“Here we are, Miss." I say as we pull up to an information desk.
“I'm completely lost here Max. What's going on?"
“Have you ever been scuba diving, Jess?"
“Oh god no. Max I can't do this, please, please don't make me do this." She pleads. A look of pure terror on her face as a wicked one graces mine.
Jess
"I mean it Max. There is no bloody way I'm going in there." He thinks I'm joking, but this really isn't going to happen. Ever. I can't think of anything worse than swimming deep under water with only a tank to keep you breathing properly. I panic at the best of times, but this? "What if I forget to breathe? What if my tank doesn't work? Shit are you trying to kill me off?" He bursts out laughing at my panic and I can feel myself getting more and more worked up as time passes. "Angel, don't be silly. Do you really think I would let anything happen to you? I thought it would be romantic." He says as he gently runs his fingers through my hair, trying his best to calm me down.
Instantly my heart sinks as I realise he has put quite a lot of thought into this little adventure for us. Even calling it romantic is quite a big step for Max. Maybe I should at least try. "Would you mind if I snorkeled? I'll happily give that a go."
“You can do whatever you like. This trip is for both of us to try and relax and enjoy each other's company without any added pressure." He leans in as he runs his thumb along my jaw while looking directly into my eyes.
“Oh I like the sound of that, that sounds like fun. So what do we need to do now?"
“Well, you won't be needing any beginners training for snorkeling, so we can head straight to the yacht if you like, unless you want to do something else?" His face is so passive. What the hell, it's not like every day I get the choice to board a yacht. To be honest, I don't think I've even been on a boat since I was five and that was a family trip to Ireland. I can't keep the smile from my face as he leads the way.
“You look happy. I love it when you look happy."
“Yeah, I am. It must be all this vitamin d that I've soaked up into my body. That’s about as exciting as this trip is." I'm rewarded with a swat to the arse for my cheek, before he takes my hand and leads the way.
As soon as we reach the yacht, I can't help but let out a massive "WOW." I've only ever seen a boat like this on MTV cribs. This stuff just doesn't exist in my normal day to day life.
“Jeez Max, it’s a beast. Is everyone else on board already, or do we need to wait?"
“The only people that will be on this yacht, will be us two. No way will I be sharing you with anyone. Not today, not any day."
A shiver of excitement runs through my body at his words. I hope that I never, ever get my fill of this man. "I can't imagine what it must feel like to own a yacht. How do people possibly find the time to use it?"
“You want it angel, then it's yours. Anything that is mine is always yours to do as you please." My hands find themselves in his hair as I stand up on my tiptoes to thank him with a kiss. Oh how I want so much more, but for now a kiss will have to do.
It's surreal to know that Max has his very own yacht. What doesn't this man own? I guess I could say me, but I don't think that counts as a prized possession. The weather is perfect for our little trip. Nice and sunny with a subtle breeze and I'm glad I decided on cut off shorts and a vest top.
“Here you go." I look up to see Max standing over me with two pairs of snorkels in his hands. "I hope these are sufficient enough for you Miss Townsend?"
“Yes sir." I laugh and take in his body. He stands before me in just a pair of loose fitting swim shorts that fall just below the knees and expose his happy trail and that magical V shape that I struggle to resist so much.
“You ready to go in?" He asks, but I think I could sit here and admire his beauty all day and never get bored.
“What, now? I don't have any other clothes to change into."
“Did you not hear me call after you to pack a bikini?”
“Erm, no sorry.” I was beaming with excitement to even contemplate anything else going on around me at his unexpected arrival this morning.
“Who said you need clothes to jump in, anyway? It's just you and me out here angel."
“Ha, nice try Mr. I'm not going further than my underwear or I'm staying here."
“Deal. But I can't promise that you'll come back out wearing anything." The wicked glint in his eyes gears me up for that challenge and before I can change my mind, I quickly get up and jump overboard.The water is bloody freezing and my skin feels like it's being attacked by a thousand needles as soon the impact hits my body. I feel something grab my hip and I scream out in a panic. Fuck what if it's a shark? Oh god, I’m going to die.
“It's me." The sound of Max's voice calms me a little but I'm still a little shaken.
“You little fucker. Don't ever do that again. I thought it was a shark about to eat me alive.”
“You're the crazy loon who decided to fucking jump in without warning." He laughs. If we weren't in cold water and I didn't feel like I had to hold onto him, I'd wipe that cocky smirk off his bloody face, but I think he’s fully aware that I need him right now. Before I know what's happening I'm being taken back to the yacht as I hold onto him as tight as I can. As soon as we reach our destination I'm pinned up against the ladders as Max takes full control over my body. It pointless fighting it, I've been holding back for too long and it's too exhausting so now, I finally allow my body to react and submit to his touch.
I've never been intimate with anyone in the ocean before, so this is definitely a first for me.
“I've missed feeling you against me, Jess. So fucking much." A soft moan escapes my lips as I feel him press against me just where I need him to be. I try to pull him in closer, but as soon as I do he pulls back and looks at me with a knowing smirk on his face.
