Chapter 5

Chapter 5

Phoebe rolled onto her back and stared up into the blackness.“

What’s up?” Max’s sleep-roughened voice made her shiver. “Can’t sleep?”

“We really need to get our stories straight about Reno,” Phoebe said. “I’m constantly worried I’m going to say something that isn’t the same as you’re saying.”

“Valid point.” Max came up on one elbow and looked down at her. “Okay, if I turn on the light?”

“Seeing as neither of us is sleeping that’s fine.” Phoebe sighed.

He rolled over onto his side and clicked on the lamp. “I always prefer to see someone’s face when I’m talking to them.”

He sat up allowing the covers to pool in his lap, set his pillow behind his head, and put his arm around Phoebe’s shoulders. She leaned into his side, her cheek coming to rest naturally against his bicep. He smelled nice and she slowly inhaled.

“You sniffing me, Feebs?”

“Yes.” She nuzzled his skin with her nose. “I think I’d be able to find you anywhere now.”

His arm tightened briefly around her and then he chuckled. “Good to know.”

“Bernie, Jen, and Sally all wanted to know what happened in Reno,” Phoebe said. “I kept repeating what you’d already said, but I don’t think they quite believed me.”

“I’ve had the same grilling from the boys.” Max heaved a sigh. “Luke’s convinced it was all me, and Noah just thinks I’m up to no good.”

“I don’t mind if you tell them I proposed to you.”

“Yeah, but it isn’t anyone else’s business, is it?” He kissed the top of her head. “If I tell them that they’ll start asking you a whole load of personal questions you shouldn’t have to answer.”

“I don’t mind.”

“Maybe I do.”

Phoebe eased slightly away from him so that she could see his face. He looked deliciously stubborn; his mouth set in a firm line.

“Is this really about protecting me, or more about you just not wanting to admit I was the one who made you get married?”

“You think that hurts my macho pride?”

She met his gaze. “Does it?”

His dimples reappeared. “Feebs, did you know you’re fricking adorable when you get all serious with me?”

“Are you trying to change the subject?”

“Maybe. It’s hard to be serious when you’re glaring at me like that.” His voice deepened. “I just want to kiss all that disapproval right off your face.”

“Can we stay on topic, please?”

His gaze lowered to her mouth. “Sure, sweetheart, whatever you want. What was the question again?”

She tried to remember what it was herself. “I asked if you were reluctant to admit that I forced you to marry me.”

His eyebrows went up. “I don’t remember you holding a gun to my head.”

“I took advantage of your kind nature.”

He frowned. “I’m not kind. Ask anyone here. You didn’t make me do anything I didn’t want to.”

“Then if someone asks me again, I’m going to tell them the truth. That I asked you to marry me.”

“Sure.” He shrugged. “I don’t mind. Just be prepared for some awkward follow-up questions if you do.”

“I’m not a very good liar.”

“Could’ve fooled me. Weren’t you the one making me an undercover agent?”

She felt her cheeks heat. “That was different. I was just spinning tales for my father. I didn’t realize he was passing them on to the whole family until it was too late. And it’s much harder to lie when I’m actually looking at someone. I don’t have the right kind of face for that.”

“True.” He put his finger under her chin. “Don’t ever play poker, Feebs.”

“I won’t.”

He gently kissed her. “I haven’t had a chance to thank you.”

“For what?”

His smile was crooked. “Hanging in there with me. Being nice to my friends, making out like you’re happy to be with me.”

“None of that is hard, Max.” Her eyes held his. “You’ve already done so much for me.”

He kissed her again and this time she responded because she couldn’t help herself. She quickly forgot about anything except the textures of his mouth, the nip of his teeth on her throat and the way he hummed his approval as she wrapped her arms around him to keep him close. His fingers moved down her spine, counting off her vertebrae until he curled one large hand over her hip and urged her closer. She came up on one knee to straddle his hard-muscled thigh and unconsciously began to move against him.

