“What time is it?" My voice is croaky from my tears and I probably look like no one owns me right now too.
“It's just past nine, angel."
“I'm so sorry Max. I know you had stuff that you needed to do. You should have gone back."
“Don't be silly. I'm not going to leave you, angel." Leaning down to press a soft kiss in my hair, he pulls back and looks straight into my eyes. "I need you to know one thing. I'm never, ever, going to leave you. No matter what the cost, no matter what the sacrifice. It's about time that I acted like a man and admitted that you come first. You'll always come first to me. I need you in my life and I'll keep you in my life whichever way I can get you."
I have no words to say to him. I'm filled with mixed emotions from today and there is so much that I want to say to him, but I physically can't do it. So instead I push forwards and pull his face down to mine, slowly yet desperately taking his lips in mine. Our kiss speaks so much more than our words ever could, and I try to tell him how thankful I am for him and how he has cared for me today. My loveable rogue giving up everything just so that I could be comforted by his presence, and that means more to me than he will ever know.
By the time we pull up outside my house all the lights are off. Either my mums in bed or she's gone out to only god knows where. Hopefully if it's the latter, she doesn't come back to make a scene, because I really don't think I could deal with that right now.
“How you holding up angel?" Max asks as his warm hand gives my thigh a reassuring squeeze. It's the first time he's asked me. I'm not sure if it's because he's been worried about my reaction, but his words are comforting to me.
“Better with you here." I smile a genuine smile at him to let him know that I'm telling him the truth. "Thank you for today."
“There isn't anything that I wouldn't do for you angel. You need to make sure you remember that and I'll tell you every day for the rest of our lives if I have too." He whispers as he leans over the console and kisses my forehead tenderly. I’m so glad he’s here with me. We’ve been through so much since he came into my life and I don’t think I will ever be able to express how much safer he makes me feel.
I notice my mum’s shoes as we walk through the door. Good, at least she's still here and not causing mayhem somewhere else.
“Have you eaten today?" Max asks as we make our way further into the house. Come to think of it, I haven't and I don't think I could stomach anything right now either.
“I've not been hungry. I'm sure I’ll be okay until tomorrow."
“You sure? I can always make you something before we go up if you want?"
“Honestly I'm fine." My fingers find their way into his hair as I look at him. "All I need right now is you." I'm scooped up into his strong arms and he wastes no time in carrying me up the stairs. Something has definitely changed between us today and I can only hope it's for the better.
I'm instantly pinned against the bedroom wall as soon as we enter the bedroom, and in one swift motion Max kicks the door closed with his foot.
"Are you sure you want this, Jess?" Max asks with a seriousness to his voice. He looks at me intently as he waits for my answer.
“Definitely. I've wanted nothing else for weeks, Max. I'm fed up of pushing you away. I want us to go back to how we were before that cow wormed her way in and ruined it for us."
“No one has ruined anything Jess. You, you're all that I want. You're all that I need. Every goddamn fucking day." That's all I needed to hear as I pull him closer to me so I can feel him where I need him to be. My leg is pulled from underneath me as he wraps it firmly around his waist. I feel all the tension leave my body from his touch, as he roams his magical fingers from my thigh all the way up to my neck.
“I've missed this, I’ve missed us. I won't let anything keep you from me again."
A soft whimper escapes my lips as his hand works its way over the peak of my nipple. This is pure torture and he fucking knows it. Pressing my leg against him, he smiles against my lips and says, "I'm not rushing this Jess, I've waited far too long."
It's pointless fighting it. I know he'll just drag it out, purely just work me up more and more ,so I let him take full control of my body; desperate for the release that I know he will give me.
I don't let go of him as he carries me to the bed and he lays me down gently, acting as if a single touch would break me. I pull him down with me, not wanting the connection between us to be disturbed. Unable to hold back much longer, my hands sneak down to the bottom of his shirt as I try in desperation to open the buttons. Without a moment’s hesitation, I grab the material in my both of my hands and rip his shirt open and slide it away from him revealing that perfectly toned torso that I like to admire so much. Max takes his sweet time removing the clothes from my body and when I'm finally just in my underwear he goes even slower.
“Max..." I moan. What is he trying to do to me? "Don't do this to me. I need you; please don't make me wait any longer." I can't help but plead to him. I feel like I'm about to combust at any moment. Both of my hands suddenly get entwined within his wrists as he pins them above my head.
“You're so fucking beautiful. I want to admire every goddamn part of you."
"Mmm. Why don't you explore every part of me instead?" He pulls back and looks at me with one eyebrow raised.
“Every part?"
“Every part, but that part." I say suddenly realising what I asked him and he laughs. Deciding enough is enough I push myself up now that his hands have relaxed against my wrists and push him back so that he's now the one lying down. I make quick work of removing his pants much to the growl that rumbles from his chest. I take him in my hands and slide up and down his length, while leaning in to tease him with my mouth. He buckles his hips at my touch, pleading for more and I feel a sudden urge of power course through me.
