03

I usually justified my lack of interest with my job. As a writer, I was drawn to complicated characters. One was sitting in jail right at this moment.

The group got me into a cab before cramming themselves into another one.

I gave the taxi driver the address of the nearest precinct and mulled over my insane idea again on the way there.

I had to ask the cab to circle the block twice before finally deciding I was ready.

I’d been to a police station before to research a book I was writing but I wasn’t familiar with being there for other reasons.

I approached the front desk and made all the necessary inquiries. There was a tedious amount of paperwork to go through before an officer finally escorted me down into the detention cells.

His head was down and his elbows were resting on his knees as he sat on the cot alone in the narrow cell.

Maximilian Croft might still get carted into jail but the police force knew well enough to take care of him considering his money and influence.

« Is it ever worth it ? » I asked as I stood outside his cell, watching as his head whipped up in surprise and confusion.

His hair was a messy mass of blond locks, his left cheek scraped, his jaw starting to bruise.

« You, » he said, drawing his brows together in question. « What are you doing here, Aiko ? This is no place for you. »

I inwardly smirked.

I might be right, after all.

« No, » I agreed breezily. « I normally don’t fool around with other people’s spouses and get my ass kicked all the way to jail. »

His concerned expression relaxed and his lips quirked in amusement. « Bad habit. Never acquire it. »

« So, answer my question, » I prompted. « Is it ever worth it ? »

Straightening his shoulders, he regarded me warily. « Why do you want to know ? »

I shrugged. « I’m a writer. I like to understand people’s motivations. There’s always some invisible force that directs our actions, whether we’re aware of it or not. »

« I’m not going to be research material, » he snapped grumpily. « Do you think you’re the first one to use that tactic with me ? »


I couldn’t help an impish smile. « I’m sure I’m not. But it’s not in my nature to be coy about my intentions and go scheming. »

« There’s definitely no question about how direct you are, » he muttered with a scoff, leaning back against the wall, stretching his long legs in front of him. « And since you’re so forthright, sweetheart, let’s hear what it is that you’re doing here of all places. Enlighten me. »

My smile deepened into a rare grin.

This was turning out to be easier than I imagined.

« It’s simple, really. I’m here to bail you out and ask you to be my boyfriend. »

With his notorious reputation, one would think that Maximilian Croft, man-whore extraordinaire, wouldn’t be surprised by anything when it came to women.

But he seemed surprised by my declaration.

Dumbstruck, even.

Unfortunately, even that look was attractive on him. Just as attractive as the I-got-into-a-brawl-for-a-woman-I-have-no-business-screwing look. His disheveled hair and scuffed up profile made him look even more deliciously masculine which was probably why he could still screw women he had no business screwing.

But that look didn’t last long.

For someone who got knocked around for a good bit after drinking his weight in hard liquor, the gaze he focused on me was startlingly lucid and sharp. There was something perturbing about that nearly imperceptible change in him—one I’d seen a few times when he thought no one was paying attention. It made me think of artists whenever they would pull back from their all-consuming passion to critique their work.

Red flag. There’s more to this man than what meets the eye.

There was reason to be concerned, yes, because Max’s superficiality was exactly what I was depending on but for the life of me, I couldn’t settle with a less complicated man.

If I’m going to live life, it might as well be on razor edge of it.

« Why ? »

« Why what ? » I asked back, raising my brows. « I need a boyfriend and you’ve met the requirements. »

He didn’t respond—clearly, he needed reassurances. « Don’t worry. You can still go savage every now and then, let your inner beast out—whatever it is that keeps you secure in your alpha male status. I won’t hamper you as long as you keep it out of my way. Should you need me as audience, just ask ahead of time. »

It was now his turn to raise a brow at me as if he couldn’t believe my audacity. I couldn’t either. « And why exactly do you need a boyfriend ? »

I shrugged. « Because I’ve decided that I haven’t had one and it’s time to cross it off my list. It seems to be a widely assumed essential on the list of female adulthood accomplishments. I don’t require a lengthy relationship. Three months should suffice nicely. »

Max stared at me and I wondered if he thought I was crazy. Or delusional.

Probably delusional.

Whatever his reputation was, Max’s taste in women couldn’t be faulted in terms of beauty. He definitely liked them attractive and he wasn’t particular if said attractions were shoved in your face—or his, for that matter.

I didn’t have much I could shove in people’s faces. My attractions were minimal in both variety and size. And based on the way Max’s gaze traveled down on me from head to toe, he was taking stock of my modest offerings to determine if I was a bad bargain.

I was on the petite, slender side which came with the usual conservative amount of curves. My hair was long and black and unstyled most of the time. The only features I’d consider striking on me were my light, coffee-colored eyes that looked quite exotic with their defined slant even framed with large, black glasses. But that was about it, really. I definitely wasn’t the complete, most prettily-wrapped package out there but those might as well be unicorns. Even men with Max’s hunting caliber couldn’t catch one.

« And no, I have no interest in your money, » I added because I had a feeling that Max was probably the closest thing to a male unicorn as there could be out there and his immense wealth was a big factor of that. « I have enough of my own and require nothing else from you. »

He frowned, leaving me slightly puzzled. « Nothing. »

I wasn’t sure if he repeated it for me to confirm or because he needed to hear himself say it to verify its validity.

« I have a lot to offer a woman should I choose to but you want nothing from me ? »