He smiles down at me, talking in a hush. "Have I told you that you look beautiful today?"

My chest aches from the sweetness. Responding just as quietly, I smile softly and tell him, "Yes, you have, but I don't think I've told you how handsome you look today. Which you do, by the way."

His smile deepens. "Well, now I have to kiss you."

My eyes widen in panic. I whisper hiss, "Max, don't. Please don't."

He leans closer to me. "Those are the rules."

I let out an exasperated noise. "Who makes these rules? Max, please don't."

A hair's breadth away from my lips, he utters, "They're going to find out anyway." Then his lips touch mine in a soft but deep kiss, and suddenly, I'm glad to be facing away from Ceecee. No one wants to see their dad kissing some chick. I hate my heart for racing. I hate myself for not pulling away. But I just can't. I'm powerless against this man.

The kiss lasts a short while, but long enough to show everyone the line of friendship has been crossed. As he pulls away from me, he pecks my lips, once, twice, then three times. Leaning back in his chair, he rests his arm at the back of my chair and looks around the table. Everyone but Nat, Ceecee, Max's sisters, and his Mom are gaping. In fact, those not gaping are grinning from ear to ear.

I hear Nat mutter excitedly, "I knew it."

Max looks around at the people gaping and stands before reaching for my plate. "C'mon, guys. Breakfast is getting cold."

He piles my plate with all my favorite breakfast foods and some I haven't tried, when Nik's shock morphs into a beaming smile. He turns to a scowling Asher and utters, "Told ya. You owe me ten bucks." Digging into his pocket, a sulking Ash pulls out a note and slaps it into Nik's hand. Nik winks at me. I lower my face to hide my smile and shake my head slowly.

Ash glowers up at Max. "I'm gonna kick your a.s.s."

Max places my plate in front of me, lifting his own, filling it with food. As he sits, he returns a bored, "Quiet your sa.s.s, Ghost." Wrapping his arm around my shoulders, he kisses my temple, turns back to a now-fuming Asher, and mutters an amused, "You'll upset my girl."

Placing a hand over my face, my body shakes in silent laughter.

Sweet, funny Max.

Chapter Twenty-Seven.

Helena After what happened to be the best breakfast I've ever eaten in my entire life, Max and I took Ceecee home. This was where I thought the two would drop me off home and have some father/ daughter time.

I was wrong.

As soon as we walked through the door, Ceecee stated, "Sundays are so boring."

Why did I feel the need to open my mouth? Because that was just me. I responded, "They don't have to be."

She slumped in her chair. "No. They are. It's like a rule or something."

I eyed her, then Max. "I don't know who is making these rules you two claim are law..."

Then something spectacular happened. Ceecee looked over at her dad, and at the same time, he looked over at her. They exchanged a secret glance before bursting into laughter. She giggled. "Daddy makes the rules."

He chuckled back. "Oh, h.e.l.l no, little woman. You are in charge of the rules."

A smile I could not help lit my face. "Are either of you going to tell me about the rule thing, or are you just going to laugh behind my back and make me suffer?"

Max narrowed his eyes at me then nudged Ceecee. "Should we tell her?"

She side-eyed her dad. "I don't know. What do you think?"

He shrugged. "Up to you, baby girl, but I think she's okay."

Ceecee smiled at me, nodding. "Yeah, I guess. She is family now."

And at the very same time, my heart ached with pure joy, then burned from sheer terror. It hit me like a brick to the face. I did not want to lose this. So what happened when Max got sick of me because he thought our non-relationship had gone far enough? I would just have to wait for that day and hope it would be later rather than sooner. I would also have to pray I had it in me to nurse my wounded heart once I lost not only sweet Ceecee, but also sweet, moronic Max. Worst-case scenario, I would go home to California to lick my wounds in private.

Ceecee explained, "Daddy has a rule about rules." I tilted my head in confusion as she went on. "If you see that you're in a no-win situation, you make a rule to help you get there."

