Page 68 of Fanged Temptation

“In here,” came her voice from somewhere deeper in the apartment, melodic and tinged with tense anticipation.

I picked my way around the rug edges—trying very hard not to mar the soft piles with my boots—and followed the sound of her voice, turning into the living area.

And there she was, perched on the edge of a chaise lounge like a scene straight out of a home decor magazine—except forthe anxious way she wrung her hands. The moment she saw me, her face broke into a radiant smile.

Then her eyes flicked to my boots. “Ew.”

“Good to see you too,” I muttered, standing awkwardly among her many—many—belongings.

I’d practiced my oh-so-romantic ‘I want to give this thing between us a try’ speech on the way over after I’d given her a call, but now that I was standing right in front of her, I was at a loss for words.

Maxine, however, was too busy inspecting her carpets to notice my unease. “I suppose I could vacuum tomorrow…” She glanced back at me, smile lighting up all over again. “Anyway, I’m glad you’re here!”

I swallowed, a swirl of emotions tightening my chest. We’d been dancing around this new reality for a week. After all the chaos, it was like meeting her again—for the first time. I was here, on the threshold of a new life, my duffel bag a dead giveaway that I wanted to stay.

I wanted to stay forever.

So I sucked in a breath and forced myself to meet her gaze. “I… I’ve decided,” I murmured, heart thudding against my sternum. “I’m going to stay in New York.”

Maxine stilled, then she rose from the chaise. Then she froze, like she wasn’t quite sure what to do from there. I sucked in a breath.

“I want… I want to be where you are.” My cheeks heated, and I forced myself to keep going. “I want us to finally… be together, the way we always wanted to be. Picking up where we left off. If—if you still want that.”

For a beat, the world slowed on its axis. Then Maxine’s eyes lit up, brighter than the skyline outside her windows.

“You have no idea how long I’ve hoped you’d say that.” She whispered the words and I stepped closer when she reachedfor me. “Yes, I want that—of course I want that! More than anything.”

A rush of warmth enveloped me, coupled with her arms sliding around my waist. Maxine leaned in, pressing her lips to mine in a slow, reverent kiss that made my knees weak and wobbly. When we broke apart, she rested her forehead against mine, her voice trembling with subdued excitement.

“Stay with me,” she said, brushing a lock of hair behind my ear. “Here—wherever, as long as we’re together.”

Laughter trickled from my lips and I closed my eyes. “I don’t think your carpets can handle me, but… yeah. I’d like that.”

I’ll stay forever.

A moment later, Maxine cocked her head to the side. “You know, you could move in right now. Full-time. I mean, we’d have to figure out the details, but…” She trailed off, glancing around her living area as if mentally rearranging furniture to accommodate me.

I smirked, arching a brow. “You do realize you’re a hoarder, right?”

At Maxine’s spluttered protests, my gaze trailed to the excessive walk-in closet next to her bedroom door, packed to bursting. “You own more shoes than I’ve ever seen in a single store. Where would I evenputmy stuff?”

But Maxine waved a dismissive hand, a faint blush coloring her cheeks. “I can make space. My closet might be Pandora’s box, but I can definitely—I mean, there’s got to be some old outfits I never wear anyway.”

“Uh-huh,” I teased, edging toward the closet. “You’re so sure you can part with your beloved couture? I doubt it.”

A tiny frown tugged at her lips, and she stomped—quite dramatically, I might add—toward her wardrobe with determined vigor. “Just watch me.”

She threw open the doors fully, rummaging around and pulling out hangers of dresses and jackets, tossing them onto the chaise. In fairness, it barely made a dent in her collection.

“Seriously?” I murmured, flicking through some of the items she’d cast aside. Silk, leather, sequins, fabrics I couldn’t even name. “When would you even wear half of this stuff?”

She turned, an almost coy smile curving her lips. “Everything has a purpose.”

I raised a brow and her voice dropped conspiratorially. “Some outfits are for formal events, some are for lay-low nights, and some–” She paused, eyeing me with a mischievous glint. “Some are forveryspecial occasions.”

I snorted. “I’ll bet.” My gaze lingered on a flamboyant red gown with a slit that went on for miles. “I can’t imagine you wearing this to your day job.”

She gave me a theatrical sigh. “Whatever. Now go wait for me in the bedroom. I need to do some real thinking before I part with anything more substantial. If I’m losing closet space, I’d better do it right.”

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