“Good, thank you. Your bed is so comfortable.”

Max leaned over, creating that heat again. “You know you can sleep in it every night if you’d like. We can be sleeping buddies and breakfast buddies, too.”

I smiled and looked away, not knowing how to answer his question or if I was meant to answer it, because I wasn’t sure if he meant it or if he was just flirting. “What’s wrong?” he asked, looking concerned.

He must have seen me stiffen. “I…it’s just that…I’ve never slept with…I mean…we didn’t even date….” I was turning red. I felt so hot that I wanted to take his shirt off.

“Jenna, it’s okay.” Max’s hand rested over mine and idly rubbed my knuckles. “I know you’re not the type of woman that has one night stands, or the type of woman that sleeps on first dates. I know you take your relationships seriously. I can tell by the way you act and by your words. So…don’t worry. And I’m not so bad that I would take advantage of you like that.”

I must have produced the biggest smile of my life. Max knew me…unlike Luke. And I believed that he wouldn’t take advantage of me. Feeling less embarrassed, I happily took a bite of my bagel with cream cheese on it. Max was sweet enough to spread it on for me before I could reach over for the container.

“Do you have plans next Saturday?” Max asked, placing his glass down from taking a sip of his orange juice. “That was my brother on the phone. I would love for you to meet him.”

“Umm….” My eyes flickered to think, and was happy that when Max said, “I’ll ask her,” he’d meant me. “I think I’m free.”

“Good,” he said excitedly. “I’ll pick you up before we go to my parents’ home.”

“What did you say?”

He gave me a sideways glance. “My parents,” he repeated slowly. Then he blinked his eyes, seeming to be thinking. “I’m sorry. Is it too soon?”

It was a little too soon for me, but seeing the sparkle leave his eyes, I couldn’t say no. “No…I think I’ll be okay. Just as long as they know I’m coming and they are fine with it.”

“Of course they will. But I don’t want to have to wait a week before I see you again. Let me check my schedule so I can take you out on a real date.”

“Okay.” My smile was big. “So…is this for a special occasion, or is your brother in town?”

“Just because,” he said, and took a bite of his bagel.

“I was just wondering if I needed to wear something special, or how I should dress in front of your parents.”

Max chuckled. “This is why I think you’re so hot. You care. Jenna, you can wear jeans and a sweater if you like. My parents are humans, not gods. Don’t worry too much. They will love you. But if you’re asking me what you should wear....” Max arched his brows playfully.

“Never mind,” I smiled giddily, blushing. Max had just told me I was hot. “Eat before your food gets cold.”

Max leaned over, smacked a good kiss on my lips, and pulled my bottom lip with his teeth. And the glass of cold water wasn’t cold enough to cool me down.

Chapter 28

“You’re meeting his parents?” Becky didn’t let me answer. She had changed into her sweat outfit that we had bought together when we went shopping. Hers was purple and mine was black. “The Mr. and Mrs. Knight?” She accentuated the word “the”. “Already? Really? Wow! He’s really head over heels all over you, isn’t he?”

Pondering her words, I carefully settled myself down on the sofa with a mug of hot green tea in my hands. “He made it sound like it was no big deal.”

“No…you’re trying to make it sound like it’s no big deal.” Becky sat next to me and took a sip of her hot tea.

“I don’t know. He’s moving too fast, maybe ‘cause I gave him permission by sleeping with him.” I groaned, burying my head in the palm of my hand, then looked up. “I’ve never done that before.”

“I know.” Becky nodded, taking another sip. “Nope…never since I’ve known you. So I was completely surprised when you texted me that you were spending the night. Anyway, it’s nothing bad. You know my history…I’ve had a couple of those in our college days. Two consenting adults fulfilling their needs…I think it’s perfectly fine. But I understand…cause….” She took another sip and let out a sigh. “I know you.”

Taking the warmth from my mug, I sank in deeper as I thought of Max. “I’m okay with it ‘cause he makes it okay for me. I mean…he says the sweetest things. He knows I’m not like that. At least he says he knows…I hope.” I blew into the mug and took a sip.

“Just be careful, okay? I’m not saying that he’s going to hurt you. But I’ve been with enough men to know that you don’t take any girl to your parents’ house unless you’re serious about her.”

“He said he wanted me to meet his brother. It’s just that…I’m now officially dating my boss’s son, which I was trying to avoid.” The realization of that didn’t hit me when I was in Max’s penthouse. It had just hit me. And I would be officially meeting the couple I’d looked up to since I first wanted to be in the fashion industry. Though excited, a part of me was extremely uneasy about this whole situation.