get her on her feet so she could leave town. She should sit here and be grateful, happy even.

While she sat there feeling sorry for herself, the doorbell rang. She sniffed and found tissue to wipe her nose. No one ever visited, and as far as she knew Max hadn’t ordered more furniture. Not that he was forthcoming about his plans. The note he’d left had been a surprise, but then he didn’t want her to leave and feel guilty. She told herself that to try to cheer up. The argument didn’t work.

Shira peeped out the window and gasped when she saw Whisper. The woman looked exactly the same as she’d been the last time Shira had seen her. Behind her old schoolmate stood a man comparable in height and build to Max. In fact, he couldn’t be anyone else but Max’s twin.

Shira unlocked the door and jerked it open. “Oh my goodness, Whisper!”

“Shira,” Whisper shrieked and ran into Shira’s arms. They hugged laughing. “I can’t believe how little you’ve changed, girl. What’s it been, fifteen years?”

“About that.” She stepped back and let them both in. “I’m sorry Max isn’t in. He had a couple of errands to run.”

Whisper waved her hand and moved into the living room. She studied the room, and Shira remembered that she hadn’t seen the furniture before. Probably the last time she’d been to Max’s house, the place had been empty.

“Oh, wow, this looks awesome. I like what you’ve done with the place.”

Shira shifted from one foot to the other and picked at her pants leg. “Not my doing. Max chose his own furniture. I’m just the help.”

Whisper rolled her eyes. “Don’t you talk like that. The fact that he let you stay here is a lot. Trust me.”

Shira felt eyes on her, and she turned to find Max’s brother’s piercing gaze trained in her direction. Her throat was dry, and she swallowed, but nothing helped. The same sense of danger rolled off this man, but she couldn’t read him the way she felt like she could read Max. Plus his darker looks made him seem more mysterious. She wasn’t sure she liked him.

“Where are my manners,” Whisper chirped. “This is my boyfriend, Alec. He’s Max’s twin.”

Shira muttered a greeting. She didn’t remember Whisper being so bouncy. Being in love must suit her big time. Jealousy was an ugly beast, so she beat it down and forced a smile.

“How are you?” Alec held his hand out, and she shook it but then put distance between them.

“Would you two like something to eat?” she offered. “I know it’s close to lunch time, but I haven’t eaten, and I feel like I’m about to pass out.”

Whisper linked her arm with hers. “I’m famished.”

“You wouldn’t be if you weren’t in such a hurry to get back to Virginia,” Alec complained. Whisper ignored him and all but dragged Shira off in the direction of the kitchen.

Shira hesitated as she took eggs, bacon, and sausage from the refrigerator. “Is everything okay? I thought you told me you’d be back in about a month.”

Whisper shuddered. “Girl, I was done with those people. You wouldn’t believe the amount of testosterone thrown around up there. Everything was a contest, and Alec has so many male cousins feeling themselves it’s ridiculous. Of course they were all sexy as hell, but Alec gets a little overprotective and…well, never mind. We’re home. Let me help you cook.”

They worked together talking about old times in high school. Shira enjoyed the female companionship. She hadn’t had a friend in forever, and the way Whisper took to her, she wondered if the woman didn’t feel the same. Regret stirred her heart thinking soon she would be gone.

“What about you?” Whisper said, a question Shira had been dreading. “You said you came by my apartment looking for me when you met Max. Is everything okay?”

Shira didn’t want to discuss it, but she owed Whisper an explanation. Whisper had vouched for Max, and because she was an old friend, he had given Shira a job and a place to stay. With as few words as possible and stuffing her emotions down, she told Whisper about Sam. The anger that sparked in the woman’s eyes surprised her.

“He should have his dick cut off.”

Shira burst out laughing, and her friend joined her. “You’re right. He should. Well, I’m free now, and I’m never going back. I’m going to make something of my life and see my dreams come true.”

“Good for you!” Whisper hugged her. “Now let’s get this food on because Alec didn’t say but he’s hungry, and he’s a big grump when his stomach is empty.”

Shira shook her head. “Does he eat like an animal, because Max sure does.”

Whisper started as if Shira had surprised her, but she smiled. “Yeah, like an animal.”

Just when they were setting a huge bowl of scrambled eggs, a platter of pancakes, and another of bacon and sausage on the table, a key sounded in the front door. Shira’s hand shook, and Alec nabbed the pitcher of ice tea she still held. She couldn’t help her gaze arrowing straight to Max when he walked into the room. His focused on her as well, but then he shifted his attention to his brother.

“Hey,” he said.

“Hey, yourself.” Alec walked over to him and shook his hand. Whisper elbowed past the big man and threw herself into Max’s arms.

“Max! It’s good to see you,” she said. “Although I admit I thought you’d be looking less grumpy since Shira is here.”

“Can you be less obvious?” he complained. “I had enough of your matchmaking before you left, woman.”

Shira watched their interaction. They joked and prodded each other. When Whisper went into his arms, he hugged her tight and kissed the top of her head. Again jealousy rose in Shira’s chest. She tamped it down and turned to the table.

“You’re just in time to eat,” she said.

“Good,” he responded.

