Goddamn.

Josephine Faulkner made him so needy and reckless.

He had almost confessed he loved her in her bedroom. It was definitely not the ideal location to tell her.

No one should ever hear an, “I love you,” while they were in the closet.

And now, he was confined in his car with her. Her perfume seemed to linger in the air and strengthen the moment he breathed in. Every part of him ached to touch her. To have those big blue eyes look up at him as he whispered how much he adored her.

It had been eighteen days.

Eighteen.

Eighteen days since they were last together in her apartment.

Eighteen days since he had really kissed her.

Max turned off the engine and pulled the key out. He had parked outside a supermarket on the way to her surprise.

“Max?” Josie said.

He glanced over to see her staring at the shop. “We have to pick up some food.”

Then she faced him and asked, “Where are we going?”

Max reached over and tucked her hair behind her ear. “Didn’t schedule enough time to tell you. Come on. We’ve got like an hour and a half left before we have to get you back home to finish your assignment.”

“Fine.” She sighed and pulled back. Josie pulled on the car door handle and got out.

Max took a deep breath in hopes his erratic heart would calm, but it was to no avail. It only drove that organ in his chest to beat faster. Max got out of his Porsche and walked around it until he stood next to Josie who waited by the passenger side. Countless pairs of eyes were on them, and he heard someone whisper, “Are they famous?” He grasped Josie’s hand and led her inside the store.

“What kind of food do we have to get?” she asked as he led her farther into the store to the aisle he was looking for.

“The only kind we can bring with us.”

When they had reached the confectionary aisle, she laughed as they walked down it.

“So lollies and chocolates?”

“Yep,” he said as he dropped her hand and pointed at the shelves of junk food. “You can only bring your favourite confectionary with us.”

“That’s easy!” she announced and then pointed to his right. “That pink bag over there.”

Max reached up and removed the bag from the hook. Then he took in the picture of the cartoon man with the moustache. “These marshmallows are you favourite?”

She took the bag from him and nodded. “They’re filled with this strawberry jelly. They’re amazing.”

Her eyes twinkled, and he loved the sight of her excitement.

“All right, I believe you. Come on. Checkouts are this way.” Max took the bag of marshmallows from her and made his way to the registers, Josie following.

He reached the self-serve machine and scanned Josie’s marshmallows through. He placed the bag on the scale and pressed on the screen to pay.

“Oh, hang on, I’ve got it,” she said as she opened her black clutch.

Max ignored her and pulled his wallet from his pocket. He flipped it open, pulled out his card, and tapped it across the eftpos machine.

“Wait, no—”

Max returned his card to its slot and his wallet to his pocket. Then he grabbed the receipt and picked up the marshmallows. He handed them to Josie with a smile. “I sacrificed fighting with you about paying for your favourite lollies so that I can tell you how beautiful you are. We don’t have time, Josephine.”

The annoyance faded from her face. “Fine.”

Max cupped the nape of her neck and brought her lips to his in a chaste kiss as he gazed down at her. “You’re so beautiful, Josephine.”

I love you, he thought.

But he wouldn’t say I love you in a supermarket.

Not when she had given him much sweeter declarations.

Josephine Faulkner deserved the best out of life, and Max was working his way towards giving her everything.

“Thank you,” Max said, handing his keys to the man who had held the sign with his last name on it. Even he had to admit that Dominic Gomez had outdone himself. All Max had done was call in a favour from his client, but he was impressed.

“You’re welcome, Mr Sheridan,” the Arts Centre employee said, eyes gleaming with joy knowing that he would soon be driving and parking a Porsche.

“The Arts Centre Melbourne?” Josie questioned as she tilted her head back and took in the spire inspired by the Eiffel Tower and a ballerina’s tutu.

He was a little disappointed that they weren’t here later at night when the building was lit up and a stunning sight. But unfortunately, this was the only time he could get his favour done.

“Yep.”

