by K. Valentine
“It is good to see you too, Mrs. Webster.”
“Come, Paul is in the living room drinking scotch with your dad.” – Mrs. Webster tells Sophie.
“Oh my that is never good.” – Sophie smiles as all of them go to the living room.
“Paul meet my best friend, Anne.”
As they shake hands, Anne can't help but feel a little awkward. As much as Paul is handsome he gives a type of vibe Anne doesn’t like.
They all sit together talking about old times.
“I want cake.” – Grace says and everyone bursts out laughing.
“Cake it is darling.” – Mrs. Webster says as she tells her maid to bring them the food.
* * *
As Max was pulling in front of the house his parents lived in, memories flooded his head. He really had a happy childhood here. As he got out of the car, he saw what seemed like thousands of people all running around decorating, arranging everything for the big wedding.
“Sir, welcome home.” – A maid greeted him.
“Thank you. Where is my mom?”
“They are all in the living room, sir. Let me show you.”
He nodded his head and went in the house.
As he approached the door, he heard laughter and a child’s voice demanding more cake. Then, he heard a very familiar voice, a voice he thought was in his past: “That’s enough Grace. We should be going.”
“Hi everyone.” – He said, walking in the room.
Sophie, Paul, his mom and dad and Anne were all there. They were looking at him, surprised. The child, he didn’t recognize.
“Max you’re home.” – His mom rushed to hug him.
As he hugged everyone, he got to Anne.
“Nice to see you Anne.”
She smiled, nodded and hugged him back: “Good to see you too.”
“Who is this mom?” – The child ran to Anne. It took him a second to realize it was her child. Was she married?
“Grace, this is Max. Say hi. And be nice.”
The little girl came close to him and extended her hand: “Hi Max. I’m Grace.”
He couldn’t help but smile. Grace was beyond adorable. “Nice to meet you too Grace. What are you up to?”
“I want cake.” – She said, and everyone busted out laughing.
“We really should be going.” – Said Anne.
“Please stay. I just got here.” – Said Max, as he reached and touched her hand.
The eye contact was unmistakably electrifying. She was still the same person he remembered. And he still wanted her.
“Anne, you and Grace both are coming to the rehearsal dinner tomorrow right?” – Sophie asked. Anne nodded while still staring into his eyes. All of the feelings from the past came flooding to her head. He was still beyond handsome and successful and abnormally attractive. She was aroused just by looking into his eyes.
“Sorry Max, I have to go to work.”
“Let me drive you then.”
And so, the three of them left the living room together.
Chapter Five
Grace was sitting in the back of the car, amusing herself by looking through the window.
“She is adorable. You are lucky to have her.”
“Thanks Max. I think so myself.”
“So, the music school…?”
She kept quiet for a little while. There was no point in keeping it a secret, it wasn’t as if he wouldn’t find out: “It all fell through. I got pregnant and I made my choice.” – She smiled.
“When did you get pregnant?”
“After graduation.”
“Are you sure? Who is the father?”
Anne knew this day would come and bite her. She wasn’t prepared at all. She had heard all the stories about Max, the playboy he had become, the women he had slept with… And was terrified of telling him the truth. What if he uses her again?
“Oh I really don’t know Max. I did have quite a few boyfriends back in the day…”
“Oh I didn’t know that.” – He said, surprised. That did not seem like Anne at all.
“Yes, I did. After you left that is. And I decided to raise Grace by myself.”
“Okay, good for you.”
He felt awkward about learning these things about Anne. In a way, it pained him to learn that it was so easy for her to forget about him and move on. Not only that, but move on to more than one guy. After the night that shared, he couldn’t stop thinking about her for months. He wanted to go back and tell her he loved her. But, apparently, that would’ve been a big mistake.
“So, this is us. Thanks Max.”
“Hey. Would you be my partner to the rehearsal tomorrow?” – He said before thinking.
She stopped, awkwardly looking at him before replying: “Okay. I can do that.”
“Good. I’ll pick you up tomorrow at 7 then.”
As Anne and Grace left, he drove back home. The only thing he couldn’t stop thinking about is if she was telling the truth.
He got back home and set down with the whole family.
“So nice to meet you Max. I am a big fan.” – Paul said.
“Nice to meet you Paul. You better treat my little sister right.”
“Oh I will Max. I love her. She is amazing.”
“I know she is. All I’m saying is: be careful” – And he squeezed Paul’s hand tighter.
Paul smiled nervously: “I don’t know what you’re talking about, Max.”
Paul was a Hollywood big shot producer. A slimy character if Max was to say. He didn’t like him one little bit. Plus, he heard rumors about Paul cheating on Sophie with all these different women and he didn’t like it at all.
“You know what I’m talking about Paul.”
Paul smiled, more nervous than before and shook his hand: “Look, we are both playboys. All I’m saying is Sophie is a type of girl to have by your side for the rest of my life. You should be proud of it.”
“I am.”
“Max, you didn’t bring a date?” – His mom interrupted.
“No mum, sorry. Too busy to have a girlfriend. But I do have a date for the wedding.”
