“What the hell are you doing?”
“I have to pee.”
He glowered. “You could have called.” He strode over and lifted me in his arms, his gentle embrace at direct odds with his frowning face and terse words. He carried me to the bathroom and set me on my feet, then crossed his arms.
“Um—privacy please.”
“Not sure I can trust you alone.”
“I am not peeing with you in the room.”
“I’ll be right outside, then.”
“No. You need to go to the hall. Otherwise, I’ll have performance anxiety and won’t be able to go.”
He lifted one eyebrow, a grin playing on his lips. “Performance anxiety?”
“Just go,” I demanded, pointing to the door.
He walked out, and I heard him cross the room, muttering about stubborn redheads.
I quickly went about my business, then hopped to the sink, washed my face, and brushed my teeth. I wanted a shower but was pretty sure I’d be vetoed on that. The door opened, and Maxx glared at me.
“You never listen.”
“Would you have me any other way?”
His face softened, and he pressed a kiss to my head. “No.”
He fussed but helped me slip on a pair of loose pants and a fresh shirt of his, then carried me downstairs. Mary was there, sitting at the dining room table, and she smiled as Maxx slid me onto the chair beside her.
“How are you?” she asked, patting my hand.
“Stubborn,” Maxx muttered at the same time I assured her I was fine.
“The boys are waiting for you to wake up.”
“Stefano and Brett are here?”
Maxx snorted, placing a cup of coffee in front of me. “They’ve all been here since eight. We had breakfast, and they’re grilling lunch.” He sat beside me, sliding his hand over my thigh, his touch possessive and firm. “Your favorite. We hoped you’d be awake enough to eat with us.”
“I’m hungry,” I admitted.
“Good,” he grunted.
I sipped my coffee, closing my eyes as the first hit of dark, rich flavor exploded in my mouth. Mary must have brewed it. Maxx’s coffee always tasted like burned tar.
The boys came in, carrying a platter of grilled teriyaki chicken. Mary placed a bowl of salad on the table as they each hugged me carefully before sitting down. Maxx filled my plate, setting it in front of me, and I dug in, famished. As we ate, I noticed them all watching Maxx and me. He never took his hand off me for any length of time, and he stared at me as if I were going to disappear any second. I knew I hadn’t been myself yesterday, the scare and emotion of the day making me needy, but I was feeling much better.
I smiled at him. “I’m fine, I promise,” I whispered in his ear. He pressed his lips against my cheek.
“Good.”
I turned and met three sets of curious eyes.
“We love each other,” I said simply. “I mean, who could resist me?”
That broke the tension, and they laughed.
“Who, indeed,” Maxx teased. “I didn’t have a snowball’s hope in hell.”
“Nope,” Mary agreed. “I knew it.”
“Shut up, old woman.”
She simply grinned.
Brett looked at Maxx. “Did you tell her?”
Maxx frowned. “I was going to wait until after lunch.”
I shoved the last bite of chicken into my mouth and chewed. “All done.”
He rolled his eyes and rested his elbows on the table.
“The Donner brothers are in jail.”
“Their father out of town or something?” I asked.
He shook his head. “Todd said Chase showed up before he could go get them. Wes showed up before Todd could talk to Chase, demanding to see his brother. Todd put him in a separate room and went to talk to Chase. Chase confessed. Broke down, Todd said. Told him everything, demanding it be put on tape. He also informed Todd about a bunch of other things Wes has done. Apparently, Chase single-handedly solved a host of small crimes that have occurred lately.”
“Wow,” I said.
“Wes denied everything, saying they’d seen you on the other side of the road, but you looked wobbly on the bike. Claimed they never went near you or touched you.”
“Of course,” I stated dryly.
“He lost it when he found out what Chase had done.”
“Why did Chase do it? What on earth prompted him to go against his brother?”
Maxx scrubbed his face, a small frown on his mouth. “It seems Chase has been seeing a girl in Lomand. Wes isn’t happy about it since he is losing his sidekick, and Chase is realizing the error of his ways. He told Todd he wants to be worthy of this girl and decided to come clean. He thought Wes was just going to tease you a little. Instead, he spent the day thinking he’d killed you. This girl convinced him to do the right thing.”
“Oh.”
“The pain you felt, Charly? That odd mark on the back of your thighs? Wes had a thin branch. He basically whipped your legs, which, of course, startled you. Caused you to fall.”
Maxx sat back. “With Chase’s signed confession, not even his father could talk his way out with money. He’s facing jail time.”
“And Chase?”
“No idea. I am sure his lawyer will use his confession to make his sentence lighter. Maybe time served. Wes, though, is facing time for assault, petty theft, vandalism, and a few other charges.”
“He’s been a busy boy,” Mary mused.
“Are you okay with this?” I asked Maxx.
He sighed. “I’m grateful he’ll finally stop harassing people. He’s been getting more out of control for a long time. Maybe some jail time and counseling will do some good. I only wish he hadn’t hurt you for it to happen.”
“I’m fine,” I assured him. “I’ll heal.”
He only nodded.
