“Yeah, well, he better change; otherwise, there is a certain appendage that will not be attached to his body any longer, and I’m sure as hell not talking about his arms or legs! And most importantly, he’s going to help Daddy refinance the winery,” I added.
Milan slapped me on the arm. “That is not why you are marrying him, is it? I mean, you are meant to choose a man that you’ll spend the rest of your life with. It’s not because of the money, is it? Or is the sex that hot and kinky that you just can’t share?”
My gaze skittered away and I prayed Milan would drop it.
No such luck.
“Oh. My. God. He is kinky, isn’t he?” Milan announced. “You lucky bitch.”
I couldn’t look at Milan. Thank God, she hadn’t guessed the truth about the situation with Max and me. God, why did I go and blurt out that Max was going to refinance the winery? She was so fixated on our sex life that she didn’t pay much attention to it.
“What?”
“Do not lie to me. You tell me almost everything. I know you tell Mia everything, too, especially when the two of you were living in Sydney together. You know, sometimes I’m jealous of the time the two of you spend together.”
Geez, if Milan knew the real story behind the past few months of my life in Sydney and how I spent most of those months in therapy and rehab, she wouldn’t be saying she was jealous. Not one little bit.
“Okay, your silence says it all. This is the real deal for you, isn’t it?”
I nodded. “What makes you say that?”
“Well, like last night when you didn’t share anything. Normally, when the both of us talk about guys, we usually share stories about the size of their dicks and how many times a week or day we do the deed or how to go down on him. You know I was just trying to get a rise out of Mia last night, don’t you? I cannot believe that girl is still a virgin. So, tell me now that Mia isn’t here: does Max do any wicked tricks with his tongue?”
“Err…um…actually, it’s normally you sharing those sex stories, not me. You have more sexual experience than me, remember? I never had the time for any relationships. So, what do you mean by my being silent?”
“I mean you have not shared a thing. Not one intimate detail! Well, apart from all that lovey-dovey stuff last night about having a connection. What I’m getting at is that what Max and you have must be so special and so personal that you are keeping it sacred. Don’t get me wrong, this is a good thing; I’m happy for you. I’m just a bit miffed you didn’t tell me about the secret dating, that’s all. I would have been more pissed off if you told Mia and not me, though, so you’re safe!”
Milan hugged me and whispered in my ear. “I’m very happy for you, Jada, really I am. Even if I do think Max can be an egotistical jerk sometimes, anyone can see he has it bad for you.
***
MAX
Marco entered my office ready for the conference call with Zane in Adelaide. We needed to start setting up this take-over of Jada and Milan’s shares.
“Hey, Max,” Marco greeted me. “Sorry I’m a tad late.”
“You’re lucky Zane got held up. I don’t want you to miss anything that he has to say regarding those shares.”
“I’m here, okay, that’s the main thing. It doesn’t help when your PA ignores me the minute I walk in. I mean, I own the fucking building, too, or does she just do it to piss me off?” Marco grumbled as he took his place at the big conference table.
“Marco, is there any female I know that doesn’t piss you off? And Winter is extremely efficient, so I’m not getting rid of her because you don’t like her,” I emphasised. I’d never have any staff if I had to get Marco’s approval on everyone.
“Does Jada know you have a hot PA? I bet she doesn’t. If you want my advice, I think you need to get rid of Winter Wonderland and hire someone old and ugly.”
“Did I ask for your fucking advice, Marco? No, I didn’t, so shut the fuck up and focus on this meeting.”
I flicked the red light on the phone.
“Right, we ready? Zane, are you there?”
“Yeah, Max, I’m here. Is Marco there?”
“Yeah, I’m here, Zane,” Marco replied, “and I’m all ears.”
“Okay, great, now I have the file on Tate Turner in front of me. I will bring it up to the Barossa this weekend. It’s quite lengthy, but I will go through a few points on the phone and then we can discuss it in further detail later on,” Zane explained.
“Right, where do I start with this fucker?” Zane expelled a deep breath and sounded exasperated. “Apart from all the fraud charges and embezzlement, the most serious charge was his last one of attempted rape and assault. This file includes photographs of the female victim, and they are quite graphic. There is no name of the victim mentioned at all on this report. I’ve done everything to try to find out, but I haven’t had much success. The hospital has strict instructions to keep the name completely anonymous.”