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A soft gasp escaped him, causing me to draw back. Our eyes met.

“I love you,” he replied, giving me a gooey grin. Like a fly in a sticky trap, I got stuck on it. This man owned me. Forever was a fucking long time when you were twenty-five, but I knew there would be nobody else for me.

Twenty-seven

Arne

Max helped me get my cum-covered self into the shower again. With gentle hands he washed me, from my neck down to my feet. And—I blushed so hard when he did—also my backside. He kept his touches light in case I was sore and spread the foam around and between my cheeks, humming softly under his breath.

I’d never felt so loved and cherished before. I never knew how much I craved being taken care of, either.

When I was all clean, he dried me off and led me into the bedroom at the end of the house. The bed was an enormousmattress with soft grey sheets and a view of the sea stretching out before us.

I love this place.

“Isn’t it beautiful?” I breathed.

“You arebeautiful,” Max murmured, hugging me tightly. His fingers slid into my hair, tilting my face to give him better access to my mouth. “Let’s lie down,” he rasped when he backed out of the kiss. He kept hold of me, though, and his dark, swirling eyes searched my face. “I don’t know how to be around you and not want you.”

I couldn’t have stopped myself from giving him the most lovesick smile ever if I had tried.

“You like that?” Max asked, scrunching his nose so adorably my smile widened even more.

“Yeah, I like that, Raven. All I think about is you. I love that it’s the same for you.”

He tackled me to the bed, scrambling to straddle my hips, and devoured my mouth with vigorous energy.

By the time he was done with me, my ass was sore, my dick limp, and my body relaxed. We fell asleep with our legs entangled and in each other’s arms.

Twenty-eight

Max

We took brief showers and got dressed. Arne waited for me by the front door, wearing slacks and a smart shirt. Together with his dark stubble and the intense blue eyes, he looked like a million bucks.

“You look great,” I mumbled, feeling a little self conscious about my own outfit. I’d always liked my clothes a little edgier. ‘Extravagant’ some had called them. Tobias, for example.

‘You’ll stay alone forever, Maxi.’ Arne can have anyone. Why me?

“You, too.” He bit his lip, his gaze travelling up and down my body. “You were always gorgeous, Raven. But now you arebreathtakingly beautiful.” Brushing a stray curl off my forehead, he leaned in to kiss me.

“I’m not.” The words slipped out before I could stop them.

One thick eyebrow arched up.

“Excuse me?” Then powerful arms turned me around so I faced a full-length mirror behind the door. I hadn’t even noticed it before.

Arne cupped my chin, turning my head to the side and kissing my cheek. “You are delicious, Max. I am always craving your taste, your touch, and your attention.” He brushed the words over my skin like a soft caress. “I’d make a fool of myself if it meant you would notice me.”

“How could I not notice you? I’m at your mercy.” Turning to face him, I slipped my arms around his neck and pulled him in for a kiss. “If anything, we’re both fools.”

He gave me a pouty smile as he leaned in again.

At your feet, Viking.

“Come on, Raven. I want to take my boyfriend out for dinner now.”

The grin I gave him was so fucking embarrassing.