A Rose for Max (Moosehead Minnesota Book 3) Read online

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright

  Dedication

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Epilogue

  Preview of The Life She Left Behind

  Preview of Brother-In-Law to Love

  Other Books

  About the Authors

  Acknowledgements

  A Rose for Max

  Copyright © 2018 by ChaShiree M. & MK Moore

  All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright

  Dedication

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Epilogue

  Preview of The Life She Left Behind

  Preview of Brother-In-Law to Love

  Other Books

  About the Authors

  Acknowledgements

  Dedicated to Vanessa C. Our sassy, sexy, crazy Spanish expert and fellow V-Squad member. I wouldn’t change a thing about you.

  To anyone who took the step and started over in a place unfamiliar and with no support; just know, your bravery will be rewarded. Hang tight and open yourself up to new possibilities. Your turn is coming.

  It’s a beautiful sunny day outside and I love walking from my little apartment above the grocery store to my new job every day. I have been in this town about two months, and I couldn’t be happier. I moved here from El Paso Texas because the memories were too much to handle and with no living family, I had no reason to stay. I started looking at classified ads for job openings that I knew I could qualify for. I went to school for secretarial work with billing and coding added in. Now it is time to start a new life and move on.

  The family I work for is wonderful. There is the father with his four sons. I have never met anyone who is more caring, sweet, and helpful. There is one brother that I have not met. I think his name is Max. He has been away on a buying expedition, but if I remember correctly he should be back today. Hopefully, with brothers like his, he will be the same.

  AvaLynn and Kennedy are the two wives of his brothers Sterling and Ham, and they are absolutely amazing. Both ladies are friendly, welcoming, and have taken to including me in their girl outings. Which have now included baby shopping, since both of them are pregnant. I have to admit I envy the both of them. I have always wanted a family and feel like I was made to have kids and be a wife. When I finally get things in order, it will be my goal.

  Finally making it to the office, I go straight to the kitchen area and start the coffee pot for the guys and make my tea. When it is done, I take my cup, walk into the office and get started in with the invoicing I need to do. I am the first one into the office every day and I like it that way. It gives me time to work with my mind empty and no buzzing. I have craved the quiet ever since my mom died. It was the only thing that kept me sane, not having to talk to people while I worked through the grief. So, although I no longer want to be alone, I still need quiet at some point during the day to ground me.

  I am an hour into my work day, when I hear the chimes go off on the front door. I assume it is Clarence, since he usually makes it in before the rest. I don’t bother looking up, because whenever he comes in he goes straight for the coffee before speaking. He is not a morning person. What I don’t expect is the four letter word I hear or the person who says it.

  Fuck.

  Startled, because I have never heard that type of language in this office, I look up abruptly and… Wow… the man that greets me is gorgeous to say the least. He is tall, like an Adonis, and even thru his work shirt I can make out the definition of his muscle and strength. His hands are like bigger than my face, and I imagine those hands grabbing my ass as he lifts me on top of my desk and has his way with me. My lady bits are throbbing and I am pretty sure they get wetter, the longer I sit here. I don’t even realize I am staring at the very impressive package in his pants when he clears his throat, bringing my attention back up to his eyes, which are also alluringly gorgeous. His eyes are a beautiful shade of blue. Not like a dark blue, but blue like the ocean. I can see myself getting lost in those eyes given the chance, and that is how I know he is dangerous to me. I have to stay away from him. But that won’t be a problem if the scowl on his face is any indication.

  “Who the hell are you?” Well, the infatuation was short lived. He is an ass. “My name is Rosalind. I am the new secretary. Is that alright with you?” He stares at me for a few seconds, and I feel him trying to peer into the very heart of me. It’s like his eyes are slowly trying to coil its way into my soul and resurrect all of my secrets. He is definitely dangerous. I decide to ignore him, his potty mouth, and go back to work. Because I cannot engage with him in any way or form.

  It seems he has the same idea, because he walks away. But as he walks away, he grumbles something about somebody playing a joke on him and he didn’t need this crap right now. Like somehow, I am a nuisance to him.

  Whatever. Estúpido.

  I definitely don’t need this shit right now. The most exotically beautiful woman I’ve ever seen is in my office. I am not here much, but I insanely wonder how many assholes have seen this girl? A girl, who walks out of my dirtiest fantasies, wearing a tight secretarial outfit. I mean, I know it’s just a skirt and a blouse, but damn. Ham and Sterling are loved up in the stage where they think everyone else should be.

  She looks like Penelope Cruz and Sofia Vergara had a baby twenty something years ago, and is exactly my type. My asshole brothers know it. I enter my office and stop just short of slamming the door and clench my fists.

