Sin For Me

Chapter 25 ☑️

Megan

We arrived hours later back to the quite, familiar town of Wimberly—the town I had sought refuge from such a short time ago—as the aircraft gracefully landed upon the ground. I glanced out the window. Everything appeared the same as it had six months ago. It was as if time had stood still, and nothing had changed. The streets were bare, the occasional car passed by. The quaint feeling overwhelmed me, as I stared out the window of the sedan, engrossed in my feelings.

The hours on the jet had passed briskly from New York to Texas, as most of my flight had been preoccupied with Max—engaging in sinful, intimate matters. He had made love to me like never before, and I can't say I hadn't enjoyed it. But it just felt so wrong. My inner conscious scolded me.

Max didn't appear to be the same man I married years ago. It was as if he had truly changed. Where was the arrogant, abusive, manipulative man I despised? Surely he couldn't be far...

For just a short while, I was able to forget about Mason. But soon enough, his memory resurfaced as Max cocked a halfway smile, resembling one of Mason's familiar smiles. All the loving moments Mason and I had experienced in our short time together soon came crashing down on me. The guilt I felt ate at my conscious. I had told Mason I loved him, and I had gave myself to him. But yet, I had just slept with another man. My husband. The man I left for dead six months ago when I made the brave decision to start my life over.

All that remained of me was a bottomless pit of betrayal, and guilt. I was the worst kind of sinner. But  I couldn't let my guard down with Max just yet. A sex-crazed plane ride was a welcome distraction at the time, but I wouldn't let Max manipulate me and drag me back into his world—back to the excessive drinking and abuse I had endured for so long. I couldn't relive that life again. He wasn't off the hook just yet. I believed people were capable of change, but it was hard to let go of a lifetime of pain.

My heart and head collided in confusion. I loved Mason, despite our short time together. But Max was my husband of many years. Didn't that account for something? Hadn't I had loved him at one time in our marriage? Surely I must have, or I wouldn't have married him.

Despite our rough past, he seemed a changed man—for now. I still couldn't trust him though. But could I truly trust Mason? He had withheld valuable information about my past from me. Both men had their flaws, and I was flabbergasted.

What if Mason sought me out? Would I willingly leave with him? Would I even put him in harm's way again? I wasn't so sure. And was I truly willing to give Max a second chance? I was conflicted as my heart and head brawled.

Max brought my mind back to reality as he nuzzled his nose deep against my neck, leaving a light trail of kisses along my neck, and effortlessly lifted me into his strong arms. I examined his features as he carried me over the threshold of the jet.

He was indeed a fine specimen of a man. Why hadn't I noticed before? He was, after all, my husband. His fibrous biceps protruded through his white collared shirt which was muffled from our wild amusement on the jet. His beard had been trimmed recently and the stubble that remained was tempting not to run my fingers through. Why wouldn't I keep my hands to myself?

His green eyes gleamed down at me, and he smiled a rare, lovable smile.

"How was your flight, darling?" he sincerely asked.

"Great," I mumbled, forcing a smile. Hopefully he wouldn't question my sudden change of demeanor. Hopefully he couldn't sense the guilt that was eating me alive.

"Me too. It's been quite some time, hasn't it? I've got a ton of time to make up for. We'll talk on the car ride home, okay?" he replied, almost as if he was questioning himself.

"Okay," I retorted, as he carried me over to a black Sedan that awaited us in the lot.

A tall, masculine male—a new security guard I presumed—opened the back door, and Max ushered my body in. He slid in gracefully next to me, as the guard shut the door behind him.

The car sped off, and Max faced me, clasping my hands within his. He looked sad, almost apologetic. I hadn't ever seen him this way before. He was so...exposed and vulnerable.

"You look well, Megan. Contrary to what you may believe, I have truly missed you. I guess the saying is really true—you only realize something good once it's gone. Your leaving, my darling, was my wake up call. You were good for me, and I am truly sorry for everything I put you through all these years. I was an ass, and oblivious to your needs. You needed me and I wasn't there for you. I let you down. I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me and give me another chance to right my wrongs.

If there's anything I've learned in this lifetime, it's that time is too valuable to be wasted. You can never have enough time. I realized this as I lay almost dead the night you left with him." A slight hint of irritation surfaced his voice as he referenced Mason.

Why did he appear so sincere? Was he even telling the truth? And why did I find myself believing him, after all the wrongdoing he had caused upon me? Maybe I was the vulnerable one, instead of he.

"And for the record, I don't blame you for what you did. I put you in the worst possible position, and I can't blame you for running to another man's arms—even if it was my own brother's. I'm willing to forgive you and let this all go, if only you'll give me another chance. I love you, Megan, more than you'll ever know, and I truly am sorry." His eyes glared as he fought back tears. When had I ever witnessed this man cry? Never in a million lifetimes.

Tears welled in the corners of my eyes as well. Why had it taken a lifetime of abuse and my departure to make him realize how much I truly meant to him?

But was his apology years too late? Hadn't I already surrendered my heart to Mason?

So many questions burdened my overwhelmed brain. Did I truly love Max, or was this one of manipulation tactics? Only time would tell.