"You ready to go and get something to eat?" His eyes still searching mine. There is a tenderness to his tone which shocks me a little, as I have not come across this caring side to him before. It calms me, soothes me somewhat. Most importantly, it makes me feel safe. I shouldn't have these feelings for him when I have known him for such a short time, but there goes my head again, betraying me at all costs.
"Uhh, huh." I'm not really sure if I can face going out, but after the way he came to my defence and demonstrated that he cares, even just a little bit about my wellbeing, I can't bring myself to throw that back in his face. Just to be standing here, calm as anything must be driving him crazy. I watch as his jaw clenches tightly as he struggles to keep his control.
"We could always stay here, and order in? I really don't mind Jess, as long as I am with you nothing else matters." He's still staring into my eyes as he says this, never breaking eye contact with me. He seems a little shocked that those words have just fallen from those perfect lips. Fuck, I am already in too deep here, but I need to play it cool.
"You sure? After all the time it took me to look like this, you would be happy to stay in?" I laugh, trying to make light of this sudden serious situation we have found ourselves in.
"Sweetheart, I would much prefer you naked and spread out before me, either way that's how this night will end, so it really makes no difference to me."
Before I can reply his lips are on mine, tasting me, teasing me, devouring me as if no kiss is ever enough for him. Our tongues collide as the hunger and need take over once again.
"So. Fucking. Beautiful." He moans in between kisses, making me crave him that little bit more. His hands make a slow, antagonising trail down my stomach, teasing their way down past my groin and onto my thighs, all the while his lips never leaving mine. My hands find their perfect place as he lifts me up against him. I'm that focused on the two of us together, that I don't realise we have moved until he places me down onto the breakfast bar.
"There's something about you being placed on a breakfast bar, only this time I hope no unexpected visitors will come walking into your house."
"Oh god. Don't, please. It's so embarrassing. I've avoided going to Jen’s house in case I bump into him." Heat floods my cheeks as the memory comes flashing back to me.
"Nah, he's cool. I made it pretty fucking clear that he's never to mention it to you, or anyone for that matter. Don't sweat it sweetheart."
Don't sweat it? Jeez that's easy enough for him to say, he's not the one who had his tits on display for the world to see.
"So who's they guy?" He says, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. "It looked like it was about to get pretty heated before I stepped in."
I'm not sure how much I want to divulge to this beautiful man stood in front of me. A part of me wants to tell him everything. The way his deep blue eyes burn into mine, make me want to lay every single part of my soul out before him, yet the other part of me clams shut. He doesn't need to know about my past, if this is going to be just a bit of fun, then he really doesn't need to know much at all.
"He's my ex." I decide to tell him. Sparse, but something at least.
"You sure?" He asks. "I mean, he looks pretty different from the guy I saw you with yesterday." He leans in closer, so that his nose rests against mine. Whoa, yesterday?
"I wasn't with Josh yesterday. Wait, how would you know who I was with yesterday, anyway?"
Max pulls his head back forcefully and his posture changes dramatically. Gone are the eyes of concern, instead anger is now simmering in those beautiful piercing blue eyes.
"Well who the fuck were you with? I saw you in that coffee shop in the arms of some guy, who I presumed was your ex!"
"What, George?" I say, completely thrown by his reaction. What's it bloody got to do with him anyway?
"If you’re involved with someone sweetheart, I'd prefer you be up front about it. I won't have anyone else touch your body while I am with you." Cupping my chin in his hand he says "Is that clear?"
"Listen." I raise my voice now, anger bubbling away inside of me. "Who I spend my time with has nothing to do with you. How dare you come into my home and throw your orders around as if you own me."
"Jess, if I'm involved with someone, I'm only involved with that person and no one else. I expect the same from you. It's that fucking simple. So, is there anyone else standing in my way?"