“You do? Who?”
“Anne.”
Sophie looked at him disapprovingly: “I don’t know if that’s a good idea.”
“Why not?” – Their mom asked: “Anne is a very nice girl.”
“No, mom I know that. There is something you don’t know.” – Sophie said, staring into Max’s eyes.
“Sophie don’t…” – He said but too late.
“Max started his playboy days while in high school. He seduced Anne on my graduation night. Remember that Max? She was heartbroken when you left. Think about what you’re doing. She is not just a bimbo she is my friend.”
“Max” – His mom gasped in surprise.
“Mom, it's not like it sounds. I actually liked Anne.”
“I wish you would just find a nice girl and settle down.”- His mom said disapprovingly leaving the room.
Chapter Six
Anne was not used to lying. This felt weird. She just lied to Max in his face without even blinking twice. She tried to tell herself it was for the best, after all he was this big-shot living in the big city now, he didn’t have time for Grace. And he was a player on top if it so who knows how many “girlfriends” he has back there. She just didn’t want to me a number, although she knew she already was.
But seeing him today, after these years was… emotional. It was exciting, thrilling, scary and arousing at the same time. All those feelings she thought were long gone and buried not only were alive, but they all came back with a magnificent force. She still loved him, just like she did in high school. He was so sweet and loving with her back then, just like he was today.
Oh stop it. He was attentive today. He was being kind and here I am making my dream castle here. Stupid.
Although, for a second there, it felt really good to see him again. It felt REAL, it felt familiar. Max was the one she knew now, and h
e always will be.
“And I went ahead and told him I was a slut. Good thinking.” – She whispered to herself while drinking a glass of wine on the small couch in the living room. Grace was asleep soundly in the next room.
“I have to stop thinking about him. Nothing good can happen. The last time we were together he left, I got pregnant and left all my dreams behind.” – Anne thought. The thing is, she didn’t regret it, not for a little bit. The singing career, the money, the fame… It all lost its sparkle from the day she had Grace. And if she had to do it all over again, she wouldn’t change anything.
“Well, maybe I’d asked him to stay.” – She whispered to herself, immediately knowing that would’ve been very selfish. Max was a good guy, he deserved his break. Who was she to ask him to give all his dreams away for a small-town girl?
She inhaled deeply. “You can change the past.” – She whispered, laughing at herself for talking to herself.
Someone knocked on the front door.
“At this time? Who could it be? I hope they are not here to ask me to take the graveyard shift at the diner.” – She was thinking as she was getting out of the cozy couch.
“Max What are you doing here?” – He was standing on her doorway, tall, dark, handsome. His hands were muscular just like she remembered them, but somehow, even better now. He smelled manly, dangerously. He had his right arm lifted on the doorframe and was staring directly into her eyes.
“Hi Anne. Care for some company?”
“Sure. Come in. What happened?”
“Oh I went out with a couple of guys from high school. And it bored me to tears. The girls were really annoying too. So, I decided to come here instead.” – He fleshed his beautiful smile.
“Damn.” – She thought.
“Here, I brought wine. Where is Grace?”
“She’s a sleep. Let me get you a glass. Please, feel at home. It's not much but…”
“It's beautiful.” – He stopped her in mid-sentence: “I love it.”
“Thanks Max.” – She went to the kitchen grabbed a glass and came back. The thing with the living room was this: it was so small that except for the tiny couch, you couldn’t possibly fit anything else in there. The TV and the couch took good 90% of the whole living room. So, she had no choice but to sit next to him. As she poured his glass and handed it over to him, he came close, smelling her: “Mmm… you smell fantastic. What the hell is that?”
She smiled: “Sugar and cinnamon. The pastries I’ve been wrapping up in the factory. Still haven’t showered.”
“Smells delicious.”
“Are you drunk?” – She asked, smelling him. He smelled of scotch and cigars.
“A little. Not enough to be taken advantages of though.”
“Still the same. Except, a big player now, I hear.”
“A player as in the MLB? Yes, you are right.”
Anne chuckled: “You know what I mean. You are always in the news with all these gorgeous ladies with you…”
“That doesn’t mean anything Anne. None of them do.”-He took her by the hands. She smiled.
“Remember the last time we were together?” – He whispered, coming closer to her, breathing in her neck.
“Yes…”
“Well, that was the only time I’ve felt whole.” – He whispered, continuing to kiss her neck. She felt melting under his lips. She felt exploding under his hands. It was Max, her Max, and he was back. God, she felt alive for the first time in years.
“I want you Anne. I don’t care that you have a daughter. I really don’t. I want you.”
That was her cue. She pushed him off, standing up: “Look Max, my daughter means a great deal to me. She is everything I have. I can’t throw her away for you, for someone that’s here now but he will leave again…”
“That’s how you think of me? Of someone that’s a stop-and-go? I thought I meant more to you than that, Anne.”
“You did Max. You still do.”
He pulled her in, wrapping his hands around his waist and kissing her belly: “I’ve missed you so much.”
