Chapter 334
Max was cautious around her wounds, not daring to let her soak in the bath for too long. He washed her swiftly, then carefully lifted her and placed her on the bed.
After ensuring she was settled, he turned and headed to the bathroom for a quick shower himself. He emerged shortly after, pulling on a pair of pajama bottoms and tying the drawstring at his waist. His physique was striking–broad shoulders, narrow waist–and as water dripped from his damp hair, he exuded an undeniable allure.
A knock came at the door. It was Wesley. “Sir, Ms. Alivia has called. She seems quite anxious and hopes you can join her abroad as soon as possible.”
Max paused in the act of drying his hair and opened the door to issue a command, “Fetch some antiseptic cream.”
Wesley nodded, and within a minute, he handed the cream to Max.
Max turned back, taking hold of Brielle’s foot, and gently applied the ointment to the fine cuts that had not become inflamed after soaking. After smoothing the cream over her wounds and additional spots on her legs, he went to wash his hands. Upon his return, his phone rang. He answered, massaging his temple, which throbbed with tension.
“Yeah, I’ll be there in two hours.”
He hung up and looked down at Brielle, whose dark hair fanned across the pillow, contrasting with her skin like a fallen fairy in the night.
Max swallowed hard and called out
“Brielle?”
She slowly opened her eyes, her gaze quietly meeting his. No words were exchanged, just a silent space hanging between them.
Brielle was so tired it felt like a dream, as if she had been transported back to the beginning. Her eyes misted over as she looked at Max. The tips of her lashes were slightly drunk with sleepiness, as though she’d had too much wine.
Max ended the call and moved closer, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. He intended to leave after that simple gesture, but Brielle bit down on his fingertip. There was a tiny imprint where her teeth had been, and then, tilting her head, she licked it like a kitten.
Max’s breath hitched, and he inhaled deeply, attempting to pull away. But she wrapped her arms around his waist, and her lips found the tense muscles of his torso through the open collar of his shirt.
The frost in his gaze began to melt, revealing a fervor as red as blooming blossoms. He leaned in, pulling her close and setting her down by the window ledge.
The cool breeze from the open window brought her back to her senses; the fog in her eyes cleared. “Mmm,” she managed, unable to form words. Max insisted on her awakening, on her realizing exactly what was happening.
Chapter 334
Afraid of falling backward, Brielle clung to his neck.
“Scared?” His voice was a deep, raspy whisper, grazing her nose.
Brielle’s mind had come rushing back, and she was fully aware of what she had just done. Her embarrassment caused her fingers to curl into her palm.
The temperature seemed to rise, their lips meeting with the Intensity of lightning striking dry timber. Eventually, Brielle opened her mouth and bit down on his collarbone, leaving a glistening mark.
Max paused, pushing her hair aside and taking her wrist in his hand, tracing upward until their fingers intertwined, sending a shiver through them both.
Fireworks seemed to burst in her eyes. Even the upward curl of her lashes looked like a dangerously intoxicating bloom, sharp and feverish.
“Brielle, wait for me to come back,” he murmured hazily into her ear.
Confused, she looked up at him; her long lashes were reminiscent of a bird’s feathers. Max dropped his gaze and was hooked once again as their lips met anew.
He had promised to leave in two hours, but it turned into four as he reluctantly pulled away from her lips, savoring the taste he was reluctant to leave behind.
Brielle’s cheeks were flushed, and she felt as if she was still caught in the tempest, her body not her own. After Max left, she slowly opened her eyes to the familiar ceiling and couldn’t help but pull the pillow close, burying her head into it.
He had said to wait for him to return: perhaps he had something to say.
She could barely remember, and was so overwhelmed by the intensity of their lovemaking, as if they were trying to engrave each other into their very bones. It seemed he did care about her, after all.
was of
He had stood her up for their trip to Radiant Light Church to pick up Alivia, and now he with Alivia again. Surely, there was something she didn’t know. She decided to take a chance this time, to wait for him to come back, to wait for him to say it in person.
A heavy rain had started to fall in Beaconsfield, the sound of it pitter–pattering against the windows. Brielle slept through to the next day, waking up exhausted. The night had taken its toll, leaving her feeling completely drained.
Wesley’s respectful knock came from outside the door. “Ms. Brielle, are you awake?”
It was then she remembered she was at the Premier Palace. Quickly, she went to freshen up, but upon seeing her reflection in the mirror, her face flushed red. Her neck was marked with many traces of love bites, and she remembered–hadn’t she also left a bite on Max’s collarbone?
