“Max.” My lips formed his name, but I didn’t feel the vibrations in my throat that told me any sound had escaped. Still, his eyes were glued to my mouth, so I knew he understood the plea of my speaking his name.
He leaned in close, lightly touching his lips to my temple, then down to the corner of my mouth. The heat of his breath on my skin made me shiver, and I clenched my legs closed as the throb pulsed to the out-of-control beat of my heart. “Sleep,” he signed. “I don’t want you to have any regrets. When you’re ready, I’ll give you everything you want and need. I promise.”
I liked that he wasn’t rushing me, that he was giving me time to trust him. But for some reason, I already trusted him. More so than any other person in years. I couldn’t put it into words, but there was just something in Max’s eyes that told me every part of myself was safe with this guy.
Including my heart.
But even though my entire body was one achy throb, I wasn’t sure if I was ready for that kind of intimacy. I was a virgin. Did guys even want a virgin these days? One of the girls at school had been telling her friends that she’d had sex with her boyfriend. He’d gotten so pissed because it was her first time and he’d thought she was more experienced, that he’d actually broken up with her over it.
I’d thought the guy was a douchebag, that he’d only been after sex and once he’d gotten it, he’d come up with whatever dumb reason to break up with her. But now, I wondered if Max would get upset that I had no experience. Would he still want me if he knew? Would it turn him off?
He tapped me on the nose, pulling me out of my thoughts. “Sleep,” he encouraged. “I’ll be on the couch.”
Quickly, I sat up, shaking my head. If anyone should be on the couch, it was me. He’d already given me so much. A delicious meal. A hot shower. Fresh clothes. A roof over my head. And now I was taking up his bed? It wasn’t right to steal his big comfy bed as well.
He gently pushed me back down until my head was resting on the pillows. “You are going to sleep in here,” he signed while glaring down at me. “I need you to sleep in my bed, little one.”
“But—”
He captured my hands before I could sign more and kissed each palm before tucking them under the blanket. “Don’t argue. I won’t sleep if you don’t take the bed, and I have to work in the morning.”
“Where do you work?” I asked curiously.
“Downstairs,” he informed me with a shrug. “My dad owns half of the garage. I’ll inherit it one day, which was why he didn’t argue when I told him I was moving out and into this place.” He tucked the covers around me again, then leaned forward and rubbed my nose with his. “Sweet dreams, little treasure.”
Despite the lingering ache between my legs, I was almost asleep before he even closed the bedroom door on his way out. The bed was just too comfy and warm. With his scent surrounding me, and knowing he was just a room away, my brain shut down and sleep pulled me under.
The next time I opened my eyes, the sun was shining through the window. A glance at the clock told me it was 11:32. Gasping, I sat upright in bed. I hadn’t slept so late since leaving Uncle Tony’s house, and even then, it was a rare occurrence. Marta usually woke me up with breakfast, no matter what day of the week it was.
As I leaned back against the headboard, my fingers brushed over a sheet of paper. Picking it up, I saw it was a note from Max. Seeing his somewhat messy, masculine handwriting made me smile.
Delaney,
I didn’t want to leave for work without letting you know, but you were sleeping so peacefully I didn’t have the heart to wake you. I’ll come up for lunch, and we can eat together. Make yourself at home, because that is exactly what it is for you now.
There is cereal and other breakfast food in the pantry. The coffeepot is ready to go. Just turn it on when you get up.
See you soon, little one.
Max
I traced a fingertip over his name, a smile teasing at the corners of my mouth. Could he be any sweeter?
I tucked the note against my chest for a moment, my heart melting for him. Was it insane that I was falling for a guy I’d only met the night before? Maybe, but I realized I didn’t care if I was crazy or not. I liked Max, and with the way he made my heart so dang happy, I knew I could fall in love with him all too easily.
That should scare me, but fear was the last thing he made me feel.
Folding the piece of paper, I tucked it under my pillow and then got out of bed. I used the bathroom and saw that Max had left an extra toothbrush on the sink for me. I unwrapped it and placed it beside his in the holder. The sight made my heart constrict with a shot of pure happiness, and I practically skipped into the kitchen.
I made coffee and then a slice of toast. If Max was coming back for lunch, I wanted to eat with him, but my stomach was already vibrating with grumbles, demanding some kind of peace offering to hold it over until he returned.
After eating and savoring a cup of coffee, I cleaned up the kitchen and then went to take another shower. I’d had to wash my hair three times the night before just to feel clean, but I still washed it again. I needed to shave, but I didn’t want to ruin Max’s razor. Maybe I could find a job so I could buy a few personal items.
My period was due, and I’d run out of the hygiene products Marta had given me. I’d stocked up some at the shelters I’d stayed in back in Oakland, but those hadn’t lasted long either. Deciding I’d worry about that when the time came, I finished washing my body and then stepped out of the stall.
As I was wrapping the towel around myself, the bathroom door opened. My gaze locked with Max’s, and his nostrils flared. Hungrily, his metallic eyes caressed my body, his eyes tracing droplets of water as they dripped down my neck and were absorbed by the thick towel.
He tipped his head back for a moment, and I quickly made sure the towel was in place before he lowered his gaze back to mine. “Hi,” he greeted with a smile. “Did you miss me?”
I nodded, my own eyes eating up the sight of him. He was wearing dark-wash jeans again, but instead of the leather vest—or cut as he’d explained to me the night before—and white T-shirt, he was wearing a black industrial-style button-up. The sleeves were tight over his upper arms and molded to his thick chest. I was so entranced by the sight of him, I didn’t have time to feel embarrassed that I stood there with hairy legs.
“Good,” he signed. “You finish up in here, and I’ll make us some sandwiches.”
I nodded again, but I couldn’t take my eyes off him. He seemed to have the same problem, because he stood there for another minute before cupping the side of my face. I leaned into his touch, savoring the feel of his rough palm against my softer flesh.
“I need to feed you,” I read his lips. “But first, I need to taste you.”
I tilted my head back, silently giving him permission to kiss me all he wanted. He grabbed hold of my waist with his other hand, jerking me against him before cupping one of my hips. His thick fingers squeezed my bottom, and I felt my moan of pleasure vibrate in my chest. Slowly, I watched as his head lowered.
The kiss started off gentle, as if he were afraid of scaring me. But when my lips slightly parted, shyly offering him access, it changed. His fingers squeezed my hip, massaging it as his tongue stabbed in and out of my mouth, playing with my own.