Chapter Twenty-Eight Sarah
Iwoke to the sun streaming across my face and being wrapped in someone’s tight embrace. Blinking my eyes, I wondered how the hell I was in my dad’s den. More than that, how was I in his den with some man’s arms around me?
And then I realized it was Maksim’s arms.
I didn’t get to process another thought. A reel of last night’s events started playing in my mind at warped speed. Oh God, what a nightmare?
Well, not all of it was bad.
Maksim and I had almost kissed, and then we’d come to an agreement to date.
That part was extremely nice along with the fact he’d promised to send the Beast away.
I still couldn’t believe Maksim hadn’t cared that I’d slept with the Beast. Most men were so weird about who you’d been with in the past, especially if you had a connection to them.
As he shifted beneath me, I couldn’t help noticing his very ample morning wood. I’d already felt his erection against me last night, but I hadn’t been this close to him. Jesus, he was huge. The very thought of him putting that huge part in me caused my mouth to run dry.
To try and curb my sexual thoughts, I gazed up into his face. He appeared so peaceful in sleep. He often had the weight of the world on his shoulders, and he wore that pressure on his face with his tight jaw and creased brows.
He was always handsome, but there was something serene about him all relaxed in the sunlight. I couldn’t keep myself from bringing my hand to his face. With the back of my hand, I rubbed the dark stubble along his jawline.
To my surprise, he didn’t startle, so I just kept petting him. Running my fingers through his silky black hair. Tracing the tattoos along his neck. Rubbing his lips.
It was the sounds of my parents bustling around the kitchen that finally caused him to stir. I wanted to yell at them to be quiet so I could keep pawing this beautiful man.
When Maksim opened his eyes, he blinked at me in disbelief. “Hi,” I murmured.
“Hey,” he replied, his voice incredibly gravelly…and sexy.
His massive body undulated in a wide stretch. When he froze, I bit my lip because it was obvious he realized he was hard. “It’s okay,” I reassured him.
“Hazard of sleeping b-beside a beautiful woman,” he replied.
“How can you be so charming this early in the morning.”
“Just stating facts.”
“If we weren’t taking things slow, I would take care of that for you.”
He groaned and covered his face with his arm. “Fuck. Why d-do I have t-to be noble?”
“Good question.”
As I thought about last night, I couldn’t help murmuring, “I can’t believe you’re still here.”
With a teasing smile, he replied, “Did you expect me to t-turn into a pumpkin at midnight?”
“No, Mr. Russian Smartass I didn’t,” I laughed.
Maksim’s expression grew serious. “I told you last night I would stay.”
Nodding, I replied, “It’s just…”
“What?”
I exhaled a breath with a shudder. “Last night was fucking intense.”
He tenderly brushed a strand of hair out of my face. “It was, but I’ve seen worse. I’ve experienced worse.”
With a smile, I countered, “It’s not a trauma pissing contest, Maksim.”
He grinned. “It’s not my intention to outdo you. I just want you to understand that you’re not alone in having a complicated life that causes you to distrust people.”
“I’m not one to share my private life with a lot of people, least of all men.”
“I knew how p-private you were when you told me you didn’t bring men around Sammy.”
“Until you, it’s only been my three best friends that I really let in.”
He gave me a tender smile. “It means so much t-to that you trust me t-that much.”
“And I do trust you. It wasn’t just about the shitshow with Silas that I was worried about.” Not wanting to say it out-loud, I traced one of the tattoos along his neck with my finger.
“You mean what you told me about you and my associate?”
I flicked her eyes up to his. “I’ve never even asked his real name, nor have you ever said it.”
“It wasn’t b-because of any subterfuge. I just didn’t want to give a real name to your abductor.”
With a shake of my head, I replied, “Deep down, I think that’s why I never wanted to know it. In the end, it was just easier to address him as what I called him at the hunt.”
“You still d-don’t need to know his name. Just know that he’s g-gone, and he won’t be back.”
