Maxie (Triple X) (26 page)

“I told them everything,” she whispered. “That I’d lied and that I made you lie.”

He kissed the top of her head. “I was never lying, Beauty.”

“But I told them that was why we’d fought.”

“What did they say?”

“That I was insane.” She kept her face pressed to his chest when he tried to look her in the eye. “Everyone could see what was happening but me.”

He stroked her soft hair. “You saw it, but you were too timid to believe it.”

She stiffened. “I don’t want to be that ever again.”

“What?”

“Timid.”

He cupped her face. “It’s all right if you are. It’s part of you, Maxie, and it’s a part that turns me on. I like teasing you out of it.”

She blushed, and he brushed a finger over her cheek. “But if there’s anything you want to try or do, you let me know.”

“Like teaching me how to rock climb? Or taking the zip line down the hill at Indigo Blitz?”

He chuckled. “Will doing these things excite you like skinny-dipping or pulling the triplet switch?” Those memories brought back vivid impressions for him.

“Maybe.”

“Then we’re going skydiving.” With a heave, he lifted them both out of the chair and her into his arms. Carrying her close to his chest, he headed through the living room to the stairs.

She caught at his shoulder. “What are you doing?”

“I’m moving us up to that king-sized bed of yours. It’s about time we put that thing to better use.”

Chapter Fourteen

Maxie awoke to the sensation of Zac penetrating her, long and slow. It was a sinful way to wake up, and one of the most delightful. Her body was warm and lax, but her breasts were heavy, and her belly was tight. He filled her inch by inch, and pleasure coursed through her. When he was fully seated, she stretched and opened her eyes.

He hovered above her, his blue gaze watching her intently. “Sleeping Beauty awakes.”

She ran her hand down his back and squeezed his butt. “That’s not a kiss.”

He ground in a circle, making her squeal with pleasure.

“No, but this is.” Leaning down, he kissed her luxuriously as he slowly began to thrust and parry. There was no rush this time. They’d made love several times over the course of the night. The edge was off, but the deep-seated need was still there. Maxie hoped that never went away.

Her body rolled in time with his, lifting to accept him and relaxing as he gradually withdrew. The slowness made the sensations more intense, something she hadn’t believed possible. She wound her legs around his and watched his face. He was so sexy to her, so model perfect, but ruggedly male.

He kept himself braced above her on those strong arms, loving her at his own pace. Thoroughly and deliberately. She scraped her fingernails down his chest. Muscles jumped, but not even that could hurry him up.

And why hurry?

She arched her neck against the pillow as tingles swam through her. The feel of his taut belly rubbing against hers nearly made her come all on its own, but as intimately as they were connected, he kept his kisses light. They dropped against her lips, her neck and her chest.

“Zac.”

“This is a much better way to start the day than fighting.”

She took hope in the fact that he sounded winded. Running her toes up his calf, she found the back of his knee. When they brushed against his thigh, his hips jerked.

“Ahhh,” she sighed.
There
.

She’d found his weakness, and she used it to her advantage. She tickled his leg and massaged her hands over his backside. He was soon pumping into her harder and faster. Their mouths mated as he kissed her over and over again. At last, his weight came down on her for real, and she clung to him. He was moving deeply inside her, and her body was winding tighter and tighter.

At last, the hot ball of pleasure snapped loose, lashing wildly throughout her body. She came in a rush, and she clung to him. His body worked over hers, and he braced one hand on the pillow beside her head. Twisting, he slid his other hand underneath her. His fingers bit into her bottom as he lifted her hips and held her at just the right angle for his final thrusts.

Exhausted, she ran her fingers down his spine until she found a spot that made his back bow. She left them there, and that was enough to unleash him too. His beautiful body tensed, and his hair fell forward as his head dipped. Their bodies locked together, caught in gratification, but eventually they floated back to earth. His heaviness bore down on her, and she relaxed, savoring the softness of the pillow and the way the mattress pressed back at her in return.

Yes, this was much better than fighting.

They stayed that way for a long time before he carefully rolled off her. He settled at her side, their legs still tangled. Lazily, he cupped her breast.

“Are you sure you don’t have to go to the station this morning?” she asked.

“I’m coming with you to the doctor’s office for the DNA test.”

“Everyone’s coming for that. How many people have to sit in the waiting room?”

“I doubt your sisters will allow themselves to be relegated to the waiting room,” he muttered. He slid his hand down to her belly. “Besides, I thought maybe you could find some private time to ask the doctor about something else.”

The way he rubbed her abdomen made it clear what he was saying. That lazy-morning feeling warmed inside her chest again. “That might be a good idea, especially with as rushed as you get.”

“Me?” He lifted one eyebrow. “You’re the one who was tearing my pants off last night.”

“I was, wasn’t I?”

“Yeah.” He chuckled. “Not timid at all.”

She tucked her chin when he tried to kiss her. “Zac, it’s getting late.”

He kissed her ear instead. “We have time to mess around a little bit longer, don’t we?”

“I don’t…” She shivered when his tongue darted out to lick the spot under her ear on the side of her neck. “Well, maybe… Just a little…
Ahhhh
.”

Everyone turned to gawk when the triplets entered Java Mama’s for breakfast. After the big reveal at the talent show, people were fascinated with them. They stared at the way they looked, compared the way they talked and marveled at the way they moved. It was a novelty that wasn’t losing its freshness.

“I don’t know why they had to have a DNA test run,” Zac commented. “Everyone knows what the results will be. I’ve never seen a doctor look so bug-eyed in my life.”

“They need the proof.” Cam planted his hands on his hips, but there was a smile on his face as he watched the sisters bask in the attention of the hometown breakfast crowd. Lexie and Roxie were chatting up the locals as if they’d been raised here. “They lost each other once. They want to make sure it doesn’t happen again.”

