Page 86 of Red Hunt

I went completely still, stunned. I didn’t expect that.

“I realize our situation makes things complicated. I abandoned you when you needed me most, and I will never forgive myself for that, but however our future relationship will look like, I’m down with that. We can just be colleagues or friends. We don’t even have to work together that closely. But you and your computer skills would be an asset for SOG, and I hope you’ll put that and our shared mission over what has happened between us.”

I slumped over, the pain in my throat making it difficult to swallow. “So that means you don’t love me?”

He looked at me as if I was crazy.

“Because on the night, when…” I stumbled over my words, that night still not having lost its emotional punch. “You held me in your arms, and you told me I was it for you. And then you ran out and…and then after I escaped…you told me you loved me. But you never mentioned it again. Did you not mean it? Do you regret it? Do you take it back?”

He stared at me, his hands clutching the edge of the counter. “Do you want me to take it back?”

It was almost comical how our roles were reversed. All my life I’d been timid, hiding, scared to death to get hurt again.

All my life, until Max.

With him, I could be bold. With him, I felt powerful in real life, not just behind my computer. With him, my past had lost its power over me, and somehow I found myself. And with that, I’d found a desire for a future with him, stronger than anything else I’d ever experienced.

“No. What I want is a promise.”

“What promise?” Seeing him so unsure, so hesitant, when he usually was anything but, gave me a surge of power.

“That you will do your best to love me for the rest of our lives, just like I promise to love you for as long as I live. Can you promise me that?”

The blooming smile started in his eyes, then transformed his entire face. He rounded the counter, swept me off the bar stool, and swung me around in a circle while laughing like a maniac.

“Max,” I screeched, holding on for dear life.

He stopped, his face stricken as he set me down. “Did I hurt you?”

I looked at him. This perfect man. Always protecting me, putting my own well-being, my own wishes above himself. How did I ever deserve him?

“No, of course not.” My hand landed on his cheek of its own volition, and he cradled his face against my palm, the roughness of his stubble a stark contrast to the soft gaze in his eyes.

“I promise to love you for as long as I live. I promise to give you the world or step back for you to conquer it on your own. But know, I will always be by your side,” he said.

The kiss started innocent and sweet but got heated right away. He swept me up against him and took a couple of steps until I was squeezed tight between his body and the wall. His lips pressed against mine, mimicking his erection pressing against my core. Pulsating heat sparked between us and flooded my body, fired up my body until goose bumps covered my arms, and getting him naked wasn’t just a desire but a vital necessity.

His lips stayed fused with mine. Holding me in place, his tongue almost soothingly playing with mine, while his hips ground against me.

More.

I needed more.

I groaned, my fingers finding their way to his ears.

And I pulled.

It was the darndest thing because the force required to separate his lips from mine was unbelievable, and it took what felt like ages until the lust in his eyes changed to curiosity.

“I need you to do something.”

“Anything.”

“I need you to not go slow. To not treat me like a porcelain doll. I won’t break, I promise. But I need you to fuck me, Max. And I need you to not hold back. Can you do that for me?”

I could see it in the rapid changes of his eyes. Love and care. Uncertainty. Barely contained lust. Then a decision. “How rough can you take it, dove?”

The flutter in my core and wetness pooling between my legs surprised me, and the moan escaping my lips was obviously answer enough for Max.

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