Song of the Blackbird (Albatross Prison #1) (23 page)

Dinner was a tense affair, to say the least. Maxim ate his salad and spaghetti from the sofa, refusing to leave his computer. Emma finished the alfredo and half of the lobster ravioli but couldn’t finish the rest. She’d lost her appetite with Maxim being so surly. She put the leftovers, including the cheesecake, in the refrigerator.

Maxim had switched to surfing on his phone by the time she finished showering and brushing her teeth. The table was clean and the dishes she’d left in the sink were stacked neatly in the dishwasher. The man was full of surprises. He still looked upset about something, though.

“So you’re done with your work?” she asked tentatively.

“For now.” His eyes never lifted from the phone.

“Good. I want to do a quick neuro check.” She picked up the big flashlight she used for emergencies from the kitchen drawer and walked over to him. “It’ll be quick. Can you look this way? I need to check your pupillary response.”

“My what?” He looked up, his silver eyes seeming to blaze with heat for a second.

“Your pupils.” She shined a light in each one. “Lucky your eyes are so light. I can see your pupils easily. Good. They react perfectly.”

Maxim was giving her that intense scrutiny again.
Emma shivered, feeling hot and cold all of a sudden.
Had she forgotten to fasten her robe or something?
She glanced down.
No, thank goodness.
Everything was properly tied, covering her from head to toe.

“Now for the rest of the exam,” she said, trying to get things back on track.

“There’s more to this torture?”

“Yes. Just bear with me. They’re questions to make sure you’re thinking straight.”

“Good luck with that,” he mumbled under his breath.

“Do you know where you are?”

“Of course.”

“Where are you?”

“Oh, come on, Emma. This is ridiculous.”

“It’s part of the neuro check. The sooner you do it, the sooner I’ll leave you alone.”

“Well, since you put it that way.”

He easily answered the rest of the questions. She had him walk in tandem gait, touching his tiptoes to his heels to test his balance and he passed that as well. She, on the other hand, wasn’t faring so well. Watching those powerful legs was a bit distracting to say the least
. Did the man have to be built so magnificently?

“You’re doing really well,” she said, fanning herself as they sat back on the sofa.

“Good. Can I get back to work now?” He pointed to his laptop. “I have a ton of emails to catch up with.”

“All right. I’ll wake you up in a couple of hours to do another neuro check.”

“Come on, Emma,” he groaned. “That’s overkill.”

“I know it seems like that but we can’t be too careful.” She smiled and raised a hand. “I won’t do the whole exam. Just ask a few questions.”

“Fine.”

Emma headed to the hall cabinet to pull out some extra sheets and a pillow. “I hope you can get some rest tonight,” she said as she handed him the bed items.

“I doubt I’ll get any.” He rubbed the back of his neck.

“Sorry. I know the sofa’s small.”

“It’s not that.” He flicked her a glance. “Good night, Emma.”

“Good night.” She tugged at her robe tie. “Do you mind if I turn off the lights? I can’t sleep unless it’s really dark.”

“No problem.” His eyes were back on the computer.

“And wake me up if you need anything,” she added.

He made an odd growling sound, not bothering to answer.

Emma turned off the lights and took off her robe before curling up underneath the covers. The room was dark except for a glimmer of moonlight filtering through the blinds at the kitchen window. The refrigerator’s soft whir and the distant sound of dishes being washed by her next-door neighbor were reassuringly familiar. Occasionally she’d catch the soft clicking of Maxim’s keyboard as he typed one thing or another.

Emma took in a deep breath and pulled the comforter up to her chest. It was cold tonight.
How nice it’d be to cuddle up next to Maxim.
His body was like a furnace. Too bad he seemed as approachable as a block of ice right now. Or more like a flaming ball of fire. Still, despite his gruffness, it was comforting knowing he was close by.

