“Look at me, Leti,” he ordered again in that sexy deep tone of his, and I turned. He used that to his advantage and lifted me up and onto his lap, my hands landing on his muscular shoulders. “Nothing happens unless you’re on board. Ever. Understood?”
“Last night…” I wasn’t sure why I was bringing it up, but my heart was beating double time.
“We were three sheets to the wind, baby.”
“I know, but umm…”
“To be clear, we made out until you got dizzy and I helped you run to the bathroom where I… I held your hair back.” I cringed and had a small flashback of what he was talking about. “I see you remember.” He smiled warmly, his hands cupping my face so tenderly I was surprised I didn’t melt into a puddle of goo in his lap.
“Did you wash my face?”
“I did.” Now it was my hands on his face.
“And tucked me in?”
“Right next to me,” his voice rasped right over my lips, and it was too tempting to try and keep my distance from him.
“What if we make a last-minute adjustment?”
“Adjustment?” His lips quirked up wolfishly, giving me a peek at his boyish side as he shifted, and I felt his thick, solid length between my legs.
“Just a small one?”
“What, Spark Plug?”
“What if we have our first sober kiss,” I whispered just as his nose ran against the outline of mine. His warm, sweet breath fanning over my lips.
“I’m always up for anything that gives me another taste of your sweetness, baby.”
“I love the way you talk,” I moaned, leaning in slightly just as he met me halfway.
His lips touched mine, and it was sweet. His mouth was firm but soft. Powerful, but I could feel he was holding back as he kissed me softly. Tentatively. Almost like he was giving me an opportunity to change my mind, but there was no way in hell that was going to happen. I opened my mouth and his tongue slid in. Touching mine. Dancing alongside mine. His taste sweet and nutty like the baklava we had shared and something fully masculine. All Max.
My hands roamed upwards and tangled in his short hair. His hands roamed over my back, but one settled on my lower back while the other cupped my face. He was in complete control of our kiss. Sinfully sexy. The man was incredible with his mouth, and I wanted to know what else he could do.
“Max.” A strangled moan escaped from my throat, my hips shifted, and he felt incredible at the juncture of my legs. God, I wished I hadn’t said anything. I wished I had kept my mouth shut when it’d come to taking things to another level.
“I know, baby. Not yet though. You said no, and I’m going to keep my word.”
“But what if we just—“
“Shhh…” He pulled away and rested his forehead against mine, both of us trying to catch our breath.
Max
I had no idea how I was holding on to the control I was not to flip her and bring my body over hers, caging her in and dry fucking the hell out of her until I had her crying out my name. Her sweet ‘What if we just’ made me harder than granite, but I was going to hold back. I wasn’t going to go there. Not because I didn’t want to; I was freaking dying to take things to the next base, but she wasn’t. And as I looked into her eyes, her honeyed breath tickling my wet lips, I smiled. A weird sense of calm fell over me.
“Shh… we have all the time in the world.”
“I don’t think your sister has any idea you talk like some kind of book boyfriend,” she blurted, and I processed what she had just said.
“What?”
“Nothing.” Her face all pink and embarrassed, she tried to hide from me by leaning her head into my neck, but I pulled her away so I could look at her.
“First, I have no idea what a book boyfriend is, and second, let’s not bring up my sister when I’m in this state.” I shifted so she could feel exactly just what state I was in.
“Oh.” Her face brightened, and I stole one small peck. “That’s fair,” she said, and my body shook with laughter. Her giggles were like music to my ears.
“How about we watch a movie and cuddle together,” I suggested, and this time she moved in closer, grazing her nose against mine as we shared the same electric air. “Kiss a little more?”
“I’d like that,” she whispered so softly I almost missed it.
“How about a second last-minute first kiss?”
“That doesn’t even make sense,” she flirted, but her hand smoothed my hair down. “But I’m game,” she said and kissed me.
This time, there was no slow buildup. My hands stayed on her waist and hers stayed on my shoulders. Completely innocent, it was like we had gone back in time, both of us horny teenagers too scared to go too far, too fast.
