Page 14 of Her Mountain Man Outlaw
“I believe you,” she whispers. “I’m really sorry you had to go through that, Maddox.”
I’m too stunned to speak. Too stunned to move. I just let Sophia hold me, feeling the tension seep out of me as she strokes my back. Her soft brown hair brushes my face, and I catch the scent of her shampoo, like strawberries and cream. She smells like home.
“Thank you,” I murmur against her shoulder. “For believing me.”
I never imagined I would tell anybody my story. I’ve kept it hidden for so long, constantly looking over my shoulder, trusting nobody. But Sophia is different. Hell, I’m risking it all by tellingher about my past, but I don’t care. This beautiful angel is worth risking it all for. I trust her completely, and as I pull her onto my lap, I know I can’t let her go. I need her. She’s become my whole world, shaken everything up overnight.
There’s no turning back now.
Sophia is everything to me.
And I’m going to do whatever it takes to make her mine.
9
SOPHIA
I meltagainst Maddox as he pulls me onto his lap, resting my forehead against his. My heart is still thudding from his confession. It’s a lot to take in, even if it happened fifteen years ago. I can’t imagine what Maddox has been through, having to leave his family behind and hide from the world. I could see the pain in his eyes as he spoke, the tightness in his jaw as he tried to keep it together. He looked like he was reliving it all.
“Is this what your nightmare was about?” I ask, my fingers brushing his bearded cheek. “Were you dreaming of that night?”
“Not exactly.” Maddox sighs heavily. “It’s a recurring dream. Always the same. I’m in a police holding cell, trapped behind the bars. Will is on the other side with Mom and Ruby. They’re all looking at me, and I know something bad is going to happen. I shake the bars, trying to reach them. Get Will away from them. But the cell is locked tight. I never get free.”
I wince at the mental image. Maddox runs a hand over his face, like he’s trying to wipe away the thought, and my arms tighten around him.
“I’m sorry. No wonder it shook you up so badly.” Pulling back from him, I look into his eyes, adding, “Thank you for telling me all this, Maddox…for trusting me with it.”
His face is so close to mine, his gaze burning into me like he’s trying to uncover a secret.
“You’re not scared of me?”
“No.” The answer falls from my lips immediately. “You were just trying to protect your family.”
Maddox is quiet for a moment. Then he makes a noise deep in his throat. “You’re too good for me, sugar. This is why I said I couldn’t want you.” He runs an agitated hand over his beard, scowling to himself. “I’m a killer, Sophia. And you’re a fucking angel.”
“That’s not how I see you.” Stubbornness flares inside me, and I grab his hand, my fingers brushing his callused palm. “It was an accident, Maddox. You’re not the monster you make yourself out to be…and screw anybody who says otherwise.”
His features soften. “I don’t care what anybody else says. Only you.” He reaches for a lock of my hair, running his fingers down it, like he wants to prove to himself I’m really here. “Monster or not, I still don’t deserve you, sugar. But I want you. I shouldn’t…but I do. I want you so fucking badly.”
The words are a low growl, his breath hot against my bottom lip. My pulse jumps. Everything feels so raw and intense, the world stripped bare after Maddox’s confession. All that’s left is us—him and me—holding each other like we’re afraid to let go.
“I want you too,” I whisper.
He sucks in a breath. I can feel the hardness growing in his pants, and I adjust myself on his lap, pressing myself against his bulge.
“Fuck, Sophia…” His eyes darken. “You sure about this? ‘Cause there’s no going back. If you’re mine, it’s forever.”
Forever.
It’s a big word, but it feels so right. I want this man more than I’ve ever wanted anything. His past might be dark, but all Icare about is being part of his future. I want to be his girl. To be claimed by him in every way.
“I’m sure.”
The words are barely out of my mouth before Maddox is kissing me hard. I can’t catch my breath. His lips move hungrily against mine, his kiss so full of passion and need that I feel like I’m about to faint.
“Mine,” he growls between kisses. “You’re mine, sugar.”
I feel him reach between us to unbutton his jeans, yanking them down and kicking them aside. With rough hands, he grips my ass, grinding me against his lap. I gasp. My naked pussy slides over his boxers, soaking the fabric as he rubs me against his massive erection.