Max held the marshmallows by his right side and took her hand with his left. She glanced down at their hands and smiled. When her eyes lifted to meet his, that smile of hers deepened.

What he had said in the supermarket was true.

She was beautiful.

“And what are we doing here at the Arts Centre?”

“The Australian Ballet,” he announced as he led her towards the front entry.

Josie hurried her footsteps to meet his. “We’re seeing the ballet?”

“We’re seeing their dress rehearsal for a new show,” he clarified.

When they were at the front doors, Max saw his client waiting for them with a bouquet of red roses in his hands. Max led Josie to him, and Dominic Gomez smiled. He was one of the world’s most talented male dancers. And at twenty-eight, Dominic had danced for the world’s greatest ballet companies.

“Ah, you must be Miss Faulkner,” Dominic said. Max saw the desire fill his green eyes. He appreciated what he saw, and Josie in that goddamn white dress of hers was a beautiful goddess.

“Oh, my God,” she breathed next to him. She pulled her hand away from his, and he turned to see her hands covered her mouth. Her blue eyes were wide in shock and disbelief. “You’re … you’re …”

Dominic smiled and glanced over at Max. “I think she knows who I am.”

Josie removed her hands from her mouth and said, “Of course, I know who you are. I saw your performance with the Paris Opera Ballet on TV last year. I read an article online that you had left the company.”

“Wow,” Dominic said, sounding surprised. “I had no idea Mr Sheridan knew a beautiful woman so interested in ballet.”

She blushed. “I’m sure that’s not true.”

“Don’t be so modest. You’re beautiful, Miss Faulkner. I’ve been Mr Sheridan’s client for a few years now, and he has never once asked me for a favour. I’ve offered to give him tickets to my shows numerous times, but he’s always declined. So his call was definitely a surprise.”

“Dominic, I told you; it’s Max.”

“And I told you it was a sign of my respect for you, Mr Sheridan.” Dominic stepped forward and handed Josie the bouquet of roses. “These are for you, Miss Faulkner.”

“For me?”

He nodded. “Of course. Mr Sheridan insisted that I be the one to give you his flowers.”

Josie gazed down at the roses and then turned to face him. The tenderness in her eyes was a sight of their own. So beautiful and bright. “These are from you?”

Max beamed at her. “That okay?”

“Incredibly okay.”

He hated that he didn’t pencil in enough time to really kiss her.

Then the doors opening and a woman stepping out caught his and Josie’s attention, breaking the connection their eyes made. “Dominic, they’re ready,” she announced.

“Ah, yes. Thank you, Susanne. You both ready to go inside?”

Josie nodded enthusiastically.

Max grinned, knowing she was about to experience something unique and tailored just for her. She followed Dominic inside, and Max quickened his pace to walk next to her.

“Wow,” Josie breathed as they made it down the hall. She had stopped for a second to take in the pictures on the walls.

“Have you ever been here before?” Max asked.

She shook her head as they continued to follow Dominic. “No. I’ve always wanted to, but I couldn’t. I don’t know. It sounds stupid, but I couldn’t get myself to commit to seeing a show here.”

“Have you ever seen the ballet performed live?”

They walked downstairs, and he noticed Josie bite her lip. Finally, when they reached the bottom level, she said, “I went to the Royal Palace Theatre with my father when I was eight and saw a performance. It was beautiful. It was one of the last things we did together before he left us and went to Germany.”

“Oh, I’m sorry.”

Josie shook her head with a smile. “Don’t be, Max.”

“Just in through here,” Dominic said. He held the door open, and Josie stepped away from him to enter the theatre with Max right behind her.

When they stepped inside, he heard Josie’s sharp inhale.

“Welcome to the State Theatre,” Dominic said. “Follow me to your seats.”

And they did.

They went down the stairs until they were close to the stage. They reached the fifth row when Dominic stepped aside and pointed at the row.

“Your seats are reserved.”

Max glanced over at the row to find two reserved signs on the seats in the middle.

