Page 76 of Blurry Little Lines
“Nah, we have a dance to watch.” He runs a hand through his sleepy hair, and I wish the kids were still asleep in their rooms. We haven’t had sex since before the last gala, and I am so desperate for him.
“Yeah, Mom. I have been working really hard on the dance with my friends.” Mallory winks at Max with a smile. “Right?”
“We have to work on yourslyskills, Mallory.” I laugh. “What’s going on?”
“Nothing,” the two of them say in unison.
We get up and make it out the door by lunch time. I look down at my fitted summer dress and feel confident. I have managed to keep my status under the radar with Mallory’s swim team, so today, I don’t have to deal with elites pushing for a story. Today, I’m just a mom here to support her daughter. Max and Mallory go off to find her team while the band on stage plays music. James and I stick to the food table in a large courtyard, while a band introduces a few acts.
“There you are.” My father’s voice comes up behind me.
“Grandpa!” James runs for a hug. “Mallory is going to dance up there.” He points to the stage.
“I know. I wouldn’t miss it for the world,” he replies as Lauren and Adam walk over with my mother.
“You look cute.” Lauren pokes my bump.
“I’m going to go take a look at the auction table.” My mother smiles. “Did you donate anything?”
“Mother, of course.” Though I would have still rather written a check than donate a full day at some ritzy spa that someone is still going to technically pay for.
We fill our plates with food and sit at the table as Mallory begins her dance. It’s nothing fancy, but cute for sure. I glance at my watch, wondering if we can take off after this. Max sits beside me with his hand on my thigh, and I am really hoping my parents or brother offer to take the kids for the night. Mallory runs off the stage beaming.
“Good job, baby.” I wrap my arms around my mini. “I’m so proud of you.”
“I was nervous, but it was worth it for a good cause.” She takes a seat in the chair next to me, and that’s when I realize Max has gotten up.
I glance around the food table to see if he went to get James something to eat. The clearing of a familiar throat sounds through the speakers and whips my head forward. No. No way this is happening. Max stands front and center stage with a guitar and his gaze down.
“Thank you for sticking around and letting me close the show for you.” He runs a hand through his hair as a group of teenage girls giggle and whisper in the corner. “This is the first and last time I will ever do this. Life is not meant to be feared. It’s when you keep breaking through your fears that you prove you can rise above anything.” His schoolboy grin lights up the room as his eyes meet mine. “This one’s for you, Kelsie.”
One of my favorite songs fills the courtyard as I sit mesmerized, listening to Max sing for the crowd. This man has continued to prove the nerve-racking depths he will go to. How out of his comfort zone he will be to show his love for me. Never had I imagined him performing for a crowd. Especially without me singing by his side.
“You had my heart a long, long time ago.” He changes the lyrics up throughout the song to suit our life, and I melt even more. “Kelsie, don’t you know.”
I feel my cheeks heat as I sit there like a tomato, with all eyes moving back and forth from the stage and me. He finishes the song as the crowd cheers. Standing, he takes a deep breath and thanks the venue once again for the opportunity.
“Kelsie?” Lauren grabs my attention, but I barely register what she is saying as my mind stays focus on what Max just did for me. “Adam and I will take the kids tonight.” She winks as my kids cheer.
“What? No.” Adam shakes his head. “Not forthat.”He attempts to be discreet.
“Exactly forthat.” Lauren laughs, and my eyes remain locked on Max’s every move.
The haze clouding my head is anything but confusing. Why do I keep depriving myself of this man? The applaud and bustling of people fade out as a trance takes over. Not only does my body scream in desperation for him, but my heart can no longer take it. I need to consume him with my soul in every way. Max wears a bashful grin, as if in disbelief he actually performed for a crowd. I stand, taking his hand wordlessly as I pull us out of the building with quickening steps. It’s probably obvious to the crowd what happens next, and for once, I want everyone to know he is mine.
Chapter 31
Max
My heart beats through my throat as I step off the stage, my eyes never once leaving the woman who I have laid everything on the line for. This has been one of my last attempts to prove my love, before going completely insane from thinking of what more I’d have to do for her guard to drop, and she allows herself to be herself. The version of Kelsie who grew up wanting it all. The love, family life, trust, a partner to love her endlessly. Even if today didn’t work, I’ll still be by her side until she can set her free.
Kelsie stands, wearing a blank face I’ve never seen before and eyes which hold a hint of shock and slight adoration. If only her lips would turn into a smile, I’d be able to release a breath of relief. Her tiny hand takes hold of mine, but her tight grasp has me stumbling forward and following her out of the courtyard. I keep quiet as she drags me a few blocks back to her hotel. Her steps are rushed, and she’s breathing hard, but I feel she may be getting aggression out. I debate if I should start apologizing now for the public declaration or wait until we are alone and let her blow up about how a possible story could be blasted online with the confirmation of our relationship. Maybe I took it too far, too soon.
I’m short of breath when we enter the lobby. As my eyes shoot to the stairs, I’m tugged toward the busy lounge bar. Eric shoots me a wink as he watches the woman in front of me weave us through the tables to the staff room–the break room, which I have dragged too many women into. What Eric doesn’t realize is that this woman is probably beyond humiliated and doesn’t have the patience to make it up to the penthouse before chewing me out. I step into the room after her and just as I reach behind me to close the door, her hands meet my shoulders, pushing me against it with such force I never knew this woman obtained.
I huff a small laugh of disbelief, taken aback by her bold strength. Her serious face looks up at me, and with a deep breath expanding her chest, her hands cup my face as she pulls me in for a kiss. Not just any kiss. The searing desperation emanates off her lips and tells me she is anything but pissed. Passion flows off her tongue as I part my lips and allow her to enter. Jesus, if I thought she could give one hell of a kiss before, she’s taken me by surprise once again. Too soon, she pulls back. Her eyes holding words she still has yet to speak out loud.
“Kelsie.”