Somewhere In Between (18+)✔️

11| You're not smart, are you?

The following chapter would contain mature themes intended for an 18+ audience. There would also be topics related to BDSM mentioned here.
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"You've been avoiding me," Max drawled, hands tucked in the front pocket of his dark slacks. She considered him for a moment, finding him hot in his black dress shirt that had the first three buttons undone. She shook her head at the distraction before turning to check on her new employee. The boy was bent over some lilies and that brought on more memories about that night and the reason for her avoiding him.

"You're not smart are you? A smart person would have gotten the message by now and would have let me be," she said, her voice low.

"Call me dumb then, but I prefer to have actual conversations with people before I decide to cut ties with them." A muscle in his jaw ticked.

"You may not realize it, but the world doesn't behave the way you would want it to," she spat.

"Come. Let's find somewhere private to talk," he said as he reached out to hold her. She stepped back before he could make contact, her eyes blazing. Max had never seen her angry before and was surprised yet oddly turned on by the situation.

"Who do you think you are?" she whispered furiously. He was sure that her voice wouldn't be so low if they were alone. "You can't order me around and you certainly can't control me," she seethed.

"What do you mean? I just want to talk somewhere that we wouldn't be bothered about being overhead."

"I don't care what you want. I'm not some slave you can just order around," she fumed. Max's brows furrowed in confusion before it dawned on him. There was only one explanation for her behavior and he didn't think the conversation they needed to have could happen in front of the underaged boy.

"We can have this conversation here, in front of the kid, or we can go somewhere private and talk. Which is it going to be?"

"None! I'm done with this conversation, please leave."

"I'm not leaving till I've had a chance to talk about whatever it is that got you upset." He removed his hands from his pockets and folded them across his chest. The fabric of his shirt tightened around his biceps and Cadee cursed herself internally for still being attracted to him.

There was a quiet throat clearing and they both turned to look at Daryl who was smiling shyly. "I'll be here tomorrow morning, Miss—" he trailed off.

"Singer, Cadee Singer," she smiled at him. He nodded eagerly before walking out. The couple watched the boy head out and waited till the door shut behind him before turning to face each other. "You can leave too," she said to him, turning and walking away.

She heard the distinct thud of his footfalls as he walked away. She breathed in relief as she waited for the bell to sound and announce his departure. His footsteps paused and she stood there for a few seconds, confused as to why he had stopped. She turned back to see him flipping the closed sign around and then he used the deadbolt on the door to shut it. Her mouth fell open at a loss for words and she felt the familiar heat of anger as it burned her stomach and rose to her chest, her head and then her face.

Her fists tightened as she took measured steps towards him. "what the hell do you think you're doing?"

"Making you listen," he shrugged, making his way to her. He didn't stop until the tip of their shoes were touching. He expected her to take a step back, instead she looked up at him and let out a loud breath. Her cheeks had gone red and her breasts were pushing against the buttons of her top. He forced his gaze back to her eyes and met the heat behind her orbs.