Page 278 of The Maxwell Brothers

"I'm glad you enjoyed it."

“And you weren’t overselling it. You areverygood at finding solutions.”

He leaned in, twirling a strand of my blonde hair between his fingers. I’d worn it in a ponytail during work, and after I took out the elastic, it was a bit messy. “I never promise anything I can’t deliver, Liz.”

I wondered if there was anything at all he couldn’t do. Somehow, I didn’t believe there was.

I narrowed my eyes, looking at him intently. "Is this a date, or are you whisking me away as a good neighborly duty? It’s important that I know.”

A twinkle of amusement appeared in his eyes. “Why?” he asked.

“It’s going to decide how hot the kiss is.”

“This is anything you want it to be, Liz. Anything you’re comfortable with. But it’s important for you to know that you’re more than a neighbor to me."

Did he really say that?My heart pounded against my rib cage.

I hadn’t felt so alive in months. I leaned in, brushing my lips against his.

The next second, I felt his hand on the back of my head. His fingers brushed the nape of my neck.Oh, sweet heavens.I thoughtIwas going to kisshim, but he was taking over, and I so loved it. His mouth was on mine the next second. He kissed me hard and relentlessly, like he was starved for me, like I was everything he needed.

I was addicted to his lips and the way he made me feel, aware of my body in a way I'd never been before. I felt so alive when I was with him, so carefree and happy, and right now, I was on fire.

My whole body craved his nearness, his warmth, and more of his passion. I couldn't help but feel that he was restraining himself, like there was a lot more under the surface, and he was fighting to rein it in. It was there in the slight tremor of his chest and the way he pressed his hands on the sides of my waist. It was as if it took all his self-control not to slide them even lower. But then his self-control seemed to lessen as I put my hands behind his neck, deepening the kiss. I felt one of his thumbs under my blouse. The skin of my belly prickled with goose bumps.

How could he make me feel so much with a simple touch?

He growled against my mouth. It was a purely feral growl, and it made me completely wet. God, this man wanted me desperately, and I wanted him.

He moved his hand a bit higher, brushing my scar. I winced, feeling as if someone had thrown a bucket of ice on me. I pulled back, pressing my lips together.

"Liz, are you okay?" Declan asked, eyes wide.

"Yeah. That was my scar," I whispered.

He’d completely made me forget I had it.

"Fuck. Did I hurt you? I'm sorry."

"No, no, it didn't hurt. But it's a huge, ugly thing."

He frowned. "Go on."

"Before, I didn't tell you the whole story. I got it because I was involved in an accident. I went on a hike with my sister. The wooden railing gave in, and then my sister almost fell down. I pulled her back and somehow managed to lose my balance, and I fell to the bottom of a very steep hill. A sharp object cut right through my belly. It was horribly painful, and tore right through my skin. The doctors said I was lucky it missed vital organs. I’m extremely lucky to be alive. It's why I decided to go after what I wanted, with the bakery and all, and make my dream come true."

"And I admire that about you." I shivered a bit in his lap, and he growled again. I moved away from him. "Talk to me. I feel there’s more you want to say," he said in a patient voice.

I didn't know how to say it without sounding bad. "I'm a bit self-conscious about the scar. The skin is still puckered, and I sort of have trouble accepting it myself. Part of the reason is at the time of the accident, I had a boyfriend. We’d just celebrated our one-year anniversary. The first time we tried to be intimate after the accident, he literally recoiled, saying I needed to cover it up. It was so embarrassing, hurtful really, and after that… things broke down between us. Later, he was shocked when I told him about my thoughts for the bakery. Anyway, I haven't been with anyone since then."

"Thank you for sharing that with me."

"I’m sorry I interrupted our kiss. I’m still a bit self-conscious about it all."

He frowned, looking right at me. "Why would you be sorry? You were uncomfortable, and that’s fine. Liz, I don’t care about your injury—I mean what it looks like. I’m glad you’re well and here with me. Screw your ex for being such an asshole. Sounds like he was thoughtless, and you’re lucky to be rid of him anyway."

I shrugged, though I secretly loved Declan’s visceral reaction. It made butterflies dance in my belly. “Thank you for saying that.”

He nodded, then said, "You know what? Why don't we take another stroll? And then we can go home."