Page 95 of Invisible String
Her employees nod, walking past us and leaving us alone.
“In my office, Max.” Her jaw clenches, probably grinding those perfect, sparkling teeth.
“Sure.” I raise a brow and follow behind her. She slams the door, pops a hip out, and crosses her arms to her chest. “Why, Max? Why didn’t you tell me you own the company? And why in the hell have you been watching? It violates privacy. Surely you know this.”
Instead of paying attention to anything, I possess an eyeful of her curves.
“Don’t tell me you broke into my house and installed micro cameras.”
That would not be a bad idea.
“Max!”
“First of all. You have not asked me anything about my life, Rainey. You won’t give me the time of day. While I want to know everything about your life, you want nothing to do with mine. I didn’t know this was your café until Leo showed up with a box of desserts, and I tried them. I knew right then that they were yours. Yet, I didn’t look at your cameras, and yes, you’re right, it violates privacy. No system is accessed by me unless we’re given authorization, and I didn’t look until days after the permission was given. I’ve missed you, sunshine. That’s my reason.” My voice rumbles deep in my throat, laying out the truth.
She fidgets with her apron. “That’s your reason for watching me on camera? What else did you watch?”
“A very nice show that ended in a cold shower and blue balls,” I lie. My fantasies of her while in the shower had me coming within seconds.
She snorts. “Good.” She shakes her head. “Why miss me when you left me?” Her soft voice almost sounds pleading.
“Because I had to leave. You weren’t ready for me. For us.” I sigh. “I didn’t have a job, money, or a home. I lied. The cabin wasn’t mine. A friend let me crash there.”
“I found out the cabin wasn’t yours, and I didn’t care. I loved you for you, even the parts I didn’t know about you.”
“I had too much baggage.”
“I wanted it,” she whispers.
I take two steps closer. “Wanted. Not anymore?”
Rainey averts her eyes from me and stares at the blank computer screen. “What’s so different about four years ago and now? Why are you trying to pursue me now?” Her beautiful brown doe eyes lock with mine.
It pisses me off that her dad hasn’t shared anything with her. I’m going to have to pay the old bastard a visit. He has a chance before I tell her everything.
“Like I said. I didn’t have anything in my life. You come from money, Rainey. I didn’t. I’ve worked my ass off these past four years. I felt like I needed to fit in your circle.” It’s true. The honorable part of being a man was that I needed to be more than a bum on the streets for her. “Do you still love me?” I ask again. My heart ricochets against my rib cage.
“Max…” Her voice breaks.
I take another step. We are so close, but not close enough.
“I can’t love you again. Loving you broke me. I won’t allow myself to break again.”
Loving you broke me.
“I won’t break you.”
“I don’t trust you.” Her angry, bitter words cut me to the quick.
I don’t miss how her focus clings to my biceps. Then she stares at my face.
“But you’re still attracted to me?” I feel the space between us, and she takes a step back until she hits the wall. The palm of my hands gently goes on her warm, flushed cheeks. “You still want me. Your body craves me. It’s your heart you’re guarding. I understand.”
Her throat works. Those lips are so perfect and plump. She’s stunning when she blushes. When she studies my mouth, it’s all the indication I need.
My lips brush up against hers, and our breaths mingle. Rainey’s lips are soft and smooth. I can taste the strawberry gloss on her lips as I swipe my tongue on them. The pad of my thumb strokes her jawline. A small moan slips from Rainey. “I missed the taste of your lips,” I tell her, just as my tongue slides in her mouth. Eagerly, her tongue tangles with mine. Our kisses are driven by hunger, fueled like a wild animal that hasn’t been fed in years. The familiar taste of her I missed so much makes me feral. Her hands roam my biceps. She squeezes them desperately. Gripping her tight ass, I lift her legs, then wrap her legs around my middle. I moan. Teeth clink. More, I want more. She moans. Damn, I missed those little noises she would make. She bites, then sucks on my bottom lip. Sloppy. Desperate.
“Max,” she whimpers, breathless.