  I haven’t been with a woman in years because that bitch Elizabeth ruined my life and my brother Ham’s. He has finally moved on with the girl, who was meant for him in every way. I had no desire to date anyone, let alone fuck someone. I hate it that Elizabeth is the only person I’ve been with.

  Willing my erection to go down as I pace my office, I realize I only know her first name, and I do know she is mine.

  Because my mother didn’t raise a manner less asshole, I go back out to her desk and wait for her to acknowledge me. As I wait I hear her muttering under her breath, in Spanish.

  “Hombre estúpido” Stupid man.

  “Sólo porque es guapo” Just because he�
�s handsome.

  I smirk. She will be mine. What she doesn’t realize is that I am fluent in Spanish.

  “Lamento lo de antes, mi Rosa.” I am sorry about earlier, my Rosy.

  She gasps, turns, and looks up at me. Her eyes are so expressive that I am floored for a moment. But it is not only the expression but, I have only seen eyes like hers one time. And those eyes belong to another woman.

  “Dios mío Mr Crawford, I am sorry. That is very unprofessional of me.” She switches back to English as she blushes prettily.

  “No worries. Are you really a secretary and not a stripper?” I ask. I need to be sure.

  “Excuse me? Do I look like a stripper to you?”

  “Not at all. You are infinitely more beautiful than any stripper I’ve seen.” She frowns as I say that.

  “You’ve seen a lot of strippers?” She asks with a haughty voice.

  We just met, but I can tell she is jealous as hell. “Fuck, of course not. But my brothers are assholes and would find someone out of my dreams, just to fuck with me.”

  “You, Sir, have some mighty foul language. Do not talk to me again, until you clean it up. Unless, it is about work. You are only ⅕ of my boss, after all” When she calls me Sir, something snaps inside me. I walk around her desk and pull her into my arms and put my lips on hers. As she moans and opens her mouth for me, I kiss her harder. Suddenly, she pulls back.

  “Dios Mio.” She says touching her lips, before she hauls back and slaps me.

  Right across my cheek. Fuck that hurt. I am speechless for a few minutes. Her bountiful chest is heaving, as we stare at each other and I am a little short of breath. My first kiss was crazy and passionate. I am glad it was with my Rosy. My possessiveness now over her already knows no bounds.

  I say first kiss, because Elizabeth would never let me kiss her. We had sex a handful of times, one of which is when Ham caught us. I have no idea what her exact plan was when she wedged herself between us. She was, and if I am honest, still is very weird and I don’t like to think about it for too long.

  “What the hell was that for?” I ask, rubbing my cheek.

  “Don’t you watch the news? You shouldn’t take liberties with your employees.” She says, smiling. I do not know the right answer here and I am not sure what to say. It sucks, but that is a big gun she brought out.

  “You are right and I apologize. It won’t happen again.” I turn to go back to my office and she grabs the back of my shirt, to pull me back towards her. As I spin around, she pulls my head down to her level, which is a ways because I have got to be over a foot taller than her.

  “I was kidding.” She says, as she kisses me again causing both of us to get lost in this kiss too.

  “I see you’ve met Rosalind Maxi Pad.” Sterling says while laughing, as he breezes into the office. I really wish that nickname would die a thousand deaths.

  “Mierda” She again says under her breath. “I am sorry Mr. Crawford. It won’t happen again.

  “I’ve told you several times. Call me Sterling.”

  “Right. Sterling. Sorry. I am going back to work now.

  When he goes into his office, I sit on the edge of her desk and cross my legs at my ankles.

  “Have dinner with me tonight?” I ask eager to finish what we started.

  “I am not sure that is a good idea.” She says.

  I am not a macho alpha guy, but in this moment I vow in the future, when it comes to my Rosy I will be.

  “Alright Rosy, but will you think about it. I know I will.” I go back to my office and finish my work in record time. When I go leave, she is not at her desk. It is a good thing, because all I wanna do is sweep everything off of it and fuck her until we break the desk. That would not be good for anyone, since she is skittish.

  Dinner? Dinner. That pendejo wants me to have dinner with him? I absolutely will not. It doesn’t matter if my panties are soaking wet, and my heart hasn’t stopped beating since he put his hands on me. It doesn’t matter that I started hearing Disney princess songs in my head as soon our lips touched. Not even that I felt like I had found my missing piece while in his arms. Nope. None of it matters because; Maxwell Crawford is definitely not someone I need in my life right now.

  I need certain, for sure tangible things I can touch right now. And even though I can obviously touch Max, his intentions and the direction of his affection is not something I can count on. It just won’t do. No. I definitely have to stay away from him.

  As he walks back to his office, I try and calm my breathing down. I am finally concentrating on my work when I hear another ding, alerting me to someone coming in the door. Taking a final deep breath I look up and am confused at first, as to why Kennedy and Avalynn are here. The confusion must show on my face because AvaLynn waddles her way over to the desk and says, “Rosalind, did you forget we are going baby shopping and having a spa day. Why in the world haven’t you packed up yet?”

