Chapter 3: The Tension Within

"Uh..." I started by not deciding on what to say or answer. There are barrages of questions in my head, everything is happening so fast and I can't seem to keep up and then...

"Speak up, you have a mouth, you don't have to annoy me." He said, while my eyes flickered towards Killian immediately.

Then I smiled, "Yes, I like him, darling." I said while Max's face slowly beamed, he leaned down and planted his lips on my cheeks, his hands travelling to my left breast, freezing me in the same spot and causing shivers in my stomach.

"I know you would like him. He's better than Calus, isn't he?" He said, his hand not leaving my breast, he was pressing, kneading, trying to sound out a pleasurable reaction from me but I was too hollow to be turned on at the moment. Not when Killian was watching or pretending not to be paying attention to us. Or maybe he didn't care, didn't he say he was married? There is no way he cared about whatever happened between us anymore...

"I asked a question, but your mind is elsewhere," Max muttered, his eyes narrowing. "Are you shy because I’m touching you in front of a bodyguard?"

"No, I’m... I’m not..."

"Do you feel insulted because you think you're better than him?" he pushed, and I shook my head repeatedly. "Then what? You aren’t even reacting to me..."

My hands began to tremble. I could feel beads of sweat forming on my forehead despite the cool air in the limousine.

"You’re scared of me?" he asked.

I shook my head again, my eyes meeting his desperately. I was trying to read him, trying to predict what he would do next if I made the wrong move. To save myself, I pulled forward and kissed him on the lips.

"Thank you for getting a new bodyguard for me," I whispered against his mouth, unsure if this would work.

Silence fell between us for a long moment. Then, he finally smiled.

"You’re so sweet, too sweet, Sera," he said. He crashed his lips back onto mine, much harder this time. He swallowed my lips whole, giving me no room to breathe or kiss back. I could feel his saliva on my tongue, and a wave of nausea rose in my throat. I wanted to gag, but I forced myself to stay still.

He pulled back, looking satisfied. "God, I want you so bad, but I shouldn't do this with our new bodyguard watching." He seemed to suddenly remember Killian was sitting right across from us in the moving car.

"I really don’t mind," Killian replied. His voice was flat and cold. "Go on."

Max smirked, clearly enjoying the response. He leaned back into the leather seat, finally letting go of me.

"I really like you, Joseph," Max said, sounding impressed. "Your energy is different. Let’s work together for a long time."

"I know you would like me. I'm generally someone who likes to mind my own business," Killian said. He didn't even blink. He just sat there, looking like a professional who had seen it all before.

Max smirked at his response. He reached for a bottle of wine and glasses from the small built-in bar on the side of the limo. "We should drink," he said. He looked happy as he poured the dark liquid, the sound of the wine hitting the glass filling the quiet car. He handed one glass to Killian, took one for himself, and then handed the last one to me.

It was red wine. It was the exact kind I hated to drink because it always made me feel sick and on edge. Max never cared about what I liked or didn't like. To him, I was just a doll that was supposed to drink when he drank and smile when he smiled.

I looked at Killian. His eyes were on the glass for a second before he looked away and took a sip. Max did the same, but I just sat there, staring at the red liquid as it sloshed around.

"Aren't you going to drink? Don't spoil the mood," Max said. His voice was getting that sharp edge again.

I swallowed hard, lifting the glass with my hands shaking. The cold glass felt like it was going to slip through my fingers.

"I don't bite, babe. You always make it seem like I'm going to hit you, even if you didn't do anything. Why?" Max asked, leaning closer to me.

"I'm just... can I drink it later?" I whispered. "You know I'm not good with drinks, and we are out for an event. It would be nice if I didn't get drunk."

"A glass won't make you drunk, would it?" Max asked. He wasn't asking; he was telling me to drink. He wasn't in the mood to negotiate.

"She could drink later," Killian intervened.

I stopped. The rim of the glass was already touching my lips. I could smell the strong, bitter scent of the wine. Killian looked at Max, his face calm. "She could drink later, don't you think, Max?"

"Really?" Max looked surprised that his new bodyguard was speaking up.

"Considering the kind of woman she is," Killian said, his voice sounding a bit mean, "if she actually misbehaves or causes an accident, she’ll just whine and blame the drink. She'll use it as an excuse for her mistakes."

Max paused, then a slow grin spread across his face. He totally agreed with that logic. "You have a point. You are smart, Joseph. I love that."

He turned to me and snatched the glass out of my hand. He smoothed down my hair with his other hand, acting like he was being kind. "I don't want you making any mistakes tonight. It will be too expensive for me." He leaned in and kissed my forehead.

I felt like a child who had just been scolded, but I was also relieved. I didn't have to drink the wine. But the way Killian had described me as someone who would just make excuses stung. He really did hate me.

The car stopped suddenly. We were at the gala. I could hear the muffled sound of cameras clicking and people shouting from outside. The car door opened, and Killian quickly stepped out first. Max followed him, walking away to greet some important people without even looking back to see if I was behind him.

I sat there for a second, trying to gather my courage. Killian reached out his hand to help me down.

I looked at his hand. It was large, with rough calluses. I debated between taking it and just trying to get out on my own. I didn't want to touch him. I didn't think my heart could take it. I tried to scoot out alone, bunching up the heavy fabric of my emerald dress, but my high heel caught on the hem.

I gasped, my balance disappearing as I started to fall toward the pavement.

Before I could hit the ground, a strong arm wrapped around my waist. Killian caught me effortlessly, pulling me against his hard chest to steady me. For a moment, we were chest to chest. I could feel the heat radiating off him. My heart was racing so fast I thought it might burst.

He didn't let go immediately. He looked down at me, his blue eyes searching mine with a look that was both cold and burning at the same time.

"This must be the accidents your husband was talking about," he whispered.