Dead-ends

"I do, too."

"Well, call me if you need more clothes than what I brought you," Stephine said, getting to her feet.

"Tell Mom and Dad I'll be home in a few days; I don't want them seeing me like this," Terry uttered, hugging her sister. "Thanks for bringing them."

"You're welcome, Terry," Stephine said, rubbing her sister's back. "Just don't go mauling him, don't think I have that kind of bail money," she joked, lightly giggling as her sister shoved her. "Call me, okay?"

"I will," Terry said in a loving tone.

Stephine noted how Max was strangling his phone when she stepped out of his apartment. Seeing how his now empty beer bottle sat on top of the post to the left of him. "Hey," Stephine said softly as she closed the door.

"Hmm?"

"Sorry about the attitude."

"Don't worry about it," Max muttered, pocketing his phone.

"Please, whatever is going on between you and my sister, please don't hurt her," Stephine said in a sisterly voice as she stepped up to the railing.

"That isn't my intention," Max answered, wondering if all sibling relationships were like Terry's and Stephine's.

"Thanks for taking care of my sister; I know she needs it right now."

"What kind of man would I be if I ignored an injured woman at my doorstep?" Max asked in a curious tone as he peered at Stephine.

"You'd be like Orin," Stephine stated firmly.

"I'm taking it that's the name of her ex-husband?" To which Stephine just nodded. "You ever see him, you tell him if I ever lay eyes on him, he won't be walking ever again."

"Oh? Does Terry know you got that shining armor beneath that sarcastic exterior?" Stephine couldn't help it as she felt her lips lifting into a smile as Max just laughed. "Well, I should get going, night, Max."

"Later," Max replied with a small wave.

"Oh," stopping in her tracks and turning back to him, "there's a function our family goes to every year next Sunday night; Terry really enjoys going to it, so maybe you should accompany her to it, as her date, just a thought," Stephine said with a knowing smile.

"Max," Terry said, finishing washing the dishes, given how Max had cooked for her.

"Yeah," Max responded, tossing his beer bottle into the trash.

"You wouldn't mind if I used your shower, would you?" Terry asked, turning to look at him. Noting how his eyes ran down her body, wondering if he was imagining how she looked all wet. She couldn't deny how that just made her pussy lurch at the thought.

"No, go right ahead, although I don't have those fancy female soaps or products in there," Max stated.

"So none of the women you've had here ever stayed more than a night?" Terry asked with an arched eyebrow.

"Nope, they got what they needed and skedaddled. If I knew you were coming, I would have gone to the store and picked some up."

"Max, can I ask a very blunt question, and please don't be mad."

"Okay?" Max drew out the word.

"Ever since our lunch date, have you been with anyone else?" Terry inquired, hoping that her question didn't put the brakes on their romance.

"No, I haven't; I'd be the asshole if I was cheating on my girlfriend," Max retorted with a coy smile. Seeing how Terry's eyes widened when he said that.

"So you haven't had sex in all this time?" Terry asked, seeing Max shake his head. Walking up to him, rising a little on her toes, and placed a light kiss on his lips. "I'll be quick," she whispered before grabbing the bag that Stephine had brought her.

"Max, what's going on?" Terry queried as she stood in nothing but a t-shirt and a pair of blue boy shorts that the hem of the shirt hid once she saw a blanket, linens, and a pillow that sat on the back of the couch that rested against the wall.

"You're taking the bed, and I'm crashing on the couch," Max stated factually.

"But... you don't have to; I don't want you to think..."

"Terry, you were just assaulted, you're vulnerable, and honestly, if I got in that bed with you right now..."

"Yes, go on," Terry said in an excited voice as she took a step forward.

"I wouldn't be able to keep my hands off of you, and I don't want you thinking I'm pushing myself on you," Max stated, peering up at her.

Terry didn't bother hiding her wide smile. She wanted him to know how much she loved hearing how hot he was for her. She would, too, have to admit while she did feel a little vulnerable at the moment, she too wouldn't be able to keep her hands to herself if he was in bed with her. She knew if he was, that would lead to sex, not that she didn't want it, which she so did, yet it wasn't the right time to take their relationship to that point.

