by S. Poirier
“I went to the store. Max, what is going on with you?” Now he’s pressing a clean kitchen towel to them. I shake my head. I know what’s going on with me, but I’m scared to say it. I’m scared that if say it out loud it might change me more than I’ve already changed. I’m scared that it will make me more vulnerable than I’ve already become.
But God, this man makes me feel like it’s okay to feel those things.
I guess the question is, am I okay with being vulnerable when it comes to Sage?
He pulls bandages out of a top cabinet and tapes them to my hand. “Please talk to me, Max. I’m sorry. I should have told you why I didn’t ask. It wasn’t because I didn’t care; it was because from the moment I laid eyes on your picture I cared too much. I’ve always cared too much, and now you’re tangled up with me because I couldn’t walk away.” He brings his head down and presses his forehead against mine. “I don’t deserve you, Max. I tried to push you away in the beginning but I’m a fucking selfish man who takes what he wants.” My head is reeling and I’m totally taken by every word he speaks. I reach up and cup his strong jaw with my hands, loving the way his stubble feels against my soft skin.
“God, Max, you scared the shit out of me when you stopped talking. You wouldn’t even look at me and I didn’t know how to fix it…” I press my finger to his lips.
“You were scared? The big bad, kickass Sage Carmichael was scared?”
“Babe, you shut me out and I thought that maybe you finally figured out that you can do so much better than me,” he says. I can feel his breath caress my lips and I close my eyes.
“Sage, you deserve me. All of me, all the time.” I swallow the lump of emotions stuck in my throat, because I’m about to say something to him that I’ve never said to anyone before. And I cannot believe I’m going to be the one to say it first, but I can’t hold it an any longer. If I do it’s going to drive me crazy. I kiss the right corner of his mouth, and then the left before placing a light, sweet kiss on his lips. “I’m falling in love with you, Sage. If I haven’t already.” I chuckle, and I sound kind of drunk. “Sorry, this is new to me and I’m not sure exactly what I’m doing here, but…”
“Shut up, Max,” he growls. Sage tangles his fingers in the back of my damp hair and tugs slightly. The muscle in his jaw clenches as he closes his eyes and presses his forehead harder against mine. For a split second I think I’ve said something wrong. Then his eyes flutter open and he kisses me lightly on the lips.
“Max, love, we have to get out of here,” he whispers.
“What? We are having a moment and you want to leave?”
“The mattress was gutted worse than I originally thought, and if I’m going to make love to you tonight I’m not going to do it on my couch.” He releases me and takes a step back. “Go get dressed and I’ll put our bags in the car.” My knees are shaking, my breaths are coming out in pants, and the last thing I want to do is leave to go to a hotel.
I want him. Right. Now.
And as if he can read my mind he grabs a fistful of my hair again and tilts my head back. Bringing his mouth down to my ear he licks my sensitive lobe. I feel my sex grow wet and clench with a need only he can provide.
“Sage,” I gasp.
“I know, babe, but not here,” he growls in my ear. “Now go put some clothes on that beautiful little ass of yours because I’m half tempted to carry you out of here in that towel. And that would be bad.” He’s now so close to my mouth I can feel his lips brush against mine as he talks.
“Bad, huh?” I breathe.
He reaches up the back of the towel and grabs a whole handful of my ass and squeezes it so possessively it almost hurts. “Bad, because if any other man sees you like this I just might have to kill him.”
Oh, holy. Wow.
I squirm out of his grip and hurry to the bathroom to throw on the first things my hands touch in my bag. A red lacy bra, a pair of worn jeans, and a low cut, black sweater. I forego the panties because they just aren’t in my reach and I don’t feel like digging for them. After I take my clothes to the front of the warehouse I toss my bag at Sage and let the towel hit the floor.
I look over to see him staring at me, wide eyed and hungry. A tremble racks his body as he shakes his head. And I think I hear him mumble something about me trying to kill him. I can’t help but smile with pleased satisfaction.
