Chapter Thirty-Three
Max moved with increasing rhythm, his thrusts becoming more urgent, more demanding. He held himself up with one hand planted next to Malee’s head while he arched back, slipping his hand between their sweat slick bodies to coax his wife to orgasm. It didn’t take long; she was already thrashing beneath him when finally she clutched at his shoulders, her head going back and her mouth falling open. Max was right behind her, shooting over the edge into ecstasy as his body locked, and he came inside her. After another slow pump, he settled his weight down on top of her as they both floated back to earth. He pressed a soft kiss to her lips, then slid free and fell to his back next to her. They turned their heads and stared at each other, both breathing hard and smiling.
Malee rolled and threw her leg over her husband, straddling his hips. She sat up, her hands braced on his strong chest, and stared down at him. He grinned up at her. She traced over the lines of his ink, something he was finding she loved to do, and his eyes dropped and followed her delicate finger, the pad trailing along his overheated skin, until he reached up and grabbed her hand, pulling her down for a kiss.
She pushed back up. “This bed is very comfortable; much better than my old one.”
He grinned up at her. Good. It cost enough money.
“You like it, too. Don’t deny it.”
Yeah, baby, I love our big new bed. He bounced his hips on the mattress, causing her to bob up and down with the motion, her breasts jiggling, and his eyes falling to them as his big hands locked possessively around her bare waist.
She shrieked and grabbed his arms.
He glanced around the room. They’d moved into the master bedroom at the farmhouse when Jameson, Ava, and the baby moved into the new place they’d built across the property.
They’d painted the room a pretty pale blue color, and Malee had decorated it with framed black and white photos she’d taken of Grand Junction and the valley. She’d also added some framed silks she’d painted. They now felt very much at home here.
Liam and Rory still shared the house, but Rory was on the road with his band and almost never there. Liam was quite easy to live with. He could sign, so that made everything easier; he also wasn’t messy, and he was usually in a fairly good mood.
There’s something I want to talk to you about, baby. Max gazed up at his beautiful wife as he signed.
“Okay.”
I added you to my health insurance the other day.
“You did? Thank you.”
There’s something I want you to do.
“What’s that?”
I want you to go see your audiologist again. See if there’s anything they can do for your hearing. You once said there was talk about some implants you could get, but your father didn’t approve because of the cost and risk.
She nodded. “I was twelve.”
Well, it’s been almost ten years. Maybe things have improved since then. Maybe there isn’t as much risk anymore. They make advances every day in technology.
She stared down at him, not responding.
Only if you want to, baby. I just want you to know the insurance will pay for it…if it’s something you want.
She smiled. “Okay. I’d like that. Will you go with me?”
Of course. You don’t ever have to face anything alone. We’re in this together.
She bit her lip. “And if I’m not a good candidate for the surgery any longer…will you be upset? Does my disability bother you?”
He frowned. No, baby doll. No! Not at all. That’s not what I meant. I just want you to have every opportunity for the best care available and to make your own decision. Whatever you want, baby. I don’t want to push you to do anything. I just want you to know that nothing is keeping you from it, if it’s what you want. I’ll support whatever decision you make.
She nodded, her eyes dropping to his chest.
Baby. Please understand, if you have the surgery, you have to do it for you, not because you think I want you to. Okay?
“Okay.”
Promise?
“Promise.”
He nodded. I love you. And if you never get to hear my voice say the words to you, I can still sign them to you.
“I do want to hear your voice, Max. I do. But what if it doesn’t work?”
He shrugged. Then it doesn’t work. When she didn’t look like that was the answer she wanted to hear, he tried again. Baby, only you can know if it’s worth it to try. I can’t make the decision for you.
“I love you, Max.”
I love you, too, baby.
She grinned and changed the subject with a challenge. “Then prove it.”
He gave her a cocky grin, and quick as lightning, he rolled them both until she was pinned under him. He leaned down and kissed her. And then he went about proving it.