Total pages in book: 24
Estimated words: 22112 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 111(@200wpm)___ 88(@250wpm)___ 74(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 22112 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 111(@200wpm)___ 88(@250wpm)___ 74(@300wpm)
I’m used to ripping the Band-Aid off myself. It’s my way of not letting people hurt me because if I get hurt, it means that I cared. That’s not something I’m willing to consider or allow to happen with Maxim.
“We”—he emphasizes the word—“need to go back.” I place my hands on his chest to try and push him away, but I’m trapped against the tub.
“I don’t go back,” I tell him and keep the emotion out of my voice.
When you’re running, the last thing you do is return to the scene of the crime. Also, I never stay anywhere for too long.
When I try again to push him away, Maxim grabs my wrists and lifts my hands to his mouth. He kisses each of my palms while not breaking eye contact.
“You can’t push me away.” His voice is somehow soothing, but I fight it.
“You’re right. That really isn’t my style.” I bite the inside of my cheek because I’m pissed I gave away so much of myself. It’s clear he’s not letting me go, so I’ll have to pretend to play along.
“I know, firecracker. You love to run, and thank fuck I love chasing you. But that will have to wait for another day.”
“Right, another day,” I repeat, giving him my best fake smile.
“Let me clean you up,” he offers while he turns off the tub and leads me over to the shower.
“If we’re in a hurry, I can wash myself,” I tell him when I’m undressed and under the warm spray of water. I don’t need him washing me because it’s one more way for him to lure me into a false sense of whatever this is between us.
“When are you going to learn that what I say goes?”
I start to protest but stop when his hands move across my body and he soaps me up. He rubs the muscles as he goes. I almost have an orgasm when he gets to my hair and then kisses up my shoulder and neck.
“Now go get dressed while I finish up,” Maxim says after he’s rinsed me off. “I laid out clothes for you on the bed.”
“You laid out clothes for me?” Confused, I turn around to face him. “What are you trying to do?” A rush of unwanted emotion fills me, and I can’t place what it is. Whatever it is, it makes me anxious.
“When you’re with me, I take care of you.”
When. That word sticks out, and all I can do is nod. What happens when I’m not with him?
“Go get dressed. I’ve kept us in the shower longer than I should have.” He grabs a towel and wraps it around me before giving my ass a small slap.
I hurry out of the shower, not because of the tap to my bottom but because I need the space. Then I see the shopping bags on the bed, and I let out a small gasp. There’s a pretty pink dress with flowers and beadwork laid out for me. I hold it up and notice the bottom of it has ruffled tiers, making it look like a flower. I’ve never seen anything so sweet and perfect. Even the fabric is butter soft, and I can’t wait to put it on.
“You like it?” Maxim asks, walking into the bedroom with a towel wrapped around his waist.
“It’s beautiful.” I hold it close. “I’m scared I’m going to mess it up. It’s so nice.”
“It’s okay. I’m already worried I’ll rip it off you.” He gives me a devilish smirk, and a thrill runs through me. That’s all it takes to get me going? He really is bad news.
“You absolutely will not.”
“I’ll buy you a dozen more, firecracker.” He winks and then removes his towel to get dressed.
He is not making it easy to stay mad at him, but then the phone rings and shatters the illusion. I turn away, taking the dress with me into the bathroom. I don’t want to be dismissed or watch him sneak away so I won’t hear whatever he’s up to.
How can he want me to put so much trust in him when he can’t do the same for me?
Chapter Ten
MAXIM
“Fuck,” I whisper to myself as I keep one hand on the small of Rue’s back and the other fisted at my side.
“Something wrong?” She looks up at me through her lashes, and somehow it makes it worse.
“I should have thought better about the dress.” I clench my jaw as she looks at her reflection in the mirror. She’s scrutinizing it closely, and I shake my head. “That’s not what I meant.”
“I think it looks pretty. Maybe a little short, but I don’t mind it.”
“Of course it looks pretty.”
The hand I have on her back travels lower to cup her ass. The frills of her dress barely cover it, and I’m reminded that she’s not wearing panties. I destroyed the only pair she had, and in my lust-filled haze, I didn’t think she would need them the rest of the time she was with me. I never considered taking her out of the hotel. Not until the thought of leaving her behind or having her away from me for any amount of time almost sent me into a panic.