“But I want to admire every part of you." I mimic his words and he doesn't like it one bit. It has just the effect that I need, and he soon shoots up and pushes me back so that I'm lay down again. This time my underwear is removed and I can feel him pressing against my entrance. My hands cup his arse, as I impatiently wait for him to enter me and deciding enough is enough, I push him into me. I let out a cry of pleasure at the feel of him inside me after so long. He stills for a second and then he starts to move, thrusting into me to find our perfect rhythm as we move in sync with each other. I’m so close already and I can tell Max is almost there too, as I fell him stiffen inside me. Not wanting it to end, I press into him once more and cry out as my orgasm ripples through my body. Remembering that someone else is in the house, I bite down on Max's shoulder, hard, as I contract around him and after a few more forceful, yet pleasurable movements he reaches his climax with my name on his lips. We lie in each other's arms, sweaty and equally content as our breathing slowly calms down.
“You're something fucking else, Jessica Townsend. Do you know that?"
“Apparently so Mr Wild." I smile as I curl into him and feel the darkness wash over me.
Jess
"Are you shitting me? Why has it taken you so long to tell me?" I've been at Jens for an hour and I have just told her about the dramas of yesterday and now she’s blowing steam out of her ears. “Fancy that little slag doing that when you’re practically her boss. I always said she was weirdo, didn’t I?”
I’m beginning to wish that I didn’t bloody bring it up now. “There’s nothing you can do to change it now, Jen. Flapping your arms around like a mad woman definitely won’t make a difference.” I know she means well and she’s angry because I’m upset, but she’s a bloody drama queen at times.
“What do you mean we can’t do anything to change it? We can pissing rip his balls of so that he can’t do it again. What a bastard, how can he even breed? I know it’s not ideal, but at least you’re out of that dead end relationship and on a major plus side, you bagged a right hottie not long after.”
“Shhh, keep your voice down. I feel bad enough that I spent the whole
day crying over my ex and how he’s got his bit on the side pregnant, while he did nothing but comfort me and make sure that I was okay.”
I look to the other side of the living room and watch Max and Luke catching up while being proper boys playing on the Xbox. I’m not going to lie, it’s quite a sight and I love seeing this relaxed side to Max. If anyone were to see him now, they wouldn’t expect him to carry the weight of his business issues on his shoulders and the mysterious darkness of his past that haunts him. All they would see is Max, as the fun loving twenty-nine year old guy that he really is underneath all of that hard, manly exterior.
As if sensing me watching him, he looks back at me over his shoulder and throws me a cheeky wink and I can’t stop the school girl grin that takes over my face.
“I wasn't in the mood to talk much yesterday, Jen." I say as I look back towards my best friend.
“Come to think of it, that will probably explain why I haven't seen or heard from her recently. The little slags probably been avoiding me like the plague. Just you wait until I see her, the little cow, and don't even get me started on that twat."
“Fucking hell Jen, you're giving me a headache. He's a bastard, she's a home wrecking slut and as long as I don't have to work with her, then that's good enough for me."
“Oi, muscles." She shouts through to Max. "I fucking hope you gave him a beating of a lifetime when you saw him?"
“Believe me I wanted to, but I knew that would only upset Jess more. He’s been warned to stay away from her. Next time he won’t have such a lucky escape."
“Seriously? What’s the point of you being built like a shit house, if you don't put it to good use?"
“Maybe you're best off asking Jess that question." He grins and I can't stop the girly laugh that comes out.
“You two are fucking animals." The look on her face is priceless as she scrunches her nose up.
“Err, hello. Pot. Kettle, black?" I ask but she remains quiet. "Yeah, I thought as much. You and Luke seem to be all right now. Did you tell him about your little drama?"
“Don’t be so loud, jeez. Are you crazy? That's a little something that he doesn't need to find out about, like ever. Okay?"
“Well he's not going to hear it from me, is he? You need to tell him eventually though."
“Yeah, yeah, whatever." She shrugs. When they get serious, because they will, she’s going to need to be as honest with him as she can be, because eventually this stuff has a wicked way of catching up with you and then what's she going to do apart from drown herself in a few bottles of wine when the shit hits the fan?
"What's happening with your mum?" She asks and I know that she’s keen to change the subject. It’s understandable if he’s only in the room next door.
“Honestly? I have no idea. She seems okay at mine for now, but I've told her that it's not a permanent fixture and she needs to get herself a job and fast. If that works out then hopefully bit by bit we can get her life back together.”
“Who knows, this might bring you closer together."
“Maybe." I'm still doubtful. I don't see how someone can change that drastically overnight, but I'm willing to give it ago.
“Right ladies, we've got to head out, but we'll be back later." Max leans in behind me and pulls me tight against him and I can’t help but loose myself in him. "Do you need anything while I'm out?"
“Nope, I'm good I think. I'll text you if I think of anything."
“Fucking hell, is your phone actually on today?"
“Yep... I charged it last night and I don't want to think about all the messages that I have to get through."
“Maybe it will teach you to use it then." Slapping him playfully I reach up to meet his waiting lips. I don't think I could ever tire from them, or him for that matter. He's utterly and completely my personal addiction and there is no way that I ever want to come down from the high I get when I'm around him.