Pulling away from her was hell, but I did it. I’d do anything not to scare my little spark plug away. Settled and comfortable on my couch, she picked The Fast and the Furious, one of my personal favorites, and it quickly moved to the top of the list.
By the time Dom and Bryan were becoming buddies, she drifted off to sleep, her breathing easy and steady. Her sexy body warm next to mine, I let my eyes rest for a little while.
Just for a minute.
But the couch was too roomy, and her body melded to mine just right, and sleep pulled me under like a riptide.
Chapter Five
Leti
HAVE YOU EVER had a weekday that feels like a Monday?
My Wednesday was having hardcore Monday-esque vibes.
I was on day three of not having talked to Max, and I thought I was doing good. I mean, sure, from the moment my feet touched the ground, I’d been thinking about the scruffy mechanic who’d thrown a wrench into everything I believed in. All my plans of not having a plan seemed off now.
But I’d held on and hadn’t called. Nope. I was not that girl. He had my number too. After we woke up almost simultaneously on his couch, he’d given me the sweetest look before leaning over and kissing my forehead and then confusing the hell out of me by saying he was going to take me home.
He had my number and knew where I lived. It’d been three days, and he had obviously figured out the hot mess I was. Especially for a guy who had everything all planned out and his life together. No, ma’am, I was not the girl who called.
I also wasn’t the damsel in distress type, but my Wednesday had completely other plans for me.
The most Monday-est Wednesday in the history of time had placed one obstacle after another in front of me. For the most part, I had rolled with the punches and gone with it.
For example, when my toaster died mid bagel browning, filling my tiny apartment with smoke, what did I do? I didn’t freak out, that’s for sure!
Or when I’d spilt my precious coffee all over my purse, forcing me to move everything from that one to a another, I took a deep breath and kept on moving.
Though when my favorite bra fell in the toilet while I had been in the shower, and I had to change up my entire outfit, I started to get a little testy. Though I thought I looked pretty cute in black skinny jeans, a cagey sports bra, and bright blue tank top.
The weather was still warm, and it was totally my silver lining as I drove to do my volunteer hours at the local child daycare center. Then moved on to a double shift at the coffee shop since fall classes hadn’t started yet.
It was all going to be fine.
Or at least that was what I kept telling myself throughout the day.
But the day got even worse.
I’d accidentally left my ATM card at home in the commotion of moving everything to a new bag, so I wasn’t able to grab lunch after my time at the daycare center.
One of our coffee grinders broke, so we were extra busy, and then the sunshine we’d been enjoying got covered up by dark ominous clouds that matched my day.
By the time we closed up at Daily Grind, it was pouring rain outside. I’d lived in the desert city for the last three years, going on my fourth now, and had never seen a summer storm like the one t
hat had rolled in.
But even so, I kept pushing forward. I ran to my car and quickly got in. Only to find my engine did nothing.
It didn’t make one sound.
I tried again, and nothing.
With a sigh, I rested my head on my steering wheel and my eyes fixed on my phone. I knew he had slipped his number in there. I’d seen him do it and pretended not to notice. It had been cute. It’s how I knew he also had my number.
I had fought the urge to text him the last couple of days, but after the day I had when I sat in my tiny old car that had seen better days and thought about who I’d want to spend my time with, it wasn’t my new buddy Rosalee or my sister, who had just returned from living on the east coast, but Max.
Max.
Oh, Max.
He was put together. A man.
I, on the other hand, was a hot mess. Twenty-one, still undeclared undergrad who had no idea what she wanted to do with her life. Liar, a little voice whispered in my ear. You want Max. I grabbed my phone and scrolled down my contacts until I found Max.
I was about to dial when a knock on my window startled me, making me drop my phone on my lap, and I looked out. I’d parked beneath a city light post, but it wasn’t the brightest. A large, wide figure stood there, the light from behind him only making whoever it was seem like more of an imposing figure.
