Rescued by the Bad Boy (Bad Boys on Holiday Book 4) (9 page)

“
T
his is it
,” Haley said. “This is how the apocalypse starts.”

The rain lashed the windows, pounding furiously on the roof like it was desperate to find a way in. The wind howled, the ocean swelled, lightning split the sky, thunder shook the ground, and for a minute it seemed as if the whole world really was about to end.

But there in Max’s cottage, wrapped up in his strong arms, his kisses both tender and passionate, Haley had never felt so safe. So protected.

So needed.

They’d been curled up together on the couch for hours, just kissing, just holding each other, just being together, watching the storm. But now Max rose up off the couch and stretched.

“Well, if we’ve only got a few hours left to live,” he said, holding his hand out to help her up, “we should probably make the most of it.”

He led her into his bedroom at the back of the cottage, a small, cozy room with huge bay windows on two of the four walls. The others were covered with maps. She was curious about them, but not enough to ask questions—not with Max behind her, already working on that zipper. It took some doing, but he finally got it, revealing her body slowly, tooth by tooth, her skin prickling with goose bumps as he brushed his bare knuckles down her spine.

“I’ve been waiting all night for you to do that,” she said, letting the dress fall to the floor.

“Me, too.” He’d been wearing sweatpants when she’d arrived, shirtless, but now he was naked again, his perfect cock hard and ready.

She stripped off the last of her undergarments, and Max slid his hands into her hair, pulling her close, capturing her mouth in a deep, sensual kiss that flooded her body with tingling heat. His hard length pressed against her belly, insistent, eager, and still he focused on her mouth, her chin, her neck, his every kiss seared into her skin like a memory she’d cherish forever.

Tangled together, hot and gasping for breath, they finally tumbled into Max’s bed. He climbed on top of her, pinning her wrists above her head as he took control of her pleasure.

Thunder shook the foundations, wind howling so hard through the thin walls it made the maps flutter, but Haley was safe. Warm. In that moment, the tide could’ve risen up and washed the whole house out to sea, and Haley would still be there, pinned beneath Max’s strong, powerful body, oblivious to everything but the taste of his mouth, the feel of his breath on her face, the aching need pulsing between her thighs.

Max kissed her mouth, her collarbone, her chest. He kissed her nipple, grazing it with his teeth, flicking it with his tongue, then moving to the other, drawing it between his lips, sucking her hard. She cried out, arching her body off the bed, desperate for closer contact, for more of him, all of him.

She wanted him inside her—needed him there, thrusting into her, filling her completely—but Max was already sliding down the length of her body.

“Max!” she gasped, reaching for him, desperate to bring him back, desperate for the sucking, the kissing, the weight of him against her body.

But he had other plans.

“What did I tell you that first night?” he asked, voice heavy with lust. “Your boyfriend
loves
eating pussy.”

He kissed her stomach, his strong hands gripping her thighs, urging them apart. He licked her hip bone, his tongue tracing a slow, hot pattern down to her inner thigh, then back up again, his stubble scratching the sensitive skin. Haley was out of her mind with pleasure, every sensation rippling through her body as Max relentlessly kissed and sucked and licked, teasing her with his tongue, his lips, his teeth, devouring every bit of her.

He kissed her throbbing clit, swirling his tongue as she threaded her hands into his thick, silky hair, tugging him closer, giving into pure, carnal pleasure as Max thrust his tongue inside her. With his fingers, he teased her clit, soft as powder, then harder, increasing the pressure as his tongue slid in and out, bringing her to the precipice. Her legs began to tremble, and Max went deeper, harder, moaning against her flesh as she writhed beneath him.

This time, there was no warning, no tightening of muscles, no slowly gathering heat. All at once, the orgasm slammed into her body, tearing through her like fire as she screamed out his name in pleasure, again and again and again until it was the only word she knew.

She was still coming down from the high when he finally rolled on the condom and slid inside her, and
holy hell
, it felt so good, so right, so impossibly
perfect
, Haley wanted to cry. Their stolen moments in the restaurant supply closet had been hot as hell, but nothing could have prepared her for this—the raw, unfiltered intimacy. The intensity of his eyes as they fell into each other’s gaze, their bodies melting together, breath mingling, face to face, heartbeat to heartbeat as Max filled her, over and over.

Part of her—a big part that scared her and excited her at the same time—wished she didn’t have to leave him tomorrow. That they could press the pause button on reality, go on pretending for a little longer. A few days. A month. Hang out on the beach together, watch the storms roll in, kiss, make more of this intense, passionate love…
God,
so much more,

But that was ridiculous. There was no pause button on reality.

There was only right now.

So when Max thrust deep inside her one last time, unleashing a growl that rattled her bones, sending them both over the edge, Haley fisted her hands in his hair, pulled him to her mouth, and kissed him ferociously as her body trembled with wave after wave of pure, intoxicating pleasure.

T
he morning
after the world was supposed to end, the sun rose on a calm sea, and Max sat up in bed, watching the most beautiful girl he’d ever known sit at the end of his bed, naked, trying to tie her messy sex-hair into a bun.

