chapter 17

I break into a huge smile, but my lips lower as Maxx bears on his teeth, almost wincing. He glances briefly at Jane and tries to peer at her knuckles that edge towards his spine. His shoulders stay in their usual rigid, locked position.

"Try to relax," I suggest, nearing the loveseat. "Or do you need how to instructions?"

He glowers. "The only instructions I need are how to make you shut the fuck up…" he trails off and stifles another wince. Jane can't see his expression.

"You're too close to his spine," I tell Jane, and I reach out to her wrist. "Can I?"

"Please."

I shift her hands to his traps, muscles lateral to his shoulder blades. I close her fingers, oiling my hands, and as soon as she starts kneading his muscles again, she asks, "Better, Maxx?"

"Yep." His collar is tight, and when he glances at me, then intakes a sharp breath, I realize that my closeness is the cause.

I sweep his stringent posture: Maxx Hale, shirtless, muscles oiled, and being massaged beneath novice hands.

He'd feel better beneath mine.

He winces, "Fuck. Jane." She pinched his nerve.

She raises her oiled hands. "Sorry." Jane searches for something. "Merde," she says shit in French. "Hold on, Maxx. I'm going to pop up the video again." She nods to me, then the coffee table where her phone lies. "Farell, would you mind?"

I wipe my oiled hands on my black pants and then I grab the phone, cased in a blue zebra-print hard-shell. "How serious are you about being a masseuse?"

She elbows a piece of hair off her freckled cheek. "If I really enjoy it, then I'll research how to become a professional masseuse and go from there." She nods to the phone. "The video should be in my 'recently watched' list on YouTube."

I wait to unlock her cell. "And what happens when you have a customer who wants a 'happy ending' from the famous Jane Cobalt?"

Maxx glances at Jane, exchanging a look like they've both discussed the safety risks before.

Whenever I scroll through social media for security threats, the ones surrounding Jane Cobalt range from disgusting, plain creepy to violent. They're both also aware of how some people perceive them. All it takes is a Twitter account:

I'd spank the fuck out of Jane Cobalt. I wanna see her cry.

Tie that bitch up and choke her good #JaneCobalt

Jane Cobalt likes it just like her mom. Ridden rough & hard, put away wetttttttt!!!

I'm gonna bang Connor Cobalt's daughter until she can't walk straight.

Omega is very protective of Jane without her realizing. In the past three weeks, we've intercepted her mail since a sick little shit keeps sending her ball gags. I'll never broadcast this to Jane either. Security wants all of them to live without constant fear.

I agree.

We read and deal with all the fucked-up, demented shit so they don't have to.

Jane shrugs and squirts more oil on her hands. "I'd have to screen my customers. It comes with the territory."

"Of being famous," I say.

"Of being the daughter to Rose and Connor Cobalt," she clarifies. "Everyone watches me through the lens of my parents."

Maxx cracks a crick in his neck and mutters, "For better and for worse."

I understand.

Their fame derives from their parents. Not from themselves. Rose and Connor Cobalt just happen to be notorious for having sex tapes leaked to the media. Specifically BDSM. Therefore, the public assumes their oldest daughter is just like her mother.

The security team has an intimate, inside perspective. Really, the truth. And I know Jane isn't into BDSM.

Jane places her palms on Maxx's back but waits for the video. "YouTube," she reminds me, and as our eyes meet, she adds, "I'm already lucky that I have the opportunity to take this time to find a passion. And I'm lucky that I can even consider the idea of being a masseuse. If I find what I truly love, I can't let my fame stand in the way."

I glance at Maxx.

His jaw is a razorblade. He's concerned about security risks, too. He's seen those tweets. And I have a feeling that he's just indulging her ambition for the moment and is banking on Jane landing on something safe.

I swipe into her phone too easily. Jane. "Where's your passcode?" I ask, my tone very kind considering two-thirds of the security team would scold her like she's a kid right now.

"I don't have one," she says. "They're infuriating, and if I lose my phone, I'll wipe the data clean immediately. Plus, I have nothing incriminating. I delete all my texts, and I upload most of my photos and videos to Instagram already. There's nothing anyone can steal."

Maxx smiles, proud of his friend.

Her preparation reminds me of something the security team says about Jane. That she acts carefree, but her whole life is outlined and planned to her liking, and she juggles just as much, if not more, than Maxx Hale.

While I find the video, I tell Jane, "Lightly rub his shoulder blades, and you won't hurt him."

Maxx grips the back of the loveseat harder, and he licks his lips again. I find myself watching him, and as I near the armrest, closest to his chest, he's more eye-level with my belt.

Maxx stares off into space. Where'd you go, Maxx? I wave my hand at him, but he's lost in his head.

"Farell." Jane's blue eyes twinkle. "How many massages have you given before? And why?"

Alpha also calls her Jane "Curiosity Killed the Cat" Cobalt.

I scroll through her YouTube "recently watched" feed. "Too many, and look up the main purpose of a massage and you have your answer." I discover the video and whistle. "How To Give An Amazing, Super, Fantastic Massage." I press play and find a blurry image of two high school girls. "No." I shut if off. "Let me show you."

Maxx wakes up, glaring at me. "No."

"Welcome back, space cadet."

He flips me off and repeats harshly, "No."

Jane shakes out her arms, tired already.

"You have to use your whole body," I tell her, and to him, I say, "Let me demonstrate so she can copy me." I'd love to give him a massage for more reasons than just to help Jane.

Maxx gestures to my chest. "You don't know how to give a massage."

"And you really missed the part where I just said I've given massages before." I place Jane's phone on the coffee table. "I know how to do a lot of things better than average. I'm good with my hands."

"Great." He's being more headstrong over something I thought he'd forfeit for Jane. I hone in on his stiff posture and the way his Adam's apple bobs as he swallows.

"Maybe Farell is right," Jane says, "maybe I could use a real live demonstration."

"Maybe Farell is full of shit," Maxx replies.

"Maybe Maxx is scared of getting a massage from me," I refute.

"You're wrong." He stands, facing me with as much self-confidence as Atlas bracing the world. He crosses his arms over his bare chest. "So what now?" He's agreeing to a massage.

I use my boot and push the coffee table away from the couch. Then I throw a pillow onto the ground. "Lie down, wolf scout. Let me change your world."