“You’re all I think about,” he murmured before he deepened the kiss, clutching me tighter as he rose to his full height, forcing me to wrap my legs around his trim hips, bringing my hot center against the bulge in his pants.
He suckled on my tongue, and I moaned long and low in his mouth. Never had I felt this much passion. Maxim flexed his hips forward, and I shuddered as lust overwhelmed me. Sweat burst from my pores, and I devoured his mouth.
I pulled back a little with a cry when Maxim shifted, bumping my bruise with his nose.
“Fuck.” His eyes were wide, concern seeping through the desire there. His expression fell. “I shouldn’t have done that. Ida Jane, please forgive me.”
But I was stuck on something besides the pain. That wasmorethan a kiss. What we’d just shared was how every womandreamedof being kissed.
“I’m going to head upstairs,” I said, not looking at him.
“Yes,” he replied, disappointment lacing his tone. He had no idea how close I’d been to capitulating—not just to him, tonight, but to everything. I wanted him. So much. But more, I needed to be able to trust him to keep his promises. I wasn’t ready to do that, so I kept walking.
“I’ll bring up your suitcase,” he called.
I stopped on the stairs and turned toward him. He was such a vision. Hard muscles, strong chin, sharp cheekbones. Short hair with just enough length to tangle in my fingers. His pale eyes gleamed in the light. I wanted to stare at them all day. “My…?”
“Millie gave me the information to get into your place. I sent Cormac and Keelie over to get your things.”
I inhaled sharply through my nose. Of all the overstepping…I’d be livid with Millie for siding with Maxim if I wasn’t so relieved not to have to go back to that swanky apartment. Dillon knew the address, and I was afraid to be anywhere he could find me. Anywhere.
Anytime.
Because he already had—at the courthouse, at my workplace.
A chill swept over me.
“Thanks,” I muttered. Maxim Dolov was a royal pain in the hiney—doing nice things for me without me asking. I was sexually frustrated, ashamed, and angry, which made for a stupefying mix of emotions I wasn’t ready to unwrap.
I fumed at him for making me want him so much. I stepped into the bedroom I’d stayed in before and beelined into the private, attached bathroom.
The opulent en suite held two sinks, each with a large mirror in a matte silver frame above faucets of the same material. The basins and countertops were seamless, made from some stone that had shiny flecks on the white surface. I raised an eyebrow at the bright teal accents in the form of soap dispensers, toothbrush holders, towels, and rugs, still surprised to find them in his home.
Maxim liked color, which suited him. He was bold but not quite brash. I wasn’t sure how he walked that line because my brothers never found it.
No, Iwould notthink about Maxim anymore.
I took my time in the shower, using the shampoo and conditioner in the stall because I didn’t have mine. That became an issue when I realized I hadn’t brought up my bag, which would have my toiletries in it.
I sighed as I finished drying my body with a plush teal towel. Brushing my wet hair back from my face, I left the bathroom and padded toward the closed bedroom door. I’d run downstairs, grab the bag, and avoid Maxim.
It was a big house. No problem.
He wasn’t even here that often…
I squeaked and stumbled back, barely preventing the top of Maxim’s head from plowing into my towel-covered chest. He glanced up and I saw my bag at his feet. He must have just set it down. And now his head was between my boobs.
Cuddled there.
I squealed again and turned around, desperate to get away from his deliciousness. He groaned, and I thought he made some comment about my ass, but I was too busy trying to slam the door shut. That motion caused my towel to slip, and Maxim cursed as it sagged, exposing my lower back.
I gathered the towel, banding it in place with my arm and turned to glare at him. But Maxim’s attention remained fixed on my body.
“This isn’t going to work,” I said. “Let me get dressed. I’ll call Keelie, and—”
His gaze rose, and the words died on my lips. His pupils were blown, and his breath came in shallow pants. “No.”
The word was low, vicious, not unlike a wolf’s growl.