  Oh goodness. With Max clouding my head, I have literally forgotten everything. “I’m sorry ladies. I did forget, but I cannot leave right now. We got a major custom order in, which means I have about three hours’ worth of parts to order, specify, and determine shipping and timeframe for. There is no way I can leave.”

  I see the disappointment on their faces, though they try to hide it. Avalynn looks so sad for a second and begins to walk away. She notices Kennedy is still standing there and not moving. She often spends a few seconds, when we are in each other’s presence, staring at me. It is almost like she is trying to see the center of my whole being. It is quite uncomfortable actually and I haven’t been able to figure out how to talk to her about it.

  “It’s ok Rosalind. We understand. This weekend, it is my gpas birthday and we are having a dinner for him. Would you consider coming? I would love for him to meet you and anyway, your family now so… what do you say?”

  My first inclination is to say no. I definitely shouldn’t go simply because Max will be there. Second, I definitely don’t want to feel like an outcast there and the only one not a Crawford. Of course Ava picks that exact moment to say, “My little sister Penny will be there too so….” Well shoot. Now what is my excuse?

  These ladies have sort of taken me under their wing and have embraced me beyond any type of friendship I have ever known. So if they want me to go and hang out with them for a bit, I cannot say no.

  “Sure. I will be there. Just send me the address. Do I need to bring anything?”

  “Not one thing, besides yourself.”

  “Ok. I will see you then.”

  I must be a masochist.

  I still have not been able to pin Rosy down for a date. She has avoided me at work for the rest of the week, without even speaking to me. I did not feel I could give the future mother of my children menial tasks as coffee or lunch. I was forced to pass her by, while she looked at any and everything but me and it stung. How can she not feel what I am feeling?

  On Saturday afternoon, I head over to Dale’s semi-formal birthday dinner. He is doing better and better since he got out of the hospital a few months ago. I arrive around five thirty and as soon as I walk in, I see her. She has on a strappy black dress, tiny heels, and tan skin that is glowing and making my mouth water. We actually match, and I must be head over heels to be thinking that. I have a black button down shirt with the sleeves rolled up to my elbows, black dress pants, and shoes.

  Every time I try to get near her, she moves toward Kennedy and Dale. If I am not mistaken, Dale appears to be quite engrossed in my girl. If he was younger I would be all over him for his attention in my Rosy. But if I know Dale, he is giving her the third degree. Getting back to my vanishing Rose, I decide two can play this game. I know what I am about to do is going to be another mark against me, but I don’t have a lot to work with.

  I move towards Penny, Ava’s sister and see Jace clenching his fists out of the corner of my eye. Unfortunately I have no way to I communicate with him and let him know this isn’t what it seems. Greta ha
s a strict no cell phone policy at her parties. I start a perfectly innocent conversation with Penny, who actually seems grateful she is not talking to Jace. Unfortunately, she touches my forearm one too many times and Jace barrels towards me and yanks me away from her.

  “Brother, I don’t know what the fuck is wrong with you, but I need you to get your own fucking girl.”

  “Jason Henry Crawford, besides the fact I am only seventeen, I am not your freaking girl. I can and will talk to whoever I want.”

  “Full naming me Babe, makes me think you care. This has nothing to do with you. Maxy here has a MO that you don’t know about. I am not as nice as Ham when it comes to forgiveness, so I am nipping this shit in the bud right now.”

  “Jace, don’t you fucking dare.” My eyes plead with him, but I can see the moment he decides he has to out me. I don’t really blame him either and she deserves to know, but fuck if I can tell her.

  “What are you talking about Jace?” My Rosy asks and I have to close my eyes to blow out a calming breath. It will all be over now, before we even start. I know it was a disgusting thing to do, even if they had broken up like she said, but they didn’t.

  “I’m sorry bro, but she is one of us now. It is only a matter of time before she finds out. Rosalind, about three almost four years ago, Max slept with Ham’s girl.”

  “Ava?” She asks causing me to think I will never take a full breath again.

  “Oh God, No. Ham is my one and only. No offense Max.” Ava says, smiling at me.

  “None taken. That was in the past and I don’t want your girl Jace. You all know there was extenuating circumstances with Elizabeth-gate.” Nods all around, but I know it is too late.

  “Uh, definitely not his girl.” Penny pipes in and everyone in the room gives off some variation of yeah, ok. She stomps her foot. “Really, I can’t stand him.” She finishes.

  “Babe, you may as well get on board.” He looks at his Apple watch. “In 3 months, 12 days, 4 hours, 16 minutes, and 12 seconds. I am coming for you.” He says pointing at her.