They’d been up all night, kissing, touching, tasting, holding each other close as the storm pummeled the beach. Max was delirious from lack of sleep, from the booze, from everything they’d done and said and felt. Now, the early morning sun filtered in through the window, casting Haley in a soft, warm glow, and it all felt like a fucking dream.

“What are you doing?” she asked, looking at him over her bare shoulder.

Her smile was so sweet, so unguarded, it broke his fucking heart all over again. He wanted to remember her just like that.

Memorizing every damn freckle on your face…

Last summer, Haley Scott would’ve been his dream girl: gorgeous, funny as hell, smart, amazing chemistry, and the best part—totally opposed to anything more than a weekend fling.

Max never imagined he’d live to see the day where the “totally opposed” part would tear him up inside, his brain scrambling to find a loophole. But she’d been clear on that point from the start, and he wasn’t about to chase after a lost cause.

Luke had been right, anyway. Shit timing. Max had no room for a relationship in his life. Last night was a wakeup call. He had to clean up his act. Get his shit together. Get some damn counseling—
real
counseling—and put his life back together, regardless of what happened with the lawsuit.

Three days ago, he didn’t think getting his shit together would even be possible. But Haley had come into his life like last night’s storm, twisting him all around and upside down, a force of inexplicable chaos that left only calm in its wake. Even if he couldn’t keep her the way he wanted to, he’d always keep that part of her. The part that had kicked down his bullshit walls and woke his ass up. Made him realize it was still possible to feel. Made him grateful he was still alive, no matter how many times he’d wished otherwise these last couple months.

“Hey,” she said, crawling back to him. She tucked her legs underneath her, kneeling on the bed next to him, her fingers tracing a pattern on the hard ridges of his abdomen. She was still naked, her gorgeous breasts filling the space between them. “Where’d you go just then?”

He wanted to tell her, let it all out. Wasn’t that what everyone had been on him to do? Share his feelings? Talk about shit?

But with Haley, there wasn’t a point. Last night, maybe. But not today. It wouldn’t change anything between them.

So he went for the safe spot, the place he knew well. The line. The innuendo. The flirty game he could always win because in
that
game, he made the damn rules.

“Where I always go when I see you naked.”

“Mmm. Can I come?”

“I think that can be arranged.”

Haley straddled him, and he slid his hands over the soft, full mounds of her ass, pulling her against him. He was hard again—God, always hard for this woman—and she was so hot and soft and wet, her eyelids already fluttering closed as he rolled on the condom and positioned himself at her entrance.

She moaned softly, rising up on her knees, then sinking down on his cock for the last time.

* * *

A
fter they showered
and Haley changed back into her Grimace dress, Max offered to make breakfast, but Haley couldn’t stay. She had to get back to her rental cottage and change, and then there was the brunch—a small affair at her mother’s cottage for the remaining out-of-town guests. They both decided it was best if he didn’t attend. Max was grateful. He wanted to remember her here, in his home, in his arms.

After that, she’d be leaving Starfish Cove, heading back to her shop and her apartment and her life without Max.

That was the deal. Always had been.

He was the one trying to change the terms. Going completely fucking soft.

“Am I all zipped up?” she asked, showing Max her back.

He touched her neck, her shoulder blade, the soft skin of her back, memorizing every curve, every freckle.

“You’re good.”

“Thanks.” She turned to face him again, her smile a little sad.

“Tell you what,” he said, going for levity. If they didn’t laugh, he’d lose his shit completely, and he’d come too close to that too many times already. “Next time one of your sisters gets married, and you need a fake boyfriend? I’m your man.”

I’m your man…
fuck, he wished those words were true. That they weren’t about to walk out that door with the woman who’d just changed his whole fucking life.

Haley stood on her tiptoes, pressing a kiss to his jaw. “You got yourself a deal, Max Killian.”

With nothing left to say, she turned toward the door, but Max called her name one more time—he needed to hear it. To taste it on his lips. “Haley Marie.”

“Hmm?” She turned back and watched him, waiting, her smile soft and sweet and holy fuck if he didn’t do something right fucking now, in three seconds she’d be gone.

Stay. Just fucking stay.

“Maybe… maybe I’ll run into you at El Gaucho’s sometime,” he said.

“I’d like that.” Haley smiled, but the look in her eyes was still sad and far away. She blew him a kiss, and then she turned away, opened the door, and disappeared.

Out of his house.

Out of his life.

Max dropped onto the couch, head in his hands.

No, the world hadn’t ended last night after all.

It just fucking felt like it.

“
M
ax and I broke up
.”

That’s what Haley had to tell everyone at brunch. They’d all noticed his absence last night, followed by Haley skipping out on the party early, and now she was showing up at brunch alone, last night’s mascara smudged under her eyes.

“What happened?” they all wanted to know.

She thought the lie would be easier. But now that she was here, hanging out on the beach in front of her mom’s cottage with the last remaining wedding guests, Haley wished she didn’t have to answer the question at all.

