Chapter 36 #3
I gesture toward the inside of the accommodation.
On the opposite side, there’s a small gazebo hidden under a few trees and flower bushes.
I first spotted it when I came to this place to check it out for the party.
Most of the guests are on the other side and it can’t be seen from where the main party is held.
I want to make sure Max is following since the area is so discreet, but I don’t want to be obvious so I make myself not turn to look over my shoulder. Though I don’t see him, I can almost feel him, but I don’t know if that’s just hope on my part or not.
“You look exquisite.”
His tone scrapes against every nerve ending in my body, igniting the excitement that I’ve been trying to temper ever since he arrived.
I pat my lightly dampened forehead. “I’m a sweaty mess.”
He trails his fingers up the backside of my forearm until he reaches my elbow, pulling me flush against his body. I surrender to the kiss my body has been begging for all day.
I hum against Max’s lips in relief. Every kiss, every touch, every look with him gets better, deeper, closer to something my heart’s been searching for, for longer than I’ve been aware of.
“I’ve wanted to do that since I first walked in and saw you wearing this dress.” He steps back, looking me over in the simple white and red sundress with silk laces for straps.
“I’m glad I’m not the only one who’s had a hard time keeping my hands to myself since you arrived.”
His deep chuckle sends a shiver down my spine.
“That’s not the only reason I wanted to talk to you privately.” His voice takes on a more serious tone.
My stomach drops.
Max shakes his head. “Shit. That wasn’t meant to worry you.”
“Then you should keep talking,” I reply.
He grins before stepping back. “A present.”
I cock my head. “It’s not my birthday."
“No, but you still deserve something for everything you’ve done to make today happen.”
“I didn’t do anything.”
He deadpans, “You forgot I was with you when you made all of those phone calls to vendors and visited six different places for today?”
“Not all of them,” I grumble under my breath. “It wasn’t a lo—”
He cuts me off with his lips on mine. “You’re too self-deprecating.”
This isn’t the first time he’s said as much to me. My first instinct is to tell him I’m not being self-deprecating but that would kind of prove his point.
“Anyway,” he says once he’s silenced me, “Lucky isn’t the only one who I brought a gift for today.”
He pulls out a sky blue box with white silk tie and bow on top.
I hesitate before he pushes it into my hands. Max gestures toward the box when I look up at him. Slowly, I peel it open and gasp at what’s inside.
A stunning rose gold pendant in the shape of a key that’s lined with white diamonds rests at the center of an eighteen-inch chain. I get to see it in its entirety when Max lifts the necklace from the case.
“The knot at the top is a symbol of unwavering bonds,” he says, looking from the pendant to me. “Early in the season someone told me that I had the most potential on the grid, but I had yet to unlock it.”
His eyes drift back to the key.
“I hadn’t found the key to open the door that held my potential.
” He meets my watery gaze. “I have now.” His voice has grown thick.
“It’s you. I bought this not only because you love necklaces and this will look amazing on you, but as a reminder that you not only unlocked my potential but that you have everything you need to unlock your own. ”
He pauses, this Adam’s apple bobbing up and down as he swallows.
“And, if you’ll wear it, a symbol of how much you own me. Heart, mind, body, and soul.”
I open and close my mouth a few times.
“I love you, Annalise. I probably should’ve started with that. But, yeah, I’m head over heels, arse over head in love with you.”
“Oh.”
I swear if I could kick my own ass right now, I would. Who says ‘oh’ to that type of declaration?
I shake my head.
“I mean, I love you, too,” I blurt out. “God, that feels good to say out loud.” My shoulders sink with the relief of not having to hold those three words in anymore.
I lift my hair off of the back of my neck with one hand as Max approaches to place the necklace on me. I look down at it, running my fingers along the pendant once he’s done.
“It doesn’t match with your dress, but—”
“It’s perfect,” I whisper, looking into his eyes.
His smile widens until he’s laughing. Then, all of a sudden, we’re both laughing.
My laughter grows when he abruptly picks me up and starts spinning us in a circle. I don’t know what the hell has come over either one of us, but I don’t want it to stop.
“You’re insane,” I say loudly.
“Over you.” He drops me to my feet, but my feet barely touch the ground again before his lips cover mine.
“You’re the reason I’m going to end this season as a world champion.”
“Like hell you are,” a voice seethes behind us.
Max spins toward the voice, and it’s as if the bottom falls out from underneath me. Staring back at us is a very angry looking Travis with Alyssia beside him.
My brother’s dark gaze throws daggers at Max.
“Get the hell away from my sister.”