Page 71 of Maximum Dare
My brother had made a colossal mistake in leaving her—I knew this deep down in my soul. Squeezing my eyes shut, I tried to push these thoughts of her out of my mind—the girl in the other room, waiting for me to step up and be a gentleman.
I was worse than Nick.
Here I was preparing to walk out of her life forever after I was meant to be the one saving her. If I stayed, things would get way too complicated. This thing between us was never meant to happen. Yet I didn’t want to say goodbye.
The choice isn’t mine to make.
I headed out of the bathroom and paused in the doorway. If I looked at her, I’d find myself wanting her again. Some of my clothes were flung over an armchair and some were strewn across the carpet next to her bra and panties. It was a mocking reminder of what it looks like to lose control.
I finally allowed myself to take in the morning beauty of Daisy, who was now sitting up in bed, greeting me with an uneasy smile. Her hair was tousled and I was also responsible for her post-fucked glow. Her questioning eyes melted my heart all over again.
It was easy to walk toward her, like I was doing now. To kneel on the side of the bed, feeling it dip as I pressed my lips to her forehead, my smile moving against her soft skin, grazing her cheek and then moving over her soft, pliant mouth. The kiss deepened, our tongues dancing playfully.
I managed to pull back a little. “Good morning.”
She raised her hand to cup my face. “I thought I’d dreamt you.”
“Not this time,” I said, grinning. “I’m the real thing.”
“And you’re still here.”
“Daisy…”
“I know.” She let out a sharp breath. “This is how a Brazilian says goodbye.”
She made me smile again.
“I kind of like it,” Daisy said, giving me a wink. “I might move there.”
I leaned back in surprise. “Would you?”
“I’d have to go by boat.”
I shook my head and laughed at her. “Boat it is.”
“You’re leaving me very happy.”
Her words caused my chest to tighten, and I got off the bed to stand beside it. “I only want what’s best for you, Daisy.”
“What’s best for me is for you to climb back in bed.”
She grabbed my hand and pulled me forward. I sank down next to her on the mattress and my lips met her cheek again, sliding across to her mouth where my moan was silenced. Her scent filled my senses, her perfume so alluring that all I could do was press my mouth to her neck, her temple.
I settled into a peaceful stillness, enjoying the feel of her, drawing her closer, hating even that small distance between us, as though I were fighting against time and its insistence that we were over before we began.
This was our slow and painful goodbye.
And we both knew it.
The way we’d met had made things impossible for us from the start…all those complications crowding us, those unspoken rules of my family, tearing us apart from the beginning.
There was too much history between us and none of it was ours to cherish. It was destined to be hidden away in the confines of our hearts.
Her fingers trailed through my hair. “This morning was something we both needed. Don’t feel guilty.”
“I don’t.” I pushed away my melancholy thoughts.
She was right, of course. Her wisdom eased my doubts.
