“Way I see it, you showed up in my library for a reason. You need me, and I certainly need you.” He traced a dancing fingertip across my sternum and in my cleavage, sending shivers through my system.
“How do I need you?” I laughed, trying to distract him or me from the conversation.
“Well, for starters, that guy that’s been hanging around—”
“Oh, that.” I laughed, running the pad of my thumb across one of his chiseled cheekbones.
“Oh, that? That guy looked plenty dangerous to me. And he won’t fuck with what’s mine. So I don’t want you going back to that place alone. In fact, now that I’ve been inside you, I kinda want to just tie you to my bed to have you when I want you.” He snaked his nose along my neck.
“I-I’m not sure if I should be flattered or insulted,” I said, thinking his brand of alpha male might be a little too over the top for me.
“You have to tell me everything, Elle.” His hands caressed my hair, down to my cheeks, before landing at my jaw. I trusted him. For the first time, I had this oddest sensation; I trusted a man.
“He’s been this way since I was a kid.” I bent my head, feeling the pain of my father’s inadequacies like a fresh knife in my back. “He never hit me or anything, but sometimes I think he might as well have. “ I glanced back to Maxwell to find his eyes bleeding sympathy, his hands now holding mine tightly as if offering any support he could. “My dad’s been an addict and a gambler my entire life. He used to get physical with my mom.” I paused, lost in the memory. “I remember hiding behind the couch when I was eight, trembling and scared as she screamed and the soft thud, smack, crash of his hands maiming her, stealing her dignity.”
“That must have been terrible for you, baby. I swear, if he ever came around…” Maxwell’s hands tightened around mine.
“No, no, I don’t want him hurt. He’s my dad. He has addictions. I don’t blame him. I just wish he would get help, finally pull himself out of this dark hole he’s in for good. I think that’s my problem, caring too much, loving too much, holding out hope that he’ll change. Everyone says people don’t change, but I don’t believe that. I can’t believe that. Then I was just another emotionally abandoned, verbally abused kid with a deadbeat father. I have to fight for him, even when he won’t fight for himself.” I stopped, feeling a painful lump of tears building in my throat. “I can’t turn away from him.” I shook my head until the tears finally rained down my cheeks. The pain of his physical presence all those years had taken their toll, and the pain of the nights spent in my bed wishing and praying he would change, that he could change someday consumed me. “My father has always had shady-looking people coming and going from our house. They look scary, but they wouldn’t hurt me. They’re all bark and no bite,” I finished, feeling drained and ready to forget the pain of my past in favor of the amazing man sitting across from me now.
“Well, I definitely don’t want you going back there now. So it’s settled. You need to go back to that apartment? I go with you. At least until we know you’re safe from this guy, because despite what you may think, I don’t trust his slimy ass for a second.” His large palm stroked across my lower abdomen, twisting my tummy with some mix of anxiety and elation. I didn’t respond; only tucked myself into his body and draped one arm across the chiseled ridges of his abdominal muscles “You seem quite agreeable at the moment.” His voice lowered as one hand slid down my belly to swirl at my clit, working my already aroused body into an even higher state of sexual desperation. “I heard an orgasm improves the chance of conception.” His tongue trailed across the shell of my ear as his fingers worked my clit doggedly. My hips bucked and my fingers clutched the fine fabric of the duvet. I loved getting lost in his touch.
“Maxwell…” I sighed as a second orgasm rolled through my system at his hands.
“That’s it, baby. We’re going to have so much fun now.” He pulled me into his large body, tucking my head into that special place at his shoulder, making me feel warm and fuzzy with lust and bliss, a combination that I hadn’t known I was starved for until now.
Maxwell Black entered my life like a lightning strike—unexpected, overwhelming, and dangerously thrilling.
Fourteen
Elle
I woke the next morning to the sound of sexy, guttural grunts echoing down the hallway. I rolled like a cat, stretching, a slow smile creeping across my cheeks at the memory of his big body caging me in his arms last night, the raw purr that resonated in his deep voice that went straight to my clit. And love. Maxwell had said he’d loved me last night. Not in so many words, but it warmed my chilled heart all the same. And in the bright light of morning, I was surprised to find I loved him too. As quick as our courtship may have been, feelings didn’t lie. If I’d learned anything in twenty-one years, it was to trust my gut. And my gut was screaming for more Maxwell.