Page 30 of Waiting for Sunshine

“No.” He snaps back, in that deep, panty-soaking voice. “I want to completely devour you. I want to show you what it feels like to be with a real man. I want to put you first and never make you question your worth. I want to make you feel things you never knew you could feel. I want to show you pleasure so intense you wouldn’t dare to even think about another man. Kissing you, Sunshine would just be the beginning.” He answers.

I think I forgot how to breathe.

“Then do it,” I say, staring into his deep blue eyes.

“I can’t.” His jaw ticks, showcasing his perfect jawline.

“Why not?” I question in frustration.

“Because once I kiss you, Sunshine, I won’t be able to stop. Once I kiss you, you’re mine. Once I kiss you, I run the risk of losing you, and I’m not ready to risk that yet.” He admits.

My head is absolutely pinning from the events of the last five minutes. I can’t believe he just said he wants this too. Not enough to act on it, apparently. Not enough to risk losing me. Which, why does he think he’s going to lose me? Where am I going? Maybe outside for now because I need some air.

Before I can say or do anything there’s a knock at the door. A gasp escapes my lips but Max doesn’t even flinch.

“Yeah?” he calls, his gaze never leaving my face.

“Umm, we’re kind of getting slammed out here,” Ruby says on the other side of the door. “So if you could get your ass back out here soon, that’d be great.” I love this girl. I take a deep breath trying to gather myself.

“I’d better go. You have a bar to run.” I say, rolling my lips together.

He doesn’t move right away. He looks me over, stopping briefly on the scoop of my bodysuit that is showing off the perfect amount of my cleavage. He lets out a low growl, then finally steps back.

I turn, flipping my hair over my shoulder, and swing the door open. I walk straight to Taylor, Leah, and Lauren, who are sitting back at our table. I am beyond ready to get home and try to steady my heart rate.

“What the hell was that about?” Taylor asks with a brow raised. She looks between me and Max, who’s just walked out of his office and is heading straight towards the bar. I look over at him, and he winks at me.This man.

All three of the girls turn to face me with their mouths hanging open. Yep. They saw it too.

“That’s exactly what I’m trying to figure out,” I say as I grab Taylor’s hand.

“Let’s go.” We all grab our things and walk out the door. I don’t miss the way Taylor looks back at Tucker and smiles at him. I will be inquiring about that later.

CHAPTER14

SHANE

After gettinghome from the bar with the girls, we sit there mulling over everything that happened with Max. Taylor mentions how sweet Tucker was to come over and make sure those guys didn’t bother them again, and her cheeks get rose-red when she talks about him. But for the most part, the conversation stays on what was happening between Max and me.

“That is so hot,” Taylor says as she grabs a handful of popcorn.

“Let’s break this down though,” Lauren says. She’s always the one to get to the bottom of things. Especially when it has to do with men.

“Okay…”I say as I sip my margarita.

“So he’s a super grumpy boss, then just gives you a place to paint, then tells you it’s taking all of his self-control not to ravish you right there in his office?” Lauren says.

“I mean… I feel like we’re missing some details, but yeah?” I say back.

“Sounds like a certain tatted boss man has some pent-up feelings for you,” Leah says.

“No shit, Sherlock. We’re pastthatrealization.” Taylor mouths off. “Now we just have to figure out why he’s holding out on our girl, and where the hell he thinks she’s gonna run off to.”

“Yeah, that part confused me. Why does he think he’s going to lose me?” I wonder aloud. We all came up with about a hundred different scenarios, but the answer was clear. The only way I’d know what he meant by that, was if he told me himself. And who knows if that will ever happen. We finished the night off with girl talk and laughter while our movie played silently in the background.

* * *

CHRISTMAS DAY

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