Chapter 25

The computer screen turned blurry after another hour of answering emails. Words and numbers merged into one another in no decipherable pattern. Maxim rubbed his eyes, sure Emma must be asleep by now. It hurt to pretend not to care, to shut her out with his work but what else was he supposed to do? His couple of attempts at a joke had earned a few precious laughs. She looked so beautiful when she laughed, like the sunrise peeking over the horizon chasing away the gray cobwebs of night. His world had brightened and for a moment he’d been foolish enough to hope. To dare dream of a time when she’d entrust her precious heart to him.

But then the phone had rung. And she was confiding in Stewart, whispering about plans to meet on Monday. He’d been such a fool. Emma laughed with everyone. Her generous heart reached out to all those in need. He was no one special, really, only someone she was grateful to, someone she felt obligated to take care of. Maxim sighed and stood, stretching his arms.

He moved to the kitchen to fetch a drink of water, careful not to peek at the bed in the corner of the studio.
Was that a snore?
He smiled. It wasn’t anything loud or obnoxious, just a soft purr that was perfectly ordinary. Yet it called to him like a beacon. He couldn’t help but look over.

Emma’s arms and legs were flung out wide as she lay sprawled on her back with the comforter thrown back. Light cotton pajamas covered most of her delicious body but the shirt was riding up her abdomen, giving him a tantalizing glimpse of her tiny waist. Her dark hair spread like a black velvet curtain over the pillow. How he’d love to thread his fingers through those long, silky strands.

Her face was exquisite, softly lit by moonlight, young and innocent. Lovely. What would she ever want with a big brute of a man like him? He shook his head at the impossibility of it all. She would never and more importantly, should never settle for someone as bitter and tainted as he was.

Sighing, Maxim pulled the comforter up to tuck under her chin. She uttered a protesting sound and rolled onto her side, dismissing him in sleep as easily as she’d dismissed him in life.

As he was about to head back to the sofa, Emma suddenly flung both arms out. “Sam. Stop! Don’t kill him!” she screamed, thrashing her head from side to side. “Sam! Don’t leave me. Don’t die! No! No!” She wailed and burst out sobbing.

“Emma, it’s only a dream.” Maxim sat on the bed and hastily turned on the light.
The poor woman. What was scaring her so much?
“It’s okay. Wake up, Emma. You’re having a nightmare.”

Her eyes fluttered open and she gazed at him, the tears coursing down her cheeks. “Maxim? What are you doing here?”

“Remember, I needed the neuro checks?” How he ached to wrap his arms around her and chase away the tears. But that would frighten her even more. He was huge. His size intimidated most people, let alone a slip of a woman in the throes of a nightmare.

“Oh. I forgot.” She wiped her cheeks with an unsteady hand. “How’s your head? Is it time for the check already?”

“No. I’m fine.” He reached out and brushed a lingering tear away with the pad of his thumb.
Even in distress, she thought of others. Was there no limit to her kindness?
“Don’t worry about me. You had a nightmare. Do you want to talk about it?”

“No. Just hold me. Please.” She threw her arms around him and buried her face in his chest.

His breath stilled as the world tilted.
What a gift to be bestowed her trust.
Something in his chest squeezed hard as he hugged her close and felt her delicate body tremble.

“I’m so scared.” Her muffled sobs reverberated in the quiet room.

“It was only a dream,” he whispered. “You’re safe. I’m not going to let anybody hurt you.”

Gradually her tears subsided and her breathing became more even.
Who the hell was Sam and why was she so scared?
He’d never felt so helpless in his life. “Who’s Sam?” he asked.

“What?” Her body tensed as she pulled away, her green eyes shadowed with fear. “Why do you ask?”

“You were yelling out his name.” Maxim’s heart thudded.
Was Sam her boyfriend? Maybe even an ex-husband?
She seemed to care a lot for the guy.

“What else did I say?” Her tone was wary, afraid.

He hastened to reassure her. “Not much. You said you didn’t want him to die.”

