She grabbed a tray and jumped in line, sure he’d follow her. She knew he didn’t like someone else getting the last word in. He didn’t disappoint her.
“You know, it’s not going to work,” he said, making her jump. He was right behind her and had his head bent forward so the words were whispered right behind her ear, his hot breath lightly running across her bare skin. She couldn’t stop the shudder that trembled through her. He was really good at causing her body to go haywire.
“What won’t work?” she asked breathlessly.
“No matter how much distance you try to put between us, I’m going to get to know you just as much as you think you’re going to get to know me,” he said. She moved forward too quickly and crashed into the person in front of her, causing a laugh to escape Max’s lips. He knew what he was doing to her. She quickly apologized to the person.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she bluffed. He didn’t say anything else but they both knew she was lying.
They got their food and he found a table in the corner and sat down. She followed him and placed her tray in front of her, diving into the delicious food. He started eating as if his life depended on it and they were both silent for several moment.
“Who’s this beautiful woman?” a man said as he approached their table and sat down without being invited. “I’m Trenton, Max’s older brother,” the man said. Cassie recognized him from some articles she’d seen written up on him. He’d gotten married a while ago.
“This is Cassie McIntyre, Trenton. She’s going to be following me around like a lost puppy dog for a while, doing an interview,” Max said. Cassie sent him a glare. He couldn’t have been more rude if he’d tried.
“Nice to meet you, Cassie. If you’re looking for some real dirt on this guy then you’ll have to come see me,” he said with a wink. Cassie instantly liked Max’s brother.
“I will certainly take you up on that, Trenton,” she said, feeling better even after the dog comment.
“That’s not part of the deal,” Max growled, clearly not liking her interacting with more of his family members.
“There’s nothing that states I can’t talk to your family members about you. It just says I can’t invade their privacy,” she said smugly. She would’ve never signed something saying she couldn’t talk to his family or employees. She wasn’t stupid. Max glared at her and pushed his food away. She had a feeling he’d make the rest of her day unpleasant if he could get away with it.
“Don’t be so grouchy, Max, I won’t spill too many secrets,” Trenton said with a laugh and wink, which earned him a glare. Cassie found their interaction amusing. She pulled out her iPad and took some notes, which made Max glower even more. Heck, if she could get under his skin that easily she would take the thing out more often. She enjoyed riling him up.
“So, Cassie, you’re a reporter?” Trenton asked.
“I’m hoping to be. I graduated at the top of my class in journalism, but sadly have been working as a barista for a small coffee shop. I’ve tried getting a job with different papers and magazines, but the market’s so competitive that I haven’t had any luck so far. I know this exclusive interview with Max will get me a job with no problem, though,” she said, beaming. She was so excited to work in a busy news room. She soon would be back on track for her ten year plan she’d made for herself before she graduated.
“Yep, Max is definitely cagey when it comes to interviews. The rest of us usually just get them over with so we’re not hounded all the time,” he said. He seemed to realize he may have offended her, but she had much thicker skin than that.
“I know reporters can be annoying, don’t worry about it. When you’re in the public eye like your family, though, the public wants to know all about you. I promise to be tasteful and won’t hound any of you after I’m done,” she responded.
Cassie picked up her cup and took a long swallow of coffee. She needed the pause in conversation and she needed the caffeine to wake her up. Max was oddly silent as she and Trenton talked for several more moments. His silence worried her more than his sarcastic remarks. He was good at thinking of new ways to intimidate her.
Max leaned back in his chair, drinking his coffee and looking back and forth between the two of them. She didn’t trust the look in his eyes one bit. She knew he had something else up his sleeve.
“How long is the interview for? It sounds like more than just an afternoon,” Trenton finally asked.
“For a month,” Cassie told him. Trenton coughed in surprise, spilling a bit of his coffee. Cassie smiled.
“How did you manage that?” Trenton finally asked, looking from her to Max and back again.
“Well, first your brother had to slam into me with his car, leaving me in a coma in the hospital for a week, then have the nerve to throw papers at me, promising I wouldn’t sue the pants off him. I chose an interview, instead,” she said with a huge smile. Trenton stared at her for a moment, with his mouth open. Then, his eyes lit up and he let out a loud laugh, causing several heads to turn in their direction.
“That is priceless, seriously. I can’t wait to call up Bree and Austin. They’re going to crack up,” Trenton said between fits of laughter.
“This is none of any of your business, Trenton,” Max said sending a glare toward his brother.
“There is no possible way you’re going to keep this away from the family. You know things like this spread like wildfire around our family. The unstoppable Max getting blackmailed, and by a tiny woman, to boot. Thank you so much for making my day, Ms. Cassie McIntyre,” he said as he stood up.
“You’re very welcome, Trenton. I look forward to speaking with you more,” she said with a bright smile. Trenton left, his laughter carrying back to them as he walked from the cafeteria.
“Don’t look so smug, Cassie, the day is young,” Max threatened. His words took a little of the joy from her. She knew he wouldn’t hurt her, but the man caused unspeakable things to happen in her body with just a glance, or a slight breath on her skin. She couldn’t imagine what he could do if he put in a hundred percent effort. She turned away and looked out the window.
“What’s the plan for the rest of the day?” she finally asked, trying to get back on a topic of business.