Romance Dead-ends

"I do, too."

"Well, call me if you need more clothes than what I brought you," Stephine said, getting to her feet.

"Tell Mom and Dad I'll be home in a few days; I don't want them seeing me like this," Terry uttered, hugging her sister. "Thanks for bringing them."

"You're welcome, Terry," Stephine said, rubbing her sister's back. "Just don't go mauling him, don't think I have that kind of bail money," she joked, lightly giggling as her sister shoved her. "Call me, okay?"

"I will," Terry said in a loving tone.

Stephine noted how Max was strangling his phone when she stepped out of his apartment. Seeing how his now empty beer bottle sat on top of the post to the left of him. "Hey," Stephine said softly as she closed the door.

"Hmm?"

"Sorry about the attitude."

"Don't worry about it," Max muttered, pocketing his phone.

"Please, whatever is going on between you and my sister, please don't hurt her," Stephine said in a sisterly voice as she stepped up to the railing.

"That isn't my intention," Max answered, wondering if all sibling relationships were like Terry's and Stephine's.

"Thanks for taking care of my sister; I know she needs it right now."

"What kind of man would I be if I ignored an injured woman at my doorstep?" Max asked in a curious tone as he peered at Stephine.

"You'd be like Orin," Stephine stated firmly.

"I'm taking it that's the name of her ex-husband?" To which Stephine just nodded. "You ever see him, you tell him if I ever lay eyes on him, he won't be walking ever again."

"Oh? Does Terry know you got that shining armor beneath that sarcastic exterior?" Stephine couldn't help it as she felt her lips lifting into a smile as Max just laughed. "Well, I should get going, night, Max."

"Later," Max replied with a small wave.

"Oh," stopping in her tracks and turning back to him, "there's a function our family goes to every year next Sunday night; Terry really enjoys going to it, so maybe you should accompany her to it, as her date, just a thought," Stephine said with a knowing smile.

"Max," Terry said, finishing washing the dishes, given how Max had cooked for her.

"Yeah," Max responded, tossing his beer bottle into the trash.

"You wouldn't mind if I used your shower, would you?" Terry asked, turning to look at him. Noting how his eyes ran down her body, wondering if he was imagining how she looked all wet. She couldn't deny how that just made her pussy lurch at the thought.

"No, go right ahead, although I don't have those fancy female soaps or products in there," Max stated.

"So none of the women you've had here ever stayed more than a night?" Terry asked with an arched eyebrow.

"Nope, they got what they needed and skedaddled. If I knew you were coming, I would have gone to the store and picked some up."

"Max, can I ask a very blunt question, and please don't be mad."

"Okay?" Max drew out the word.

"Ever since our lunch date, have you been with anyone else?" Terry inquired, hoping that her question didn't put the brakes on their romance.

"No, I haven't; I'd be the asshole if I was cheating on my girlfriend," Max retorted with a coy smile. Seeing how Terry's eyes widened when he said that.

"So you haven't had sex in all this time?" Terry asked, seeing Max shake his head. Walking up to him, rising a little on her toes, and placed a light kiss on his lips. "I'll be quick," she whispered before grabbing the bag that Stephine had brought her.

"Max, what's going on?" Terry queried as she stood in nothing but a t-shirt and a pair of blue boy shorts that the hem of the shirt hid once she saw a blanket, linens, and a pillow that sat on the back of the couch that rested against the wall.

"You're taking the bed, and I'm crashing on the couch," Max stated factually.

"But... you don't have to; I don't want you to think..."

"Terry, you were just assaulted, you're vulnerable, and honestly, if I got in that bed with you right now..."

"Yes, go on," Terry said in an excited voice as she took a step forward.

"I wouldn't be able to keep my hands off of you, and I don't want you thinking I'm pushing myself on you," Max stated, peering up at her.

Terry didn't bother hiding her wide smile. She wanted him to know how much she loved hearing how hot he was for her. She would, too, have to admit while she did feel a little vulnerable at the moment, she too wouldn't be able to keep her hands to herself if he was in bed with her. She knew if he was, that would lead to sex, not that she didn't want it, which she so did, yet it wasn't the right time to take their relationship to that point.

"Okay, Max, only if you feel comfortable with the arrangement," Terry said in a shy tone.

