Single Wide Female: The Bucket List Mega Bundle - 24 Books (Books #1-24) Read Online Free Page B

paper—that list of yours,” he said with a smile.
    “That’s private.” I was seriously annoyed now. “Absolutely not—no deal,” I said, walking away.
    Max reached out and snatched the paper towel from my hand. When I felt it go, I gasped.
    “Max!” I screamed and backed right into him to cover myself up. He slid a hand around my waist, holding me securely against him, and whispered beside my ear.
    “The list, Sam, or you get to walk the next three blocks au naturel.” He laughed and all at once I realized that he meant it. He was playing with me, but it was a side of Max that I wasn’t used to.
    “Fine.”
    “Yes!” He pumped his fist in a gesture of victory.
    I glared at him as he removed his shirt with care. He was still standing behind me when he slid it between us and then reached around to tie the sleeves in a loose knot. Every brush of his skin, every accidental touch was thrilling for me, even though I was also feeling quite angry with him. The rush of emotion was confusing.
    “Better?” he murmured.
    I turned around to face him and found that he was still grinning. The unexpected scent of the cologne from his shirt, now tied around me, and seeing him standing there bare-chested, was making me feel quite giddy. I tried to regain my composure.
    “You forget you ever saw that,” I said, shoving a finger towards his face. “One word about this and you will pay for it.”
    “I can’t possibly forget it,” he said, teasing me. “It’s burned into my mind.” He laughed.
    I laughed too, but I wasn’t sure if he was joking. Had he found my naked rear that unattractive? Knowing the types of women he usually dated, I figured it was possible.
    “Sorry about your ride,” I said. “I don’t think she appreciated the view.”
    “Oh—Bianca.” He rolled his eyes and tilted his head to the side. “Oh, please, Max, just help me pick this red lipstick, or this red lipstick? Which one?” he said in a high-pitched voice.
    “Oh, she can’t be that bad.”
    I wanted her to be that bad. I wanted her to be vapid and intolerable. I wanted her to be anything but what Max wanted in a woman.
    “She’s worse,” he said and squeezed his eyes shut tight for a moment. “I don’t know if it was the car or her big brown eyes, but something convinced me to give it a shot, and let me tell you, I would have rather been pole dancing.” He paused a moment and met my eyes. “Unfortunately, I wasn’t invited.”
    I couldn’t help but smile at his words. It seemed as if he really did want to spend time with me. As friends, I reminded myself. But I had to wonder, just for a moment: was Bianca meant to make me jealous?
    Max placed his arm around my shoulders. “So tell me about the class. Did you fall in love with the pole?” he asked as he fell into step beside me and we walked back toward my apartment. “Obviously, you had a bit of fun,” he said, grinning. “Did that happen before or after the class?”
    “After!” I glared at him. “Yes, I had a little too much fun.” I laughed now, thinking about the class. “It was good. I was actually very good at it.” I was feeling proud of myself again as I remembered.
    “Great, so when Fluff and Stuff goes under, you have a new career waiting for you.” He ducked just in time, before my hand could connect with the side of his head.
    He did know me far too well, and just how to get under my skin.
    “It’s not going under,” I said with pride. “Not with me at its helm.”
    “Okay, if you say so.” He shook his head. “Just remember, I warned you.”
    “How could I forget?” I asked with a slight roll of my eyes. He often told me I should find a new job, but there was something about the whirr of the washing machines and the scent of the hot dog stand that felt like home to me. I had worked there for so long that it was a huge part of my life.
    “Just because you gave up on Fluff and Stuff doesn’t mean I ever will.”
    “I didn’t give up on