Page 77 of It's Not Home Without You

“It’s a good thing I’m here to stay.”

“Good.” His response was immediate. He positioned himself above me once again and brought his lips to mine. I kissed him back slowly, liking my taste on his lips. Last time I didn’t get to relish the feel of him with no rubber. We were in such a frenzy, but now I couldn’t wait. Max kissed the tip of my nose, then proceeded to rest his forehead on top of mine as he slowly entered me. Still sensitive, my hips jerked a little, causing him to slide in faster.

“Fuck, baby.”

“Max,”I replied.

Suddenly, I wanted to cry just thinking I could have missed out on this feeling between us for the rest of my life. Nothing compared, and nothing ever would.

“I love you, Freya.” His words seared into my heart and brought down the remainder of the walls I had built since I left.

“I love you too,” I finished saying before he was fully in me. I felt so full... so loved. I’d had sex plenty of times, but making love, that only happened with him. We became a tangle of limbs. Our lips were clashing fervently, our hands touching every piece of skin that once had been denied.

“You look so fucking beautiful with my cock in you, taking me. Come for me, Freya. I need to see you fall apart.”

His wish was my command.

“Oh, God—Max.” I threw my head back in ecstasy. Max grabbed both my hands and clasped them behind my head as he held them, chasing his own release.

His thrusts came rough and fast. He gritted as he gazed at me through half-mast eyes. “Say my name.”

“Maximilian.” I moaned.

We laid in bed,my head to his chest, his arms around me, and our legs entwined. Was this how it felt to have all your shit together? It was nice—peaceful.

“I’m done pretending like we aren’t together,” I said after a while.

“Yeah?” he responded with laziness, or maybe contentment. Probably contentment since I was mellow myself. By now I was sure everyone at the B&B had heard me scream Max’s name.

“Yeah, I’m tired of telling our friends why I’m not with you. Besides, ever since the chief put up the plaque with my name, people have been nicer.” They would not throw a parade in my honor—I mean, the whole cow on school property caused somedamage.

“Fucking finally,” Max muttered before he kissed the top of my head. Shortly after, we both dozed off wrapped in each other’s arms. It didn’t matter that we were in a motel with our lives recovering from chaos. As long as we were in each other’s arms, we would be okay.

As long as we were together, we would always be home.

CHAPTER FORTY

Sunlight was creepingthrough the windows when I woke up. I knew Max was awake because he was tracing patterns on my naked back. Sometimeduring the night, I draped myself over him. I closed my eyes and enjoyed the moment. This was the feeling I kept trying to chase the entire time I was away.

To feel at peace with myself.

My lips trembled, and I couldn’t help and ask myself if this was how it could have been had I not left. I guess it was another thing I would have to learn to live with. Second chances were rare, and Max was my one that got away, except he didn’t get away. He was back, and I would not waste our time together wondering about irrelevant scenarios.

I was Maximilian’s as long as he wanted me.

“Morning,” I mumbled into his chest, feeling shy all of asudden. Was my hair okay? Oh God, I should have set the alarm so I could have brushed my teeth. Max had never seen me in all my morning glory. My hair looked like a bird’s nest. It was not pretty.

Max didn’t care for my morning freak-out; he was not having it. He tilted my chin up, and I wanted to hate him because he looked perfect. Sex hair on a guy always looked hot. His scruff was sexy. Still, he looked at me with softness and love.

Like I was perfect.

“Morning, beautiful.”

I didn’t have a chance toprotest when he kissed me. It was light, short, and sweet—mostly because I refused to open my mouth.

“Are you done freaking out?” he teased with a guarded look in his eyes. I wasn’t the only one who was scared, and that made me feel better.

“I can’t help but wonder if this is how things could have been if I hadn’t left, but at the same time,leaving was good for me. I’m not sure I could have achieved everything I did if I had stayed.” It wasn’t something I thought of when I was sad because I knew I would have followed Max to college and worked my ass off to help him, but then what? Would I have been a stay-at-home mom with nothing else to offer? “I’m sorry, I know it’s not what you wanted to hear,” I added.

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