It was a little bit weird, hearing those words come out of my ex-fiancé’s mouth, but Valeria was Valeria. She was more mine than Nico’s, so I didn’t think about it too much. I opened my eyes, and thanks to Max realized that family was not formed in blood. Family was whoever you choose it to be… and I choose Valeria. And Melanie. Max, I didn’t choose so much as he deemed so, but I was more than happy for that. I kept going and told her everything, which got the oh my response from my Valeria. We chatted a little bit more and decided we were going to have a barbeque so she could lay eyes and assess Max in person. After we hung up, I once again called Kiki and once again didn’t get any answer. I was fed, I got my dose of Vitamin D for the day, and I was craving Max, so I went in search of him. I found him in front of the house, building my porch. Between sex, during the recuperation time, he quietly asked me if he could see the designs, I wanted my home to look like. I shortly wondered how he knew those even existed, but I remembered Melanie met him, she was the one who told him. I did, and after he silently studied them for some time, I became nervous.
“It was just an idea when I didn’t have anything. You don’t need to do this for me. I want our home to be something we both want.”
I reached to take the folder away but he held it out of reach.
“Is this manageable for the kitchen?” he asked, his eyes drinking in the picture of a grey wooded, double island kitchen that had a healthy dose of stainless steel in the design.
“Yes,” I said uncertainly. “Do you like it?”
“Do not change a thing,” he turned his head, his eyes burning in mine. “You’re a fucking genius, Bean. I didn’t know a house could look like that.”
“A home,” I corrected him.
“A home,” he agreed.
We talked about it, going over each drawing, and when I mentioned a porch, he instantly said he would build me one as soon as possible. I guess that meant right away.
“Do you need a break?” I asked, leaning at the open doorway.
He was hot, he was sweaty, and the instant he saw me, his smile turned predatory. I knew his answer was yes. I squealed and ran to the bedroom. I didn’t make it. He caught me on the stairs. Our clothes were in a pile at the top one. And he had me screaming in ecstasy on the floor in a hallway.
I was gliding down his cock. It was a miracle but he let me on top. After that first time, he was always in control. His knees were bent, and his hands were at the top of my legs, his thumb working my clit.
"Babe," he urged me to go faster, harder.
"Not yet," I leaned forward and put my hands above his head for leverage.
Slowly, up I went. How was it possible that I still tingled with every move? How was it possible that even when I had him when he was in me, I still craved him?
"Bean," Max warned, his palms gliding up to my hips.
"Just a little bit longer," I breathed.
I couldn't hold my head up anymore, and with my next down glide, I sat up, threw my head back, closed my eyes, and took Max to the hilt. The feel was glorious each and every time.
The feeling was so full I thought I would burst. But the best part was, it had nothing to do with his hard cock pulsing inside me. And everything with this man loving me.
"Skylar," he was losing patience, his hands squeezed in warning, but he still let me take my fill.
I stopped gliding and ground down. Looking down, I got his hooded eyes. Mine were unfocused probably, but his? His had desire and love warring in them. And it was all for me.
I smiled a half-smile and used his line against him.
"You want something, baby? All you have to do is ask for it."
He did.
“Get all the time you need, Bean,” Max leaned down to me where I was lounging in bed and kissed me. “Brody will wait.”
I smiled.
He left the room. I didn’t want to leave our bubble, but it was time to go to the office and take that part of my life back in my hands. When we discussed it, Max insisted he came with me. I reminded him that even though he was retired, he still had stuff to do. He wasn’t happy. So he found a way to keep an eye on me, even while we were apart. He called Brody to take me to the office and then come back and take me home when I was ready. I protested, but apparently, his former team was fascinated by the idea of Max having a woman in his life, so Brody jumped to the chance. With nothing to do about it, I got out of bed to get ready and face the day.
I wish I didn’t.
Chapter Sixteen
Max
I was so tired I couldn’t see straight. For the last three days, we didn’t leave the bedroom.
We couldn’t get enough of each other. Fuck, but I was a moron for playing games. If I knew what was behind her shy and demure behavior, I would fuck her in my car in front of that church. I smiled and shook my head at my own stupidity while reaching for my phone that was ringing.
"Nico Barone was found dead an hour ago," Chace said urgently in his ear. "He was positioned kneeling in front of the Home Sweet Home office."
"Fuck!"
"Max, brother," I wasn't sure, but Chace sounded like he was going to hurl.
"That means-" the burn in my gut was getting up to my esophagus.
"They're after, Sky," he said, what I didn't have the strength to say.
"Fuck!" I exploded.
"Where is she?"
"She went to the office. Chace," the guilt drowned me. "She asked me if it was okay to go and I said it was"
“Fuck!” Chace exploded. “When was that?”
“Three hours ago,” Dread filled the pit of my stomach.
“There was no sign of her there. Maybe she took a detour and went somewhere else?”
“No,” my voice was high. “Brody would call if she did. And he said he escorted her to the door and checked the premises.”
He was also totally under her spell. For half an hour, he listed the reasons why Skylar was beyond perfect and that she agreed to see his place and draw up her vision of it.
"We'll find her, Max," Chace promised.
I didn’t say anything. I ended the call and engaged my phone to call in reinforcements.
"Max-" I didn't let Stone finish his greeting.
"Nico Barone was offed today. Two bullets to the back of the head." I spoke hurriedly. I had to go out and scan the streets until I found her. "He was presented in front of Skylar's office."
"Fucking hell," Stone "I'm half an hour out. I just need to get Addie to the apartment."