Page 63 of Craving You

Slowly, she nodded. “I know that, and I understand. So much of our situation has just been…awkward, but…”

Pausing, she took a step back and thought about her conversation with Jade. While she knew she couldn’t magically get through her issues, she also knew that there was no way she could keep living her life the way she’d been. Her ex had already stolen so much from her; was she really going to let him steal this too?

“I can’t help that I have insecurities. I know they don’t have anything to do with you specifically, but…I have to work through them, okay? I can’t just turn it off, but I want to try, Max. With you. For us.”

Then Hailey let out a shaky breath and left the decision up to him. He could either accept what she had to say and be patient with her—even while they explored the sexual chemistry that never went away—or he could wait until she could give him everything he wanted.

She just wasn’t sure that was ever going to happen.

“Please don’t pull back from me after this,” he whispered before moving in and pulling her into his arms. “Please.” And then he was kissing her, and Hailey swore it was the first time she truly felt alive since the trip home from Florida.

Wrapping herself around him, she kissed him back as if her life depended on it. He might be afraid of her pulling back, but she had fears of her own.

Unless he was kissing her and touching her. Then she was the most confident woman in the world.

Max lifted her. “Wrap your legs around me,” he urged, before heading over to the sofa. “The bedroom’s too far. I hope this is okay.”

Nodding frantically, she let out a joyous laugh as they tumbled onto the cushions. “I was really hoping you weren’t going to try to carry me up two flights of stairs.” She trailed kisses along his jaw, nipped at his ear, and rubbed up against him as she kicked her shoes off.

They were clumsy in their haste to get undressed, but it was the sexiest kind of fun. And when they were both naked and Max settled on top of her, there were dozens of things that her heart was begging her to say to him. Instead, she whispered, “Make love to me, Max.”

And that seemed to please him immensely.

Hailey was sprawled out on top of him while Max lazily caressed up and down her spine. They were breathless, and he was almost afraid to say anything to ruin the moment.

When she came down the stairs and started watching him on the treadmill, he knew the exact moment she went from casually observing him to thinking sexy thoughts about him.

And it was nice to know that she hadn’t completely turned off those feelings.

Living with her this last week had been everything he’d hoped it would be. They were getting to know each other in a way that they wouldn’t have been able to do with Marcus and Billie being here with them. Every day he learned something more about her, and one thing had become inherently clear.

She was so much more than he ever let himself imagine.

Cooking with her was a blast and laughing with her brought more joy into his daily life than he thought possible. They talked about current events, practical and random topics, and never ran out of things to say. Hell, he felt closer to Hailey than he had to any other woman he’d dated.

They were building a sound foundation for their future.

He just hoped she saw it too.

“As much as I would love to stay just like this and maybe eat brownies, we have those house tours tonight,” she said quietly, snuggling closer.

Max’s hand splayed across her lower back, holding her to him. “Mmm…that would be nice—the naked and brownies thing—but I guess we need to be responsible. Your cousin did set up those appointments for us, and it would be rude if we didn’t show up.”

“Being responsible sucks,” she mumbled, but followed that with a giggle. “But I am going to need to take a shower before we go.”

“Me too.” Shifting slightly, he asked, “Care to join me?”

Another giggle. Lifting her head, she grinned. “I think we both know that would definitely make us miss those appointments.” With a pout, she carefully pushed off of him and got to her feet. For a moment, Max simply admired her gorgeous curves. They had nothing to do with her pregnancy; they were just all her, and he knew he’d never tire of looking at her.

Unfortunately, she was pulling her panties back on and then tugged her shirt on to cover herself.

“Now that’s a shame,” he said as he got to his feet.

“What is?”

“Hiding your beautiful body. It would have been very sexy watching you walk upstairs naked.

Her blush was fast and furious. “Max…”

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