“Of course, you won’t,” Max said with a low chuckle, brushing off her concern like it was nothing.“We’ve already discussed this.We’re getting married.Next Saturday.”
“Nope.”Lexie shook her head and shifted, slipping off of him before he could stop her.She moved quickly, not trusting him to let her go twice.To her surprise, he didn’t stop her—he just watched, his eyes narrowing slightly in challenge.
“Where do you think you’re going?”Max asked, his voice calm but with a note of amusement that made her glance back at him.
She scooped up his dress shirt, pulling it on and buttoning it haphazardly to cover herself.Thankfully, a few of the buttons were still attached.“I’m going back to my place to grab my students’ essays.Then, I’m going to pour myself a cup of tea and start grading papers,” she said matter-of-factly.Pausing, she glanced around the room, her tone shifting slightly.“But first, I’d love a shower.”
Max shoved a pillow behind his head, lounging back as he watched her move around the room, collecting her scattered clothes.His gaze followed her every movement, the hint of a smirk tugging at his lips.She could feel the weight of his attention, and it sent a shiver down her spine.
“The bathroom is through that door,” Max said, gesturing to a door on the right.“And your closet is right next to it.Mine is on the opposite side.There’s a door connecting our dressing rooms to the bathroom.”
Lexie froze mid-step, her gaze darting toward the door he’d indicated.But it wasn’t the bathroom’s location that stopped her.It was his casual reference to “your” closet that sent a ripple of confusion through her.
“I don’t have a closet here, Max,” she said firmly, crossing her arms as she turned back to face him.“My closet is at my house, filled withmyclothes.”
Max’s response was maddeningly calm.He lifted an eyebrow, his lips curving slightly in that infuriating way that made her want to both kiss him and strangle him.“All of your clothes are in that closet, though,” he replied, his tone firm and completely casual, as though he’d simply stated an indisputable fact.
She stared at him, trying not to let his nakedness distract her.Moments ago, that fascinating male part of him had been laying against his thigh.But with every comment asserting herself, his erection grew.He was more than half erect at the moment.
With an impatient huff, she turned away.“Max, we aren’t getting married.And I’m not moving in with you.”
“All evidence to the contrary,” he teased with a chuckle.She heard the sheets rustle and looked over her shoulder.Max was out of the bed, coming towards her and she recognized the look in his eyes.Immediately, her body started humming, awareness hot and ready for another round with him.
Essays, she reminded herself silently.Essays, school, and…and…what was the last thing she needed to remember?Oh, right!Independence!
That last word was really hard to remember as Max came closer.All she wanted to do was curl into his arms and…do naughty things with him!
Max came closer and closer, but when he was less than a foot away, Lexie knew she should run.Instead, she stood very still, then gasped when Max pulled her into his arms.Then he kissed her and it was…wow!
Chapter 21
Lexiewasthemostobnoxiously independent woman he’d ever met in his damn life!He wanted to subdue every part of her, but he couldn’t ignore the way his body reacted whenever she pulled that stubborn, “I don’t need you” routine.He was rock hard, ready to teach her a lesson on who was in charge.And yet, when he kissed her this time, it was gentle and coaxing.Soft, as if he needed to convince her to come to him instead of demanding that she obey.
When her clothes fell from her fingers and Max felt her hands grip his shoulders, sliding up his neck to tangle in his hair, he knew he’d won.And the triumph was headier than any scotch he’d ever tasted.
Max laid her down on the bed, spreading her legs wide so that he could feast upon her sex.She was deliciously sweet, with a touch of spice, and he licked again and again, sucking on that nub until she started to cry out.Only then did he back away, almost laughing when she lifted her head, her eyes angry and her fingers curving into claws, as if his Lexie was ready to attack.The growl that sounded low in her throat indicated that she might.Reaching out, he pinched her nipples at the same moment that he thrust into her.She screamed, her body arching in reaction.He thrust in deeply, nearly blacking out when he found her body was wet and eager for him.With every thrust, he pinched and tugged.He needed to hear her scream his name when she climaxed.He thought back to that video, the one where she pleasured herself, whispering his name when she came.
He pinched harder, thrusting faster and harder, letting his desire take over completely.She came hard, her juices flowing around his shaft and the sensation of her pleasure pushed him over the edge right after her.With one final thrust, his body erupted, draining his seed into her body before he collapsed forward, burying his face against her neck.It was only then, when his knees nearly gave out on him, that he realized that he was still standing beside the bed while she was splayed out beneath him.
When he lifted his head to look at her, she looked stunned and satisfied.Just like he felt.Good!Max was relieved that he wasn’t the only one that was struggling to make sense of this relationship.
Kissing the tip of one breast, he pulled out of her, then carefully lifted her into his arms.She curled into him, her soft breaths teasing his chest while he carried her into the bathroom.The shower was huge, definitely big enough for both of them.
Lowering her feet to the floor, he gently shampooed her hair.Yeah, he knew that she’d showered only hours before.But he enjoyed touching her and feeling the silky texture of her hair.
Her eyes were still unfocused and Max chuckled, kissing her swollen lips.“You’re so beautiful,” he told her as he grabbed a towel.With a tenderness that surprised even himself, he dried her off, kissing the slight rise of her mons as he tenderly rubbed the towel over her soft curves.
“Max?”she whispered, and he heard the confusion in her voice.
Max stood, towering over her in a way that made Lexie feel unreasonably small.Had she always been this tiny?Surely, she hadn’t shrunk in the past year.Then it hit him.“Shoes,” he muttered, narrowing his eyes as the realization struck.
“What about shoes?”Lexie asked, grabbing a smaller towel and wrapping it around her damp hair.
“You’re always wearing heels,” he explained, grabbing a towel for himself and wrapping it around his waist.“I was wondering why you seemed so short.”
Her scowl was immediate and, frankly, adorable.“I’m not short,” she grumbled, stomping out of the bathroom.“You’re just unreasonably tall.”
Max smirked, his eyes sparkling mischievously as he caught her around the waist, pulling her back against his chest.Lexie squealed, her laughter bubbling out as he nuzzled her neck, his lips brushing lightly over her skin.