"George is one of my best friends. Your more his cup of tea, tits and a vajayjay do nothing for him. You seriously don't have anything to worry about with George, except he will most likely try to hump you in public if he likes you. You don't stand a chance." I laugh. "If you value your balls, I'd stay away."
He steps closer now that his alpha status has been made known. Now that there is no visible threat towards him, he returns back to the soft, caring man he was minutes before. I like this Max. I love the feisty and dominant Max, but this calm and caring side is nice to see and makes me feel that maybe working with him won't be so bad at all.
"How long have you worked at Stanton's?" I'm lay in bed, Max is positioned behind me and I feel bloody good. His fingers lazily tracing circles around my hip, making me tingle in places that have just been sated with deep, hot sweaty sex. I have never experienced as many orgasms in such a short space of time, I don't think I have experienced as many orgasms full stop.
"Hmmm." It's all I can manage. I'm too exhausted from the workout he has just given me. I'm happy to just lay here and bask in my post orgasmic state. I hear him chuckle behind me. "It's not funny." I scorn. "You say I ask too many questions and yet you decide right now, in this moment to rummage through my brain?" I turn over so that I can face him. As much as I love the feel of him behind me, encasing me in his solid arms, I can't help but want to look at that awfully beautiful face. His mouth finds mine again as he presses his hard muscly body into mine. The feel of him against me is amazing. I want to push him off, make a stand, but I'm far too weak when it comes to him. I feel him begin to harden again and fire instantly ignites through my body once again. I begin to grind my hips, letting him know that I am ready for him, when he suddenly pulls back from me. His eyes roam up and down my body. I wait patiently for him to say something, his mouth opening and closing as if the words are just there, right on the tip of his tongue. Whatever they are, they don't fall free. Instead he drops back down onto me, his tongue seeking mine, teasing me delicately until I can take no more.
My eyes water as I try and adjust them to the bright light coming through my window. I have no idea what time it is, yet the birds are singing their song, so I'm guessing it's still fairly early. My body is aching, my thighs, oh god, my thighs are tender. I stretch out and remember that Max stayed last night, oh how the memories come flooding back. I try to squeeze my thighs together to dull the ache that starts to build, but it's too bloody painful. I decide to turn and face him, to get a look at the face that was so delicately carved by angels, desperate to get a quick fix of him. He's like an addiction. I can't help but feel a pang of sadness when I see that he's no longer in bed next to me. Maybe he's in the shower? I don't hear any water running from the bathroom, so I get up quickly to see where he could be, and then it hits me...
He's not here. He's gone.
In the middle of the night he must have just grabbed his clothes and left. My mother’s voice preaches in my mind over the heavy thuds of blood as anxiety sets in. Calm down Jess, you knew it was a bit of fun. I try to breathe, to steady myself, yet all I can hear is my mother’s voice droning on and on.
"You knew this was going to happen! What makes you think he would have stayed the night anyway? When will you realise that you’re not special, Jess."
I know I'm not special, josh proved that didn't he? But I never would have expected him to shit on me so badly. I make my way into the kitchen and there is nothing. Except from the aches in my body, I could have imagined it all. Fucking hell, he didn't even leave a note.
JESS
"I can't be
lieve you've been hooking up with Luke's hot roomie all week and you haven't even told me. You kinky cow." I look up at my best friend and smile.
We're currently sat in our local bar enjoying some well deserved cocktails. Cocktails are normally a sure way to make me feel better, but these ones leave me with a feeling of sadness, as they will be the last ones me and Jen get to enjoy together for the foreseeable. We've never been apart for a long period of time and I don't know how we’re going to cope.
We've been sat in the bar for the past two hours catching up on each other's gossip and as the cocktails started to flow, so did my mouth, and I finally ended up coming clean to Jen. It was more of a need to know basis. I managed to reign back on the more intimate details, but only just. However, not from want of trying from Jen's part.
