Chapter 22
22
STELLA
This was bliss.
I’d spent the entire day curled up on the bed reading in the sunshine whilst sipping on cocktails and snacking on delicious bar food. I couldn’t remember the last time I felt so relaxed.
After he’d left the pool, Max had disappeared for a couple of hours. When he came back, he’d moved a spare extra-large umbrella and placed it over the daybed because he said if I was going to stay outside reading, it was better I was in the shade, which was sweet.
I was starting to lose count of all the sweet things that he’d done for me, which was a problem. Combining the kind gestures with my growing attraction for him was a dangerous cocktail.
The last thing I wanted was to do something stupid like make a pass at him and get rejected.
He’d stayed for a few minutes but then started to act weird then said he was leaving. I wondered if he’d sensed that I liked him and thought it was better to create some distance. Either way, it was a good idea .
That was a few hours ago and I hadn’t seen him since. I glanced up and saw that most of the sun loungers were empty. Most people had probably left to get ready for the barbecue. Which was what I should be doing.
I headed to my room, showered then texted Mum to check how everything was with her and let her know I’d had a lovely day.
After noticing the bottle of wine Max had delivered with my dinner the other day that I never got around to drinking, I opened it, poured myself a glass and took a few generous gulps.
Just as I was about to do my hair, my phone rang.
‘Hi!’
‘Ooh,’ Sammie said, ‘you sound much brighter! Did you and Max do the naked dance? Is that why you’re in such a good mood?’
‘No! A woman’s happiness doesn’t have to be defined by her attachment to a man’s penis.’
‘True. But it wouldn’t hurt to have a go anyway!’
I wouldn’t mind trying, but I wasn’t going to tell her that.
‘How are you?’
‘I’m okay, just chugging along. You know how it is. Actually, you don’t. I’m here in dreary London and you’re relaxing in the sun with a hunky guy.’
‘I can’t lie. I spent a whole day reading by the pool, sipping Mojitos in the sunshine. It was heaven.’ I took another large sip of wine.
‘I know how much you love your books, but if I had a man like Max who’d come to my rescue after I flashed the entire hotel, I’d have my head buried between his legs instead of in a novel!’ she laughed.
‘So crude!’ I stifled a giggle. ‘That was only the start of the nice things he’s done. ’
As I poured myself some more wine, I told Sammie all about the walking trip, him bringing me dinner and how nice his playlists were.
When I also let slip how cute the photos were, she insisted I send some for her to look over immediately.
Earlier, Jasmine had sent a link to view the photos we’d chosen as our favourites so far, which were mainly taken on Max’s mobile and digital camera and I may have downloaded them straight away on my phone.
I pulled them up on my screen then swooned. The one of me resting my head on Max’s shoulder really was cute. I sent them to Sammie whilst she was still on the phone.
‘Oh my God!’ she screamed. ‘You two are bloody adorable! And holy shit! Max is a fucking god! What the hell are you doing, Stell? How are you even able to talk or think straight with him next to you?’
‘With great difficulty.’ I blew out a breath. ‘Earlier he was putting sun lotion on my back and… let’s just say I found it very enjoyable.’
‘Shit. I can imagine! So if you like him, why don’t you just go for it? I know what happened was crappy, but that was years ago. I’m not trying to downplay what you went through. Remember, I was there. I saw how you suffered, but maybe you can push it to the back of your mind somehow? I’d hate to see your past ruin your future.’
‘I wish it was that simple.’ I drained my glass. This wine was so good.
‘Why not just take advantage of the situation? Use it for your own good. It’s been ages since you had a shag, so can’t you just be fuck buddies? Have a bit of fun in the sun? It doesn’t have to be anything deep – just a holiday fling. Give your poor vibrator a break and get the real thing! ’
‘You’re forgetting one thing: sex involves two willing parties. It doesn’t matter if I’m attracted to Max. He doesn’t feel the same way.’
‘How do you know?’
‘He said, at the beginning, that if we stuck it out for the week it wouldn’t be anything romantic.’
‘You’re forgetting that you also hated his guts at the beginning, but now you feel differently.’
‘Even when I was standing in the pool topless, Max didn’t show the slightest bit of interest.’ I ignored her comment, which was annoyingly accurate, and drank more wine to console myself.
‘He was being a gentleman!’
‘And the only reason he put sun lotion on my back today was because Jasmine suggested it and he probably felt bad saying no.’
‘I doubt that.’
‘He was so repulsed by touching me that he only lasted two minutes before stopping and diving into the pool. Oh, and he’s avoided me for most of the day. Those enough reasons for you?’
‘Maybe he was hot. And you said he’s the CEO, right? He probably had work stuff to do.’
‘I don’t know. He was acting weird. Anyway, I’m not going to make a fool of myself. If he’s interested, which like I said, I doubt, he’ll need to make the first move.’
‘Come on,’ Sammie sighed. ‘This isn’t the 1900s! Did Beyoncé teach you nothing? We’re strong, independent women! We don’t need to wait for a man to make the first move. If you want to have some fun with Max, tell him. The least he owes you is an apology fuck.’
‘I don’t want an apology fuck!’
‘Yeah, you do! Think about it. If he’s really sorry, he’ll do whatever he can to make it up to you. He owes you twelve years of orgasms! It’s time to collect!’
As I pictured Max with his head between my thighs sucking on my clit, tingles shot up my spine.
Sammie was right about one thing. It would be nice to experience an orgasm that wasn’t given to me by my vibrator.
But for all of the reasons I’d already mentioned, I wasn’t sure that declaring my attraction to Max was a good idea.
‘I’ll think about it.’
‘Good!’
‘I’d better get ready. We’ve got a beach barbecue and party tonight. I hope they have more of this wine or those delicious cocktails.’
‘What wine? Are you drinking right now?’
‘Maybe. I had a few cocktails by the pool and now I’m on the wine from the other day.’
‘Whoa… easy, tiger! You should pace yourself. You know what a lightweight you are.’
‘I’ll be fine.’
‘If you say so. You’re so lucky to be going to a barbecue and a party on the beach! Speaking of that, don’t forget to wear one of those thongs your mum gave you, in case you do get lucky tonight!’
‘Bye, Sammie,’ I said.
‘Laters, sweetie!’
As I put the phone down, a naughty giggle slipped from my lips. Must be the alcohol making me feel lightheaded.
I went to the wardrobe and opened the drawers. Coincidentally the ‘Touch Me’ thong was right at the top.
Just the thought of Max touching me made me quiver with excitement .
My inhibitions were evaporating faster than the wine in my glass.
Which was probably why I plucked the red lacy thong out of the drawers and slid it on.
Just in case…