She shrugged as she answered him. “It just seems ridiculous to pay hundreds for a pair of jeans. Why?”
“Why, why, why? You’re still the most inquisitive female I’ve ever known and I think that’s still your favorite word.” His eyes were covetous and adoring as they swept over her, amusement in their depths.
“It just doesn’t make sense,” she said defensively, wondering if he disliked the changes in her personality. She didn’t know where some of them were coming from; she just felt…peculiar, like two different women in the same body.
Max stopped and nudged her to the side of the mall traffic. Her ass hit the wall gently as he asked curiously, “What happened to the woman who bought her clothing without even checking the price tag?” He put one palm against the wall beside her head and tipped her chin up to look at him. “I’m wealthy, Mia. Incredibly wealthy. And for that matter, so are you. Your grandmother’s trust has done nothing but grow since you’ve been gone. You never touched a penny of it.”
Mia shook her head, confused. “I know that. I don’t know why I feel the way I do. I know how I used to feel, and it was me; it was who I was. Now I don’t know who I am anymore.” She had to blink to keep the tears from falling, feeling hopeless, like she’d never find the woman who Max loved again. “I feel like I should pretend to be the way I was before because you loved me that way.”
“I. Still. Love. You,” Max answered gruffly, the muscles in his jaw twitching and his eyes growing stormy. “Do you think I give a f**k about your shopping habits?”
Mia stared up at him, unable to tear her eyes away from his volatile expression. He looked raw and hungry, feral and dangerous. Fascinated, she watched his beautiful hazel eyes radiate with a fiery intensity she’d never seen before on the face of the man she loved. She might not feel like the woman Max had fallen in love with, but Max had changed too. She’d noticed the difference. Problem was, he was even hotter than he’d ever been.
“You dropped the f-bomb again,” she babbled, unable to think of anything else to say. Her core flooded with heat. All she wanted was for him to touch her, the need almost unbearable. Max had always been an incredible, unselfish, tender lover, always bringing her to climax before he satisfied himself. But she’d never seen him like this: he was starving and she was the only prey he wanted to devour.
He leaned in closer, so close she could feel his heated breath on her cheek. “Does my cursing bother you?” he asked in a low, husky voice against her ear, making her shiver.
“No,” she answered honestly. Really, the way he said it made her whole body catch fire, and her mind wander to images of him not only saying the word, but doing it to her. He hadn’t touched her in a sexual way in the two days she’d been home, and she had been starting to think he didn’t desire her anymore, that her slimmer body, short hair, rougher appearance, and different personality turned him off.
“Good. Then I don’t give a f**k,” he whispered against her lips before his mouth closed over hers with a force that made her gasp into his mouth as he took it.
Max didn’t kiss—he ravaged—and Mia moaned as his mouth conquered hers, winding her arms around his neck to stay on her feet as her knees turned to water and her whole body quivered. She speared her fingers through his short hair, engulfed in a passion so fierce that she wanted to wrap her legs around his waist and let him take her right here, right now. He was all barely-leashed masculine power and dominance, and she was more than willing to submit, to experience more of this raw and uninhibited Max.
One hand cradled the back of her head to keep it from slamming against the wall, while the other cupped her ass, yanking her core closer to his groin. His tongue was relentless, entering and retreating, mimicking the act that she so desperately wanted.
She whimpered as Max jerked his mouth from hers, his breath harsh and audible against her ear. “Shit. We’re in the middle of a goddamn mall and I’m ready to tear your clothes off and f**k you blind.” And he didn’t sound happy about it.
“I didn’t think you wanted to anymore,” Mia admitted softly, still stunned.
“Oh, I want to. You have no idea the things I want to do to you. I’m just not sure you’re ready for it. I told you I’ve changed, Mia. And I’m not sure I can control myself anymore.” He yanked his head back and speared her with tortured eyes.
She ran her hand along his cheek, loving the abrasive texture of his five o’clock shadow against her fingers. “Then don’t.” Sweet Jesus…if what had just happened was what was in store for her now, she’d take the raw and rough version of Max exactly the way he was, and she’d wallow in him. This was a man who could get down and dirty, and she wanted that more than she ever imagined she would. “I need you.”
Mia watched his face as he struggled with himself. She could sense his hesitation, but if the animalistic expression she saw was any indication, the desire to f**k her was winning.
He grabbed her hand and pulled her back into the mall foot traffic. “I’m losing it,” he mumbled, leading her into a trendy, moderately priced store. “Find some stuff. Walk away, Mia, before I embarrass both of us,” he ordered quietly but firmly as he let go of her hand and flopped into a chair near the door.
Mia knew he wanted distance, but she was reluctant to give it to him. She didn’t want him to gain control. What she really wanted was to explore this different Max, find out how hot he could really burn, but they were in a mall with a gazillion people around and he’d already embarrassed himself by kissing her breathless against a wall.
I wanted him so desperately that I didn’t care. I would let him take me anywhere he wanted because I forget everything when he kisses me.
Her face started to turn pink as she watched his security agents who had been following them seat themselves in other available chairs by the door.
Oh God, I forgot about them. I forgot about everybody. I was too consumed by Max.
No doubt the agents had probably turned their backs and shielded her and Max from view, but it was still a little mortifying to remember that they were being tailed—and watched—as she and Max were groping each other in a public mall.
And we’re trying to avoid media attention? Way to go, Mia. Excellent way to avoid detection. No wonder Max was trying to get a grip on himself.
Making her way to the casual clothing, Mia selected several pair of jeans and shirts, forcing herself not to look at the price tag this time. She needed to get some clothing that fit. Max hadn’t moved a thing in their house, and she still had her old clothes, but most of them were baggy, her body at least a size smaller. Frowning as she gathered what she wanted, she admitted to herself that she’d probably be able to wear them again in no time. Max was feeding her constantly, like he was trying to make up for some kind of deprivation. Obviously, she hadn’t been deprived. She was slender, but definitely not starving.