For Always (book one)

Chapter 12: Time

Malyn

Max came shortly after the whole plasma ball incident, but only stayed for a few days. Those were some of the most eye-opening, informative, and heart-breaking days of my entire life. Beau was extremely nervous before he got there, which I never did understand. But, in the end, Max helped Beau probably more than anyone ever had.

Grandmama drove to the airport early that Tuesday morning to get Max while Beau and I enjoyed some rare private time. I told her I would sleep on the couch and let Max stay in my room while he was there, but that I needed to get some things out of my room, so I wouldn't have to bother him. I was off until Thursday, so I knew I'd be home most of the time.

Beau watched me as I got my bag out and put a few things in it. "You're really gonna like Max. Even though he's one of the smartest men I know... and a scientist... and a paranormal phenomenon," I said, smiling at Beau, "he's still cool and down to earth. There's no need to worry."

"It's not really him that I'm nervous about, I don't think."

"Well, whatever it is, there's no need to be." I hoped I was right.

"So, we get the entire downstairs to ourselves tonight?" Beau asked with a mischievous grin that made my stomach feel like people were tap dancing in it.

"It looks that way, yes." I walked over and turned on my plasma ball. "Shall I throw this in my bag?" I asked as I winked, trying to be enticing, which was an impossible task for me to accomplish, even when Beau was lying on my bed and I pounced on top of him.

"You're so cute when ya try to seduce me. But ya do realize you're wastin' your time, don't ya?" he asked as he flipped me over on my back and straddled me. My feelings were almost hurt until he added, "Ya seduce me without even tryin'."

He leaned down and kissed me so softly that it almost tickled my lips. He continued to give me feather-light kisses across my jawline and down my neck, making me shiver. Thank you, Margaret! Who knew my plasma ball would be the best Christmas present I'd ever get.

As he got to the hollow of my throat, he traced his tongue back up my neck. By the time he got to my ear, I thought I was gonna spontaneously combust. I reached up and grabbed a handful of his hair and gently pulled his head back, giving him a look that I knew he would understand.

He moaned softly and whispered, "Malyn... don't."

"Don't what?" I whispered back.

"Tempt me."

I slid my hand from the back of his head down his cheek, pulling his face to mine. He kissed me gently, at first, still holding back. So, I wrapped my leg around him, pulling him down on top of me. This seemed to ignite a fire in him that mirrored mine, causing his mouth to become fiercer, letting me know I had won.

My shirt had slid up slightly when he had flipped me over, so I raised his shirt, too, feeling his stomach on mine. I also bit my lip so I wouldn't make any unnecessary noises.

At some point, he raised his head to look at me and caught me. "Hey, that's my job," he whispered as he bent down and nibbled on my lip himself.

I was taken by surprise when I felt him slide his hand under my shirt. I had just woken up shortly before, so all I had on under my shirt was the tank top I had slept in, no bra. This made me slightly nervous, wondering just how far he would, or even could, go. Maybe I was pushing him, and myself, too far.

As he released my lip, I whispered his name, which made him raise up to look at me. He was so handsome; I wanted him to be mine forever. And, from the look in his eyes, he felt the same way. I knew, at that moment, that I couldn't live without him, even though he wasn't even capable of living, himself.