Maximilian stepped back immediately. "I'll prepare breakfast," he said, his tone returning to something composed, as though the moment before had never happened.
Catherine nodded, though her pulse hadn't quite settled, and turned toward the hallway.
On her way out, however, she paused just long enough to reach back, and gave his butt a quick, unapologetic squeeze.
Purely out of principle.
And, if she were being honest… a little revenge.
After all, he had used her boobs as a stress ball far too many times to walk away unpunished.
The reaction was immediate.
Maximilian let out a short, startled yelp, quickly disguising it with a cough, his expression twisting into something that tried very hard to look unaffected… and failed.
Catherine didn't turn back, but the small, satisfied curve of her lips gave her away.
Ah.
So it did have therapeutic value.