“I'd love nothing more than to take you right here, right now, but I promised you a romantic snorkeling trip and I’d hate to break my promise to you." The bastard. He knows exactly what he's doing, working me up into a frenzy to then leave me hanging on.
“Max you can't do this to me. That's just cruel."
“Good things come to those who wait, angel." I wait for the punch line that doesn't come. Shit he's actually being serious. Well two can play that game, I think to myself as I reluctantly take the mask and snorkel from him. Good things definitely do come to those who wait and Max wild is going to find he will be waiting for longer than he thought possible. Who am I kidding, I’d be a fool to think that I could resist him.
I must admit that I actually enjoyed snorkeling with Max. He stayed by my side throughout it all, and even though he must have seen all of this in its beautiful glory a million times before, he took an interest and joined in my excitement every time I found something wonderful and new and I’ll always be grateful to him for that.
“Are you hungry?" Max walks over to me in just a towel, as I stand drying myself off. Why does he have to look so goddamn hot all of the time? How is a girl supposed to think around here with such a beautiful distraction?
“A little bit. I'm sure I can wait until we arrive back though."
“Throw this on and follow me." His demand is plain and simple, followed by a look that dares me to argue with him. After the effort that he's put into all of this today, who am I to argue?
Now that he's mentioned food my stomach grumbles in agreement that it would like to be fed. I look at the garment that Max has just thrown to me and I'm surprised to see it’s a basketball shirt. I'm thankful for the size as it's long enough to cover my secret parts and look like a dress. I leave my hair down, still slightly damp and follow Max out of the room.
As soon as I arrive back on the deck I see that a picnic has been placed before us. Max waits for me, now he has replaced his towel with some more shorts. He looks fresh from a cover shoot and I have to pinch myself that I'm actually here with him.
“Do you use this often?" I ask, signaling my surroundings. If I had a y
acht, Jen would be inviting the whole of England to come and party on it weekly, if not every other night. She's going to freak when I fill her in on this little tidbit of information.
“Not as often as I used to, or as often as I would like. Why'd you ask?"
“I just wondered since you have clothes and toiletries on board."
“Everywhere I go Jess, I always have a spare toothbrush and a change of clothes." He says vaguely as he digs around in the basket for our feast.
“Oh." Is all I say and my mind whips back to when he pulled out a night bag from his car when he stayed over at mine. Obviously this must have been his little love boat and old habits die hard, I guess. I try not to let it bother me. I have no right to be bothered about anyone before me, as I didn't even know him back then, but it still niggles away at me.
“What's wrong Jess?" He must sense the change in my mood. I can't tell him that I'm suddenly overcome with jealousy at the thought of him with other women and that I'm pissed off that he would bring me to somewhere he uses for casual stuff. I try my best to smile at him but he sees straight through it.
“Nothing, I'm fine."
“Jess, one thing that's gonna piss me off real quick, is if you start lying to me. If you want to say something, then say it. I can't fucking read your mind."
“Did you used to bring other women here?”
“What? Where's that suddenly come from?"
“I don't know." I whisper suddenly feeling like a scolded child. "I just thought I would ask. I’m curious I guess."
“I would never bring you to a place that I have shared with another woman, Jess. You mean far too much to me to do that to you."
“What about the clothes? The toiletries."
“I told you. I always carry spares." He looks at me as if I have suddenly grown two heads, completely unaware of what I am getting at.
“But why? Why would you carry 'spares' all the time? Do you just go out and if it happens it happens?"
I can't help myself now. My backs up and there's no bringing it back down until I get an answer, no matter what it may be.
“You think I carry spares in case I get off with someone? Shit Jess, no. That's not what it is at all. I've always carried spare clothes on me since me and Liss were young. We never knew where we would end up from one day to the next. We moved around... A lot. Sometimes we had nowhere to go and that's when the supplies came in handy. I've never took a single day for granted since and I guess it's my comforter to know that I have it. If ever I should need it again, then I have the essentials to get me through.”
Wow. Well now I feel like a complete heartless bitch that jumps to conclusions that couldn't be any further from the truth. I knew something must have happened to him when he was younger, I just didn't know that it was bad enough to leave such deep scars.
“Max I'm sorry I shouldn't have pried into your personal business...”
“Don't apologise for something you don't know about, Jess. I'm good, it's just habit that’s all and like they say, old habbits die hard. Now if you've finished with your questions for at least half an hour, maybe we could eat?"
“Perfect, sounds like a plan to me." I crawl over to him to prevent any void from taking place after that little discussion. Today has been perfect so far, and I’d hate to cause any issues that don’t need to be there.
The sun is still out and it’s a nice temperature with a subtle breeze, where I lie sunbathing. All that swimming has completely worn me out. As soon as Max begins to rub oil into my shoulder, I feel that relaxed that I could quite easily take a nap. Max slowly and gently kneads the muscles in my back and then slowly brings them around down the side of my breast in delicate circular motions. Almost instantly I can feel a dull ache begin to build up in my core. Unable to take the pressure, I push back against the palm of his other hand that is busy kneading my arse and try and ease the ache. I roll over onto my back so Max gets better access to my front and where I really need him to be.
