Chapter Twenty-Four.

Helena "Please," I beg through a shaky breath. "Please kiss me."

Max groans, running a hand down his face. "C'mon, sweetheart. You don't even like me. Now I know you're drunk."

Reaching up, I take his hands down from his face and hold them tight. "I'm not drunk." But he eyes me in a way that I know he knows I've been drinking, so I adjust my last statement. "I'm not that drunk. I'm tipsy at most. I'm Croatian, dude. It'll take a lot of booze to take me down."

He hesitates, but right now, I'm willing to do anything to have those lips on mine. Anything. Even play dirty. I play with his fingers and look down at his manly hands. They're nice hands. "Do you know the last time I was with a guy was four years ago? Seriously, Max. Four years ago! And it's building up inside of me, you know, that feeling? I just...I just really want to feel that again." I fight a sigh. "I sound like a crazy person, don't I?"

When I lift my face, we're nose to nose. His eyes search mine a long moment before he gently presses his lips to mine. My stomach dips. He keeps his eyes on mine, watching for my reaction. The kiss lasts a few seconds and it's nice, but as he pulls away, I feel myself pout.

That was it?

Lifting his hand, he runs his thumb over my bottom lip and utters, "Okay?" Blinking, speech evades me. I simply nod. His gaze moves down to my lips, and without meaning to, they part slightly. Max closes his eyes tightly and mutters, "I'm trying to be good here, Lena. Stop doing that."

I'm confused. "Doing what?"

Lifting his hand, he pinches the bridge of his nose. "Stop being s.e.xy."

And my v.a.g.i.n.a floods.

When I discreetly press my thighs together, Max spots it. His eyes flash. "f.u.c.k. Now you've done it." His warm lips connect with mine, harder than before. One arm goes around me while the other hand fists in my hair. And it hurts. I whimper. Oh G.o.d, it hurts so good. It's like he knows exactly what I need.

My eyes close. I moan into his mouth. I pull away only a second to pant, "More." My hands roam his broad chest a moment before he slips his cool tongue into my mouth. He tastes like icy, sweet mint. In a moment of sheer bliss, I gasp into him and fist his shirt.

Tilting his head to the side, he deepens the kiss, pulling me impossibly close. His lips leave mine. He pecks kisses onto my lips before trailing down my jaw, further down my throat, kissing a line down to the valley between my b.r.e.a.s.t.s.

My nipples become taut; I feel them rubbing through the sheer material of my dress. d.a.m.n. I can't stop. I want this too much. Lowering my head, I place my lips by his ear and whisper, "Take me somewhere."

His lips still and he pulls away, covering his eyes with his hands, almost looking ashamed. "You got me f.u.c.ked up." Only loud enough for me to hear, he mutters through a sigh, "You got me seriously f.u.c.ked up, cupcake."

He moves to stand, but I snag his wrist and ask in shock, "Wh-where are you going?"

Avoiding my gaze, he places his hands in his pockets and looks down to the floor. Taking in a deep breath, he responds on an exhale, "You don't want me. Don't worry; I'm not judging. I get it. You miss it." He puffs out a long breath. "I do too." Looking pained, he closes his eyes. "And looking like you do, smelling like you do, with my c.o.c.k aching just from you standing a foot away from me, it's hard to turn you down." He steps away from me, adding, "But you deserve better." He turns and walks away from me.

Oh, h.e.l.l no.

I might have put up with this once, but I am not putting up with it again. I stand so hard that my stool wobbles as I stomp after him. Gaining on him, I reach his side and grab hold of his arm. He looks down at me in confusion, but I cut him off, p.i.s.sed as h.e.l.l. "Don't you do that. Don't you tell me you think you know what's best for me." Going out on a limb here, I pause, and then ask cautiously, "Do you want me?"

He shakes his head. "That's not the point."

My heart aches. "That is exactly the point. Tell me. Do you want me or not?" Because if he doesn't, I'll walk away and pretend none of this ever happened. I'll do what I can to maintain a relationship with Ceecee and help her whenever she needs. Max and I will go back to being friends.

He steps closer to me, his hand cupping my waist. "I want you. I want you more than anyone I've ever wanted in my life."

I can't believe this. Did he really just say that? Oh lawdy lawd, he did. What am I meant to do with this? Slowly, so as not to spook him, I wrap my arms around his neck and pull his face down to mine. A hair's breadth away from his lips, I utter, "Then take me home."

Reaching up, he takes my hands and lowers them. "I can't give you anything. I don't want a relationship, Lena."

And angels sing in my ear. I smile from ear to ear, and then chuckle. "Me either."

His brows furrow. "What? I'm not kidding, cupcake. I don't want a relationship."

My hands clap together in front of my chest, and I murmur, "Dear G.o.d, you're perfect." Grinning, I tell him, "Same here. I don't want a relationship. I worked my a.s.s off to get where I am. I don't need a man to make my life complete. I just want to have some fun."

He straightens, thinking about what I've just said. He points to me. "Then what exactly would this be?"

