Page 54 of Invisible String
RAINEY
Iwoke up at the crack of dawn. Max is still sound asleep. Waking up in his arms is just as magical as being with him on the Fourth of July. I know our time is coming to an end soon. I’m not sure how to bring it up aboutus.We do have an—us.How do I tell him I’ve fallen in love with him? Maybe he can move out here, or I can transfer to the college in Vegas. A knot of venomous fear settles in my gut. What if he doesn’t reciprocate my feelings? What if I’m rushing it? I shake my head. I need to stop.Just go with the flow, Rainey.
My heart breaks for Max. Has he not experienced Christmas? Santa, reindeer, leaving cookies for Santa—he missed out on so much. I honestly want to find his dad and beat that mother fucker to death, and I would look damn cute in orange.
Kidding.
I pull out a chair to add a star to the Christmas tree I brought down from the attic. Thankfully, Max hadn’t heard me sneak out of bed. I’m pretty sure I drained his balls out last night. That was the plan.
Stepping back, I gaze up at the tree. It’s truly stunning. I also made a quick trip to the store to pick out a present to place under it. “Rain,” Max’s hoarse voice rumbles from upstairs.
I bolt up the stairs. “I’m coming.” This man is melting me. No one will ever compare to him. Gray sweats on. A baseball hat turned backward. Shirtless. My breath catches in my throat.
“Where did you head off to? I found this note.” He slides it between his thumb and index finger.
Good gracious.
“I have a surprise for you.” I bite my lip nervously, walking to him. He wraps his arms around me, and I lay my head on his warm, bare chest. The scent of muscular cedarwood or some kind of masculine aroma lingers around us. The way he hugs me is different, not awkward like it once felt. Maybe it’s just that no one’s ever given him a hug. Now, it’s as if I’m his lifeline. He doesn’t want to lose. His hug is warm and inviting, like a cozy blanket.
“A surprise? Would it be more lingerie? Because, damn, I could have my breakfast in bed.”
I lift my head from his chest to look up at him. His green eyes sparkle with mischief. My hands tighten around the hard tones of his muscles.
“No, not that… something else.” Getting on my tiptoes, I place a kiss on his chin. The fresh stubble ruffles my arousal.
Stay focused.
“Okay…so what is it?” A sexy brow lifts in response.
I take his hand and guide him downstairs.
We get to the landing, and I turn to him. “I hope you like it.” Max notices my nervous habit of biting my nails. He takes my hand out of my mouth.
He flashes a lopsided smile and reassures me, “I’m sure I’ll love it.”
I nod and pull him into the vast living room. The Christmas tree is lit with white lights, and silver ribbons stream down. Silver and blue ornaments hang from it, and silver wrapping paper matches the gifts under it.
His eyes widen in shock, his mouth forming a perfectO. A wave of emotion washes over him, and his gaze softens as he looks at the five carefully wrapped presents before resting on the festive stocking hanging from the mantel. Max squeezes my hand. “It’s nice,” he says, stumbling to get the words out. “You did all this…this morning?” He’s shocked with awe in his tone.
“I did. It’s Christmas in July, and I wanted to do something for you.”
He cradles my face, his piercing forest greens looking into mine. “Thank you, sunshine. It’s the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me.” His Adam’s apple bobs when he swallows. “You didn’t have to go through all the trouble.”
“I wanted to. We can open gifts later tonight…maybe midnight.”
His eyes have me sucking in a breath. He’s handsome and just breathtaking.
“It will be fu—” I can’t get a word out. His lips lavish mine. Hot, passionate kisses assault me. I climb him like a tree. My legs wrapped around his midsection. This kiss feels different. Not filled with lust, but…something else. I can’t quite say love, but it is an emotion different from when we first started up at the end of May. We’ve grown close, and I feel his walls cracking brick by brick.
His erection grows hard under the fabric of his sweats. A tingle of electricity flows like a river throughout my body. Our kisses are wet, messy, and fiery. My hips buck, grinding into him. Max groans in response. I’m so wet my panties are soaked.
“Holy fuck.” He pulls from our locked lips. “We should stop,” he says breathlessly.
“Why?” I whine, kissing his face everywhere.
His husky laugh fills the space between us. “Because I want to fuck your brains out.”
“Then do it,” I say, rubbing on him. He slaps my ass playfully. “Ouch.”
