Chapter 9
Eve
I lookedaround Max’s apartment, still a little shocked that I’m here. The last time I went to a guy’s place after a date, it was a dorm room. So this is all new territory for me. Although I’ll admit that the fluttering in my belly isn’t totally due to nervousness. Anticipation is mixed in too.
My libido has been taking a nap since my divorce. But since meeting Max, it’s not only awake, it’s acting like a hyperactive child.
“I have Summer Shandy, Twisted Tea, or Mike’s Hard Lemonade,” Max said from the kitchen area. “Or if you want non-alcoholic, Sprite or water.”
“I’ll have a Summer Shandy.”
“Would you like a glass?”
“No, the bottle is fine.”
He removed the caps, tossed them in the trash, then joined me on the other side of the counter and handed me the bottle.
“This is a great space.”
“Thanks.” He led me toward the French doors on the other side of the living room. “Pop helped me design it. I’m happy with the way it turned out.”
I took a drink, then rested my elbows against the railing and took in the view.
“You’re right, the view is amazing from up here.”
“It was especially amazing the other night when I spotted a certain someone walking toward me on the beach.”
Max held his bottle up in a toast then took a drink. My face heated and I flashed a shy smile then looked back out at the ocean.
“I totally understand why Aunt Winnie never came back to Scranton. This place suits her perfectly.”
“What about you?”
I shifted to face him.
“What about me?”
“Does it suit you?”
I shrugged.
“I think it’s safe to say it suits me perfectly right now. The change of scenery is nice.”
He nudged his head toward the Adirondack chairs and we stepped back and took a seat. The view is slightly obscured by the railing, but it’s still impressive.
“Have you been able to write?”
“Not yet, but I think I’m getting there.”
I explained my newfound plotting process and how I feel the words on the edge of my brain, but can’t put them to paper just yet. Or computer, as the case may be. I’m sure he has no idea what I’m talking about…non-writers usually don’t…but he listened and actually seemed interested.
“I’m predicting that once you get started, you’ll finish this book in record time.”
“Say that louder so the universe hears,” I said. “But let’s not talk about writing anymore. It’s boring.”
I tipped the bottle to my lips and emptied it. I felt Max watching as I swallowed and shifted my eyes in his direction.
“I don’t think anything about you is boring,” he said. “In fact, I find you fascinating.”
Max’s heated stare had me tingling in places that have been dormant for a long time. Imagine what he could do if the rest of his body joined in. The problem is, while the desire is there, I’m in unfamiliar territory here.
I picked at the label on my empty bottle, then looked down at it, as if it’s the most fascinating thing in the world.
“Eve?” I glanced over at him. “Are you okay?” I nodded. “I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable.”
“You didn’t.” He raised his brow. “Not really. I’m just–” I gestured as I searched for the best words to explain. “I started dating my ex-husband when I was eighteen and we were married for twenty years. It’s been a long time since I dated anyone, much less done anything else.”
He placed his bottle on the deck and shifted to better face me.
“Eve.”
His voice was low, intimate. The husky sound arousing in its intensity. My gaze met his and I lost myself in his chocolaty depths. Part of me wanted to look away, but I was too mesmerized. He moved closer and continued to speak.
“I really like you and from the moment we met, I felt drawn to you. I’d like to get to know you better, see where this can go.” Reaching out, he stroked my cheek, using just his fingertips. “But I hope you know I didn’t invite you here expecting anything.”
From anyone else, everything he’s saying would sound like pathetic lines, but I feel like Max is being honest. It’s only fair that I am too.
“I felt that connection too,” I said. “And even though I don’t think you asked me here because you expected anything to happen, I wouldn’t mind if something did. I just might need you to be patient with me.”
I put my head down to escape his gaze. Max leaned closer and the arousing combination of his warm skin and sea air drifted to my nose. He took the empty bottle out of my hand and placed it on the deck floor next to his.
“How about if we just take this slow and see where it goes?”
My heart raced and I nodded, not wanting to risk speaking in the breathless voice I was sure would emerge. Placing a gentle hand under my chin, he lifted my mouth to his.
The quick, powerful kiss nearly melted me in my seat and I wanted more. He must have read my mind, because in the next instant, his mouth covered mine again. Summer Shandy lingered on his palate, but as our tongues tangled, I finally got to taste his true essence. The man is delicious.
Max said we should take it slow, but instead I wrapped my hand around the back of his neck and held him close. When that wasn’t enough, I threaded my fingers through his hair and curled them into his scalp.
He moved closer, pressing his mouth more fully to mine. I felt him shift and stir, then heard his chair creak. In the next instant, he was on his knees directly in front of me. Easing between my thighs, he wrapped his arms around my lower back, pulling me forward, until our hips and chests touched.
As he continued to feast on my mouth, I felt all his want and need, and gave all mine to him. It’s been a long time since I’ve been kissed, but I don’t remember it ever being like this, so raw and consuming. It felt like he was making love to my mouth and I was about to melt into a puddle of desire.
Max broke the kiss, giving us a chance to take a much-needed breath. He looked directly into my eyes, seemingly asking permission to continue. I stroked my hand down the side of his face, enjoying the feel of the stubble that rasped the soft skin of my palm. The corners of my mouth lifted in a small answering smile.
“Are you sure?”
“I’ve never been more positive of anything in my life.”
“Thank fuck.”
He leaned forward and tossed me over his shoulder fireman style, then stood and carried me inside as my laughter echoed around us.