I shrug. "No strings. Friendship. s.e.x. Affection. Whatever."

His eyes widen marginally. "That sounds pretty good, actually." But his face falls. "What about Ceecee?"

"I love Ceecee. I'll continue to work out with her, and I'll make sure she doesn't know about us."

He scratches at the back of his head. "I don't keep things from my daughter. I'd have to tell her."

Huh? "Tell her what, Max?" I lean forward and whisper loudly, "That we're f.u.c.king?"

His face turns serious. "No, but I'd have to tell her I like you and that we're more than friends. I'd tell her you're my girlfriend, for as long as we want to do this. Then, when you get sick of me, I'll just tell her we broke up."

His girlfriend? My heart starts to palpitate. I swallow hard. "But we'd just be friends that are b.u.mping uglies, right? I wouldn't actually be your girlfriend. Right?"

"I don't share you. If you want to sleep with someone else, this all stops, yeah?"

My nose bunches. "I wasn't planning on sleeping with anyone else, Max."

A small smirk appears on his face. "Friends that share affection and sleep together. I think that would make you my girlfriend, baby."

My stomach and heart flutter in unison. I like that he called me baby. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad if he called me his girlfriend. Even though I know this term is a fabrication of what would really be happening. "What would we tell everyone else?" I ask quietly.

He wraps his arms around my waist, pulling me into his torso. "Exactly what we tell Ceecee." He leans down to peck at my lips. "I won't keep you a secret, Lena."

I look off into the distance, mind working a mile a minute. "I'd have to tell James then. He might tell me I can't work with Ceecee anymore. Now it's a definite conflict of interest."

"Let me talk to him. I'll take you home tonight, sleep at yours, and then we'll tell Ceecee tomorrow over breakfast, yeah?"

Oh my G.o.d. This is really happening.

"Okay." I smile up at him. "Yeah, okay. So we're really doing this?"

His nose touches the tip of mine then captures my lips in a sweet but firm kiss, leaving me breathless. He pulls away and my eyelids flutter as he utters through a smile, "f.u.c.k yeah. We're doing this."

The kissing started as soon as we got out of the car. I threw my door open, stepped out, and went to rush up the stairs to my apartment, but Max showed me he had other plans. As soon as my feet hit the sidewalk, arms circle my waist from behind, holding my body still. I turn in his arms, and as soon as I see his smiling eyes, I melt. It's not fair for someone to be that good looking. It just isn't.

"Hey," he mutters.

I smile. How can I not? "Hi." He pulls me close, cupping my cheek as his lips. .h.i.t mine. I grip his sides tightly, trying my hardest not to fall over, although I'm sure he would catch me. He kisses my mouth then runs his lips over my bottom one, nipping then soothing the sting with gentle, warm pecks. My heart aches from the tenderness his mouth rains upon mine. The leisurely kiss is intoxicating. Soon, I feel light and happy knowing we'll be in my apartment tearing clothes from each other.

My v.a.g.i.n.a twerks in approval.

Against my lips, he mutters, "I don't think we should have s.e.x tonight."

Shock hums through my body, killing my buzz. My jaw drops and I ask on a whisper, "What?"

Lifting a hand, he searches my face and tugs at the ends of my hair. "Listen, you've been drinking, and I need to be sure you want this as much as I do, or we're gonna have problems."

Oh, brother.

The alcohol in my body hangs its head in shame while my mind shakes its head at it, and my v.a.g.i.n.a puts its hands on its hips and glares at it.

I reach up and grip the lapels of his shirt, smiling hard. "I'm fine. I swear." My smile falls. "Please don't withhold s.e.x from me." I laugh nervously. "It's been too long and I might just go crazy."

His lips. .h.i.t my forehead. His breath warms me as he speaks softly, "What's another day on four years?"

He has a point. I guess. But I pout and whine, "But I want s.e.x now."

Reaching behind me, his large hands grip my a.s.s. h.e.l.lo! He pulls me into his body and my stomach dips violently as something hot, thick, and hard pushes into the softness of my belly. He replies hoa.r.s.ely, "Me too. And I want it bad, but I want to wait. Just until tomorrow."

His hands grip my behind harder. His eyes close as he pushes deeper into my belly. With a pained groan, he pulls away, and I bite my lip to stop my smile. It pleases me knowing I'm not the only one suffering. And because I'm as cla.s.sy as an elephant in a tutu, I look right down at his erection and gasp, "Oh my," while touching my fingertips to my mouth. If the outline of his bulge is anything to go by, I'm going to be very sore tomorrow night. And I'm so looking forward to it.

Holla!

Not taking my eyes off the groin of his jeans, I sigh. "Okay. We'll wait."

Holding his hand out to me, I take it and bask in the warmth of his body. He entwines our fingers and we walk to my apartment in comfortable silence. Somewhere between there and here, it hits me. I'm standing in front of my apartment, hand-in-hand with the guy I've been crushing on, and he wants me as much as I want him. Happiness warms me. I let out a content sigh. I don't feel lonely anymore.

