This woman in his arms, his Silken, knew none of that. When she’d been a little girl and woke up in the night from a bad dream, who had been there to comfort her? And when she first discovered boys, who had been there to guide her? Even now that she was a grown woman she still needed that love, craved that relationship, cried for it. Thank God she had Suave. At least she was not totally alone.
It took minutes before Silken’s body calmed and she sniffed then cuddled closer into him. Her breathing was still ragged but at least she was calmer.
Max continued to hold her, saying nothing, just stroking her hair and listening to her breathe.
Finally, she lifted her head and then looked up into his face. She gave him a wan smile. “Right now,” she said in a hoarse whisper, “I just want to forget. Can you kiss me? Please?”
Max drew in his breath, not knowing how to respond to this. She was vulnerable now and the last thing he wanted to do was something he – or more accurately, she – would later regret…even if she’d been the one doing the asking. His eyes searched her face but all he saw there was pleading. And sadness.
“Please,” she said again.
This time he was powerless to resist. Lowering his head, he took her lips in a kiss that was soft and gentle, demanding nothing, just giving. He wanted her to draw from his strength, take comfort from his presence, forget all her sadness and bitter disappointment.
She clung to him, almost as if in desperation, and then she was kissing him back with such fervor it was like she was trying to steal his very soul.
He answered her plea by deepening the kiss, giving her all that she was begging for and more. She’d told him she wanted to forget and he would help her do just that. And if this was what would make her whole again, he would not deny her…because he wanted her to heal, to be bold, strong Silken again.
But this time he was not taking the initiative. He would go as far as she wished and not one step farther. And if this one kiss was all she needed then that was all he would give.
But Silken soon heightened her assault, sliding her hands into his shirt, playing his body like a banjo, wearing down the bands of self-control to which he clung. God, he wanted her, and if she didn’t stop this…
The thought flew out of his head as he felt her hands slide down to his buckle. Before he could still her fingers she’d loosened his belt and was pulling down the zipper of his…
He broke the kiss. “Silken, do you know what you’re doing?” He reached down to lay his hand over hers.
“I know what I’m doing,” she said in an urgent whisper. “I want you, Max. I want you now.” She slipped her hand from beneath his and renewed her attack on his trousers.
But that was as far as she got. As much as he wanted her, there was no way he would take what Silken was offering. Not now, when she was at her most vulnerable.
“Silken,” he said, “no.” His voice was firm. He had to put a halt to this, for her sake.
“What?” She looked up, her brow knitted in obvious confusion. “No?”
“No. Not when you’re like this. I want you, Silken, but only when you’re ready."
“But I am ready-”
“No, honey. Not yet.” He lifted a hand to push the hair away from her face then tucked it behind her ear. “Listen to me,” he said as he locked gazes with her. “Your emotions are raw right now. You’re hurting and you’re turning to lovemaking for comfort. I don’t want us to do it this way.”
“Even if this is what I want?" A note of frustration crept into her voice.
“Even if this is what you want.” Max got up from the sofa, taking Silken with him. “Go home now, Silken. What you need is a good night’s sleep. By tomorrow you’ll feel better.” He took her hand in his as they walked to the door. “I’ll call you in the morning, okay?”
She mumbled her answer in the affirmative then walked with him to her car. When she got in and drove away she wasn’t looking any happier than when she’d arrived.
Max did not go back inside right away. He just stood there, staring down the driveway long after the taillights of Silken’s car had disappeared into the night.
He probably hadn’t been much help to her in her time of need. Maybe she thought he was cruel for sending her away.
The fact was, he’d grown to care for Silken, too much to do anything that might jeopardize what they had. Which wasn’t much, he had to admit, but there was hope. She’d actually agreed to come to his house and she’d asked for his kiss, both good signs.
But now he wanted to take their friendship to another level. The question was, would she let him?
CHAPTER ELEVEN
It wasn’t until a week had passed that Silken began to feel like herself again. The blow of getting so far in her search and then not being able to achieve her ultimate goal was devastating. Even Suave seemed to be handling the situation better than she was, which was unusual because she’d always been the ‘strong’ one.
But now, with the passing of time, she was beginning to accept things as they were. She was not happy about it, not by a long shot, but she’d begun to realize that maybe there were some things that were just not meant to be.
In the last few days things had gotten busy around the shop and she was glad for it. She would not have been able to find the time to mope even if she wanted to. Lots of clients were getting ready for long trips over the upcoming holidays so they were turning up in droves to get their vehicles tuned up for the drive. She didn’t mind at all. When Suave told her the current status of their bank balance she was all smiles.
And then she remembered that apart from a brief call the following morning she hadn’t heard from Max, not since he’d thrown her out of his house. Well actually, it wasn’t fair to say that since he’d only been trying to help. But still, what must he think of her, throwing herself at him like that? That night she’d begged him to kiss her and then she’d tried to divest the man of his clothes. God. She still blushed every time she remembered it. She must have been out of her mind.
She could only imagine what he must be thinking about her after that episode. Would she ever be able to look him in the eyes again? She grimaced just thinking about it. She should probably avoid him for a while, at least until he’d forgotten all about what had happened. He hadn’t called her and maybe that was for the best. She, of course, would not call him either.