Baddest Bad Boys(79)

The butterflies did aerobics now. On crack cocaine…She nodded.

He took her wineglass and set it aside before tugging her onto his lap. His gaze missed nothing. Then he lowered his mouth, catching her lips in a kiss that was both tender and demanding.

Her arms circled his neck. She kissed him back, surrendered without a battle. Max could do anything to her. Everything. She felt his fingers at her nape, working the ties that held her bodice. There was a slight tug and then her top fell forward. She felt the fabric puddle at her waist, the night air on her bare skin. His hands pressed at her sides, shifting her slightly toward him. And when his fingers finally closed over her breast, she moaned in pleasure and approval. Wanting more.

She tugged at his shirt, also wanting equal access.

A knock sounded, distant.

Max broke the kiss, pulling her dress back in place as the knock repeated, louder this time. When Ellie was decent, he called out. “Yes!”

A small woman appeared in the door. Max introduced Maria, then frowned as the woman relayed an urgent message.

Ellie listened. She recognized the name. Tony Breeden was DSI’s Chief Financial Officer.

“Tell him I’ll call right back,” Max said.

When they were alone, Ellie retied her top. “So much for first impressions. I can imagine what she thinks.”

“Maria is extremely discreet.”

“Oh, that makes me feel better. Is she used to finding half-naked women in your arms?”

Max chuckled. “Actually, you’re the first woman I’ve ever brought here.”

She gave him a yeah, right look.

“I’m serious. San Regale is my personal retreat. I come here to escape,” Max continued. “I’m guilty of bringing work with me, but that’s it. That’s one of the reasons I picked this place for our week together. We can really be alone here, Ellie.”

“Without the phones?”

“We’ll see. There are a few loose ends I must deal with. Like this one tonight. I might be tied up a while.”

She nodded, masking her disappointment. “I’ll go upstairs, then. It’s been a long day.”

“I’ll take you up.” In one smooth movement, he stood, keeping her in his arms. “Talk to me. I can tell you’re upset.”

She started to say, it’s nothing, I’m fine, but she was weary of the false pretenses. Instead she looked him straight in the eye. “You promised me a week. Seven days. And today’s already gone.”

They had reached her room now. Max slid her down the front of his body, making sure she felt his erection.

“Our week doesn’t start until tomorrow, El. Trust me, I wouldn’t dream of cheating either of us out of one single day.”

8
Exhausted from the lack of rest the night before, when Ellie did fall asleep, she went too far under. Nightmares pulled at her, the sinister images jumbled, frantic.

Disembodied voices screamed for her to get out of Max’s bed. To get out of his life. A masked man chased her through rain that had turned to sticky black tar, making it impossible to get away. She was stuck, sinking. She heard macabre laughter. You’re mine now, Ella-baby.

Then the man grabbed her. She struggled against the hands that tightened on her shoulders.

“Ellie! Wake up!”

A light came on, harsh and sudden. She jerked upright, blinking at the too-bright light. Her heart pounded hard, making breathing difficult. The room felt warm, her gown clingy from perspiration.

Her eyes darted around, trying to take in everything—the rattan room, the wrecked covers, Max sitting beside her. She knew where she was, knew she’d been dreaming. Neither fact helped her shake the insidious sense of fright.

“Easy, sweetheart.” Max kept his voice low as he shifted closer and gently pulled her, sheets and all, into his arms.

She practically crawled up his chest. “Oh, Max!”

“It’s okay. I’ve got you.” His arms tightened, making her feel safe, secure. He wasn’t wearing a shirt, his skin warm. He rocked her, stroking her hair as he made little shhhh noises, over and over.

Slowly her pulse evened out. She forced her fingers to relax, hadn’t realized they were digging into his arm.

“Want to talk about it?” he asked.

She took a deep breath, trying to dispel the images rattling around inside her head. “No. I don’t even want to think about it.”

“Then don’t. It must have been bad, though. I had a hard time waking you.”

She suppressed a shudder, remembering her assailant’s laugh. “I haven’t had a nightmare like that since I was small and worried the big, bad wolf lived in my closet.”

“And here I’d hoped your fantasies would have been of me.”

She closed her eyes. She’d started out with those fantasies. Pretty hot ones. But those dreams had nothing on the comforting reality of being held in his arms. She rubbed her cheek against Max’s chest, savoring the feel of firm muscle. “I’m sorry if I woke you.”

“I’m not.” He brushed a kiss to the top of her head, then lifted her back onto the bed. “Move over.”

He didn’t have to ask twice. She scooted away, tugging and lifting the sheets to make room for him. Her pulse elevated as Max leaned forward to snap off the bedside lamp. But the room didn’t go dark. He’d left the bathroom light on, the door slightly ajar, so a soft glow filtered in.