Josie slid into the row first, and Max stood there a moment to face Dominic.

“Thanks for this, Dominic.” Max held out his hand, and the ballet dancer grasped it and shook it firmly.

“You got me out of my contract with the Paris Opera Ballet so I could come home early when my father was sick. I’m the one who’s thankful, Mr Sheridan. Because of you, he was able to see me dance before he passed away.” Dominic smiled and then ended their handshake. “She’s beautiful, Mr Sheridan. I hope you both enjoy the performance.”

“And …?”

“It’s all ready to go,” Dominic assured with a grin. “We tweaked and used an old routine to make it work.”

Max sighed in relief. “I appreciate it.”

“I can see that. Go sit with her. It’ll start in a few minutes.”

Max nodded, turned, and made his way down the row to find Josie already sitting in her seat, staring up at the high ceilings.

“This is so incredible. There are like five levels!”

The wonder in her eyes and the amazement in her voice had him sitting down in his seat and setting the bag of marshmallows next to him. Then he reached out and grasped her hand and squeezed.

“It’s about to start.”

Josie lowered her chin, and that tenderness in her eyes from before didn’t disappear. It had stayed and magnified as her blue eyes shimmered before him. “Max.”

“Yeah?”

“This is the most incredible, thoughtful thing anyone has ever done for me.”

He shifted in his seat, and with his free hand, he cupped the side of her face with his palm. “The show hasn’t even started.”

“I know. But even if this was it. Just us sitting in the theatre where so many of the world’s best ballet companies have performed would have been more than enough.”

Max leant in close and whispered, “That wouldn’t have been enough. Even after we watch this show, it’s not enough.”

Her free hand wrapped around his wrist and in a low voice, she said, “You’re absolutely more than enough for me.”

A pang of guilt erupted in him.

He wasn’t.

Not just yet.

But he would be.

 

 

I wish I was more than enough for you.

It had almost slipped from her lips.

Her insecurity over her worthiness of Maxwell Sheridan made an appearance. He had gone to so much effort to plan a two-hour activity together. And it was beautiful and thoughtful and everything that made her love him more.

Suddenly, she felt her clutch vibrate in her lap. Josie pulled away from Max’s touch, picked up her clutch, and opened it. She took out her phone to see a new message from Stella.

 

Stella: Why aren’t you home? Have you been abducted? I see no ransom on my door. I thought we were going to have ice cream sandwiches for dinner after you finished your assignment. *plotting your demise*

 

Josie laughed and showed Max the screen.

He read the message and chuckled. “You should reply to her before the show starts, or she might think you really did get abducted.”

She giggled. “You’re right.”

 

Josie: Max took me to a dress rehearsal for the Australian Ballet.

 

Stella: THE. Australian. Ballet?

 

Josie: Yes.

 

Stella: Do you realise who Max is?

 

Josie: Huh?

 

Stella: In the world of Gilmore, he’s a …

 

Josie: This is NOT the time!

 

Stella: LUKE.

 

Stella: He IS Luke.

 

Josie: Shhh! I’ll see you at home.

 

Stella: Nah. I’ve already walked out of the apartment. I’ve just packed my things, and I’m gonna spend the weekend with West. Which means you get some peace to finish that assignment. Also, pics that you’re with Max or it didn’t happen.

 

Groaning, she glanced over to see Max staring out at the stage.

“Max …”

He craned his neck and smiled at her. “Everything okay?”

“Stella wants a proof picture.”

“Really?”

“Yep,” she said with a laugh.

But it wasn’t just for Stella. Josie wanted one for them. They didn’t have any pictures together, and she wanted to remember this moment. She wanted proof of the most wonderful thing anyone had ever done for her.

“All right,” Max said as he shifted closer to her.

Josie opened her camera and held it in front of them. They smiled, and she pressed the button to capture the image. Then she craned her neck slightly and looked at him. The soft smile on her lips mirrored his as his eyes found hers. Then she heard the sound of her camera’s shutter, realising Max had reached out and pressed the button on her screen.

