be one step ahead of Max at all times because he was slick and would convince her once again that things would be good. They wouldn’t be good. They’d never be good again.
Within moments, she was asleep.
Chapter 17
Max looked at the woman sleeping on the bed, noticed the streaks where her mascara had bled onto her face and his heart wrenched. This was his woman and he hadn’t protected her adequately. It was his fault that she was hurt but he would fix it. There was no other alternative. He couldn’t live without her. He’d thought she knew that, but her being here was evidence to the contrary. Regardless, he would show her in any way possible how vital she was to his life.
Taking off his jacket and shoes, he laid down next to her, pulling her close. He was relieved when she didn’t wake up but moved into his arms willingly. She snuggled against his chest, sighing against his neck like she always did. In her sleep, she didn’t reject him. That had to be something, he told himself as he closed his eyes, waiting for her to wake up so they could talk. In her sleep, she knew they were made for each other. Now it was just a matter of her understanding that truth consciously.
Clarissa stirred and something in her subconscious told her that something wasn’t quite right. Or maybe it was too right and a part of her mind thought things should be off center. But at this point she didn’t care. She was warm and she smelled Max, even though she knew he couldn’t be with her. She tried to snuggle down further, not wanting the fantasy of being held gently in Max’s arms to leave her.
“Max,” she sighed and snuggled against him.
“I’m here, mia cara,” Max whispered against her ear, holding her close. He felt her stiffen but wouldn’t release her. His hand slipped into her hair and he looked down into her confused eyes. That puzzlement soon turned to anger when she slowly realized what was going on.
“How did you find me?” she asked, pulling out of his arms, relieved when he let her go. She stood up and straightened her clothes, fluffing her hair and trying to not look as worn out as she probably appeared. It was devastating to feel so worn out and bedraggled when standing next to a man who literally took one’s breath away.
He didn’t stand as well. Instead, he pushed more pillows behind him and leaned against the headboard, his eyes watching her move about the small area. “You used your credit cards when you rented this room. We tracked you through the financial institution.”
“Isn’t that illegal?” she asked, her anger rising. The man didn’t live by the rules the rest of society lived by and that was infuriating.
He simply shrugged as if legalities were an afterthought. “I own controlling stock in the company so I used the resources available to me.”
Crossing her arms over her chest, she shook her head. “You’re horrible, do you know that?” She hated it when the tears filled up her eyes and started dropping onto her cheek again. Grabbing a tissue, she wiped them away angrily. Unfortunately, they didn’t stop so she turned her back on him, not wanting him to see how vulnerable she was feeling.
“I know that I love you and I don’t want to lose you simply because your father did something that was irrelevant to our relationship.”
Clarissa closed her eyes as the pain ripped through her. Oh, to hear those first few words just this morning, she would have been on cloud nine. “Why lie now, Max? You have everything you want. You did it, you won my father’s company so what’s left? There’s no need for you to continue with this charade of a marriage. You don’t need me anymore.”
He jumped off the bed, his hands holding her upper arms in an attempt to convey the sincerity of his message. “That’s not true. I swear I didn’t know what your father was doing. And to prove it, I’ll sell the company and donate every penny to charity. I don’t want the company, Clarissa. I need you.”
The words were so sweet and he looked so sincere. Closing her eyes, she shook her head. “No Max. You fooled me once. I can’t take it again.” She looked at his shirt and whispered, “It hurts too much.”
He stilled as her admission flowed over him. “Why?” he asked. “Why is