Chapter 32
32
STELLA
The sound of a phone notification jolted me out of my sleep. I slowly opened my eyes and squinted as I took in my surroundings.
For a second I was confused about where I was, then I remembered I was in the villa now. This was my new bedroom.
As I sat up in the bed, I winced. My whole body ached like I’d just done a marathon gym workout.
Then I remembered.
Max.
It wasn’t a dream.
We’d hooked up. Multiple times.
After he’d gone down on me, he’d fucked me against the wall. Then we’d showered together and were supposed to get ready for dinner, but we’d fallen asleep. When we woke up, it was after midnight and we were horny so we did it again on the bed. Twice.
I’d had more sex in the last twenty-four hours than I had in probably the last two years. And I felt bloody amazing.
Although I tried to deny it, I knew from the moment I saw him again that me and Max would have insane chemistry in the bedroom. We had an incredible connection when we dated and time and experience had only intensified that.
Getting caught on the massage bed was embarrassing but I wasn’t going to lie: I’d never been so turned on in my life. Knowing that it was forbidden in so many ways heightened the pleasure. When Max had his hands all over me, I didn’t care about the fact that someone might hear or walk in on us. I had only one objective: to feel Max inside me. And once I’d experienced that feeling, I couldn’t get enough of him.
And oh, my, God . When he went down on me in the hallway: Jesus. I’d never experienced pleasure like it. Max and I dabbled in oral sex when we dated, but we were only in our late teens. At the time, of course, we thought we knew what we were doing, but I could confirm with 100 per cent certainty that Max had mastered his technique now. He’d picked up an arsenal of new skills and I was happy that I got to benefit from them.
After experiencing how talented he was with his tongue, the Pussy Professional title didn’t do him justice on its own. The man was an Oral Aficionado .
Speaking of Max, I wondered where he was? I threw off the sheet, swung my legs out of the bed, then hobbled to the window to draw the curtains.
My poor vagina felt like it had been rubbed with sandpaper, but I wasn’t complaining. The soreness was worth it.
Once I’d brushed my teeth and washed my face, I went to look for him.
Max’s bedroom door was open and the bed was made. I didn’t even know if he’d slept there or with me. The villa seemed empty.
When I went into the kitchen, there was a note pinned to the fridge .
Morning!
Hope you slept well. Gone to get some stuff for breakfast.
Back soon,
M x
My heart fluttered. That was so sweet of him.
As well as some bread and fresh fruit, luckily the hotel had stocked the fridge with ham, milk, butter and cheese, so last night we didn’t go hungry. But we’d eaten most of the food, so I was glad Max had gone to get more.
Now we had a kitchen of our own, it made sense to eat here sometimes instead of always going to the restaurant. It was more intimate. The Love Hotel organisers knew what they were doing by moving the couples in together.
I laughed to myself as I thought about the fuss we’d made when we were told we’d be sharing this villa. And look what happened. Hours later we were here fucking like rabbits.
If I was being honest, we both knew that this would happen. We’d tried to fight it, but in the end the pull between us was too strong. Even if they’d put us in rooms at separate ends of the hotel, sooner or later we would’ve ended up screwing. Sometimes, chemistry couldn’t be denied.
There was a reason I was trying to deny the attraction though: I didn’t want to get hurt. But I wasn’t going to worry about that for now. I just wanted to enjoy myself.
I heard the villa door close and Max came in the kitchen.
‘Hey!’ he smiled. ‘You’re awake!’
‘Only just,’ I grinned as my eyes scanned him from head to toe.
Max was so gorgeous. His hair was wavy, his tanned skin glowed and those muscular arms were incredible. I was so glad that I didn’t have to admire them from afar any more. Now, I could run my hands all over them.
‘Good morning.’ Max put the shopping bags on the floor, strode over to me and crushed his lips on mine, giving me a long, slow kiss. My body fizzed with excitement.
‘Mmm,’ I said when we eventually came up for air. ‘That’s definitely a good way to start the morning.’
‘Yeah. I could think of an even better way,’ he licked his lips, ‘but after our workout last night and earlier, we need to eat. I’m gonna make breakfast so go and relax on the patio and I’ll let you know when it’s ready.’
Now we were in charge of our own activities, we didn’t have morning briefings.
‘Ooh! Thanks!’ I said, thinking that no one had offered to make me breakfast before. ‘If you’re sure you don’t need a hand, I’ll go and have a shower first.’
‘I’m good. Go for it. And help yourself to the products.’
When I went in the bathroom there was a whole selection of shower gels, soaps and creams from Max’s company. Everything looked so amazing I couldn’t wait to try them.
I took much longer in the shower than I should’ve, but those Olibella products were divine. I didn’t think my skin had ever felt or smelt so soft. Having access to all of these products was a dream.
