Up to Snow Good - Kelly Collins Page 0,29

back and waited again, not moving at all. She wanted more, she needed more, but his sexy taunt told her that he was in control, and she was more than glad to let him lead.

Max began a slow cycle of pressing forward and retreating. Her pleasure seemed to be his reward.

“Hmmm,” he hummed, “so good.”

“It is good,” she said, her own voice ringing in her ears, a sexy rasp that she hardly recognized.

Max picked up his pace, and every movement brought Lauren the pleasure she’d always expected, with the promise of even more to come.

His pace slowed almost to a halt, leaving that big bolt of energy coiled inside her. He pulled all the way back and paused, then pushed in deep and long, beginning a slow and steady rhythm that built the pressure inside her, expanding and stretching, rising and falling and rising again. She struggled to breathe, every conscious thought focused on that central sensation and the man who was inspiring it.

“I love you so much, Lauren, so damn much.” His voice strained.

“I love you too, Max. I have all these years.”

“Yes, so many years, and now there’s no more waiting.”

Her passion swelled to the point of rupture and rapture, body shaking with an increasing inability to sustain or contain it.

She convulsed as the tension burst inside her and flooded her with warmth.

Max followed her over the edge. This was them, two people finally made into one, bound by love and passion.

Their bodies gave way to slow relaxation. Her legs lowered to the dampened sheets. Her heart returned to a normal beat. He lay beside her cradling her head against his chest, his heart beating in her ear.

There was too much to think about, too much to feel. She let the moment wash over her, body exhausted, and soul refreshed. Everything had changed, and the morning would bring things she could not anticipate, but for now, Max would be here with her, and she was grateful for his presence.

Chapter Twenty-Three

Max

Max was glad to see his grandmother again, who sat in her chair, staring out at the expansive property around the Hunter home. She offered no evidence of understanding, but as long as there was a chance that she could receive some sense of comfort from his words, or just from his presence, it was more than worth the visit.

Jane, on the other hand, was listening, one brow raised as she sat primly by Ethel’s side.

Max looked directly at Jane; eyes fixed on hers. He wanted her to know that he was aware of some deception in the Hunter house. Whether it was born of her inspiration, he couldn’t say, but there was a way to find out.

She smiled as if she knew what he was thinking.

“My father had a change of heart about Lauren and me.”

Jane said nothing; one raised brow was the only answer she offered.

“Strange, especially after he was so determined to keep the families apart—to crush the Matthews.”

Jane shrugged. “Your father has some vulnerabilities like anyone.”

“I’d never thought of him as weak,” Max said.

“He can be. Family would be one of his soft spots.” It was true, but something about her manner worried him. “I’m glad things are working out for everybody.” She rose and walked into the garden. A look over her shoulder told him she expected him to follow.

Max looked for the truth behind her facade and wondered if he had misjudged her.

“And you and my father?”

“Things are good, and I’m sure you want to keep them that way. I did you a favor, but one hand washes the other?”

Of course, it did. “How so?”

Jane rolled her eyes. “I’m not spending my best years sitting around here waiting for your grandmother to pass for nothing. Once she goes, he’ll have more options. Whereas I haven’t got many.”

Max shrugged. “We’ll give you a good recommendation, I’m sure, a fair severance—”

“I’m gonna get a lot more than that, and you will make sure I do. Especially if you want to keep that little cutie on your arm.”

Max wasn’t sure how to respond, and she didn’t give him time to, anyway.

“That’s right, just a few whispers in his ear, and you’re back at each other’s throats. How long do you think it will be before that slides a wedge between you two? And then, there are the business complications. Let’s face it, the only hope you’ve got to keep that girl is in saving her lodge, and that will come down to your father, which means