Ten minutes. It takes us ten minutes to get to the hotel. And in those ten minutes I can’t keep my hands off of him. I’m nipping, licking, and sucking on his neck, ears and lips. My nipples are aching against the fabric of my bra, and I’m positive I’ve soaked through the crotch of my jeans.
This is crazy. I’m in over my head with this beautiful man and I don’t give two shits about how dangerous he is. I know that he’ll never hurt me. He had every opportunity to do that on the first day we met. And yes, he has killed people, he is a killer, but I don’t care. He’s my killer. Mine. Sage Carmichael is mine. And I don’t care about his past. I only care about his future, because I know if I’m not in it I won’t have any reason to continue breathing. He has become my air just as much as I’ve become his.
I’m consumed completely, exposed, in love, and totally fine with all three of those things.
When we get into the hotel I go straight over to the elevator. It’s only about four-thirty in the morning so the hotel is quiet. I have to put some distance between us or I’m going to maul him while he checks us in. My legs are crossed, thighs pinched, and fists balled down by my sides. I feel like I need to run laps, which is incredible because I should be exhausted.
Finally we step into the elevator together. The moment the doors close he attacks me. He lifts me up off the floor and presses my back into the wall of the elevator sliding his thigh up the middle of my legs. His mouth comes down on mine in slow methodical kisses that make my insides tighten and quiver with need. I thrust my hips forward rubbing my throbbing sex against the muscle of his thigh. I break the kiss and throw my head back in an agonizing moan.
“This elevator needs to hurry the fuck up,” I growl. I hear him chuckle. “Oh did I say that out loud?”
His mouth is against mine again as he smiles. “Yes, yes you did.” Blessedly the damn thing comes to a stop and I wrap my legs around his waist. He carries me to the door and I use the card to let us in.
Instead of putting me down on the bed he sets me on my feet. I push my hands under his shirt and flatten my palms as I run my hands up the length of his hot, hard torso bringing his shirt with me. The moment it’s over his head I attack one of his nipples with my tongue. He moans and steps away so he can tug my sweater over my head. I can see a fire burning in his eyes that causes my nipples to instantly harden.
I’m ready to tackle him. Knock his feet out from under him and impale my sex with his. But once again he is able to read my mind.
As he reaches around my back to unhook my bra he whispers in my ear, “Whoa beautiful girl. After what you said back there I need to feel you, all of you. You are the air I breathe, Max. And I’m going to demonstrate to you how much you are mine. We’re going to do this slowly tonight. I’m going to enjoy every single inch of your body before I make you scream my name.”
My shoulders tremble with his words as my knees buckle, and my pulse surges. I’m already panting and moaning, and he hasn’t even touched me yet.
The straps of my bra fall down my arms and then to the floor. Starting at my fingertips he slowly runs his rough hands up the length of my arms. When he reaches the nape of my neck he brings his hands down and across my bird tattoo.
My body shudders all the down to my core under his touch as the gooseflesh rises, my skin begging him to get closer. I close my eyes as he runs his hands down my back, and then back up my rib cage. He just barley eludes my breast as his hands come up to touch my chest, throat, and then my face. He pulls me flush against his body causing my pebbled nipples to rub against his chest.
He licks my lips, parting them, kissing me
as he swallows my moans and tastes every inch of my mouth, licking my tongue, my teeth, and the roof. He’s fucking my mouth with his tongue and I’m struggling to stay on my feet.
His hands are in my hair tugging and guiding me, pulling me closer to him. I nip his swollen bottom lip and suck it between my teeth.
“Touch me, Sage. Please…” I whimper against his mouth.
He brings his hands down and places them right under the swell of my aching breast. “Here, Max?” He asks as he brings his hands up and brushes his thumb over my nipples. I moan and arch my back, pressing my tits into his hands. It’s so much and not enough all at the same time.
He unbuttons my jeans and slides them off my hips. After they hit the floor he scoops me up into his arms and drops me onto the bed. “Put your arms above your head, and keep them there. No matter how much you want to touch me, don’t. Not until I tell you to.” He’s staring at me with those beautiful grey eyes and all I can manage is a nod.
