Free Hide and Seek by Alyssa Brooks Page A

a bottle over dinner—” His hand paused in midair, palm out, a lentil lying in its center. Frowning, he glanced to her. “Are these cold beans?” His eyes darted to the smoke rising from the stove. “And God, what’s that smell?”
    â€œOh no! The tofu!” Elisa leapt to her feet, knocking the pan off the gas flame with her bare hand. Heat seared her skin and she cried out in pain. “Ouch! Damn it!”
    Grabbing a spatula, she quickly scooped the squares onto the kitchen counter. Thankfully, they were only somewhat black, but her hand sported a red, two-inch burn across her palm. She shook away the hurt, cursing under her breath.
    Maxim pulled her into his arms and secured her wrist. She knew she should resist, but how could she? She was in pain.
    Sorry excuse.
    â€œLet’s get that cooled off.” He led her to the sink, holding her palm under a flow of freezing cold water. “Better?”
    â€œYes,” she whispered, ready for her hand back. “I’m fine. It’s not that bad.”
    â€œIt’s bad enough.” Lifting her injury to his mouth, he kissed directly above the blistering mark, working the sensitized area with his tongue. A million pins pricked her skin as her body ignited hotter, her hungry pussy screaming to be filled and fast.
    She should make him stop. Really, really, she should.
    But she was in pain.
    Maxim kissed up her arm, sending shivers over her skin. His mouth worked its way to her shoulder, then licked across her collarbone, and suckled up her neck, until he had her lower lip in his suction, drawing it between his teeth.
    He nibbled at the plumped flesh, delicately biting the perimeter. “You taste like pure heaven,” he murmured, licking her.
    Flutters twittered in her belly. Oh no, he didn’t! His sentiment set off flares in Elisa, and she pushed him back, breaking the glorious kiss. “Stop, before the rest of the meal is ruined.”
    Wiping his mouth with the back of his hand, Maxim stepped away, his head bowed. “Determined to keep me at bay, aren’t you?”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œYou know Elisa, I—” His words fell, his solemn look lifting into a smile. “Never mind. What’s to eat?”
    â€œIt’s a new recipe. There it is, on the counter. Take a look.”
    He stared at the food, his eyes wide. “Dinner is burnt tofu and cold beans and salad?”
    For the first time in quite a while, Elisa wanted to laugh. “Yup.” The shock written all over his face was worth every penny she wasn’t making off her porn career.
    â€œJesus.” He blinked a few times, then shot her a look that screamed you’re crazy . “You better have a brand new bottle of French dressing. I’m going to need the whole thing.”
    Elisa’s smile broadened, but her emotionless voice hid her humor well. Remaining aloof, she spoke matter-of-factly, keeping Maxim at a safe distance. Maybe if she made him uncomfortable enough, he’d want to leave. “I’m sorry. I don’t have any dressing. Nor do I have any wine.”
    She really didn’t either, thanks to her deep appreciation for French dressing and more recently, French wine. What could she say? She’d been under a ton of stress lately.
    â€œWhat?” A muscle in his cheek twitched. “I think I misheard you, ’cause I thought you said there’s no wine.”
    â€œI did.”
    â€œYou’re telling me I have to eat salad with no dressing, no wine, and no sex afterward?”
    â€œYes.” Hiding a smile, she met his gaze, daring him to argue with her. “If you don’t like it, you’re welcome to ski back to Aspen.”
    Silence hung heavy around them, thick and loaded with tension. She was playing with fire, dumping an unidentified substance over flames, not sure what the reaction would be, but well aware she could blow them both up. Maxim wasn’t used to