Once I’d got dressed, I checked in on Max, who said he needed another half an hour, so rather than lounging around on the patio whilst he was hard at work in the kitchen, I offered to collect yesterday’s photos.
It’d also give me time to call Sammie. She’d texted last night to see how the villa move and massage had gone, but I was otherwise engaged .
Seeing as I had time to kill, I took the long route to reception via the beach.
There wasn’t a single cloud in the bright blue sky and as the gentle waves rolled towards me, I closed my eyes and inhaled the salty sea air.
I took off my flip-flops and exhaled, my feet sinking into the soft, warm sand. This was miles away from trudging along the cold, wet pavements to the post office like I did every day in London. This place was paradise.
When I first arrived and saw Max, all I wanted to do was rush home, but I was so glad I’d stayed. Everything right now was like a dream. No. It was better. It was like I was living in a romance novel. I was so happy I never wanted to leave.
I pulled out my phone and dialled Sammie’s number. After a few rings, she picked up.
‘So, have you and Max shagged yet?’ she asked.
‘Wow. Not even a hello, how are you?’
‘Sorry, hon. I don’t have time to beat around the bush right now. I’m getting ready to see my gran for lunch and I’m running late. So come on then! Spill! Did you jump him on the massage table thingy?’
I paused, thinking how scarily accurate she was.
‘Kind of…’
‘ No way !’ she gasped. ‘I was only joking! What happened? Did you ask him to roll on his back so you could straddle him? I need details!’
As I explained how we’d gone at it like animals after Jasmine called Olga away, Sammie screamed so loudly, my eardrums almost burst.
‘That’s fan-fucking-tastic!’ she cheered as if I’d just won a lifetime achievement award rather than just screwing my ex .
‘Yeah, it really was. Until Jasmine and the massage therapist, sorry, the “Relaxation Facilitator” walked in on us.’
‘ Nooooo !’ Sammie screamed again. ‘They caught Max giving you a beef injection? That’s hilarious!’
‘A beef injection ?’ I shook my head even though I knew she couldn’t see me.
‘Yeah! I heard someone call it that the other day and thought it was funny! They also called it hiding the salami , which is also accurate! Anyway, you’re distracting me. So they walked in as Max was giving you a good pounding? How long were they there before you realised? Did they take any photos for your memory book? Can I see them?’
‘No!’ I laughed. ‘Of course not! Luckily we’d finished… just . But they saw us naked. Max covered himself, but I didn’t get to my towel in time.’
‘You’re becoming a right flasher!’
‘Not intentionally, believe me. Anyway, when Max saw I was naked, he put his towel in front of me, which meant they got an eyeful of his dick and the full condom.’
‘Oh my God!’ she shrieked. ‘That’s hilarious!’
‘It wasn’t hilarious! It was mortifying!’
‘For you, maybe! But that was nice of Max to try and shield you. What a gent! Is he still as well hung as before?’
‘Bigger! I’m not even sure how that’s possible, but it’s true.’
‘You lucky cow! So what did your Love Alchemist woman say? You’re not gonna get arrested for public indecency, are you?’
‘We’re still waiting to hear what our punishment will be. But so far, no police have come knocking.’
‘Good. So have you hooked up since then?’
When I told Sammie how Max went down on me and that we’d been at it like dogs on heat ever since, she screamed with so much excitement, I was surprised she hadn’t lost her voice .
‘So yeah, he’s making me breakfast and I’m on my way to get the photos.’
‘You are living the dream, my friend! I’m so happy for you! Maybe I need to apply to this Love Hotel place. Sounds a million times better than scrolling through the apps.’
‘Definitely.’
‘You owe your mum the biggest bouquet of flowers for setting you up with this holiday. Does she know what’s happened with you guys yet?’
‘No. You’re the first person I’ve told and I don’t want her to get too excited.’
‘Why not?’
‘Because this can never be anything serious. It’s just sex. Knowing Mum, she’ll start planning our happy ever after and for once, I’m just trying to have fun, y’know?’
Hearing myself say out loud that I was about to dive headfirst into a holiday fling was weird.
I’d always been a relationship kind of girl, and once I’d got my head around the fact that I was coming to this hotel, I secretly hoped I’d find my perfect match, but I had to be realistic. Whilst now I realised Max still fancied me, I was pretty sure that he didn’t have any interest in settling down. So instead of overthinking things like I normally did, I was going to just try enjoying the moment and go with the flow for a change.
If I had zero expectations, I wouldn’t be disappointed.
‘I hear you. I think you’re doing the right thing. Just enjoy yourself. Try not to get too in your head about what it means and what’ll happen next, okay.’
