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He grinned. “No need. Rupert’s hands sweat, too, when he’s nervous.”
I snickered. “Should I ask as to how you know that?”
“Let’s just say Rupert isn’t as tough with some things as he is with others.”
“Please tell me he hates balloons. Or clowns. Or cotton balls.”
“Actually, he’s not a fan of needles.”
I blinked. “I bet his tattoos were rough, then.”
He snickered. “I can attest personally to that, yeah.”
My jaw dropped open. “Oh, he’s so going to kill you when he finds out I know that.”
“And how’s he going to find out?”
Max leaned in close and I felt his breath against my lips. I eased myself back into the chair, gazing into his eyes as he smiled at me. I loved it when he smiled. His eyes wrinkled at the edges and his entire face lit up. My heart skipped a beat when he softly pressed his lips against the tip of my nose. Our fingers threaded together. I squeezed his hand tight. And as I drew in a deep breath, I felt a chill work its way up my spine.
“There’s something I want to tell you, gorgeous. You know, before you make this commitment.”
I blinked. “Is something wrong?”
He shook his head. “No, no. Nothing’s wrong. I mean, unless what I have to say is bad news.”
“What is it?”
He licked his lips. “Dani, I--”
His eyes caved first. The softness of their gaze warmed my heart. Then his mouth caved. His smile grew wider, and I felt my neck flushing with anticipation. He pulled his chair closer to me, his nose nuzzling softly against my own. And when my eyes fell closed, I felt what he was trying to tell me.
“What is it?” I whispered.
I felt my heart hammering against my chest as I prepared myself for the admission.
“Open your eyes.”
They flew open. “Sorry.”
He chuckled. “No need to be. I just want to look at you when I say it.”
“Yes?”
His smile faded into a grin. “I love you, Dani.”
My mouth went dry. “You--you do?”
He chuckled. “Yeah, I do. I’ve known it for a long time, actually. Ever since the first time I kissed you. But the other night, when you attacked that guy with the wine bottle? I knew without a shadow of a doubt that you were the only woman on the face of this earth for me.”
I let out a shuddering breath. “Oh, Max. I love you, too. I love you so, so much.”
His hand slipped against my cheek as he turned my lips into his. And when I felt his tongue fall against my own, my heart soared with delight. I cocked my body toward him as I felt his hand sliding down my side. I moaned down the back of his throat, wanting nothing more than to experience the whole of him. My nipples puckered. My thighs clenched together. I wanted to straddle his lap and show him exactly how much I adored him.
But the footsteps coming down the hallway ripped us away from one another.
“All right, I’ve got the specific colors suggested,” the artist said as he came in. “Ready for the outline? We can see how you’re feeling after I get done with it.”
I wiped at my lip softly. “Um, yeah. That sounds--that sounds great. Max?”