I sat in silence for a moment. “So, Chase fell in love and found his conscience. He chose a chance at a life with her over his family.”
Mary smirked. “Isn’t it amazing what love can do?”
I met Maxx’s eyes. Despite the downturn of his mouth, his dark stare was filled with tenderness as he looked me. I felt his love and intensity in his presence beside me. His protectiveness and need to care for me, as deep as my need to look after him. His grip on my leg tightened as our gazes locked.
“Isn’t love grand?” I quipped.
“Isn’t it just,” he muttered darkly.
But I saw his smile. And I winked at him.
“I know.”
Chapter 24
CHARLY
I stared into the closet, looking at my choices, planning.
Maxx was an amazing caregiver. Attentive, patient, and gentle.
Far too gentle.
It had been ten days since the accident, and I was fine. My ankle got tired easily, but as long as I kept it wrapped, it was good. The bruises were fading, the cuts healing, and my shoulder in perfect working order.
Maxx had yet to touch me, other than to hold me at night, kiss me sweetly, or cup my face on occasion.
I was going crazy. I tried everything but present myself to him naked. At this point, I doubted even that would work. He would pick up a blanket and tuck it around me, admonishing me not to get cold.
A small voice in my head told me he regretted saying the words “I love you.” Except his eyes said it every day. The way he treated me screamed it. There was something stopping him, and I couldn’t figure out what it was.
Frustrated, I told Mary, who laughed.
“He’s being male, Charly. Overthinking this.”
“I don’t understand.”
“He keeps thinking of you lying and broken on the ground. He’s afraid of hurting you.”
“But I’m fine.”
“Then show him.”
“How?”
She smirked. “Oh, child. You know exactly how.”
She was right. There was only one thing left to do.
&n
bsp; I grabbed a T-shirt, a denim miniskirt I never wore, and a pair of scissors.
Desperate times called for desperate measures.
I could hardly wait to see his reaction.
MAXX
I stood in the garage door, staring over the yard. It was still early, the sun barely up. I hadn’t slept much, too keyed up to do so. I was tired, grumpy, and short-tempered. A bad combination. Even Charly was subdued around me, which was unusual.
I couldn’t seem to get past what happened to her. How close I’d come to losing her. A little rain, or another few feet where her head would have met concrete and not grass—the possibilities of “what if” seemed to haunt me. I wasn’t sure how to move on from it. I was afraid to touch her with anything but gentleness, afraid to admit to the fear I had felt that day. Afraid to give in and make love to her in case I hurt her in some way. She had been distant herself, and I wondered what was going through her mind. Wondered if she regretted admitting her feelings.
I wondered how long we’d be at this impasse.
I saw the lights on upstairs in the house, and I knew Charly was awake. I was sure she’d be down soon enough. I took a draw on my coffee, knowing she’d throw out the pot I’d made and make fresh for everyone. She’d be sweet and organized, staying busy and on top of things. Pushing herself needlessly.
I swallowed as the door to the porch opened and she walked out of the house. For a moment, I didn’t notice anything except her gait. Her footing was solid, indicating her ankle was better.
As she drew closer, it hit me.
Her outfit.
She was wearing a denim miniskirt, cut so small, it barely covered her thighs. The T-shirt she wore had a jagged neckline as if she’d taken a pair of scissors to it, exposing one shoulder. It was tied up in a knot under her breasts, hugging her torso and flashing the skin of her stomach. The new logo screaming “Hard as Steel” rested right under her bouncing breasts. Her hair was up in pigtails that sat high on her head. And those damn sparkly sneakers were on her feet.
As she drew nearer, it became evident she wasn’t wearing a bra. Her nipples were hard and showed through the tight T-shirt. I glared at her as she approached. I braced my arm across the door, preventing her from entering the garage.
“I don’t think so,” I snarled.
She looked up at me, innocent. “I’m working in the storeroom today. It’s going to be hot. I’m dressed appropriately for the weather.” Then she ducked under my arm and kept walking. With a low growl, I spun on my heel and followed her, stopping her halfway through the garage.
“That outfit isn’t appropriate for anywhere but the bedroom.”
“Is that an invitation?”
“No,” I spat. “Change.”
“No, I don’t think I will,” she retorted, shook off my grip, and beelined for the office.
Before I could move and stop her again, she dropped something and bent over to pick it up, giving me a full view of what else she wasn’t wearing.
She was naked. Fucking naked under that miniskirt.
My cock, which was already pressing against my jeans, lengthened further, almost choking itself in my pants. With a low roar, I was on her in an instant, forgetting everything except the need to be buried inside her. I flung her over my shoulder, smacking her bare ass, berating her as I strode outside and toward the house.
“You asked for this, Red.”
She clung to my ass.
“You had to push me, didn’t you?”
She pinched me, giggling in her throat.
“You want to be fucked?” I snarled. “You’re going to be fucked.”
“Thank god,” she breathed, tapping out a rhythm on my ass. “Hurry up, then, Grump.”
I smacked her again, listening to her little gasps, feeling the way she was squirming on my shoulder. I ran my hand up her thigh and groaned.