“That’s it?”

“And for someone to stop.”

Emma rubbed her forehead with her fingers and backed farther away from him.

“Emma, what is it? Who’s Sam?”

“Sam is my…” She swallowed and turned those haunted green eyes toward him. “He’s my brother.” The words were soft and barely audible.

“Your brother?” A certain weight lifted off Maxim’s chest.

“Yes. In my dream, someone was beating him. He couldn’t move. He screamed and screamed but nobody came.” Her voice shook and her hand clenched down on the comforter. “I tried to run to him but something held me back. I don’t know what it was. I tried so hard but I couldn’t move. Finally I broke free. But it was too late. By the time I reached him, he was already dead.” She burst into fresh tears.

“Come here.” Maxim pulled her into his arms again and held her tight. If only he could chase away her demons. Those tears tore at his soul like nothing else. He would do anything for her. This incredible, kind, selfless, beautiful woman who held his heart in the palm of her hand.

“You love your brother a lot, don’t you?” He gently brushed his hand over the silky mane of her hair.

“Of course. More than anything in the world.” She hiccupped and choked back more tears. “He’s the only family I have left. My dad died before I was born. Sam and I were so close when we were kids. We did everything together. But then we kind of drifted apart and then something awful happened.” She wrapped her arms tight around him, her light body shaking again. “Oh, Maxim, he died. It seemed so real.”

“Don’t cry, darling. It was only a dream.” He kissed the top of her head. “I wish I can make it better for you somehow.”

“Darling?” She pulled back, her green eyes still shimmering with tears.

“I mean…” Maxim swallowed.
Damn. Had he revealed his feelings so easily?
“It was just an expression. You needed some TLC.”

“So you didn’t mean anything by it?” she whispered, those gorgeous eyes burning into him.

“No. Of course not.” He stood to get some breathing space.
Who was he trying to kid?
Might as well admit it to himself. He loved her
.
She was everything good in this world. Beautiful, kind, courageous. How could his heart withstand such an onslaught? But she was too good for him. No need to burden her with his feelings when he knew they couldn’t be returned. And even if by some miracle she did return them, he wasn’t the right man for her. He was still the warden. He couldn’t get involved with an employee, no matter what his heart and soul longed for.

“I see.” Emma stood up slowly and grabbed a Kleenex from the tissue box on her nightstand.
She blew her nose and gave him a wobbly smile. “That’s too bad.”

“Too bad?” Maxim’s breath hitched.

“Yes. Because for a moment there, I thought...” She swallowed and looked away from him. “I thought…never mind. Let’s not talk about it.”

“No. Tell me. What did you think?” His heart felt like it was beating out of his chest.

“I thought I was the luckiest woman in the world,” she said, her voice barely audible.

“Luckiest?” He put both hands on her shoulders and took in a deep breath.
Dear God, what exquisite torture was this? Could she possibly mean what he thought she meant?

“I thought you said it because…because you cared about me.” She gave him a wistful smile.

“Oh, Emma. I do. You don’t know what you do to me.” He cupped her beautiful face between his hands and inhaled the scent of fresh clean soap.
God. Was there any sexier smell in the world?
He bent his head and kissed away every single tearstain. Her skin was as smooth as velvet. She tasted salty and incredibly sweet too.

“What do I do to you?” she breathed out as her lips parted in a sigh.

“Everything.” He hugged her fiercely to himself, afraid to let the moment go, afraid she’d slip away from him somehow.

“Oh Maxim, I never knew.” She rested her head against his heart. “I take it the darling still stands?”

“Yes.” He pulled back though, remembering her words that night. “Are you sure this is what you want? Last week you said you’d never be interested in me.”

“I did, didn’t I?” She bit her lip. “Sorry. I kind of exaggerated back then.”

“So you didn’t mean it? All this time I thought you hated me.”