Eventually, he raised his head, his breathing as ragged as her own. “If we keep this up, I’m going to want to strip you naked and make love to you all night.”

She blinked at him. “Do you think that’s a good idea?”

“How the hell would I know? I can’t think straight when you’re kissing me.”

“I feel the same,” Phoebe confessed. “And technically, we are married for the foreseeable future, so it’s all perfectly proper.”

“True.” He was regarding her warily.

“So, if we did make love, we wouldn’t be hurting anyone.” She gazed at him. “I believe it’s almost expected if one is married to that person.”

He groaned. “You’re driving me wild, darlin’.”

“But the thing is . . .” Phoebe hesitated.

He nuzzled her throat. “I promise I’ll take good care of you.”

“I’m sure you will, but—” She eased away from him. “I haven’t actually done it before.”

He went still. “Like never?”

“I know! It’s so embarrassing, but I was at an all-girls school and college, then finishing school and straight into the family business. And I wouldn’t cheat on you when we were married, so I never found the time to date for long enough to, to . . .” She waved her hand around. “Do that.”

His fingers closed around hers and held them still as he continued to look at her.

She frowned. “Will you say something, please?”

“Normally you’re telling me to shut up. I’m just processing here, Feebs.” He slowly brought her hand to his mouth and kissed it. “I’m game if you are. In fact, I can’t think of anything I’d like more.”

Phoebe looked into his eyes and saw sincerity and a blaze of desire that made her insides curl with lust.

“And I can’t think of anyone I’d rather have my first time with.”

He swallowed hard. “No pressure, then.”

“To be fair, I won’t know whether you’re any good because I have nothing to compare you with,” Phoebe pointed out, which made him smile again. “And I’m sure you’ve had plenty of practice.”

“Not for a few years.” He held her gaze. “I kept my vows just like you did.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, it was the right thing to do.”

She squeezed his fingers. “I’m glad.”

“Me too. We can learn together.” His voice deepened. “We’ll take it slow, maybe cover a couple of bases tonight and see how we feel about attempting a home run another day, okay?”

Phoebe crinkled her nose. “I didn’t understand anything you just said.”

He grinned. “Just that I won’t do anything you’re not one hundred percent onboard with. If you feel rushed or uncomfortable just tell me to stop and I will.”

Phoebe nodded. “That sounds acceptable.”

“Good.” He patted his thigh. “Now, how about you come back over here and let’s get started?”

She climbed into his lap, and he arranged her so that she was facing him, his expression serious as he ran his fingers down her back.

“This okay?”

Phoebe nodded, her attention fixed on his muscled chest and the coarse hair that covered it. She reached out her hand and tentatively stroked his skin. She wanted this—with him—because he was the only man who had ever made her feel safe and sexy at the same time.

“That’s the spirit, Feebs. I think you’re going to be a fast learner.”

“You have to tell me if what I’m doing is okay as well,” she reminded him.

“You can touch me all you like,” Max said gruffly. “I love it.”

Encouraged by his words, she traced his collarbones and the muscled curves of his arms, her fingers outlining his tattoos when she encountered them, making him shiver. He kept his hands loosely around her waist, his thumbs massaging her hip bones as she petted him.

Emboldened, she leaned in and kissed him, looping her arm around his neck, which drew her breasts up against his chest. It felt delicious.

“Feebs?”

“Yes?”

“Would you be comfortable taking your pajama top off?”

She glanced down at her buttoned-up, flannel, bunny-print shirt. “I am getting rather warm.”

“I’ve got this.” His fingers worked the top three buttons and then he stopped to look at her. “Okay if I take it off over your head?”

She nodded, suddenly aware that she had nothing under her top and that Max would soon be seeing her naked for the first time. She instinctively pressed a hand to her chest.

“You okay?” Max paused. “We don’t have to do this.”

“It’s just that I’m not particularly well endowed-up top,” she said in a rush.

