She’d wanted him to kiss her as much as he’d wanted to. And he might have, if she’d had the good sense to leave Lucius out of the conversation. Instead, she would have to wait, wait until Maximus decided it was time. He didn’t relish seducing Tahlia and the potential of ruining the positive bubble she lived in, but there was no way around it.
He would have to be smart about it, though. Slowly court Tahlia until she didn’t notice that he had her under his thumb. But at the same time Maximus would have to keep his heart locked up tight because something told him if he wasn’t careful, he’d fall under Tahlia’s spell.
Chapter 4
“You own this place?” Tahlia’s mother, Sophia, said when she and Kaitlynn returned from taking Tahlia out for lunch several days later. It was her mother’s day off from the hospital, and she’d finally had the time to come by and see Tahlia’s new venture.
“I do,” Tahlia said with a wide grin. She’d already made some small changes by rearranging the artwork throughout the rooms and reaching out to several artists she’d recommended to Bailey, who’d dismissed them without ever reviewing their work. Tahlia was looking forward to showcasing their talent at a future exhibition.
“Will you show your own work, too?” Kaitlynn asked, turning around to face her sister.
“Max asked me the same thing.”
“Max?” Kaitlynn’s brow furrowed at her use of his nickname.
“Maximus,” Tahlia repeated.
“As in Maximus Knight of Knight Shipping?” her mother stated. Apparently, even her mother had heard of him.
Tahlia nodded. “Yes, that’s the other part of the surprise I have in store for you.”
Her mother folded her arms across her bosom. “Tahlia Ann Armstrong, you better start talking.”
“Come to my office.” Tahlia led them toward the back offices. They passed Faith on the way.
“Hello, Mrs. Armstrong.”
“Hello, my dear.” Sophia gave Faith a hug. “So great to see you again.” Tahlia had had Faith over for dinner at her mother’s, and the two women had hit it off famously.
“You, too,” Faith replied.
When they were behind closed doors, her mother stared back at her in anticipation. “Well, I’m waiting, young lady.”
Tahlia stared back at her mother. Even at forty-six, her mother was still a knockout in her book. Her brown skin was bright and clear with no signs of aging. Meanwhile, thanks to her schedule as a RN, her mother was constantly on the go, keeping her body fit and trim—although you couldn’t tell from the baggy jeans and tunic she wore now.
Now that Tahlia had a little money, she and Kaitlynn would have to take their mama on a mommy makeover. In the meantime, she responded to her mother. “I didn’t exactly tell you the whole truth a few days ago.”
“What did you leave out?”
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