Max
Instead of depositingher on the bed, I placed Eve gently at its edge. My hands traced every contour and curve of her body before settling on either side of her face. Her blue eyes darkened as she met my gaze.
“You make me crazy, you know that?” I gave her a quick peck and pulled back before it could get out of control. “Since the day I saw you standing on the porch in that Grumpy nightie, I couldn’t stop thinking about you.”
She closed her eyes and shook her head.
“That was so embarrassing.”
“It was adorable.”
I punctuated my words with another kiss. This time, I didn’t pull back. We devoured each other, our lips and tongues stroking and savoring, as we gave in to the hunger that we’d kept at bay all day.
Eve wrapped her arms around my neck and I tightened my hold and pulled her closer still, opening my mouth wider, deepening the kiss. Sliding my right hand up her waist, I skimmed the side of her breast, then flicked at her tight nipple with my thumb. Her groan vibrated through my chest and I pulled back just enough to squeeze and mold her to my palm.
Needing to feel her skin on skin, I skimmed my hands down her body then back up, dragging her T-shirt with them. I ended the kiss just long enough to pull it over her head. Her sports bra quickly followed.
I’ve always been a breast man and hers are pure perfection. I gripped her ass and pulled our hips together as I leaned down and flicked my tongue against her nipple. She let out a low groan and I looked up. Eve’s nostrils flared as she watched me take her into my mouth and suck.
Her fingers dug into my scalp and it was my turn to moan when she pressed her hips against the ridge of my erection. I stepped forward, and she stepped back until her thighs rested against the bed. Resting my hands on the small of her back, I eased her down until she was lying on the mattress.
“You are so beautiful.”
I traced my fingertips along her stomach, just above the waistband of her shorts. Popping the button, I slid the zipper down slowly, giving her a chance to stop me if she didn’t want this. The material separated, giving me a glimpse of lacy pink panties and I slid my hands into that opening to pull them down. Her hand wrapped around my wrist, halting my movements.
Removing my hands, I straightened and locked my gaze with hers.
“I’m sorry, I–”
“No.” She pushed onto her elbows then sat. “I want this. Trust me when I tell you that I want this.”
Her eyes shifted to the erection that was doing its best to push through my fly. I thought it was going to succeed when she licked her lips as she stared. My low groan broke the spell and she met my gaze again.
“I just think I’d be more comfortable if I wasn’t the only one not wearing clothes.”
Keeping my gaze locked to hers, I whipped my shirt over my head and tossed it to the floor. Unbuttoning my shorts, I started to lower them but she stopped me again.
Eve sat and shifted forward, and with her eyes locked on mine, tucked her hands into my open waistband. Sliding them around to my back, she cupped my ass beneath my boxer briefs. After giving it a squeeze, she dragged them down until they pooled around my ankles.
My cock bobbed right in front of her face. She nibbled at her bottom lip for what seemed like forever before reaching out and wrapping her hand around it. I took in a deep breath through my nose and let it out slowly through my mouth. It’s been a while and her touch is the sweetest form of torture.
She stroked and explored, seeming fascinated. I closed my eyes and groaned as her hand moved up and down, then settled into a slow, sensual rhythm. It was my turn to wrap my hand around her wrist to halt her movements.
“That feels really good,” I said with an awkward chuckle. “Too good.”
“Isn’t it supposed to feel good?”
Goosebumps covered my entire body when she dragged her fingers along my shaft then squeezed the head before letting go.
“Not yet.” Wrapping my hands around her waist, I shifted her back to the middle of the bed and followed her down. “Not until you feel good at least once.”
I leaned down and kissed Eve’s stomach, nipping at her navel before continuing upward to lick at first one nipple then the other. Setting my mouth on her right breast, our eyes held as I ran my tongue around it, slowly spiraling toward her nipple. As I sucked, Eve’s back arched and she let out a long, low groan.
“Max.”
My name came out more as a sigh than a word
I moved onto her left breast, offering it the same treatment.
“Hmm?”
When she didn’t answer, I continued what I was doing until her hips thrust against me. Goosebumps trailed in my wake as I ran my fingers over her stomach. Her hips pressed up, shifting my fingertips onto the waistband of her panties.
“Please.”
I released her nipple and nibbled my way across her chest, over her collarbone, and up her neck.
“Please what?” I whispered against her ear.
“Touch me. Please touch me.”
She sounded almost desperate. If what she said is true and she hasn’t been with anyone since her divorce, I can understand why.
Shifting onto my knees, I hooked my fingers into her waistband and backed away just enough to pull her panties and shorts off in one swipe. Eve watched as I leaned forward and kissed her knee before nibbling my way up. When I settled between her thighs and placed an open-mouthed kiss at their juncture, she nearly jumped off the bed. I laid a restraining hand on her belly and met her gaze over the expanse of her body.
With our eyes locked on each other, I licked through her folds then flicked the tiny nub of nerves with the tip of my tongue. She closed her eyes and let out a long, low moan and tangled her fingers into my hair.
I slipped my middle finger through her slick folds and began a steady in-and-out motion as my tongue circled her clit.
“Max, that feels so good.”
Goodisn’t nearly good enough. I added my index finger and increased the rhythm then shifted back and circled her clit with my thumb. Eve’s breath came out in shallow pants and I knew she was close. Time to push her over the edge.
I trailed kisses up her stomach to her breasts and alternately sucked one nipple then the other in time with the ministrations of my hands.
She dug her fingers into my shoulders and arched her back.
“Max, I’m gonna–”
Her words ended on a low, guttural moan.