“I’m so sorry, Maxim.” She squeezed his hand. “I thought you didn’t like the kiss. That you only did it to shut me up.”

“Are you kidding me? That kiss kept me awake for days.”
Was he dreaming? Had the concussion gone to his head? But no, there she was gazing up at him, her eyes full of tenderness.

He’d been longing to do it for days. And here she was offering herself so freely. He leaned down. Her lips were soft, yielding, and tasted even more heavenly than he remembered. She came closer and wound her hands tight around his neck, opening her mouth for him. He caressed the velvety skin of her waist and brought his hand up underneath her shirt, gliding over the smooth, sweet contour of her back.
Dear God, she was so passionate, trembling at his every touch.
Her tongue tentatively touched his, and a bolt of fire lanced through his body. He grabbed her waist and yanked her closer. She moaned and tugged at his hair.

“Ow!” A tearing pain shot through his scalp.

“What is it?” Emma sprang apart from him, her eyes wide with anxiety. “It’s your laceration, isn’t it? Did I split it open?”

“No. I don’t think so.”

He touched his head but Emma was way ahead of him, already there inspecting the wound.

“The staples are still intact.” She dabbed at the cut. “No bleeding. I think you’ll be okay.”

“Good.” Maxim tried to pull her into his arms again but she pushed back, her eyes still worried.

“We shouldn’t do this. Your head’s still hurt.”

“It’s fine. It only hurt when you pulled at my hair.”

“I know.” She turned away and opened a kitchen drawer. “But it’s better to be safe than sorry. Let me do a quick neuro check.”

“Emma.” He felt like laughing. “I’ve never felt better. Although my mind is kind of foggy.”

“Really?” She grasped the flashlight from the drawer and shined it into his eyes. “Are you dizzy again?”

“I’m always foggy around you.” He pressed a kiss to her lips, wrapping his hands around her tiny waist. “I can’t think straight when you’re close.”

She laughed and kissed him back, her small arms encircling his neck. Maxim’s heart soared. For some miraculous reason, Emma was interested in him.
Him.
Maxim Chambers, big barbarian and all. He didn’t deserve her but he was too damned selfish to give her up now that he knew she cared about him. She felt so right in his arms. He deepened the kiss, tugging her up against him.

Suddenly the cursed phone rang. Emma pulled back, her eyes still hazy with desire. “I have to get that,” she said. “I’m on call tonight.”

“On call?” he asked, like a bumbling fool.

“Yes. Remember? That’s why we’re at my place. I’m the physician on tonight.” She reached for her purse on the counter and pulled out her cell. “It’s the Urgent Care.”

Damn. Damn. Damn. How could he have forgotten for a minute about the prison?
Maxim dug a hand through his hair, a sinking feeling growing in his chest. She worked for him. He was the warden. How were they going to make it work? It was going to be hard, but they had to keep their relationship a secret. That was all there was to it. They could do it; they had to. He couldn’t imagine giving her up, selfish beast that he was.

Emma hung up the phone, her face pale. “I have to go.”

“Everything okay?”

“Yes.” She swallowed. “I mean, no. A patient has chest pain and I have to come in to see him.”

“All right. I’ll drive you. We can talk along the way.”

“No. Just stay here and get some rest, Maxim.” Her smile was strained. “I’ll be back in a couple of hours.”

“It’s midnight, Emma.” He located his overnight bag behind the sofa and pulled out clean slacks and a dress shirt. “I’m not letting you go there alone. It’s too dangerous.”

“We can’t show up together in the middle of the night.” Her eyes pleaded with him. “People are going to assume things.”

“I show up at night all the time. Just to check things out.” He shrugged. “They don’t have to know we came together.”

“Maxim, come on. I really can take care of this on my own.”

“I know you can.” He cupped her face with his hand. “But I want to make sure you’re safe. I’m coming with you, whether you like it or not.”

“You’re never going to let me go alone, are you?” She leaned her cheek into the curve of his hand.