Total pages in book: 54
Estimated words: 51210 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 256(@200wpm)___ 205(@250wpm)___ 171(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 51210 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 256(@200wpm)___ 205(@250wpm)___ 171(@300wpm)
She wrinkled her nose at the feel of the nipple against her lips. When she opened her mouth to protest, Max slipped the tip into her mouth. A few drops landed on her tongue and Saylor sucked automatically. Her mumbled “Mmm” of enjoyment thrilled him as she drank.
Saylor almost finished the bottle before drifting off to sleep again. He didn’t wake her. She needed sleep as well. He could tuck her back in bed, but she looked so comfortable. Forcing himself to be honest, he had to admit he loved holding her close.
Max shifted slightly and pulled out his phone. He wanted to take a picture of her, but resisted the urge. They hadn’t discussed any photos. He would never show anything intimate, whether sexy or little to anyone—not even his teammates. Committing the view to memory, Max opened a book app and read between daydreams about their future.
CHAPTER 14
Saylor focused on the class and capturing the shadows and sharp edges of the willowy co-ed who’d volunteered to model for the next class. While she wanted to glare at the gorgeous model every time Max studied her pose, Saylor reminded herself that he was not lusting after the beautiful woman. At least he better not be!
Relax, baby girl.
After staring at the message on her phone for a second, Saylor glanced up to meet Max’s gaze. Of course, he’d figured out she was struggling with him looking at another woman. Saylor wanted to shake herself for being so insecure, but deep inside, she wasn’t sure that he could be as into her as she treasured their time together.
Her phone buzzed again. A red heart emoji showed up on her screen before it exploded into a hundred bouncing hearts that covered her screen. She looked up quickly, meeting his gaze again. He didn’t mean…
Max nodded and returned to his drawing. He shifted slightly, raising his sketchpad to let her see his artwork. The image he’d captured was of her in the middle, with the model much smaller in the background. He’d accomplished the assignment, but focused on her. Her gaze jumped back to him, and Max gave her a slow wink.
Smiling, Saylor played it cool when she really wanted to get up and dance around the desk where she sat. Maybe go sit on his lap. Leave it to her daddy to understand how her mind worked. He took such amazing care of her.
After staying home with her for a couple of days while she recovered and the university was closed, Max had sternly enforced naptimes, hydration, and rest. The medicine had helped quickly. Within those first forty-eight hours, she’d recovered most of her energy and voice. Zale was an excellent medic.
The sound of keys rattling pulled Saylor from her thoughts. She looked up to see Max standing next to her desk. “Koa is picking me up outside. We’re headed out. Walk with me?”
“No one leaves the room during class, so we don’t expose the model,” Saylor said, thinking fast. “If you don’t mind heading through the storeroom, I can let you out that way.”
Max nodded.
“Class. Max has an emergency and has to leave. He’ll go out the side door so we don’t open the classroom door into the hall. Chantal, I’ll make sure no one looks in.”
The model nodded appreciatively, relaxing back into her pose. “Be safe, Max,” Chantal called.
Everyone else in the room echoed that sentiment as Max led the way to the private door. Saylor slid inside first and made sure the coast was clear in the storeroom before waving Max inside to join her. Max pulled her into his arms and kissed her hard.
“Sorry, baby. This one will go for sure. Finish your medicine. Every single dose!”
She nodded, unable to think about that now. “I don’t want you to go.”
“I know, baby. I’ve got every reason to come back home. The entire team does. We’ll make sure everyone is safe. I love you,” he said and kissed her fiercely once again. “Be good. I’ll use the door code on the truck to grab my go-bag. Use my vehicle to get home and for anything else you need. We haven’t talked about this, but I want you to move in permanently with me. I need to know you’re safe in my bed each night. Think about that while I’m gone.” With that direction, he kissed her one last time and left through the door to the hallway.
Home. She knew in that instant that her condo was no longer the place she wanted to be. She’d stay at Max’s place until he returned and hopefully long after that. Staring at the door where he’d disappeared, Saylor tried to gather herself. Her heart had left with him. She should have told him she loved him, too.
She returned to the class, blinking away the tears that filled her eyes. The rest of the students couldn’t know she was involved with Max. His keys and backpack sat on her desk. She picked up the keys and tucked them in her pocket, glad to have something of his.