Page 38 of Blurry Little Lines

“I was planning to.” I push off the wall, reach for my champagne flute, and hold his gaze as I take a sip.

“Good. I’ll see you after to tell you step two.” And with that, he walks away from my bedroom.

The first glass of champagne hits while I’m in the shower and I debate finishing the one on my nightstand. I’m not tired, but I am definitely emotionally drained. I’m not sure what Max has in mind for step two, but he was always good at calming me down in high school when finals or the SATs came around. I turn off the shower and wrap a towel around me before freeing my straight hair from my shower cap. Walking out of my on-suite, I see Max sitting on the corner of my bed as his fingers twist around a black necktie.

“Getting ready for a fancy event?” I hold my towel with one hand and stand in front of him.

“I wouldn’t say fancy, but taking your mind off everything is step two.” He bites his lip and eyes the bit of cleavage on display. “You’ve got a lot going on with life. Give me a moment to control it.”

“You think an orgasm will help?” I laugh, but honestly, it probably would.

“If you listen, I’ll let you come.” His eyes darken as he stands, towering over me.

“Wait a second.” This is sounding like the popular trilogy from years ago. “You’re not going to bring out whips and chains, are you?” I fight to keep my voice level.

“No, Kelsie.” He smirks and pulls a blindfold out of his sweats. “I want you to relax and shut the world out.” He walks right up to me and leans over my ear to whisper. “Let me heighten your senses.” Okay, now my vagina really needs to calm the hell down.

“We agreed earlier thatdessertwas the last time we’d have sex.”

“We’ll call this the leftovers we are reheating.” His deep, sensual voice causes my hand gripping my towel to shake. But not from fear.

I swallow slowly as the thrill swirls under my ribs like butterflies trying to free themselves from their cage. I can’t say a blindfold will make sex with Max even more stress free, but the way he is looking at me through hooded eyes of certainty is enough to convert me into praising him as the highest entity.

“The leftovers better taste just as good as they did the first time around.” I peer up at him with a smirk of excitement at the unknown. I guess we should give up on counting this as the last. “Prove you’re worth losing sleep over.” He makes me insatiable.

“Do exactly as I command and you’ll experience the best sated sleep of your life.” The black silky blindfold lifts to my eye level. “You’re about to encounter how your body will react to my touch when your senses are heightened.” My world goes black as the blindfold slips around my head. “My lips will feel different when they taste you.” His breath against my ear ignites goosebumps through my body and his lips meet my shoulder. “Now, turn around and don’t you dare say another word.”

“Lock my door,” I disobey and whisper, knowing it needs to be done. My body feels his absence, and the soft shut and lock click of my bedroom door sounds louder than I remember.

“The only word I want to leave your mouth is‘Strawberry’.” Max untucks my towel, and I feel it brush down every part of my suddenly sensitive skin. “And that is only if you want me to stop.” I feel his finger tilt my chin up to meet eyes I now have to envision. “Bite your lip if you understand.” I want to laugh at the obscurity, but agree to humor him with a dramatic lip bite. “Yeah, baby girl? Let’s see how much energy you have left to sass me after I’m done with you.” I feel his breath hit my neck as I anticipate a touch that has yet to greet my naked body.

I stand still as silence fills the room, and try to pinpoint Max’s proximity since he hasn’t made any sounds or movement since he removed my towel moments ago.Is he just staring at me?My brain has a fine-tooth comb when it comes to finding the smallest imperfections and my insecurities take over. Instinctively, I bring my arms around the front of me to cover my mid-section. Movement pushes air toward me and chapped hands meet my shoulders. Max gives them a small squeeze, then runs them down my arms to uncross them.

“You’re beautiful. Don’t move unless I say so.”

“So much for easing my stress.” I bite out the words and try to figure out which side of the room I am facing.

“That wasn’tstrawberry.” His huffed breath travels down my body as he descends.

My skin senses him eye level with my vagina. Faint air hits below my hips, and I remain a statue, anticipating contact. I expand my lungs, putting my trust in him. At the exact moment I mentally do, his hands reach behind my calves, tripping me to fall back. My heart shoots to my throat as my brain screams for a soft place to land. The feathered duvet poofs around my body like a hug. I’m too caught off guard to process if I’m pissed off or aroused by that stunt. Either way, my heart still races the same.

The mattress dips, and Max’s proximity vibrates currents to my skin, knowing he’s inches away. My breath catches in my throat when two of his fingers feather over my shoulder, across my collarbone, and slowly, down the center of my breasts. A swirl of his fingers around my belly button dips my stomach inward before his fingers meet my hip. Max follows the crease down the side of my pussy and inner thigh. Then his hand stops, leaving my body. My throat tightens, and the hammering in my chest shoots down to the pulse in my stomach. Max’s stillness and my anticipation do nothing tocalm me.

I flinch as his unexpected hand rests on the top of my head. He chuckles and weaves his fingers through my hair. A soft kiss quickly meets my temple. Max can sense my unease. A bonus and detriment to sleeping with your lifelong best friend. His teeth lightly tug on my earlobe as I begin to relax again. He places a kiss on my neck, and I anticipate his next move.

“You said you trust me, Kelsie.” His free hand cups my cheek, turning my head to meet his face. “I guarantee you won’t feel anything less than righteous.” A hand travels down my bare frame and rests on my ass cheek, grabbing it firmly.

I bite my tongue and try to focus on the moment. Max’s shower fresh scent consumes me, but I wish I knew where his eyes were roaming. He remains still, and I can’t predict what will happen next.

“Say it.” Max’s touch departs my body. “I can tell you’re eager to speak.”

“Not knowing what you’ll do to my body or why you feel distant from where I am is anything but relaxing.” I expect my heart to settle after my confession, but it still thumps loud through my ears.

“That is part of giving up control, Kelsie. You get to relax into the silence and darkness. Let me take care of your body.” I take a deep breath and it dizzies my mind. “You can trust me.” His lips brush over mine before our slow, rhythmic kiss begins.

A moan echoes in his mouth as I tug and suck his lower lip. The mattress welcomes me as I melt into it. Max shifts and I feel him crawl on top. The heat of his body is comforting and familiar. My mind imagines what he looks like hovering above with his broad shoulders caging me in. As my arms lift to wrap around him, his hands grab my wrists and bring them over my head. I feel the silk ribbon closing my wrists together as Max ties a knot.

“I’m not one to kiss during sex, baby girl...” His fingertips dance down my sensitive forearms. “But I’ll be damned if I miss out on the opportunity of tasting every inch of you.” His hand squeezes my jaw as he kisses me hard. His calloused hand slides down my neck to meet my breasts as his tongue tangles with mine. A painful, sharp pinch on my nipple soaks my lower half, and a thrill comes over me. A new addictive pain rushes through my body in a way I never knew I needed.

---