TWENTY-THREE

Morning Delight

It’s all Nan’s fault that I’m on my way to Max’s apartment at seven a.m. wearing only sexy underwear beneath a trench coat. She grilled me for hours about Max and what’s happened between us, and when I mentioned his work was causing tension, she told me I had to be proactive in addressing our issues. Last night she practically shooed me out of her room and told me that if I was worried about losing our connection, I should show up unannounced this morning and ‘blow his socks off’. I don’t think she meant ‘blow’ as in suck his dick, but with Nan, I’m never sure. She can be filthy when she wants to be.

As I climb the stairs to his apartment, I’m surprised to hear voices. From what he’s told me about the hours he’s been working, I expected him to be fast asleep after a long night with multiple clients, but it sounds like he’s having breakfast with Dyson.

Dammit. I’m wearing thigh-high stockings and stilettos with a super-short trench coat. I don’t think it will take too much imagination for Dyson to figure out why I’m here. I wonder how embarrassed Max will be to have his friend witness my blatant booty-call.

Oh, well, I guess we’ll find out.

When I knock, everything goes silent for a moment. Then I hear heavy footfalls before Max pulls open the door. He’s wearing a white tank under a plaid shirt, with faded jeans and work boots.

Dear God, that’s a good look on him.

His eyes widen when he sees me, but I’m not sure it’s in a good way.

“Hey. Hi.”

“Hey.” He does a full sweep of my outfit, and then his mouth drops open. “Jesus, am I still asleep? Because I swear to God I had a dream the other night that started just like this.” I can see Dyson moving around in the background, and despite how turned on Max seems, he’s also nervous.

“Uh ... I just thought ...” God, I feel ridiculous. “I wanted to come and let you know the good news in person. Nan woke up.”

“Holy shit, Eden! That’s fantastic news!” He pulls me into his arms and lifts me off the floor. “Is she okay?”

I cling to him as my legs dangle. “She’s great. A little paralysis in her left arm, but it’s already getting better.”

He puts me down but keeps his arms around me. “I can’t tell you how happy that makes me. I’ll stop by this afternoon after we wrap up our job.” He looks over his shoulder then back at me. “Do you want to come in? I was just about to head out to work, but ...”

“I’m sorry. I should go.”

As I turn away, he grabs my wrist and pulls me toward him. “I have a few minutes. Come in.”

He takes my hand and leads me inside where Dyson is also dressed in work gear and clutching what looks like a collection of architect’s drawings. There are two hard hats on the kitchen bench.

Dyson gives me a wave and does a double take at my outfit before playing it casual. “Hey, Eden. Good to see you. I couldn’t help overhearing. So great about your Nan.”

I give him a smile. “She said she loved your Mr. Darcy. Thanks so much for doing that.”

He waves his hand in an ‘it was nothing’ gesture. “Just happy to hear she’s on the mend.”

I look at Max, then at Dyson. “Construction worker fantasy?”

Dyson nods. “Yeah. Rich client has booked us for an extended role-play. Long hours. Lots of extra actors. It’s pretty intense.”

He shoots Max a look then grabs one of the hard hats and heads toward to the door. “Anyway, better go. The guys will be waiting.”

He hurries out and closes the door behind him. Then there’s silence as Max stares at me.

“So, this outfit ...”

“I feel stupid.”

“You shouldn’t, because, damn ... I almost had a heart attack when I opened the door. Dyson is a friend and all, but getting aroused in front of him isn’t something I’m cool with.” He steps forward and grabs the belt. “May I?”

The way he’s looking at me makes all of my saliva dry up, so I just nod.

He unties the belt, and when the coat falls open to reveal the smallest black lace lingerie I could find, I think his saliva dries up, too.

“God ... damn.”

Slowly, he pushes the coat off my shoulders, and it drops to the floor with a soft whoosh. He runs his fingers over my breasts, his eyes getting hungrier every second. The need I feel in him when he looks at me like that makes me happy. It gives me hope that if he ever had to decide between me and his work, I’d have a fighting chance of coming out on top.

He walks me back until the cold metal of the door is pressing against my butt, and then he cages me between his arms. “You look ... edible. But, I really should go.”

“Should you?” I reach behind me and flick open the catch on my bra. He swallows as I slide it off, his gaze searing my skin.

Choose me, Max. Please. Not your job.

“Eden ...” He cups my right breast and brushes his thumb over the nipple. I shiver and put my hand over his, urging him to squeeze harder. “If I could, I’d make love to you all day. You know that, don’t you?”

“Then stay.” Choose me. “Please, stay.” I pull him forward by his waistband and unbuckle his belt, then I start on his jeans. “Even if it’s only for a while longer.”

He stares at me, and I don’t know if he can read my deeper meaning, but his expression becomes more serious.

“I’m working really hard to try and make sure we can be together more. I hope you know that.”

“I do. I just ... I don’t know if I can go on like this. I feel like everyone else is getting more of you than I am.”

“Eden ...” He kisses my cheek, then my neck. “This isn’t how I want it to be.”

“But this is how it is. And I thought I could handle it, by maybe I can’t.”

He pulls back and gazes into my eyes. “Don’t give up on me. I know it’s difficult right now, but I just need some time.”

I pull off his plaid shirt, and run my hands over the tight muscles in his arms. “To do what?”

“I’m still figuring that out.” He bends to kiss my breast, teasing my nipple just enough to have me squirming against him, desperate for more. “Just trust that I love you, and will move heaven and earth to make you happy.”

I grip his head as he sucks a nipple into his mouth and anchor my hands in his hair to stop my legs from buckling.

“You know what would make me the happiest woman on the planet right now?” I slide my hand into his underwear, and he groans as I close my fingers around him, already rock hard. “Having you inside me.”

“Fuck ... Eden ...”

“Please, Max. I need you.”

I see the moment his resolve melts. His eyes become fiery, as if the pressure of having to always disappoint me is too much.

He shoves me back against the door and kisses me, hard.

“How the hell am I supposed to resist you? All day long I dream about being inside you, even when I’m with clients. It’s freaking ridiculous.”

Then he’s ripping off his tank and yanking down my panties, and as soon as his jeans and underwear are out of the way, he pulls my leg up to his hip and thrusts deep inside of me.

I gasp as he fills me, and he does the same, our voices echoing in the empty apartment.

“God ...” He freezes, then withdraws slowly before pushing back in. “Whenever I’m inside you, I don’t ever want to leave.”

“Then stay.”

When he starts to thrust, our conversation ends, because the only sounds we’re capable of making are long, extended moans and needy grunts. But I’m not sure the desperation that drives us is a good thing. It feels like we’re both hanging on to the present to avoid thinking about our uncertain future.