Page 96 of Cream and Punishment
I cupped his jaw and pressed further against him, hungry for more. Not hunger out of need or desperation, but out of want. Desire. We existed together, and yet by ourselves. A duality beyond my comprehension and felt deep in my soul. And I couldn’t get enough. In fact, a whole lifetime kissing Max wouldn’t be enough.
But it would be a fantastic start.
thirty-three
Ifidgetedinmyseat, alternating between tugging and winding a stray curl. A neutral air freshener scent permeated the room, rather than the antiseptic smell I’d expected. The blue, green, and gray tones of the waiting room were undoubtedly designed to induce a calming effect on the patients until they were called back to meet with the different therapists here. But I wasn’t sure anything could settle the blizzard raging through me.
Until Max took my hand in his, that is. It didn’t completely subdue the icy storm in my veins, but the frigid winds died down to a manageable level, the frost in my fingertips receding to a dull chill.
“Thank you for coming with me,” I said, probably for the thirteenth time since we drove here.
“Always.” He gave my hand a squeeze. “I’m really proud of you, you know. I can imagine how difficult this is for you.”
My throat tightened with gratitude and the distinct impression of beingseen. Between researching different psychiatrists in the area, then working up the courage and mental capacity tocalland schedule an appointment, then call somewhereelseto see if they could fit me in sooner, I’d been burnt out for a whole day afterward. Bare minimum productivity. But, hey, hopefully soon these sorts of tasks—ones so many people could do so easily—wouldn’t be a whole-day ordeal with a recovery period afterward anymore.
I returned his smile, keeping my voice low to avoid disturbing the other patrons. “I want to be able to cope with this part of me, maybe find ways to workwithit. I want to be better.”
He kissed my hand, the feel of his lips on my skin still thrilling after a week of being his official girlfriend. “I’ll support you every step of the way. But I want you to remember, Chef” —he lowered his voice to match my volume— “I love you right now, too. Exactly as you are.”
I offered a crooked smile, his tenderness thawing the blizzard inside a little more. “Work in progress and all?”
“We’re all a work in progress, I hope. And yes.Exactlyas you are.” He caressed my jaw, not caring in the slightest about all the people watching him. “Do you have any idea how grateful I am that you’re my future?”
“Hopefully as grateful asIam that you’remyfuture?” I teased.
And yet, it wasn’t an exaggeration at all. No more walking along the shore, believing that was all there was for me. I’d waded into the beautiful, terrifying unknown with him. My safety. And after seeing the sunrise from here, there was no way I was going back.
He chuckled, eyes bright. “Even more.”
I made a sound like a game show buzzer, which thankfully made him laugh instead of side-eye me hardcore like the guy three chairs down. “Nope. Impossible. But nice try.”
Before he could respond, the receptionist looked up from her computer and met my eye. “Dekker Piper? They’re ready for you.”
Epilogue
Iraisedmybrows,stifling a laugh. “No, absolutely not. You must have a social death wish if you think letting me on that dance floor is a good idea.”
Max grinned, eyes twinkling mischievously. The baby blue of his groomsman tie was radiant against his olive skin, practically making him glow like the Greek god he was. Whoever had tailored his suit had done so to perfection.
And he was mine, all mine.
He gently pulled me to my feet, leaning in to murmur in my ear. His breath sent chills down my skin, lighting my nerves on fire and making my heart lurch. “And here all I was thinking about was dancing with the most beautiful woman here.”
I laughed, warmth flooding my chest. “You’re going to have to try harder than that.”
“Alright. But remember, you forced my hand.”
No sooner had he said that than the DJ started playing Billy Joel’sUptown Girl. And, really, who could resist going rabid to that song? Based on the triumphant gleam in Max’s eyes, it wasn’t a coincidence that this classic had interrupted the string of upbeat pop and slower love songs.
When we staked out enough space on the dance floor, I timidly bobbed my head and swayed side to side while Max started his quirky dancing. It was somewhere between a fist pump, spin, and a jig, and it washorrible.
I glanced around the crowd self-consciously, folding my arms against my chest to appear smaller. Anything so they couldn’t witness my ineptitude on the dance floor. Even my swaying and head bobbing seemed uncoordinated compared to the twirls and real dance moves the older couples were doing.
“Hey.” Max grabbed my hands, pulling my attention away from Lex and Colt absolutely slaying it on the dance floor. “Don’t worry about them. It’s just you and me.”
I laughed, mentally turning back to the first time I’d ever seen him dance.
“That’s better,” he praised, sending me into a twirl.