"Doesn't mean I'm not going to roll around on the sheets after you leave them?" Max uttered, watching Terry's face rapidly heat. His eyes dipped down, watching her enticing legs as she scurried over to the couch and plopped down next to him. Max fought himself from getting hard when he noted Terry wasn't wearing a bra as she pressed her left breast against his right arm as she snuggled up to him. He tried to keep his eyes on the TV, yet they would always find their way back to her soft, supple thighs. He caught her smirking at him when she noted where his eyes were lingering. How could he not? It was taking all his will not to see what was under that shirt of hers.

When it was time for bed, how his mouth watered as he couldn't look away as she sauntered into his bedroom. Beating his head into his pillow when his mind replayed how her ass cheeks looked like when her t-shirt moved.

A week later...

Max knew he was in trouble. It had been nearly a week since Terry went home when she felt she was ready. Yet still, she dominated his mind ever since she walked out of his door. He's never been so backed up in his life! He knew sex could just destroy a relationship if it was pushed too soon. He didn't want that. He really enjoyed spending time with Terry. He knew long before they started dating that she came from money. Max did too. He's just never told anyone. Why would he? He didn't want their money. If he could, he would have placed it all in a pile and watched it burn. It was money that made his parents the way they were. He was determined not to turn out like them. Jumping in his seat when he was daydreaming about what it would be like to finally know what Terry's breasts would feel like in his hands when his desk phone rang.

"Max Larson," he answered.

"Max, come up to my office, will you?" Greg Archer's voice filled his ear. He had no idea why his heart was hammering like it did. It didn't do that when he had met the man a few times. Yet there was something in the sound of his boss's voice that set him on edge.

"Yes, sir, I'll be right up," Max replied, getting to his feet, placing the receiver on its base once the line went dead. "Off to see the wizard," he stated as he passed his boss's office before he could utter a word. Blowing out a breath as he approached Stephine's desk, who had a smirk on her lips as she reached for her phone.

"Terry was talking about you last night," Stephine uttered offhandedly.

"Oh?"

"Mmmhmm, but I'm not going to tell you," Stephine said, still wearing that smirk of hers as she gazed up at him. "Go on, Dad's expecting you," she said, waving him on. Pulling out her phone and brought up her sister's number. "Sis, that man is so into you?!"

"I know, so am I."

"So have the two of you know..."

"Stephine!" Stephine just giggled to herself, hearing the gasp of her sister in her head.

"So you ready for Sunday?"

"Mmmhmm."

"Maybe you should ask Max to it."

"I don't know, sis; what if he says no?"

"Come on, sis, be real; you know he'll say yes; just ask him."

"You wanted to see me, sir?" Max spoke as he moved to stand in front of Greg's desk.

"Yes, I did," Greg said, leaning back in his chair. "I know what happened with Orin and my daughter. I thank you for looking after her. Wish she would have come to us, but," waving his hands in a futile gesture, "she told me nothing happened while she was there..." Casting Max in a suspicious light before he nodded that nothing had happened. "I know my daughter; if she said nothing happened, I'll take her word for it. Can I ask why you didn't?"

"Would be wrong of me, as a man, to take advantage of her when she was vulnerable," Max stated matter-of-factly. Watching how Greg leaned back and rested his chin in his right hand, showing no emotion as he gazed at him.

"I see," Greg mused while keeping his approval hidden. "You know my daughter has taken a liking to you. Do you not wish to...?"

"... Yes, but only when she's ready," Max said, trying not to be weirded out by Greg's line of questioning.

Greg had already taken a liking to Max, given how he was very straightforward with him that morning over a month ago. Plus, he hadn't come nipping at his heels for money in some get quick rich scheme like Orin had done. He almost took Orin's head off with that bit of stupidity. "Please, have a seat, Max," Greg gestured to the chair before him. "Do you know there's an event that Terry always loves to go to this Sunday, don't you?"

"Yes, Stephine has mentioned it to me."

"Why don't you come along with us as Terry's date? I know that will make her smile," Greg said, not hiding the teasing light in his stormy grey eyes. "Stop by the house, I know you know where it is, and we'll all go together," he spoke in a friendly tone.

"I take it this is a black-tie event?" Max inquired with an arched eyebrow.

