A Bride for the Billionaire Bad Boy (The Romero Brothers, Book 2) by Shadonna Richards

I was inspired to develop a software system for clinics to get
people into early signups and pre-screening for their health.”
    “Of course,” Maxine chimed in. “The Healthy Start
Program. How wonderful of you, Lucas.”
    “It’s the least I could do. I had developed so many
different programs in my line of work but that one was close to my heart.”
    “I’m very…honored to know you, Lucas.”
    Lucas shot Maxine a glance. “Well, I’ve never heard
that before,” he admitted softly with a charming grin. “Usually women say the
opposite.”
    “Why?”
    “Well, I’m not perfect, Maxine. I’ve made tons of
mistakes. I love women. What can I say? But commitment was always difficult for
me after Julianna died. I just didn’t feel anything
intimate for anyone else, until now.”
    “What?” Maxine almost choked on her drink. Something
sparked inside her. Was he referring to her?
    “I’ve been admiring you from afar, Maxine. I thought
you would have known that.”
    “No. I…um…why?”
    “Because you’re different. And I can’t explain it but
you reach me in a spot I’ve never been touched before, not since Julianna .”
    Oh. My. What could she say to that?
    “But you hardly know me,” she said, rubbing her finger
around the rim of her cup.
    “But I know me. And I know how I feel when I’m around
you. And you’d be surprised at what I’ve learned about you and observed about
you over the past six months since the wedding, Maxine,” he said with a knowing
grin of satisfaction.
    Maxine was stumped. What had Lucy said about her?
    “Such as?” Maxine cocked her brow.
    “You care deeply about those you love. You’re humble.
And you’re sweet. You make me feel wild things inside, Maxine, and I didn’t
even have to touch you. That’s what amazed me.”
    “Oh!” Maxine felt heat rush to her cheeks and to the
area between her legs. She was getting breathless in there. Was it the heat? Or the magnetic energy between them? So this was what kismet
felt like. She never felt this way around any other man before.
    “By the way, how is your mother doing?” he asked, so
sincere.
    Lucas Romero cared about her and her mother? Oh, my.   He was so important. Maxine thought she
hadn’t mentioned her mother before but then again at the wedding when they had
chatted, it may have come up. But oh, God! This guy had a memory like an
elephant. He remembered. That was good, wasn’t it?
    “She’s,” Maxine swallowed hard. “She’s coping.”
    “How are you coping?” Lucas leaned forward.
    “Good.”
    “Really?”
    “You don’t believe me?”
    “I see it in your eyes. I can read eyes, you know. You
work so hard around the clock, sacrificing yourself for the good of your mother
and everyone else around you. When have you taken time for yourself? You know
caregiver burnout is not healthy and can happen if you don’t take it easy.”
    Maxine looked sheepish. What could she say? “You
really care about me, don’t you?”
    “I want to help you, Maxine. Let me. I can hire a
private nurse for your mother.”
    “Lucas, I…” Maxine broke off. She inhaled a deep
breath before continuing. She really didn’t want to hurt his feelings but she
had her pride. She wasn’t about to take a handout for nothing, especially from
a rich, sexy bachelor. She didn’t want him to get the wrong idea. She didn’t
want to send the wrong signal.
    “Lucas, that’s so nice of you but…” Maxine bit down on
her lower lip. “I just can’t accept that generous gift from you.”
    “And why not?” he said forcefully.
    "Well, there’s a price for everything, Lucas. You
and I both know that nothing is free.”
    “Ouch.” Lucas feigned a broken heart. “You really
think I’m trying to buy you, Maxine? Now, that really hurt.” He seemed to be
having fun with it instead of taking offense, which was a welcome relief for
Maxine. The last thing she wanted to do was offend him. He was only trying to help
her, wasn’t