Twisted Wings

by Tina Saxon

  “He saw,” Kase says into my ear. “He wasn’t happy.”

  “Keep track of him.”

  I flinch as a hand slaps my cheek. Jesus Christ! She needs to stop slapping me. I look down at a pissed off Sydney. “Really?” she sneers, her hands on her hips. “You’re such an asshole, Max.” She whips around and walks away.

  I grab her arm and spin her around. “What the hell, little girl. What the fuck was that for?”

  Her jaw tics and she growls. It’s kind of hot. “Don’t. Call. Me. That.”

  “Then stop acting like one and use your words.” I get in her face, not caring that we’re causing a scene. All my suppressed desire's about to snap.

  “Oh, you’re one to talk. Use my words… that’s rich coming from someone who never uses them. Fuck. You. Are those words good enough?” she spits in my face. “Stop toying with my emotions.” Her arm twists in my hand and she yanks it back.

  I’m trying to keep her safe, dammit. I catch up to her again, pulling her back into my chest. “They haven’t done anything in a couple weeks. I needed to light a fire,” I whisper-yell in her ear. The rise of my chest hits her back.

  “Yeah, you’re all about lightin’ fires but nowhere around to put ‘em out,” she says over her shoulder. She twists away from me again and walks off, leaving me there, regretting kissing her. She’s right, I shouldn’t have done it.

  Because now, I need more.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Sydney

  Light a fire? I’m about to light a fire and burn his ass down. How dare he kiss me like he owns me and then pretend it was for the job. My whole body shakes with fury. “Ugh!” I scream out. That man infuriates me. I jump at a knock at the door. It’s probably Hudson making sure I’m okay. Well, no, I’m not. I’m pissed.

  I swing open the door to yell at him, because… well, he’s guilty by association. When a hotel staffer greets me, I snap it shut and peek around him to a grinning Hudson. I exhale and paste on a fake smile. “Hi.”

  “Good evening, Ms. Owen. Here is what you ordered.” He hands me an ice bucket.

  My brows furrow as I stare down at the brown bucket. “I… I didn’t order anything.” I lift the lid, my eyes widen in disbelief. There’s a small note on top.

  Hope this makes you feel better. ~M

  You have got to be kidding me. I smash down the lid and go to hand it back to the guy, but I only see Hudson. Sticking my head out my door, I glance down the hall and watch the staffer disappear into the elevator. I’m about to chuck the whole thing down the hallway, but then think how bad that’d look in a gossip magazine if it got out. Turning my glare to Hudson, he winks at me. “Your boss is an asshole,” I scoff and slam the door shut. His laugh carries through the door.

  “Men.” I smash the bucket on the kitchen table and scowl at it, fuming. I can’t believe he sent me vanilla ice cream. If this was his way of trying to apologize, he should of at least sent me my favorite flavor. Not freaking his.

  Another knock on the door. I debate if I want another surprise that’ll make me want to hurl more things at Max. Whoever it is, doesn’t wait long until they knock again.

  I swing the door open and say, “I don’t wa—”

  Max’s large body fills the doorway as he leans against it. He’s sporting basketball shorts and a grey t-shirt that barely fits around his muscular arms. Casual Max makes me forget my name as I drink him in.

  “I hear you’re not happy with my gift?” he rasps, playfully, reminding me about his thoughtless gift. His expression brightens as my irritation grows. He takes a step inside and I back up, leaving at least a body’s length between us. The only sound in the room is the click of the door closing.

  “What are you doin’?”

  He takes another step forward. “I came to have some ice cream.” My eyebrows pop up. He acts like this is freaking Dairy Queen.

  I point to the table. “You can take your plain ass vanilla ice cream and go back to your own room.”

  He gasps, mocking surprise. “You said you liked vanilla.”

  “No, that was your favorite. Not mine.”

  A wolfish grin pulls at the corners of his mouth. I’m confused by the heated look in his eyes as he takes another step. The air thickens around me and my body hums. You’re reading him wrong. I berate myself for thinking otherwise. Just like the kiss earlier… it was strictly business.

