Courage in the Kiss (7 page)

The rest of the night went smoothly, and Hadley was amazed by the amount of people who didn’t care that she was basically a maid. They accepted her just the same as if she was one of them. She’d even arranged to meet up with Jen and Marco next week for lunch.

Everyone complemented her on her family portrait and it warmed her heart to know that, snobs or not, these people accepted her as Emerson’s family.

Emerson and his best friend, Barnabas, were discussing business as she walked into the library to clean up. “I’ll come back,” she offered, shutting the door to give them privacy.

She stood in the hallway, nervously rearranging the flowers on the table, conscious of Maxx’s eyes on her from across the room. He took a step toward her, and faltered as the library door opened again.

Her breath released slowly, warning her that she’d been holding it too long, wondering what Maxx planned to say or do.

Emerson and Barnabas emerged from the library, laughing. “Hadley, dear.” Barnabas smiled, as he crossed to her. “I’m going to take Emerson up to my cabin in the woods for a few days, to relax. I’ll be out of town on business, and it will do him some good to get away for a while,” he told her.

“That sounds like a brilliant plan,” Hadley agreed, and went upstairs to pack a bag for him.

Ten minutes later, she returned with a bag and waved him off. Hearing the soft sound of singing from the reception room, she went inside and laughed to herself. James and a few friends were drunk, singing as a trio.

It took her a few minutes to get them toward the front door.

“So…” James began, as they reached the door. “Can I have your number?” he asked softly, touching her arm.

“James.” She faked a shocked expression. “You’re not my type,” she admitted as she ushered him out the door.

Once they were outside, she shut the door on their objections and singing. She smiled, amused by the night’s events, as she turned and caught Maxx staring at her again. “What?” she asked, making her way toward the library.

She glanced at the mess and decided she couldn’t be bothered with cleaning it straight away. She’d leave it for tomorrow, knowing Emerson wouldn’t be around to complain that it hadn’t been done.

“Do you enjoy humiliating me?” Maxx asked, suddenly.

Hadley turned to him, caught off guard by the question. “What?” She stared at him in shock.

“Flirting with them all, throwing yourself at every guy in the room?” he continued angrily.

“Me? Flirting with
them
?” she asked, incredulously. Hadley let out an aggravated groan and walked along the corridor to the kitchen.

Maxx grabbed her wrist and turned her to him, pulling her close. She stared at him, her heart thudding against her chest, half terrified and half desperately wondering what he was going to do next.

Until he kissed her.

The sexual chemistry between them was like a current of electricity, drawing Hadley closer. As soon as he realised she was about to say something, he cut her off.

“Your body can tell me more than your voice can, Hadley…let me feel you,” he whispered in her ear, gently backing her up against the wall.

He kissed her before Hadley could react, his mouth overpowering hers easily. She moaned as his hands drifted over her body, teasing every inch.

The dress she wore had a discreet split, mid-thigh, and Maxx must have noticed, because he took full advantage, slipping his hand beneath the red fabric.

His mouth was hot and insistent as they kissed with a kind of desperate passion that she’d never felt before. She knew, from overhearing Maxx giving Micah dating guidance, that he preferred rushed encounters; moments of need and pure lust. Women who weren’t a distraction from work or his responsibilities.

Was she just another one of those women? How could she be, when her skin burned where he touched it?

Her hand swept into his hair, as he cupped his hand around the back of her left thigh. The moan that escaped into her mouth, as Maxx guided her legs apart, was even better. But just as she was going to reach for what she wanted, Maxx drew her leg up his, until she had it wrapped around his thigh.

She loved that he seemed so desperate for her, acting as though he’d waited as long as Hadley had, for this moment to finally happen.

It only made it all the sweeter, as he reached between them and slipped his fingers beneath the lace panties she wore.

Hadley couldn’t stop the soft moan of pleasure that came from the back of her throat, as Maxx released her from his punishing kisses and let his lips dance down her neck.

She couldn’t believe how amazing it was to feel his kisses, his hands exploring her body. When he ventured under her dress, the way he looked at her, with those hot and hungry intense eyes, had her breathless. She couldn’t even vocalise how good it was to feel his finger stroking her.

She was already struggling to breathe properly from the way he kissed her until she was desperate for air. Even then, he only released her long enough to torment her some other way.

He didn’t even give her enough time to breathe, so that she could tell him how she really felt.

Maxx pulled back from her neck, biting his full bottom lip, as he stared unashamedly at her breasts, heaving in an attempt to get air into her lungs. He delved further with his finger, rendering her blind to anything but the shooting pleasure such a touch caused.

She was lost, for what felt like forever, as the reality of what they were doing sank in. This was possibly the most erotic, most dangerous, more reckless thing she’d ever done in her life. And good God, it felt amazing.

“Maxx…” Hadley attempted to stop the whirlwind that had begun so harmlessly with a kiss, before she really lost control of the situation. She had never intended for this to move so quickly, without even a declaration of love or intentions.

