by J. H. Croix
“Oh. Um, where were you?”
“At the inn just down the street. The house isn’t quite ready for me to move in.”
“Oh.”
You know, your vocabulary is usually a little better than ‘oh.’ Shut up. She snapped back at her inner critic.
“Do you usually walk around downtown this late?” Max asked, his mouth curling in a smile.
“Not too often. I had dinner with friends and wanted some fresh air.”
While her words managed to sound calm and collected, inside she was spinning wildly. Her belly fluttered and need tightened within. Having him close by nearly melted her.
He nodded and angled his head to the side. “Do you remember…?”
She nodded swiftly before he finished his question.
His eyes held hers, tawny gold in the soft glow from the Christmas tree lights. “How did you know what I was about to ask?”
With her heart beating hard and fast, she took a breath. “I don’t know. I thought you were going to ask about the time you hid my Christmas present here.”
“I was.” His words were soft and gruff.
His eyes stayed locked on her. He took a step, coming within inches of her. She could feel the heat of him. She gulped in air, her breasts rising with her breath and brushing against his chest.
Max lifted a hand and traced a finger along her jawline. She was nearly vibrating with need at the subtle touch. “Max…” His name fell from her lips unbidden.
He closed the tiny gap between them and slid his arm around her waist, pulling her flush against him just as he dipped his head and fit his mouth over hers. The moment his lips touched hers, it was as if she dove into a fire. His tongue swept into her mouth with bold, deep strokes. She met each stroke with her own and arched into him. By the time he pulled away, she was slightly surprised she didn’t collapse in a heap.
He looked down at her, his breath heaving. The air around them misted. “I…”
She cut him off. “Come on,” she said, gripping one of his hands and turning away. She strode quickly across the green, tugging him with her. He matched her stride until they were almost running across the street. She led him around to the back of the store, fumbling for her keys before she managed to unlock the door. He kicked it shut behind them and spun her around. With her back to the wall, she looked up at him. He leaned his elbows on either side of her head and brushed her hair away from her face.
“You have no idea what you do to me,” he whispered roughly.
She stroked a hand between them, curling it over his hard cock and sliding it up and down. “I think maybe I do,” she said with a sly smile. Mixed with her intense desire was the old playfulness she used to feel with him.
His laugh came out with a groan. “Okay, maybe you do.”
At that, he turned his head and bit her earlobe, sending a burning shiver through her. He moved on from there to trail kisses down her neck. She started tearing at his clothes, shoving his jacket off his shoulders and fumbling with the buttons on his jeans. He stepped back, his lips making their way along her collarbone, and pushed her jacket off. In the dim hallway, their clothes piled up on the floor until he was lifting her against him, her breasts bare against his muscled chest. She moaned his name when he arched his hips against her, the heated length of him pressing against her clit and sending sharp spikes of pleasure through her.
10
Max dragged his mouth away from Roxy’s neck and lifted his eyes when his name came out in a breathy moan. Her head was thrown back against the wall, her hair a wild tangle around her face. Lust was pounding through him so hard and fast he could hardly bear it. As if she sensed him looking at her, she opened her eyes, her gaze locking with his. She shifted her hips again. He bit back a groan and started to adjust her in his arms. She wiggled free, sliding her back down the wall and shoving his jeans and briefs down around his hips. Before he could think a single thought, she swirled her tongue around the head of his cock and took him in her mouth.
His palm slapped against the wall as he struggled to hold himself upright while she proceeded to drive him mad. She explored the length of him with her tongue and mouth, licking, stroking and sucking, until he thought he would explode. She drew back, her tongue gliding along the underside of his cock, and paused. He managed to drag his eyes open and look down. The sight of her nearly made him come right then and there. Her lips were swollen, her eyes gleaming in the dim light in the hall and her nipples were peaked. He latched onto a thin thread of control and reached for her, tugging her up roughly and yanking her jeans down. She kicked them free as he lifted her against him.
Shoving the silk between her thighs out of the way, he dragged his fingers through her slick folds, groaning in satisfaction at the feel of how ready she was. He reached blindly for his wallet in his pocket, and she arched against him, reaching between them to curl her hand around his cock. “Don’t,” she rasped. “I’m on the pill.”
He froze and looked at her. “Are you…?”
“I’m sure,” she answered before he completed his question. “I want to feel you,” she whispered, the look in her eyes reaching in and lassoing his heart.
He adjusted her in his arms as she guided him to her channel, slipping her hand out of the way. He held still for a moment, feeling the pulse of her against the tip of his cock. Fifteen years of missing her, and he couldn’t have fathomed how intense and right it would feel to be with her again. He stepped closer, inching inside of her as her back came against the wall. Holding her hips firmly with one hand while she curled her legs around his hips, he brushed her hair away from her face as he slowly sheathed himself inside of her. Her eyes started to fall closed.
“Roxy, look at me.” His words came out roughly.
Her eyes flickered open again, meeting his. Only then did he start to move, rocking slowly against her. She flexed in his hold, meeting each roll of his hips with her own. Her slick channel throbbed around him, clenching his shaft again and again. Their breath was ragged, and the short hallway filled with pants, groans and whimpers. He felt her begin to tighten and reached between them, swirling his thumb over her clit. Her head slammed back as she cried out, and he finally let go, pouring his release into her.
