“Baby, why didn’t you say? I don’t mind you finding out these things. Just not behind my back.”
“I was going to tell you, once I’d learned the truth, but—” She buried her head against his naked chest, craving his warmth and understanding. Max stroked her hair once more, calming her, lifting her spirits. He loved her. With Max by her side surely she had the strength to continue? “Joey told me things that I’ve found difficult to cope with. Things I’d rather not tell anyone.” She sobbed even more, feeling totally filled with emotion. If she didn’t let it out soon, she would burst. As it was she could barely breathe.
“Go on,” Max urged.
“I don’t think I can,” she choked.
“It’s for the best, baby.”
“Oh, Max. Kirk hated me. He wanted me dead.” Tears streamed down her cheeks as she sobbed uncontrollably. “He literally…tried to squeeze…the life from me. My whole world went…black.”
“I know, baby. But remember that Kirk wasn’t himself. He was paranoid and delusional at the time.” Max began slowly rocking her back and forth, making soothing noises as he stroked his fingers through her hair. “Hush now, little one. That’s it, just let it all out.”
“He couldn’t stand the idea of me being alive, when she was dead.”
“Who was dead?”
“She was dead…and he…hated…me for…it.” Her words were halting.
“Kathy? Do you mean Kathy’s dead?”
“Kirk saw her killed by a roadside bomb when they were together in Afghanistan. When he came home I wasn’t enough to keep him alive. I wasn’t Kathy, so he tried to kill me. And then he killed himself. She’s dead, and I feel so guilty for thinking so badly of her.” The floodgates fully opened, and a wall of emotion that she’d tried so desperately to dam in place spilled and poured from her like a giant tidal wave. Her whole body heaved as she tried to catch her breath through the deep sobs that just kept coming.
Max held her tightly in his embrace, wrapping his legs around her, cocooning her from the evils of the world. They lay on the floor of the playroom, entwined together, until she had nothing left to give. Until she was empty. He whispered close to her ear. “I love you, Ella. Nothing can ever take that away from you. Not the past, not anything. Not Kirk. Nothing. Do you hear me? What we have, what we share, is beyond comparison to anything else. That is all that matters. You and me and now.” He kissed her forehead so tenderly, she sighed. Then he kissed her eyelids one after another. “Let’s wipe away your tears, my love. We cannot change the past, just the future. And your future is definitely with me.” When he kissed her lips, she opened her eyes, amazed at the love she saw reflected in his. Raw and passionate, his soul lay bare and open with emotion.
At that moment she connected with him forever, and she whispered, “I see you, Max. I actually see you”—she touched her temple with an index finger—“here.” Then she held her hand against her breast. “And I feel you here. I’ll never keep anything from you ever again. I promise.” She’d seen his spirit. She’d seen his love with her own eyes. Max loved her. That was all that mattered.
Max caressed her fingers with his lips. “I’ve waited a long time for this, Ella. I knew you would eventually come to me unconditionally.” He scooped her into his arms and carried her from the playroom. She felt so safe and wanted pressed against his strong, virile body as he walked toward their bedroom.
Chapter Twenty-Three
After Max laid her carefully on the bed, a feeling of deep relaxation overwhelmed Ella. It was as though every nerve had been disconnected from her body. Inert and supine on the mattress, she watched him undress as he pulled the boots and jeans from his legs. Max loved her.
“I feel so calm, Max.”
“That’s because you’ve opened up to me. Your worries are my worries now. Your fears are my fears. By sharing your thoughts with me, you unburden yourself. I’ll take care of your emotional needs from now on. Depend on it, baby.”
“I wish I’d trusted you before, Max. Why did I find it so difficult to tell you the truth?”
“Because you were afraid of losing me, baby. But you needn’t have worried. You are so very precious to me. I didn’t know Kathy, and I’m sorry she’s dead, but believe me when I say, you are ten times the woman she ever was, or ever could have been.”
Ella felt euphoric. She felt wonderful. Max’s words soothed her. You are ten times the woman she ever was, or ever could have been.
Max looked like a Roman centurion. His body rippled with muscle as he moved toward her. The morning light, streaming through the wall of windows, cast him in silhouette. She could just see his huge cock standing taut and erect against his washboard stomach. Her natural response was to open her legs and hold out her arms as he joined her on the bed.