  “Max, why are you here?” I huff, throwing my arms out. “There’s no threat in here.”

  “That’s where you’re wrong.” His smile morphs into a serious expression. I swallow as he approaches me, rooted in my spot, I’m not able to look away from the wolf himself. He lifts his hand and runs his thumb across my bottom lip, goosebumps blazon my skin. “You’re the threat. You always have been. My heart is in danger every time you’re near me,” he murmurs.

  My lips part with a breathy exhale, heating his thumb. I hate how easy he can lift me up, because the fall is harder each time, but my body acts on its own accord when he touches me. His hand cups my neck and I lean into it, reveling in the warmth.

  Enjoy it now, it’ll be gone soon. This is our dance and when the song is over, we always go our separate ways.

  Our eyes catch and the indifference usually reflecting back, isn’t there. His confidence strikes a chord inside of me, like a record being scratched and something new plays. Something promising. Our song has changed, I just don’t know the lyrics yet.

  I shiver as his fingers graze my arm. “You have three seconds to tell me to stop if you don’t want this.”

  Fear mixes with desire. Three seconds. This isn’t a casual affair. This is Max. Does he know this will change everything between us? Is three seconds enough time to make that decision?

  He lowers his face, dragging his lips across mine, kissing me lightly on the corner of my mouth.

  “One,” he murmurs.

  I close my eyes and focus on the trail of kisses he makes to my neck. Fear is drowned out by heat and anticipation. He wraps his arm around my waist and pulls me into his hard chest. It’s been so long since I’ve allowed my body to feel this way.

  “Two.” The warmth from his breath sends goosebumps down my arms.

  My pulse quickens against his lips. The questions fade away. Each touch sparks a new part of my body back to life until I’m fully charged. I want this.

  I want him.

  The muscles on his stomach tighten from my touch as I run my hands up to his chest. He pulls back so he can see my eyes. “Three,” he rasps. He waits a beat, maybe to see if I’ll change my mind, but when I don’t, he adds, “It’s about fucking time.” He slips his gun and holster from his hip and then scoops me up and I wrap my legs around him. Our lips meld together in a heated, no holds barred kiss. He demands control and I willingly give it to him.

  Clothes go flying everywhere until there isn’t anything left to take off. Having Max stand naked in front of me, the epitome of strength and confidence, causes me to shrink back a bit out of modesty. His eyes narrow as he watches me react. I’ve never been uncomfortable in my skin until now.

  “Get on your knees,” he demands, his hand cupping the back of my neck. The memory of last week flashes through my mind. I might have been drunk, but the rejection stings nonetheless. The desire to make him happy courses through my veins, but I pause. His brow raises as he assesses me. “I don’t ask twice, Tink.”

  “I… um…” I bite my lip and drop my gaze, staring at my cotton candy pink nail polish on my toes. Shivers run down my spine from the hotel air on my naked body. Max raises my chin until our eyes lock.

  “What’s wrong?”

  I blow out a shaky breath. “Are you going to walk away again, if I do?”

  His lip twitches as he nods in silent understanding. “Are you drunk?”

  “No.”

  “Can you leave here on your own free will?”

  “Yes.”

  “Then I’m not going anywhere.” A simple, yet demanding kiss
, reassures me. “You’re beautiful, Sydney. Never question that. Especially with me because I think you’re the sexiest woman alive.” His fingers scrape up my arm and I watch them until they wrap around my heavy breast. Bending over, he takes the other one in his mouth and playfully bites my nipple before straightening back up. He pulls in a deep breath, releasing it with a growl. “Now, get on your knees before I lose the small amount of control I have.”

  Hearing him say he’s losing control around me builds my confidence back up. I’m sure there are few people in this world that can make a man like Max Shaw lose control.

  And I’m one of them.

  I drop to my knees. My eyes widen when his cock is right in front of me. I remember feeling how big he was, but holy shit, I never saw it. And I didn’t think it was this big. How the hell did he fit inside me?

  “I know it’s impressive, but are you going to stare at it all night? Have you never…” His voice trails off, raking his hand through my hair.

