SAVIOR: A Motorcycle Club Romance by Fiona Garland Read Free Book Online

having a nightmare, Max.”
     
     
    With tears in his eyes, his next words confirmed it. “I thought she was alive and I left her out in the cold…”
     
     
    I rocked his head back and forth. “It’s okay. It’s nothing to be ashamed of. You don’t have to act like a tough guy around me.”
     
     
    He didn’t hide his emotions as I cradled him in my arms. We didn’t talk but instead communicated through our actions. I held and comforted him as if he was a lover of ten years.
     
     
    Our night of passion had changed our relationship. Maria may have comforted him and patched him up emotionally when the pain of the past reared its head. Now, she was gone and it was up to me to help Max. He had been my savior but he needed some saving of his own.
     
     
    Finally, Max spoke after brushing his knuckles against the side of my nude body. “That was some night we had.”
     
     
    “More like a lunch break,” I replied with rosy cheeks. I caught a glimpse of myself in a nearby mirror. My hair was a total mess and I looked like I had one wild bedtime encounter. Then again, it was completely true. “Damn, we slept past dinner. At least we got plenty of rest.”
     
     
    Max gave me look of longing. “I wish I had dreams about you.”
     
     
    I bit my lower lip before speaking. “But I wasn’t in it. It was Maria, right?”
     
     
    He nodded. “And it scares me.”
     
     
    “A dream scares you?” I said incredulously. “It’s just some electrons firing off in your brain. It’s all in your head.”
     
     
    “No, it’s not that,” he sighed. “I’m afraid of letting my guard down again.”
     
     
    “I don’t understand, Max…”
     
     
    “I’m afraid of letting of falling in love again,” he answered, regaining his composure. Max seemed to be drawing strength from my support. “I put on the same emotional armor I wore during my days at the Steel Eagles. I was afraid to get close to anyone again. I would go for weeks without any real human contact. I just didn’t want to get hurt again. But I can’t deny the feelings I have for you, Emily. You’ve stripped me of my armor.”
     
     
    “Well, I’m pretty damn scared too,” I said, turning flush at his praise. “I know Maria meant so much for you. She just seems so beautiful and thoughtful. I don’t know if I can ever be the same for you.”
     
     
    “You think Maria was born into that strong, beautiful woman?” he smiled. “She came into this country as a shy college student who could barely string an English sentence together. Maria grew into the person I fell in love with. You don’t have to be a ‘Maria.’ You can be yourself.”
     
     
    I shrugged. “I’m not sure being me is making me any more attractive. I’m clumsy and say the stupidest things at the least opportune times.”
     
     
    “Maria snored,” he chuckled. “She was irritable. We got into fights over who had to do the dishes. I loved every flaw and imperfection she had. It reminded me that I was in love with a real human being instead of a brother-in-arms or a motorcycle club. Just be yourself, Emily. If you can’t, I’ll be there to help you find out the person you want to be. It’s what Maria and I did for each other.”
     
     
    “Thank you, Max.”
     
     
    “Relax, I’m not asking you to marry me,” he said with teasing smile. “I don’t want to push you into anything you don’t want to be a part of. But I want to start something with you if you’re willing to join me.”
     
     
    “Sorry, I’m can’t help but be a little apprehensive about starting a relationship again,” I replied with a sigh. I wasn’t even sure how long I would stay with Max in his home. “A few days ago, I thought I’d be a single woman freezing up by her lonesome self in an emergency center.”
     
     
    Max planted a soft kiss on my lips. “Don’t be. I don’t expect you to be Maria. Moreover, I won’t pretend to be your old boyfriend. We’re our own