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He rubs my upper arms. “I understand. We are here and will do everything we can to help. All three of us.” He glances over at Max, shooting him a wink.
As I turn to my mom, hugging her tight, I watch my dad move over to Max. They hug, clapping each other on the back, their smiles wide and genuine. Max meets my gaze, giving me a wink, as my heart nearly bursts from my chest watching him and my dad interact like that.
Max is definitely my soul mate. My parents have accepted him as part of the family already.
Max wraps his arm around me as we head through the hotel, emerging into the cool October air. Inhaling deeply, I take in the vibrantly colored maple trees and the leaves crunching beneath our feet as we walk.
Arriving at my parent’s SUV, Max helps me climb into the back, then slides in beside me, closing the door. I curl up tightly against him, my arm wrapping through his. He kisses the top of my head when I lay my head on his shoulder.
My parents make small talk, filling me in on some of their problematic students, doing their best to distract me as we drive to Maple Valley University. Despite their best efforts, my stomach churns and my leg won’t stop bouncing.
When my breathing becomes heavier, Max shifts in the seat. “Breathe with me, baby.”
Once the anxiety passes, I meet my dad’s eyes in the rearview mirror. His smile is gentle and I easily read his look. He’s impressed by how easily Max calmed me down and prevented a full-blown attack.
Let’s hope he can work his magic once we pull onto campus.
Max grips me tightly as we pull onto campus. My dad has chosen a lot far from where I was abducted, and closer to the administration building that houses the dean’s office.
Sliding out of the car, I cling to Max’s hand as my feet hit the pavement. Looking around at all the campus activity, I suddenly feel out of place. Like I don’t belong here. Max notices, pulling me into his arms, stroking my hair. “Do you want to head inside the building?” He pulls back, concern etched in his handsome features.
“Yes, let’s go.” I give him a reassuring smile, though my mouth is dry.
Max hands me a bottle of water as we walk, and I look at him in surprise.
“Your mom and dad packed a cooler of water. I took one, figuring you might need it.”
Taking a drink, I stare into his eyes, then lower the bottle. “You’re so damn thoughtful.” My thoughts drift, realizing that I’ve been so inside my head on the drive to campus, I was completely unaware they brought water, or that Max grabbed one for me.
He tightens his grip on me. “For you, always.”
I’m doing fine as we walk across the sidewalk, until my eyes rove around the campus and I spot the commuter lot in the distance. The one where… I squeeze my eyes shut, but it doesn’t prevent the wave of dizziness from hitting me hard, making me stagger. My insides quiver as my chest tightens. My limbs tingle and I feel like I’m going to pass out.
Stopping, I raise my hand to my face, feeling like I’m on a boat, being tossed around in stormy waters. His woodsy, musky scent fills my nostrils, and I feel myself being lifted into his arms. I wrap my arms around his neck, feeling steadier already, as I slowly open my eyes.
“I’ve got you, love.” He turns his head toward my parents. “I’m taking her back to the car. Can you bring the forms out for us to sign?”
My dad comes over, putting his hand on Max’s shoulder, then stroking my arm. “Of course. Text or call me if you need anything.”
“Thanks, Jack.” Max turns, carrying me back to my parents’ car. My dad must have given him the keys because he presses the button, unlocking the door, then opens it. He lowers me to the seat.
Breathing with him, I focus solely on him until the attack passes. Once it does, I feel foolish. “I’m so sorry.” My head lowers to my chest.
“Beautiful. You have nothing to apologize for.” He cups my face in his hands, standing between my legs. “It’s not at all surprising you reacted like this. You experienced a traumatic event. It’s going to take some time to work through it.” He brings my hands to his heart. “Whatever you need, baby.”
“I know, love. You’re the best.”
While I don’t acknowledge it, I see the fury in his eyes, hating what William did to me. While I’m not totally over William kidnapping me and taking me from everything and everyone I love, I’ve grown to accept it more, only because I saw the softer side of him that he keeps hidden.
My parents return a few minutes later, carrying the forms we need to sign. Max fills out his personal information, while my mom has completed most of mine.
While he’s writing, I can’t help but watch him. Stopping, he cocks his head and meets my gaze. “Yeah, baby?”
“Are you sure you want to withdraw this semester? I mean, you aren’t doing this more for me than for yourself?” I bite my lip, afraid I’m impeding his dreams.
He lowers the clipboard with the form, moving closer to me. “I’m doing this for both of us. I need to heal, and so do you.” He leans in, kissing me gently. “I’m going to admit this, only to you, but I’m struggling more than I let on.” Quickly holding up his hand, he gives me a look. “That doesn’t mean I want you fussing all over me.” He chuckles, kissing my cheek. “It just means I need to listen to my body.”
I wrap my arms around his neck. “You are a wise man, Max Devlin. Have I told you today how much I adore you?”
