Page 88 of Maximum
Jolene turned to me. “Is that true?”
“No, I was watching Rose, but then I spoke to Atlas and he was worried about you. It freaked me out and I decided to make sure you were both safe.”
“Okay, and now you see that we’re perfectly fine so everything should be all peachy, right?” Jolene asked.
My arms were already crossed but I stuffed them under my armpits. “Did you talk to Atlas?”
“Yes, he’s overprotective as always, but I managed to calm him down.”
“I would be calm too if I hadn’t just seen Fleur with four other men.”
Fleur snorted. “Oh, for Christ’s sake, Max, you make it sound like you walked in on me having an orgy.”
“Maximum, come on… did you think you’re the only man who can see Fleur’s beauty and charm?”
“No.” I narrowed my eyes at Jolene. “You’re not helping.”
“This is a matter of trust between you two. It doesn’t matter how long a line of suitors Fleur has; you need to trust that she won’t cheat on you. What do you think it’s like for Nathan with Serena having millions of fans?”
“I’m not Nathan.” My words came out through gritted teeth.
“No, but at least he was smart enough to see that if he wanted other men to stay away, he had to put a ring on her finger.”
I wanted to scream but controlled my voice enough that it only vibrated minimally from the insufferable pain in my chest. “I’ve wanted to do that from the day I saw her, but Fleur doesn’t want to marry me.”
Jolene looked between us and then she sighed. “I’m taking a bathroom break while you two talk.” As she crossed the street, Fleur and I stood with our arms crossed.
“Why did you say that last thing? When did I ever say that I never wanted to marry you?”
My lip curled up. “I asked you, remember? That day at the gallery when I’d made such a mess of things. You didn’t even answer and all our talk about children stopped months ago. It’s like you’re still trying to decide if I’m worth your time.”
Her arms fell. “Are you serious? I’ve been giving you time because you’re younger than me and I figured you were giving up so much to be with me.”
“What do you mean?”
“You’re the one who moved to the other side of the country and will have to change your rugby team. I didn’t want to pressure you into being a dad. I was waiting for you to feel ready and bring it up yourself.”
I stared at her “Why didn’t you tell me?”
Her anger seemed to have lessened as she fixed her eyes on my elbow. “Bringing it up would be to pressure you.”
“What don’t you get, Fleur?” I stepped closer and cupped her face. “I’ve told you a million times that I fell in love with you the first day I met you. I know I’m a jealous bastard, but when I saw you with those men in there, I was ready to tear the whole fucking pub apart. I wanteverythingwith you, but I’m…” I wet my lips searching for the right words. “We’ve only been together for three months and I’m scared to rush you into anything.”
She was still looking down despite my cupping her face. “Fleur, look at me.”
When she finally met my eyes, her tears made it feel like she’d stuffed her hand inside my rib cage, squeezing my heart so tight that it was difficult to breathe.
“Honey?” My tone was pleading but all she did was blink her eyes.
“I love you,” I whispered.
Chills ran through my body when her hands fisted around the fabric of my shirt. I wanted any kind of touch from her that she’d give me.
“Did you hear me? I love you.”
“I love you, too.”
There was abutcoming. I felt it in my bones and waited for it like the inevitable thunder after a lightning bolt.
