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“Oh, I want to. You have no idea the things I want to do to you. I’m just not sure you’re ready for it. I told you I’ve changed, Mia. And I’m not sure I can control myself anymore.” He yanked his head back and speared her with tortured eyes.
She ran her hand along his cheek, loving the abrasive texture of his five o’clock shadow against her fingers. “Then don’t.”Sweet Jesus…if what had just happened was what was in store for her now, she’d take the raw and rough version of Max exactly the way he was, and she’d wallow in him. This was a man who could get down and dirty, and she wanted that more than she ever imagined she would. “I need you.”
Mia watched his face as he struggled with himself. She could sense his hesitation, but if the animalistic expression she saw was any indication, the desire to fuck her was winning.
He grabbed her hand and pulled her back into the mall foot traffic. “I’m losing it,” he mumbled, leading her into a trendy, moderately priced store. “Find some stuff. Walk away, Mia, before I embarrass both of us,” he ordered quietly but firmly as he let go of her hand and flopped into a chair near the door.
Mia knew he wanted distance, but she was reluctant to give it to him. She didn’t want him to gain control. What she really wanted was to explore this different Max, find out how hot he could really burn, but they were in a mall with a gazillion people around and he’d already embarrassed himself by kissing her breathless against a wall.
I wanted him so desperately that I didn’t care. I would let him take me anywhere he wanted because I forget everything when he kisses me.
Her face started to turn pink as she watched his security agents who had been following them seat themselves in other available chairs by the door.
Oh God, I forgot about them. I forgot about everybody. I was too consumed by Max.
No doubt the agents had probably turned their backs and shielded her and Max from view, but it was still a little mortifying to remember that they were being tailed—and watched—as she and Max were groping each other in a public mall.
And we’re trying to avoid media attention? Way to go, Mia. Excellent way to avoid detection. No wonder Max was trying to get a grip on himself.
Making her way to the casual clothing, Mia selected several pair of jeans and shirts, forcing herself not to look at the price tag this time. She needed to get some clothing that fit. Max hadn’t moved a thing in their house, and she still had her old clothes, but most of them were baggy, her body at least a size smaller. Frowning as she gathered what she wanted, she admitted to herself that she’d probably be able to wear them again in no time. Max was feeding her constantly, like he was trying to make up for some kind of deprivation. Obviously, she hadn’t been deprived. She was slender, but definitely not starving.
Max met her at the checkout, silently handing the clerk his platinum credit card, his mood unreadable.
Mia reached for her bags, but Max beat her to it after retrieving his card, grabbing the bags in one arm and taking her hand in his, squeezing it gently as they left the store.
“Are you upset about what happened? I know you hate undignified displays of affection in public,” she asked curiously as they strolled toward the main entrance of the mall.
“Hell no, I’m not upset. I’m pissed off,” he answered bluntly.
“Why?” Mia asked, surprised. Max rarely got angry.
“Because I couldn’t finish what I started,” he grumbled, but his tone was slightly amused. “You have no idea how close you just came to being fucked up against a wall by your desperate husband.”
“There was always the dressing room,” she contemplated, teasing him now. Having Max want her this badly was like a potent aphrodisiac that made her body ache to have him inside her. Anyplace. Anywhere. Anytime.
Max shot her a disgruntled look as he held the exit door open for her to walk outside. “Now you tell me.”
“Would you have done it?” she asked curiously, fascinated by her own husband’s desire for her.
“In a heartbeat, had I thought of it,” he told her huskily, need radiating in his voice. Taking her hand in his, he started walking toward the car, his security following at a distance behind them.
“We couldn’t have done that anyway,” Mia said regretfully. “Unless you’re carrying a condom in your pocket.”
Max shot her a perplexed gaze. “Why? We’ve never needed one before.”
Mia looked down at the pavement, shame burning her cheeks. “Because we don’t know what happened to me, Max. You have no idea what could have happened.”
“Are you afraid you were unfaithful?” Max asked huskily and hesitantly.
“No,” she murmured. “Whatever happened, I know myself, maybe better than I ever did before, and I never had thoughts about being with any other man but you. I love you the same way you love me. But we don’t know if I was abducted or…” Mia had a hard time saying the last word, but she spit it out, “raped. I can’t put you at risk, Max. Not until I know for sure exactly what happened. I’ll see my doctor and get a check-up, but I need to regain my memory.”
Max tugged at her hand, stopping her beside his vehicle. “You will. Sweetheart, you know if something did happen, I’ll kill whoever did it. And it won’t make a bit of difference in how I feel about you. Tell me you know that.” His eyes were pleading and tormented.
“If it happened, it wasn’t by choice,” she said, her voice choked with emotion. “I love you, Max. So very much it hurts. It makes my skin crawl just thinking about being with anyone else.”
Max tipped her chin up to look at him, his eyes blazing with emotion. “You’ll be with me.”
“I can’t.” God, her heart ached for him.I need to remember.