Max regarded her seriously. “I can’t say I’ve noticed.”

“I heard Noah say you usually dated blond, curvy women.”

“I might have in the past, but that’s not who I married.”

“What if you find me . . . repulsive?”

“Then I’ll run away screaming and never be seen again,” Max said. “But I don’t think that’s going to happen, sweetheart. And if you want to keep your top on until you feel more comfortable with me then don’t stress it.”

“Maybe if I just unbutton it completely and then you can take a look and see what you think?” Phoebe suggested.

Max’s lips twitched. “Sure, whatever works for you,”

“My brother said I’m as flat as an ironing board,” Phoebe said as she bent her head to unbutton the rest of her top.

“Your brother sounds like a dick,” Max said. “I can’t wait to meet him.”

A gurgle of laughter found its way through Phoebe’s nervousness, and she cupped Max’s chin. “Thank you.”

“For what? Insulting your brother?”

“For just being so nice to me.” She undid the last button and raised her chin. “You can look all you want.”

She closed her eyes as Max’s fingers drifted over the slight curve of her breast and then returned to pluck at her nipple. She leaned into his touch, and he applied more pressure, making her shudder.

“Did you like that?” His voice was low and so sexy that she was fairly sure that if she’d been wearing knickers, they would’ve spontaneously combusted.

“Yes.” She breathed out.

“How about this?”

His mouth fastened on her nipple, and she instinctively grabbed hold of his shoulder as he sucked and tongued her nipple into pulsating hardness. She slid her fingers into his hair and held on tight as he continued to torment her needy flesh. At some point, she got annoyed with her top getting in his way, and threw it to the floor, making him chuckle, and transfer his attention to her other breast.

She undulated against him in the same rhythm as his sucking, riding his thigh as her whole body gave into his demands. While his mouth worked its magic, he used his other hand to pinch her nipple. She started to feel hot and rolled her hips even harder until a rush of sensation took over and she shuddered to a climax.

Max raised his head and stared at her. “Damn, Feebs. If you come when I just touch your breasts what are you going to do when I go down on you?”

“Probably explode?” Phoebe gasped. “Can you try?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

His smile was wicked as he rolled her onto her back and loomed over her, his gaze on her mouth, his fingers tracing the top of her pajama bottoms. Phoebe met his gaze, suddenly brave.

“You can take them off.”

He let out a breath as he slowly drew her pants down over her knees and put them to one side.

“Feebs . . .” He paused. “You’re beautiful. You have legs like a colt.”

“Is that a cowboy compliment?” Phoebe asked breathlessly as he stroked his way down her thigh to her ankle and back again.

He bent to kiss her knee and gently moved it to one side, spreading her legs. “Okay if I carry on?”

“Yes, please.”

He settled himself between her thighs, one hand cupping her hip while the other gently explored her most sensitive parts.

“You’re wet for me,” His voice was pure sin. “You already came for me.”

She wanted to grab hold of him by the neck and place him exactly where she needed him—not that she even had a clue what she was doing—it just seemed like her body knew what she wanted better than her mind.

He dropped a gentle kiss on her mound, and she jumped as his fingers swirled the wetness around her bud.

“Okay?” he murmured against her thigh. “Pull my hair hard if you want me to stop.”

She pressed her lips together since right now that was the last thing she wanted to happen. If he didn’t keep going, she might expire with lust.

His tongue flicked over her most sensitive flesh, and she shuddered, her thoughts in chaos, her body responding to his every touch like she was desperate. Even as he licked her clit, he teased one finger inside her making her gasp. At his slight hesitation, she dug her fingers into his shoulder.

“Don’t stop.”

* * *

Max growled against Phoebe’s thigh. He didn’t want to stop. He wanted to ravish her until she screamed his name so loudly that she woke up the horses in the barn. How could someone with such little sexual experience be so damn hot? He focused his attention back on her clit and added another finger, drawing them in and out in the same rhythm as his tongue.