I chuckled. "Isn't that...? Hmmm. What is the word I'm looking for? Oh yeah, I got it." I looked pointedly at Max and accused, "That would be lying."

But Max shook his head. "Strictly embellishment. And it works."

I peeked over to Ceecee. "Does it really?"

She smiled. "It does."

I sighed and threw up my hands. "Well, okay. Now that I know about this, I'm going to have to try it myself."

Max plucked at his tank and toed off his shoes. "I'm going to have a quick shower. You girls good?"

I looked over at Ceecee. We smiled and said in unison, "Fine."

As Max disappeared, I called Ceecee into the kitchen, where we spent some time baking cookies and making a mess of ourselves. As I used to do with my sisters back home, I dipped my finger into the b.u.t.ter and painted Ceecee's face, then flicked flour on it to make it stick. Leaning over the counter, I encouraged her to do the same to me. I closed my eyes and let her go to work on my face. When Max popped into the kitchen, he looked at us, threw up his hands, and backed out of the door slowly.

The man can read between the lines.

As soon as our cookies were done, I got a paper towel, wet it, and cleaned my face. I handed Ceecee another wet towel and let her clean her own messed up face. We made our way to the living area, where Max had his feet up watching a college sports match. Ceecee transferred herself onto the pink single-seater I could see was hers, while I parked myself next to Max.

Ceecee looked over at the DVD shelf. "Want to watch a movie?"

I had no reason to decline, not that I wanted to. "Sounds great. Max, get up and choose."

He mock-glared at me. "We've been dating a whole day and you're already making demands?" He stood and walked over to the shelf. "Sheesh. Talk about high maintenance."

We watched How to Train Your Dragon, and I actually really enjoyed it. Actually, I'm not sure whether I liked the movie, or being snuggled up to Max with his arms around me. I was becoming surprisingly comfortable with his open affection. When the movie finished, I stood and stretched. "Sorry to put you out, guys, but I think I should go. I've got work tomorrow."

Max turned to his daughter. "You gonna be okay if I take her?"

She nodded with a slight roll of her eyes. "Yes, I'll be fine. Take your time."

My face flushed.

Did she know her dad was trying to be sly about having dirty deeds with me?

Ugh. That would suck.

But Max, being Max, was cool as a cuc.u.mber. "Okay, baby. I'll be an hour or two at most. You make sure you have your cell on you at all times, and if there's an emergency-"

She cut him off with, "Yeah, Dad. I know. If there's an emergency, go across the street to Uncle Nik's."

He sighed and leaned down to kiss her forehead. "You're a good girl."

Ceecee smiled softly then wheeled herself over to me, wrapping an arm around my waist. "Thanks for showing me how to make cookies."

I smiled down at her. "Anytime, honey. You're a fast learner."

We said our goodbyes and the second I sat in the truck, Max turned to me, eyeing my body. "You know the second we get to your apartment, your a.s.s is mine."

Well, darn it. I liked the sound of that.

Speaking on a whisper, I closed my eyes and told him, "You are not to speak to me for the duration of this car ride. Trust me, it's for your own good." We drove in silence, but Max had a hold of my hand, playing with my fingers, and the closer we came to my apartment, the harder I had to squeeze my legs together. It had been too long.

We exited the car and walked up the stairs leisurely, like a normal couple, but as soon as I opened the door to my apartment, I was pushed inside and the door was slammed shut. Panting, I looked up at him in shock. "Holy Jesus, if you're going to push me around, you better be prepared to f.u.c.k me like you own me."

He stared at me wide-eyed. After a moment, he breathed, "Dios mio, you're f.u.c.king perfect." Then, he looked over at the kitchen counter and hesitated. "Next time. The first time you take my c.o.c.k, I want to see your face."

Oh snap.

I was starting to like bossy Max. He moved towards me, and as if it were ch.o.r.eographed, he dipped his face to mine the moment I lifted mine to his. We kissed slowly, savoring each other's taste. He ate at my lips, growling, and I gasped in delight. This was a side of Max I had yet to see.