"I wouldn't say I've been hiding him away, exactly. More like he's appeared at my every turn. I've tried and tried to avoid him, believe me. Even rejecting his calls didn't seem to work, one way or another, he always manages to find a way to get to me." I'd be completely bullshitting if I said I didn't enjoy the thrill of his constant attention. However, I doubt it would highly make a difference as it seems he's well and truly gotten me out of his system now anyway. I haven't seen, nor heard from him since I went to sleep on Wednesday night. No matter how much I try, I just can't erase the image of him out of my mind. Every time my goddam phone rings my heart speeds up in the hope that it will be Max's name that I see dancing to life across my screen. I haven’t got a clue where it went wrong. We fell asleep together and then, he was gone.
Now I just have to find a way to work with him without things becoming awkward. All I need is for Mal to sense something is off and then the questions begin to float around.
What a difference a couple of days make. Now the roles have reversed, I'm suddenly the one that's got it bad and pinning for him like a long lost bloody puppy.
"What'cha thinkin'?" Jen croons, her voice bringing me out of my stupor and back to the here and now.
"I dunno. I guess I expected him to call, text at least. I mean c'mon Jen; we've got to work together after all. It's going to get so awkward and Mal's going to be the one stuck in the middle of it all." Signalling the waiter for another round of cocktails, I take in a deep breath and decide that I'm not going to let him and his brooding ways effect my night with Jen. With the alcohol flowing freely through my body, I'm adamant I don't need any man in my life right now. Miss independent and all that.
"Well, ‘Mrs I've got it goin' on’, the way that hottie has been checking you out, moving on from the God of gods may not be such a problem after all."
My head spins around to see who on earth she could be talking about. I instantly get a head rush and it takes me a second to regain my vision. She loves a good wind-up does our Jen, more like he's been checking her out, but now that she's all loved up with Luke, she thought she'd pass all the hangers-on to me.
I recognise him the moment our eyes meet. Shit, I'd recognise that face anywhere. Amongst a crowd of hundreds, I'd always be drawn into that predatory gaze that seems to break down my barriers and sucks me in. It brings me to my knees every single time I look at him. His face relaxes as he watches the reaction he has over me take place, then the most sexy, roguish grin spreads across his face.
What's he doing propped up at the bar of my local? It's not likely that he would have come here alone on a Friday night. He's probably picked up the first woman he's come across so he can work his magic on her and then drop her the second he's done. Fuck. Why am I even bothered? Shitting hell, the fact I am feeling a pang of jealousy has warning bells ringing in my head. No man has ever had me feeling this many emotions, especially in such a short period of time. Bloody Josh didn't make me feel half of what Max brings out in me and I was with him for eight years.
He still sits propped up at that goddamn bar, still undressing me with those beautiful, blue eyes. I would love to walk up to him and devour him right there on that bar stool and make my claim on him in front of every person in this bar. Show everyone that I want this crazy, obnoxious and thoroughly fuckable man in my life, no matter how much I try to deny it. Deep down, now that I have had a taste of him, I need more of him in any possible way that I can. Instead I turn back around and face Jen, putting on a display of bravado that I really don't feel inside.
"Pretty hot if you ask me." She says just as a fresh round of shots are placed in front of us. She continues to look dreamingly over at him.
"Jen, meet Max Wild." I feel slightly smug inside as her jaw almost hits the table, once her alcohol induced brain begins to process what I have just said.
"Holy fucking shit, Jess. That's who you've been fucking? Bloody hell." She takes a pause to take a shot and then continues. "How has he been living next door to me and I haven't known a thing about it? Shit, I don't think my vajayjay can handle all of this hotness that is suddenly surrounding me."
"Oh, dear god." My hand flys to my mouth to try and stifle my laugh. "You so didn't just come out with that."
"What? C'mon Jess, a girls gotta appreciate all of this beauty, and baby is he beau..tee..ful. I wouldn't mind taking him for a test spin myself." I watch in horror as she actually winks over to where Max is sat.