“Feel how wet you are,” I hissed. “You want this, baby?”
She grabbed my ass, squeezing.
“Can’t you move any faster, old man?”
Inside, I kicked the door shut and headed upstairs. I dropped her on the bed, and in ten seconds, tore the miniskirt from her body, and ripped the T-shirt off her torso.
“You are not wearing that again,” I growled, kicking out of my boots and yanking my jeans down. My cock jutted out, erect and angry, wanting inside her. I pulled off my shirt and looked at her. She was smiling, mischievousness dancing in her eyes. I hesitated one second, and she frowned.
“Don’t get all touchy feely again, Maxx. Take me.” She opened her legs. “Hard.”
I was on her in a second. Kissing, licking, biting—any and all doubts gone from my mind. She was here. With me. Wanting me as much as I wanted her. I needed to let go of my fear. To let myself go.
We were wild, moving across the bed, our tongues and mouths searching for all the spots we knew best, learning new ones. I lapped at her heat, and she stroked my length, teasing the crown and cupping my balls.
I pushed her back to the bed, sucking her breasts, scoring over the sensitive nipples with my teeth. She cried out and arched against me. I teased her with my fingers, stroking her wetness, pumping them into her until she gripped at my shoulders.
“Inside, Maxx. I want you inside.”
I buried myself with one hard snap of my hips.
We both cried out with pleasure. I didn’t wait for her to get used to me. I began to move in long, deep strokes, lifting myself up on my knees, dragging her ass up my thighs and holding her hips tight as I drove inside her. She wrapped her legs around my waist, her low moans and whimpered gasps of my name burning into my brain.
I ignored the marks that lingered on her skin. I concentrated on the pleasure on her face, the flush in her cheeks. Her impassioned cries. The sounds our bodies made as they moved together. The feel of her muscles clutching at me.
She stiffened and cried out, screaming her release, gripping at the sheets. Sweat covered my brow, beading down my back as I held her tighter, lifted her higher, sank deeper.
The small lamp beside the bed hit the floor. A pillow fell from the bed. The headboard creaked, the mattress shifted, and my orgasm hit me like a tsunami, washing over my body in a long, sucking wave that obliterated everything in its path, leaving a blank, weightless darkness before throwing me back to earth.
I collapsed on her chest, spent. She wrapped me in her arms as I nuzzled at her damp skin.
“I think I made my point,” she murmured.
“You did. Quite thoroughly.”
“No more, Maxx. I’m fine.” She hugged me harder. “Shake that day off. Stay with me.”
I covered her mouth with mine and kissed her. “I’m right here, Red. I always will be.”
She pulled me back down. “Good.”
“The garage,” I mumbled, feeling exhaustion bear down on me.
“The guys will handle it. Go to sleep.”
I tried to fight it, but I felt it pulling me under.
I had to tell her before I succumbed to sleep. I had to say the words.
“I love you, Red.”
She pressed a kiss to my head.
“I know.”
Epilogue
Three months later
Red came barreling out of the office, heading straight toward me. I stopped in the middle of a conversation with Brett, frowning at her.
“What?”
“I need the rest of the day off.” She took in a deep breath. “And your truck.”
“Oh boy,” Brett muttered and moved away.
I scratched my chin with a grimace. “Not happening, Red. The one time I let you drive it, you almost took out the oak tree beside the garage. It’s too big for you.”
“But I have to go!”
Her voice quavered, and I moved closer. “Go where?”
“Solemn Ridge.”
I gaped at her. “That’s three hours away. What the hell is in Solemn Ridge that you have to go today?”
“The storage plac
e I have my boxes in. I forgot to pay the bill, and if it’s not paid today, I lose everything, Maxx! All my dad’s things, all my…” She trailed off, her voice cracking. “I have to go.”
I yanked her into my arms. “I’ll drive you, Red. It’s okay.”
I met Brett’s eyes, and he nodded. I knew he and Stefano would cover the garage for me.
“I have to go to the bank, then get there and pay him. If I want to keep the boxes there, I need to pay six months in advance.”
“I’ll pay with my credit card, and you bring your boxes here. Put them in the barn. You should have said something. We could have gone anytime and gotten them.”
“I forgot,” she admitted. “I was thinking of a recipe and remembered it was in a cookbook of my mom’s and realized that it was in the storage place and I hadn’t paid since I’ve been here. I called to make arrangements and the man told me the locker would be repossessed if I didn’t pay.”
I pulled her into my arms and stroked her back. “Okay. It’s okay. I’ll pay it, and you’ll get your stuff. You won’t lose anything, Red. I promise.”
Three hours later, I was dealing with the manager of the storage place. He was short and stout, with a bad comb-over, and reminded me of Danny DeVito. He was lecturing Charly until I walked in to see what was taking so long. His eyes widened as I slipped my arm around her waist.
“Problem?”
“The credit card isn’t in her name,” he informed me.
“No, it’s mine. I was on the phone outside.”
“I told you that,” Charly huffed. “And I already apologized. I sent you a change of address and my phone number. You never called.”
Revved to the Maxx Page 26