He pulled at my tee, slipping it over my head, leaving me in a white cotton bra. I sc.r.a.ped my nails at the bottom of his black tee and he pulled it off one-handed. With his lips on mine, I worked at the rest of his clothing in a daze. Somehow, I managed to pull his sweats down his hips. He must've already removed his shoes, but I don't remember him doing it. Max reached down to unb.u.t.ton my jeans, but I beat him to it.

He walked me backwards to my room, pushing me back onto the soft, clean covers of my bed. As I lay there, breathing heavily, he slid my jeans down my legs. Then it was just us, nothing in between.

With white cotton panties to match my white cotton bra, I leaned up on my elbows to find Max staring down at my body, palming himself through his silver silky boxers. I moaned out loud as my p.u.s.s.y convulsed. Hard. Unintentionally, my body jerked and I cupped myself to stop a premature o.r.g.a.s.m.

A choked noise escaped Max. I peeked through one eye to look at him. Gripping himself tight through the thin material, he closed his eyes and muttered a tormented, "Not again."

No, no, no. This session was going to last, by thunder!

Reaching up to the front of my bra, I unhooked myself and held the two cups firmly in my grasp. "Max." He opened his eyes as I let the bra fall down my arms, freeing my b.r.e.a.s.t.s.

He took a step forward, pulled me up, and then lifted me up, into him. I wrapped my legs around his hips and wound my arms around his neck. He turned and sat on my bed, leaving me in his lap. The moment I loosened my hold on him, he lowered his mouth and captured one taut bud between his lips, sucking while groaning. I gasped and raked my hands through his hair, tangling my fingers through it. I hadn't even noticed myself rubbing against him 'til he swapped sides, showering the other nipple with much needed affection.

I was soaked. As in, soaked. My panties were officially a write-off. He gently bit my nipple then laved it with his tongue, knowing the perfect amount of pain to inflict to make it feel good. I was beginning to feel spoiled. With his arms around me, he pulled me deeper into his mouth as he sucked and bit and licked me. The pressure was starting to build. I didn't want it to end so quickly. Leaning back slightly, I cupped his cheeks, bringing his face back to mine for a deep, tender kisses, and he took them like a starving man needing those kisses to survive.

My cheeks flushed pink and my body burning up, I needed more.

Sliding off his lap, I stood in front of him, taking his hands and placing them on the elastic of my panties. He got the hint. He got it real quick. His fingers gripped the hem of the small panties and tugged them down my legs.

I was naked. And I loved it. I felt powerful. And that was rare. The way Max looked at me made me feel s.e.xy. The man had no poker face. He liked what he saw. His twitching erection also liked what it saw. It was his turn to stand and he stood tall. His olive skin looked good enough to lick, so I did.

Leaning forward, my lips hovered at his nipple a split second before I placed my lips around it, biting it gently. His stomach jerked and a low growl sounded in his throat. I wanted to show him what he had done for me. Clearly, I had.

I rested my fingertips on the elastic of his boxers. This was it. This was where it got serious. I mentally prepared myself. I was ready for it. Hooking my fingers through the elastic, I slid the silky boxers down, slowly. As the material pa.s.sed his hips, his erection sprang free and my lips parted. I wanted it in my mouth again, but there would be no time today. I needed Max, and I needed all of him.

He gently laid me down in the center of my bed and covered my naked body with his, warming me. My hands roamed his body as his lips searched mine. He was such a contrast to me. I was soft. He was hard, everywhere. I was pale. He was bronzed.

As his hand trailed the length of my leg, he grasped behind my knee, lifting my leg up onto his hip. Gently nudging my other leg, I spread enough for him to fit in the s.p.a.ce between them. He lowered himself onto me a second time, but this time, it felt different. His hot, hard length rested between my wet folds and it was incredible.

He peered down into my face, shallowly thrusting against my wet flesh. He knew what he was doing, and I was grateful for it. I would not be faking an o.r.g.a.s.m today! Yay, me!