  A slow smile tugs on my lip as I glance up. “Do you really want me to answer that?” I wrap my hand around him and glide along the velvety length.

  He growls. “Fuck. No.” That’s what I thought.

  His growl morphs into groans when I take him in my mouth as far back as I can. My eyes water working him with my hands, tongue, and mouth in a greedy desire to make him succumb to me. The grip he has in my hair tightens and his impressive size hardens and I slide him in and out faster.

  “Syd,” he says with a ragged breath. “If you don’t stop, I’m going to come down…”

  I work faster and hum my approval.

  I want all of him.

  And I get my wish.

  He takes a couple seconds to regain his composure. I bite my lip, glancing up at him with hooded eyes. “That mouth of yours will be my downfall.” He lifts me in his arms and I wrap my legs around him. His lips devour mine, the ache in between my legs so intense, I question if anything will dull it. He places me on the kitchen table by the ice bucket and I look up at him with a quizzical expression. Flashing a mischievous grin, he walks backward a few steps into the kitchen. Drawer after drawer, he searches for something. He holds up a spoon like a trophy when he finds one. A spoon? Is he going to eat ice cream right now? Right after I…

  “Lay down on the table.” His raspy voice interrupts my thought of untimely hunger. I do as I’m told, bending my knees up in the air so the hardwood table doesn’t bite into my back. Max’s tongue darts out to lick his bottom lip as he stares at my wet center. “You’re going to ruin me, Tink.” I glance at his hand and he pumps his already hard cock. “You’re so fucking wet, all I want to do is sink into you.” The way his eyes streak up my body, my insides shudder, almost orgasming. No man has ever looked at me and made me feel this sensual. I slide my hand over my breasts and down to my clit, moaning in pleasure. He grabs my hand. “As much as I want to see you pleasure yourself, that’ll have to be another time.” His eyes dart around the room, but I meet disappointment when they find mine. “Reach your hands up and grab the chair,” he demands. I smile when I figure out it was because he couldn’t find anything to tie me up with. After I find the chair, he says, “Don’t let go. If you let go, I stop.” I nod in anticipation. He’ll have to pry the chair from my grip.

  He pops the spoon in his mouth as he pulls a chair up to the table. I feel vulnerable as his eyes appraise my body in such an exposed position. I stare up to the ceiling, trying to calm my erratic heart. Hearing him open the ice cream, I peek down. He winks at me as he takes a spoonful of vanilla ice-cream, shoving it into his mouth.

  My mouth opens to sarcastically ask if he plans on staring at me all night, but I snap it shut when he wraps his arms under my thighs and yanks me to him. His cold tongue darts out against my heated core and I cry out, my back lifting off the table. I grip the chair harder, afraid I might let go by accident.

  God, he can’t stop.

  When he pulls back, I groan in frustration, the ache on the border of pain. “Patience, beautiful,” he says, dipping the spoon back into the ice cream. This time, he spreads the cold ice cream against my clit to my entrance.

  “Max,” I whimper when he slips the spoon inside of me. The cold metal foreign object feels good. But it shouldn’t, right?

  He chuckles, pulling it out, replacing it with his mouth. His tongue expertly moves, sucking the ice cream off. My entire body convulses as he brings me to the edge. He plunges two fingers inside me and I scream out his name, over and over as I coat his fingers with my orgasm.

  Holy hell. I pull in a couple breaths, calming my errant heartbeat. Max stands, leaning over kissing my stomach, trailing up my torso until he’s at my mouth. His kiss is brutal, filled with need and possession. I thought I was breathless before. Squeezing my legs around his waist, his heavy cock pulses against my center. He reaches above me, without stopping his sensual assault and uncurls my fingers from the chair. I arch my back off the hard wood of the table when he grinds his hips into me.

  “The need for you hurts. I’ve dreamed of this day for so long,” he murmurs. “You’re so fucking perfect.” His hands slow their movement on my body and he crawls on top of me.

  “Oh, no!”

  “Fuck!”

  We both say at the same time.

