Cade pushed his empty plate to the side and picked up his coffee. “You’re quiet.”

Across from him, Max pursed his lips. “I’m thinking.”

Cade glanced pointedly at his watch. “Can you think a little faster? I’ve got a flight in six hours.”

“Asshole,” Max said, but there was no heat behind it, and his brown eyes were dancing. He leaned back in the booth, the lights of the diner bouncing off his bald Black head. He was a big man, built like a boxer, with a sweet smile, a sharp brain, and a sly sense of humor. “All right. You’ve known this woman for a while, right?”

“A couple of years.”

“And you’ve been in love with her for how long?”

Cade set down his coffee. “A couple of years.”

“That’s a long time to carry a torch for someone.”

Cade forced himself to relax. He knew from experience that Max couldn’t be rushed. “She was with someone else until recently.”

“Right. She ditched this guy two days ago, and now she’s living with you.”

“Three days,” Cade corrected, irritation flaring to life. “It’s not like that.”

Max spread his hands wide. “I’m just laying out the facts, brother.”

Cade made an effort to unclench his jaw. “It’s not like that.”

“Okay, it’s not like that.” Max crossed his arms across his chest, biceps bulging. “She know you’re an alcoholic?”

“She knows.” She’d asked him once, after a game night when she was helping clean up, why there was no alcohol allowed, and he’d found himself spilling the whole story. She’d listened quietly with kind eyes, and he often thought that was when he’d started falling for her.

“And she respects your commitment to staying sober?”

“I’ve never asked her outright, but I’d say yes.”

“Ask her outright,” Max advised, and picked up his coffee. “Now, onto the rape fantasy. You’re sure she’s into that?”

I want you to rape me, Cade remembered, and nodded. “I’m sure.”

“And those boundaries you put in place to keep yourself safe? Are those changing?”

“No,” Cade said firmly.

“Good.”

Cade waited a moment, but Max just sipped his coffee. “Is that it?”

“Are you asking me as your friend, or your sponsor?”

Cade steeled himself. He’d asked Max to be his sponsor because he was kink-friendly, and because he knew the older man wasn’t the type to sugarcoat. He always spoke truth, and sometimes truth could be brutal. “Both.”

“Okay. As your sponsor, I advise you to keep going to meetings. Don’t start skipping just because you’ve got pussy waiting at home,” Max said, and Cade choked on his coffee.