Chapter 6

                                    

                                          
Shay emerged from the bathroom, her mind still reeling from the evening's revelations. She took a deep breath, smoothing down her dress and steeling herself to rejoin the party. Her plan was simple: find Layne and make a graceful exit before things got even more complicated.
As she walked down the dimly lit hallway, the muffled sounds of the party growing louder with each step, Shay felt a sudden tug on her arm. Before she could react, yanking her into darkness. Her back hit cool marble as her eyes adjusted to the dim light. Heart racing, she found herself in a secret wine cellar, surrounded by rows of priceless vintages. The air was thick with the scent of oak and aged grapes. A figure loomed before her; their face hidden in shadow.
Her heart raced, and she was about to scream when a familiar voice whispered, "You really thought I wouldn't notice or recognize you, Shay?"
The deep, rich timbre of his voice sent a shiver down her spine. Shay swallowed hard, willing her voice to remain steady. "Ha, I'm not sure. Nice to meet you, Max Dalton, and well, you could have fooled me out there."
A soft chuckle filled the small space. "Nice try, but I think we're well past formal introductions, don't you? Besides, I know you well enough to know you wouldn't have appreciated a more... dramatic scene. That's not your style."
Shay's eyes adjusted to the darkness, and she could make out Max's silhouette. He was standing close - too close - and she could feel the heat radiating from his body. "I don't know what you mean," she said, aiming for nonchalance but missing by a mile.
Max leaned in, his lips brushing against her ear as he whispered, "I think you do. Your voice is as unmistakable as it is irresistible, Shay. Or should I say, 'Miss Troubleshooter'?" His breath was hot against her skin as he added in a low, husky tone, "I've been dreaming of this moment, of finally meeting the woman behind that captivating voice. And I must say, reality far exceeds my imagination."
Shay's breath caught in her throat. So he had recognized her voice too. "I... I didn't know it was you," she admitted softly lying completely.
"Okay I will play your little game, and now that you do, that I'm your telephone man?" Max asked, a hint of vulnerability in his voice.
Shay paused, considering her words carefully. "Now... I'm not sure what to think. You're not exactly what I expected."
"Oh?" Max's tone was playful. "And what did you expect? A balding, middle-aged man with a potbelly?"
Shay couldn't help but laugh. "Well, not exactly. But I definitely didn't expect... this." She gestured vaguely at him, though she wasn't sure he could see in the darkness.
"'This' being...?" Max prompted, amusement evident in his voice.
"Well," Shay said, her tone blunt and flirtatious, "you're tall, handsome, and successful, I'll give you that. But you're also clearly tangled up with some delusional woman out there. Sounds messy to me. Is that your thing, Max? Drama and complications?"
Max's hand found hers in the darkness, his touch sending sparks through her body. "Shay, you've always struck me as someone who's direct and unafraid to speak her mind. It's one of the things I admire about you." He paused, then added in a low voice, "And you know Jacqueline doesn't mean anything to me. I've told you that before. There are so many things I've shared with you that I've never expressed to anyone else."
Shay's heart skipped a beat. "You admire me?"
"Of course," Max said softly. "Your wit, your intelligence, your ability to handle any situation thrown at you... and how hot you are. And of course, the way you are not afraid to say what you want and be blunt about how you like to be treated in and out of bed. You're remarkable, Shay."