A Bride for the Billionaire Bad Boy (The Romero Brothers, Book 2) by Shadonna Richards Page B

his dress pants.
    “Oh, no!” she said almost too quickly for her liking.
She covered her face with both hands and giggled. “I mean, I’ll go and change
in the bathroom.”
    Moments later, Maxine emerged from the bathroom
dressed in a black pair of leggings with a long fitted designer t-shirt. She
wore her black soft leather sandals and grabbed her knitted cardigan from the
chair. It was summer but the nights could be a little on the cool side with the
breeze.
    “You look stunning,” Lucas murmured, his look of
approval warmed her heart.
    “In this ?”
she growled. “You’ve got to be kidding.” Maxine cocked a brow.
    “Now why wouldn’t you think you’re stunning?” Lucas
smiled. “You see , you don’t even have to try.”
    “I just thought you’d be more into super models. I’ve
seen your girlfriends, you know,” she teased.
    “Where? In the tabloids? That
I've probably never even met?” Lucas grinned as he arched a brow.
    Okay. He had her there. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to
judge,” she flushed.
    “Don’t be. Come, I’m taking you away from here.”
    “Where to? I…I’ve already paid for my room.”
    Lucas glanced around the compact room. “Do you really
want to stay here?”
    Maxine frowned. “Hey, listen, I may not have as much
money as some people but a place like this isn’t half bad for someone who needs
a roof over her head for the night.” She folded her arms across the chest.
“Besides, I’m not going to just go to your place.”
    “Hey. Whoa. Wait a minute. Who said anything about
going over to my place?”
    “Oh,” Maxine said, heat rising to her cheeks. Why was
she always getting ahead of herself? Was it because she was in the presence of
a gorgeous, prominent businessman who made her feel giddy and pleasantly
disoriented?
    Maxine shook her head and rolled her eyes. “Where were
you thinking of taking me?”
    “Away from here. We need to talk but not here.”
    Maxine swallowed hard. He needed to speak with her? But not there? She grabbed her purse off the counter and
held her chin up.
    “Okay, I could do with a hot drink about now,” she
said. The truth was, the lodge might have been an upscale motel but it had no
room service and no access to a restaurant. The only close eatery was a few
blocks down the road. It was dark and cool during the night. And
not in the busiest places in town. Lucas was right. She needed to get
away from there.
    The drive out of the city was a welcome sightseeing
excursion. They drove along Lakeside Drive capturing a breathtaking night view
of the lake under the twilight stars. Lucas drove his BMW at the speed limit,
for which Maxine was grateful. She disliked when guys tried to show off by
pushing the speed limit. Another plus for Lucas, she mused with delight. He had
the driver’s side window opened slightly, and the breezed rustled his dark,
mousy hair.
    “Are you cold?” He turned to her. “I can close the
windows.” He noticed her hugging herself. But it wasn’t because she was cold.
    “I’m good, thanks,” she said, sheepishly. She was in
awe. She was with Lucas, alone in his car. Just the two of
them driving along a long practically isolated road. And she was feeling
all sorts of emotions swirl through her body. Mostly that of
lust and amazement and curiosity of how the night would end.
    Her eyes scanned her surroundings. Lucas kept his ride
immaculate, Maxine noted with pleasure. Or, perhaps his staff kept it well. Who
knew? She felt guilty for passing such judgments about him when in fact, she
knew little about him outside of what she’d read about him or from little snippets
from his cousin-by-marriage, Lucy.
    “Very nice,” she commented.
    “It gets me from point A to B.”
    She grinned at him and rolled her eyes. “Yeah, it
could be better, I agree. But what can you do with an old piece of metal on
wheels, right?”
    Lucas grinned. “You’re a cheeky one, aren’t you?” he
teased her.
    “So where is this