His jeans are still on as he straddles my naked waist. He presses his lips first to my bandaged knuckles, and my still healing wrist. Then he starts kissing and licking a delicious trail down my body. His chest is so close to my mouth I have to curl my lips in to keep from kissing and licking him in return. He doesn’t want me to touch him, and I know this request is going to drive me insane. I lace my fingers together and suppress the desperate whimper hanging on the end of my tongue.
He kisses my eyelids, my nose, licks my lips and my chin, dragging his tongue down my throat. The fire is building down between my legs, and I’m throbbing with such need that I can hardly keep my hips still. They buck up towards him, my body searching for some kind of release. In return he puts more of his weight against me to keep me still, as he tortures my nipples with his amazing mouth. Licking, sucking, and nipping the hard, sensitive buds until they’re aching and swollen.
By the time he makes his way down my torso I’m panting so fast I fear I might pass out. It’s quite possible I might come with just one flick of his tongue. I’m so worked up and undone all at the same time I can already see stars in my vision. But instead of touching me where I want to be touched the most he starts kissing me down the length of my leg.
I throw my head back and let out a frustrated moan. His lips turn up into a smile against my skin. “Christ! Sage, please. Please, just fucking touch me.” My voice is strained as the words tear from my throat.
He has now worked his way up my other leg and his shoulders settled between my thighs. “Mmm, but love,” he licks my inner thigh, “I am touching you.”
I can’t take it anymore. My head pops up and I’m looking him directly in the eyes, those hooded fuck-me-now eyes. A piece of his dark hair falls onto his forehead, as the left corner of his lips tugs upwards. “Touch my pussy, Sage. Now. Please…Oh God, before I die,” I pant and then fall back onto the bed.
With those words he begins to worship me like I’m some kind of goddess. Licking, nipping, and lapping between my wet folds. Keeping his attention on my swollen mound as the heat in my belly pools, and then drains south. My feet are on his shoulders and my toes curl as every muscle in my body grows taut with pleasure. Two of his fingers work in and out of me drawing me closer to the edge. I’m so close, so so close. My fingers curl, nails biting into the palms of my hands.
I need to touch him.
“I’m going to come, but I need to touch you. Sage…” I moan. He sucks hard on my mound and my hips buck pressing me against his mouth. I’m so close it hurts, but I won’t come until I can touch him, and he knows it.
A pained sound passes through my lips as I bring my hands down to my thighs, my nails digging in and raking down my sensitive skin. My teeth are clenched as I desperately hold on the last bit of control I have.
“Oh, babe, you’re so fucking sweet. Okay, now,” he hums against my clit. My hands go straight for his hair, and when I tangle my fingers through its thick softness I explode, instantly. My back comes off the bed; I’m tugging on his hair, screaming his name, and flying so high I don’t know if I’ll ever come back down to earth again.
He’s up and naked before my brain can begin to function normally again. Hovering over me he’s kissing me again and I can taste myself mixed with his taste. I want more. I can’t get enough of him. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to get enough of him.
I swipe my tongue across his lips as he groans and hovers above my mouth.
“That was the without a doubt the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen,” he says against my lips.
“More. I need you inside me. I want all of you. No condom. I’m clean and on birth control. Please tell me…” I say as he pulls away and looks down at me through hooded eyes.
He nods. “I’m clean.” Then he captures my mouth with his again as he nestles his hips between my thighs, rubbing his hard shaft against my wet sex, moving my hips with him. As I feel the tip enter me he says, “Look at me, Max.” My heavy eyelids flutter open to see him staring down at me. “From the first day I laid eyes on you my head has been screwed up.” He slowly starts to inch his way into my throbbing channel, his eyes never leaving mine. My nails are biting into his back, everything about him feels so good. “Now I’m so in love with you, Max, that I can’t see anything beyond you.” He buries himself deep, and I gasp at how incredibly complete I feel. My head is spinning with the words he just spoke, with the way he feels inside of me, and with all the raw emotions ravaging my soul.
