Page 88 of Rules

Slower.

Longer.

Thorough.

My mouth brushes over his in delicate, closed-mouthed kisses, until we can’t stand it anymore.

His hands grip my cheeks tighter, our mouths open, tongues sliding together as we both moan at the touch.

“Mine, Brook,” Max whispers between kisses, his words making my heart pound.

A shudder runs through my body, an icy feeling spreading through my veins. Those words. Those damn words…

Not now.

My whole body goes still underneath his arms, all the warmth and excitement I’d been feeling just moments before now gone.

Not again. This can’t be happening again.

But it is, and I can’t stop it. I can’t stop the memories rushing back. Can’t hold back the darkness.

I try to fight it. I try to push it all back, but it’s useless.

He’s gone. You’re safe.

But am I really?

“Mine, Brook,” he pants. “You’re mine.”

The fine hair at the base of my neck stands, cold sweat washing over my body. It’s like I can hear him whisper in my ear. Like he’s standing right there behind me, his warm, beer-stained breath touching my skin and making the bile rise in my throat.

“Brook?” Max rasps, breaking our kiss. I blink my eyes open, meeting his worried stare. “Are you okay?”

Is this the first time he’s called my name, or did he just get through to me?

His voice is barely audible, but somehow it reaches me. Finds me in the darkness and memories and brings me back to the light.

My fingers grip his, looking for support. Anchor.

“Take it away,” I plead. “Please, Max… take it all away.”

Chapter Thirty-Three

MAX

Brook’s helpless, almost tortured plea hangs over us as I wrap my hands around her and pull her small body into my arms. It’s with us all the way down the dark hallway and up the stairs until we get safely behind the closed door of my bedroom.

Please, Max… take it all away.

Even in this moment that should be all ours, he is still lurking in her mind, not letting go. But I’m not about to let him win. Not this time.

“Are you sure?” I whisper, my lips brushing against her earlobe, leaving a small kiss before I lay her down on my bed.

Turning on the small lamp on my nightstand, I take a step back just to look at her. That mass of dark hair spread on my pillow. Big green eyes staring at me with a mix of weariness and trust. Pink lips slightly parted, begging to be kissed.

She’s a goddess, and she doesn’t even know what power she has over me.

“Yes,” she whispers, just as my knee connects with the mattress, my body looming over hers. “I trust you, Max. Take it all away.”

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