On the drive to his parents’ house, Max tried to think of anything besides the woman seated next to him in her tight jeans and bulky sweater. He’d worried earlier in the day how tonight would go and if they would be able to pass as a loving couple. Spending the afternoon giving her the first orgasm she’d ever experienced in her life did wonders for how she acted around him. There were still moments she flinched, but he caught her muttering quietly to herself after each time.

As he parked in the long drive, her hand snaked over and grasped his. “Anything I should know before we go inside?”

He stared at their clasped hands and the simple ring on her finger. “Mom might ask you a ton of questions right off the bat, but I think we went over everything important.” They had spent a few minutes running through the story of how they’d met and what she did for a living along with whose idea it was to elope and why. Carrie Ward was infamous for digging to get to the truth, but Max prayed she would lay off since it was their first time meeting Mia.

“Right, as long as I can remember everything, this’ll go off without a hitch.”

“That’s the spirit, love.” On impulse, he kissed the back of her hand and heard the way her breath caught in her chest. If only his car was big enough to really go at it with her before they went inside. His shower had not cooled his arousal, and every little shift of her body threatened to set it off again. “Shall we?”

She climbed out of the car, and he glared at his groin before following her. “This place is huge. You grew up here?” she asked, tilting her head back to see the mansion.

“Yeah, me and my kid sister. It wasn’t all that special.”

“Better than what I had,” she murmured and slipped her hand into the crook of his elbow. “Your jaw looks ready to crack. What are you thinking about so intently?”

“It’s nothing.”

“No, we can’t be the happy couple if we keep secrets from each other,” she teased. “Come on, tell me what you’re so worried about.”

His feet slowed and he pulled her to a stop. “I’m not worried.”

“Did I do something wrong?” she asked quietly, and he hated the sudden pang of fear in her words. He turned her around and held her shoulders firmly.

“Never,” he assured her. “I’m just thinking of how much I want to relieve you of your clothes and taste you again… to hear you scream.” Her eyes widened with desire, and she held her breath as he leaned in closer and whispered against her ear, “I want to feel your wetness as you surround me and take me into your body. That’s what I want, but we can’t do that in the driveway. I will not make a move until I know you’re ready for what I want to do to you. All night long.” He emphasized the last few words before kissing her neck hotly and straightening.

Mia staggered into him and she stood on her toes, her mouth searching for his, so he met her lips. The second they made contact, it was as if she’d set a five-alarm fire racing across his body. His hands fisted in her sweater, threatening to tear it off her body. Did she even have the slightest inkling of what she did to him? How she drove him closer to the edge of insanity with each quiet moan against his mouth, how her breasts smashed into his chest, begging for attention. She was more starved for affection than he realized, but it did little to dissuade Max from crushing her to his body and kissing her as if she was his lifeline, the very air he needed to breathe.

Her reckless hunger sucked him in even deeper. He needed to be the man who showed her that affection, conquered her while showing her at the same time how she could possess him, body and soul.

“We should go inside,” he whispered against her mouth.

“You’re probably right,” she agreed and sank back to her feet. She looked at the front door and froze like a rabbit seeing the predator stalking it. “Shit, Max, what if your mom asks about children?”

“What about it?”

“Well I can’t… I can’t have them. Do I say that?”

“No, we just say we haven’t discussed that yet and leave it alone. If she pushes, I’ll handle it.”

Her worry was evident in her bottom lip, and through tugging at the hem of her sweater. He captured her hands and kissed each one in turn, ceasing her trembling. “Thanks. I’m not sure most people would put up with me.”

“There’s not a damn thing wrong with you, and if anyone tells you otherwise,” he growled, tucking her hand securely around his elbow, “you send them straight to me.”

“What for?”

“So I can introduce them to my fist,” he leered darkly. Her eyes brightened, and he squared his shoulders, ready to be the man she needed, the man he could be again.

He knocked on the door when they reached it and waited for his parents to answer. Heels clicking across the hardwood reached his ears seconds before the door was yanked open and Carrie squealed in delight.

“My boy is here! Dennis! Max and Mia are here!” Carrie hugged him so hard he swore his ribs would crack. “I was worried you wouldn’t show up.”

