Until the Last Breath

I fought a grin, shutting it rapidly before Max could see her.

“So,” I sighed, looking at him after locking up. “You ready?”

“Been ready.”

“I actually don’t think you were,” I said as we walked down the stairs. “It’s ten minutes after eight.”

“Oh, I wasn’t late.” He pressed his lips. “I was sitting in my car at eight, watching you mess with your face. You checked your phone about six times, then you sighed as you looked into the mirror.”

I stopped walking, frowning at the back of his head as he took a step down before me. “You have a lot of nerve watching me, Max.” I was hesitant as he fought a laugh. I wasn’t sure whether to be weirded out or excited that he was. “So, you were purposely late to come up?”

“Just wanted to see if you were prepared for tonight.”

My lips pressed thin.

He continued. “Don’t think anything of it. Your curtains were wide open. Kinda hard to miss a woman that looks like you, walking back and forth on the second floor.” He laughed. “Trust me, I’m no stalker, Shakes.”

I gave him a look full of doubt. “Could’ve fooled me.”

I went for the passenger side of his black and silver Audi. I waited for him to unlock the doors, but he stood a few steps away from the vehicle, looking sexier than ever as he scanned me with his eyes.

I hadn’t paid much attention before, but he wore a casual white dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, his black jeans not too loose or too tight of a fit.

He’d gotten his hair cut too. His beard was lined up. The sight of him made my mouth want to water like a waterfall. He was gorgeous, and I was sure he knew it. So casual and still so damn beautiful.

“We’re going to be late, Max,” I said, switching on my heels.

“I don’t think it’s Crave you’re really looking forward to having tonight.” He walked around the car, diminishing the gap between us.

My heart raced. “How would you know?”

“Seems you want what comes after it.” He was right in front of me now. “You want me, right? ‘Cause I want you.”

He held my upper arms gently, pressing my back against the passenger door.

“You’re such a cocky bastard, you know that?” My voice had betrayed me. It didn’t come out in the condescending tone I wanted it to. It came out feeble and husky instead. “I told you what I want.”

“Yeah? What’s that?” His mouth came closer to mine.

“Carrot cupcakes,” I whispered. I was losing this battle.

His body vibrated with laughter. “For dinner?”

“After dinner…”

“And what else do you want after dinner?”

He was trying to trap me. The answer was right on the tip of my tongue, but I didn’t want to give in…at least, not yet.

“Answer me, Shannon.” God, the way he said my name. The way his voice changed from low and deep, to gruff and demanding made my knees weak. He lowered his hands and the absence of his touch created an ache within me.

“You already know what you’re getting after dinner,” I responded.

“But is dinner what you want right now?”

I bit into my bottom lip, feeling the heat of his mouth radiating above mine. “Maybe.”

“All you have to do is tell me what you really want right now and I’ll give it to you. Just say it.”

“What are you talking about?” That’s right, Shannon. Keep playing dumb.

After releasing a slow sigh, his mouth came down on mine and I stumbled on my heels. He caught me in his grasp, holding on tight with one hand, his other coming up to my cheek, his lips never leaving mine.

My body caught in a blaze, burning, hungry, demanding more. And more is what I got. His tongue danced with mine when my lips parted, allowing him access to a place that hadn’t been shared with anyone else in months.

He groaned, pushing against me even more. My back arched against the window. My arms came up and locked around his neck and he picked me up in his large hands. Immediately, my legs draped around his narrow waist and a soft moan traveled from me to him. This was our first kiss and it was turning out to be way hotter than I thought it would be.

I melted into a puddle in his arms, feeling every frenzied sensation, every ounce of need, and most of all, how much his body was enjoying all of this. He was straining in his jeans now, his erection thrusting between my thighs.

“Fuck,” Max breathed when our kiss broke.

Our lips reunited once more, molding, but then the kiss broke again when I asked, “What?” in a breathy whisper.

“You are damage, Shakes.”

“Damage?”

“You’re going to destroy me. I can already feel it.”

I smiled as he tipped his head back to meet my eyes. “Why do you say that?”