Lowering his face to mine, he bit my bottom lip gently, then muttered, "I'm going to f.u.c.k you now."

My nipples hardened against his chest, and I know he felt it, because he pressed his chest firmer to mine with a content sigh. Reaching down, he fisted himself. He brought the hot tip of his c.o.c.k to my wet entrance and gently worked my arousal onto him. He didn't thrust like a mad man. He pushed the head of his thick length into me, precise and controlled.

A gasp tore from my throat. I frantically reached up to grip his shoulders as my eyelids fluttered closed. Panting, I begged, "More."

Max had a hard time holding onto control. The muscles in his arms and stomach jumped and jutted about as he let out a strained, "f.u.c.k me, you're tight."

He pushed further into me, an inch at a time, and it was equal amounts pleasure and pain. But I felt his worry as his body stiffened over me. "Am I hurting you?"

The truth was it did hurt a little, but I knew it would pa.s.s. I didn't want him to stop, so I said the only thing I could to fuel him on. "Oh G.o.d, it hurts so good. More. Don't stop."

A light thrust pushed him past the halfway point and I moaned out loud at the delicious friction. He worked himself in further with shallow thrusts until I was almost completely impaled. "I'm gonna stop there. I don't want to hurt you, baby."

Lifting my eyes to his, I glared at him. "I want it all."

He smiled softly down at me. "Next time, baby. You haven't been touched for a long time, and I-"

Gripping his shoulders tight, I lifted my hips then thrust downward, his entire length spearing me. We moaned and groaned in unison. My heart raced. My breathing hollowed. He felt amazing. And he was inside of me. All of him. Breathless, I looked up, his golden eyes hooded and intense. I breathed, "f.u.c.k me."

And he did. He started thrusting, and a delicious throbbing started in my core. I thought I'd faint dead away from the intense pleasure of it. Max thrust harder, the sounds of our flesh connecting echoing throughout the room. I lifted my face and he met me halfway, taking my lips in deep, wet kisses reserved for the type of pa.s.sionate s.e.x we were having.

He gripped my hips, pulling me up into his thrusts, and the world around me faded away. My eyes closed for a single second before an unexpected o.r.g.a.s.m shook me. My eyes shot open as my body went numb with pure, unadulterated pleasure. Gasping, my lips parted. A low guttural moan was torn from me. My core contracted, hard, and I began to pulse around him.

I watched Max bite the inside of his cheek, his jaw ticking as his thrusts turned animalistic. He pounded into me, as if unable to stop himself. Basking in the delicious glow of my o.r.g.a.s.m, I lifted myself up onto my elbows and kissed his mouth, my tongue trailing his bottom lip.

He growled, face pained, and I knew he was close. Reaching up, I wrapped my arms around his neck, pressing my b.r.e.a.s.t.s against him as he thrust into me. His arms tightened around my back, pulling me impossibly close. Panting into his ear, I whispered a hoa.r.s.e, "You feel so good inside me."

His body shuddered violently. He stilled, tipped his head back, and roared, pulling out a split second before he spilled warm come onto my stomach.

No condom. s.h.i.t.

I'm sure we'd discuss our carelessness later on, but right now, we were both semi-comatose. Eyes closed, his chest heaved as if he'd run a marathon. Sounding tired, he mumbled, "So good. So f.u.c.king good." His sleepy eyes opened to peer down at me. "You're incredible. And on a completely unrelated note, I think I love you."

I chuckled. "You can't declare love during s.e.x." Grinning up at him, I added, "Those are the rules."

He laughed long and rough. With his c.o.c.k resting on my pubic bone, he lifted his hand, palm up. I lifted my own hand and we high-fived, both laughing at the ridiculousness of it. Sighing serenely, he stood and walked out of my room. I admired his taut b.u.t.t for only a moment before he came back with tissue. Then I admired his front. He wiped me down with a gentle hand before throwing the tissue into my bedside trashcan and climbing into my bed, molding himself to my back.