“Fat chance of that. Those three won’t be split apart.”

“I’d say not. Get ready for your phone bill to skyrocket.”

“Who do you think will be the first to cave?”

“Lexie. I’ll bet you five bucks she calls first.”

“I’ve got five on Maxie.”

They shook on it, but then met each other’s eye. “Roxie,” they agreed.

“Somebody say my name?” she asked.

“Just wondering what you wanted for breakfast.” Zac gestured to the counter. “It’s on me.”

“Why thank you, Sheriff Sexy.” She patted him on the chest and arched an eyebrow at Cam before stepping up to order.

Maxie went next, and Becky was waiting when Zac arrived. The coffee maven’s curls were as bouncy as ever, but tame compared to her wild look from the day before. “Good morning, Spider Man. How’s our town hero today?”

He shook his head. Trust the rumor mill to already have that circulating. “I’m fine, but let’s stick with Sheriff Ford.”

“Better than fine, I’d say.” She beamed. “The regular?”

He barely stopped himself from wincing. “Let’s make it orange juice and a blueberry muffin today.” He nodded at the register as she totaled up the orders. “I hear that the cashbox case was solved and you got your money back.”

Her expression turned serious. “Thanks to you and Deputy Hanson.”

“And Maxie, she’s the one who spotted the kids.” He pulled out his wallet. “Hanson said that none of you wanted to press charges. Are you sure about that?”

“Well, those kids will be paying us in other ways. One parent has already made arrangements for his little monster to wash dishes here for a month.”

“That will teach them the value of a dollar.” Lexie laid her hand on Cam’s arm. “Could you order a coffee and an apple tart for me?”

She excused herself to the ladies’ room while the rest of them found a table. Martin came in about that time with eagerness lighting his face. He smiled when he saw Becky at her appointed position behind the counter.

“I don’t know why those two don’t just get it on,” Roxie muttered.

Maxie cocked her head. “Becky and Martin? You think so?”

Her sister shrugged, not looking entirely comfortable. “Sometimes best friends make the best lovers.”

Zac grunted. He was all for that. Anything to keep the too-friendly old schoolmate away from his girl.

Martin saw them from across the room and waved. “Hi, Maxie. Hey, coz.”

“Hey, back at ya,” Roxie said with a wink.

“Lexie?” he guessed.

“Roxie.”

He let out a frustrated sound. “I’ll get it right one of these days.”

She laughed. “Not if we have anything to say about it.”

They were all smiling when Becky arrived with their orders. She set down their drinks first, followed by their pastries. Maxie’s eyes rounded when she saw the funnel cake placed on the table in front of Roxie. Apparently they’d sold so well at Park Art, Becky had put them on the regular menu.

“That’s huge,” Maxie said.

Roxie rubbed her hands together in delight. “I’ve been wanting one of these for the past two days.” She tore off a chunk and took a bite. She closed her eyes and moaned in delight. “These small-town shindigs are where it’s at.”

She reached for her coffee, and Zac flinched. He grabbed for the cup instinctively. “I wouldn’t—”

Maxie sucked in a breath. “Oh, careful—”

They were both too late. Roxie came up sputtering after her first sip. She snatched up her napkin and wiped her mouth as if trying to get something off. “Oh my God!” Her tongue worked like a dog that’d just had peanut butter. She looked around, desperate for something to clear the taste from her mouth. Maxie passed her some tea, but from the expression on Roxie’s face, the tastes didn’t combine well. “Oy-zun.” She pointed at the coffee cup. “She tried oo oy-zun me.”

“What was that?” Zac asked.

“I think she said that Becky tried to poison her.” Maxie stole back her tea. “It’s not personal.”

Roxie took another desperate bite of her funnel cake. At last, her eyes rolled back, and she relaxed. “Do you have a lab down at that station house, Sheriff? I want that tested.”

“It’s not poison,” Zac said, chuckling. Although he knew how she felt. “It’s just horrible coffee.”

“Horrible?” Maxie frowned at him. “I thought you liked her coffee. You buy it every day.”

He tugged on a strand of her hair. “Because her shop is next door to yours.”

“What? But…”

“But nothing. I’ve been suffering through one cup of Drano after another just to get close to you.”

Roxie smacked her hand against the table. “Poison, I knew it!”

Maxie’s lips quivered. “Really? You did that?”

“You think I like that swill?”

“Well, I thought that maybe your time in a Chicago precinct had hardened your stomach.” She giggled. “It is pretty atrocious.”

Roxie let out an offended squeak. She pointed at them with the piece of funnel cake in her grip, and powdered sugar puffed in the air. “You both knew it was that bad? Why didn’t you stop me? You let me walk up there and buy it.”

By now, Zac couldn’t help but laugh. He slid his hand under Maxie’s hair and rubbed his thumb behind her ear. “You don’t like it either?”

She tried to act indignant, but she was laughing too. “I thought my taste buds hadn’t adjusted to pricey high-end coffee.”

“There’s nothing wrong with your taste buds, Beauty.”

“He should know.” Roxie stole another sip of tea. It must have gone down better because she didn’t go into another set of convulsions. “After all, he’s examined them all up close and personal-like.”

“Rox,” Cam sighed with exasperation.

“What? It’s the truth.”

“Becky’s too friendly,” Zac tried to explain. “Nobody wants to tell her that her coffee could melt pennies.”

Maxie grinned. “Sounds like a job for the town sheriff to me.”

“What’s so funny?” Lexie asked as she returned from the ladies’ room. Cam stood and pulled out her chair for her. She sat next to Roxie, smiling as she looked from one of them to the next.

“Roxie thought that—”

Before Maxie could finish, Roxie grabbed the coffee and passed it to their sister. “Here, try this, Lex.”