“Now I understand why you’re so big, lifting heavy furniture every day,” Casey teased. “Saves you money with gym memberships.”
“I get a discount, too. If you come by the store, you can get a new mattress.”
“I may take you up on that Monday.”
“Want to stay and play some video games?”
Casey nodded, and they went back into the other room, sinking down into the couch. Max handed her a controller.
“You play video games?” Maxton scooted over to make more room for her.
“Occasionally. My brother loves video games,” Casey said, recognizing the game that Maxton restarted from the beginning. The challenge was to find and collect enough items to fill a treasure chest.
Max groaned out loud when Casey began earning enough points to take items from his chest.
“Take some things from Randy’s chest. His is almost full,” he suggested.
“I don’t want to steal from a child.” Casey’s hair fell across her cheek as she concentrated on taking a treasure map from him. When he brushed her hair back, tucking it behind her ear, she shivered at the feel of his fingers on her skin.
Max’s chest was empty by her next turn. He tossed the controller down, leaning back against his chair. With him out of the game, Randy and Maxton became her targets.
“I thought you didn’t steal from kids?” Max asked when she took a large ruby from Randy.
“That was before he stole my emerald,” Casey stated, winking at Randy.
Both boys were staring at her in consternation an hour later as the pirate was dancing in glee around the treasure chest.
“She beat us. Adults are supposed to let kids win.” Maxton shook his head at her.
“I prefer you to take a learning experience from the game. It builds character to lose occasionally.”
“I’d rather win.”
Max stood. “Me, too. Losing sucks. Bedtime, boys.”
The boys all wanted to stay up, but Max lifted Randy to his shoulders, and Maxton and Maxim both chased after their father up the stairs.
Casey folded the large blanket, placing it on the couch. Then she went to the kitchen and did the dishes that had been left in the sink before wiping off the counters.
She was going back into the living room as Max was coming down the steps. The front of his T-shirt was wet.
“Did you take a bath with the boys?”
“Very funny. I need to put Randy in swimming classes. That boy would live in the bathtub if I let him. The other two act like I’m torturing them when I make them take a shower.”
“All your children get along well together,” Casey commented on the closeness of the half-siblings.
Max dropped down onto the couch. “Did you get along with your stepbrothers and sisters?”
“Not really. By the time we would usually begin to get used to each other, the relationship would end. None of my stepfathers made an attempt to let us see each other afterward, so we gradually grew apart.”
“Did you get along with your stepfathers?” His curious question had her avoiding his eyes.
“For the most part.” Casey went to the coffee table and picked up her purse. “I better be going.”
As she walked toward the door, she passed Max, who put an arm around her waist, sweeping her into his arms.
“Stay the night with me.”
Casey broke away from him. “I don’t feel right about staying with your kids here.”
“I’ll wake you up before they do.” He stepped forward, but Casey took a step back, afraid if he touched her, she would give in to him.
“What’s going on, Max?”
“What do you mean?” He stopped, his green eyes narrowing on her.
“I mean, are you trying to get even with me, or are we into each other? Are you wanting us to be fuck buddies, or am I your next cookie of the month?”
“Cookie of the month?”
Casey tried to explain. “You’re like a restaurant that changes its menu every six months. While it’s on special, you eat yourself sick. By the time the six months is over, you’re sick of it and move on to another special.”
“That’s ridiculous!”
Casey raised her hand, holding up four fingers. “Your kids’ mothers lasted an average of six months, Sherri lasted six months, Angie—Kaden’s stylist—lasted six months, CeCe lasted six months.” She had seven fingers up now. “Would you like me to go on?”
“No. I told you they broke up with me. I didn’t break up with them.”
“None of your women wanted to let you go. That’s why each of your children are named after you, even Randy, though you refuse to call him Maximilian. Sherri, Angie, and CeCe all wanted you but were tired of playing second fiddle to the Predators.”
“How do you know?”
“They would complain during all the family dinners.” Casey shrugged. “It became real uncomfortable after the third one. I really liked them all. You have good taste in women.”
“Yes, I do.” Max’s hand slipped around her neck, tugging her closer to his body. Her breasts pressed against his chest. “I have excellent taste.” His mouth pressed down on hers, his sexual magnetism flooding her senses.