Page 30 of Max Bannon

I stayed on my side, holding her against me, her fingers resting over my heart like she needed to feel it beating.

I didn’t speak. Neither did she.

Because we both knew—

This wasn’t just about needing each other.

It was aboutbelongingto each other.

16

Tessa

Morning light filtered through the curtains, soft and golden, washing everything in warmth. I blinked slowly, stretching my legs beneath the sheets before realizing I wasn’t alone.

Max’s arm was draped over my waist, his body curled around mine like he was afraid I’d disappear in the night.

But I hadn’t.

I was still here.

And so was he.

His chest rose and fell against my back, slow and steady. That calm, strong rhythm I’d felt under my fingertips all night long. I closed my eyes and let myself soak in the feeling of safety I hadn’t realized I’d been craving.

We hadn’t spoken much after. Just lay there, tangled together in the dark, his fingers brushing through my hair, my cheek pressed to his chest. No pressure. No promises. We woke during the night and made love. We couldn’t get enough of each other.

I turned carefully to face him. He was still asleep, his mouth slightly parted, lashes dark against his cheeks. His hair was a mess, and he had the faintest crease between his brows—like even in sleep, he was still carrying more than he let on.

My heart ached a little, but not in a painful way.

In arealway.

I felt like I was finally seeing him, not as the man who confused me or the one I thought I had to guard myself against, but as someone who was just as scared as I was.

I traced my finger along his jaw, featherlight. He didn’t stir.

Last night had been more than a kiss—more than sex.

It had been something I couldn’t define, but I felt it in every part of me.

It felt like a beginning.

Still, doubt tried to creep in, whispering all the things that could go wrong, that he’d pull away again. That I’d regret letting him so close.

But I didn't feel afraid as I lay in his arms, wrapped in the warmth of everything we hadn’t said but had shown each other.

For once, I let myself believe that maybe this wasn’t a mistake. Maybe letting someone in wasn’t a weakness. Maybe being wanted this fiercely, this honestly… was the bravest thing I’d ever do.

And when Max stirred beside me, mumbling something low and rough likehey, sunshine,and pulled me tighter against his chest without even opening his eyes, I smiled.

Yeah.

Maybe this was just the start.

There was a soft knock at the door.

Then a voice.

---