"Max, I…", Tatiana paused. She was not sure how to respond to Maddox's sudden emotional outpour but she knew that her actions really hurt him.
His eyes were angry and disappointed, and there was some anticipation as well, but the most striking was the strength of his insecurities that reached her through their mate bond and she couldn't look at him.
Tatiana leaned closer and rested her forehead on Maddox's chest.
"I want to thank you for saving me."
"No need.", Maddox said curtly. "I did what should be done. If you want me here only as a thank you, I should leave."
Tatiana's arms tightened around him. "No. Don't go. It's not that."
"Then what is it?"
"Damn it, Max!", Tatiana snapped. "I said, thank you. Can't you just say, you are welcome, and we will be done with pleasantries?"
"What happens after pleasantries are over?", Maddox asked reluctantly.
Tatiana shrugged. "I don't know. How about… we start over?"