She moaned and her hips rocked upward, making his already-overexcited dick stiffen like steel. He was glad he was wearing boxers or Phoebe would be seeing way more than she was probably ready for.

“Max . . .”

He didn’t need her words to know she was about to climax again. He drove her through it, taking the opportunity to get another finger inside her where he could feel every clench of her tight internal muscles. He couldn’t wait to feel her around his dick, but he would wait. He’d wait until the world was cold if she wasn’t ready for him.

He raised his head to look at her dazed expression and almost came in his boxers. He’d done that. He was the one who’d put that satisfied look on her face and all he wanted to do was make sure he got to do it again and again.

Keeping his fingers embedded within her, he took his weight on his elbow and came up to kiss her mouth.

“You liking this, Mrs. Creighton-Smith-Romero?”

“It’s divine,” she whispered against his lips. “It’s everything I always dreamed it would be.”

A wave of satisfaction washed over him as he kissed her again and she wrapped her arms around him. He thumbed her clit in time to the thrusts of his fingers and tongue and she came again in long, slow, powerful waves that made her whole body arch up toward his.

He wanted to make love to her so badly he was shaking with it. But he wasn’t going to rush the best thing in his life.

“Hey, sweetheart. Good so far?”

She opened her eyes and smiled at him. “Wonderful.” She kissed him. “Thank you so much.”

“Such great manners,” Max murmured. “But I’m the one who should be thanking you.”

“I haven’t done anything for you, yet,” Phoebe said. “I would like to.” She studied his face. “I do have some experience with that side of things.”

“I’m glad to hear it,” Max said gravely. “Because I’m very fond of my private parts and I wouldn’t want you to accidentally rip something off.”

Her smile when she realized he was teasing her was glorious and made Max want to start all over again and give her as many orgasms as she wanted.

“Would you like me to . . . ?” She glanced at his tented boxers.

“I think that should wait until round two,” Max said. “Tonight was all about you.”

Her nose crinkled. “That seems remarkably unfair.”

She seemed to have totally forgotten that she was naked in his bed and that she was still riding his thigh. The scent of her arousal was all around them, and Max wanted to rub his face in it and roll around for a while, which was nuts. He couldn’t help pressing against her and she sighed.

“I think.” Max kissed her. “You haven’t finished coming for me tonight.”

She blushed. “I wouldn’t want to be greedy.”

“I want you to be.” He held her gaze. “I want you to demand I satisfy you completely so that when we do make love, I’ll know exactly how to turn you on.”

She stroked his cheek. “Max, that’s easy. I just have to look at you.”

The shy trust in her eyes made him want to simultaneously protect her from everything, and screw her brains out, and he didn’t know how to deal with any of that.

He gently disentangled himself and caressed her hip. “We’ve made a great start. Shall we carry on tomorrow night?”

Her brow crinkled. “Did I say something wrong, Max?”

Dammit, she was way too good at reading him, too.

“Nah.” He kissed her more deeply. “I really want to take this slow, okay?”

“As long as you let me have a turn tomorrow then I suppose that’s all right.” She kissed his nose. “If that’s what you want, obviously.”

“I can’t wait.” He sat on the side of the bed and yawned loudly. “Man, you’ve worm me out. You okay if I use the bathroom first?”

“Please go ahead. I need to find my pajamas and make myself decent.”

He took his robe off the back of the door. There was no way he was walking down the hallway with a hard-on because he was bound to bump into someone, and it was difficult to ignore. He locked the bathroom door and hopped into the shower, keeping the temperature on the chilly side as he dealt with his dick with a few hard strokes and collapsed gasping, one hand braced against the shower wall.

She was fire and he was . . . totally enthralled, and he didn’t know what the hell to do about any of it. His only thought was one of his favorite WWII quotes about when you’re going through hell to keep going. He might get burned alive, but at least he’d experience something amazing.

If she wanted him to make love to her, he’d be there. Whether he’d survive the experience was another matter entirely.