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“Yes, the entire house, actually. I learned about all the things you loved from the Internet. I don’t usually concern myself with social media, and certainly not individual blogs. But I changed my mind when I realized social media was how I could get to know you. Your interests and the things you loved—your favorite color, favorite foods, favorite books, movies, magazines, decorating style. The only thing I had to do was pay attention and it was all there—laid out in organized categories for me to see.”
As if she couldn’t take it all in, she said, “But that’s all just—”
“Just what?” he asked.
“Stuff.”
“Yeah, just stuff? Well, it was stuff that I began to crave. Eventually I found myself wanting to be part of it. So I found a way to get close to you. In Vegas. You have to know—” he stalled, trying to say what he was thinking without sounding as if he were nothing but a crazed stalker.
“What?” she asked.
He took a sustaining breath. “You have to know that because of the past, because of the thoughts of revenge that were floating around in my head—I know it’s not right, but by that time, I came to believe that I deserved to have you. You became mine in my head. I justified that idea because of the past, even though I knew it wasn’t entirely sane.”
“And?”
“And then Las Vegas happened. I followed you into that restaurant and as I sat and watched you from my seat at the bar—”
He stopped and with an air of frustration, she said, “What?”
“I knew you were mine. I wanted you for real. Not images on my computer—but you. Flesh and blood. And after seeing you, well, sweetness, I was on a mission. I used the excuse given—revenge—and I took you for myself.”
A shadow seemed to disappear from her features as she asked, “And?”
“There’s no more ‘and’. My sane mind knows the past is dead and needs to be buried—but not if it’s the only way to keep you here. Understand me, Erin—nobody can take you away from me. I’m not letting you go. Not now and not ever.”
****
Erin sucked in a breath as her eyes continued to cling to Max’s. The things he was admitting were flooring her, in a good way, a wonderful way. She forced herself to be brave and asked, “Why?”
“Why?” he questioned severely. “What are you asking me exactly? Why are you mine? Why am I going to continue to keep you here with me? Why am I so fucking crazy about wanting you here—wanting you to sleep by my side every night?”
Her tongue darted out to lick her lips. The look that was in his eyes gave free rein to her hope. Maybe it had been there before, but he’d been keeping so much hidden from her. But not now. Now she could see the truth in his eyes—and it was sending a spiral of joy rushing through her bloodstream. Needing to know, hoping beyond hope that he’d say what she wanted to hear, she breathed in deeply and asked, “Yes. Why?”
Another expression chased across his countenance. Was it frustration because she still needed to hear the absolute truth? For him to bare his soul? His tone dropped and his eyes grew a little wild, as he said in a rush, “Because I’m obsessed with you. Because I love you. I love everything about you. I love the way you feel in my arms when you’re asleep. I love the sounds you make when you’re climaxing around me.” His voice turned rigid on his next words. “I’m not giving you up—it’s not happening, understand? I don’t give a fuck who your brothers are. I don’t give a fuck how badly they want you back—it’s not happening.”
The truth in his fervent declaration hit her with an impact that gave her an immediate sense of completion. She felt her eyes glass over with new tears—tears of happiness this time. She smiled tremulously and Max’s anger seemed to swiftly fade as he studied her. “You love me?” she asked.
His tension seemed to melt as he admitted, “I’ve loved you since I learned all about the little facets that make you you, and the minute I saw you—it was all over for me.”
Erin stared up into his eyes, reading the utter sincerity in them and in the raw expression on his face. She took a shuddering breath, gathered up all her courage and said simply, “I love you, too.”
At her words, his expression transformed. Relief was there—but so was possession in the glint of his eyes. It sent a wild trickle of elation down her spine; she knew that look was all for her—just for her. His hold on her was unyielding as he wrapped his arms completely around her and lowered his mouth to her ear. “Will you stay with me? Stay married to me, even without threats keeping you here?”
