Page 67 of Maximum Dare
“That rat is probably still in the building,” he said.
“Pretty sure I can run faster than a rat—even a big one.”
Smiling, he led me out of the room and down the hall, back to the place where I’d set myself up for the evening.
Max sat down on the blanket and leaned against the wall. I curled up beside him and rested my head on his lap. His fingers trailed through my hair, sending shivers of delight through my body.
I would let him do me this one last favor, guarding me. And I wouldn’t fall asleep. I didn’t want to waste one second of my last few hours with him.
Iopened my eyes and looked out the car window. We’d arrived at my aunt’s home.
Max turned off the engine and unclipped his seatbelt before turning to face me.
I gave him a sleepy smile. “Thank you.”
“Hopefully, I made your night bearable.”
It was the best night of my life, Max.
Despite my best efforts, I had fallen asleep. But he’d been with me, in the solitude of that old house, and I’d known what it was like to feel safe.
Instead of saying this I went with,“It was totally different to how it could have gone.”
“It’s fun being your dare buddy.”
“Three down,” I said. “Three to go.”
“What’s your next dare?”
“They don’t tell us until a few hours before.”
“I wouldn’t like that.”
I shrugged. “It doesn’t give me as much time to worry or back out.”
“Are you working today?”
“No, would you like to come in?” The words were out before I could stop them. Realizing how forward that sounded, I added, “I can make pancakes. My aunt’s out of town visiting my cousin—and she took Wilma.”
He grinned at that bit of news, reaching over to play with a strand of my hair, his fingers trailing through one of my brunette locks. It was easy to become lulled by the way he touched me, easy to yearn for his affection.
I saw that familiar look flit across his face—his confliction lingered.
This was goodbye.
“Last night…” he said softly.
I nodded, knowing what he meant to say. “It was lovely. The best goodbye a girl could ask for.”
Well, not the best goodbye, since nothing happened besides that kiss—but it was as dreamy as I’d imagined it would be. I could close my eyes and relive the feeling, the scrape of his five o’clock shadow marking my face, his lips hungrily devouring mine…
He let out a sigh. “Being more to each other would be complicated, Daisy.”
I just had to let that sink in and become my reality. A part of me was sensing a connection to Max that had my entire body aching for him, my soul longing for more.
Even though he’d stayed up for most of the night he still looked perfect, his hair ruffled, that stubble adding ruggedness to his chiseled jaw.
“I’ll see you inside.” He reached into the back of the car for my dry cleaning and shoes.
