Page 22 of My Surprising Valentine

He laughed, the sound rich and wondering, like he couldn’t quite believe this was real either. “God, we’re idiots.”

“Complete idiots,” I agreed, smoothing his tie where I’d grabbed hold of it.

As euphoric as his confession made me feel, I found myself pausing, something niggling at the edges of my mind. I was scared to give voice to the doubts bubbling to the fore, but I needed to know. “Can I ask you something?”

“Anything.”

“If you’ve felt this way all along, why all the others? I mean, you haven’t exactly been subtle about your … dating habits.” I forced myself to meet his eyes, needing to understand.

His expression tightened, lines bracketing his lips. “I was trying to get over you.” His thumb traced my cheekbone, the touch so gentle it made my chest ache. I found myself leaning into his hand, still half afraid he might pull away. “But it didn’t work. Why do you think none of those relationships lasted?”

“I assumed it was because you’re allergic to commitment.”

“I’m allergic to committing to the wrong person.” He brushed his lips across my temple.

“Why now? What’s changed?” I hated how small my voice sounded, but I had to know. After years of watching him move from one relationship to the next, never staying with anyone for longer than a few months, I needed to be sure that wasn’t what was happening now.

“Because I’m done pretending I want anyone but you—even if you do drool all over me.”

“That was one time!” I protested, laughing as I said it, giddy with the reality of being in his arms, of finally being able to touch him the way I’d always wanted to.

“One time that I’m going to tease you about forever.” His smile faded slightly, something serious crossing his expression. “That is … I mean …”

I pressed my finger to his lips. “Are you actually nervous right now?”

“Terrified,” he admitted against my fingertip. “I’ve wanted this for so long that I’m half convinced I’m going to wake up and find out this is just another dream.”

My heart fluttered. “You dream about me?”

The look he gave me was heated enough to make my knees weak. “More than I should probably admit to.”

“Tell me,” I said, my fingers playing with his tie again. “What happens in these dreams?”

His eyes darkened. “Hannah …”

“What? I’m curious.” I wasn't sure where my boldness was coming from—maybe it was just the heady knowledge that Max actually wanted me as much as I wanted him. “Lord knows I’ve had plenty of dreams about you.”

“Have you now?”

“Mmm-hmm.” I pressed my body against him. “Would you like to hear about them?”

“Yes,” he said roughly, but then he groaned, dropping his forehead to mine. “No. Wait. We should talk about what this means moving forward.”

“No more talking,” I said, my heart melting a little at his restraint. This was why I’d fallen for him in the first place—he always tried to do the right thing, even when it wasn’t easy.

“I just …” He pulled back again to meet my eyes again. “I need you to understand this isn’t just physical for me. That this isn’t some fling or?—”

I cut him off with a soft kiss. “I know. And it’s not for me either.” I slid my hands up his chest and then raked my nails back down. He sucked in a sharp intake of breath when they raked over his nipples. “No more talking.”

“You’re killing me,” he muttered, but his hands were already sliding up my back, leaving trails of fire in their wake. “What about your family? David?—”

“Can wait until tomorrow.” I pressed my lips to his jaw, feeling the rough scratch of stubble against my mouth. “Right now, I just want …”

Chapter Ten

Max staredat me like he couldn’t believe this was finally happening, his gaze roaming over me with a heat that made me shiver. The intensity in his eyes sent a pulse of awareness through me, and for a moment, all the air seemed to leave the room.

His voice was rough—strained—when he said, “Tell me what you want.”

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