Page 51 of Where the Dark Knelt
Alfie always leftme feeling elated and miserable at the same time. I had known from the beginning that he was not a long-term prospect for me, and he had been straightforward about what I was to him. When I finally admitted that to myself, hard as it was, I knew what I needed to do.
Pink Lady: About our arrangement. Been thinking… thank you for picking me as your favorite… you were also my favorite fuck buddy. Great sex… excellent reference supplied if needed… contractterminated: hugs: kiss emoji.
SEXPERT: Seriously… we’re done?
Pink Lady: no regrets… thank you for the time we had together x
SEXPERT: Sad Face resignation not accepted without an exit interview… can we at least talk about it?
Pink Lady: Sorry it won’t change my decision. We both knew what this was. Take care.
I heard footfall and I looked up. Max appeared in the doorway, leaning against the door frame. “What’s so important on that cell, that I wake up alone and cold?” His voice sounded husky from being asleep. He looked handsome with his sleepy eyes and disheveled hair. His hand was rubbing over his left pectoral absentmindedly.
Gesturing with my phone in my hand I replied,“I was only making space for new contacts.” My answer came out more wistfully than I’d wanted to sound.
“Contact… Sounds like a great idea, come back to bed with me.” I shook my head and rolled my eyes.
“Do guys only ever think about sex? It’s nearly two o’clock in the afternoon, I need to go shopping. I need proper food, Max.” He gave me a sad, pouty face, and I swatted him as I passed him, laughing.
“I’m going to shower, I’m sticky again.”
Grinning wickedly, he started moving toward me. “Oh! Ilovewhen you’re sticky.” Shaking my head, I took his face in my hands, kissing him softly.
After a quick shower we went shopping. Max sat on my bed Indian style playing my guitar while I got dressed.Saffywas still asleep when we left the apartment for the store.
When we arrived and entered the store, Max smiled down at me. “Would it be okay for me to cook dinner instead of going out tonight?” He slid his arm around my waist and waited for my reply.
“Sure, I would prefer it actually. I like cooking as well.”
Max smirked. “Did I mention that I cook naked? I’m a messy chef.” He winked and pulled me in for a hug.
Chapter Twenty-One
SEX, LIES, AND DISCLOSURES
Max wanted Italian food for dinner, pasta specifically. “You’re not one of those girls that doesn’t eat carbs are you?” I shook my head, and he piled Italian sauce, and the ingredients for a meatball dish into the cart.
He wasn’t a very controlled shopper. We had more in the shopping cart than we could possibly eat and would have bought more if I hadn’t called a halt and headed for the checkout.
Stacking our food on the checkout conveyer belt, we then waited in line. Max was behind me, so when I was finished, he wrapped his arms around me, pulling me back into him. I felt him stir at the small of my back, and the bulge in his pants grew to full arousal as he wiggled himself into place.
The effect I was having on him, turned me on.I turned my head back to look up at him, raised my eyebrow, and gave him a half smile. Grinning mischievously, his eyes filled with lust. Max placed a hand flat across my belly, and pulled me closer to him.
Lips curled into a smile as he dipped his head toward me. “You see what you do to me?” he whispered seductively into my ear, as he continued making small movements to create friction between the bulge in his jeans and my butt. I could have moved away if I’d wanted to, wild horses wouldn’t have made me though.
As we stood waiting patiently, hebent to kiss my neck before he kissed the top of my head and left his mouth there to linger.I was pleased that I could have this effect on him fully clothed.
Melting into his firm body, I felt good having his strong arms envelope me that way. I kept reminding myself I was in a grocery store and fought the urge to turn and kiss him deeply.
Glancingback toward the checkout operator, my heart thudded, and I inhaled sharply as the smile on my face froze. Alfie was walking toward us, groceries under his arm. From the moment we saw each other, his eyes locked onto mine.
Suddenly, I felt as if I hadbetrayed Alfie, being there with Max. I thought that’s what it must feel like to have been caught cheating. It was a weird reaction to have, considering what we had been to each other.
Max felt me tense and held me tighter, whispering in myear, “What’s wrong, babe?” Briefly, I was reassured by the fact that Alfie always ignored me in public. At most Alfie may nod as he walked past. Glancing around and up at Max, I managed a small smile.
“Sorry, almost lost my balance.” I was glad I was facing away from Max and could turn my head before I let slip that I wasn’t being honest.
When my eyes reconnected with Alfie’s Icould tell that this wasn’t the usual cool guy that would ignore me in public. He was staring directly at me and headed toward us, a slight sneer on his face and his jaw twitching.
