Chapter 3 Invitation To Dinner

"I... I don't think that would be a good idea." When was the last time I had been out with a man? I couldn't think. My soul-destroying focus had been on Hunter a lot lately.

"Why? Am I that repulsive? I mean, I'll shower and shave, I promise." Max looked at me with a fake pout before adding, "Look, it's just dinner. You and me. One night. No expectations. If it sucks, you never have to go out with me again."

I didn't know men did that. "I thought only girls did that." I couldn't help but laugh because Max was funny. But then reality set in. Getting involved with a man now, not just Max, but any man... seemed impossible. How would I explain that I might be carrying my sister's baby? Was I really thinking about sex? It was just dinner. And after everything, didn't I deserve something for myself? Just mine and not Helena's? God, I sounded like a jealous cow. But I shook myself out of it and said, "Okay, you're on. I'll have dinner with you."

Max grinned at me, pleased with my reply. "Great. How about I pick you up at-"

He didn't get to finish because the lift shuddered, then jumped, flinging me into his arms again. He wrapped them around me tightly, keeping me from hitting the floor.

"I've got you," he reassured me.

The elevator jerked again before smoothly continuing its ascent. I looked at the floor numbers ticking up until it reached the top floor. The doors slid open, and there was Hunter, standing with his arms crossed over his chest. His gaze locked onto me before shifting to Max's arms, still wrapped around me. I hadn't even realized I hadn't moved away. I placed my hand on Max's chest to push back, but he held tight, refusing to let go.

Hunter's eyes narrowed. "Max, can you let my secretary go, please?" Those were the first words out of his mouth. Not 'Are you okay?'

"What if I don't want to?" Max replied smoothly.

Hunter's jaw flexed, his teeth grinding. What was his problem?

I then noticed we weren't alone. My focus had been so locked onto Hunter that I hadn't seen the two men in overalls standing beside him. One of them cleared his throat. "Uh, seems like a minor issue. It shouldn't happen again."

I looked up at Max and spoke softly, only for him to hear. "Please let me go."

Max grinned down at me. "Anything for you, princess." His arms slid away, but he didn't step back, still standing close.

Hunter turned to the two technicians as they packed up their tools. "This shouldn't have happened in the first place. I want the service log checked to make sure nothing was missed in the last maintenance call. I don't like the fact that we had two people stuck in the lift for so long." There was a biting edge to his tone.

"Yes, sir," the older technician responded.

I stepped off the lift, and Max followed, staying right by my side. The movement brought Hunter's piercing gaze back to us, his eyes narrowing again. There was something there I couldn't quite read.

Max, completely unbothered, smirked as he leaned toward me. He was standing so close, I could feel the heat radiating from his body. "Don't blame the rescue team. Grace and I were very comfortable."

I shot him a look, but Max only grinned. "So, what time should I pick you up tonight, Grace?"

I felt my cheeks heat as all eyes turned to me. "Er, can we talk about that later?" I tilted my head toward the others, who were definitely listening.

"Sure, princess," Max teased, winking at me. I watched as the technicians picked up their things and left via the lift. I was starting to feel very uncomfortable.

"Max, can you meet me in my office while I talk to my secretary?" Hunter said, emphasizing the word 'my.'

I froze, every nerve in my body on high alert. Hunter's mood didn't make sense to me. And then, suddenly, it clicked. I could be carrying his and my sister's baby. Hunter didn't want anything interfering with his incubator. God forbid I have a life outside of what Helena and Hunter wanted. My mother, Margo, would agree with them. I frowned, remembering the conversation between Helena and Mum at the hospital.

I placed a hand on Max's arm. When he looked at me, I said, "Come see me before you leave, and we'll work out the details for tonight."

He grinned, then did something I wasn't expecting. Max leaned down and pressed a kiss to my cheek before walking off toward Hunter's office. "Don't be too long, Hunter. I haven't got all day," he called over his shoulder.

We both watched him go, and only when he was out of sight did Hunter turn to me. He didn't say anything at first, his eyes scanning my face. Then, noticing the staff nearby who might overhear, he grabbed my elbow and pulled me into the conference room, shutting the door behind us. I ignored the way my heart was thrumming from nerves, and from the way it felt to have him touch me.

Hunter let me go as soon as the door closed, and I felt an odd sense of loss. He strode toward the long table that dominated the room, placing his hands on it and facing away from me. He looked like he was trying to collect himself. When he finally turned around, his expression was unreadable.

"What is going on between you and Max?"

I lifted an eyebrow at him. "I really don't think that's any of your business, Hunter."