That night when Silken fell asleep in his arms for a long time he just held her, stroking her hair, watching her sleep. When she finally stirred and opened her eyes he was still holding her, smiling down into her still sleepy face.
“Did I snore?” she asked with a crooked smile, not looking at all perturbed by the possibility.
“As usual,” he said, his smile widening, “and it was the sweetest sound I could ever want to hear. It’s a sound,” he said as he brushed her lips with his, "that I want to hear every night when I close my eyes to sleep.”
Silken gave a tiny frown and she tilted her head as she looked up at him. “You like being kept awake by my snoring?”
“Love it.” He dipped his head to kiss her on her soft, full lips. Then he tightened his arms around her. When he lifted his head again and looked at her he knew it was the right time.
“Silken,” he said, “there's a question I need to ask you and I hope your answer will be yes.”
Her frown deepened and this time she gave him a look of suspicion. Then her eyes widened. “Wh…what do you want to ask me?” In her face was an endearing mixture of anticipation and apprehension.
Max smiled. “Maybe I should do this on my knees,” he said and laid her on the pillows. Sliding off the bed, he turned and knelt down and took her hand in his. Now he could truly say that she'd brought him to his knees in both senses of the word.
“Silken McCullen,” he said as he held her trembling hand in his, “will you marry me?”
Silken’s hand tightened around his and for the second time that evening he watched her lips tremble and her face dissolve into tears.
Still holding his hand she slid off the bed and knelt on the floor beside him. Then she laid her head gently on his bare chest. “Yes,” she whispered, “I will marry you.” Then she lifted her face to his and now she was smiling through the tears. “Yes,” she said, her voice now strong and brimming with confidence. “Maximillian Davidoff, I will marry you.” She lifted her hands to cup his face. “I love you,” she whispered.
And that was all he needed to hear.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
“Will you hurry up? He’ll be here in a minute.”
Suave stood at the door, baseball cap in hand, already dressed in a light jacket and carrying her lunch kit of healthy snacks – carrot sticks, apples, raisins and rice cakes. No hot dogs or pop for her. No, sir.
Silken, as usual, was running behind. She’d just come out of the shower and was dragging on her jeans and stuffing her feet into sneakers, both at the same time. “Coming,” she yelled back. “Just a sec.”
Today was a special day for Max and so, of course, it was special for Silken as well. Today was the grand opening of Max’s baby, the Cupertino NASCAR Racetrack, and they would all be there to share the joy with him. Reed had already flown in from London, Duke would be meeting them on location, and Max would be picking up Silken and Suave.
And there was one other little thing that was making Silken both happy and nervous at the same time. Today she would meet Max’s parents and she would be introduced as his fiancée.
Her heart did a little lurch every time she thought about it. What if they didn’t like her? What if she was too loud, too brash, or just too ordinary for their son?
And she knew exactly who would think that. His mother. The father, she was sure she could charm, but the mothers were always harsh, always judgmental, and impossible to please. Even if she were Kate Middleton, faced with the impending loss of her son to marriage, the typical mother would still find some fault with the wife-to-be.
Downstairs in the lobby as she stood looking out for Max’s car, she let out a soft sigh. Well, at least the parents wouldn’t be in the car with him. Max had told her that Duke would be taking them with him. With just her, Suave and Max in the car, she wouldn’t worry about what lay ahead. She would just relax and enjoy the ride.
When the SUV pulled up in front of the building she waved to Max then hurried outside. As Suave climbed into the back seat she hopped into the passenger seat beside Max. “Excited?” she asked, knowing that was a stupid question. Of course he was excited. His dream was coming to life.
“What do you think?” He gave her a broad smile and a quick kiss then turned to give Suave her good morning greeting. Then they were off.
The trip to the racetrack would only take a half hour or so and Silken planned to make full use of the time to prepare herself for what lay ahead. She shifted in her seat, rested her elbow on the storage compartment between their seats and rested her chin in her palm. “So tell me,” she said to Max, “what are they like?”
He gave her a quick glance then his eyes returned to the road. “My parents? They’re okay. Pretty laid back, to tell you the truth. They don’t let things bother them.”
“Do you think I would bother them?”
Max gave a soft chuckle. “Not unless you confuse the heck out of them like you did me, the first time we met.”
She crinkled her nose. “That was just a rare, unfortunate incident.”
“Brought on by a certain person’s impetuous nature.” That was Suave, putting in her two cents.
“Hey,” Silken said, turning to look at her, “you’re supposed to be on my side.”
Suave laughed. “I am. But I also have to be honest.”
Silken gave her a fake frown then turned her attention back to Max. “So who’s the laid back one? Your mom or your dad? It can’t be both of them.”
Max seemed to give the question some thought. “Since you put it that way, I’d say my dad. Mom’s cool but when the situation calls for it, she’s more of a no-nonsense kind of person.”
Silken almost groaned. Why was it always the mother who was the bear?
“Do you think she’ll like me?” she asked, beginning to get worried all over again. She sat back in her seat and smoothed her hand down her shirt. “Do you think I should have worn something nicer? Used make up, maybe?”
“Will you stop worrying? What you’re wearing is perfect and she’ll love you.” He reached over and gave her leg a squeeze. “I guarantee it.”