Read Online True Connections by Clarissa Yip - Free Book Online

his palm… He blew out another breath.
    Lia pursed her lips, her brow furrowing before she answered. “You know what I mean.”
    With a sigh, he leaned back, tugged her to his side, and curled an arm around her. She felt so right against him. She stiffened at first, but relaxed.
    “So, tell me more about this plan of yours,” Max said.
    “I don’t know. We should still try to see if there are any other candidates that interest you, but if worst comes to worst, we’ll just pretend to give them what they’ve always wanted. I can’t disappoint them.”
    Her eyes were downcast, and tension radiated from her. There was no need to find another candidate. He knew who he wanted to bring to the party. But how could he tell her he’d always wanted her? And this time he wouldn’t run away, scared.
    He thought about all the years they’d wasted apart, and the image of her leaving with that jackass to go to the city. His hands balled into fists and he pulled her closer. He needed to bide his time. Lia disappeared whenever confrontation threatened. “We only have one week until the party.”
    Lia toyed with the button of his shirt. The heat of her palm seeped through the cotton, and he wished she’d slip her hand lower. “We’ll see after the social tomorrow night. If we don’t find you anyone there, we’ll decide after that.”
    He pressed his lips into a firm line. He didn’t want anyone else, but she wasn’t going to let him past her defenses without a fight. “Okay. Fine. I can do that. If I don’t find anyone at the social tomorrow night then we’ll ‘use each other,’ as you said.”
    She lifted her head off his shoulder. “That’s just an alternative. Of course, if you find someone tomorrow night, then we don’t have to worry. I…just don’t want—” she let out a frustrated sigh “—Nanna and Carol to think we’ve failed them. It’s not like they’re asking that much of us, right?”
    Sadness flared in her green eyes. He lightly tilted her chin until his gaze leveled with his. “What’s wrong?”
    Lia drew away and turned, facing the television. “Nothing.”
    He thought of the note she’d received at the luncheon. “Did you finally talk to your friend Mindy or something?”
    She stiffened and gifted him with a glare. “How do you know about Mindy?”
    “I heard your assistant mention her that day at the luncheon.”
    Lia turned her attention back to the screen. “She’s back in town. With Steve.”
    Anger tore through him. Knowing the man was close made him want to hunt the asshole down. “So, what does that mean?”
    “ Nothing. ” Lia picked up his wine glass from the table and gulped the rest of the chardonnay.
    “You can talk to me. I know we don’t always get along, but I’m here.” He always had been. His chest tightened as the truth stung. He thought of all the nameless women he’d encountered, using the excuse of his five-year plan to not settle down.
    Because none of them were Lia.
    Surprise lit her face, but her brow rose in suspicion. “What are you trying to do?”
    Max chuckled. “We don’t always have to fight.”
    Lia jumped off the couch and settled her hands on her hips to stare down at him. “I don’t know what game you’re trying to play, Max, but—”
    He tugged on her nightshirt and pulled her into his lap. She landed with an oomph and struggled to get off, but he tightened his arms around her. “Chill out. And stop squirming around. If you don’t want to get in trouble, then don’t move.”
    She paused and bit her lower lip. With a laugh, he studied the tense lines of her face before she finally relaxed and leaned against him. “I’m tired, Max. I don’t want to fight you all the time, either.”
    Concerned warred with surprise. She never gave up so easily. “Something happen tonight?”
    Lia laid her head against his shoulder and clasped her hands in her lap. Her softness made him tighten his hold. “I had dinner tonight with my mother and