"I don't need you to cook for me, Alexandria, but I noticed the light in your eyes when you do. Do you really enjoy cooking, or is it just because I am here?"
"Settle your ego down. I really do like cooking. It’s something I cannot get enough of. I guess it’s because I like food so much."
"So why did you not become a chef?"
"It was not the career that pays right away. I needed to make something of myself. I don't have time to let fantasies invade."
"Seriously, babe, I have learned that if you want something, you should go for it, especially if it is going to make you really happy."
"I will tell you that you are having dinner with me, alone in my hotel room, tonight," he said before brushing his lips lightly against mine.
"Oh really."
"Yes, really. I want some alone time with the woman who has captivated me, completely."
I was melting where I stood. I was glad I was on a shaving mission last night. I wanted not only dinner tonight, but dessert as well, and I was sure he did too.
We spoke for a while longer before my mom walked into the room.
"Good morning, Mrs. Davis."
"You are here quite early. What did you do, sleep on our front steps?"
"No. I’m sure your husband would have kicked me off the porch when he got home. But you won’t be seeing me tonight, or Alexandria for that matter. I am stealing her away for a night out."
"Fantastic! She deserves to have a good time."
It was an hour later after watching the rest of the WGN morning news that my dad came in from his sleep.
"Ah, my wife said you invaded our house at the crack of dawn. I am going to get some breakfast, then we can have a nice long talk."
"Yes, sir," Max said with the respect my father was due. It was funny for a powerful and domineering man as Max, he was respectful and kind to both of my parents, and I truly appreciated it because they meant the world to me. I was nervous that things wouldn't work out and that my dad and Max wouldn't get along. I don't know how many boyfriends my father sent packing over the years, but there had been a lot, and that was what my dream was about. My father did his usual, and Max went running in the opposite direction. I certainly hoped not. I wanted him to want me enough to stay.
“Baby, calm down. You seem really nervous. Is this his protocol? Did he scare away your other boyfriends?”
I barely nodded.
“You have nothing to be concerned about. I am a man, not some little boy. I am not going back to Texas without you.” He did his usual and took my mouth with his, and I was in my little world of Max. My body ached as our mouths met. It was like I was in a state of perpetual heat around this man.
“Enough, young lady. Lover boy, come on. It’s time,” my dad said gruffly when he walked in to the room. I flushed in embarrassment, and all Max did was shrug his shoulders.
Chapter 9—Max
I walked down to the basement after her father, and I immediately knew that this was his tactic with the other boys, but like I told Alexandria—I was a man, and I was intimidated by no man. I was the one who did the intimidating.
"Mr. McCain, have a seat."
I sat only because I wasn't going to be confrontational yet. I was going to have Alexandria as my wife, and there was no doubt about that. Detective Davis here wasn't going to stop me. He stopped for a moment, and then he excused himself. He was gone for about five minutes. I thought he was using his time away as a tactic. When he finally returned, he looked different. His coloring had paled, and he was sweating.
"Are you all right?" He blatantly ignored my question and started his line of questioning.
"So what are your intentions with my little girl?" He wasn't as stern as I thought he was going to be. I wondered if it was because he was not feeling well.
"I intend to marry her." I stated my case right away.
"That's moving fast, if you ask me. She just broke up with that bastard." His words were not as strong as they should have been, and I was starting to worry.
"I don't care. I am not working on his schedule. I have already told Alexandria what I want from this relationship, and she said the same thing to me too. I am a business man, and I am not used to waiting for something I know I have to have." I was sure of my course and wanted to get a move on already.
"Are you sure that as soon as you had your fill of my daughter, you aren't going to ditch her?" he added, full of accusation.
"I am not going anywhere. I want your daughter for the rest of my life, so the only way I plan on ditching her is when I die."
"Are you in love with her?" he asked, and I answered truthfully and with ease.