Max and Finn

By L.B. Gregg

When I walked out of his office after the hottest sex of my life, I thought I'd left Max Douglas behind me forever—along with my favorite argyle socks and my self-respect. The last thing I need is the too-serious, too-sexy former Marine living across the hall from me while he acts as a bodyguard for one of my students. Especially since he fired me from my job tutoring his brother—after we hooked up.


I shouldn't want him. I should despise him after the way he treated me. But he's exactly my type: older, experienced, in control—and it's obvious the lust is still mutual. While I may not be able to keep our relationship strictly professional, I'm determined to keep it purely physical. But when the stalker threats escalate, it looks like Max is going to be sticking around the school for a while—and the more I get to know him, the more I'm in danger of losing my heart.

Previously published, newly revised by author.

39,000 words

• Language: English
• Publisher: Open Road Integrated Media
• Release date: Nov 29, 2022
• ISBN: 9781426894299

Book preview

Chapter One

Stop by my office before you leave.

I glanced up from the table I shared with a gum-snapping sixteen-year-old Kyle Douglas who, to date, was one of the most underperforming students I’d ever known, and met Max Douglas’s sober gaze. Sure, Max.

Kyle took the half-second my attention was focused on his older brother to check his phone. Put it away.

Yes, Mr. Finn. He sighed.

I nodded to Max. We’ll be done here in a minute. Kyle is just finishing his essay.

No response. Max had dismissed me at my nod, expecting nothing less than full compliance. I watched the back of his head as he moved purposefully through the office on to his next vitally important task. No one in the office spoke to him as he passed.

Kyle shot a wad of paper at his brother and Max, in true soldier style, didn’t so much as flinch as it bounced off his shoulder. Max entered his office and clicked the door shut.

Two points, right? Kyle popped his gum against the back of his teeth.

I’d give him five points for acting like a thoughtless douche and then detention. He pays for your tutoring, and you disrespect him. He’s been decent to you all summer. He’s given you a job. Way to say ‘thank you.’ He shrugged and I knew enough about teenagers to change the subject. Besides, Kyle’s essay had improved. He’d shown some progress under my tutelage. His relationship with his brother had nothing to do with me. Still, I couldn’t help but add, I can’t believe he lets you get away with that.

Nah, he doesn’t. He’ll make me clean the entire office tomorrow morning when we come in. Like with a toothbrush or some shi—thing. And that’s after we run five miles and hit the gym.

That sounds character building, at least.

He wishes. So Mr. Finn, can we peace it? I’m done for today, right? I can pack my stuff and head out.

Nice try. You have five minutes. Get busy.

Kyle clicked his pen and frowned at his essay. I couldn’t blame him—he had his work cut out for him. I wondered again how he and Max could possibly be related, although the twenty-three year difference made Max more like an uncle than a half brother.

Max Douglas. Quiet, commanding, older, experienced, employed, gay—the man entered a room and my entire body perked up and took notice. And as the summer days turned into weeks, my casual interest in Max had become downright excruciating. I had a crush. An honest-to-God, sweaty-palm, man-on-man crush. I knew Max returned my interest at least a little, because when his hot gaze locked on mine, he held on until, flustered and red to my hairline, I was the first to look away.

He hadn’t looked at me that way today, because of Kyle, but there were times when Max zeroed in on me with such unfaltering precision, I didn’t know whether to run and hide or chase him down.

Years ago, back when I had no pride at all, I might have walked into his office and stripped—like, the ultimate icebreaker. No inhibitions, just unfettered sex free for the taking. No strings. No bullshit.

Of course, I wasn’t eighteen anymore.

Mr. Finn? Kyle slid his essay across the table to me.

I blinked back to the present. All set? Great. I used my most encouraging tone. Next week we focus on math. Do your homework. You need to bring that score up by eighty points. You need to clear five hundred.

Oh man, I’m going to have to say a novena.

Nonsense. You’ll just work harder.

Kyle groaned and rapidly texted someone. If texting were a skill set on the SAT, he’d land a scholarship to Yale. He packed his single pen and binder and schlepped to the door. Thanks, Mr. Finn. See ya Monday.

Three times a week just might be enough to save Kyle Douglas from junior college, and tutoring him and a handful of other struggling students saved me from working construction all summer with my own brother.

The overhead lights buzzed in the small break room, newspapers littered the side table and the snack machine settled itself with a clank as I packed to leave. I couldn’t stop myself from checking my reflection in the window and finger combing my hair. It had grown too long, but I liked it. I checked my teeth, and then I quit stalling and followed the carpet to Max’s solitary office. I didn’t once entertain the idea of stripping naked and engaging in some free and unfettered sex.

I knocked.

Yeah?

I poke my head inside Max’s small office. A picture window faced the woods behind Route 202. Outside, the sky dazzled summer-blue, the forest floor was knee-deep in ferns, and sunshine sparkled through the leaves. An executive view. At the back of the parking lot, one of Max’s employees hosed down a row of security trucks, which seemed like the dream job on such a beautiful afternoon.

The office was spartan at best. No memorabilia on the walls or funny desk treasures. No World’s Greatest Boss coffee mug or even a pen holder. Just a couple of leafy plants. On the bookshelf sat a few manuals, a framed photo of a smiling soldier in desert camo, and a crystal clock. That was all.

Max held a phone to his ear and drummed his fingers on the clean desk. Those pale eyes barely glanced at me; the document in front of him captured his full attention. I had a great view of the top of his head. His hair wasn’t as gray in this light as it was a soft ash blond. He looked less like a security specialist and more like a handsome starship commander at the helm. Which lived up to a ridiculous fantasy of mine. You wanted to see me? Mein Kommandant?