“You okay?” a deep voice said as he stepped back, and I breathed in. It was the owner of the pawn shop. He was older, probably about my dad’s age but built like a Mack truck.
“F-fine,” I stuttered, giving him a smile. “Thank you. I’m good.”
“You sure, kid?” he asked, shielding his eyes with his baseball cap from the rain pelting down.
“Yes.” I smiled and nodded. “Thank you.” He was nice, but I didn’t know him other than as one of our regulars.
“Okay, then. Safe trip home!” the man said, waving goodbye as he walked toward his own car. My phone rang, and the shriek that escaped me made me giggle.
“Breath, Leti!” I said to myself, grabbing my phone.
“Hi, babe,” I said, focusing on the old man driving away, my voice holding a small tremble.
“Hey! Let? Babe, are you okay?” Rosalee asked, and I smiled.
“Yeah, why?”
“You sound funny.” I would. I was distracted and trying to figure out what the hell to do.
I could call Triple A. Or my sister.
I was sure Nina and Brandon would come over. But did I want to bug them?
I looked out contemplating the walk home, but it was raining too much, and the streets were too dark. In the words of my abuelita, that was asking for trouble.
Call Max, my inner Jiminey Cricket whispered.
“Leti? You okay?” Rosalee asked again, and I cleared my throat.
“You wouldn’t believe me if I told you,” I said with a scoff and sigh. I could ask my new bestie for help.
“Tell me anyways,” she said, and it was weird. Despite how Rosalee and I had met, it was like we were meant to be friends. I opened my mouth and told her all about my day. I vented every moment. Every frustration. My scare with pawn guy and my current situation.
“Babe, why didn’t you call me?” she said, and she would. Rosalee was sweet and kind. My nose started to sting.
“It literally just happened, and I didn’t wanna bug.” My voice trembled. I hated feeling weak. As the youngest, everyone babied me, but I’d never needed that. But tonight, tonight was different. It was dark, and I was wet and cold, stuck in the center of the city. Every other building other than the local bar down the street was closed. I had never noticed how terrifying Main Street was in the dark.
“Don’t worry! I got you,” she said, and I believed her. She hung up, and not even ten minutes later, a truck approached and slowly parked behind my car, and my heart stuttered.
“Oh, Rosalee, what did you do?” I whispered to myself.
It was darker now, and the rain was still coming down with force. Despite all that, I knew it was him.
His large frame nothing but a darkened shadow that grew as he closed in, making its way toward me. I knew it was him like I knew it was pouring outside. My body knew it too. My nipples were in tight, hardened peaks, and it had nothing to do with the cooler temperature. I drew in a deep breath and exhaled slowly. I had to pull up my big girl panties and face him. Grabbing my bag, I tossed my phone in, opened my door, and heard the heavy sounds of his boots speed up.
“Jesus, Leti, what are you doing?” his voice sounded out just as thunder rumbled as I hurried to lock my car door.
“Getting out so you won’t get so wet,” I said over my shoulder, trying to keep my teeth from chattering.
“So I won’t get wet?” he asked, and I looked up at him just as lightning lit up the sky. His expression was fierce yet handsome and gallant. Gallant? What the hell was wrong with me?
“What? It’s raining.” I shrugged, feeling off kilter and guilty about not having called him.
“You didn’t call,” he pointed out like I knew he would. I pressed my lips together to bite away a lie. His gaze on mine, I couldn’t stop myself.
I spilled the truth.
“I know.” I wasn’t going to try and make any excuses. At the end of the day, that’s all they would be. Excuses.
“Why?”
“Max…” I didn’t have any words. I wasn’t sure yet why I couldn’t get myself to call him. How many texts had I typed up and deleted before pressing Send? “I messed up, okay?” I confessed, and he opened his mouth to respond, but lightning struck. I jumped and he took me right into his arms. The warmth from his body heat enveloped me, and I felt completely safe. At home.
