Once we’re alone, Max and I move to the couch, and he pulls me in his arms.
“That was rough,” he murmurs.
“Yeah. I think the worst is knowing what’s coming and not being able to stop it. I don’t even know how to comfort Grams anymore.”
“You’re doing a great job just being here for her.” Pushing a strand of hair away from my face, he adds, “And wanting to find your father for her. You’re amazing.”
My insides tighten, fear clouding my thoughts. “Let’s hope that’ll turn out okay.”
“Do you want to talk about it?”
“No. It’ll just put me in a bad mood, and it’s not going to help anyway. I guess until I meet him, it’s not worth fretting about it. My plan is to actually fly wherever my father is and meet with him before telling Grams anything. I don’t want to get her hopes up in case things go wrong. I hope they don’t.” With a sigh, I add, “Thank you for being here tonight.”
“Anything you need, Emilia. I mean it.”
I lay my hea
d against his chest, playing with my fingers around the buttons of his shirt. “Can you tell what I need now?” I ask playfully.
“A distraction,” he says without missing a beat. “Which I am more than happy to provide.”
Without warning, he stands, lifting me in his arms. We’re quiet as he carries me to the bedroom, but I manage to sneak my hand between our bodies and cup his already hard length with my hand.
“I’ll show you.”
Carefully placing my feet on the floor once we’re in my bedroom, Max runs his hand through my hair, twirling a strand around his fingers.
“You’ve become quite the little vixen,” he says.
I look him up and down, notice the thin trickle of sweat on his forehead, the desire in his eyes. “I like the effect that has on you.”
In a fraction of a second, he hooks an arm around my waist and hoists me up against the wall.
“You drive me crazy,” he whispers against my skin, his low and husky voice raising goose bumps on my neck. He slips his fingers under one of my straps, pulling it down my shoulder, baring my skin to him. Stepping closer into my space, he dips his head, feathering his lips on my shoulder. Moaning, I tilt my head to the side, giving him better access as he brings his lips to my neck, ascending to my ear. Every inch of me clamors to be touched, kissed… loved by this beautiful man who is claiming more of me with every word and every look.
My hands find the hem of his shirt, slip under it, and feel up his gorgeous abs.
“Greedy girl.”
“Always. I’ll always be greedy for you.”
He nudges my legs open with his knee, his hand already undoing the zipper at my back, pushing my dress down my arms. The fabric falls to my feet, leaving me naked and exposed.
“Look at you, all beautiful and ready.” He looks me up and down with a hunger that sends a jolt right through my center. He doesn’t even have to touch me. His gaze is all I need to be on fire. “What should I do with you?”
“As long as we can keep quiet, whatever you want.” My own voice is breathy and needy.
“Dangerous words, love.” He smiles devilishly before grabbing both my wrists with one hand and pinning them above me, leaving me defenseless. But if there is any man I want to be defenseless with, it is him.
“You’d better make good on your promise.”
He kisses me like a man possessed, swiping his tongue over my lips before dipping it in my mouth and exploring me until I’m trembling in his arms.
Instead of continuing with his delicious kisses, he steps back, scrutinizing me with those mesmerizing eyes of his.
“What are you doing?” I complain, pouting.
“Deciding which way to make love to you tonight.”