"Don't you fucking dare Jen. If you value our friendship, you'll do well to stay away." I warn her as I narrow my eyes. Where did that come from? "What?" I snap, registering the amused look on her face.
"Ohh, someone's got it bad. When did you become so serious? I thought he was a rebound thing from Josh, but obviously not." Twirling her hair in her fingers, she sits across from me analysing me.
"Don't be daft Jen. I wouldn't read anything into it anyway. It wouldn't surprise me if his shag of the day comes waltzing out of the bathroom at any minute."
"Touchy, touchy. I've never known you to be so worked up over someone before, and FYI, he's been alone all night with his eyes watching your every move. Seriously, he looks like he wants nothing more than to take you over this table and he couldn't give a fuck who was watching."
"Yeah, that sounds about right. He can be very dominating. Is he still here? What's he doing?" I ask, unsure if I really want to know the answer.
"The same thing that he's been doing all night, staring at you, looking moody and playing on his phone." I glance over my shoulder at him and he shakes his phone at me and puts it to his ear to signal he is calling me. Good look with that, Max. I left my phone at home in a mild moment of madness. Really it was prevention tactics. I didn't want to wake up in the morning and stumble across the embarrassing drunken texts that would have been sent. If the phone stayed at home, then my dignity stayed intact.
As I sit here, I'm adamant that even if my phone was in my bag, I wouldn't answer it. More out of stubbornness than anything. For one, I'm on a girly night with Jen and two, what, now that he has finally decided to call me, he thinks I'm going to come running? As much as I would love nothing more than to be close to him again right now, a girl’s got to stand her ground. All the other women in his life might do that and more fool them. Not me though, I won't play second fiddle for anyone.
"I think a certain someone might want to speak to you." Jen says, as always, the first to point out the obvious.
"Well he's gonna have to wait a while, I'm busy getting pissed with my girl." I say and continue to knock back the shots that keep flowing.
Roughly an hour, maybe two pass by and at this point, me and Jen are completely wasted. I really don't want this night to end, because when it does, I'm going to wake up to the world’s worst hangover, reality will set in and not to mention I still have to pack for my little adventure.
Jen begins to say something to me, but I fail to make out what she is trying to say as one of my favourite songs begins to pump through the bar. I'm straight up on the table, shaking everything I have, when all of a sudden my drink is pulled from my hands and a firm grip takes hold of my thigh. I don't even need to look and see who it is, as the electricity that begins to s
pread through my body is enough to tell me it's Max.
"Time to call it a night, sweetheart." He says as he slowly pulls me down from the table.
"Don't sweetheart me, you prick. Get your hands off me." I slur, the room is spinning around me and I feel really unsteady on my feet. I refuse to let this get in the way of me standing up for myself. "Give me my drink back." I can hear Jen laughing her head off behind me, which really isn't helping me at all.
"I think you've had enough for one night. Come on. I'm taking you home." His tone doesn't leave room for any questions, but in my drunken state, I can't help myself.
"I don't think so. I'm perfectly fine here; I don't need you to babysit me, Max."
"Don't make me force you Jess. One way to another, I will be taking you home and that's final. Trust me; I won't think fucking twice about dragging you out of here." He warns, his tone is final, laced with such authority and power that even Jen stops laughing instantly.
"What about Jen? I'm out with Jen, not you?" I inform him in case he seems to have missed this vital point.
"Jen." He pulls his gaze away from me as he looks at her. "I've called Luke, he'll be here soon. We'll wait until he arrives and then I'm taking this one home before she passes out cold on the floor."
"Yes, sir." She replies with a firm salute in his direction. He raises an eyebrow and looks from Jen to me, and I can no longer keep the laugh down.
MAX
I stand, taking in this beautiful, crazy woman who has invaded my mind and stolen every thought and replaced it with her perfection. I watch, slightly amazed, and yet slightly pissed as she sways on those delicate little feet, hurling her empty threats at me.
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