“Let’s get you warmed up in my truck, okay?” His arm draped over my shoulder, drawing me in close to his body. He smelled amazing. Familiar. Masculine soap and motor oil. We rushed to his truck, and he opened my door like a gentleman.
“Thank you,” I whispered, my body shaking. The cold seeping into my bones.
“I’ll go see how if I can fix your car.”
“Leave it.” I sighed.
“Leti—”
“Please,” I whispered softly. “Take me home, Max.”
“Your home?” His jaw clenched, and I shook my head slowly, never taking my eyes off his.
“No,” I said softly, but I knew he heard me. I felt it. His strong, tense body gave slightly. “Yours.”
I was done trying to keep him at bay. Three days had felt like years. Decades. It sounded dramatic, but it was true.
Max
“Let’s get you warmed up and dried off,” I said, leading her to the bathroom off my bedroom. I could have taken her to the guest bath. I probably should have. But she brought out the primal Neanderthal in me. I more than liked the idea of her nude body in my shower, her body smelling like my body wash. Like me. It’d be as close to marking her as mine as I could.
“Max?” I closed my eyes and breathed in deeply. I could smell the rain and her soft perfume.
“Yeah?” I asked, trying not to stare at her and the way her tank top was painted onto her torso.
Her scent was driving me crazy enough the visual could drive me right into a straightjacket. I grabbed two towels for her, thankful for my mom’s housewarming gift of good towels and not the ratty ones I used to have before.
“Can you please look at me?” she asked in such a tender tone I couldn’t not comply.
“What’s up?” I said, schooling my expression and trying to keep my face emotionless.
“You’re mad.”
“I’m not.” I shrugged. “Here are two towels; soap and shampoo is in there.” I pointed to the blue terry cloth. “I’ll bring you something to wear—“
“Max, please just—“
“What?” I snapped, but her hand fell on my wrist and I looked into her deep brown eyes; they were like a balm to the crazy intensity rushing through my veins.
“I should have called.”
“Y
ou should have.” I licked the bottom of my lip and felt her eyes drop down to it.
“I should have called, but I didn’t. I’m just confused and a hot mess and—“ l didn’t want to hear her put herself down. I pulled her into me, her front flush against mine, so I could feel her tightened little nipples were fighting their way through the material of her sports bra.
“Let’s get something straight, yeah?” There was a huskiness to my voice, and her eyes widened. “You’re not a mess. I don’t want to hear that kind of shit again.”
“Max,” she whispered, her tone almost pleading me to shut up, but I wasn’t going to.
“You’re fucking fantastic,” I told her. I probably sounded crazy to her, but it was the truth. Every moment I’d spent with her proved my point.
“You don’t have to say that just—“
“I’m not.” I shook my head. “It’s okay if you don’t know what you wanna do yet. Fuck, I didn’t know what the hell I wanted to do either. I went into the Army right after high school.”
“You did?”
“I did. I was infantry, and one day, Logan—“
“The guy who was left at the altar.”
“One and the same.” I nodded with a grin. “He got this old beat-up motorcycle, and I started tinkering with the engine, trying to help him restore it,” I shared. “Spark Plug, I don’t know, I got hooked. It was like a lightbulb turned on and I suddenly found something that really interested me.”
“Motorcycles?”
“Motorcycles. Cars. Honestly? Anything with an engine.” My hand did a slow trip up her elbow, tracing the satiny skin of her upper arm until I reached her face and swept a strand of hair behind her ear. “You will figure it out. But that isn’t all that makes you, you. Get me?”
“That’s really sweet, Max.”
“It’s not sweet, just the truth, Leti. Now, let’s get you warmed up before those pretty lips turn blue, yeah?” I suggested, trying to get out before adding I should join and help her with the hard-to-reach spots of her back.
“Thanks.” She blushed, and I took a step back, but her hand touched mine. “Max?” she called, and I gritted my teeth. I didn’t know if I was praying she’d ask me to stay or tell me to lock the fucking door behind me.
Last Minute (Timeless Series Book 3) Page 4