"Of course, the Metro Gala is always a black-tie event," Greg wondered why that seemed to set Max on edge. "Is there some trouble?"

"N-no," getting up from his seat, "I think it would be best if I spoke to Terry about it," Max said in a distant tone. Knowing he was going to have to come clean about who he truly was before Sunday night if he wished to remain truthful to Terry, and honestly, he did. Max had no wish to end this romance of theirs all because he hated who his family was. "If that's all, sir, I should be getting back to my desk."

"No, I do hope you'll join us," Greg said, wondering why he sensed something off about the man when Max nodded and headed out the door. Watching how Max talked to Stephine while putting on a mask making her believe he wasn't troubled by something, yet Greg was. His daughter had already gone through one heartbreak; he wasn't about to allow it to happen again. Reaching for his cellphone, scrolling down to the P.I. his company hires to vet rising management hopefuls and hit the call button.

"This is Armstrong Investigations; how may I help you?" came a female voice that showed the signs of years of smoking.

"Good morning, Cindy; I need to speak with Bob if he's in," Greg said, spinning to his left, praying there was nothing wrong, that it was just his fatherly protective side being overactive, yet he just couldn't shake the feeling there was something more going on.

"Hello, Mr. Archer." Greg couldn't help but smile at her chipper tone. "He certainly is; I'll put you right through."

"Thank you, Cindy."

"You're very welcome, Mr. Archer; one moment, please."

"Good morning, Mr. Archer; what can I do for you today?" came the gruff voice of the man he's known for years.

"Hello, Bob, I need you to do a very deep background check on someone for me," Greg spoke, opening up Max Larson's employment file. It had always piqued his interest as to why there was no contact information in it in case something happened to Max while on the job.

"That will take some time, Mr. Archer. Should I bill this to your company?" Bob asked, thinking this was just another simple background check for a rising star.

"No, Bob, this is for my eyes only, so you send the bill directly to me; I don't want this getting out if there's nothing to worry about," Greg sighed into his phone. Hoping Terry could or would understand why he was doing this if it ever came to light. Also, hoping that Max could forgive him for prying into his personal life without any hard evidence, only his gut instincts leading the way. When he turned around, Max was gone.

Max was walking out of the elevator as he stepped onto the ground floor of his office building. He would rather get this off his chest as quickly as he could. He didn't care if he was skipping out on work. They could fire him for all he cared about it. He knew if he didn't get this off his chest, it would gnaw at him all day. Pulling out his phone as he brought up Terry's number.

"Hey, baby?!" Max couldn't help it; just the sound of Terry's voice brought a smile to his face. Remembering the second night she had stayed at his apartment when she so casually used that word as she helped to make dinner for the two of them.

"Hello, gumdrop," Max replied, recounting how she had a mix of amusement and affection in her eyes when he used that as her pet name on that same night. "Are you going to be busy in the next half hour?"

"No... why?" Terry's voice got a worried tone to it.

"We need to talk." Max heard her increased breathing over the line. Everyone knew that one line never meant anything good was to come.

"But I thought you were at work?"

"I am, but this is important," Max stated as he walked into the parking garage.

"Max, you're scaring me."

"I promise, it's nothing bad, at least I hope you don't take it like that. But I did promise to be honest with you, and well... before I take you to the Metro Gala Sunday..." Hearing Terry gasp over the line, "we need to talk."

"Max, do you mean it? Do you really mean you'll attend the Gala with me?" Max heard the mixture of happiness and fear in her voice.

"I do," Max responded as he threw his leg over his bike.

"Okay, are you on your way?"

"Just leaving; I'll see you in a bit."

"Be safe, Max."

"I will," Max said before ending the call and starting his bike.

"Hon, it's not going to do you any good pacing," Terry's friend said softly as Terry paced behind the receptionist's desk, waiting on Max to arrive.

Ever since Max's call, her heart has been going a hundred miles an hour. All Terry could think of was the worst-case scenarios that were playing out in her mind once she got off the phone with Max. She knew he wasn't pushing for sex, as much as she would love that, yet he could see she wanted a firm foundation to build their relationship, not how wild and crazy they could be between the sheets. Something she had a suspicion Max would be very good at if what her sister had informed her of the rumors floating around her father's office were true. She didn't want this to turn out like her failed marriage did. She wanted to see if this had the legs to go the distance. While she did want children, and she knew her clock was ticking, she never had that urge when she was married to Orin. Now at twenty-eight, her mind could picture little feet running about with her giving chase only to find a man squatting down and taking him or her into his arms. That man she would only admit to herself was Max.

