His to defend, p.8
His to Defend, page 8
Heat spread to Amina’s cheeks and if her skin was fairer, he’d notice her blushing. That was one of the nicest things he had ever said to her. He occasionally complimented her even while she was married to Jeremy, but it was never anything inappropriate. Sometimes it would be regarding her perfume, an outfit, or even when he learned she had received a nursing award a year ago, he congratulated her. But hearing him describe her that way meant more than he’d ever know.
“Thank you.”
“As for how I knew McPherson was interested in you, I didn’t. I was mostly guessing, but the signs were there. It was in the way he looked at you both times I saw him.”
Amina didn’t say anything. She knew the look. Initially, it didn’t bother her. Heck, she probably looked at Maxwell the same way. But now that others were noticing the doctor’s attention on her, she’d have to talk to him. The last thing she wanted was for rumors to start spreading around the hospital. Especially since she wasn’t interested in him and never would be. There was only one man she wanted to spend her time with, and he was sitting an arms-length from her.
“You think you can handle another movie?” Maxwell asked as he stood and gathered their dessert plates.
“If you can, so can I,” she said, trying to hold back the yawn that was threatening to burst free. She wasn’t fooling anyone, especially if Maxwell’s crooked grin was any indication.
“All right. We’ll see.”
* * *
Twenty minutes later, Maxwell glanced down at Amina, whose head rested on his shoulder. So much for her staying awake for another movie. She had fallen asleep before the show started good. It was a wonder that either of them lasted as long as they had.
Maxwell knew his reason for staying up, and it wasn’t just about having Amina there. No, it also had to do with his lack of sleep from the day before. Each time he closed his eyes, the shooting played over and over in his mind. Not wanting the same results, he was reluctant to head to bed. Amina being there was just the distraction he needed. Tonight, they were helping each other, because he was pretty sure that she hadn’t wanted to fall asleep for similar reasons.
Maxwell eased forward, prepared to move and let her stretch out, but stopped when Amina groaned. It sounded more like a whine, and the death grip she had on the front of his T-shirt had him wondering if she was dreaming about the mugging. He would love to get his hands on the bastard and terrorize him the way he had done her.
What good would that do? Sure, it would make him feel better and it would be one less thug out on the street. Yet, every day they put creeps away, more popped up.
Amina stirred, and Maxwell wrapped his arm around her shoulders. Now her head was resting against his chest, and she still had a tight grip on the front of his shirt. His goal, after bringing her home with him, was to make her feel comfortable and take her mind off what happened at the hospital. Unfortunately, there was nothing he could do about her dreaming, except to be there if she awakened.
Might as well get comfortable.
A long yawn escaped him as he propped his feet up on the coffee table. He’d watch a little more TV then get them both up the stairs. That was his last thought before falling into a deep sleep.
Chapter 8
Maxwell cupped Amina’s face between his hands and stared into her gorgeous, toffee-colored eyes as the pads of his thumbs brushed the softness of her cheeks. He wanted to kiss her. God, he wanted to kiss her more than he wanted to do anything else at the moment. But tasting those tempting lips would only make him yearn for more.
No, he couldn’t. It wouldn’t be right. They couldn’t succumb to the desire that had always been pulsing between them. What would people think? She used to be married to his best friend. Besides that, what if it changed the trajectory of his relationship with her? They were friends. Could he risk it? Should he?
Amina’s gaze moved back and forth, searching his eyes just as he was doing to her. Was she thinking the same thing? Did they really want to take this chance? He already knew one kiss wouldn’t be enough, but if he couldn’t have her forever, at least he’d have this moment.
To hell with it. Consequences be damned.
Maxwell’s mouth greedily covered Amina’s before he could change his mind. His arms encircled her, crushing her to him as he deepened their connection. Heat blasted through him, sending jolts of electricity to every cell in his body as she ground against his hard length.
Chest to chest, thigh to thigh, there wasn’t any part of them that wasn’t touching the other. And her mouth. Her sweet, soft lips were more than he could’ve imagined they’d be as she gave herself freely to the mind-numbing kiss. That was all the encouragement Maxwell needed to deepen their lip-lock.
His pulse pounded harder with each lap of her tongue, and it was as if he could hear angels singing in the distance. How many times had he imagined them together? Kissing. Hugging. Loving on each other.
He slid his hands down her sides, over her magnificent curves and didn’t stop until he reached her butt. Never had a woman turned him on as much as Amina. He couldn’t get enough. He wanted more. So much more.
An erotic moan pierced the air. “Oh, Max, don’t, please don’t stop.”
The lyrical voice sent waves of lust crashing through his body and...
Maxwell froze. His eyes popped open, and his breath hitched when he stared into the most beautiful eyes. Eyes that held so much passion and desire, and eyes that belonged to... Amina. His hands were palming her perfectly round ass while her curvy, lush body was stretched out on top of him.
They didn’t move. They didn’t speak. They held their positions and stared at each other. Maxwell couldn’t seem to get his brain to catch up with what was happening.
What. The. Hell? Did he? Had they?
As if suddenly realizing their position, Amina’s eyes grew large and the stunned expression on her face resembled the shock coursing through his veins.
