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“You make me sound like a martyr.” Sloane couldn’t help but laugh. “In reality, I’m just selfish. I want it all or nothing.”
A short round nurse interrupted.
“Max is awake now and asking for a Sloane.”
“Go on, dear. Tell him.” Adeline patted her shoulder.
“Yes, ma’am.”
Taking a deep breath, Sloane followed the nurse to Max’s room. The woman opened the door for her before ushering her inside. Max lay there with his eyes closed, his chest rising and falling with each breath. Beeping machines were the only sound in the room. He should have looked fragile lying there like he was, but she could never see Max as anything other the epitome of strength.
Approaching the side of the bed, she placed her hand on his. Max opened his eyes slowly. His radiant smile almost melted her right there and then. What she wouldn’t give to be on the receiving end of it every day.
“You’re here.”
“Thank you so much.”
“I told you I would keep you safe.”
“Yes, you did.”
Max groaned. He probably couldn’t feel much from all the painkillers, but he looked exhausted. “We…need to have a conversation.”
“I agree.” She sighed.
“Good.”
***
Max
Max knew Sloane felt guilty about him getting shot. It was wrong to exploit that, but he would worry about that later. Right now he had to tell her how he felt and make her stay. He patted the space on the bed beside him. Sloane slowly lowered herself onto the mattress.
“I know we don’t know everything about each other. I’ve never really wanted to know much more than what gets a woman off, to be honest with you. I’ve seen too many relationships go south to actually want to be in one.”
“I know, Max. I’m not asking you for one.”
“Let me finish. I never believed my Gram when she told me one day I’d find a woman who would make me want to spend every moment with her. I do now. I’ve missed you, Sloane. I’ve missed your smile, your laugh, the way you look at me. I want to be with you. I see everything I never knew I wanted in a woman when I look at you.”
Sloane was crying. Was that a good thing or a bad thing? Her blue eyes shimmered. Max hoped like hell that they were tears of joy. She lowered her head to try to hide it from him, but it was too late. He couldn’t lose her. He pressed on.
“I’m ruined, baby. No one else will do. You’re all I want. You’re everything I need and I refuse to let you walk away again without a fight. Do you understand that? Look at me, Sloane.”
She raised her head. She was still in her gown with his blood covering part of her dress and arm. Most of her hair was still pulled back except those damn bangs had come loose. Max pushed them off of her face. He used the motion to allow him to cup her cheek. He stroked his thumb across the smooth skin a few times. She leaned into his touch. She was so damn beautiful. With a pounding heart, Max decided it was time to go all in.
“I refuse to let you go. I love you, Sloane.”
“You what?” She gasped.
“I love you, baby.”
Sloane stood up and paced the room. Now he was starting to worry. He thought for sure she was going to turn and walk out. He didn’t know what else he could say to make her stay, but he needed to come up with something.
“You love me?” She whispered it like a prayer.
“Absofuckinlutely.”
“Max…”