The tapping of her friend's hand on her hip brought her out of her meandering thoughts as Max pulled up to the front of her practice on his bike. Terry could see something was troubling him as he walked towards the door. Walking over to the door and opening it, they both just stood there gazing at one another without a word.

"You wanted to talk," Terry said, breaking the silence only to have Max nod in response. "Then come on," she uttered, waving him to enter. Neither said a word as they walked to her office; she hoped and prayed it was nothing, like what was playing out in her head. Noting how he had turned one of her chairs that sat in front of her desk and pointed it at the other as she closed her office door. Seeing how he gestured to take the one before him so he could speak to her face to face. "Okay, Max, what's this about? Why the secrecy?" Terry asked as she lowered herself into the chair.

"My name... my real name isn't Max Larson," Max said after a moment of silence.

"Okay, you skipped out on work to drive all the way over here to tell me that?" Terry asked, confused.

"No... well, partially."

"I assume there's more to this?" Terry inquired, seeing his nod. "Go on," she directed with a roll of her hand.

"You know what my parents are like," Max spoke, to which Terry hummed a: 'Mmmhmm.' "Then you will understand why I legally changed my last name."

"And what was it before you did?"

"My real... or should I say the name I was born with is Maxwell Monroe," he said, seeing Terry's eyes widen in shock at his revelation. "My parents are Derek and Tera Monroe. The reason I'm telling you this is because they will be at the Gala. They never miss it or miss the chance to rub it in my face that I'm not well off enough to attend the event on my own. Well... that's not true; I do have money, money they had set aside for me when I was born. I have never touched it... mostly."

"What do you mean mostly?" Terry asked, shooting him a look.

"It's what I used to pay for my degree; they just know I transferred the funds to my bank account, not what I used it for. I just didn't want them or my sister to run off at the mouth like they normally do when it involves me and make you think I was hiding something from you. It wasn't that I was hiding who my family is to you; it's just I would have rather been an orphan than be related to those fucks." Looking surprised when Terry lightly slapped him before taking hold of his hands.

"That's for scaring the shit out of me! And this..." Leaning forward, planting one of the most toe-curling kisses Max has ever experienced before on his lips, "is for being honest with me. Baby, I don't care who... okay, I do have a little trouble believing you're a Monroe."

"Would you like to see my birth certificate?" Max asked with a coy grin on his lips. "Or just wait until Sunday; I bet you they will make it known to all just who I am, I guarantee it."

"Max, you know I don't care who you're related to, as I know you don't care who I'm related to, but I am very, very happy you told me this," Terry said, slipping into Max's lap.

"I know you don't; however, they do. They think money is everything. That their offspring has to have enormous amounts of it or the prestige of some job like my sister before you're even good enough in their eyes."

"Yeah, I have met them; they never came off like that in public," Terry mused, tapping her lip as she thought back to all the times she had spoken to them. "Got to say I don't really care for your sister."

"Oh, now you're just trying to get on my good side," Max joked as he smiled at her. Trying and failing to ignore how good Terry's ass felt on his lap, more importantly, on his cock. Noting that sly, knowing smirk Terry shot him when she undoubtedly felt his manhood poking at her rear, something he wasn't going to be ashamed of; it felt divine!

"You really do care about me and our relationship to bug out of work just to come tell me this when you know it could have waited," Terry cooed in a loving tone, hiding the fact that she loved that she could make him hard, and knew once they were ready to take their relationship further, she was so going to enjoy what she was feeling at the moment as she leaned against his chest.

"I do."

"I'm glad you do; I care about you, too," Terry whispered, tilting his chin up and proceeding to make out with her boyfriend in her office. "And don't you ever, and I mean never, scare me like that again, you hear me?"

"Yes, dear," Max answered in a jovial tone.

"Come, I'll walk you out; I have a patient coming in soon," Terry spoke, easing out of his lap, something that she found very difficult to do. "Max?" she hummed as she and Max walked hand in hand down the hall.

