Page 144 of Moonlit Nights & Northern Lights
“What?”
The word came out with a harsh snap, but the bottom had just dropped out of my stomach. I stared at Maxwell’s profile in the torchlight, trying to process what he’d just said.
He was… giving me permission? To go back to Dev?
The last bite of shortbread turned to ash in my mouth. Of course. Of course this was what Maxwell wanted. He’d been looking for an escape route from the moment he’d realised what the bond meant, hadn’t he? And now Dev had conveniently appeared to provide him with the perfect excuse.
“You want me to get back with Dev,” I said, voice flat.
Maxwell’s head snapped towards me. “What? No, that’s not—”
“Right, and you’re just being noble about it.” A bitter laugh escaped me. “Making sure I know you won’t stand in the way of true love, is that it?”
“Rory—”
“No, I get it.” I scrambled to my feet, needing to move, needing space. The bond between us was a live wire now, crackling with hurt and confusion. “This whole mate bond thing is terrifying and impractical, like you said. Dev showing up is perfect timing, really. Gets you off the hook.”
Maxwell was staring at me like I’d lost my mind. “That’s not what I meant.”
“Isn’t it?”
“I thought you’d want to get back with Dev! You dropped your entire life to rush up here to save him!”
“I’m just a decent human being! Sometimes!” The words exploded out of me, hands flailing in the air.
“Plus, all I’ve heard about this whole time is how much you adore him. A week ago you were sitting in front of me at Undertone sobbing into your drink about how much you missed him! And you’ve been going on and on about how amazing his bloody journalism career is, and his ‘modelling on the side,’ of course, and how much Freddy loveshim—”
Something flickered through our bond. Something green and bitter and entirely unexpected.
I stopped mid-pace, mouth falling open.
“Wait… are youjealousof Dev?!”
Maxwell’s scowl could have curdled milk. “No.”
“Youarejealous. I can feel it.” Pure delight bubbled up within me, bright and effervescent. “Oh my god, I can’t believe you’re actually jealous. This is brilliant. This is the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”
Maxwell turned away, jaw working furiously. He started aggressively repacking our dinner supplies, shoving the empty tin into his rucksack with unnecessary force.
“Just because I’m glad to find Dev safe and alive doesn’t mean I’d just go back to him like that, after he treated me like shit. Do you really think I have that little self-respect?”
Maxwell’s hands stilled on the rucksack straps. Something shifted in his expression. “No. But I think you’re a beautifully loyal, kind human being who would give anyone a second chance.”
I fell to my knees, nudging against his. “Look, Dev was hot and all, but my tastes have changed.”
Maxwell’s gaze met mine, searching. “Oh? How so?”
Moonlight caught the tiny amount of silver threading through his hair, and I wanted nothing more than to reach out and trace the lines of his face with my fingertips.
Before I understood what was happening, Maxwell caught my hand, pressing my palm against his cheek. His skin was warm despite the Highland chill, and I relished the light rasp of stubble beneath my fingers.
“Well, for a start, it’s nice to spend time with someone who’s not obsessed with their reflection. Or stops walking every two seconds to take a photo to post.”
Maxwell’s mouth quirked upward. “I do take the occasional selfie, you know.”
“Liar.” I shifted closer, my thumb tracing the line of his cheekbone. “But mainly, my tastes have evolved towards men who actually readbooks instead of just posing with them. Who make me feel like I’m worth paying attention to, not just some accessory to make them look good. Who actually listen when I’m talking.”
Maxwell kept so still, he didn’t even blink.
