I couldn’t lie. “Even if I do, it’ll just be sex between us. I won’t let myself fall in love again.”
He hesitated, seeming to change his mind about whatever he wanted to say. A slow nod followed. “I see.”
“I won’t,” I insisted. “Love is not for me.”
It was too painful. Messy. Like a double-edged sword, beautiful and shiny at first, until it ran you through and left you bleeding.
“Good.” He closed the small distance between us. “With no chance ofthathappening, you’ll have nothing to fear. Right?”
I didn’t know if this was the best side of him or the worst—this assessing part of him—as if he knew something I didn’t. I only understood that every time I saw him, I sank deeper into the charisma that was Max.
I gave him a wary nod.
He slid those strong, tattooed arms around my waist, drawing me close. “Here’s my promise to you. If you give me a fair chance, I won’t try to change your mind or ask you to love me. And I won’t cheat on you either. Only cowards do shit like that—” I opened my mouth, but he placed a finger on my lips. “No buts, Logan. This is it. We’ll take it one day at a time and see where it goes, see what awaits us.”
I inhaled a deep breath, my fears too deeply engrained to hope.
“Did you ever have a girlfriend?” I asked him instead.
“No.” A shrug. “Because none interested me, and chances were I would have fucked up any relationship I had.” He was brutally honest, I’d give him that. “Then there you were, and I was like the pathetic moth drawn to your light. So when you do kill me, dancing girl, do it gently.”
“Why do you call me that?”
A smile. “I’ll tell you...one day.”
I exhaled a shaky breath, feeling as if I’d run a mile. “God, Max, why do you want me? I live the life of a hermit. I don’t like parties or clubs. I only go because of my clients or when Ray threatens me. I’m no fun as she’s fond of saying—oh, shit! Ray.” I pulled away, staring at him in horror.
“Is my friend. Though, she did warn me she’d kick my ass all the way down Pine if I hurt you, and that’s a really long street for ass kicking.”
At his teasing, a smile tugged at my mouth. “She did? When?”
“The first day I met you. I couldn’t keep my eyes off you.” He traced the corner of my mouth with a finger. “You have a dimple, a shallow one right there.”
He said it with such awe, you’d think he’d discovered the ninth wonder of the world or something. “You’re weird, you know that?”
His lips quirked. “That’s why we’ll work, the hermit and the weirdo.” Eyes gone a heated green, he lowered his head. His brow touched mine. “Say it, Logan. Say you want me.”
God, I’d wanted him forever, or at least that’s how long the passing weeks had seemed. Now that I could finally admit that to myself, I yanked him down by his shirt and put my mouth on his. Whispered, “You know I do.”
A groan rumbled out of him as if I pushed him over the edge. He took over, kissing me harder and deeper, his tongue licking and sucking mine. It warmed all the cold places inside me, lifted my heart to heights I never believed possible, and the horrible evening faded away. All I felt was Max—his touch, his warmth, his mouth on mine…
He kissed me like he was making love to my mouth. Like he couldn’t get enough—as if he were starving. God knew, I was. He was intoxicating. Hot. Tormentingly delicious. My body melted, wanting more. I slid my arms around his neck, and his hands lowered to my hips, holding me close, his erection pressing into my stomach. Right then, I wished I were taller and not five-four. I wanted his erection pressing against me in the place I needed him most.
It was my burning lungs that had me breaking the kiss and panting for air.
“I want you so damn bad, but this is hardly the place.” His chest heaving, he pressed his lips to mine once more, and I stroked my tongue along his mouth, loving the taste of him.
“Fuck, Logan—” He pulled back, his gaze turbulent. “You’re driving me crazy, you know that?” He exhaled roughly. “Do you want to go back inside?”
“No.”
“C’mon, I’ll take you home, then.” Grasping my hand, he turned to the Jeep and cursed at the other vehicles trapping him.
Max glanced around, then pulled out his cell, and hit speed dial. “I need your wheels, my Jeep’s hemmed in…okay, great.” All this without letting go of my hand, he ended the call and headed toward several bikes parked farther down to stop near a Suzuki.
War appeared moments later. Keys were exchanged, along with a helmet.
“Drop the Jeep off on Pine,” Max told him. “I’ll leave your bike there.” He gave War my address. The big guy glanced at me then back at Max and smirked. He ambled off, tossing over his shoulder, “Have fun, you kids.”
