His arms gave me a squeeze.
I raised my head and looked down at his content, amazingly handsome face that, if this worked between us, could be mine.
This thought washed over me in a way that was so gorgeous, so warm, I automatically lifted up further and put a hand to his face, using my fingertips to memorize the contours of one side, his cheekbone, his temple, his hairline, his lips. It didn’t feel as good as it looked but it was close.
I was sliding the backs of my fingers along his stubbled jaw when he spoke.
“You okay?”
My eyes went to his and I saw his were searching.
“Mm hmm,” I answered.
His mouth twitched and he muttered, “I got morning but naked Nina Zombie sittin’ on my cock.”
I shoved my face in his neck again.
“Mm,” was my response.
I felt his body move with silent laughter then he said, “I’m gonna shift you off me, darlin’. While I’m gone, you move from this bed, I’ll –”
“I won’t move,” I murmured my assurance.
He was silent a moment before his arms gave me a squeeze and he called my name. “Nina?”
“Yes?”
“You sure you’re okay?”
I nodded. “I’m good,” I cuddled closer, “very good.”
I felt his body grow still under mine then his arms got tighter.
“How good are you?”
I snuggled even closer and answered, “Max, I’m very, very good.”
He was silent again then his hand slid up my spine and sifted into my hair, cupping the back of my head and holding my face close.
“Thank, fuckin, Christ,” he muttered, keeping me close for awhile before he rolled me to my good side, pulling out at the same time. He got up on an elbow but leaned down, kissed my temple and then he left the bed.
I was curled on my side, parallel to the pillows and I crawled back under the sheets and curled again with a pillow held to me.
I watched Max walk out of the bathroom naked and I decided I liked that too.
He pulled the covers up a bit, yanked the pillow out of my arms, tossed it to the head then replaced it with his body.
This was much better.
He gathered me in his arms, sliding a thigh between my legs so I hooked one on his hip and pressed close, my hands at his chest.
“What happened?” he asked.
“What?” I asked back.
“You’re different,” he observed.
I was. And maybe he wouldn’t like me different. Maybe, when the thrill went out of the chase because there was no chase, he’d lose interest.
All my contentment vanished and I felt my body get stiff.
“Shit, there she goes,” he muttered.
I stuffed my face in his throat and lied in order to cover my sudden fear. “I just remembered what’s on this morning’s agenda.”
He was quiet a moment then his arms gave me a squeeze. “Fuck. Yeah. Jesus, I forgot all about that.”
I tipped my head back to look at him and he dipped his chin down to catch my eyes.
“Maybe we can go on the lam, head to Mexico,” I suggested.
He grinned at me but replied, “Nothin’s chasin’ me off my mountain, Duchess, not even your dick of a Dad.”
I sighed and then pressed my face in his throat again. “It was just an idea.”
Has fingers slid through my hair before he told me, “You say what you gotta say and then we’ll get the fuck outta there.”
I nodded. “Okay.” Then tipped my head back and noted, “Since what I have to say will take approximately five seconds, we should eat breakfast here. Do you know what time we’re supposed to be there?”
He rolled, taking me with him and twisting his head to look at the clock then he rolled us back into place and said, “Eight o’clock.”
I didn’t catch a glimpse at the time so I asked, “What time is it now?”
“Six thirty.”
I felt my eyes get wide and my body jerked. “Oh no! I have to start getting ready!”
I tried to pull out of his arms but this not only didn’t work, he rolled again, this time into me so he was mostly on me.
Then he shoved his face in my neck and announced, “They don’t get fancy Nina.”
Then I felt his tongue where his gravel-voiced words just sounded and goose bumps came up on my skin.
“Max, everyone gets fancy Nina,” I informed him, ignoring the goose bumps. “I am fancy Nina.”
His hands started moving on my body and his lips slid up to my ear. “They can get wet-haired, makeup free Nina.”
I gasped, not in shock at his words, in something else when his fingers curled around my breast.
“Max –”
His mouth came to mine. “Shut up, baby, and kiss me.”
“Max –”
His thumb swiped my nipple and he repeated his demand, “Kiss me.”
His thumb swiped back and I did what I was told.
*
“Nina, Jesus, babe, get a move on!” Max shouted from downstairs.
“Be right down!” I shouted back and I looked at myself in the mirror above the bathroom basin.