"Yeah?"

"You do have a suit, don't you?" Terry asked, looking over at him.

"I do, it might have been five years since I've been to the Metro Gala, but I do have a suit," Max answered, not hiding his smirk at how quick Terry's head snapped over to him.

"But I've never..."

"You have; you just weren't paying attention to me and you were kind of married at the time. Don't you remember the kid being escorted out of the event when someone tampered with the instruments five years ago?" Max asked in a juvenile tone.

"Yes, I do," her eyes went wide with recognition, "God, it was horrid; how did you do it and not get caught?"

"So not telling," Max said with a devious grin.

"Well, you better behave yourself Sunday; my date shouldn't go around embarrassing me, no matter how humorous it might be," Terry spoke as she snuggled up to Max. "Now, you get back to the office before someone notices you're missing," she said in a loving tone before passionately kissing him. "I'll see you tonight at your place," Terry cooed, backing away.

"Can't wait," Max uttered with a smile.

Waving to him as he pulled out of her parking lot. Keeping the fact that this one act showed her that he did love her even though Max hadn't said the words. Pressing her fingertips to her heart, feeling how steady, how strong it felt as well as how much it fluttered when she thought about Max. Admitting to herself, she was in love with him too.

That Sunday night... three hours before the event...

"Terry, you know it won't matter to Max what you wear, right?" Stephine asked, watching her sister running around her old bedroom.

"I know, but I want to look sexy for Max," Terry muttered as she stood in her underwear as she pushed one dress after another aside in her indecision.

"Oh, is that so, is my big sister thinking of getting lucky tonight?" Stephine teased.

"If I am?" Terry asked, casting her sister a look.

"About time," Stephine muttered. "Max must be hard up with all the fucking I hear he's done; he must really like you to give that up." Smiling when she noted how her sister's cheeks heated. Walking up to her sister and hugging her, "I'm happy, you're happy sis; go with the blue one shows off your figure better," she said, waving to Terry over her shoulder as she walked out of her sister's room so she, too, could get ready.

Terry's head snapped over to the door when the doorbell rang out throughout the house. Racing out of her bedroom, not caring that she was only in her bra and panties. While her family home might be large to what most people would think of a mansion, yet it wasn't anywhere near as large as the Monroe manor. Her red hair dangled to her left as she peeked around the wall that opened up to the small mezzanine that overlooked the front entrance. Noting how her father's suit jacket sat proudly on his shoulders as he walked towards the front door.

"Hello, Max, glad you could join us this evening," Greg greeted, holding out his hand to the man. Slyly running his eyes down the crisp black Yves Saint Laurent suit, Max was wearing. He knew the style. He had a few of them himself and knew how much one of them cost. To say he was surprised to see Max wearing a twenty-five hundred dollar suit was an understatement.

"Hello, Mr. Archer," Max spoke, shaking Greg's offered hand.

"Please, why don't you come in," Greg gestured as he stepped aside.

Terry felt herself getting wet as she gazed... more like undressed Max with her eyes and mind fucked him at how good he looked in that suit of his. Ducking her head back behind the wall before Max could see her, not realizing he already did, and kept his smirk to himself.

"Let me introduce you to my wife," Greg said in a friendly tone as he led Max off to the lounge. "Darla," leading the way into the room, "I'd like you to meet Max, Terry's boyfriend," he spoke, shooting Max a knowing smile.

"I think you should have taken me up on that offer, Mr. Archer," Max said, getting a very good look at Terry's mother as she elegantly rose from her seat. Feeling Greg's meaty hand patting him on his right shoulder as he barked out in laughter. Seeing the amused smile on Darla's lips as she sauntered over to them.

"Hello, Max, I've heard a lot about you," Darla greeted, holding out her hand to him.

"It's a wonder why your daughters haven't been named national treasures yet," Max said, laying on the charm as he slipped his hand into hers.

"Flattery will get you everywhere, Mr. Larson," Darla cooed. "Would you care for a drink while we wait on them to decide on what to wear for this evening," she said in a gracious manor, gesturing to the bar.

"I wouldn't mind wetting my whistle," Max answered.