‘I’ll do my best. Oh, shit.’ My eyes widened as I saw Jasmine walking towards me. ‘I’ve just seen my Love Alchemist. Better go. Say hi to your gran from me.’
‘Will do! Happy shagging! ’
I laughed and hung up.
‘Jasmine!’ I said in my brightest voice. ‘I was hoping to bump into you. I wanted to apologise. I’m so embarrassed and I’m so sorry if our actions offended or upset you and Olga in any way. I know this is a professional establishment and public indecency is wrong and we could’ve been arrested, but please . Don’t report us to the police or throw us out. I’m really starting to like it here.’
‘Don’t worry! I won’t be reporting you to the police!’ Jasmine smiled and my shoulders loosened. ‘This is private land anyway, so although I’m not a lawyer, I’d imagine nudity isn’t a criminal offence.’
‘Oh, thank God!’ I blew out a breath.
‘Shit happens, right?’ For a second I was surprised to hear Jasmine swear, because she always seemed so professional. But I guessed she was a hot-blooded woman with needs, just like me. ‘The way I see it, you can’t expect to put perfect matches together and not expect fireworks.’
‘True,’ I nodded. ‘But I’m sure other people are able to make it back to their room before they go at it. Honestly, I don’t know what came over us.’
Well, that wasn’t strictly true. I challenged anyone not to run their palms over Max’s body, then feel him running his hands all over them and not instantly want to jump his bones.
‘At least you were shielded by the blinds. Let’s just say I’ve caught some guests in more compromising situations than what you and Max got up to. Honestly, don’t worry. I’ll take care of Olga.’
‘Thank you.’
‘I came by the villa last night to talk to you both and reassure you, but you sounded erm, busy , so I don’t think you heard the doorbell.’
She must’ve heard us screwing .
‘Sorry,’ I winced.
‘No worries! So, this is good news, though, right? If you two are, y’know, getting intimate , that’s a great sign!’
‘Yeah…’ I replied, reminding myself that I wasn’t going to overthink it.
‘Anyway, I’m so glad you’ve got a second chance at love!’ Jasmine beamed.
‘Oh… no. This isn’t a love thing!’ I laughed. ‘It’s just… sex . It’s like you said. I’d be silly not to grab the chance to enjoy some orgasms.’
Like I’d said to Sammie earlier, I had no expectations of anything more than that. After what happened before, it’d be too messy and complicated. A holiday fling was a much better idea.
‘Right. Yes, yes, of course ,’ she smiled. ‘My mistake.’
‘Anyway, thanks again, for y’know, understanding. I better get the photos and go back to the villa. Max is making breakfast.’
‘How romantic!’
‘We’ll do our playlist updates later too. We didn’t get round to it because…’
‘No need to explain,’ she grinned. ‘I look forward to seeing what songs you two select for each other. Enjoy your breakfast.’
‘Thanks, we will.’
Once I’d collected the photos, I headed back and when I saw what Max had done, bubbles of excitement flooded my stomach.
He’d laid a table outside, but it wasn’t just the normal cutlery he’d set out. There was a little vase with a single red rose and what looked like a bottle of champagne was chilling in a silver bucket.
‘ Se?orita .’ He stepped into the living room to greet me. ‘If you’d like to come with me, I will show you to your table.’
I followed him, a wide grin covering my face. Max pulled out a chair and I sat down .
‘Wow,’ I said, taking in the views of the sea in the distance. ‘This looks like the best seat in the house.’
‘Only the best for you! Wait here.’ He left then returned with a plate which he laid in front of me. ‘You still like French toast, right?’
‘I love French toast!’ As I glanced at the plate, my mouth watered.
‘Thank God! It’s been a while since I’ve made it. I try not to eat too much fried food, but a little holiday treat shouldn’t hurt.’
Max brought out his own plate, a bowl of fruit salad and freshly squeezed orange juice so we could make a Buck’s Fizz with the champagne.
‘Thanks for all this,’ I said.
‘My pleasure. Whatever happens, I want us to remember our time here. I want it to be special.’
‘When you say whatever happens , is that a polite way of saying if this only ends up being a holiday fling?’ I teased.
I should play the lottery. I knew that was what Max had wanted.
Max’s eyes widened then dropped to the table. I took his silence to mean yes .
‘I’d kind of hoped we could stay in our bubble a little longer, but I guess we’re only delaying the inevitable.’
‘The inevitable?’ I asked.
‘Yeah. The talk . We should have a chat about what happened last night and what it means, for us.’
He was right. It had to be done.
It was better that we both knew where we stood from the beginning.
I’d be lying if I said I wouldn’t be chuffed if he confessed his undying love for me, but deep down I knew that wasn’t what Max was about to say…