I softly rapmy knuckles on the door and ask, “Can I come in?”
“I don’t know why you bother asking,” she mutters, but I can easily hear her through the door.
I turn the knob and push the door open but stand in the doorway. She’s near the window with her back to me. This might make what I have to say easier.
“It goes against everything inside me to even allow you to come with me, Max. If I had my way, you’d be back home, where I know I can protect you from everyone and everything, but I know you would hate me for that. I’m trying to give you what you need and not lose my fucking mind at the same time,” I confess.
She doesn’t turn around, but her head shifts as she peers over her shoulder. At least it seems like she’s willing to listen.
“When I think about all the times you were in danger…” I shake my head, unable to voice how it makes me want to strangle someone and lock her in the room at the same time. “I’m not willing to lose you, Max. You’re too important to me.”
She pivots then, still not meeting my gaze head-on but not pretending to ignore me either. “Why am I important to you?”
“Because you’re mine.”
“Why am I yours, Winger?” she asks softly, almost like she’s pleading with me to answer her.
“Because I can’t breathe without you.”
Max bites her bottom lip, then nods twice, as if that’s exactly what she needed to hear. “I can’t sit back and let things happen to me anymore, Winger. I would go insane.”
It’s my turn to nod now. I can understand that.
“I’ll never be the person who will be happy hiding behind you, but I’ll always be the one willing to fight at your side, if you let me.”
“If you’re willing to put up with me, I can certainly live with that.” I extend my hand, palm up, hoping she’ll take it.
Without hesitation, she crosses the room and places her hand in mine. I haul her the rest of the way to me with Lucy’s words swirling in my head about Max being willing to deal with my hang-ups because she loves me. I don’t know if that’s true, but I don’t really care either. I can take care of her better than anyone else could dream of, and that’s all that matters to me.
Her hands wrap around my back, and she nuzzles her cheek against my chest. Yup, whatever I need to do to keep this is worth it.
“We have a little over an hour before we need to leave.”
She leans back to look up at me. “We’re going back tonight?” She doesn’t seem surprised, only intrigued.
“Guns blazing,” I tease.
She swats my arm and clicks her tongue. “Your people are coming?”
“Some. Promise you’ll stay with me no matter what?” I urge.
“If I don’t, you have my permission to lock me up for a month.” She draws an X over her heart.
I really am crazy. I almost want her to break her promise, just so I have an excuse to keep her all to myself.
“So, do you do this all the time?”
“What?” I question, wondering what she’s going to do when I kiss her because it’s inevitable.
“Save the girl? I need to know if you think you’re getting rid of me when this is over.” Max fists my shirt.
“Never before, never again. You’re my one in a million.”
A slow grin tugs at her lips. “Good, I really would have hated cutting off your dick.” She releases my shirt, only to reach down and grab hold of my cock. “It’s the only one I’ve ever enjoyed.”
I slam my mouth onto hers, heedless of the threat and eager for her touch. I reach down and grab her ass, hauling her up, and she wraps her legs around my waist tight enough that I know I could release her ass and she would still be clinging to me.
In four strides, I lower her to the bed and take my time stripping off her pants and shirt, but it’s the only thing I’m slow with. We only have an hour, and I need to taste her before I’m inside her.
