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Max frowned "You don’t have a weight problehed "Trust y woht probles "That’s stupid You have an actual ass and breasts That’s the kind of weight a asped when the words came out of his mouth Conversations with Carina never included body parts, and heat actually tinged his cheeks What the hell was he doing?

But she didn’t look elass with his "Well said, Max But I still may take you up on that offer How’s Rocky?"

A faint smile curved his lips "Great He’s co I’ve never er unless they rubbed his belly"

Her almond-shaped eyes softened Her family deemed Carina "the animal whisperer" for her ability to cohting pit, the first call he made was to Carina She told him exactly how to handle and treat the abused pit bull, and they had worked as a long-distance team to heal his battered soul "I can’t wait to finally meet him in person," she said "Photos aren’t the sae of Carina in his ho settled over hi her on his own turf He usually hated bringing wo to theirs Carina took a sip of her wine and startled him with a bold question

"How’s your love life? Who’s the flavor of the month?"

He shifted his feet "No one special"

"Didn’t you turn thirty a while ago?"

"What does that have to with anything?" he asked He hated the defensiveness to his tone "I’ed "Just wondered if you had interest in settling down, having a faether, deep in conversation Nick’s hand rested on the side of Alexa’s belly, and Michael bent his head to whisper so in his wife’s ear The air of close intiht circle and left Max with a hole in his gut Sure, he wanted that Who wouldn’t? But no woive up his freedole for life unless he was absolutely one hundred percent sure He’d never walk away from his wife and family like his father He’d never abandon someone who needed hi any errors within his relationships The , or invited hi hard look at the relationship If there wasn’t enough feeling, heon for years noith no permanent relationship in his past

"One day," he said "When Inervous," she teased "I think she’s starting to say extra rosaries with Father Richard, praying that you’re not gay"

He choked on the sip of wine Who was this woe her "Oh, is that so? And do you think I’aze as she took in every inch of his body "Hmm, I always did wonder You dress quite nicely You know your designer brands And you’re a bit too pretty for s "What?"

"No offense I prefer the bad-boy type Casual, longer hair, maybe a motorcycle"

"Your brother would kill you, and I bet you never rode on any damn bike" Temper snapped at hi hiay"

"Okay" She lifted her shoulders as if he now bored her "Think what you like"

Her evasive answer pissed hi to take advantage? And why did he care? She was a grooer his concern She could date whouy around the waist hit hiine Dark hair flying in the wind The dip and speed as she hung on tight with the promise of a very different ride afterward

Maybe it was time Carina Conte realized he wasn’t a

He lowered his head Her eyes widened in surprise as he dipped his eous peach sheen to her skin, the ruby red of her lips, and the tiny gasp of breath she eay?"

She paused just a moment, then rallied "I never knew my opinion really mattered"

The words hit with deliberate precision Her sharp intellect hidden under a veneer of sweetness always fascinated hie to spar, and he found his have changed"

"Maybe I don’t care"

A se for my mother A type of proof"

The pulse beat madly at the base of her neck Still, her tone was cool and under control when she spoke "Maybe I don’t like to be used" She took a step back and diser your sweet little pup begging for a bone Get over it"

She walked aith her head held high and joined her brother Max watched and wondered what the hell he’d started Was he nuts? Any type of sensual challenge was off-limits--but she’d pushed him The undercurrents of their conversation cut deep Had he treated her like that? Guilt assuaged hi to someone he loved And he did love her Like a sister

Max shook his head and went to get so NoThey needed to cultivate a business relationship while he taught her the rules of the game and hoped she didn’t surpass him in the skills needed to take over his job The situation was sticky enough without another complication--especially a sexual attraction