Page 26 of Blurry Little Lines
“I’m going to take advantage of seeing you every day for the next two months until you move out.” I laugh and watch as Mallory dives into the deep end.
“Our new bedroom overlooks the ocean on the cliff, and I have a big spare room for all my foster bags.” Lauren smiles. She opened up a duffle bag charity for children in foster care who need supplies or who have been carrying their belongings from home to home in a trash bag. As a foster child herself, she knows the struggles and rarity of having all her needs met.
“I’m glad you and my brother worked through all your struggles. Did you think a year ago that you’d be living with the man who smashed his thumb with a hammer?”
“Therapy has done me wonders, honestly,” Lauren admits. “He’s still annoyed that I won't use his funds to help grow my business, though.”
“Who would have thought?” I laugh, knowing my brother was nothing but casual with women for years, swearing he didn’t want a relationship because women only want him for his bank account.
“Speaking of thoughts.” She smirks at me, and I can predict her next sentence. “What’s going on between you and Max? And don’t say ‘nothing’, because I saw the way Max was looking at you the other week while we were tipsy and dancing.”
I take a moment to myself and process the best honest answer without giving too much away. I filter through my brain, not knowing where to start. We are still friends and have been able to act like nothing sexual has happened between us, yet there is sexual tension at the same time. I put the floaty on James and let him swim to the other end of the pool where Mallory is lying on a large unicorn raft.
“Max and I are friends, but somehow manage to ignore each moonlight interaction that comes about.” I feel my cheeks heat.
“Keep going.” Her eyes bug out with encouragement. “I knew there was something between you two the moment I met you both.” I remember the first time she cornered me during a fitness class, hinting how he and I should be together. I called her crazy since he was just a friend. Hell, he still is.
“That’s all there is. We only kissed once, but that was maybe a mistake.”
“A mistake because you want more?” She squeals, but hushes herself in fear of drawing too much attention to invite the kids to swim back over. “When?”
I give in and throw the eager girl a bone, but clarify how nothing more will happen and that Max and I are on the same page with our friendship.
“Out of your system?” She laughs. “No, you two will end up banging before it’s finally out of your system.”
“I’m not going to bang my best friend.” I hold a sharp tone to solidify my statement.
A basket of strawberries and tub of Cool Whip sit on the table next to me in my favorite round chair. I tucked myself into the back corner of my penthouse against the floor-to-ceiling windows. Nothing but the illumination from the surrounding city lights up my living space. I glance down at the road below, as it’s quiet for one in the morning on the weekend. Not that I have many late nights of observation for comparison. Insomnia has gotten the best of me. So, instead of tossing and turning with aggravation in bed, I’m taking in the quiet of the night.
Mid-bite of a strawberry, I freeze. Footsteps make their way down the hallway.Please don’t be James.It will be impossible to get him back to sleep if he wakes at this hour. I hold my breath, then completely lose the ability to breathe as Max rounds the corner. His hand runs through his messy hair, but it’s his bare, chiseled chest that my eyes latch onto. I keep quiet as he walks to the fridge to grab water. He must have not noticed me or my eyes burning through him as the open fridge highlights the curve of his toned ass through his tight black underwear.
He walks into the living room and drops to the ground for a set of push-ups. My mouth dries and my lower region dampens. I should clear my throat or make my presence known to give him the same non creepy respect he gave me on the rooftop, but I’m too entranced in the flexing of his muscles. Max gets on his forearms in a plank position and his abs clench, forming tighter little hills I want to run my tongue over.
Blink, Kelsie. Clear your throat and walk back to bed. Do something to break this moment.The strawberry remains still, halfway through my teeth with my lips plump around it. I’d look like a fool if he noticed, so I remain like a statue.
“It’s not polite to stare, half pint.” The huskiness in his voice swirls deep in my lower stomach. It’s only after he speaks that he lifts his head and stares directly at me.
Miraculously, I hold his darkening eyes and slowly bite the strawberry. I finish chewing before I smirk and shoot him a sassy remark.
“Who else is going to tell you if your form is correct?”
His lip twitches as he bites back a smirk. As Max gets out of the plank position, I figure he’s going to touch his toes to stretch, but he transitions into a panty-dropping handstand and starts doing push-ups. I feel my jaw hang loose as I watch his powerful body move, keeping me captivated. Good Lord, this man has more strength than I ever imagined. He could easily pick me up and pin me against the wall. Stamina wouldn’t be an issue for him.
“I think I know the proper positions to put my body in.” Max’s deep voice causes me to jump.
When did he walk up to me?
“Yeah, yeah. If you say so.” I swallow as my eyes track his thick hand picking up a strawberry.
“I could let you be the judge.” His gravelly tone lures my eyes to lock with his deep blues.
He steps closer, his body radiating heat an inch from mine, and a finger tilts up my chin. As Max lowers the strawberry to my mouth, my lips part, opening up to the fruit. The moment my teeth pierce through the berry, his hand encompasses my throat. With a light squeeze, his hand slowly drags down my neck. I’m hypnotized under his touch as his fingers continue their descent, tracing across the top of my left breast and over my shoulder. There is no point in attempting to hide my rapid breathing. My pulse under his touch confirms exactly how my body is reacting to this moment.
With his eyes locked on mine, Max bends down, connecting our lips in a slow kiss that is in no rhythm to the beating of my heart. My arms wrap around his neck as he picks me up, turning us around so I’m now straddling him in the chair. His tongue dances with mine as he sucks the strawberry off my tongue.
I roll my hips and body against him and his gritty moan echoes in the back of my throat. His rough hands slide up my back, under my silk tank top, and firmly grip my rib cage, pulling me tighter to him. As his thumbs brush under the curves of my breasts, I realize this is the first time he’s ever felt them. As desperate as I am to feel his hands explore all of me, things are heating up too quickly.
“I want this, but...” I pull back, hoping Max ignores me completely, and leans in to kiss me, taking full control. “We shou—” I’m panting so hard I can’t finish my sentence.