Control Me(57)

I must’ve looked a sight. My eyes were swollen and my nose was red from crying; I hadn’t stopped. I ached from crying all night. I felt lost and defeated. I couldn’t look at him because if I did, the floodgates would open up again, and I’d make a fool of myself. I can do this. I can be strong. I can handle rejection. Can’t I?

“Princess, where the hell do you think you are going? Why did you leave like that last night? You never even gave me a chance to say anything.”

“You had your chance, Max, and you said nothing. It doesn’t matter now anyway.”

“It matters to me, babe. I’m here now. Can we talk about it now? Please.”

“There’s nothing to say, Max. I’ve told you everything,” I said in a croaky voice.

“No, Jada, you haven’t. You’re wrong. You didn’t tell me everything, and you ran away before I could even say a word.”

He just wanted to rub salt into my already-bleeding wound. “I told you everything last night, Max, and when you didn’t say anything, I knew…”

“You knew nothing!” Max growled at me, walking toward me and grabbing onto my upper arms. “I’m sorry, baby. I’m a total dumbass. Give it to me. Yell at me, insult me, scream at me, fucking punch me or kick me if you have to, but I need you, babe. I need this.” He lowered his mouth to mine and kissed me until I gave him a response. I opened my mouth and submitted to him.

He whispered against my throat, “Please, Princess, please, come back to me.”

I melted into him. ‘Oh, Max, but I thought that…”

“You thought wrong, Jada. And you twisted the truth. Do you think I really care if we can’t have kids? I just want you, Jada. I love you.”

“What?” No way, Max Brunetti loves me?

“I love you, Jada. I probably always have, but I’ve been too much of a stubborn bastard to admit it.”

“But…How…When did you…?” I stammered.

“I realised it was love when we were in Darwin. But I probably loved you from when you were a teenager. When you’d parade around the house in those skimpy denim cut-offs that would show your ass cheeks at family barbeques and get togethers. You were a tease, and you know it.”

I smiled, a smile so big I thought my face would crack.

“Oh, Max.” I hugged him, crying into his shoulder. “I have loved you for years.”

“I know, Princess. I never thought it could be like this. This powerful and bone-deep, straight-to-the-soul kind of love that I’d never believed in.”

“Me too, Max. I love you so much my heart aches, my body aches.”

“Mmm…I know just how to get rid of that ache, Princess. How about we have another session in your bedroom again?” Max propositioned me.

“You are nuts.” I shoved at him. “No way am I risking having sex again with my parents downstairs. Besides, I have a flight to cancel and some salads to make.”

“Good idea; go get ready for the family barbeque tonight. You make your salads, and I’ll come back and pick you up once you’re ready.”

“Okay, I’ll text you when I’m ready.”

Max twirled me around and kissed me so softly and passionately, that I wanted to change my mind and rip his clothes off and make love.

My life was looking up again.

It was almost perfect.





CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE


JADA

I was so happy. My day had started off so terribly. Booking that flight to Sydney was the hardest decision, but at the time, I thought it was the right one. I was still struggling with my anxiety, but cooking always calmed me down. My parents had already left for the barbeque. They were so happy Max and I worked out our problem. They just thought we had a lovers’ quarrel and we resolved it. Thank goodness for that.

Still, my paranoia kept playing havoc with my mind. I’d had the strangest feeling all day, the feeling that I was being watched. I’m not sure if it’s my anxiety or if I’m worried because everything is starting to fall into place. It’s almost like I’m waiting for my bubble to burst or for someone to pull the rug out from under my feet.

Just then, I heard my phone buzz from the living room. It must be Max. I went to check the text. It was from him, and it read;

Okay, Princess, I’ll see you when you get here.





I immediately scrolled down to see the text before it, which was supposedly from me.

“Max, I’m running late. Don’t come and get me. I’ll drive down myself.”

What the hell? I cannot for the life of me remember sending that text to Max! What the hell was wrong with my phone? These phone services can never get it right.