Page 104 of Maximus

“I know.”

Man, I hope he knows. Down to my soul, I hope he knows I love him more than anything.

“We have a big day tomorrow. Is there anything else you want to talk about or are you ready to hit the sack?”

Liam didn’t say anything but he kept staring at me so I prompted, “Liam?”

“I know this sounds stupid because Max already said he was staying, but I want you to know I want him to live here with us.”

Not trusting my voice, I gave Liam a sharp nod of understanding and brushed my hand over Elijah’s hair. When I finally pulled my shit together enough to speak, I asked, “Elijah, honey, is that okay with you, too? If Max lives here with us?”

“He makes me safe,” Eli whispered.

“He makes you safe?” I repeated.

My son didn’t respond, not verbally anyway. But his little arms around my neck squeezed and I knew that was his answer.

Max made him safe.

“Yeah, Eli.” I kissed his forehead. “Max makes all of us safe.”

My head lifted from my son’s, and as if a magnetic force surrounded us, my eyes snapped to Max’s. And when they did, I found his eyes sparking—not with anger, but with something else far more dangerous.

* * *

It took less time than I’d thought for Liam and Elijah to nod off. But even after they were asleep, I stayed. I needed the comfort only my boys could give me.

They’re here. They’re safe. And we’ll be all right.

Everything had changed with Max. And it had happened so fast, my head was having a hard time keeping up with my heart. I didn’t believe in love at first sight, and what was happening between us, certainly didn’t happen at first sight.

I barely suppressed the giggle threatening to bubble up when I thought about that first day I met Max—the first time I heard his deep, rough voice from behind my front door. And when I let him in, good Lord.

No, it was not love at first sight, but it was something, maybe lust, maybe awareness. But there was no denying that I’d felt something when his icy blue eyes took me in. Just like now, I’d been drawn to him.

On that thought, I slowly rolled out of bed, leaned down and kissed Elijah’s cheek, walked to the other side and kissed Liam’s head. I couldn’t get Max’s words out of my head. You’re gonna be okay. God, I hoped he was right. Liam had taken the brunt of Jay’s abuse—my little boy had done his best to protect his little brother. Love and pride swelled in my chest as I forced myself to forget all the reasons why Liam had needed to protect Elijah.

I quietly slipped out of the room to find Max waiting for me in the hall.

“Hey,” I whispered.

Max didn’t return my greeting, not with words anyway. His gaze took me in, but this time it was different. It wasn’t contemplative, it was heated.

He tagged my hand and led me to the bedroom, closing the door and locking it behind us. Then he walked us to the bed and quietly undressed me.

This was different, too. Gone was the frantic need. This was reverent, slow, gentle. But once my clothes were in a heap on the floor, he shucked his at a much faster pace.

Max eased us onto the mattress and settled over me, his hips cradled between my thighs, my arms wound around his neck. I’d never wanted a man so badly in my life. Never needed to feel a man’s touch so desperately. But he didn’t move, he just stared down at me.

“God, you are so beautiful,” he told me.

“So are you.”

His mouth curved into a smile before he lowered it to mine. Our lips touched, and much like the way he’d undressed me, he kept the kiss gentle—coaxing, teasing, light.

My legs tightened and my heels dug into his ass trying to get him closer but he wouldn’t budge.

“More,” I mumbled against his lips.