His words were as clipped and short as his hair. I need to finish this—give me a minute.

What ‘this’? His desk was clear, save for that single sheet of paper and his phone. Well, that sucked the wind clean out of my sails. Sure.

I left him to the white seclusion of his office and found a cushioned chair in the reception area. The magazine selection was limited, so I searched my bag for something to pass the time. I could scroll through email, play Angry Birds, or read Kyle’s essay. I’d had enough of Kyle and his essay for one day, so I made myself comfortable while Max’s secretary answered the phone and tapped at her computer.

Workmen came and went. The air conditioner battled the summer heat. The security equipment chirped and squawked and the phone rang incessantly. I knew each time Max’s snappish little receptionist transferred a call down to his sealed office. I glanced at the clock, growing sleepy as minute upon minute slogged by with nothing for me to do.

When my phone battery died, I stretched the knots from my neck and lower back. I had a drink from the fountain. I took a piss. I flopped back down in my chair. What the hell?

I jerked awake as the front door shut. It had to be after five because the receptionist’s chair was empty. The only sound in the building was the sporadic chatter from the security monitors. Max and I couldn’t be the only ones left, could we? It felt that way. Maybe Max had left and I was doomed to sit here alone until it grew dark and I got a clue. I should go, but something kept my ass in that chair. Max. He’d asked me to stay and I intended to find out why. Hope fluttered inside my foolish heart. Maybe he wanted to take me to dinner?

The office door jerked open. I jumped to my feet.

Sorry to keep you waiting. Something came up. Max scanned me with a thoughtful expression. C’mon in, Michael.

I followed his firm ass into the office and waited as he settled against the desk. He folded his arms across his brawny chest. Light filtered in through the window and any lingering irritation I had from the last hour just vanished. The man thrilled me. More than his size or his good looks or the allure of his thick voice, it was his demeanor. And not only here in this building. Max ruled every situation. He had that Master and Commander vibe working—of course, his hair was completely wrong—but everything else about Max was exactly right. The strong thighs, the barrel chest, the wide shoulders. Nothing about him read wispy or waifish or wimpy. He was a man. He made decisions. He was captain of his own destiny. We were alone. We were adults and, holy fuck, I wanted to have him. It had been years since I’d indulged in a summertime hook-up, and maybe I was only a boring high school teacher these days—with twenty-eight staring me smack in the face—but I wasn’t dead yet.

Blazer gone, Max’s tie hung straight. His shirt still looked miraculously wrinkle free and fresh. His khakis were pleated and, I couldn’t help but notice, his crotch seemed heavier than it had earlier. I drew my gaze away from his bulge and those careful gray eyes caught me. They always did.

Just do it. You’ve got nothing to lose. Go for it. He wants you. He’s got a fucking hard-on. He’s practically urging you on.

Nine months of the year I kept myself in check, but one look at Max and my prep school manners disappeared. Oh, what the hell? I nudged the door closed with my heel until the latch clicked.

Surprise lifted Max’s brow ever so slightly. You don’t need to close the door. This won’t take long.

It wouldn’t take long at all if he tossed my ass out. Well, I think it’s a good idea.

And why’s that?

Because I don’t want anyone walking in when I do this. I finally threw caution to the wind, along with my polo, and stripped my shirt over my head. I dropped it onto the floor.

Max’s eyes didn’t flicker, but he stilled. What the hell are you doing?

What does it look like I’m doing? I’m coming on to you. I didn’t glance at my crumpled shirt, but I was tempted. I kicked my shoes off. Max didn’t budge, which I interpreted as a good sign. As a security specialist, he could easily throw me out—manhandle me right through the door—yet he hadn’t moved. However, his gaze dipped well below my chin.

Bingo.

How about it? Are you game, Max?

Game? I don’t think this is wise. I think—

Of course it’s not wise. That’s what makes it exciting. Don’t think about it. Just…go with it. Take a walk on the wild side.

His gaze snapped back to mine. You think I don’t walk on the wild side?

No. You pretty much walk the mild side.

Mild. He finally moved, casting away from the desk’s edge, and Max sailed toward me fast and focused. I met him, toe-to-toe. His big hands wrapped around my biceps, his hot, rough fingers sinking into the flesh of my arms, and he walked me backward until my shoulders met the door with a thud. We were almost the same height and his mouth nearly brushed mine as he growled, Why are you doing this?

It’s after five. I smiled and when his grip tightened on my arms, I knew Max liked flirting. I fingered his cotton shirt. It was warm, like Max, and carried the faint sweetness of spice and starch. I thought you would appreciate a little distraction.

And your idea to distract me is stripping in the boss’s office?

Well, it’s working…and you’re not my boss. You’re a client.

That’s how you see me?

Sometimes I do. Up close, coarse dark whiskers cast a perfect shadow along the angle of his jaw, rendering it impossibly sharp. He blew gently against my neck and tingling heat surged the length of my spine. Then, Max Douglas crossed the very last line between us and

Reviews for Max and Finn

[tam2603 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

3 3/4 stars...A little short, a little less funny than expected, but still a nice read.

[jules0623 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

3.5 stars. Max drove me a bit bonkers with his swift personality changes but there was great sexual tension, a decent mystery, and a sweet ending.

[amf0001 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Max is all gruff and mysterious, and Micheal Finn Finnegan is all english teacher and too soft. I could understand Finn's point of view but Max wasn't given an inner voice at all and I actually didn't warm to him at all. So he's protecting some boy at a private school where Finn teaches and does things that are totally out of character (wrestling in the leaves?) and then goes back into cyber cop mode, and Finn flounders around him, feeling more like one of the kids than an adult role model.