Chapter 180

"I'm no hero. I'm not—"

Riftan's voice came out strangled. He stopped when Maxi touched his chest and looked up at her in a daze. She kissed his cheek while her hands dug into his hair that gleamed almost dark blue. As she wound the shaggy lock above his nape around her finger, a tremor coursed through his chiseled torso.

"Maxi… stop…"

She kissed his earlobe, pretending not to hear him. A growl rumbled in his throat. He grabbed her shoulders with trembling hands and pried her off.

"You've done enough."

Maxi's face flushed with embarrassment, and she anxiously looked up at him. "D-Do you not… want me anymore?"

Guilt flashed across Riftan's features. He scrubbed at his face, then swore under his breath. "Do you think… that's possible? I wanted you even when you were at your most frail."

"Then…"

With a sigh of relief, Maxi placed her hand on his forearm. Riftan jerked away from her as though he had been branded with a burning iron. The pain in his eyes was palpable.