“Don’t send this one to her,” he whispered as he kissed her.

The sounds of her phone’s camera taking their photo echoed in the empty theatre. Josie pulled the phone away from him and concentrated on the feel of his lips. Her phone ended up on her lap as she cupped his face and deepened the kiss. He made her so needy and desperate.

He made her want to tell him she loved him without fear of consequences.

Maxwell Sheridan made her defenceless when it came to him.

He dragged his lips over hers slowly until their kiss ended with the soft flutter of his lips to hers.

She smiled against his mouth when he asked, “How did I ever live without you?”

Josie pulled back and wiped his bottom lip with the pad of her thumb. “I believe you managed to suffice.”

“Barely,” he said between his heavy breaths. Then he rested his forehead on hers.

The loud sounds of a drum roll filled the theatre, and Josie broke away from him to watch the curtains part. Mystified at the black stage in front of her, Josie sat in her chair and held her breath, waiting to see just what happened. She had heard the new Australian Ballet performance was an original production and not the classics that would be performed on opening night at the Arts Centre next week.

That drum roll she heard faded into the strum of a guitar.

It was soft.

And suddenly, the darkness slowly faded into light, and in the middle of the stage was a ballerina in a white and silver romantic tutu. Her arms wrapped around her as the guitar played the soft song. The ballerina turned her head, and Josie followed to see Dominic Gomez on stage. He was to the right of the stage with his back to her. Then Dominic made a soft, perfect turn, and he found the ballerina. His palm settled on his chest as he gazed at her.

His face softened, and his arms reached out to her.

The ballerina untangled her arms and curtsied in a low bend. She was poised and graceful. It was beautiful to see her body move. Then she extended her foot behind her as if to tell Dominic it was time.

Their love could begin.

The violins began, and Dominic and the ballerina moved in sync. Their positioning was phenomenal as they transitioned to each move so fluidly that it was breathless.

And when they met it was magical.

Dominic set his hand on her hip and held her close to his body as if it weren’t close enough.

His other hand settled on her hip, and then he lifted her so flawlessly that Josie gasped in awe.

The violins continued to play as they danced before her.

“What is that song?” she wondered out loud.

Max grasped her left hand and whispered, “A violin version of Elvis Presley’s ‘Can’t Help Falling in Love.’”

“Really?” Josie couldn’t take her eyes off the dancers as they leapt together in a series of perfect jetés.

“The show is called A Testament to Love. It’s all about love songs and the power they have.”

It was love song after love song.

It transitioned from Dominic and his female love interest to several dancers coming on stage trying to tear them apart until finally, at the final song, they found each other in the middle of the stage and his arms wrapped around her. It was beautiful. The lights dimmed, and Josie jumped out of her seat and applauded, not caring that her phone fell out of her lap and onto the floor. Her vision blurred as she noticed she had begun to cry. She reached up and quickly wiped the tears away before they could fall down her cheeks.

She had been incredibly moved by the show.

It was so beautiful and perfect.

The beauty and freedom.

The connection and grace.

The turns and artistry.

It was everything she remembered about ballet.

For years, she had resented the art.

But right now, she respected it.

Then something appeared on stage. It was a hologram of a scripture on the stage wall. Josie glanced up to see that it was projected from above.

She watched the curves disappear, and then suddenly they spelt out.

 

For Josephine.

 

She gasped at the sight and just as she was about to turn and throw her arms around him, the message disappeared, and the dancers returned to the stage. They stood in front of her and Max and held their arms out to them. Then the strumming of a guitar returned, and they began to dance freely and beautifully to the music that played.

And she recognised that tune.

She recognised each chord and each unsung lyric.

“La Vie En Rose,” she breathed as tears consumed her eyes.

