“I saw you both earlier, plus you can’t wipe that smile off your face. You should think about staying here, for him.” He looks up, and for the first time, I feel a massive jolt of guilt at leaving him. I was so desperate to get out of this town that I didn’t give him much thought. Not that dad would have wanted me to stay just for him, but he should have been a bigger part of my decision. In the end, maybe I’m not so different from my mom. I’ve been so hell bent on not being like her that I did the very thing I despise her for. Leaving my dad.
“I will,” I promise and kiss on the forehead. “’Night, Dad.”
“’Night, sweetheart.” And I leave him to get ready for bed.
Max waits for me outside the elevator, leaning against the wall, long legs stretched out in front of him. When he sees me, he pushes off the wall and strides along the corridor to meet me. Without thinking, I launch myself at him, and when he catches me, I bury my head in his chest, inhaling deeply. Strong arms hold me as my heart thunders in my chest while I take deep calming breaths. I feel as if I’m on the verge of tears, but I don’t know why.
Everything that has happened since I got that phone call about Dad feels as though it’s about to overwhelm me. And then there’s Max. It’s a good thing that I can finally admit that I love him because it’s also overwhelming. As if he knows exactly how I’m feeling, he holds me tighter and his lips press against my temple.
“Don’t worry. It will all work out,” he whispers in my ear, and I nod. “I’m taking you home with me.” Gently, he sets me down but doesn’t let go while we wait for the elevator.
Chapter Twenty-One
There isn’t much conversation on the ride back to Max’s apartment… converted garage… whatever you want to call it. But the air is thick with sexual tension. Max’s hand rests on my thigh and seems to have made its way further under the skirt of my dress with every passing mile. Heat sweeps through me, and at this rate, I’m going to need to be doused with cold water. It doesn’t help that his thumb rubs back and forth over my hot skin, driving me insane.
Max helps me out of the car, and taking my hand in his, leads me up to his apartment above the big double garage. At one end of the large sitting room is a sleek modern high gloss kitchen. There is a breakfast bar with two tall leather stools tucked underneath. A gray L-shaped sofa sits facing a huge wall-mounted flat-screen, and underneath, an entertainment unit is set up with an Xbox, two controllers, and a range of games—Forza Motorsport 5, The Crew, and Grand Theft Auto V.
The evening sun streams in the huge window at the other end of the room. The window is actually tri-folding doors with a wrought iron balcony, framing the view of the fields behind.
“Do you want a drink?” Max asks as he busies himself in the kitchen.
“No, I’m good, thanks,” I call over my shoulder and continue to stare out the window. The apartment doesn’t overlook Sugar and Causey’s; in fact, you can’t see it at all from this window.
I sense Max behind me before his arms snakes around my waist and his chin rests on my shoulder.
“Did you have fun today?” The rush of breath tickles at my ear, and a flare of desire works its way down my body.
“Yeah.” I tilt my head to rest against his.
“Your dad looked happier.”
“He’s just glad to get out of the hospital for a bit.”
“No, he’s happier because you’re back.”
“Meh.” I give a small raise of my shoulders.
“He’s not the only one,” he murmurs as his lips brush against my neck and teeth nip at the sensitive skin. It has the desired effect when my stomach tightens, and I feel the jolt between my legs.
“You decided yet?” he asks, his mouth still teasing my skin with nips and kisses. Not wanting to get into this just now, I turn in his arms and tilt my head.
“Still thinking about it.”
“Need some help with your decision?” His eyes darken as he brings his lips closer, stopping just before they touch mine as he waits for my answer. “I can be very persuasive.” That sultry tone cranks up the pulse between my legs, and I return it with what I hope is a seductive smile.
“I think you should give me your best argument.”
His smile widens, obviously confident that his art of persuasion will work on me. Hell, I know his art of persuasion will work and so does my body. Every cell is crying out for him to kiss me. And then he does. Hot insistent lips crash down on mine; his tongue explores every inch of my mouth. Hunger, need, and want all pour into that kiss.