Taking my key, I unlock my apartment and open the door. The second I walk in, Tedwood lunges for me. At the last second, he notices I have company, and instead of latching onto my leg, he flies past it, purring and rubbing himself up against Max's calf.

The little worm!

Anger bubbles through me. Without thinking, I kneel down then lower my face to the small cat's, point at his nose, and whisper, "I know what you're doing...and I don't like it."

Blinking up at me, Teddy steps forward and licks the tip of my finger. Anyone else would see this as a sweet gesture. They would oooh and aaah and tell me how sweet my little kitty is. But I know what this is.

This is Tedwood mocking me. I'm being mocked by a freaking kitten.

I stand, remove my shoes, and throw out my hand while walking into the kitchen. "That's Tedwood. Teddy for short. He hates me, but pretends he likes me when I have company. He likes to mock me by letting me pat him for approximately four pats and not a pat more, or he turns my hand into minced meat. He also shows his love by shredding my clothes. Oh, and yesterday, he did a giant cat t.u.r.d in my favorite sneakers."

Filling a gla.s.s with water, I sip from it and watch as Max picks up Tedwood, holding him in front of his face with a stern glare. "Listen here, little man. You upset your mom, you upset me. So if I were you, I'd stop with the stooge antics, all right?"

He takes his finger and scratches behind his ear. Holding Teddy under his arm, he smiles over at me. "There. You have any more issues, you let me know. I'll put him in line."

My heart smiles. Sweet, silly Max. Max walks over to where I am and takes the gla.s.s of water from my hands, taking a big gulp. "So are you just gonna stand there stroking my p.u.s.s.y all night?"

Water sprays all over the counter, and I smirk as Max coughs and sputters, "Jesus, cupcake." He coughs some more. "You're killin' me."

I plant my palm on his chest and taunt him with a grin. "Your rule, not mine, remember?" He places Teddy on the counter, looks over at me with a sly smile, and then reaches down, grips the bottom of his shirt, and pulls it right up, over his head. I take a step away and gulp. "You said no s.e.x."

Reaching for me, he pulls the thin string around my waist and my dress loosens. "I said no s.e.x. I didn't say I wouldn't be touching you tonight."

My dress falls off one shoulder, revealing my black lace bra. Another step back, and the other shoulder falls, the dress pooling at my feet, leaving me in my bra, a black mini skirt, and my tan sandals. Thank G.o.d almighty for the low lighting. You can't hide from much, dressed like this.

Max takes a step towards me and I take him in. His lean, muscular body taunts me. My soft belly protrudes a little, and I lift my hand to cover it. He shakes his head. "Don't do that. I want to see you. I've imagined this a thousand times, so really, it's nothing I haven't already seen."

My cheeks heat. "I'm not perfect."

He holds out his arms by his sides. "Neither am I."

Before my mind can think, my mouth opens wide and sings, "Yes, you are." He eyes me. With his hands balled by his sides, I see the veins in his arms bulge. His body tight, his pecks jut and jump about. I could be wrong, but I think I've said something to upset him. I whisper, "What's wrong?"

Jaw steeled, he mutters through gritted teeth, "Just trying not to pull up that tiny skirt and f.u.c.k you over the counter, is all."

Sweet lord of mercy. I swallow hard, then stutter, "I-uh...I-I wouldn't mind."

He walks over to me slowly, his eyes never leaving mine. On the way, he undoes his belt, unthreads it, and drops it on the floor. The clank echoes throughout the apartment. He toes off his shoes and socks, leaving a trail of clothing behind him. Then he's dressed only in dark jeans, his torso and feet free.

And it's the s.e.xiest thing I've ever seen in my life.

My heart races and my palms sweat.

The only thing s.e.xier would be if he were wearing his gla.s.ses. The mental visual gives me goose b.u.mps. He stops a foot away from me, the moonlight streaking across his face. His golden eyes flash as his eyes trail my exposed body. "You're even more beautiful than I imagined."

My brain sneezes and causes a short somewhere. I blurt out, "I have a fat a.s.s."

His lips twitch and he scratches at his chin. "I gotta be honest here." He takes a small step forward, leaning down until his lips touch the sh.e.l.l of my ear. "Your a.s.s makes me harder than h.e.l.l, baby." I shudder, and involuntarily, my eyes close. I breathe out a sigh as his hand cups my b.u.t.t. He squeezes. "This a.s.s." He squeezes harder, borderline painfully. "This a.s.s has kept me awake at night," he sighs then lowers his voice to a whisper, "and I never even missed the sleep."

That. Is. It.

I groan then growl, "Ugh! You can't just say things like that, Max!"

His lips tilt up at the side. "Sure I can. I just did."

I roll my eyes. "Not when you're planning to keep your c.o.c.k in your pants, you're not!"

His hands slide up from my a.s.s to grip my hips. He looks me in the eye and says slowly, meaningfully, "Who said anything about keeping it in my pants?"

And my v.a.g.i.n.a swoons in a cold, dead faint.

Chapter Twenty-Five.