Her eyes fell closed as she listened to the way her heart beat to the gentle music. She swayed as she took in her mother’s favourite song. Slowly, she opened her eyes to see Dominic gently caress the ballerina’s cheek as the song came to a slow end. And when it did, he hugged her tightly.

The two dancers parted and turned to face Josie and Max. They curtsied and bowed then walked off the stage, leaving them alone in the empty theatre.

Her heart pounded in her chest. It was anxious. It demanded the freedom the dancers had on the stage.

Josie slowly turned and faced Max. He was so beautiful. No Dominic Gomez with his dancer’s body and talent could ever reach the beauty of Maxwell Sheridan.

And the way Max looked at her as if he truly did see her as remarkably beautiful had her breathing out, “I love you.”

His eyes widened, and lips parted slightly.

Suddenly, she couldn’t breathe.

His silence made it hard for her heart to make another beat.

Her eyes stung as tears threatened. Josie had exposed herself to heartbreak. To another one of life’s rejections. But it was the truth. She was so in love with Max. And maybe she had crossed a line, but she couldn’t hold it in anymore.

To her relief, Max’s lips slowly spread into a smile as he uttered, “I love you, too, Josephine.”

He loved her.

Max loved her.

He bent his knees and wrapped his arms around her back, and she looped her arms around his neck, and he lifted her.

“I love you, I love you, I love you,” she whispered in his ear.

“I love you, Josephine,” he said the moment he set her down, and his palms cupped the nape of her neck.

And she believed him.

His thumb pressed against her jaw as he said in a soft voice, “I love you. I love you. I love you, Josephine Faulkner.”

And his lips found hers and continued to whisper his love between small moments of their passionate kiss.

On the drive back to her apartment, Max kept his fingers entwined with hers. She would sneak peeks to find the contented smile on his face and would breathe out a sigh of relief that her love wasn’t unrequited.

He loved her.

She loved him.

And after that earth-shattering kiss, he held her tightly and said he had to get her home so she could finish her assignment. He also made promises about taking her to the ballet on opening night to see the full show. Max had told her that the La Vie En Rose dance was just for her and wouldn’t be featured in the actual performance. That Dominic and the other dancers had made small tweaks from a previous routine to fit La Vie En Rose specially for Josie. For a second, she was sad she wouldn’t see it again, but she knew it was a performance made just for her.

Josie unlocked her apartment door and pushed it open. Then she spun around and faced Max who was holding her bouquet of red roses and the marshmallows he’d bought her but hadn’t had the chance to eat. The ballet performance they had watched was so intoxicating she couldn’t take her eyes off it. The way the two danced and symbolised each love song was spectacular.

“Do you want to come inside?” she asked, hoping he’d say yes.

Max’s eyes shimmered as a small smile tugged at his lips. “Sure. I’ll stay for a bit, and then I’ll go.”

She nodded as she spun around and made her way farther into her apartment. Max stepped inside, closed the door behind her, and followed her down the hall and into the kitchen. Josie watched as he set her roses and marshmallows down with a smile. He was so careful not to bend or destroy the bouquet. As she took him in, she couldn’t help how moved his “I love you” was. She replayed it over and over again in her head.

Josie set her clutch down next to her flowers and set her hand on his arm.

“Josephine …”

She shook her head.

His love made her want more.

His love made her heart desperately plead for more.

His love made her want him in every possible way.

Pulling him away from the counter, she set her hands on his strong arms and looked into his eyes. The love was there. Bright and breathtaking. The gleam was one she’d never forget.

“I love you, Max,” she whispered as she walked them back and in the direction of her bedroom.

His eyelids hooded. “Your assignment …?”

She shook her head. “Almost done. And right now, it is the last thing I want to do.”

Max’s large hands found her hips. “And what’s more important than your law degree?”

“You,” she breathed. “You’re more important.”

“God, I love you,” he uttered as he pulled her body to his.

Josie gasped at the contact, and he quickly pressed his lips to hers, taking her by surprise. She smiled against his mouth as he dug his fingers into her hips.

