Max reached over and took my hand. His appearance softened as he read every fear on my face.
“Wilson, sweetheart, I’m serious; everything will be okay…no matter what.” Max dragged his warm hands across my cheeks as he stared into my eyes. “I love you,” he whispered.
I wanted to trust him. I wanted to believe everything was going to be okay, but how did he know? How could he stand next to me and tell me everything was going to be okay when my own father left my mother the minute he found out she was pregnant…with me?
I brusquely pulled my panties off the stone countertop and pulled them on. I snatched my pants and was dressed all the way to my bra before I raked my fingers through my hair, pushing it back from my face.
“I want to believe you, Max, but if this leads to something more than just you and me…I don’t know if you can handle it. My father couldn’t,” I choked, trying not to bawl. I struggled to work my shirt and his hoodie right-side-out as I answered his declaration.
“Wilson, come on now, just wait a minute…I’m not your asshole father, and you are not your mother. Damn it, you should know by now, I’m not going anywhere. I’m not leaving you,” he steamed as he grabbed my wrists, stopping me from putting on my shirt. “You have us pregnant and broken up before we even know if there really is something to even worry about.”
His eyes were narrow and dancing between mine as he stared at me. His strong chest rose rapidly as he breathed and the muscles in his jaw constricted as he stood looking at me. I knew throughout my entire heart and soul that Max loved me more than anything, but all the screwed up experiences that were ironed into every fiber of my childhood seem to resurface when life decides to try and trip me up. We stood silently for what seemed like forever. He didn’t make another sound or plea for his case; he just watched me and waited for me to answer him.
“I trust you, Max.”
“Do you really?” he rebutted.
“Yes, I do. And I love you, Maximillain Goldstein, more than anything,” I added before I let go of the breath I was holding.
Max let go of my wrists and helped me pull my shirt on. His fingers were rougher than usual as he guided my top down my sides. It reminded me that, earlier that day, he fought for me. He reached over, grabbed his hoodie from the counter, and held it over my head. He pressed his mouth to mine as the collar of his gray sweatshirt passed my lips. He tasted like every bit of shelter I craved, like all the loyalty I needed.
“Maxi?” Nancy called from in the kitchen.
Max ignored her call and pressed deeper into our kiss, urging his tongue between my lips. I released the tension in my jaw and let him push for more from me.
“Maxi?” Nancy called again.
My body stiffened. God I don’t want anyone to find us in this bathroom together. Please don’t let her come looking for us. Come on, Max, acknowledge your mother!
Max, clearly lost in a moment of utter abandon with me, persisted with his kiss. When I pulled away, he pushed his forehead against mine, letting out a steaming huff across my lips. The same lips that didn't want to stop kissing him either.
“Um, Max, your mom’s calling you,” I mumbled as I noticed his gorgeous emerald eyes narrow. “It sounds like she’s been crying,” I added in a whisper.
I could tell Max wanted to ignore my question and my observation, but he knew. He knew there was something that didn’t feel right; her voice was shaky.
“Yeah, I’d better go find out what’s going on. Are you okay?”
“I think so…yeah…I’m okay.”
“Do something for me?” he asked, still resting his forehead against mine. I nodded.
“Tell me again that you trust me. Please,” he breathed before closing his eyes.
“I trust you,” I sighed.
“Remind me how much you love me,” he whispered.
“I love you more than anything in this world,” I answered as our lips caressed each other’s delicately. Urges stronger than any addiction surged in my groin. “You’d better go.”
“I know. Now go upstairs and wait for me,” he growled in a low, breathy voice.
I pulled my head away from his and countered. “Nope, I think I will join you in the great room, with your family.”
I don’t think he expected me to answer him that way. But if I was going to be a part of his family, and he wanted me to trust him, then he needed to know that whatever was happening to his them was happening to me too.
“You sure? I just thought you’d want to take a shower,” he said innocently.
“No thanks, I’ll be fine. I’ll take one later,” I responded.