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His eyes searched mine. “Don’t say things you don’t mean.”
I shook my head. “Not a habit I ever entertained.”
He stepped away from me and my legs unwound from him. His hand gripped my waist as he settled me onto my feet. Had I said something wrong? Had I made him upset? I craned my neck back to keep his face in view. The soft yellow bruises still underneath his skin sobered me up. I ran my hands softly down his torso, slowing down as my fingers rumbled over his ribs. I searched his face for any sign of pain. Any sign of hurt or discomfort.
“You’re so easy to read, gorgeous.”
I blinked. “Why did you back away?”
“Why do you think?”
I paused. “I’m concerned I’ve said something wrong.”
He tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. “Not at all. If anything, you said something right.”
“I’m not following.”
He grinned. “Why don’t we get the hell out of here and I’ll prove it to you?”
My heart skipped a beat. “Your wish is my command.”
“Good girl.”
His hand slipped into mine and he pulled me farther away from the wall. The darkness slowly gave way to the lights and the sounds of the rooftop club. My heart thundered in my ears. He winked at me before he pushed through the door and led me across the floor. People continued throwing glitter into the air. Jello shots came out by the dozens. I had to push two trays away just to get through the chaos. And all the while, I felt Max’s hand holding tight to mine. Gripping tighter. Refusing to lose me in the crowd.
I was ready to get this man alone.
My man.
I picked up the pace until I could thread my arm around his waist and walk alongside him. I loved the way he held me. The way his arm claimed me in public. Everyone knew who I belonged to. Who I was with. And everyone knew that Max was mine. That he belonged to me, too. I never wanted that to change. I never wanted anything about this to change. No matter what Hannah thought, or my parents, or anyone else I might come across.
I knew I’d always choose Max.
“Shit.”
He stopped abruptly and held out his arm, stopping me in my tracks.
“Max?”
“Shh.”
“What?”
He looked down at me. “Shh.”
His eyes darted back up and the frown on his face made my heart stop. And not in a good way. He quickly spun me around and slipped behind me, his hands against my shoulders. He guided me back through the crowd. Away from the exit door as we made our way through the dancing throngs of horny people once more.
“Max, where are we going? Your bike is back that--ah!”
I almost ran into someone carrying a tray of drinks. I whipped around, intending to demand an answer from Max. But the fury in his eyes prompted me to keep my mouth shut. He twisted me back around and kept leading me. I felt the tension in his hands growing. He gripped my shoulders so tightly I thought he’d leave marks behind. And all the while, he guided me back to the back room.
Until we were shrouded in darkness again.
“Max, what’s going on?”
He turned around and closed the door before I heard him rummaging around in his jeans.
“Max? Say something, damn it.”