She hugged his head and leaned on him: “I’ve missed you too Max. But a lot has happened. Stuff we can’t ignore. I’m not sure if you are still the same person…”
“I am. I swear I am. Let me prove it to you.” – Max said, standing up, grabbing her and pulling her in for a kiss. The moment their lips touched it was as if the room exploded. Anne felt dizzy, partially from the wine but mostly because of Max. All these feelings, feelings she thought were long gone, not only surfaced but erupted in the most majestic way.
She smiled, pulling away: “You can sleep on the couch.” And left the room.
Chapter Seven
She left Max in the living room and walked to the bathroom. Anne was trying to be quiet as she didn’t want to wake Grace up. She was smiling to herself and to everything that was happening with Max. As much as she knew she had to be cautious, as much as her head was telling her he was a player, she just couldn’t ignore the butterflies in her stomach. After all, she still loved him and he was the only guy in the world that could make her feel this way.
She stepped in the small, white bathroom and walked into the shower. The hot water was running through her body, easing her mind and setting her free. She was still thinking about him. As she was washing her hair, a hand slipped through the shower curtain and almost gave her a heart attack.
“What are you doing?” – She yelled, almost too loud.
“I thought I’d join you.” – Max whispered, smiling. He was standing naked in front of her, with his member out and fully erect. The sight of him aroused her in ways she had forgotten she was able to feel. Max was beyond good-looking, his body was the epitome of hotness, and he was standing for everything that a real man should look like. She gazed upon this beauty that was in front of her and was amazed that this man wanted her.
“Can I come in?” – He smiled, devilishly and Anne nodded in approval. She was speechless and quite wet. He stepped inside the small shower, facing her and wrapping his hands around her shoulders, waist then proceeding to her ass. She moaned, it was ages since she had a man touch her this way.He pulled her in and kissed her, very softly and gently at first, then more aggressively, more passionately drawing her in, grabbing her, pushing her up against the wall… She didn’t care, she completely surrendered to Max and decided not to think about anything now. He was mesmerizing.
His kisses moved from her neck to her face. He was playing with her breasts and she closed her eyes, completely surrendering to the moment. Nothing mattered now, not even the fact that deep inside she knew he was a playboy and she was nothing more than a fling.
He turned her around and pressed her against the cold tiles. The surprising coldness gave her goose bumps. He continued massaging her neck, touching her back, moving slowly towards her ass, gently opening it to touch her.
“Mmmm…yes…” – She whispered while trying to pull him in.
He smiled: “You like this don’t you?”
She nodded and continued to pull him in deeper. He slowly entered her from behind. Moving simultaneously, trying to keep up with his rhythm, Anne let go of everything she had in her head.
His hands moved to her ass, holding her and pushing in deeper and deeper, then going faster as the hot water cascaded over them.
“Don’t stop.” – She moaned, as he kept going, with every second bringing them both to an orgasmic explosion.
Chapter Eight
I went out with a couple of guys from high school to the small town bar. I figured it will be interesting to see these people, people that used to be my friends, and it was fun, but I couldn’t stop thinking about Anne. The bar was small and overcrowded. The townspeople were overly excited that I was there and all of them wanted to talk to me. The girls, some of who I knew from back then, were hitting on me, trying to get some attention from someone they considered famous.
“God damn it Max, you come in here and a
ll the girls want to be with you!” – Andy laughed as he was watching what was happening.
“Seriously though, which one you like best?” – Matt asked as I looked around and figured the one I really like was not here. As much as all this was fun, I couldn’t stop thinking about Anne. I wanted to be with her, to talk to her, just to be able to breathe in the same air she does. At that moment, I realized all the feeling I had for her for back, more intense than they used to be.
“Sorry guys, I have to run.” – I said as I grabbed a bottle of wine and left the bar. I had to see her.
I run to her place and climbed the stairs. I was standing in front of her door when all the nervousness in the world hit me like a bat in my face. What was I to say? What was I to do? How do I tell her I love her?
I’d lost count on how long I just stood there in front of that small, brown door, thinking should I knock or just leave. I was about to leave when I heard a sound from inside. The sound made my heart race and I finally gathered the courage to knock.
Anne opened, looking tired and sleepy. The image of her looking sleepy is the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. Just by looking at her, I got a hard on.
“Can I come in?”
“Yes.”
She proceeded to get me a glass and we sat on the tiny couch drinking our wine. She smelled divine: cinnamon, apples and who knows what else. I never wanted to leave her side.
“You can sleep on the couch.” – She said, standing up, getting ready to leave the room and I couldn’t take it anymore. I pushed her in, grabbed her as tightly as I could, and kissed her. I could tell she thought that was a bad idea, but I decided to change her mind. I needed her to me mine.
When she left the room, I heard her going in the shower. As much as I was scared to do that I really wanted to do, I decided to go with my gut feeling. You only live once, right?
Downing my glass of wine, I took off my clothes. I went to the bathroom, opened the door as quietly as possible and was standing in front of the closed curtain, listening to the water....gazing at her beautiful silhouette.