“I said we’d be here, so we’re here,” he grumbled as she released him. “Mom, you were gone for six months, not me, remember?”

“Yes, I know, and in that time, what does my son do? He elopes! Just like that!”

Max rolled his eyes and motioned to Mia beside him. “Mom, this is Mia Ward.”

She held out a hand to Carrie, who pushed it aside and hugged her. “Oh, hi,” Mia said through a surprised laugh. “Nice to finally meet you, Mrs. Ward. Max told me all about you. I can’t wait to hear about your trip.”

Carrie set her back on her feet and took her hand. “Then I will be sure to tell you. Max, go snag your dad, he’s in the den.”

“Probably trying to hide from you,” Max muttered, and Carrie whacked his arm. “Ow!”

“Sass, mister,” she snapped, and behind her, Mia’s face broke out in a mocking grin, mouthing the words his mom spoke. He grimaced, but the sensation to laugh filled him. One slipped out, and Carrie and Mia both paused. “Well now, that’s a sound I haven’t heard in a long time.”

He stiffened. “What sound?”

“You laughing. My, my, Mia, you’ll have to tell me your secret. I haven’t heard that sound come out of that mouth in years, not since the accident.”

Max whipped around and stormed away. “I’m going to find Dad.”

“Don’t take too long. Dinner will be ready soon!”

He waved a hand over his shoulder and prowled through the house, passing photographs from when he was a baby with Stephanie all the way up to a few years ago. The den was situated at the far west end of the house and the door was open, Jimmy Dean pouring out from the record player his dad insisted on using over anything else.

“Dad?” he asked as he stepped inside.

“Max! Come in quick and shut the door,” Dennis said, chuckling as he hurried to his son. They shook hands before the older man pulled his son in for a hug. “I have a surprise for you before dinner. Don’t tell your mother.”

He whipped out two cigars and handed one to Max. “I thought you weren’t supposed to smoke these anymore, not since the heart attack.”

“I’ve given up so much since then. I’m not missing out on my cigar.”

“Fine, but if you drop dead tonight, just remember that Mom will come after me next.”

They bit off the ends and Dennis lit them both with a wooden match. “Oh, now that’s the good kind, right there.” He strolled to the window and threw it wide open, letting in the cool evening air. “I hear you’re a happily married man.”

Max puffed on his cigar, savoring the strong taste in his mouth before blowing the smoke out the open window. “Yes, I am, so you and Mom can relax. I’ll carry on the family name without a problem.”

Dennis clapped him on the shoulder. “Glad to hear it. What with your sister off God knows where—”

“Stephanie’s not here?”

“You know your mother. That woman can hold a grudge forever.”

“So no one bothered to tell my sister we were having a big family dinner?”

“We’re not even sure where she is,” Dennis argued.

“I do, if you’d bothered to ask. She’s in Alaska, checking out the wildlife.”

Dennis sighed. “Photography. I wish I understood what that girl thought she was doing, running around the globe, living out of a rucksack, snapping pictures of naked people and wild animals. You know she nearly got herself killed a few months ago in—shit, where was she?”

“Australia, and yeah, I heard. A crocodile, but she got one hell of a story to tell and a photo to match it. I saw it in National Geographic.”

Dennis’ face lit up with pride, even if all he did was huff at the news. “Let’s get to dinner before Carrie comes searching for us and finds these. Might be a good idea to save your wife, too.”

“No, I think they deserve one another,” Max said as he put the cigar out.

“Oh, and what did your mother say to tick you off this time?”

“She claims I haven’t laughed since the accident.” Dennis eyed his son and Max met his half smile with a scowl. “I have laughed, she’s just not around to hear it. Ask Jeremy, I laugh all the time.”

“Ha! Who do you think keeps us updated on you and your escapades? Honestly, I’m surprised you managed to settle on just one woman. For a while there, you were bringing home what, two a night? Three?”

“It was a week,” he corrected through gritted teeth.

“Yet here you are,” his dad continued, “my playboy son hitched to a woman who, according to your mother, makes you laugh. I think you landed the real deal here, son.”