"Okay, Max, only if you feel comfortable with the arrangement," Terry said in a shy tone.

"Doesn't mean I'm not going to roll around on the sheets after you leave them?" Max uttered, watching Terry's face rapidly heat. His eyes dipped down, watching her enticing legs as she scurried over to the couch and plopped down next to him. Max fought himself from getting hard when he noted Terry wasn't wearing a bra as she pressed her left breast against his right arm as she snuggled up to him. He tried to keep his eyes on the TV, yet they would always find their way back to her soft, supple thighs. He caught her smirking at him when she noted where his eyes were lingering. How could he not? It was taking all his will not to see what was under that shirt of hers.

When it was time for bed, how his mouth watered as he couldn't look away as she sauntered into his bedroom. Beating his head into his pillow when his mind replayed how her ass cheeks looked like when her t-shirt moved.

Chapter Four

A week later...

Max knew he was in trouble. It had been nearly a week since Terry went home when she felt she was ready. Yet still, she dominated his mind ever since she walked out of his door. He's never been so backed up in his life! He knew sex could just destroy a relationship if it was pushed too soon. He didn't want that. He really enjoyed spending time with Terry. He knew long before they started dating that she came from money. Max did too. He's just never told anyone. Why would he? He didn't want their money. If he could, he would have placed it all in a pile and watched it burn. It was money that made his parents the way they were. He was determined not to turn out like them. Jumping in his seat when he was daydreaming about what it would be like to finally know what Terry's breasts would feel like in his hands when his desk phone rang.

"Max Larson," he answered.

"Max, come up to my office, will you?" Greg Archer's voice filled his ear. He had no idea why his heart was hammering like it did. It didn't do that when he had met the man a few times. Yet there was something in the sound of his boss's voice that set him on edge.

"Yes, sir, I'll be right up," Max replied, getting to his feet, placing the receiver on its base once the line went dead. "Off to see the wizard," he stated as he passed his boss's office before he could utter a word. Blowing out a breath as he approached Stephine's desk, who had a smirk on her lips as she reached for her phone.

"Terry was talking about you last night," Stephine uttered offhandedly.

"Oh?"

"Mmmhmm, but I'm not going to tell you," Stephine said, still wearing that smirk of hers as she gazed up at him. "Go on, Dad's expecting you," she said, waving him on. Pulling out her phone and brought up her sister's number. "Sis, that man is so into you?!"

"I know, so am I."

"So have the two of you know..."

"Stephine!" Stephine just giggled to herself, hearing the gasp of her sister in her head.

"So you ready for Sunday?"

"Mmmhmm."

"Maybe you should ask Max to it."

"I don't know, sis; what if he says no?"

"Come on, sis, be real; you know he'll say yes; just ask him."

******

"You wanted to see me, sir?" Max spoke as he moved to stand in front of Greg's desk.

"Yes, I did," Greg said, leaning back in his chair. "I know what happened with Orin and my daughter. I thank you for looking after her. Wish she would have come to us, but," waving his hands in a futile gesture, "she told me nothing happened while she was there..." Casting Max in a suspicious light before he nodded that nothing had happened. "I know my daughter; if she said nothing happened, I'll take her word for it. Can I ask why you didn't?"

"Would be wrong of me, as a man, to take advantage of her when she was vulnerable," Max stated matter-of-factly. Watching how Greg leaned back and rested his chin in his right hand, showing no emotion as he gazed at him.

"I see," Greg mused while keeping his approval hidden. "You know my daughter has taken a liking to you. Do you not wish to...?"

"... Yes, but only when she's ready," Max said, trying not to be weirded out by Greg's line of questioning.

Greg had already taken a liking to Max, given how he was very straightforward with him that morning over a month ago. Plus, he hadn't come nipping at his heels for money in some get quick rich scheme like Orin had done. He almost took Orin's head off with that bit of stupidity. "Please, have a seat, Max," Greg gestured to the chair before him. "Do you know there's an event that Terry always loves to go to this Sunday, don't you?"

"Yes, Stephine has mentioned it to me."

"Why don't you come along with us as Terry's date? I know that will make her smile," Greg said, not hiding the teasing light in his stormy grey eyes. "Stop by the house, I know you know where it is, and we'll all go together," he spoke in a friendly tone.