Maxwell’s heart raced as he continued trying to make sense of what had just happened. It hadn’t been a dream. The desire in her eyes and her kiss-swollen lips confirmed that.
They had kissed. He and Amina had actually kissed.
One of them needed to say something. What could he say? We kissed and I liked it? A lot. No, at the moment he could barely think straight. He wasn’t sure how she ended up on top of him, but it was safe to say that she felt his erection that was straining behind the zipper of his jeans. It was a little hard to hide when her body, an incredible body with large breasts, a tiny waist and a butt that fit perfectly in his palms, was flat against him. If it wasn’t for their clothes, the only barrier between them, he’d be able to slide right into her sweet heat and...
Aww, hell. Don’t go there.
Maxwell stopped that train of thought before his mind sent him right off a cliff. “Umm, this is awkward,” he said. “I’m sorry. I thought I was dreaming and I’m not sure how—”
“I’m not sorry,” Amina said just above a whisper, her heated gaze steady on him. “That was even more amazing than I imagined it would be. I’m just not sure how I...uhh...how we...”
“Yeah, me either, but maybe we should sit up.”
Maxwell absolutely loved having her right where she was, but her tempting body was a little too much for his limited willpower. He was trying to clear his mind and imagine her not on top of him in hopes that his boner would go down.
“Oh, I’m so sorry.” She wiggled, struggling to get up, which only made her rub against him more.
He groaned and grabbed her hips, forcing her to be still. Her core was lined up with his penis, which was about to punch a hole through his pants.
He breathed in and out grappling to get his body under control. “I, um...give me a minute,” he croaked out.
“Oh... Ooh, I’m sorry,” she said, her lips twitching as if trying to keep from laughing.
They lay there in silence for a few minutes with Maxwell maintaining a firm hold on her hips. Once his body had settled down, he let his hands fall away from her. “Now you can move...slowly,” he said between gritted teeth.
This time Amina burst out laughing and eased off him. Maxwell forgot how much he loved her infectious laugh that was warm and throaty. Hell, he loved everything about the woman...still. And now that he had tasted her sweet lips, he wanted to find out how the rest of her tasted.
Once she was standing, he sat up and adjusted himself. Maybe he should’ve been embarrassed, but he wasn’t. He was okay with her knowing the type of effect she had on him.
She’s Jeremy’s ex-wife, his brain taunted, and guilt stabbed Maxwell in the chest. Ex was the operative word, but deep down he had to admit, being with Amina felt wrong on some levels. On the other hand, he didn’t care. He wanted her in his life. Always had. But...
“About what just happened,” he started.
“Don’t say you’re sorry,” Amina said as she dropped down on the sofa next to him.
“I hadn’t planned to apologize,” he said honestly. “I might be considered the lowest form of human life for what I’m about to say, but I’ve wanted to kiss you from the first night we met. Even when you were with Jeremy.”
“Why didn’t you?” she asked quietly, surprising the heck out of him. “I mean, why didn’t you kiss me that first night? You had to know that I was feeling you.”
“Yet, you ended up with my best friend,” he said with a bite behind his words.
“Max, it wasn’t exactly like that and you know it,” she snapped, then huffed out a breath. “Listen, we’ve never had a chance to really talk at length about what happened. But I didn’t pursue Jeremy. Even when he asked for my telephone number that night at the party, after you left without saying goodbye, I said no.”
Maxwell knew the rest. Jeremy had gone behind his back and tried to get with her that night. When that didn’t work, he sought her out and pursued her until she finally gave in.
“If I knew that he had no intention of passing on my information to you, I would’ve done it myself.”
“You should’ve done it yourself anyway. Asking your friend to give me your number was a little high schoolish if you ask me.”
Maxwell nodded. That was probably what pissed him off the most. She was right. He shouldn’t have left that party without her digits.
“I always wondered,” she said, wincing a little when she moved her neck. Not once had she complained about discomfort or pain, but he had noticed her periodically touching the small bandages.
She leaned forward with her elbows on her thighs, and her attention was on the dark hardwood flooring. “You were a cop—if you were that interested in me, why didn’t you do whatever you guys do when you want to find someone?”
“Because the day after the party, Jeremy told me you weren’t interested. Besides, I don’t use the police department’s resources to look up information on random women I meet.”
Amina stood. “Well, I guess that was your loss then, huh?”
Maxwell grimaced. Maybe he could’ve said that better. Of course, she was right again. It had been his loss.
“I’m heading up to bed,” she said. “Enjoy the rest of your night.”
“Amina, wait.” She stopped but didn’t turn to face him. “For the record, not fighting for you back then is my biggest regret. If I had a chance to do that night and the months that followed over again, I would’ve fought to have you in my life. For that... I’m sorry.”
She nodded, but still didn’t turn. “Yeah, I’m sorry too.”
Maxwell watched as she headed up the stairs. Now that that was settled, where did they go from there?
* * *
Hours later, Maxwell slowly opened his eyes and lifted slightly to glance at the digital clock on his bedside table. Five thirty. He’d hoped to sleep until at least eight, but his internal clock was consistent if nothing else. Normally, he was awake and up before daybreak every morning. Clearly, today was no different.