He kissed her with sheer abandonment as if this was the last time he’d ever kiss her.

Each flutter of his lips made her heart ache and soar.

And when she playfully bit his bottom lip, he groaned and broke their contact.

“Are you sure?” he asked, panting.

She nodded, and her hands left his jaw, and she reached out and held his hand. Taking a deep breath, she decided that tonight she would give herself to him. All the parts. The raw. The needy. The selfish. And most importantly, the entirety of her heart. She was Max’s, and she intended to be his in every intimate way. Josie led him to her bedroom and opened the door. She stepped inside and let go of Max’s hand. The moment he closed the door, she spun around to find his fingers against the sticky note she had stuck on her door.

The same sticky note he had written for her.

 

S M & F J

 

Max turned and faced her. “Why is it on the back of your door?”

Heat consumed her cheeks as she dropped her eyes to her hands, afraid to tell him the truth. Afraid that he’d think it was childish and stupid.

Max set his index finger under her chin and lifted her eyes to find his. “Why is my sticky note on the back of your door?”

He made her so breathless under his curious gaze. Josie licked her lips, took a deep breath, and answered, “So that when I start my day, I always know we’re right for each other. I walk out of my room knowing that you’re right for me and I’m right for you. And I return knowing just the same.”

“That’s beautiful,” he said in a hoarse voice, and his lips found hers again.

This kiss was so different from all the others.

It was soft.

It was ruthless.

It tasted like love as her heart clenched at the feel of his hands tugging at her dress zipper. Max’s tongue swept across her lip, and she moaned his name and allowed his tongue to find hers.

His tongue slid perfectly against hers.

Over and over.

Josie felt hot all over as she grasped his shirt and brought him even closer to her. The air between them was thick and heavy with lust and need and want.

“Max,” she begged, and her fingers found the button of his shirt, urging him.

Max pulled the zipper of her dress down, and it loosened around her. He took a step back, and her hands fell to her sides. He seemed conflicted and amazed.

Feeling brave, Josie freed her arms from the straps and shimmied out of the dress, standing before him in her white strapless bra, underwear, and her heels. Max balled his fists as he swallowed hard.

Josie reached around her and found her bra clasp when Max stepped forward and shook his head. “Turn around, Josephine.”

And she did.

She glanced over her shoulder to see him step towards her, and his finger traced a horizontal line above her clasp. She heard him murmur, “Beautiful,” as he unclasped her strapless bra and it landed on the floor. Josie stepped out of her heels and missed the height it gave her. She turned around and tilted her head back to look into Max’s eyes. His irises had darkened when he took in her naked breasts, and she noticed the flash in his brown eyes when she pressed her thumbs into the elastic band of her lace underwear.

Josie heard a small inhale as she bent her knees, pulling the lingerie down her legs and to her ankles. When she stood straight, she stepped out of them and tucked her hair behind her ear.

Before she was even able to say a word, Max’s hot lips were on hers, and he walked her back, kissing her relentlessly until the back of her legs hit the edge of her bed. She let out a gasp, and Max gently pushed her down on the bed, his hard body pressed against her. Josie widened her legs and his erection pressed against her, causing her to moan. The urgency in them built as they continued to kiss and her hands skimmed the sides of his body. Max’s palms cupped her breasts, and his thumb circled her nipple. Josie was losing it. Normally, she controlled the pleasure, but with Max, she fought for it.

He took the power from her and tortured her with calculated moves. Max’s lips left hers as he pressed open-mouthed kisses on her chin.

To her neck.

Lower.

A kiss pressed against her collarbone.

Even lower.

Until his breath caressed the swell of her breasts.

Her hands left his hips and cupped his head as Max dragged his tongue across her left nipple, causing her fingers to grasp his hair as he licked, nipped, sucked, and kissed each breast.

“Max,” she begged.

His hips bucked, and his hardness pressed against her core.

