"Nia, especially Juan, needs a father figure, a guardian." Looking into her eyes, he continued, his tone serious, "I can be all of them. I can provide for you all, ensure your safety and be of you all's support. But, only if you want me to be Mrs. Martinez."
Ruth stared at him, not knowing what to think about.
After a while, she shook her head and asked, "Even if I don't doubt that you can provide for us and keep us safe, why would you want to do that, take our burden?"
Max released her hands and cupped her face, bringing his face closer and whispered, "Because…"
He leaned in and under her bewildered gaze that soon became one of shock, he placed his lips on hers and began kissing her like he owned her.
Ruth placed her hands on his chest and tried to push him away, but perhaps because she had yet to recover her strength fully, or maybe because his kiss had made her weak, she couldn't exert much force. Though, even if she could, with Max's current stats, she would have failed to push him away anyway.
Max savored the taste and soft feeling of her lips thoroughly. He could feel Ruth's resistance weaken with each moment, so he knew he pressed slightly, she would open her mouth and allow the kiss to deepen, but he pulled back and finished his sentence while looking at her dazed expression.
"...I want you to be mine."
Saying this, he let go of her face and sat back, silently looking at her, waiting for her to come to her senses and decide what she wanted.
Ruth unconsciously licked her pink lips before she realized what she had done and blushed in shame. Then, she lowered her head until her chin was touching her chest, her mind a chaotic mess.
Slowly, she gathered herself and began thinking about how the situation of the world which she knew wasn't likely to get any better for several years at least.
She then thought how they were struggling and were about to die from thirst and hunger.
She also thought that even if they had enough reserves of water and food, they would have been snatched away when the hungry people of the city finally came to this area and tore down their steel gate.
In short, she thought about every possible thing she could, including how shameful and whorish it would be to become someone else's woman when her husband had just died.
After a long while, she finally raised her head, a determined look in her eyes. She then looked at him, took a breath and said in a firm voice, "Prove to me you can provide for us and keep us safe and I… I'll agree to your condition."
Max frowned in thought. Then he extended his hand towards her, palm facing upwards.
Ruth looked at him in confusion which turned into shock the next moment when she saw a large piece of bread appear on his palm out of nowhere.
"Though it would be difficult for you to believe…" Max said, snapping her back to her senses, "I have an ability. I can store things and bring them out whenever I want. Moreover, the things I store won't ever get spoiled. And right now, I have a large enough stock of water and this nutritious bread, just a slice of which is enough to give you enough energy for a day."
After a short pause, he added, his voice calm, "Last night, two armed guys infiltrated my house. I killed them both without suffering a single injury."
Ignoring her shocked expression, he gave her a few seconds before saying, "If all this isn't enough for you to believe that I can indeed provide for and protect you, then leave it. I don't want you anymore."
Saying this, his expression turned cold and he stood up, "This is the apocalypse. Almost everyone is willing to do everything and anything for even just one meal.
So, I won't have a problem finding someone else, maybe more beautiful and willing than you. The only reason I wanted you is because you are sort of my crush and since you were a family friend, I thought to—"
Watching him stand up and say all these things with that cold and uninterested look on his face, Ruth panicked and hurriedly cried out, grabbing his hand, "W-Wait! I believe you! I'm willing! I'm willing to become your woman."
Max suppressed a smile hearing this, but when he saw her desperate and panicked look, he felt a little bad for manipulating her like this which told him his sadistic tendencies were probably limited to sex.
Inwardly shaking his head to clear the distracting thought, he sat down, gently took her hand in his, leaned toward her and kissed her forehead, "You won't regret this decision, I promise."
"Mm." Ruth nodded, not knowing how to feel.
Max knew her mind was a mess right now, but he really wanted to fuck her not only to vent his lust, but also so he could add her in his harem and earn the Harem Points. Currently he had 0 left, which didn't sit well with him. So, he wanted to earn some as soon as possible.
"Good, come here now."
However…
Step! Step!
Just as he was about to pull her in his lap and begin, the sound of footsteps on the stairs resounded, stopping him in his tracks.
They looked toward the stairs and saw Nia, holding the hand of Juan, coming down.
'What bad timing!' He sighed inwardly, feeling a little frustrated.
However, he reminded himself… 'No need to be so impatient. She isn't going anywhere.'
Thinking this, he looked at her and said, first time calling her by her name, "Ruth, it's up to you when you want to break the news of Mr. Martinez's death and me being their step-dad, but I think it would be best if you did it as soon as possible."
Saying this, he stood up, "I'll be outside. After you have sent them back to their room, call me."
Finished saying this, he nodded at Nia and walked out of the residence.
Looking at their fence, he decided to attach the second [Electric Fence] he had in inventory to it and make this villa as secure as his family's.
But right then…
Bang!
Bang!
Bang!
Three distinct sounds of gun shots echoed, followed by several others.
Hearing them, his expression hardened.