He released a tired sigh, turned onto his back and closed his eyes. The events of the last couple of days flitted through his mind, but none stronger than the one of him kissing Amina. One minute he thought he was dreaming, and the next, it was as if his fantasy had come to life. He didn’t even remember stretching out on the sofa, let alone having her on top of him. Either way, it was one hell of a way to wake up.
His body temperature rose and his dick stirred remembering how his hands had roamed over her luscious curves. Damn if she didn’t feel perfect in his arms...and in his hands.
He reopened his eyes, and a slow smile tugged at the corners of his lips. He wouldn’t soon forget how glorious it was to wake up with his hands cupping her butt.
He had finally experienced what it was like to do more than just hug her, which back then was considered playing with fire. Once she and Jeremy were married, Maxwell had stopped embracing her, and barely wanted to look at her.
Look but don’t touch had taken on a whole new meaning as it related to his feelings for Amina. No one could ever accuse him of coming between her and Jeremy. Yet, if their family and friends knew how much he had fantasized about her, they’d think he was some type of pervert. Maxwell had eased out of their lives, showing up for fewer and fewer events held by mutual friends. But when Amina’s father had invited him to her surprise birthday party, he had to attend. One, because you didn’t say no to Captain Hudson. And two, he longed to see her again. She’d been glad to see him too, and they’d picked up where they’d left off. Conversation flowed effortlessly, and they still vibed even after months of no interaction.
Of course, Jeremy had to ruin a perfectly nice occasion by showing up late and drunk to his wife’s birthday party. Maxwell had never wanted to hurt someone as much as he’d wanted to destroy Jeremy that day. Not because he was late, but Maxwell hadn’t been able to ignore the way he had disrespected Amina. Thankfully, it had only been the three of them in the room at the time. Everyone else had been in Amina’s backyard.
Maxwell shook his head at the memory. After what went down, he’d had to extricate himself from their lives. He couldn’t stand by and watch Jeremy’s behavior toward her. Sure, he had to work with him, but he kept his distance as much as possible.
After their divorce, it wasn’t that Maxwell didn’t want to check in with Amina. It never seemed to be the right time. Not until the other day when he found her at the hospital to deliver the news about Jeremy’s death.
Maxwell rubbed his forehead then pinched the bridge of his nose. He’s gone. Jeremy was gone. Some moments it still didn’t feel real, but he was gone, and Maxwell had every intention of hunting down his killer.
As for Amina, though, he was done feeling guilty about wanting her in every way a man could want a woman. Lusting after his friend’s ex-wife probably made him a world-class asshole, but he was tired of smothering his feelings. Would he intentionally act on his attraction to Amina? Probably not, at least no time soon, but Maxwell was done with the remorse that always came with thoughts of wanting her.
His cell phone vibrated on the nightstand, and he reached over, patted around until his hand landed on the device. Glancing at the screen, he sat up when he saw it was Danny.
“Hey, tell me you have something,” Maxwell said by way of greeting. His lieutenant might’ve wanted him to take some time off, but those who reported to Maxwell knew he wanted to be kept in the loop on the case.
“We have something,” Danny said, and the sound of papers rustled in the background. “Heard back from the medical examiner. She said you wanted a rush on the report.”
“Yeah, I talked to Hayley last night. What did she have to say?”
“A couple of things. From her preliminary findings, Jeremy had drugs in his system. A low dose of fentanyl and traces of alcohol were found. She said the drugs could’ve been from a prescription and not recreational. Right now, that’s unknown, but I’ll request a subpoena to get access to his medical records to determine if he was on medication. But there’s something else you’ll find interesting. Hayley thinks that whoever the shooter was, might’ve been a professional or got seriously lucky.”
Maxwell bolted upright in bed. “Wait. What?”
“It’s too early in our investigation, but there’s a possibility that Jeremy was targeted. Hayley said the gunman’s bullet punctured one of the carotid arteries and a jugular vein. The reason she says that it might’ve been someone who knew what they were doing was because of the trajectory of the bullet.”
Maxwell tossed the covers off and placed his feet on the cold hardwood floor. He barely listened as Danny talked about angles, distance and the precision of the shot. Several thoughts blasted him at once. Was the ambush done by a professional? If Jeremy had been targeted, that would explain why the shooter hadn’t taken aim at Maxwell too. When he definitely had opportunity.
And drugs? Jeremy did a lot of stupid crap, but would he honestly put himself and those serving with him at risk like that? Recreational drugs? Maxwell didn’t want to believe that. Besides, no way would Jay put his job and livelihood on the line. But considering Jeremy’s erratic behavior the last few months, drug use was a possibility.
“I know you’re supposed to be taking some time off, but can you come down to the station for a minute this morning?” Danny asked, breaking into Maxwell’s thoughts.
“Sure, but why?”
“There’s a situation surrounding Jeremy that popped up a little while ago that you’re going to want to handle face-to-face.”
Maxwell wasn’t sure why the detective was being vague, but there was only one way to find out. “I’ll be there in thirty minutes,” he said, and disconnected the call.