She let out a moan of frustration when he pulled away.

She needed so much more.

She needed him inside her.

Max got off the bed, kicked off his shoes, peeled off his socks, and his hands found his belt buckle.

Josie had sat herself up and licked her lips before she asked, “Do you have a condom?”

He nodded and reached into his pocket and pulled out his wallet. Josie reached out and took it from him. Max began to undress as she opened his wallet to find a yellow sticky note stuck in front of the card slots.

Her heart came to a roaring stop as she took in the note she wrote him.

 

You’re my La Vie En Rose.

 

And how true it was.

Her love for him written down long before she expressed the words for him to hear. She blinked away the tears that made an appearance, completely touched that he kept it with him.

“I take you with me,” he said, getting her attention. Josie looked up to see him pull his shirt over his head. “You go where I go, Josephine.”

God, she loved him.

The truth in his eyes had her heart throbbing in her chest.

She needed him.

Desperately.

Nothing she could say could truly express what his words meant to her. Josie watched as he unfastened his belt, unsnapped his black dress pants, and pulled them and his underwear down. He stood gloriously naked before her.

Her eyes fell to his length to find him hard and impressively long and thick.

She pulled out the condom from the notes slot and let his wallet fall to the floor. Then she handed him the protection and shuffled back to the middle of the bed.

Max tore the condom packet with his teeth and pulled out the rubber. He had wrapped his fist around himself and pumped twice before he expertly and flawlessly rolled the latex down his hard length until it was properly on. Then Max climbed onto the bed and covered her body with his.

Josie reached up and wrapped her fingers around his arms as he kissed her. The moment he slid his erection against her core, she gasped, and his tongue thrust into her mouth, mirroring the movements of his hips.

“Max,” she pleaded.

Thrust.

Slide.

Her fingers dug into his skin as she bucked her hips.

Wanting.

Needing more friction between them.

“Oh, God … Josephine …”

“Please,” she whispered against his mouth, and she opened her eyes to see him pull back and nod.

Her hand had fallen away from his right arm before he shoved a hand between them and fisted himself. Then she felt him nudge at her entrance, and her chest heaved in anticipation.

His eyes met hers. “Are you sure?”

She smiled. If she wasn’t so desperate to have him inside her, she’d laugh. Instead, she nodded and breathed, “Yes.”

Max slowly pushed inside her, and Josie gasped.

It had been so long.

So long since she’d felt the touch of another.

But never had she felt the touch of a man who loved her.

She had never been this intimate.

This slow.

This loving.

She had never had this connection before.

The sweet burn from him stretching her had her clutching his hips, urging him for more. Max took the hint, and with a hard thrust, he completely filled her to the hilt.

She was full.

So incredibly full.

Max’s body fell on hers, and she felt his heart beat against hers as his lips found her neck. He stayed still, allowing her the time to adjust to his size.

Josie needed him to move.

She needed to feel more.

She grasped the side of his head and pulled his lips from her neck to return to hers. She kissed him with urgency.

With crazy desperation.

It was as if Max had snapped. He pulled out of her and slammed into her, causing her to gasp so loudly.

Then he inched out and entered her slowly.

Hard.

Slow.

In.

And out.

Again.

And again.

He discovered his rhythm, finding that sweet spot as he slid inside and out of her.

Her hips met each thrust as she moaned into his mouth.

He gave her pleasure.

He tortured her when he slowed his pace and then sped up.

“God, Max!” she cried as his hips flexed, and she felt him throb inside her.

“You, Josie,” he groaned and pulled back to look at her. “I love you.” Then he shoved a hand between them and rubbed circles above where they joined. She clenched around him and began to writhe.

He entered her and whispered, “I love you.”

He pulled out of her and groaned, “You …”

She exploded to a thousand songs playing in her head when he had breathed, “Are my La Vie En Rose.”

And Max finally came with the words, “Are the love of my life,” leaving his lips and pressing against hers.