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would show up at her place tonight when it became apparent she wasn’t coming to him. She could deal with him, even if she had to call the police. She could ask Max for help—
    No, she couldn’t. He’d drawn the line last night. Either she chose him or she didn’t.
    Her side seemed awfully lonely and empty right now. That wasn’t a basis for a decision. The tarot card that had come up last night was.
    After Tyler had called, when she couldn’t sleep, she’d done a gypsy card reading that had come down the ages through her family. An hour later, the final result had lain before her, a strong suggestion for her path. The Six of Pentacles. She didn’t want to believe it.
    The card signified the balance of power, one person giving the other person taking.
    It could be her and Tyler. She knew it wasn’t. The person who gave, the person who had power, was benevolent. They gave kindness, knowledge and love. That wasn’t Tyler. It wasn’t her—she didn’t have the knowledge about which she worried. It was Max. There was no question. And she was the receiver. Max would teach. She would learn. He’d give her what she’d sought.
    Could she really trust herself to Max like this? She didn’t need Max to help her with Tyler. She just needed him. Period. As he’d claimed, he could teach her and guide her.
    He was right. Who better than the man who’d been her friend for so long? The thing was, she didn’t want to accept that. She wasn’t ready for things to change and she’d battled it out inside herself all day. She’d avoided him. He knew her so well. He’d see the questions and desire in her eyes. He’d see her internal fight.
    33
    Brynn Paulin
    She stood, her silky skirt sliding over her bare ass. Thoughts of Max had kept her panties constantly damp all morning. She’d stripped them off at lunch, fed up with the moist cloth stimulating her aroused flesh. Commando wasn’t much better. Every shift of fabric reminded her of Max’s hands sliding over her skin. In a few minutes, if he hadn’t changed his mind, she’d feel him touching her again.
    A slight smile curved her lips as she headed toward his office. Her decision firmed as each second passed. Soul destroying aside, being with Max would fulfill so many long-held fantasies. The pain would come, yet she had to believe that somehow she’d survive it. The cards said she would.
    “Miss Cooper, can I help you?” Max’s secretary, Rebecca, intoned through her nose as Ana approached. The ice princess didn’t like her and she made no bones about hiding it.
    “I’d like to see Max.”
    Rebecca wrinkled her nose at Ana’s familiarity. She didn’t seem to put any account in the fact Ana and Max had been friends since before either of them had worked here.
    “Mr. Cress is in a meeting with his brother.”
    “Well, great. Josh will want to talk to me.” She started skirting the desk. The icy gatekeeper wouldn’t keep her from Max. This was important. Especially since she’d avoided him all day.
    “It’s a private meeting. You can’t go in there,” the secretary exclaimed.
    “Look, Bec.” She knew Rebecca hated being called that. “Josh has known me since…well, forever. Max needs to see me and neither of them will care.”
    “Miss Cooper—”
    Ana ignored her protest, heading for the door. “Thanks. I knew you’d understand.”
    Two dark heads turned toward her as she stepped inside the office and closed the door on Rebecca’s protests. Leaning against the door, she met first one set of laughing 34
    Master Me
    gray eyes, then the intense gray of her master. Max’s gaze seemed to devour her.
    Caught in his web, she froze unsure what to do or what to say.
    Her breathing quickened as she stared at him.
    “You wanted something, Ana?”
    You . I want you .
    She swallowed around the lump in her throat. Of all the scenarios she’d envisioned she hadn’t included anyone else. Even barging in here, she hadn’t thought through what she’d do with