He held tight as his body slowly eased. Her legs loosened and hung beside his hips. He rested his forehead in the crook of her neck and breathed in her scent. No matter the time or place, she always carried the subtle scent of baking on her—a sugary, cinnamon scent. Her skin was damp against his. She idly stroked his hair, and the lion within him purred its satisfaction. After several long moments, he felt goose bumps form on her skin. The hallway was slightly chilly. He lifted his head and looked at her.
“Maybe we should get somewhere a little warmer,” he said.
He wasn’t ready to push it, but he prayed she wouldn’t untangle herself and send him away just yet. He mentally breathed a sigh of relief when her mouth curled in a small smile.
“Let’s,” she replied, wiggling against him slightly.
Roxanne opened her eyes slowly. The sun wasn’t quite up yet, but the bedroom was faintly light. Dawn was breaking, and she needed to get to the kitchen. Early mornings had been a part of her life for so long, she tended to rise easily no matter the hour and how little sleep she’d had the night before. Yet this morning, with her head curled against Max’s shoulder and his arm hugging her close to him, she didn’t want to get up. She wanted to stay right here and savor every breath. Her palm had landed on his chest during her sleep, and she idly explored the muscled planes. It wasn’t that she’d forgotten he had a body to die for, but they’d been young back then. His lanky build had filled out and hardened. He had the body of a shifter—pure muscle and power bundled into a human form.
“Hey there.”
At the sound of his gravelly words, she glanced up to find his eyes open. His tawny amber gaze held hers. Her heart clenched and her belly fluttered. “Good morning,” she finally managed.
The corner of his mouth hooked in a half grin. “It’s most definitely a good morning,” he said, his voice stronger. “I suppose you have to get to the kitchen soon.”
At her nod, he moved swiftly. “Okay, let me take care of something real quick.”
She squeaked as he rose up and slid down her body, his palms tracing the curve of her hips and sliding between her thighs. Searing desire flashed to life inside. He pushed her thighs apart and dragged a finger through her folds. In mere seconds, she was drenched and panting for him. Her hips arched restlessly into his touch as he slid one finger and then another into her channel. Sweet streaks of pleasure raced through her. Any sense of control was lost when he brought his mouth to her, his tongue joining the exploration of his fingers. He traced her folds with his wet touch while his fingers stroked into and out of her channel. Her entire body was humming with need, taut and aching for release. He swirled his tongue around her clit once, and she came in a noisy burst, her cries ricocheting around the room.
With her channel still throbbing, he rose up, his mouth meandering its way up her body. By the time his lips reached her neck, she was frantic again. She curled her legs around his hips and sighed when he slid inside. He seated himself deeply and held still. “Roxy, look at me.”
His gruff command brought her eyes open. His gaze burned into her as he started to move. She couldn’t look away from the intimacy in his eyes. He moved with slow, deliberate strokes, driving deep again and again and again. From the echoes of her last climax, pleasure tightened in a coil inside until it let loose once more. She tumbled into the pounding release. He drove deep once more, his body went taut and he called out her name before he collapsed against her.
He immediately shifted his weight to her side. They lay still for several long moments, their breath slowing in unison. She finally managed to open her eyes. He was propped on an elbow. “Good morning again,” he said with a grin.
She couldn’t stop her return smile, her heart light and airy. “I really have to get up now,” she said, giving his chest a little push. He moved easily and followed her into the shower.
Hours later after Max had spent a good hour helping her in the deli kitchen before she’d sent him away with a fresh cup of coffee, Roxanne stood behind the register barely able to think about much of anything other than Max as she took orders. Conveniently, she’d been doing this for so long, she didn’t really need to think to work efficiently. She handed over a customer’s change and moved on. “What can I get for you?” she asked as she closed the register drawer.
“A coffee,” came the flat reply.
She looked up to find Brad Peyton standing on the other side of the counter. Confusion and a touch of anger rose within. She schooled her expression to neutral. Brad was the only Peyton not in jail anymore. He’d managed to plead out for cooperating with the authorities. She heard he’d been released about a month ago, but she hadn’t seen him around town much. Brad’s brown eyes met hers, holding a look of resignation tinged with bitterness.
“Just plain coffee?” she asked in return.
Brad nodded, his dark hair falling over his eyes.
“Coming right up,” she said, spinning around to snag a paper cup and pour his coffee.
She slid it across the counter to him. Brad handed over a five-dollar bill. When she gave him his change, Brad pocketed it and picked up his coffee. He paused for a moment, as if considering something. She waited, wondering what he might have to say. He finally met her eyes. “Look, I know I don’t have much of a chance to make things right, but I’m sorry for what my family did.”
His words startled her, and it must’ve showed on her face. He shrugged and shook his head slowly. “Look, my dad’s an ass. Along with Callen and Randall too,” he said bitterly. “I’m not gonna act like I’m an angel, but I didn’t know how to get out of it once I was caught up in it. I feel like shit about the whole thing. I know my apology might not mean much, but…” His words trailed off. He looked at her resolutely, as if determined not to cower.