After his statement, Maksim stared intently at me for my reaction. “I’m glad.”
Bringing his fingers to my chin, I tipped her face up. “You thought I would run because of someone you fucked in the past?”
“Yeah, I did.”
“I’m not going anywhere, Sarah.”
“I could understand if you did. I’ve been tainted by one of your men.”
With a growl, he rolled his eyes. “That’s a b-bunch of misogynistic b-bullshit.”
“Is it though?”
“Yeah, it fucking is.’
“But why?”
“Because I care about you. Like I said last night, I want t-to see where this could go. I’ve wanted t-that since the moment I saw your picture when I was searching for a d-doctor.”
My brows popped in surprise. “That long?”
“Absolutely.”
“And then I went and refused to treat you.”
He grinned. “Exactly.”
“In my defense, you were too old.”
“And I would argue that with how well I’m p-progressing, I’m not.”
“Yeah, yeah.”
At that moment, my dad came strolling into the den with the coffee mug that Sammy and I gave him for Father’s Day last year. He froze at the sight of us. “Sarah, what are you doing here?”
“We stayed over last night, Dad.”
He frowned. “Why?”
I knew I couldn’t bring up Silas, so I had to think of another reason. Thankfully for me, Maksim was ready. “My battery was dead.”
To show my thanks, I squeezed his knee.
“Do you need my Triple A car?” Dad asked Maksim.
“It’s fine. I have a driver coming.”
“A driver?” Dad wagged his brows at me. “Better lock him down fast.”
While Maksim laughed, I shrieked in horror. “Seriously, Dad?”
He jerked his chin at us. “Go on to the kitchen and let me have my coffee in peace. Gracie’s making a big breakfast.”
“Okay, Dad.”
As we rose off the couch, Dad took his place in the chair. We’d started to go to the kitchen when Dad’s request froze me. “Tell your mother to make a plate for Silas.”
“Um, okay.”
“He’s supposed to come by today. I talked to him yesterday, and he sounded so good. I think the new meds are really working.”
My chest clenched, and I fought for breath. For a brief moment, it had been like old times. And then the disease had to swoop in and steal it all away.
Sensing I couldn’t speak, Maksim replied, “We’ll t-tell her, Mr. Whitfield
Dad chuckled. “Now you know to call me Hollis, son.”
A sob choked off in my throat as I felt myself free-falling emotionally. My hand flailed wildly at my side as I searched for Maksim’s. At the touch of his skin, I righted myself.
Squeezing my hand, Maksim replied, “Thanks, Hollis.”
When we got into the hallway, Maksim drew me into his arms. “Just let it out.”
I shook my head. “I don’t want Mom to see me so upset.”
“Maybe she needs t-to see it.”
I jerked my head back to stare at him. “What do you mean?”
“You keep everything together. It wouldn’t hurt for her to see some of the cracks.”
“He’s right, sweetheart,” Mom said softly.
Whirling around, she stood in the kitchen doorway with tears in her eyes. “I don’t want you to feel like you always have to be so strong,” she said.
“But you need me.”
“Yes, I do. But that doesn’t mean you don’t need me. Or Hudson and Tara.” Her gaze flicked to Maksim. “Or this fine young man.”
He smiled. “I’m here for both of you.”
“And I’m so grateful. More than anything in the world, I’ve wanted someone for Sarah. Someone strong who she could lean on.”
“Mom, Maksim and I just met. Could we not burden him down just yet with all my baggage?”
With a soft smile, Mom replied, “Oh, I think he’s man enough to handle it.”
”Yes, I am,” Maksim murmured.
Since I knew it was the truth, I didn’t bother arguing with either of them. Instead, I said, “I’m hungry. Is breakfast ready?”
Nodding, Mom replied, “I was just coming to tell you guys.”
“Good. Let’s eat.” When I turned to Maksim, he gave me a frustrated look becauseI was changing the subject. “Come on, let’s feed you. We need to keep your strength up because I know I need it.”
His face lit up. “Then let’s eat.”