"So tell me, Max, what are your plans for the future?" Darla asked, leading him to the sitting area while Greg fixed the three of them their drinks. "Thank you, dear," she uttered, smiling up at her husband as he handed her a glass of red wine while he and Max sipped on their Scotch.

"I see you've drank Scotch before," Greg nodded in approval.

"Yeah, used to raid my father's cabinet when I was younger, learned quickly it wasn't a gulping whiskey," Max stated, tasting the richness of it on his tongue. "Although, just not as good as this one appears to be. As for my future, I can't say at the moment, Mrs. Archer."

"Why's that?" Darla asked curiously.

"Well, what I had planned went out the window when I met your daughter," Max said truthfully.

"That so, and why's that?" Darla inquired, smiling into her glass.

"Have you ever met an angel before? I hadn't until that fortuitous elevator ride," Max said, seeing Greg arching an eyebrow and noting how Terry was peaking around the doorway. Thinking he couldn't see her from the corner of his left eye. "So I'm in a holding pattern waiting to see if Terry would like a more intimate relationship, after her divorce is settled, of course."

"And what are your plans with the company? I know you're up for a promotion..."

"Can I be frank with you, sir?" Max asked in a serious tone.

"Of course, feel free to speak your mind," Greg answered with a wave of his hand.

"The position I'm in, there is no promotion waiting for me. My manager sees to that, so unless something else comes up, I might have to see about another line of work, seeing how I've gone as far as I can at your company," Max stated truthfully.

"Why haven't you applied for a mid-level management role?" Greg asked, keeping his face placid while making a mental note to speak with Max's manager.

"Why would I?" Max retorted. "I know running the company might not give you a lot of time to keep a watchful eye on things, yet we worker drones see everything they do."

"Like what?" Greg asked, very interested in hearing the happenings that take place at his company.

"Well, the managers, at least mine, take a considerable amount of our money that we make when we're sent out to a site," Max said, noting how Greg's eyes narrowed at that. "This is just hearsay from what I've heard from the other worker bees or what some of their managers call us their drones and treat us as such. As well as telling the programmers to put holes in the software so the people buying the product would constantly be shutting down their operations and constantly sending us out to fix it."

"You sure this is what you've heard?" Greg asked, knowing if this was halfway true, then he had a lot to do on Monday morning.

"Mmmhmm, just over a month or so ago, I had to go to Goldbloom & Sacks, as you know," seeing Greg nod that he remembered, "well, the cause of the problem was all the damn holes the mid-management people had them put into it that caused their servers to shut down. If I hadn't created my own program to patch these holes, it would have required me to reinstall the program and lose all their data in the process," Max stated in a matter-of-fact tone.

"You created a program to fix the flaws?" Greg asked in astonishment.

"I did; otherwise, most of the jobs I've been sent to would take over a month to fix."

"Monday, I want you to come to my office and show me this program of yours. If what you said is true, then the program I and the rest of upper management were shown is not what is going out to our customers," Greg spoke in a stern tone. Knowing heads were going to roll if it turned out to be true, which it was.

"I can be there bright and early," Max nodded, turning his head to the left. "You going to peek at me all night, Terry, or are you going to show me how beautiful you look in that dress?" He nearly dropped his glass as Terry eased out into the doorway. His breath was stolen at how stunning she looked in that blue dress of hers.

"What do you think, Max?" Terry asked in a soft tone as her hands were folded out before her, holding her matching blue clutch in her hands.

"Well, I know for certain that you're radiance will only grow as the years pass," Max uttered with a charming smile. Ignoring how Darla was whispering to her husband as his eyes couldn't look away from Terry, nor did he ever want to.

"Do you mean that, Maxwell?" Terry uttered in a bashful tone.

"Most definitely," Max nodded firmly. Knowing just how beautiful she would be when Terry reached her mother's age. Watching how she so sensuously sauntered over to his side, trying not to ogle her ass in front of her parents as she lowered herself beside him.

"You look very handsome in that suit," Terry said, placing her hand on his knee. Keeping the shock from her face at how fine the material felt beneath her hand.

"Not as stunning as you do in that dress," Max spoke, slipping his hand into hers.

"Tell us, Max, what's your family like?" Darla asked, flashing her daughter a motherly smile before seeing something coming over Max's demeanor.

"I don't speak to them, not if I can help it," Max answered in a monotone voice.

