NATALIE

In Max’s arms I wake up.

We held each other all night, exactly what I needed. He instinctively knew. I woke up several times scared and wondering where I was, before I felt the warmth of his body curled against mine. Each time I would burrow into him and he cuddled closer while he was sleeping.

When I went into that office I wasn’t putting on airs or trying to be ‘like-able’ or softer. I wanted to know if his project was something I’d be interested in. That’s all I cared about. Because when I saw people leaving from interviews with Max, a little voice in my gut stopped me. Go ask them what’s happening in that room.

I’m so glad I listened.

I think in time I would’ve found out what Paul was doing, the seediness of that establishment. I would have tried to quit, but I know now that he would never have let me. I probably would have done something very dangerous to myself in order to escape.

Max gave me a way out for good, and it came with his strong arms wrapped around me. Even if it doesn’t last forever, I’m so grateful I’m here and not home being scared for my life anymore.

Now that I’m awake, and his mouth is slightly parted with soft breaths, it gives me a chance to just lie here and let it sink in that something really has happened. To both of us. It wasn’t just me who missed him.

“You’re awake,” Max murmurs, eyes foggy.

Cuddling closer I smile, “Just for a few minutes.”

“How’re you feeling this morning? Better?”

“Yes.” Pressing my lips to his I slip my hands in his hair. “How’d you sleep?”

“Lots of nightmares.”

“Oh no.”

“I was trying to get to you and I couldn’t.” He closes his eyes as I stroke his head. “That feels good.”

“When we were sleeping you comforted me.”

He smiles, peeking at me with his head down. “I did?”

“Mmhmm.”

Wrapping his arms around me he gives me kiss. “I’m so glad you’re here.”

“Me too.”

“You coming to the shoot tonight?”

I kiss him and crawl on top. “Of course.”

“Meant what I said. You don’t have to come. Rest if you need it.”

“I can’t imagine being anywhere else when you’re on the set of your first movie and I could be there with you.”

He searches me, frowning, “Our first movie. Couldn’t have done it without you. I want you there. You haven’t witnessed any of the actual filming yet.”

Wincing I kiss him, “I know. Hurts.”

“Let’s change it.”

“Tonight.”

“Mmm. What’s your hand doing?”

“Stroking your erection, why?”

He chuckles, “Just checking.”

Kissing his neck I tell him, “I’m already straddling you so I figured might as well make use of this position.”

Max’s hands slide up my thighs, over my ass and give it a squeeze. “I’m all for it.”

Locking eyes, I position my pussy and stroke the head of his cock up and down my folds, teasing my clit with him. I’m opening up inside, getting ready, anticipating.

Max moans as I slide down and envelope his length—smooth, sensual, in no hurry.

From the spark in his eyes I know he’s doing what I am, soaking in the knowledge that we’ve both admitted we care for each other very deeply. This isn’t fucking. I guess it’s making love, which I’ve never done.

Max lets me ride him for a while, then he turns us over and takes control. Our hands explore each other’s bodies like we’re checking out a new home, one we’ve been looking for our whole lives.

I’m trying not to think, forever with him, but I can’t help it.

“Natalie,” he moans, wincing as his strokes get a little faster. “I don’t want you staying in your apartment anymore.”

Lacing my fingernails in his hair I pull him in for a kiss. “If you want me to stay with you, I will. I don’t want to be anywhere else.”

A smiling breath of happinness escapes him as he searches my eyes. “Ever since we met you’ve been running.”

“What if I stopped?”

He moves his hips, driving his length deeply into me. “We’d be here together.”

“Then I’ll stop.”

Frowning with mingled happiness and disbelief, Max kisses me, grips my thighs and grinds a little harder. I moan as it sinks in—I get to wake up to this every day. I’ve never wanted to do that before, wake up with someone next to me. And maybe that’s because I would have been disappointed when I looked over and saw someone who wasn’t Max.