"I take it this is a black-tie event?" Max inquired with an arched eyebrow.

"Of course, the Metro Gala is always a black-tie event," Greg wondered why that seemed to set Max on edge. "Is there some trouble?"

"N-no," getting up from his seat, "I think it would be best if I spoke to Terry about it," Max said in a distant tone. Knowing he was going to have to come clean about who he truly was before Sunday night if he wished to remain truthful to Terry, and honestly, he did. Max had no wish to end this romance of theirs all because he hated who his family was. "If that's all, sir, I should be getting back to my desk."

"No, I do hope you'll join us," Greg said, wondering why he sensed something off about the man when Max nodded and headed out the door. Watching how Max talked to Stephine while putting on a mask making her believe he wasn't troubled by something, yet Greg was. His daughter had already gone through one heartbreak; he wasn't about to allow it to happen again. Reaching for his cellphone, scrolling down to the P.I. his company hires to vet rising management hopefuls and hit the call button.

"This is Armstrong Investigations; how may I help you?" came a female voice that showed the signs of years of smoking.

"Good morning, Cindy; I need to speak with Bob if he's in," Greg said, spinning to his left, praying there was nothing wrong, that it was just his fatherly protective side being overactive, yet he just couldn't shake the feeling there was something more going on.

"Hello, Mr. Archer." Greg couldn't help but smile at her chipper tone. "He certainly is; I'll put you right through."

"Thank you, Cindy."

"You're very welcome, Mr. Archer; one moment, please."

"Good morning, Mr. Archer; what can I do for you today?" came the gruff voice of the man he's known for years.

"Hello, Bob, I need you to do a very deep background check on someone for me," Greg spoke, opening up Max Larson's employment file. It had always piqued his interest as to why there was no contact information in it in case something happened to Max while on the job.

"That will take some time, Mr. Archer. Should I bill this to your company?" Bob asked, thinking this was just another simple background check for a rising star.

"No, Bob, this is for my eyes only, so you send the bill directly to me; I don't want this getting out if there's nothing to worry about," Greg sighed into his phone. Hoping Terry could or would understand why he was doing this if it ever came to light. Also, hoping that Max could forgive him for prying into his personal life without any hard evidence, only his gut instincts leading the way. When he turned around, Max was gone.

******

Max was walking out of the elevator as he stepped onto the ground floor of his office building. He would rather get this off his chest as quickly as he could. He didn't care if he was skipping out on work. They could fire him for all he cared about it. He knew if he didn't get this off his chest, it would gnaw at him all day. Pulling out his phone as he brought up Terry's number.

"Hey, baby?!" Max couldn't help it; just the sound of Terry's voice brought a smile to his face. Remembering the second night she had stayed at his apartment when she so casually used that word as she helped to make dinner for the two of them.

"Hello, gumdrop," Max replied, recounting how she had a mix of amusement and affection in her eyes when he used that as her pet name on that same night. "Are you going to be busy in the next half hour?"

"No... why?" Terry's voice got a worried tone to it.

"We need to talk." Max heard her increased breathing over the line. Everyone knew that one line never meant anything good was to come.

"But I thought you were at work?"

"I am, but this is important," Max stated as he walked into the parking garage.

"Max, you're scaring me."

"I promise, it's nothing bad, at least I hope you don't take it like that. But I did promise to be honest with you, and well... before I take you to the Metro Gala Sunday..." Hearing Terry gasp over the line, "we need to talk."

"Max, do you mean it? Do you really mean you'll attend the Gala with me?" Max heard the mixture of happiness and fear in her voice.

"I do," Max responded as he threw his leg over his bike.

"Okay, are you on your way?"

"Just leaving; I'll see you in a bit."

"Be safe, Max."

"I will," Max said before ending the call and starting his bike.

******

"Hon, it's not going to do you any good pacing," Terry's friend said softly as Terry paced behind the receptionist's desk, waiting on Max to arrive.

