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.“Bossy woman.”Yes, she was bossy.She was used to being the one in charge, the one giving orders.But in this case, she would have had to fight Max’s family in order to control the situation.The minute they had arrived at Belle Rose, the whole lot of them had come swarming out of the house, Georgette and Clarice fussing over Max as if he were a six-year-old who’d skinned his knee.At least Parry had done something constructive.He’d helped her get a slightly woozy Max up the steps and into the house, despite Parry’s own wobbly condition.Once inside the foyer, Mallory had all but shoved Jolie out of the way.“I’ll help Uncle Parry take Max up to bed.I think you’ve done more than enough.”Sarcastic little bitch, Jolie had thought.“Here’s his prescriptions.” She’d held out the white paper sack to Mallory, who had grabbed it quickly and done her best to ignore Jolie.That had been hours ago, even though it seemed more like days.She’d tossed her bloody clothes in the bathroom wastebasket and taken a nice long shower, scrubbing herself thoroughly from head to toe.She’d chosen a pair of thin cotton pajamas and then crawled into bed.She’d dozed off for about an hour, then woke with a start, thinking she’d heard Max calling her name.It had taken her several minutes to realize she’d been dreaming.Admit it, she told herself, you want to check on Max.You want to see for yourself that he’s all right.Yes, damn it, yes, that’s exactly what I want to do!What would it hurt? Who would ever know? The entire household was asleep.Max was probably still drugged from the injection he’d been given in the ER.She could go quietly down the hall, open the door to his room, and peep in, just to make sure he was resting peacefully.If she did that, then maybe she could get some rest herself.After slipping on her white terrycloth house shoes, she crossed the room, opened the door, and walked out into the hall.Quiet.Still.Only those dead-of-the-night muted rumblings peculiar to very old houses.She crept silently down the long wide corridor that led from her room to Max’s.Hesitating outside his door, she let her hand hover over the crystal doorknob.She glanced up and down the hall.No sign of anyone.She grasped the knob and opened the door just a fraction.Darkness lay beyond, but moonlight pouring through the long wide windows washed a path over the wooden floor and across the foot of the big oak four-poster.Jolie felt as if her heart were going to beat its way out of her chest.She eased open the door a little farther and took several tentative steps.Max lay on his side, his back to the door.The covers rested at the foot of the bed, leaving his large body exposed.When Jolie tiptoed closer, she realized that he wore nothing except a pair of dark silk boxers.Sexual excitement stirred in her belly.No, don’t do this, she told herself.Don’t let yourself care about Max Devereaux.She moved to the side of the bed and looked at him.She wanted to touch him.Wanted to caress his back, his uninjured shoulders, his chest, his…Listening to his even breathing, she sighed.He was resting comfortably, probably still in the depths of a drug-induced sleep.He’d never know if she touched him, never realize that she’d been here in his room.Her hand moved of its own volition, her fingertips caressing his thick dark hair.He moaned.Jolie jerked her hand away.Max flopped over, reached out, and grabbed her wrist.She gasped.“Sleepwalking, chère?” he whispered, then jerked her down and into the bed on top of him.Chapter 18Taken totally by surprise, Jolie didn’t respond verbally, only stared at Max, her gaze seeking his in the semidarkness.Her heartbeat trumpeted in her ears, obliterating every other sound.She lay on top of him, leaning slightly to the side.The thin material of her pajamas did little to protect her from the heat and solid strength of Max’s naked chest or his hairy legs—or the undeniable firmness of his erection.Her body betrayed her, melting against Max, molding itself around him.After releasing her wrist, he wasted no time in recapturing her with a swift move, shooting his fingers through her hair and gripping the back of her head with his big hand.Tension vibrated between them so intensely that it was almost visible, like tangible electrical currents connecting in the heavy, sensual atmosphere.Her lips parted, whether to speak or to sigh she wasn’t sure and wasn’t given the time to decide.Max pushed her head downward and held her in place as he took her mouth with hungry passion.She responded instantly, as ravenous for the kiss as he was.Wild, screaming-and-clawing need exploded inside her, unlike anything she’d ever known.When his tongue delved inside, she reciprocated with manic thrusts, taking him as surely as he was taking her.He loosened his grip on her head and moved his hand down her neck, across her back and over her hips.His sex throbbed against her belly; she ached almost unbearably at the apex between her thighs.When they came up for air, their breaths ragged, their bodies damp with perspiration, Max nuzzled her neck with his nose.“I’m not in the best shape for this,” he told her.“Oh, Max—your shoulder!” She eased off him and onto the bed.He reached out to caress her cheek.“Ah, chère, what are we going to do?” Cupping her chin, he ran his thumb over her bottom lip.“We don’t even like each other.”Her breathing settled, yet she felt as if a heavy weight suddenly dropped on her chest.“I know.Until last night I hated you [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]