Total pages in book: 69
Estimated words: 66383 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 332(@200wpm)___ 266(@250wpm)___ 221(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 66383 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 332(@200wpm)___ 266(@250wpm)___ 221(@300wpm)
“No, and not for her lack of trying.” My arms cross over my chest. “It didn’t feel right. Don’t ask me why, it just didn’t. I have a feeling part of that is why she blames you.”
“Oh, she blames me for everything,” I point out.
“She should be thankful.” Max reaches for my hand again and starts walking again. We fall into step with each other, and when we reach the tree, he sits on the ground and tugs me down to him. I climb onto his lap, straddling him, and push a dark strand away from his face.
“My people and I need to move on.” I nod. “Do you know what I mean, Talia?”
“From leaving your place, you need to move on,” I say, my fingers tracing down his cheek to his jaw.
His hands grip my hips, and he shakes his head. “No, we need our own space. This isn’t ours… we are invading. I want to rebuild, make my people feel welcome.”
“You are welcome,” I tell him. He pulls at my hips until I scoot farther into his lap, where I can feel him. Everywhere. I lock my eyes with his ice blues and wonder why he makes me flutter, why he feels so right.
“It’s because we are both a little wrong.”
“Huh?”
“You’re wondering why you have this pull toward me, correct? I can see it when you think too hard. You get a pinch between your brows right here.” His finger gently rubs the spot he’s talking about, and my eyes shutter in response. “What I’m saying is neither of us are purebloods… we are a little of this and that. There are not many like us. Angels and demons weren’t allowed to fuck out of their race, especially to reproduce, yet here we are.”
“Here we are,” I say as one of my hands clasps his. When I look into his eyes, I lean in and can’t help myself. I press my lips against his, and something rushes through me. What, I don’t know. But it feels good.
Max releases my hand and pulls me even closer. My lower body moves against him, and his hands begin to roam. He slides a hand up the back of my shirt and strokes my spine, his kisses never stopping. It’s torture and pleasure all in one. Breaking our kiss, I smile down at him.
“I think this is my new favorite tree.” He chuckles, and I can’t help the laugh that bubbles out of me.
“Mine too.” I reach for my shirt and pull it off over my head. His eyes never leave mine to wander my body, even though I am giving him permission to.
“I’m not sure you are ready for this kind of commitment,” he says. “I’ve fucked before, Talia, but this, this will be anything but. I feel something for you that I have never felt for anyone.” I lift his hand and put it over my breast, right above my heart.
“Can you feel it?” I ask.
“Your heart?” I nod. “I can.”
“It’s beating fast.” He goes to speak again, but then stops as if he is on pause. I search his frozen features, touching his face to bring him back to me, before swinging my head around to find Grim watching.
“What are you doing?” I ask in a small voice, one I wish came out stronger. I pull myself away from Max and manage to stand. Grim’s eyes fall on my bare chest, but I don’t care. He can look all he fucking likes.
“You aren’t meant to be here. We decided you aren’t going to do this,” I say again.
“He’s sending people for you. They’re almost here,” he informs me, then he’s gone.
I turn as Max starts moving again. His expression shows his confusion, and he says one word, “Death.”
I only nod.
Chapter Eleven
He stands from his place at the base of the tree and hands me my shirt. I take it and put it on quickly, his silence making me uneasy. His mouth is set in a thin line, and he seems to be holding in his anger.
“You’re angry,” I say.
“Yes.”
“Why?”
His jaw tics, and he grinds his teeth.
“Max,” I say his name, and he answers me honestly.
“That he came at that time. That he saw you without your top on.” He clenches his hands at his sides. “He has no right.” I lay my hand on his arm, but the tension in his face doesn’t ease.
“He came to warn me.”
“Warn you about me?” Max asks.
“No. Viper knows I’m here and Death warned me he’s sent people.”
Max grabs me, picks me up, and quickly returns us to the camp. As soon as we get to my sister’s door, he places me down, kisses my cheek, then takes off. While I stand there and gape after him, Tatiana opens the door.
“Why are you just standing out here?”