Her head lolled back against the wall as Maxx went back to kissing her neck, letting his lips drift down to the top of her dress. “I-” She tried once more to tell him that she loved that; that she was relieved he’d finally seen the light.

Maxx caressed her neck with his free hand, looking her over approvingly, then, before she could speak again, he tugged her dress down to expose her bra. He kissed his way down to the hollow of her breasts, before slowly pushing the straps from both shoulders.

“Maxx, I,” she gasped as she tried to speak again. It was a complete failure, since he silenced her, perfectly, by licking her bare nipple and looking up at her with those playful eyes. It was so beautifully sensual, so unexpected, that she told herself to shut up.

The truth could wait a little longer, until she’d explored just how sinfully free Maxx could be, now that the cold, hard businessman was gone.

Maxx skilfully sucked on her nipple, while stroking between her legs, as if he knew every inch of her body and just what to do to help her toward an orgasm.

When he removed his hands from her, Hadley felt a moment of loss and disappointment. Until he undid his suit jacket button and pulled it from his shoulders.

“Fuck, you’re beautiful,” he said, eyeing her up, in the dishevelled mess he had created.

Her dress was hitched high on her thighs, while the top half was pulled down around her waist, and her bra only stayed on because of the back fastening and the straps around her elbows.

Now that Hadley could think and breathe again, she unclipped her bra and pulled the straps off, along with the tight straps of her dress. The whole time, Maxx just stood there and watched, as though fascinated by her.

“How you manage to make something so mundane look so sexy, is beyond me,” he said, with a smile that just about turned her inside out.

Hadley was already turned on, which Maxx knew for himself. She’d never been this exposed to a man before, never been touched this way, and she was too afraid to speak, to confess her love or reveal her innocence, in case it frightened him away.

With her clothes cast aside, Maxx grasped her hands and placed them on his shirt. Hadley took the encouragement and began undoing the buttons, her hands shaking nervously.

Maxx quirked an eyebrow at her, but didn’t comment as he reached for his belt and undid it. He tried to tease her by undoing his trousers slowly, but she was too far gone to care.

Realising she had been pretty passive so far, despite how long she’d waited for this moment, Hadley leaned in and kissed Maxx’s neck, as he drew himself out of the confines of his trousers. She pushed his shirt off his shoulders, playfully scraping her fingernails down his chest.

He groaned and caught the back of her head in both hands, before crushing their mouths together. She parted her lips, in acceptance of his kiss, and let her hands trail down the faint hair of his abdomen and into his open trousers.

Maxx made an adorable, growling noise when she cupped his length and combined it with a nip of her teeth on his bottom lip. He thrust into her touch while kissing her.

She might not know what she was doing, but she hoped to hell he didn’t notice. She’d waited too long for this, was too afraid that he’d change his mind, that she couldn’t bear to be thought of as anything but experienced.

“Oh god, Hadley,” Maxx groaned as Hadley wrapped her hand around his length.

She slowly stroked up and down, twisting her wrist as she found the position uncomfortable. It seemed to do the trick, because Maxx’s grip on her hip tightened, until his fingers were digging into her skin.

Hadley kissed his jaw, trying so hard to take charge and be an equal part of what was happening.

She didn’t care what she’d said about moving on or trying to get over him. The moment he kissed her, she couldn’t do anything but respond and hope that this meant he loved her.

Feeling his body leaning against hers, as she stroked him, as if he couldn’t hold himself up, was beyond addictive. It was bloody hypnotic.

Hadley couldn’t help herself; she grasped his hair and brought his mouth back up to hers, to kiss him slowly. It was a delightful torment that promised so much more, when he responded just as meaningfully.

She could have kissed Maxx all day, but he seemed to have other ideas. He broke the kiss and pushed her dress past her hips, to pull down her lacy underwear. The sensation of the lace tracing a path down her legs was oddly erotic when combined with the look in his eyes.

“I could look at you, like this, forever,” Maxx admitted, as he pulled out a condom from his back pocket.

Hadley had a moment of doubt, realising that he’d prepared for this. Had he just been waiting to get
any
girl alone, or had their previous kisses just been the prelude to this moment?

She opened her mouth to ask what he’d planned, but then Maxx looked up and slid his hands around her waist.

“Are you playing, or plotting something?” Hadley asked, though she’d never planned to say the words and didn’t know where they came from. But she knew what was happening; she placed her hands on his shoulders, to brace herself for this monumental progression of their relationship.

“I’m undecided,” Maxx replied, mischievously.

She loved the sound of his voice, all husky from need and naturally low. God, he could sound sexy asking for the time.

When he gently tugged her forward, Hadley leaned back on the wall and tilted her hips toward him, not sure if she was trying to back away or entice him closer.

Just as he leaned in to initiate another kiss, the words burst forth from her mouth, unbidden. “I love you, Maxx,”

Maxx froze and stared at her, with that detached coldness that made her want to weep.

Why now? Why couldn’t she keep her mouth shut a little longer?

Maxx pulled away from her, looking at her carefully as he reached for her hand.