She finally nodded slowly, startled at his words, yet contemplating how awful it must be to be him. “I won’t pretend what your family did wasn’t horrible because it was. You put all shifters in danger because we were at risk of being exposed. I’ll give it to you for cooperating with the police because you were the only one.” She paused, watching him, and saw nothing but pained regret in his gaze. “Why me?”
“Huh?”
“Why are you apologizing to me?”
“Because I used to love coming here. Even though my family acted like it owned this damn town, you were still nice to me. Seeing as half the town won’t even talk to me, I figure I’ll make my apologies when and where I can. Thanks for not throwing me out.”
Roxanne felt a stab of sympathy for Brad, which she couldn’t quite believe. After everything his family had done, it was hard to consider forgiveness. Yet, it was obvious Brad felt badly about what happened. As she stood there watching him, she thought of Max and the suspicions around his father’s death.
“I wouldn’t throw you out even if you didn’t apologize. I serve whoever walks through the door. I have a question for you if you don’t mind.”
Brad shook his head. “Ask away.”
“Know anything about what your dad was up to back when he was managing River Run Mill?”
Brad looked startled and slowly shook his head. “Not really. That’s a bit out of the blue. Why do you ask?”
Roxanne didn’t want to give anything away about the investigation, so she shrugged. “Just curious. Think about it. I know it was fifteen years ago, but if you have any ideas about that time, stop by and talk to Hank.”
Brad eyed her for a long moment. “I’ll do that. Don’t suppose you’d fill me in on what’s behind this?”
She shook her head. “If you want to help out, that’d be great though.”
Brad nodded. “Will do. Perhaps I’ll visit Hank now. If I can help with anything else my dad mucked up, I’d be happy to. I’ve known since I was little that he’s a power hungry jerk.” He paused and took a swallow of coffee. “Anyway, thanks for actually talking to me. I’ll be by again soon.”
At that, he turned away. Roxanne watched him go, the wheels in her mind turning over her encounter with him. There was enough of a lull for her to take a break, so she asked Becky to keep an eye on the counter and slipped into the back hall.
Max picked up on the first ring. “Hey Roxy, what’s up?”
She smiled straight through at the sound of his voice, her hand gripping the phone. “Hey, I only have a minute, but Brad Peyton stopped by.”
“Oh, and?”
“Well, first he apologized generally for the massive mess his family created. After we got through that, I asked him if he remembered anything his dad was up to back when he was managing River Run Mill and told him to talk to Hank if he thought of anything.”
“Well then. Any ideas from him?”
“Nope, not really, but maybe he just needs some time to think. I figure if he’s feeling bad about what his family did, he might be a big help. He’s the only one who cooperated with the police when everything went down with the smuggling network, so he’s already burned his bridges with his family.”
“Alright then. I’m planning to stop by and see Hank this afternoon, so I’ll give him a heads up. How’s it going?” he asked, shifting gears.
“Same, same. Busy here, but then it’s always busy here. How’s it going at the house?” He’d told her he was heading up to his family’s home to do some cleaning today.
“Pretty good. Honestly, it’s not much more than a ton of dust.” He paused, and she could hear his intake of breath. “It was nice to wake up with you.”
The sound of his gruff words through the phone sent a shiver through her. After he’d left this morning, it had belatedly occurred to her last night was the first night they’d actually slept together. In the throes of their heated, seventeen year-old love, they’d been bound by the
limits their parents set. They’d managed to give each other their virginity one night in Max’s car when they were supposed to be at the movies. After that, they’d taken every stolen chance they got to twine themselves together. Yet, they’d never fallen asleep in each other’s arms and woken up together. Until now. Her heart gave a hard kick, and she closed her eyes at the rush of emotion rolling through her.
“It was,” she finally whispered in reply.
They were quiet together on the phone for several beats. She opened her eyes and stared at the wall across from her in the hallway. The hum of voices from the deli reached her, and she gave a mental shake. “I have to go,” she said abruptly.
“Right. You’re at work. Can I stop by tonight?”
Before she could think about it, she heard herself saying yes. She hung up the phone and stood there. Her heart was pounding and heat suffused her. A sense of joy rose within and suddenly she was afraid. She was forgetting how easy it was to lose herself in Max.
Anxiety bloomed within, coiling tightly around her chest and throat. She forced herself to take a breath. She felt torn in two. Being with Max felt so good—so, so good. Yet, she didn’t want to lose the strength and independence she’d gained after she finally got over her youthful, fevered dreams about him. But you won’t. Max loves you. That’s what he says, but how do I know he won’t leave again? Because now you know why he did. Have faith in him. Just once, let yourself have what you know you can.
She shook her head sharply, trying to shut up the lobbying thoughts in her mind. Her cat rumbled inside, nudging her to listen to her heart and her instincts. Yet, she had done so once upon a time and it had taken years to piece her heart back together. With Max strolling boldly back into her life, she’d come to learn she’d been fooling herself to think she’d actually gotten over him.
