He kept his eyes on the bed covers, praying to all shit that, now that they'd slept together, Grace wouldn't suddenly start to want more. From the cavity in his chest that echoed with her question about kids, Max knew there was no way he could give her or any other woman anything other than his body. He glanced up, the expression on Grace's face sad but somehow understanding.
"Well, who knows," she said softly. "Maybe they'll come back when you least expect it."
Max didn't believe that for a second but he gave her a small smile all the same. "I'd better go."
Grace blinked. "You're free to stay. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to bring up-"
"Hey, it's all right," Max interrupted, standing from the bed. "Honestly." He bent down and placed a soft kiss on her cheek. He stood back. "Are you really okay? Was I . . . was it good?" He wasn't looking to have his ego stroked. He simply wanted to make sure she'd enjoyed it and that the demons he knew she carried weren't hounding her behind that stunning smile.
That smile grew and her eyes lightened, calming Max's anxiety. "Yes. I'm . . . great. You- it was . . . perfect."
"Good." He pulled on his T-shirt.
"Thank you, Max. Really. Thank you."
"It was my pleasure. You were wonderful." He grabbed his Vans from the floor and cleared his throat. "I'll see you later."
Pushing the guilt that skittered across his neck down into the darkest parts of him, Max left Grace sitting on her bed. He was unable to truly breathe until he pushed through her front door, staggering into the blazing sunshine.
"Holy shit! Look at you!"
Grace smiled at the loud, excited voice that echoed around her brother's club.
"You're a sight for sore eyes, baby girl."
Grace watched Sienna Kelly, Kai's assistant bar manager, bound across the dance floor from the main entrance of the club, her tight Afro bouncing as she went. The deep red lipstick that covered her insane lips was striking and indescribably sexy against her ebony skin, while her outfit was, as always, tight and left little to the imagination. She was, in her own words, a workout maniac, and it showed. Her body was incredible. Grace opened her arms and accepted Sienna's enthusiastic hug, laughing as Sienna kissed her cheek.
"You look beautiful," Sienna exclaimed, holding Grace at arm's length. "Why the hell has it been so long since I've seen you?"
"Because one of us has been off exploring the world," Grace replied. "How was Europe?"
"Oh my God, girl," Sienna replied. "It was unbelievable." She turned and leaned her hip against the fridge underneath the bar. "Paris, Rome, London, it was all fabulous. I didn't want to come back."
"I don't blame you! Paris sure beats the hell out of Washington, DC."
Sienna reached for a bottle of Corona and snapped off the top, holding it out to Grace. "Let me tell you, if it wasn't for your asshole of a brother, I'd still be there."
Grace smiled at the affection she heard in Sienna's voice despite her language. Grace was fairly certain that Sienna and Kai had been involved at some stage and that Sienna, contrary to outward appearances, was a little bit smitten. Grace knew that her brother could do a damn sight worse. Sienna was vivacious and sharp-tongued, but she was the most loyal and trustworthy person Grace knew besides Kai. Underneath the banter and sniping, the two of them were perfect for one another.
"So tell me about you," Sienna continued, sipping from her own Corona. "How's West Virginia? Kai told me you bought a house."
Grace nodded and sipped her drink. "It's great. The house is amazing. I'm working and I've made some really nice friends. I feel safe there."
"That's awesome," Sienna said. "I'm so proud of you." She hugged Grace again. "So what brings you here?"
"I have a therapist appointment tomorrow and Kai said he was understaffed." Grace kicked at the box of beer bottles she'd been emptying into the fridge. "I thought I'd lend a hand."
It was kind of the truth. Grace did have an appointment with her therapist and Kai was understaffed, but she hadn't really needed to be in DC until tomorrow. Had anyone asked, Grace would have said she was there because Holly didn't need her at Whiskey's until the weekend and she wanted to spend time with her brother; the truth was, she was there because she needed space.
Since that afternoon in her bed when the scent and feel of Max's body next to hers had forced away her panic, leaving only desire in its wake; the afternoon she'd taken control, ignored her inhibitions, and had the best sex of her life, she and Max had fooled around twice more. And Lord, what fun it had been. Seeing Max naked beneath her, mouth open, breathless and damp with sweat was now Grace's most favorite thing. He was gorgeously animal in his passion, handling her with such care, yet giving her everything she asked for when she pleaded with him to give it harder, faster.