His eyes flared, a mix of challenge and heat lighting them up as he leaned in even closer.“Seven days,” he countered, his lips brushing hers with each syllable.
Lexie shook her head, forcing herself to sit straighter, even as her resolve wavered.“Seven days in your bed.No marriage.”
Max’s jaw tightened, and she could practically see him biting back his immediate response.No doubt, he wanted to bark an order or deliver a decree.That’s who he was—commanding, authoritative, relentless.But Lexie wasn’t about to back down, not now.
He crossed his arms over his chest, leaning back slightly as though to assess her position.“Marriage in seven days,” he said, his tone deliberate, as if daring her to argue.“And you quit your job so I can take care of you.”
Lexie let out an incredulous laugh, shaking her head.“You do realize that’s the opposite of a compromise, right?That’s just more orders.”
“It’s practical,” Max countered, his brow arching as though he were explaining simple math.“You wouldn’t need to grade essays all afternoon, and you could focus on the things that make you happy.”
“My job makes me happy,” she shot back, her hands gesturing wildly.“You know, helping teenagers figure out how to structure a thesis or discover the symbolism inThe Great Gatsby?That’s important work.”
He tilted his head slightly, a ghost of a smirk tugging at his lips.“And I suppose you’ll argue that teaching is more fulfilling than spending your days lounging by a pool or indulging in shopping trips?”
“Absolutely!”she said, though she had to fight not to laugh at his skeptical expression.
Max leaned closer again, his voice dropping to a teasing rumble.“What if I told you I could fund scholarships for those kids?Build new libraries?Would that be enough for you to reconsider?”
Lexie frowned, thrown off by the offer.“Are you bribing me with better education systems?”
“Is it working?”he asked, his smirk widening.
She pointed a finger at his chest, fighting to maintain her composure despite the distracting heat in his gaze.“You can’t just buy my career out from under me.”
Max caught her hand, pressing a kiss to her palm that sent shivers down her spine.“I wouldn’t dream of it,” he said smoothly.“I’ll just make it impossible for you to resist my alternative.”
Lexie stared at him, torn between exasperation and amusement.“You’re impossible, you know that?”
“Like I said earlier, I’ve been called worse,” Max replied, his voice filled with mock humility.“Now, about that wedding dress…”
Lexie groaned, rolling her eyes.“You never give up, do you?”
“Not when it comes to you,” he said, his voice firm and low.And despite herself, Lexie couldn’t help the faint smile that tugged at her lips.
She smiled, then decided to take charge.Instead of waiting for him to kiss her, Lexie put one hand on the marble island and another on the back of the stool, then pushed up on the stool bar so that her lips could reach his.But she didn’t kiss him.Instead, she nibbled on his lower lip, then licked the top one and pulled back.
Lexie wasn’t alarmed when a fist knotted her hair, twisting the long locks around his fingers.“You will obey me, Lexie,” he replied.
In response, she lifted one hand, sliding it up his inner thigh.The rough denim cupped his eager manhood.She grazed her fingers over the zipper, then allowed one finger to dip behind the waistband.She heard his sharp intake of breath and knew that she’d won this round, but also suspected that the next seven days were going to be an ongoing battle between them.
“Seven days, Max.And I’m keeping my job.”Before he could continue arguing with her, she slid her hand inside his jeans, wrapping her fingers around his shaft.It was awkward at first, but she held onto him while she released the button, then slid the zipper down.
Max didn’t move.He was breathing heavily now, staring at her with desire burning in his dark eyes.She started to say something else, but his mouth covered hers.His kiss was hard, deep, and intoxicating, causing Lexie to moan.Her hand squeezed him, her thumb stroking over the tip, then around the head.He hissed, sucking in his breath as his hips began to move, thrusting himself into her hand.
Lexie felt powerful, in control.It was heady, controlling this powerful man.It turned her on and she stood up.But before she could move, Max lifted her into his arms, wrapping her legs around his waist as he carried her up the stairs.She had no idea how he moved so fast, but didn’t really care.She wrapped her arms around his neck and, with every step, that shaft that she’d so recently been holding, rubbed against her core.She nipped at his neck as she rolled her hips, wanting more of that rhythmic contact.
Max growled and even that turned her on.Lexie breathed in the scent of him, enjoying the way he moved, the way he smelled, the sounds he made.The bedroom door slamming behind them startled her, but only for a moment since she found herself set on the floor, her bare feet sinking into the plush carpeting.But he only released her so he could strip off her clothes.When she was completely naked, he picked her up, pressing her back against the wall and…impaled her!
Chapter 28
Maxwasstartledthathe was already inside Lexie’s tight, hot sheath.He couldn’t believe he’d done that, without foreplay or even warning.But she was so hot and wet and tight.Damn, she was making those sexy sounds, as if she were trying to speak, but couldn’t quite focus enough to form words.
When he started thrusting, he felt her fingers on his shoulders, then on his neck as she pressed against the wall, arching her back, leveraging his hips.Every move of her body against his, searching for her pleasure, was hot and sexy.He looked down, but couldn’t see where their bodies were connected.He considered carrying her over to the bed so that he could watch her take him into her body with every stroke, but she shifted again and he lost his control.Gritting his teeth, he thrust harder, holding her hips to give her maximum pleasure.It only took several more strokes to get her there, and then, Max heard Lexie crying out his name as her inner muscles spasmed around his shaft.Only then did he release his control and give his body the release that he craved.He spilled everything into her, losing himself in the glory of her body tightening around him.
He was just about to apologize for being so abrupt when he heard her laughter, then her hands stroked his hair.She leaned in, kissing him lightly before laughing again.“Well, that was abrupt,” she sighed, squirming so that she could lower her feet to the ground.But instead of releasing her, he pressed deeper, not ready to allow her freedom quite yet.
“Are you complaining?”he asked, his voice rough.“Because if you need more…,” and he thrust into her.He was already half erect again.Her laughter had done that to him.Her voice after sex was husky and sexy as hell!Plus, her eyes sparkled, there was a flush to her cheeks, and those soft lips were swollen from his kisses.
