Page 42 of Where the Dark Knelt
“I’m in the bath, come in.”
Saffyhesitated, “Um… do you have bubbles in there?”
I giggled. “Why? You’re not thinking of joining me, are you?” She chuckled at the other side of the door.
“Well, what I want to know is… are your naked bits on show? I mean you’re not going to show anything you wouldn’twant your dad to see, are you?” I was laughing heartily now.
“He’s not outside the door, is he?”
“Just answer me!” she snapped.
Gasping for breath, and still laughing I squeezed out, “Okay, I’ll bite…my boobs are covered in bubbles is that good enough for you?” The door cracked open and her head popped around before she pushed the door wide and Max,Saffy’stwin brother, was standing in the doorway.
“Surprise. Hey, baby girl, pity about the bubbles, they ought to be illegal.” He grinned.
The sight of Max, my crush for about three yearswhen I was a teenager, shocked the hell out of me, and I dove under the bubbles. He closed the door again, and I re-emerged, with a silent scream on my face, and my mind running at ninety miles per hour.
I had butterflies andfelt an excitement that equaled first dates and lots of other firsts. I quickly finished my bath and began to get dressed, suddenly desperate to check that he was here.
Dressing in a purple mid-thigh length tube dress, I inspected myself in the mirror.It clung to my slender frame,accentuating my curves. The low-cut scoop of the neckline made my breasts seem fuller and gave me the perfect cleavage.
I liked the way the dress gave me to more curves. Accessorizing to complete the outfit, I added a few long, beaded necklaces as well as the platinum and diamond tennis bangle my parents had given me when I turned twenty-one.
Reaching up into my closet, I pulled down a black box. I smiled when I saw my favorite red stilettos and matching purse. My hair hung in long unruly curls down my back. I had preferred a wilder look for my public appearance tonight.
Checking my final appearance in the mirror, the girl I was the last time Max saw me, and the woman I had become were very different. I wondered what he would think looking at me now.
Spraying on some Coco Chanel as I straightened my dress, I headed for the sitting room.
Max’s reaction took me back a little.His jaw dropped, and he was speechless. Shaking his head, he seemed to recover from the initial impact I appeared to have had on him. “Wow,” he whispered, staring at me in disbelief. “Oh. My. God, angel, you look perfect.”
He closed the distance between us and tookhold of my hand. Stepping back, his eyes trailed from my head to my toes. “Look at you.” He gave a slow whistle. His eyes darkened with each second that passed. I felt very self-conscious as he scrutinized me.
His head dipped towardmy face, as his lips brushed featherlight against my cheek. His hot lips softly paused on my skin. He inhaled deeply before he pulled my body flush with the side of his hip.
Saffywasn’t paying attention when he did this, as she wasrunning around, getting her stuff ready to go out. His lips brushed my ear, and he whispered gruffly, “You are the most beautiful girl I have ever seen, Lily.” Saffywas sitting on the far side of the room and had turned just in time to see me blush with the effect he was having on me.
“What did he say to you, Lily? Don’t be mean, Max,” she scolded.
“I wasn’t mean, and if I’d wanted you to hear what I was saying, I would have said it out loud,” he told her as he led me over to a chair. I sat down and he stood in front of me, still looking at me. He began shaking his head.
“What?”Saffyasked. “You haven’t seen a hot woman before, Max?”
Max’s mouth slowly curled into a smile. “Y’allknow that I’ve watched mylil’ Lily grow over the years, and dang if she hasn’t gone and blossomed on me.”Saffylaughed and Max chuckled at his own comment. I blushed again as my heart fluttered with his appreciation.
Luckily for me, Holly arrived home and the attention steered toward her while I gathered my thoughts. Max’s gaze kept landing on me until he was outright staring at me.
His stare was full of intent, his pupils dilated. I’d seen that look in Alfie’s eyes, and Max kept me close from the moment we left the apartment until we arrived at the venue where we were playing.
Will was already there, setting up. When he saw us he grabbed me excitedly, hugging me tightly to him. I noticed Max puffed out his chest and smirked. Turning to Will, I pointed at Max. “This isSaffy’stwin brother, Max.”
“Max… this is Will, the other half of my duo,”Saffychipped in. “I’m seeing Will, Max.”He puffed his chest out again, as if to saydon’t-you-dare-fuck-my-sister.
Will looked uncomfortable, but tried to act naturally, offering his hand for Max to shake. He did this reluctantlywith a primal stare that spoke volumes in terms of treatingSaffyright.
Max seemed fine with Will touching me from that point onward, knowing that he had no designs on me. Will, on the other hand, had been watching Max.
He was still staring atme, and Will picked up on it. “Oh, maybe I’ll come and sleep on your couch tonight. Looks like you’ll be having noisy, monkey sex if Max has his way. The poor guy’s been eye fucking you since you arrived.” My jaw dropped open at Will’s comment.