"Why?" Greg asked, confused.

"You see," reaching forward and placing his glass on a costar and leaned back, "they aren't like this family, given what Terry has told me about you all," Max spoke, feeling Terry squeezing his hand to offer him her support. "I would rather not have that kind of... people in my life if I can help it."

"But they're your family."

"Mr. Archer, no offense; if you knew what my parents and sister were truly like behind closed doors, you, too, would toss them out into the cold and slam and lock the doors for good measure. They are not what they seem to be," Max uttered pointedly.

"Well, I'm sorry to hear that; I hope Terry can entice you to stick around a little longer," Greg stated, flashing his daughter a smile.

"She is heavily tilting the scales in her favor," Max agreed, seeing Terry's face growing red hot. "Told you you're cute when you blush," he whispered into her ear.

"Max, stop?!" Terry muttered, pressing her body closer to his.

"Okay, I'm ready!" Stephine called out as she ambled down the stairs. Her eyes bugged out, and her movement came to a halt as her eyes fell onto Max and the suit he was wearing as he and Terry rose to their feet. "How the hell can you afford a three thousand dollar suit?!" she stammered; she could recognize high dollar suits at a glance.

"Stephine?!" Darla snapped. "You do not insult Terry's boyfriend."

"Sorry, Mom, Terry, Dad, and you, Max, but I know what you make, and there's no way you could afford that kind of suit so quickly," Stephine said, running her eyes down Max's form.

"You think I should tell her?" Max whispered to Terry.

"Tell us what?" Greg inquired, wondering if this was what he had sensed that Friday in his office.

"Only if you want to, Max; they'll find out eventually if they act like you believe they will," Terry answered, looping her arm around his left.

"I'm a Monroe," Max stated, dropping his bomb on them.

"As in 'The Monroe's', the Monroe's that live in that huge mansion at the other end of this community?!" Stephine stammered in shock.

"The very one," Max nodded.

"But your last name is Larson," Greg muttered in confusion as he peered at Max.

"Legally changed my last name so I wouldn't have any ties to them or their money," Max responded truthfully. "If I was going to survive on my own in this world, I didn't want their name following after me the rest of my life, among other personal reasons." Shooting Stephine a smirk as she just stared at him as her mouth hung agape.

"He's mine, Steph. Don't you go trying to woo him now that you know he's from a rich family," Terry taunted her twin sister. Chuckling when Stephine released an 'Ugh!' and spun on her heel and stomped towards the front door.

"You know Max, I and a few others have a lovely brunch with your mother every Tuesday and Thursday. She doesn't come off as unpleasant. A bit snobby but not all that unpleasant. I just can't imagine her being all that repulsive," Darla spoke, walking arm in arm with her husband to their limo they always hired to drive them to the Gala.

"Of course, she is when she's in public, she and my father are birds of a feather when they're behind closed doors and no public eye to expose their true natures to the world. That just wouldn't do, not for them; their public image is everything to them," Max stated, ogling Terry out from the corner of his left eye. He knew she knew he was doing it, given the coy smirk he saw on her lips.

"I see; I'll have to keep that in mind the next time we have brunch," Darla mused.

"Why is it you always get the rich guys, huh?" Stephine whispered to her sister as Max climbed into the back, as Terry settled onto the seat behind the driver.

"Jealous?"

"Duh?!" Stephine rolled her eyes.

"Don't worry, Stephine, I'm sure you'll find that man you're looking for," Terry cooed, patting her sister's knee.

"You know, Max, or would you prefer to be addressed as Maxwell?" Greg spoke as he closed the limo door, telling their driver they were ready.

"Max is fine, Mr. Archer."

"Max, why don't you join us at the lake next month. I know Terry would love for you to join us," Greg stated, seeing his daughter dropping her chin.

"Only if Terry wants me to attend; I'd rather her not feel I'm intruding in her family life," Max said, while he couldn't see it due to the dark interior of the limo, but he knew she was blushing.

"I want you to come; it would mean so much if you did," Terry replied in a soft, caring tone as she gently squeezed his hand. "You're my boyfriend; you'll never be intruding on my family life," she whispered, her hot breath played along his ear as her lips teased it.