They all sat down, and Shira remained quiet while Max and his brother chatted about family. Occasionally, Whisper tossed in an observation about whomever they were discussing. Shira shoveled her food around her plate, not hungry. She’d never felt so out of place, like she didn’t belong. Max had gone out that morning to get money so he could get her going on her way. She couldn’t blame him. After all, she’d been about to leave in the middle of the night. Yet, deep inside, she’d hoped he would ask her to stay. Pride wouldn’t let her beg. He didn’t want her.

“I was wondering, Whisper,” she blurted, cutting off their conversation. She ducked her head when they all turned her way, and then forced it up. “Do you mind if I crash at your place a short while? I promise it won’t be long, just until I find a job and I can stand on my own two feet.”

No one said a word, but Shira started a little at the clatter of Max dropping his fork on his plate. He rushed to pick it up, and then set it down again. From the tension she caught in his shoulders and the way he had clenched the utensils, she knew he was angry. So what? He was the one that left her a note like them having sex meant diddly.

“You have a job,” Max snapped.

She frowned. “A temporary one, and if I’m not mistaken, it was ending today!”

“That wasn’t settled.”

She turned to Whisper. “I can come here from your place every morning, and leave in the evening to go back. Is it okay?”

Whisper hesitated. Her glance swung from Shira to Max. “Of course, girl, no problem. I’ve spent most of my time at Alec’s house, but I’ll be glad to stay with you and help you get back on point. It’ll be fun.”

“I thought you were moving in permanently, Whisper,” Alec interjected. “We discussed it.”

“Right, we talked about it,” Whisper agreed. “I never said one way or another.”

“You can stay here a little longer,” Max said.

Shira rolled her eyes. “Yeah, I think I’ll be fine at Whisper’s.”

He grumbled. Shira didn’t know why he had a problem with it. Not like he really wanted her to stay. Maybe his issue was that he didn’t arrange the solution. She didn’t give a fat rat’s ass.

Whisper and Alec began arguing about her living arrangements, and guilt assailed Shira. She would tell her she didn’t have to stay at the apartment with her. Shira would be fine on her own.

Max picked his fork up again and then slammed it down. “Just how do you expect to get all the way out here?”

“Ever heard of a bus?” she shouted.

His brows crashed low over his eyes. “There is no bus for three miles.”

She scraped her chair back. “Then I’ll walk!”

Shira made it to the front door before the tears fell, and she slammed the door in her wake. While she stomped across the front lawn, she cursed herself for being an idiot. She’d let him see as plain as day how she felt about him, and that was the last thing she wanted.

“Shira,” Whisper called out behind her.

Shira stopped walking and scrubbed her face. She sniffed and turned with what she hoped was an apologetic smile. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to get in the way of you and your boyfriend. I know you don’t know me that well, but I promise I won’t steal anything at your apartment. You don’t have to stay there and entertain me.”

“How about we catch a movie tonight?” Whisper said.

Her offer took Shira by surprise. “I…uh…”

Whisper linked her arm through Shira’s and turned her so they could continue walking away from the house. “You need a break. I know what a stubborn ass Max can be. Trust me. I love him like a brother, but whew, a handful. Anyway, don’t worry about Alec and me. We’re good. After what you told me though, I think you need a girl’s night out. We could do dinner and a movie. Or we could go to a club.”

“Ah, dinner and a movie would be great,” Shira admitted. “It’s been a long time since I’ve been to a theater. I don’t know what’s playing.”

“Leave that to me.” Whisper patted her arm. “Leave Max to me too.”

* * * *

Max stood by the window overlooking the front lawn. He watched the two women talking and wondered what Shira was telling Whisper about him. He’d seen her wipe her face and knew she was crying. He hated making her cry, but it was better that she realize there could be nothing between them. He’d be crueler letting her believe something that would never happen.

“So, you said there’s nothing going on between you,” his brother said, still at the table eating. Of course he was happy and content. Max knew the argument between him and Whisper meant nothing. They were sealed as one.

“Do I need to repeat myself?” he grumbled. Whisper was right. His attitude hadn’t improved. He glanced over his shoulder to find his brother buttering toast. The calm irritated him.

“That’s funny,” Alec said, not looking up, “because I smell
you
all over her.”

“Shut up!”

Alec laughed. “Oh, so I hit a nerve. Tell me you haven’t had sex with her, brother.”

“I don’t have to deny that.” He swung from the window and returned to the table. His eggs were cold, so he poured himself another cup of coffee. “I fucked her.”

“Careful,” Alec warned.

Max sighed. He didn’t want to disrespect Shira even to prove to his brother she didn’t mean anything. “We had sex. It meant nothing.”

“She can be your mate. I think it’s obvious to one and all that she cares about you.”

Max clenched the cup’s handle so tight, he thought it might snap at any moment. He willed himself to relax. “She’s human.”

“So?”

“So she’s not my mate. I had a mate. She died.”

“Max.”

He slammed the cup down, sloshing liquid over the sides onto the tablecloth. He recalled Shira had placed it on the table fresh the day before. She’d have his head for the stain.
Damn it, that doesn’t matter. She’s leaving.

“She’s not my mate,” he insisted. “You know as well as I do we mate for life. When Sarah died, that was it for me.”

“It doesn’t have to be.” Alec narrowed his eyes on Max. “Unless of course she’s not the sweet thing she appears to be.”