“See you later."
Me and Jen spend the rest of the day lazing about watching crap on tele. I manage to tell her bits of my adventure from Australia, as I didn't get a chance to the other day and she thinks it's hilarious that Liss is so similar to her.
“Don't think you'll be replacing me when you go back, bitch. Trust me when I say that I will come and hunt you down."
“I said she's similar to you, not that she is you. It would be good to see how you get on though. Why don't you come over for a week or two when we fly back out? Come on it will be fun. I can show you how the other half live." Jen burst out laughing at me.
“Have you heard yourself you posh cow?"
“You'd fit right in. Just imagine being able to sunbathe all day when you know the weathers this shit over here."
“Yeah, you've got a good point there actually. Maybe I could even find my own Muscles while I’m over there. Now that would be fun.”
“As long as you make sure you keep well away from my muscles, then we won’t have a problem.”
“Have you see how Max looks at you? He acts as if you’re the only person to have a fucking vagina, so I think you'll be pretty safe. He’s completely besotted with you.”
“Oh piss off.” I blush, suddenly feeling embarrassed. “Do you know what? I actually can’t wait to get back over there. Hopefully Stella will do one eventually, now that would be the icing on the bloody cake.”
“I’d love to meet her actually.” Jen says and I can tell from the look on her face that she’d make sure it was a first impression that Stella wouldn’t forget in a long while
.
Max
“Jess isn’t here.” I’ve been stood outside Jess’ house in the pouring down rain for about ten minutes waiting for her mum to answer the fucking door.
“I know. I’ve just come back to do some stuff for her while she’s catching up with Jen. So am I okay to come in?” She eyes me wearily, unsure whether or not to let ‘delightful’ me into the house or not.
“Do I have a choice?” Her attitude in general is fucking horrible, but with me she likes turn it up a few notches and I have no fucking idea why.
“Not really. It’s more of a surprise for her. You could always help me with it if you like?”
“What does she need a surprise for? It isn’t her birthday and it sure as hell isn’t any kind of special occasion.”
I smile at the woman stood before me, who apparently created my angel and I see no resemblance between them whatsoever.
“I know. I just want to do something nice for her. Is that such a bad thing Diana?”
“Well I guess that all depends on whether or not you have a guilty conscience, doesn’t it?” She pulls the door back to let me in and I turn to face her.
“I’m going to be completely honest with you. Yes I do have a guilty conscience and it’s a pretty fucking massive one and do you want to know why? I’m guilty because I wasn’t there for your daughter when she needed me, and the worst one? I’m guilty as hell for pushing her away, purely so I could stop myself from having to battle my own demons.”
Diana doesn’t say anything straight away, she just continues to look at me like I’m a fucking slug or something that’s she’s stood on, and it’s starting to really piss me off.
“Well Max, that’s pretty specific isn’t it?”
“I guess you want to know why I am telling you all this when you quite clearly couldn’t give a damn about me, and that’s perfectly fine by me. But I will tell you this. The reason why I am doing this is simple. I’m very fond of your daughter and I’ve come to realise that I will do everything and anything to make her happy, no matter what obstacles stand in my way. It’s clear that you’re not a huge fan of me and that’s cool, I get it, but from now, and for as long as she wants me to stay in her life, I’ll make damn sure that I’ll look after and provide her with the life that she deserves, and if that means surprising her for no particular reason then so be it.”
A faint, but noticeable smile crosses her lips as soon as I’ve finished my little
speech. “That’s good enough for me Max. How about I stick the kettle on before you start whatever it is that you’re planning?”
“Sounds pretty good to me, but I just need to grab some bits from the car. I won’t be long.” Fucking hell, she’s definitely going to be hard work
.
“What is it that you’re actually doing?” She asks as I walk back into the house with my arms brimming with flat cardboard boxes.
“Starting as she means to go on, by emptying all these negative reminders out of her life. I think we’ll start with the main culprit first of all. What do you say?”
“Josh?” Her eyes grow wide.
“Got it in one.”
“Have you spoken to her about this? I don’t know if she’ll be too happy if she comes home and finds his stuff gone. Are you even sure she wants him out of her life? For all you know, she could be waiting for him to come walking back through that door for him to tell her that he made a huge mistake and he should never have left her in the first place, yada yada.”
I struggle to understand what she’s saying. Did I just hear that right? She seems to be under the impression that Josh just upped and left one day. This is some crazy, crazy shit. But it’s not my place to say. That alone lies with Jess. One thing I won’t do is break her trust by setting her mother straight.
I’ve just about finished the front room when Diana comes back in to check on my progress.
“You’ll end up hurting her you know. Guys like you always do.”
JESS
It feels like any other weekend at Jens. Me and Jen have been sat on the sofa, curled up in our blankets watching re-runs of home and away. The only thing missing is George, but seeing as he is on a hot, smoking date that he wouldn’t dream of cancelling, we decided to go ahead and watch them anyway. As I’m so far behind, Jen’s having to watch most of them again.
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