Intimate Betrayal by Donna Hill

“I’ll only stay as long as you want me to. I promise.”
    A surge of heat engulfed her, while her heart roared soloudly she swore it would burst. “Sure.” She stepped aside and tugged on the belt of her robe. “Come on in.”
    Maxwell followed her into the suite, the scent of her freshly bathed body leaving a sensual trail for him to follow.
    â€œMake yourself comfortable,” she suggested, stopping in front of the couch. “I’ll just be a few minutes.” Quickly she disappeared into the bedroom.
    â€œWhat in the devil am I going to put on?” she mumbled, frantically tearing through her wardrobe. Finally she decided on a lemon-yellow tank top and lime green cotton slacks, with a pair of espadrilles that matched her top. She slipped a slinky gold belt through the loops of her slacks and pushed tiny gold studs through her ears.
    A look in the mirror caused her to gasp in horror. Her hair was a wreck, hanging limply around her shoulders from the steam of the shower. She pulled a stiff brush through her hair and quickly twisted it into a neat French roll.
    â€œNot bad,” she nodded to her reflection. Then across her lips she added the barest hint of cinnamon lip gloss, and stroked her lashes with jet black mascara.
    â€œYou go, girl,” she said, smiling. Taking a fortifying breath, she reentered the living area.
    Maxwell stood up the moment she entered and his heart seemed to shift in his chest. She was so lovely.
    â€œHope I didn’t take too long.” She made her way across the room, but stopped several feet away from him.
    Maxwell crossed the remaining space that separated them. He gave her one long heated look that set her body aglow, and without further waiting swiftly took her into his arms, crushing her against his pulsing body.
    His mouth, hungry for the taste of her again, took her lips, briefly savoring their sweetness before dipping into the hot core of her mouth.
    Reese wrapped her arms around his hard, lean body,eager to feel the strength of him as he surged against her. She suckled his tongue, committing its texture to memory, allowing it to awaken every nerve ending in her body.
    An unstoppable need to know her filled him with the force of a monsoon, building in ferocity. His hands began a slow dance along her back, compelling her to arch closer—tighter. Downward his hands trailed, stroking her round hips, pulling the heart of her desire against the heat of his.
    He moaned her name as he pulled away from her lips, only to run his tongue along the tender cords of her neck. Reese trembled and cried out his name, tossing her head back to give him full access.
    â€œI want you, Reese. Here and now. I won’t deny that anymore. But that would be too easy,” he groaned in her ear. He took a step back, looked into her eyes and stroked her face with his fingertip. “You deserve more than just a mating game.” He took a breath. “And I don’t know if I’m capable of giving more than that. Not anymore.”
    He set her away from him and turned his back to her.
    â€œMax,” she whispered, trembling from the aftermath of his loving. She reached out to touch his stiff shoulder. “Please don’t turn away from me. Talk to me—please.”
    He expelled a short, hollow laugh. “Reese, I wouldn’t know where to begin.”
    She came around to stand in front of him. “How about if I start first,” she offered.
    Maxwell looked into her eyes, expecting some insignificant piece of information. But nothing could have prepared him for her revelation.

Chapter 9
    M axwell stared at Reese for several long moments, attempting to digest what she’d said.
    â€œPretty unbelievable, huh?”
    Maxwell’s eyebrows rose then lowered in silent response. “How could you not remember anything before the accident?” he asked, his voice heavy with bewilderment.
    Reese slowly shook her head.