Hadley’s pulse quickened at the ridiculously innocent, but very intimate touch. She expected him to say goodnight, to tell her that their passionate moment was over and that he couldn’t go through with it, now that he knew the truth.

The look in his eyes, the gentleness of his touch, made her heart skip a beat. He had never looked at her like that before. It couldn’t be a dream. She didn’t know that look of desire in his eyes; how could she have imagined it?

Maxx fixed their clothes, making her wonder if he was backing out of this whole thing. But then he silently took her hand, leading her over to the stairs and up to his bedroom.

As soon as he shut the door behind them, Hadley felt like crying, laughing, screaming, and singing.

Maxx kissed her, starting with soft, lingering kisses that spoke volumes about his decision. He must really love her. He hadn’t been this gentle downstairs, before she confessed.

It was impossible. But there he was a firm, solid human being under her fingertips, as he backed her further into the room and eased her onto the bed.

Hadley was speechless. All she could do was stare up at him, eagerly awaiting his touch as he hovered over her. He shouldered out of his shirt as he stared at her.

Her breath caught in her throat as she ran her hands over his now bare chest and kissed the throbbing pulse on his throat. This was so much better; a bed, real emotion, and tenderness...
this
was how she’d imagined her first time.

Maxx claimed her mouth with a fierce and urgent kiss as his hands ran over her body, removing her dress and discarding it.

Hadley instinctively arched her body against his, as she felt his fingers peel away the last remains of the barrier that their clothes had become. She blinked at the ceiling, unaware of how many seconds or minutes had passed since they entered that room, but it must have been more than she thought because now they were together.

Their clothes were gone and she had no clue how it happened. All she remembered was the touch of his lips on her skin, and Maxx’s nimble fingers undoing her dress. A minute later, he hovered above her, both now completely naked and unbelievably real to each other.

She closed her eyes to his touch, as he led his hand shamelessly down the side of her body, her breath quickening in anticipation.

“Do you really love me?” he asked breathlessly, trailing a finger down her neck as his eyes floated over her responsive body.

Hadley hummed a speechless agreement. Words were an inappropriate way of explaining her feelings for him. They were so unnecessary now.

“Say it! Please, Hadley,” Maxx begged.

She opened her eyes and let a faint smile fall over her lips as she kissed him and whispered softly, “I’ve always loved you.” Somehow she knew she didn’t need to ask him if he felt the same.

The look in his eyes as he stared down at her, a sardonic smile playing on his lips, was enough to let her know how much he cared. It was almost as if making her love him was something he’d planned on, rather than hoped for.

“And you want me as I want you?” he pressed, returning a long finger to the throbbing ache between her thighs.

Hadley put her head back, gasping breathlessly at the new sensation. She knew that she could have done this for herself, countless times over the years, as she fantasised about Maxx. But she’d held on to her needs, desperate for Maxx to be the one to feed them and help them grow.

“Yes…Maxx, please…” They were only disjointed gasps by now, as Maxx ruthlessly teased her body into admitting defeat under his touch.

Hadley thought she was going to lose her mind, as Maxx finally made his choice and eased himself inside of her. He was careful, toying with her, as he gently dipped the head of his cock into her and held himself still for a long moment. She bit her lip, not sure if she wanted to scream or cry at the sensation.

Maybe she should have confessed to being a virgin, after all? It was a bit late now, so she reached up and grasped the corner of the pillow her head lay on.

Maxx kissed down her neck, muttering obscene exclamations of pleasure and need. “God, you feel so good...so tight...” he gasped, slowly pushing in a little further.

Hadley put her head back and tightened her grip on the pillow, while the other grasped at the back of Maxx’s head. His hair slid between her fingers, eliciting a heartfelt moan from him, as she gripped harder.

The discomfort eased, as he began a steady stream of thrusts that sent fireworks exploding all over her body. She was on a high, from the adrenaline of the moment, from finally having Maxx to herself.

“Fuck,” he groaned and sank deeper.

He was so thick and big that Hadley was afraid she would genuinely scream. She hadn’t realised he could even go any deeper than before, but this was too much.

“Maxx,” she said, trying to find the words to say how she felt.

Just when she thought he would lose himself to the moment, he dug his fingers into the back of her hip, holding her in place. He met her gaze and thrust harder and faster, taking full advantage of the support the bed provided.

Hadley knew she should have said something; she shouldn’t enjoy the sense of being filled each time he pushed into her. She should have stopped him long ago, but when he kissed her…the way he touched her…the way he looked at her…it sent tingles through every fibre of her body. She couldn’t ignore the quivering gasps of pleasure that rang in the air as she clung to him, desperately.

She never thought the night would end this way. But there she was…minutes after confessing her love, praying that it meant something to Maxx. She was too scared to ask.

No matter how many times Hadley told herself that it was wrong, that she should never have been in this situation, she couldn’t ignore the fact that her body was screaming for his touch. What was so exquisitely exciting, was that Maxx knew that. He knew exactly what she wanted…because it was exactly what he wanted. And God, was she glad for that. Even if it only lasted for tonight.