He sucks in a sharp breath through clenched teeth. “Fuck, Max, you feel so good.” This time I wait patiently for him to adjust. And when he does and he starts moving I can feel every detail of his cock sliding against the inside of my soft pussy.
He’s moving so slowly it’s almost painful, but it feels so amazing that I don’t ever want it to end. Rolling us over so I’m on top he hits that glorious spot.
“Oh, yes there…Right there,” I gasp.
“Yeah?” he breathes, as he pushes deeper.
I’m thrusting with him, massaging my tits and almost dying under his touch. We are moaning, panting and chanting each other’s names as his pace quickens and our bodies grow ridged together.
“I said I was going to do this slowly, but damn, baby,” he said in a gruff voice.
I’m breathing so heavily that I don’t know how I’m able to find my voice. I press my forehead to his. “Don’t go slow. I want you—all of you—more than I’ve ever wanted anything else in my life.”
He lifts my hips so my knees come up off the bed and he’s moving so fast and hard now that I have to grip his chest to keep myself upright. I scream his name as sweet release washes over me again, and he’s right there with me, cursing, saying my name, and digging his blunt fingers into my ass. His cock pulsing inside of me with so much intensity we both groan as I collapse onto his chest.
Sage is peppering the top my head and forehead with kisses. He presses his finger under my chin, and when my face is tilted up for better access he continues his warm kisses across my face, stopping at my lips to lick the beads of sweat off my cupids bow. With his sweet, soothing lips spoiling me I slowly drift back down to earth.
19
Max
I wake to the sound of Sage murmuring sweet words in my ear. I smile and roll over to see that he’s hovering over me shirtless but with his jeans on. He smells soapy, his hair is damp, and he’s grinning at me. Just the sight of him makes my heart swell. I reach for him but he dodges me and dangles his cell phone over my head. I frown because that’s the last thing I’m expecting. A replay from last night’s festivities was more of what I was thinking.
“There is someone on the phone that really wants to talk to you right now,” he says. That’s when I hear the familiar voice of my best friend yelling my name through the receiver. Sage raises his brows at me.
“June!” I exclaim while snatching the phone from his hand and pushing him off of me with the other hand.
He laughs as he slides away from the bed. “I love you
too.”
I sit up and press the phone to my ear. “Holy shit! Don’t you ever do that to me ever again!” she’s yelling. I wince as I pull the phone away from my ear. “Two very strange guys came to my apartment and were asking me questions about you. They were pushy assholes, but thankfully they believed me when I told them I honestly didn’t know anything. Although I’m almost certain that I’m being followed. Now tell me what the hell is going on before I freaking explode over here.” She stops and takes a deep breath before beginning again. “And who was that guy who called me? He sounds hot…”
“June! Shut up,” I yell. Sage jumps and turns to look at me with an arched brow. He’s holding a pot of fresh brewed coffee. I stick my hand out and start wiggling excited fingers at him. He laughs and picks up the other mug.
“Two sugars and one cream?” he mouths while holding two fingers up.
“Hang on a second, June,” I say and then cover the phone. “How did you know that?”
“I’ve been paying a lot of attention to you, Max,” he sincerely replies while he shakes the sugar packets. The butterflies in my belly start dancing, and I have to take a deep breath to calm my rising emotions. He never ordered my coffee anywhere, so he had to watch me fix my own. Yes, the way I take my coffee is small, but no one has ever paid that much attention to me. Ever.
June starts yelling my name again so I blow him a kiss and put the phone back to my ear. “Okay, I’m back.”
“Max, seriously, you scared the shit out of me,” she says in a quieter voice. “I’m serious. I didn’t think I would ever see you again, and I didn’t know what to do. Going to the cops wasn’t an option after those guys left. They threatened me, and I just didn’t know what to do.”
I sigh. “I know, but you have to know that I kept everything from you to protect you. And you’re really going to hate me when I tell you this, but you will have to wait a little while longer, because it’s not over yet.”