Max’s hands itched to hold Mia, to hear her moan and cry out his name again. Thinking of her sent his emotions on a whirlwind of confusion and insanity he wasn’t sure he was ready to deal with yet. The hunger for her went beyond her body. He craved her smile, to feel that fire in her eyes he only managed to catch glimpses of. He was desperate to hear her laugh, a deep belly laugh that went on and on until her cheeks turned color and she clasped her sides. He shook his head to clear the dangerous images and met his dad’s curious eyes.

“Max, you coming?”

“Yeah, right behind you,” he said and trailed after his dad.

Female voices drifted towards him as he and Dennis walked to the dining room. Mia and Carrie both had glasses of wine in hand and dinner was on the table. “Ah, there you are,” Carrie said and dragged Dennis over. “Meet your new daughter-in-law, Mia.”

“Dennis,” he greeted as he took Mia’s hand. “Pleasure to meet the woman finally able to tame my son.”

Mia’s cheeks burned bright red as she laughed. “I’m not sure I tamed him, but maybe settled him down a bit?”

“Either way, I’m glad to finally meet you.”

“Dennis?” Carrie asked, sniffing the air.

“Yes, love of my life,” he replied as he took his seat at the head of the table.

“Why on earth do you reek of cigar smoke?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, woman,” Dennis said casually. “We were simply enjoying a nice pre-dinner conversation. Now then, shall we dig in?”

Carrie turned her glare to Max as he sat down beside Mia on the other side of the table. “Fine, but you know those things can kill your father, right?”

“He’s an adult,” Max reminded her. “Just like you are.”

“And what’s that supposed to mean?”

“Max, not at dinner,” Dennis said on a sigh. “Especially on Mia’s first night here. Let her think we’re a functioning, happy family for a few weeks before all the drama gets dragged out.”

He picked at the salad on his plate but nodded. “Sure, why not?”

“Good, because I have a question I’ve been dying to ask you both,” Carrie said, bouncing in her seat. Max shot his dad a worried look, but he shrugged. “Did you two elope because she’s pregnant?”

Mia sputtered on her mouthful of wine, quickly covering it with her napkin as Max glared at his mother. “Really? Is there a reason you couldn’t have said something over the phone about that? Jesus, Mom.”

“I’m curious,” she said stiffly. “You know I’ve always wanted a big wedding for one of my children, but you eloped behind my back. So, am I to take it there’s no future grandchild headed my way?”

Mia’s hand shook as she set her wine glass down, and Max quickly reached out to hold it, cutting her off as she opened her mouth. “No, Mia is not pregnant. We’re taking our time when it comes to kids, and I’d appreciate it if you didn’t bring it up again so bluntly.”

Carrie’s eyes narrowed, but she dug into her salad. “Of course, dear, I’m very sorry.”

“We eloped because of me,” Mia said, startling Max. “I’m not a fan of big parties or weddings, so Max was kind enough to elope and save me from facing such an ordeal. I’m shy—really shy, actually.”

“Oh, come now, you don’t seem that shy to me,” Carrie said brightly. “You get along with Max just fine, and he’s the worst shy person I’ve ever seen.”

Max dropped his fork to his plate, but Mia’s hand landed on his. “He’s not so bad. A bit rough around the edges at first, but he’s a great guy, your son. You have no idea what he’s done for me.” Her eyes met his on her last words, and without thinking, he leaned in to give her a gentle kiss.

Carrie clapped her hands and swooned. “Now that, right there, that is love, don’t you think, Dennis? You two will be parents in no time, I can just feel it.”

Mia’s mouth fell away from Max’s quickly, and she set her napkin on the table. “Would you excuse me for a moment? I need to use the restroom.”

“Just down that hall, second door on your right,” Carrie informed her.

Mia stood and walked quickly away from the dining room. Max saw her start to duck into the bathroom but decide against it and dart into the kitchen. There was a back door that led to the gardens. Hating his mother for opening her mouth, he excused himself to go check on her. Carrie tried to call him back, but Dennis scolded her for being so damn nosy.

“I just want to know what’s going on between them,” she hissed in a whisper as Max walked away. “Eloping is so very odd.”

“It’s not like our time, Carrie. Leave them be and stop harassing the poor girl about grandchildren.”

