Chapter Twenty-Six
Lucy
“Is that the only reason you’re here? To make sure I’m not running off with another man?” I ask, kind of liking this territorial vibe from him.
“Technically, no. When I found out you had come here, I started planning a trip to see you this weekend anyway. I just left a little earlier than planned.” He smiles, taking my hand in his as he leads us out the door.
After our shower, another round of sex, and then another shower, we decided to go out for dinner.
And it feels so normal. Nothing like we’ve ever done before.
Just an average couple heading out on a date on a Friday evening.
It’s funny, really. He’s been inside of me and kissed most parts of my body, multiple times, but we have never been on an actual date.
“So, as soon as you saw those pictures, you jumped in the car?” I tease.
“Basically, yes. Luckily, I had only seen them once my meeting had finished. Otherwise, I would have had a very upset team and an even angrier Tommy.” He jokes, tugging me into his side. “But either way, I would have seen you today.”
“You left work because of it? Why didn’t you just call me?” I ask, looking up at him.
“I was worried that if I called you straight after I saw it, I might not have handled it too well. So, the drive gave me some thinking time and got me to you sooner.” He says as he drops a kiss on the top of my head. “Also, I own a third of the company. I can do whatever I want.”
“Yeah, yeah. Okay, mister millionaire. No need to brag.” I laugh.
“If I were bragging, you would know I have a lot more than just a few million.” He says with a cheeky smile.
I have always known the two of them have done well for themselves, but I never realised just how well. It has made me feel a little less guilty for staying at the hotel for a while longer, though.
Maybe I should tell him how much I’m struggling.
Or at least that I’m on the lookout for work.
What would he say if he found out I was thinking of working for Riley?
I bet that conversation would go down like a lead balloon.
Although, since Riley’s offer, I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it.
No, not now. I’ll wait until after our date.
I want to enjoy every minute of tonight with him.
Sara is performing again tonight, so I didn’t have any plans made, except for breakfast tomorrow. But I will most likely be stuck in bed with this gorgeous man for most of the day. What a shame. I’m sure Sara will understand.
Whenever it comes to the friendship laws, she knows that the vagina takes top priority. Especially in my case. Unless it’s actually something urgent, of course.
“So, where are we going?” I ask, feeling content as we stroll down the street.
“I’m thinking… food first, then maybe a show after? Is there anything you haven’t watched yet? Or want to see again?”
Excitement bubbles up inside of me at the mere mention of a show. All I need now is to be the one on the stage, and my day would be made.
“Are you sure you wouldn’t mind watching a show?” I ask, not wanting to put him out.
“Lucy, stop putting everyone else before yourself. I’m happy to do whatever makes you happy. I’ll only spend the evening thinking about what we will get up to later on. Like how I am going to be buried deep inside of you, kissing you, eating you.” His voice gets deeper with each word.
He must be imagining it all just as I am. Heat flushes my neck and tingles jolt between my thighs. How can I feel this horny when I’ve already had him today, twice? My poor pussy was starved for so long that it’s desperate in case I put the chastity belt back on.
“We could grab a takeaway and go back now?” I say breathlessly.
“Absolutely not. Tonight, I am wining and dining my girl. The way I should have years ago.”
After having a gorgeous meal at a steakhouse in the city, we ended up watching ‘Matthew Bourne's Swan Lake’. I did see it a few years ago, and I enjoyed it just as much today as I did then. But it could be more to do with the gorgeous man sitting next to me. I’m pretty sure he spent more time watching me than the performance; either way, the smile never left his face.
Today has been the most perfect day, I have done all the things I love and ended it with the man I love. I couldn’t ask for anything more.
“I can understand why you love ballet so much now,” Max says as we leave the theatre.
“Really?” My eyes widen. “I didn’t realise you watched any of it, you were too busy looking at me.” I smile.
“That is true. But I did watch some, and it was beautiful. Almost as beautiful as when you were on stage.” He replies wistfully.
“You have never seen me on stage before,” I state. He must be on about videos I’ve posted on social media over the years.
“Actually, I have. In Paris.”
My footsteps falter, jerking him to a stop next to me.
I'm shocked by the thought of him in the audience. The number of times I would lie awake at night hoping that one day he would watch my show. To come for me. It was a wish I never thought would come true. We weren’t exactly on the best of terms when I left for Paris, so I knew it would never happen. Unless…
“You came for me?” I ask, scared that I have thought way too much about it.
“Yes.” He says with a weak smile. “But, after I saw you dance, I couldn’t do it. The last thing I ever wanted to do is spoil your dream. You were perfect up there on that big stage, doing exactly what you were born to do. I could never take that from you.”
“Max,” I say breathlessly. “My dream never meant anything without you living it with me.”
A lone tear escapes the corner of my eye. I can’t believe he was there. He came for me, and I never even knew it.
“Sugarplum,” he says softly as he brushes my cheek.
“You left so fast, I thought you didn’t want me.
I waited for you, waited for a phone call, a text, God, even a letter by carrier pigeon.
Then after a few months, I couldn’t wait any longer.
I sat at the back of the theatre every night for almost a week, but each time the curtains went down, I left.
I knew that if I spoke to you, I wouldn’t be able to let you go. ”
I can physically feel the pain in his words as if it were my own. The pain I caused both of us.
“Max. I am so, so sorry.” I say, unable to meet his gaze. “I don’t know what to say.”
His fingers thread through the hair at the nape of my neck, angling my head so I can look at him.
“Don’t be sorry. I understand why you did it. I just wish you’d have given us more time.”
“Me too,” I whisper.
He leans towards me, brushing his lips softly against mine as he whispers, “But baby, our time starts now. No more running from me, you understand? We’re in this together. You and me.”
“You and me,” I repeat, a small smile gracing my lips before he takes mine.
This isn’t the kind of kiss we have had before.
It is all-consuming. It’s love and loss all rolled into one.
I’m so lost in him, I forget where we are.
That is, until a group of teenage girls start whooping and clapping.
I pull away, shaking my head and laughing at the ridiculousness of us.
The girls are all dressed up as if they’ve been to the theatre too and are all looking at us in awe.
Max is smiling just as brightly as he pulls me into his side. “Let’s get back to the hotel so I can show you what you’ve really been missing.”