Ever since Max's call, her heart has been going a hundred miles an hour. All Terry could think of was the worst-case scenarios that were playing out in her mind once she got off the phone with Max. She knew he wasn't pushing for sex, as much as she would love that, yet he could see she wanted a firm foundation to build their relationship, not how wild and crazy they could be between the sheets. Something she had a suspicion Max would be very good at if what her sister had informed her of the rumors floating around her father's office were true. She didn't want this to turn out like her failed marriage did. She wanted to see if this had the legs to go the distance. While she did want children, and she knew her clock was ticking, she never had that urge when she was married to Orin. Now at twenty-eight, her mind could picture little feet running about with her giving chase only to find a man squatting down and taking him or her into his arms. That man she would only admit to herself was Max.

The tapping of her friend's hand on her hip brought her out of her meandering thoughts as Max pulled up to the front of her practice on his bike. Terry could see something was troubling him as he walked towards the door. Walking over to the door and opening it, they both just stood there gazing at one another without a word.

"You wanted to talk," Terry said, breaking the silence only to have Max nod in response. "Then come on," she uttered, waving him to enter. Neither said a word as they walked to her office; she hoped and prayed it was nothing, like what was playing out in her head. Noting how he had turned one of her chairs that sat in front of her desk and pointed it at the other as she closed her office door. Seeing how he gestured to take the one before him so he could speak to her face to face. "Okay, Max, what's this about? Why the secrecy?" Terry asked as she lowered herself into the chair.

"My name... my real name isn't Max Larson," Max said after a moment of silence.

"Okay, you skipped out on work to drive all the way over here to tell me that?" Terry asked, confused.

"No... well, partially."

"I assume there's more to this?" Terry inquired, seeing his nod. "Go on," she directed with a roll of her hand.

"You know what my parents are like," Max spoke, to which Terry hummed a: 'Mmmhmm.' "Then you will understand why I legally changed my last name."

"And what was it before you did?"

"My real... or should I say the name I was born with is Maxwell Monroe," he said, seeing Terry's eyes widen in shock at his revelation. "My parents are Derek and Tera Monroe. The reason I'm telling you this is because they will be at the Gala. They never miss it or miss the chance to rub it in my face that I'm not well off enough to attend the event on my own. Well... that's not true; I do have money, money they had set aside for me when I was born. I have never touched it... mostly."

"What do you mean mostly?" Terry asked, shooting him a look.

"It's what I used to pay for my degree; they just know I transferred the funds to my bank account, not what I used it for. I just didn't want them or my sister to run off at the mouth like they normally do when it involves me and make you think I was hiding something from you. It wasn't that I was hiding who my family is to you; it's just I would have rather been an orphan than be related to those fucks." Looking surprised when Terry lightly slapped him before taking hold of his hands.

"That's for scaring the shit out of me! And this..." Leaning forward, planting one of the most toe-curling kisses Max has ever experienced before on his lips, "is for being honest with me. Baby, I don't care who... okay, I do have a little trouble believing you're a Monroe."

"Would you like to see my birth certificate?" Max asked with a coy grin on his lips. "Or just wait until Sunday; I bet you they will make it known to all just who I am, I guarantee it."

"Max, you know I don't care who you're related to, as I know you don't care who I'm related to, but I am very, very happy you told me this," Terry said, slipping into Max's lap.

"I know you don't; however, they do. They think money is everything. That their offspring has to have enormous amounts of it or the prestige of some job like my sister before you're even good enough in their eyes."

"Yeah, I have met them; they never came off like that in public," Terry mused, tapping her lip as she thought back to all the times she had spoken to them. "Got to say I don't really care for your sister."

"Oh, now you're just trying to get on my good side," Max joked as he smiled at her. Trying and failing to ignore how good Terry's ass felt on his lap, more importantly, on his cock. Noting that sly, knowing smirk Terry shot him when she undoubtedly felt his manhood poking at her rear, something he wasn't going to be ashamed of; it felt divine!

"You really do care about me and our relationship to bug out of work just to come tell me this when you know it could have waited," Terry cooed in a loving tone, hiding the fact that she loved that she could make him hard, and knew once they were ready to take their relationship further, she was so going to enjoy what she was feeling at the moment as she leaned against his chest.

"I do."

"I'm glad you do; I care about you, too," Terry whispered, tilting his chin up and proceeding to make out with her boyfriend in her office. "And don't you ever, and I mean never, scare me like that again, you hear me?"