"Sure, I'll love to join you then if I can get the days off from my manager," Max said, trying to keep his body from hardening as Terry pressed her soft, warm, inviting body against his.

"I'll..."

"I appreciate the offer, sir, but I'd rather not have anyone thinking you're playing favorites at the company," Max cut in, not seeing Greg smile at that. "Just let me know when it is, and I'll put in the request for my vacation days."

"I'll make sure you're informed," Greg nodded.

The shuttering of cameras as the rear door opened once they had arrived at the Gala sent Max back to his childhood in his mind. Recounting how his mother would speak to him on the ride there, warning him to behave and not to embarrass them. Which of course, Max always failed to heed the warning. It was one of the reasons they always stuck him in some out-of-the-way corner to keep him hidden from the rest of the socialites. Smirking at Terry when her head whipped around when he softly caressed her backside when she made her way to the door. Blowing her a kiss, storing the feel of her ass to memory as he, too, made his way to exit the limo. The moment he stepped foot on the red carpet, the reporters were having a field day when Terry looped her arm around his. Seeing her wave to the reporters as they shouted out questions as they followed behind her parents and Stephine.

Chatting away with Terry as they were escorted to their table. Pointing to the spot where he would normally be placed when he would attend with his parents. Seeing how she mentally smacked herself when her mind finally realized that she had indeed seen him there before. Holding out both Terry's and Stephine's chairs for them once they reached the table. Noting how Greg did the same for his wife before he moved to take his place beside Terry. Max tried to ignore his estranged family; however, they weren't playing along, much to Max's dismay. He did notice how Greg and Darla were slyly glancing over to where his family was sitting as they spoke and pointed at him.

"Max, please don't make a scene, okay?" Terry whispered low as she reached over and placed her hand on his forearm. "I know they aren't your favorite people, but this is for charity."

"I know that all depends on them," Max muttered low as his father strolled towards their table.

"Good evening, Mr. and Mrs. Archer; lovely to see you here tonight, along with your lovely daughters; always a pleasure to see the both of you. I do hope you all are doing well since the last we saw one another," Dereck greeted with a warm smile, yet his eyes were always on his son. "Might I have a word with my son? I promise not to keep him too long," he spoke, looking at Terry. Keeping his annoyance from his face when his son had yet to address him, no, Max leaned into Terry, who was nodding as he whispered into her ear. Seeing that look in her eye when his son placed a kiss on her cheek before he rose.

"If you'll excuse me, I promise this won't take long," Max stated, buttoning the top button of his suit jacket as he looked around the table seeing their nods of understanding. Feeling Terry's eyes on him as he walked around the table. Looking down when his father clamped his hand onto his upper arm and dragged him towards their table like he was a disobedient child. Which he was, yet Max wasn't going to let his father manhandle him. Wrenching his arm out of his father's grip, daring him to say something as they both just stared at one another. Yet his father only said one word, 'Follow.'

"Hello, Maxwell, I see you're with Terry Archer; what on earth are you doing with a married woman?" Tera chided once her son reached their table.

"Who I'm dating is none of your concern, and she isn't married; she's separated from her husband. At least I don't go after attached people like some that are at this table," Max uttered, matching his mother's tone, pointing at his sister as he did. "Now, do you want to tell me why the hell you dragged me away from my date?"

"Well, if you were doing everything you were supposed to be doing as her then-boyfriend, I wouldn't have been able to steal her away from you," Darcy supplied with that same condescending tone of hers.

"Darcy?!" MJ gasped.

"It's okay, honey; Maxwell needed to hear it," Darcy uttered, gently rubbing her wife's forearm.

"Uh-huh, is that all?" Max asked, looking rather bored.

"Maxwell, if you wanted to come to this event, you should have told us and not wormed your way into the Archer's coffers," Dereck stated, lowering himself back down into his seat.

"Is that really what you think I'm doing?" Seeing his father and mother nodding along. "Then you two are fucking idiots," Max hissed, seeing the shocked looks on their faces when those words left his lips. "You think I'm after money? Have the past five years not taught you a damn thing?" he growled, his fingertips pressed hard on the table's surface as he leaned on it. "I don't give a flying fuck," seeing his mother recoil at that word, "about hers or your damn money. I thought you two are supposed to be oh so smart, yet that concept seems to fucking ellude you two fucks."​