Max grinned and sat up. “Yes, talk. I think there’s a few things we should probably discuss, don’t you?” He gave a pointed look to the come still covering both of us.
Yes.
But why did I feel nervous?
Clearly I was an open book right then because Max stood, pulled me to my feet, and held my jaw, urging me to look at him. “It’ll be okay, Jake. It’sus.”
He waited a beat until I relaxed into his touch.
“Better.” Taking my hand, he led me back to the car park.
We cleaned up with wet wipes I kept in the boot, and once we were dressed, I drove us home.
Max heldmy hand all the way, only letting go when I needed to change gear.
It should’ve felt strange, this new direction our friendship had suddenly taken after all these years. But it just didn’t. Being with Max like this was as easy as breathing.
I smiled as we got out of the car and went inside.
Was still smiling as I showered, even though I was washing the last traces of his scent off me. Because we had all night to do it all over again.
And again.
Only when I walked out of my bedroom and met him in the hallway did it falter at the look on his face.
“What?” I asked, instantly on alert. “What’s happened?”
Max sighed and held up his phone. “Rys just called. Lady Sarhin and Nathan Calder just arrived at Midnight. They want to meet with everyone at the station.”
My heart sank. “Now?”
“Yeah. I’m sorry.” He scrubbed a hand through his hair, fingers catching in the dark curls. I’d do the same if mine was long enough.
I knew how important this case was, even if I didn’t know Axel as well as Max did. But even so… “Do they know what time it is?”
Max barked out a laugh. “You’ve not had much experience working with the fae, have you?”
I shrugged because it was true. “Not really, no.”
“Time passes differently there.” He huffed. “And even if it didn’t, I suspect Lady Sarhin would still keep to her own schedule.”
A bit inconsiderate since the paranormal police, Max especially, were helpingthem.
“Hey.” He reached for my hand. “They’re not that bad; it’s just how they do things. Lady Sarhin isn’t half as terrifying as she comes across. But don’t ever tell her I said that,” he added quickly.
I smirked. “Like I’d ever get the chance.” The fae were Max’s area of expertise, not mine. It was only then I noticed he was fully dressed. For work. “You’re going right now?”
He nodded. “It’s best not to keep them waiting.”
“Oh. Okay then.” I adjusted the towel I was wearing. The prospect of more sex dissolving rapidly. Knowing how these things went, I doubted I’d see him again for a good few hours. “I guess I’ll see you in the morning.” I don’t know why him leaving bothered me as much as it did. Maybe because we’d yet to have that talk, and despite everything he’d already said, I knew I needed that reassurance to make me believe everything would be okay. And now I was going to have to wait until morning to get it.
“Come with me,” Max blurted, squeezing my fingers as though I was about to run.
I cocked my head to the side instead. “To the station? To meet with everyone?”
“Yes.”
“It’s not my case. I don’t know any of the specifics, and besides, wouldn’t Lady Sarhin object to me tagging along?” I might not know much about the fae, but I knew they weren’t keen on surprises and were extremely picky with who they let into their circle.