“Guess it just wasn’t meant to be.” Aunt Bev took a long drag on her cigarette, then ashed into the sand. When she spoke again, her voice was raspy. “Not surprised. I don’t think he’s the relationship type, Haley.”

Like you would know.

“Guess not.” Haley’s voice was thick with disappointment.

What the hell is wrong with me?

When she’d said her goodbyes this morning, she’d meant them. They had an amazing time—crazy, funny, sexy as hell, and yes, intense—but all good things came to an end. Yes, he’d changed her. Reached right inside her heart and made all those impossible things seem real. But now he was gone, and in a few hours, she’d be gone, too.

So why can’t I let him go?

Haley hadn’t stopped thinking about him. Not for one second. Her body still ached from everything they’d done last night, all the ways they’d enjoyed each other. But more than that, her heart ached, too.

Max was so focused on saving people, so destroyed over the one he couldn’t save. She couldn’t pretend to understand that kind of loss, that kind of fear. But she knew one thing—meeting Max, feeling the way she felt in his arms, under his touch… she’d never been so alive in her entire life. So seen. So present.

Just being with him reminded Haley of something she’d long thought lost.

Herself.

In that way, he really
had
rescued her.

Without warning, her eyes welled.

Which was the exact moment that Brian showed up, inviting himself into her personal space.

“I’d rather be alone if you don’t mind,” she said.

Ignoring her, as usual, he said, “I heard about the ‘breakup.’” He’d made air quotes around the word. Haley wanted to punch him.

“Who hasn’t?”

Brian sat down in a beach chair next to her, sliding his arm over the back of her chair. “You’re better off, Haley. Trust me. That guy was bad news. I don’t know what that was all about, but I’m glad you got it out of your system.”

“Thanks for your compassion.” Haley stood up, eager to get away, but Brian grabbed her arm.

“Wait, I was hoping… we should talk.”

“Not interested.”

“I miss you. I miss us.”

Haley sighed, but Brian would not release her. His inability to pick up on subtle hints was the whole reason she’d thrown herself at Max in the first place.

Thinking of that first kiss—and all the ones that came after—filled Haley with fierce determination. This was it. No more nodding and smiling, no more subtle hints, no more ducking out the back door.

“Stop touching me.” Haley jerked out of his grasp. “It’s over, Brian. It’s been over. Whether I’m single or sleeping with every guy in Orange County, it will
never
not be over between you and me.”

“You don’t mean that.” He reached for her again, but she held firm. “Haley, come on. You’re just pissed about—”

“No, see? That’s just it. I’m not pissed. I don’t care enough to be pissed. I’m just… I’m done. We’re over. I
do
mean it. I’ve been meaning it for six months. The only person who doesn’t get that is you.”

“You’re just confused. I—”

“Brian? I can assure you that the confusion is entirely on your end. So maybe this will help clarify where we stand.” Haley plastered on a bright smile and lifted a pitcher of ice water from the table. Then, without sparing her ex another thought, she tipped it unceremoniously into his lap. “Fuck off.”

She set the empty pitcher back on the table and walked away, leaving a shocked and gaping Brian in the dust.

“Haley Marie!” Her mother, who seemed to have special radar for such things, swooped in on Haley immediately. “What was that all about?”

“Brian was confused about some things, but I think he’s straight now.”

“Did you…” She narrowed her eyes. “Did you dump a pitcher of water in his lap?”

“Yes. Yes I did.” Haley shrugged. Let her mother scold her—she didn’t care. She was done bowing her head gracefully, done letting people walk all over her.

But the sound that emanated from Haley’s mother wasn’t admonishment at all. It was laughter. Big, fat, straight-from-the-gut laughter. She laughed so hard, for so long, tears rolled down her cheeks. “Now that’s funny, sugar. Good lord, that’s funny.”

Haley’s mother crushed her in a hug.

Sometimes, she felt as if she were living in an episode of the Twilight Zone.

But she hugged her mother back anyway.

“So what’s this I hear about you and Max?” Her mom said, suddenly serious. “Where is he? I was hoping he’d be here today. I wanted to invite him for dinner at the house.”

“Mom. You live in Paso Robles.”

“Well I know, sugar, but that doesn’t mean we can’t make plans!”

Haley sighed, surprised that her mother hadn’t heard the news from Aunt Bev. “Mom, Max is—”

“Late! I know. I’m sorry.” Max jogged up behind her, sliding his arm around her waist and planting a sweet kiss on her cheek. “Rough morning—what can I say?”

Haley couldn’t help herself. The laughter bubbled up again, her grin impossibly wide. “You’re here. I thought we said our goodbyes… and now you’re here.” She wasn’t making sense, but she didn’t care. She was just so happy to see him again, so happy to feel his touch.

“Yeah, about that,” he said. “I’ve been thinking.”

“About kissing?”

“About goodbye. And it’s total bullshit—excuse me, Caroline.” He nodded toward the shoreline. “Haley. Can we talk?”