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Chapter seven
Irelynn
August25,2018,6:30p.m.
My hand moves to his arm, gently squeezing, as he opens my door. He stops, eyebrows arched, and turns to stare at me.
“What is your name?” The words rush out of my mouth.
He pauses for a few beats, his eyebrows raised, an indecipherable expression on his face.
I take a breath, humiliation crashing through me.Oh, my God. I probably sounded crazy the way I just said that.
Taking a step back, I release his arm, my hands going to my sides. Clearing my throat, I say, “I mean, you know my name, but I don’t know yours. And considering you were willing to undergo bodily harm back there, I feel like I should at least know your name.” I’m trying to be nonchalant, but I’m babbling.
“Max.” There’s a smirk on his face and he bites his lip, as though he’s trying to suppress his laughter.
His deep voice stops my swirling thoughts, as his name is on repeat inside my head. It fits him.
Grinning, I extend my hand out to him. “Well, it’s nice to formally meet you, Max.”
He looks at my hand, then back at my face, his expression changing. His brows lower, drawing in. “I think we’ve experienced too much this afternoon for such a polite exchange. Don’t you think?” His voice is laced with a slight tinge of something that sounds like hurt, and I feel slightly foolish.
“Oh yes, of course.” I drop my hand, feeling flustered, but he catches it, giving it a gentle squeeze, which takes away some of the sting of my embarrassment.
“It’s unfortunate we met under such… circumstances.” His expression momentarily darkens, but then his blue eyes rove over my face and he softens. “I can’t say I regret it, though. At all.”
The air leaves my lungs with a whooshing sound as I blink, his words so unexpected. A thrill goes through me, making my insides light up. I’m glowing inside like a lighthouse that beckons lost sailors to the shore. All because of a compliment from the magnetic man standing in front of me, drawing me to him. An inescapable pull that I can’t fight. Nor do I want to.
Without thinking, I say, “Though I’d hoped never to see William again, I wouldn’t have met you otherwise.” My voice lowers. “So, yeah, zero regrets.”
A huge smile breaks across his face, and the whole world around me brightens. All my senses are enhanced. The sun blazes on my overheated skin, the birds around me chirp a louder, happier tune, and a featherlike breeze wafts through the air, caressing my skin and hair, gentle on my skin like I imagine his touch would be.
Even as I’m aware of all these sensations, the thing I’m most conscious of ishim.
Like a wildfire spreading over everything, burning out of control, Max consumesallof me. His essence merges with mine, spreading through me, making my blood flow faster and hotter. My heart and pulse pound inside my ears like a furious drumbeat. I’m an inferno of heat and desire, melting my insides.
Yet, I don’t want the sensations to stop. I want to stand here, like this, lost in this unexpected moment with him.
Our breaths fall out of our lungs in unison as we stand there, facing one another, not moving, not speaking.
A door slams, jolting us, pulling us from the moment. His gaze leaves mine and I turn toward the sound. A breathless giggle escapes me as I try to slide past him to put my bag of books on the passenger seat.
But his hand stops me. “Please, allow me.” He reaches down, his touch gentle, his fingers grazing mine as he takes the bag of books from my hands, never once breaking eye contact. Then he turns, putting them on my seat.
“Thank you, Max.” My hands slide into my back pockets as he turns around, a smile on his face.
“You’re welcome, Irelynn.”
Taking a deep breath, I nod my head toward my driver’s side. “Well, I should get going. You probably have things to do…”
He nods and the veil slams over his blue eyes, making them unreadable. He tenses slightly. “Yeah, I need to go get my books.”
“Of course.” I bite my lip, looking at my feet. “Thanks again for… everything.” My head raises toward his and I smile.
He nods. “You’re welcome… for everything.” A grin teases his lips and I feel better.
There’s nothing else to say, and yet, I don’t want to leave.But you need to let him go, Irelynn. He needs to get his books.
