Free Perfect Timing by Brenda Jackson Page A

on a front all those years when she’d acted like she hadn’t been afraid of him? Had she believed all those stories that had circulated around school about him that had been more fiction than fact? Had she thought he’d been nothing but a shiftless thug like everyone else did? There was only one way to find out.
    â€œAccording to the ship’s director there aren’t any more cabins. So it looks like you and I are it,” he responded in a clipped tone.
    Maxi lifted her brow. “What do you mean we’re it? ”
    â€œJust what I said. The ship can’t correct their screw-up which means you and I will have to share the cabin.” He continued to watch her intently. “Unless you know of someone you can move in with for seven days.”
    Maxi released a deep sigh as she wrapped her arms around her body, clasping her elbows. “Mya and Garrett. You remember them don’t you?”
    At his slow nod, she continued. “They have a suite and Mya indicated it’s big enough for another person but I don’t want to intrude on them. But then I don’t want to intrude on you either.”
    Christopher’s eyes widened just a fraction. “You’re concerned about intruding on me?”
    â€œOf course. You evidently intended to spend time on this cruise alone, otherwise you would have gotten a cabinmate. The rates are certainly cheaper doing so.”
    He narrowed his eyes at her. “And that’s the only reason you wouldn’t share a cabin with me because you think you’d be intruding?”
    Maxi shrugged. “I’m not sure. Are you married?”
    â€œNo.”
    â€œEngaged?”
    â€œNo.”
    â€œWanted by the police for any reason?”
    Christopher lifted a brow. “No.”
    â€œOkay, now I’m sure. My not wanting to intrude would be the only reason.”
    Christopher shook his head, not sure whether to believe her or not. He decided not to. He took a step forward and grabbed her shoulders. “Tell me the truth,” he said, gritting the words through clenched teeth. “Admit the reason you wouldn’t think of sharing this cabin with me is because you’re afraid of me. After all, I was scum in school. What makes you think I’m any different now?”
    Christopher felt a hard fist punch him in the gut, literally knocking the air out of him. He released Maxi immediately. “Why the hell did you do that for?” he barely got out through his lungs.
    Maxi took a step forward and got all into his face. Her eyes flashed in anger. “Because you’ve never acted like an ass around me before, and I would appreciate if you didn’t start acting like one now. The very idea that I’m afraid of you is ludicrous, Christopher Chandler.”
    Christopher shook his head. This was a side of Maxi Chandler he’d never seen. Around him she’d always been sweet, meek, and mild. She certainly never went around punching guys in the stomach when they got her pissed off about something. “And why is it ludicrous?”
    â€œBecause it is.”
    â€œWhy?”
    Instead of answering Maxi took a step back and gave them space. However, it was space Christopher didn’t intend for them to have. He took a step forward and stood directly in front of her. “Why is it ludicrous, Maxi?”
    Maxi’s lips parted slightly on an indrawn breath, filled with apprehension. The tables had been turned. Now he was all in her face—eyeball to eyeball.
    â€œAnswer me and I want the truth,” he said, his eyes darkening just a fraction as he stared at her.
    â€œBecause,” Maxi snapped, reaching what she felt as her limit with him. “I know you would never hurt me or take advantage of me. So why should I be afraid of you?”
    Christopher paused for a moment. Maxi’s voice had been filled with such conviction that he became edgy with the notion that anyone thought they knew him