“If you stayed, we could spend most days like this together. Just you and me, secluded where no one else could interrupt us.”
“I like the sound of that.” I’m unable to concentrate as Max expertly explores beneath my bikini bottoms, teasing and rubbing me in a perfect rhythm. My hips begin to move as he picks up the pace and just as I can feel my release getting closer and closer, his warm mouth closes around me as he strokes me on the inside and teases me with his mouth and tongue on the outside. My legs stiffen around him as I feel the assault of ecstasy take over my body and I begin to pant his name while gripping tightly onto his hair. Shitting hell this man is utterly perfect in every possible way.
When he finally comes back up and looks at me, he slowly leans down against me and I curl into him, holding onto him as tight as I can and silently thank him for such a perfect day.
Jess
We arrive back at Melissa's shortly after six and I'm still beaming from the perfect day that I've had with Max. I've seen the softer side to him previously, but today was like nothing that I'd ever experienced before. He’s so tentative and caring and nothing was ever too much for him.
“Oh and the love birds finally return. Did you have fun?" Melissa chimes to life as soon as we walk through the door.
“It was perfect." A massive grin spreads across my face as Max gives my hand a little squeeze.
“Well it's alright for some, I suppose. I've been bored shitless."
“Really? I somehow find that hard to believe, you've always got something stuffed up your sleeve." I wonder if Heath has been hanging around while the coast has been clear. Just as I'm about to plonk my arse on the barstool my phone chimes to life in my bag. As soon as I see the caller I.D, panic begins to swirl within my chest. I answer it instantly and hold my hand up to Liss and Max to quieten down a minute.
“Hi Tim. How are you?" I try to listen to his panic stricken voice on the other end of the line but he's talking way to fast and I can't understand him. "Okay, calm down. Start right from the beginning and slowly, so that I can try to understand you."
“Where to start Jess, where to fucking start. Everything's gone tits up. I wanted to call you sooner, really I did but what with Mal's ill health, I didn't want to cause any more drama, but enough is enough. I can’t take it anymore."
“What's happened? What do you mean everything's gone tits up?"
“Stanton's. Something has happened to one of the backup files for one of the major clients. I haven't got a fucking clue how it fix it. The phones are ringing off the hook as all the designs are lost too. Someone from that business is threatening to go to the press for breach of data protection."
“How?" I am hearing everything that he’s saying, but none of it is making any sense whatsoever.
“Someone, somewhere has removed the file and it has all of their sensitive information on it. I don't know how, but it's managed to get back to some of them and now the shit has well and truly hit the fucking fan. Oh Jess we’re screwed. What the fuck am I supposed to do?"
“Fuck. Right let me see what I can try and find out, and I'll come back to you ASAP okay?"
“Thanks. I'm so sorry to drop this on you."
“Don't worry about it; I'll speak to you soon. Try not to panic, we’ll sort it if we can." I say to him, when all I’m really doing is panicking on the inside. Why can nothing ever go right, just once?
Shit, shit, shit. How the hell has this happened? Mal's going to hit the roof. He can't find out the extent of this, otherwise he'll definitely end up back in hospital.
“Jess what's going on? You've gone white." I look at Melissa but I can't seem to get the words out. Instead I just stand in front of Liss and Max waiting for a resolution to pop out of thin air, but I know that I’ll be waiting for a bloody long time without anyone’s help.
“Jess, what did he say?"
“It's... It's Stanton's. They're in deep shit."
I relay the information Tim has passed onto me to Max and wish I hadn't. He look
s furious, deadly even. Melissa looks like she understands, but I actually don't think she does to be honest.
“What am I going to do?"
“Mal mustn't find out. From any of us, am I clear?" Both me and Melissa nod in sync to Max's demand. "You won't be doing anything, we - me and you together will sort this okay? Don't get yourself worked up over it. There's not much we can do right now anyway, not until we have more information on it."
“Are you kidding me? I need to go back and sort this mess that they've suddenly found themselves in. How on earth have they managed to lose this super sensitive file?”
“Trust me Jess, that's the first thing that I'll be finding out. Believe me."
“Maybe it could have been hacked?" Melissa chimes in and she actually has a valid point. Max is quick to shoot it down though.
“It's a possibility, but a very slim one. Me and Mal have been using the same security for years and it's the most secure that there is."
I really don't like the sound of this, one bit. We bloody leave the office for a few weeks and all hell breaks loose. I try to call Amelia to see what has been happening since I have been gone, but it just goes to voicemail. Why is no one answering there phones when I bloody need them to the most?
"Hey Tim, it's Jess." I say as he answers on the first ring.
“That was quick, can it be fixed? Please god tell me it can be fixed."
“I really wish I could Tim. I've got Max in on it from this end. I need you to think back and tell me everyone who has access to the main drives. I'm going to need dates and times so we can see if there has been any dodgy activity on any of the accounts."
Down Under Complete Trilogy Box Set Page 29