Max grumbled under his breath as he followed Mia.

* * *

Mia hugged her arms around her body at the chilly night air, but she had to get out of that stuffy dining room. The fresh air brushed across her face, and she closed her eyes, breathing it in. She knew his mother would be the type of woman to push about children, she just knew it, and somewhere along the line, they would have to tell the truth about the whole situation. Carrie would hate Mia and Max would resent her, and the next few years with him would be miserable. He would change, just like Keith had, and she would repeat the horrible cycle all over again. It was inevitable. She would never be free of this life, never.

Tears seeped from her eyes, sending shivers through her body as they chilled on her face. The door opened behind her, and she swiped them away quickly with her sleeve. “I’ll be back inside in a minute,” she said without turning.

“Mia, it’s freezing out here,” Max said as he hung his heavy leather coat around her shoulders, bundling her in its warmth. “What are you doing?”

She grabbed the jacket tighter around her, inhaling his scent, but it did little to soother her fears. “Sorry, I just had to get out of there for a minute, clear my head.”

“You don’t have to worry about my mother,” he said and walked over to the bench, sitting down hard. “She’s been after grandkids since I turned twenty-one, so it’s nothing new. I hate that she had to bring it up like this, though.”

“But eventually, I’ll have to tell her I can’t,” Mia whispered, and with one sharp look from him, the rest of the words tumbled out in a rush. By the time she’d reached the part about him turning into Keith, Max was on his feet and wrapping her in his arms, he rested his chin on her head as tears streamed down her face. “I’m sorry, I know you don’t like crying.”

“What did I tell you about apologizing?” he reminded her. “And who the fuck is Keith?”

Mia stilled and tried to break away from him, but Max caught her arms. The set of his jaw told her he wanted answers, and she wasn’t going to get back inside without giving him at least something. “Keith was my boyfriend,” she whispered.

“The one who abused you?”

Rage roared up inside her, not at Max but at the man who had done this to her. Both men, Keith and her dad. “Yes, but he wasn’t the only one.”

He growled. “Fucking piece of shit. Where is he so I can rip his head off?”

“Just let it go. I got away, thanks to you, and that’s all there is to it.”

“You said he wasn’t the only one. Mia, who else are you running from?”

“Not here,” she hissed and stared over her shoulder towards the house. “Please, I can’t… I can’t get into my past right now, okay? I said I would be your loving wife, but I can’t do that in front of your family if we drag all this out right now. Please?”

He stepped back and ran a hand over his face. “Fine, but we’re not going to bed tonight until you come clean about everything.”

“Promise,” she assured him. “I should’ve told you before.”

“I already knew,” he admitted.

“You what?” She shook her head, thinking about everything she’d told him in the few days they were together. “I never said anything.”

“You didn’t have to. The flinching, the way you hang your head when I raise my voice, or how you apologize for everything and that flicker of fear that appears in your eyes…” He blew out an aggravated breath. “I knew the second you stormed out of that pub and fainted on the damn sidewalk that you were running from someone, and I couldn’t let you face that alone.”

Mia’s heart warmed. “So you decided marrying me would be the best way to keep me safe?” she asked, her lips curling into a smile.

“It’s worked so far, hasn’t it? Come on, let’s get back inside before Mommie Dearest comes out to find us and brings up babies again.” Mia turned to go, but he caught her hand and ran his thumb gently down her cheek. “And for the record, don’t ever assume anything about you and me. I could never resent you for simply being who you are.”

She leaned into his hand, believing every word he said. If only they could leave and disappear in his penthouse, or better yet, move across the country. Her worries over Keith would disappear forever if she was far enough away from the man who haunted her dreams. Max marrying her was a big enough risk on his part, and asking him to do much more was out of the question.

“I think you need another glass of wine,” he commented.

“To get through this night with you, I’m going to need more than a glass.”

The only person she’d ever told everything to was Gina, and even then, she had left out details of her life with her dad and mom. Some things were not meant to be shared. With Max, though, everything would spill out with one look from him. There was no hiding the truth of how horrible her life had been, not from those damn blue eyes that did more than steal her breath away. Eyes that sucked her in so deep, she would never be free of this man.