Page 36 of Shadowed Rubies
At the sound of Max’s truck door slamming shut, Bruiser went crazy. He circled and whined before going over to bounce and scratch at the front door. I couldn’t help but grin at the silly animal. He had always hated men––including my loving late-father and gentle older brother––but Max had managed to win the little dog over. Bruiser loved and trusted Max with all of his teeny little heart.
Trusting in my dog’s instincts, since mine seemed to be fried, I took a deep breath and ran to the bathroom. After shrugging the robe off my shoulders and tossing it aside, I scurried over to the dining room chairs I had arranged for just this purpose.
The noises of Max’s key working the lock told me that I didn’t have much time. I sat down in one of the chairs and rested my crossed feet on the one across from it. Silently praying that I looked sexy, rather than ridiculous, I reached down and pushed the button to turn on the garish tie’s lights.
Just as Max turned the knob to open the door, I dropped the tie and let it hang down between my bare breasts. Unsure what to do with my hands, I folded them awkwardly across my abdomen, just over my forest green, lacy panties.
Max immediately stooped to greet the over-excited dog. His face looked drawn and tired from a long shift at the station, which made me wonder if my timing for this surprise might be off.
When he stood and lifted his gaze in my direction, the keys dropped forgotten from his hand. They made a loud clattering sound on the tile entryway.
“Merry Christmas,” I said, in a voice that I hoped was deep and sexy, but I feared just sounded raspy.
Max closed the door behind him and crossed the room in three long strides to stand before me. My instinct was to hide my naked chest as he stared down at me, but I forced my arms to remain where they were.
I was glad I fought the instinct to cover up when Max fell to his knees and gazed up at me with love and desire swirling together in his deep brown eyes. His voice sounded croaky when he said, “Sweet Jesus… They’re magnificent… You’re magnificent.”
All of my insecurities and doubts floated away with his loving words and lustful look. I smiled down at him, happy to finally share this part of myself with him.
It was obvious by his expression when the first shred of doubt began to creep into his mind. “Are you sure?”
Beyond touched that he would ask, I nodded, before saying, “I trust you.”
He leaned forward to give me a warm kiss on the lips. When our lips broke apart, he pressed his forehead against mine and asked, “Am I allowed to touch them?”
“Yes,” I whispered and was immediately gifted with the feeling of his hands cupping my breasts.
“I guess if you had taken part in that contest in high school to see who could be the first one to touch my boobs, you’d be winning.” I was amazed that I could talk so easily with Max about something that had brought me so much anguish and shame in the past.
“Oh, I’m winning all right, but it has nothing to do with a stupid bet.” His voice sounded husky.
We sighed into each other’s mouths as he caressed and explored this part of me for the very first time. When his thumbs swiped over my nipples, I let out a surprised and delighted gasp.
I kissed my way along his jawline, savoring his marvelous touch.
After I cried out when he lightly rolled my taut nipple between his thumb and forefinger, he froze in place. “Is this making you uncomfortable?”
“No. I had no idea what I was missing. Please don’t ever stop,” I murmured near his ear.
At my urgent pleading, he kissed his way down my neck, before travelling down to my chest. When he circled my left nipple with his tongue before suckling me with his mouth, I tipped my head back and arched my back. I greedily pushed my front into him, stunned by the splendid sensations coursing through my system.
As he closed his eyes and snuggled the side of his face into my cleavage, I wrapped my arms around him to hold him close.
I took a few deep breaths, savoring this new sensation. I felt closer to him, both physically and emotionally, than I’d ever felt to anyone.
Proving that he was on a similar wavelength, Max nuzzled into me and said, “This has to be the best Christmas present in the history of the entire world. I love you with all of my heart.”
After pressing a kiss down to the top of his head, I said, “I love you, too––beyond reason––and I always will.”
My spine stiffened when he surprised me by saying, “There’s only one problem.”
The old version of me would have been filled with insecurities and concerns at his words. The new, confident me knew that whatever the problem was, Max and I would work through it together as an unstoppable and unbeatable team. “What’s that?”
I couldn’t stop my happy belly laugh when he mumbled his answer from his resting place on my naked chest, “We may starve to death because I’m never moving from my new favorite spot.”
Epilogue - Dani
Molly parked her bright green Jeep on an empty side street a few blocks from our destination, and we zipped up our coats in preparation to walk the rest of the distance to the building. I was certain we could have found a much closer parking spot, but didn’t mind the extra walking.