  Suddenly, all desire seizes as the one thing holding us up, gives in and we crash to the ground with a loud thump. Max’s hand protects my head, so it doesn’t hit the hardness beneath us. Thank god, he didn’t land on top of me, rather he pushed his weight to the side of me. The couple seconds of surprise and panic is washed away with my laughter. Max jumps off the destroyed table, holding his hand out for me to grab.

  “I… I can’t,” I say in a fit of giggles, holding my stomach. We’re both naked and we just destroyed a hotel table while about to have sex. The ball of desire and nervousness tickle my insides.

  “At least you’re not hurt,” he says with a grin, squatting down to lift me up in his arms. With ease, he moves me to the bedroom, lowering me to the bed. Our bodies sink into the cool white down comforter. “I can say, that hasn’t ever happened to me before.”

  “Really?” I say, eyeing his body, joking. My perusal stops short. “What the…” My words trail off, staring at Max’s tattoo. Specifically, the one on his upper shoulder. Surrounded by other tattoos, this one stands out like a full moon on a clear night. Why hadn’t I noticed it before? I trace the tattoo, the same way I’ve done my own. The path identical. Jay’s farewell words come back to me. “You can’t get mad at me if you see it again.”

  Max chuckles. “The bastard. I swear I didn’t know. Not until you showed up at the hotel in New York.”

  “You didn’t tell me.”

  He nods. “You were walking away from me again. What was I supposed to do? Would it have made you stay knowing we had similar tattoos? I’m certain, you would have been irate.”

  “Why do you have wings?” I ask, staring at the identical wings to mine in disbelief. He grabs my finger, still outlining them, and brings my hand to his lips.

  “I got them after I came back to New York. After leaving you in California.”

  My eyes widen and I sit up on my elbow so I have a better view of his face. “What are they for,” I ask, already guessing but needing validation.

  “You.”

  The idea of him permanently marking me on his skin has emotions building inside my chest. He stays silent, his eyes flicker across my face. I open my mouth to respond, but I can’t focus on one feeling because there are fragments of almost every one ricocheting in my mind. The overwhelming need to leave, to put some distance between us, burns at my core. I drop my elbow and roll to my back, taking in a deep breath, but finding it hard to pull in a deep enough one.

  Max is on top of me within a second. His lips fused to mine. He kisses life into me, blurring the lines of all the fragments until they’re just one piece of desire. His fingers play at my entrance and I grind my hips against them until he slips the
m inside me. I groan into his mouth as the tingling sensation in my core heightens from his expert fingers and I’m on the verge of release, my moans intensify, but everything stops when he pulls them out. My chest heaves and a few choice words are on my tongue until I notice him reach over and grab a condom out of his pants.

  His eyes pin me in place, daring me to move. I’m not going anywhere. But it’s been so long since I felt a man inside me. Damon was the last.

  “Max, I haven’t been with—” He stops me with his finger on my lips and nods in understanding.

  Leaning over, he kisses the side of my lips. “I’ll be gentle,” he whispers, guiding himself inside me until he’s fully sheathed. My body quivers, chills wrap around my spine and I gasp at the feeling of fullness, the slight sting twisting to pleasure. He entwines our fingers and brings them above my head.

  Our bodies move in a fluid motion, my legs squeeze tight around his waist and his eyes never leave mine. Our souls are bared as we dance to a sensual rhythm. This time is nothing like the first time we were together where our sexual energies were riding high from emotions. Our hearts are leading this dance. The song, pure and simple.

  I’ve never been so afraid for a song to end.

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Sydney

  The silence between us is louder than a bull horn. The endless chatter in my head spurs panic.

  What did we do?

  Where do we go from here?

  What will our friends think?

  What would Damon think?

  “It’s just you and me in this room, Tink,” he states as if hearing the damning questions. I press up on my elbow and meet his eyes.

  “Is it?” I whisper, wondering if it could ever be just us. I dig my head into his hard chest and groan. I’m spoiling the moment. Why can’t I let go of the past?

  Max wraps his arms around my shoulders, kissing the top of my head. The sweet gesture helps me relax. I focus on his heartbeat. “We’ll take this however you want. Slow or fast,” he rasps into my hair. “The only option you don’t have, is walking away. I’m not letting that happen again.”