Page 104 of Invisible String
“You don’t need to apologize.” I lift my hands, and he slides the sweater off, leaving me with the tight tank top that hugs my breasts. “Okay, now tell me,” I prod.
His focus is on my breasts while one lid closes. Leaning to the side, I grab the ice pack Max threw in the sink. Tenderly, I place it on his eye, holding it for him. His arms hold my waist.
He takes a long breath and frowns. “My last fight at the Underground, illegal fights, whatever you want to call it, was the night you were there. I had wanted to quit for some time, butthe organized crime leader kept lining up men. I didn’t need the money anymore. I was mainly doing this to release anger, stress, and distract myself. Carlos has been riding my ass about the fact that I need to go pro already. It’s been a long time coming. Anyway, the leader didn’t fathom me leaving. I made him a hell of a lot of money. He was at the gala. Fuck, I was careless. He saw me dance with you and threatened to hurt you if I didn’t fight. He claimed if I won, it was all good, and if I didn’t win, I would have to keep fighting for him. I showed up today. The asshole didn’t play fair. He had two guys fight me in the ring.”
A fiery storm of rage and anguish churns within me, igniting my every heartbeat with what they did to him. Discarding the ice pack, I gently cradle his face and give him a tender kiss. He did it to protect me. “It was you and the two men? Was Carlos or anyone with you?”
“No, I went alone. I fought them both and won.” His brows pull together, and he rubs his chin. “I was worried they’d come looking for you. I don’t trust him. I’m sorry I got you involved. You might get pissed when I tell you this, but I don’t give a shit if you do. I hired a bodyguard for you. He’s outside as we speak in his car. He follows you at all times. Johnny switches with another guy, Gary.”
What?How oblivious am I not to even know?
He lifts my chin. “I’ll go to the ends of this world to protect you. You’re the only good thing in my life. Without you, it’s like my ability to breathe is stolen. I can’t lose you again, not now, not ever. So, do me this favor. Don’t give me a hard time about the bodyguards. I need to know you’re safe when I’m not around, and another thing. You’re staying at my place, or I’m staying at yours. Your bodyguard might be watching, but like I said, I don’t trust Daniel, the leader. He was angry about my victory. He thought I would lose for sure.”
The pad of my finger traces the letters of my name on his chest. Soft. Beautiful. A dam of emotions threatens to break. He doesn’t need to see it, not now, not while he’s terrified something will happen to me. The way Max puts himself on the line for me fills my heart with a tumultuous mix of warmth and a deep, aching pain. It hurts to think about what he endured tonight. They could have killed him. No one has ever protected me like Max does. My father never did that for my mom. He believes he’s safeguarding me from Max, but he doesn’t truly know him. Max stands there, eyes downcast, waiting for my reply. Of course, I haven’t answered him.
“Oh, my champ. I’m not going to give you a hard time.”
Max exhales. “I’m sorry. If I had known down the line, this would have involved you. I wouldn’t have done it. They are dangerous, and that’s not what I want you involved with.”
I cover his lips with my finger. “Shhh. You didn’t know, Max, and you fought at the warehouse because you were trying to survive. You didn’t see the outcome. You can’t predict the future. Nor did you know they would use your incredible skills against you. Let’s hope he leaves you alone now.”
Max nips at my finger on his lips. I raise my brows and look him in the eye. My hands roam freely on his chest like they know where to go. Then up to his neck. When I bring him in, he watches me curiously.
“First, I would like to meet my so-called bodyguard. You also need to inform Carlos, or at least someone who can lend a hand, about this situation. I don’t want you going to that fighting warehouse alone. Or I’m going to getyoua bodyguard.” My tone comes out threatening.
Max doesn’t take me seriously.
He laughs—a full-blown, beautiful laugh.
“Max, stop it. You’re going to open the cuts up,” I warn.
His mouth closes shut, but he’s stifling it.
“A bodyguard? Me? My fists are my weapons. Sorry,tesoro,but that’s unnecessary. You want to meet your bodyguard? Done. You don’t want me to go alone to the warehouse? Done.” His expression turns solemn. “Thank you for being understanding.” Max presses a kiss on my cheek. He wraps a long strand of my hair around his finger. “I’m relieved you’re fine.” He fixates on my lips while the salty tang of sweat from his skin permeates the space between us. Oddly, when it comes to Max, it turns me on. “I want to kiss you.” His voice is a low, delicious rumble in my ear.
“That’s not a good idea,” I whisper for some reason.
“Why? We both want it.” His thumb swipes at my lips. Out of habit, I lick it.
“You’re hurt.”
“Not my lips, not my tongue. They move just fine, baby.” He eats the space between us. Our heavy breaths mingle.
“Still not a good idea.”
“Why? Is it because you want to be the one who tells me to kiss you? You want to have the upper hand right now?”
He knows me so well, it’s almost unnerving. If he’s the one instructing, he knows I’m conceding. But if I initiate, I’m the one in charge of the moment. Right now, I need that control. It would make it seem like my walls are crumbling. Which they are. I can’t let him see that. Not now.
“Yes,” I breathe into his parted lips.
“Then tell me what you want, what you need. I’ll give it to you. I’ll take anything you give me.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
MAX
“Kiss me,” Rainey whispers, her voice barely audible yet irresistibly drawing me in. Like a magnet pulling me closer, my lips find hers with an unyielding force. Her lips are tender and familiar, a comforting softness that feels like coming home. As we melt into each other, there’s a fervent urgency, longing in our embrace, an almost desperate need that fuels our passion. Our mouths move with a hunger that sends sparks through my veins while our teeth occasionally clash in a fervent dance.
