Hold Me Close (Ryker Falls #5) - Wendy Vella Page 0,53
the table, making her jump. “How could you believe that life would simply carry on like nothing had happened after something like that? You can’t expect to return to normal in a handful of months, when in all likelihood it will take you a great deal longer.”
“Don’t yell at me.” Maggs glared at him. “I thought I was strong enough to get over this without help.”
“You are not that dumb.”
“Asshole.” Maggs tried to tug her hand free, but he didn’t release her.
“You spoken to anyone?”
“I’m not talking to you about this anymore.”
“Think again. Now answer the question.”
She clamped her lips together.
“You look about five. I have a vision of you annoying your brothers with just that look on your face.”
“Believe me, they deserved it,” Maggs snapped.
“I want to help you, Maggie. Talk to me.”
Her sigh was loud. “I spoke to a doctor, and she told me to come home.”
“At least someone showed sense.”
“You don’t get to speak to me that way when you are carrying around all this emotional baggage with your family. That crap with your father.”
“That’s different.” He glared back at her. “Suggesting that my family circumstances are in any way similar to what you went through is ridiculous.”
“Really, how do you figure that? It’s shaped you, made you make choices you wouldn’t have if you lived in the perfect family unit.”
“I doubt there’s such a thing,” he muttered.
“Maybe not, but I had close to it.”
“And still you’re screwed up and clueless.”
“If you’re going to insult me, I’m leaving.”
“There will be a lot of hurt people when this comes out, Maggs. Starting with your family.”
“I don’t want it to come out yet.”
“But it will.” He looked determined. “But not right now. Are you scared of me, Maggie?”
“What?” She looked at him. Something was lurking in those blue eyes, and it made heat simmer in her belly. “Why would you ask that?”
“Because I’m taking you to bed, but I won’t do that if the thought of having sex with me scares you.”
“What?”
“You heard.” Fin got to his feet and tugged her to hers.
“I—ah, I could never be scared of you, Fin. But we’re not doing that.” She jerked her hand free and backed away. He stalked her.
“What’s between us terrifies you about as much as it terrifies me, but it’s been simmering for years.”
“Nothing is between us.” She made it to the kitchen. A few more steps, and she’d be at the door in the small laundry area.
“Maybe, but then maybe not.” He lunged at her. Maggs shrieked. He gripped her waist and boosted her onto the countertop. “My pick is the first maybe.”
“This is not a good idea, Fin. What we have will be jeopardized if we do this.”
He slid his hands under her clothes again and moved upward. Maggs made a half-hearted protest and attempted to stop him. But the heat from those big warm hands felt so good on her skin.
When she was left only in a bra, he looked at her, his eyes tracing the swells of her breasts, cupped in simple cotton.
“I hate that you suffered and I didn’t know.” He leaned down as he said the words and kissed the scar on her side.
The skin was sensitive, his lips warm. She shivered.
“Hate that you cried and I couldn’t hold you.” He picked up her wrist and kissed the scar there. “But next time anything hurts you, you won’t be alone.”
“Fin—”
“Sssh.” He leaned in and kissed her. “Enough now.”
The kiss was soft, gentle, and held so much passion Maggs wasn’t entirely sure she wouldn’t melt and slide right off the counter.
This was wrong, she thought. So wrong, and yet it felt so right. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she opened her legs and pulled him closer.
Chapter 23
She felt like sin, her skin soft and warm as he stroked her back. Fin had known she had a lovely body; he’d spent years watching her, fantasizing about her. But the reality rocked him figuratively back on his heels. The simple bra held her lush breasts, and he wanted them in his hands. Her skin was pale and smooth. Hers was a classic beauty—statuesque, he’d heard it called. Fin thought her a goddess.
He could kiss her all day, but there were other areas that demanded his attention. A body that had tormented him for years needed to be worshipped. He’d had more cold showers because of Maggie Winter than any other woman he’d met.
“Take off your clothes, Fin. I want to see you too.”