Max rolled over, uncomfortable. He was on the bed in his hotel room after the session with Zoe and he was satisfied. Less stressed. He could almost feel his bitterness melting away and being replaced with…
He sat bolt upright.
Not possible.
He’d vowed never again.
No. No. No. He couldn’t commit to another woman. And as sure as hell is hot, not a woman from the city. Not one so much younger than him. Zoe needed to be in the excitement of the city, not isolated on a farm, he could tell that. He ran his hands through his hair. There was a twist in his heart. He knew that feeling, though this was different. It’s just a short fling.
He would go home on Saturday morning. The guy working on his farm was bringing the truck down early, like 6:00 a.m., to load the cattle and take them home. Then this fling, thing or whatever it was, would definitely be over.
But then he’d told her where he was staying and invited her back to his hotel room tonight. Sex with her for the past three days was nothing like what he’d done in the past. He was much more aloof with the women he slept with after his wife. Not that what was going on with Zoe was anything like what he did normally. It was like he couldn’t control himself with her and he wanted her all to himself. Over and over and over. And he just knew he was never going to tire of her. Her taste, her smell. The way she groaned softly with pleasure when he simply stroked her arm. Or the way she leaned into him when he kissed her as if she needed his support to keep her upright.
Max groaned into the pillow as if he were in pain.No way. He could feel what was happening without a doubt.I won’t let it happen. He struggled to push the delightful thoughts of Zoe away.I can’t risk it.He’d nearly lost the farm because of his ex-wife, and he wasn’t about to go trusting another woman. Ever. Not even if a simple thought of her made his cock pulse and go rock hard.
He rolled out of bed. There was only one option right now. A freezing cold shower, then he would hurry down to the showgrounds and get busy with the work that needed to be done today. There were also a few people who’d shown interest in his cattle, so he wanted to make sure he saw them. There was one reason why he’d come to the show and it wasn’t because of a woman. He would be focussed today. And then he could have some pleasure tonight, but it would have to be the last time. No excuses. He would think about Zoe later if he could hold off for that long.
Maybe I won’t go tonight?She looked at herself in the mirror. Her hair was freshly washed and tied up in a towel ready to be styled. There were light shadows under her eyes. It annoyed her that they were there, but the reason why spending her evenings with a hot fuckable man turned the heat up in her body.
Tonight was different from the last two times. She shivered, even though she wasn’t cold. Even being home right now in front of the mirror getting ready to see him was so different from the other two times. This was deliberate. This was like getting ready for a date, albeit a fuck date. Despite being tired, her mind was alert. She knew exactly what she was doing, what she was getting ready for. And she didn’t want to stop. But that’s what would happen if she spoke to one of her friends.Maybe that’s a sign I should?That and the uncomfortable feelings under the surface which spoke to her that this was more than just a fuck, a fling, a few day encounter. She shook her head. It has to be. She removed the towel and began drying and straightening her hair.
Another long day in the office was made a hundred times worse as she couldn’t get Max out of her mind, and whether or not she should turn up tonight. Logic said no, her heart said yes, and the lust that still burned in her body told her to go now.I have to work this out.Plus, Ellie and Billie wanted her to catch up again.Tomorrow… or maybe Wednesday. But what if I want to see Max again?This is becoming ridiculous.
Not for the first time that day she tried to remind herself it was just a fling. Seriously that thought was wearing so thin it was starting to scare her. She focussed on applying her makeup and then finishing with a plum colour lipstick. This definitely felt more like a date. Her stomach roiled at that thought. Even though she didn’t have a lot of time, she knew she’d put in a lot of effort into her appearance.
I want to make an impression on Max?She knew damn well she did, but seriously couldn’t help thinking she’d already done that.I want more?A quick glance in the mirror at her perfectly styled straight hair. Her light makeup emphasised the blue of her eyes and the dark liner bordered the shape of her eyes against her pale skin, which gave her the answer she didn’t want to see. Yes, she did. A lasting impression.
Zoe inhaled deep and slow. It was time to go. She went into her bedroom, slipped on some black heels that went with her plum coloured wrap dress, which emphasised her bust line, waist and had a slight flare in the skirt that ended just above her knees. She emptied her handbag on her bed, took out the essentials for the night, transferring them into a shiny black evening clutch.
With a buzz of excitement and nerves thick in her gut, she walked from her bedroom.
“Where are you going? And on a weeknight?” Jen, her roommate, asked her as she looked up from watching television. She was sprawled on the lounge in her PJs with a hot drink in hand.
“Nowhere.” Zoe blushed straight away. She was hoping she could’ve snuck out without her roommate seeing her. It was bad enough Billie and Ellie were giving her grief about the fact she was still seeing Max. She didn’t know why they were so concerned. She could handle herself. Besides he’d done nothing to cause her concern. Perhaps he was a bit grumpy yesterday because she made him wait just a little longer. But still, that was nothing that raised any red flags or rang alarm bells.
“Is it that guy from the show?”
“Yes.” Zoe grinned.
“My God you look like you could be in love.”
“Yeah right, you don’t fall in love in a few days.”
Jen put on a thinking expression. “You could if you were making love.”
“We’re fucking, not making love.”
“Hmmm… if you say so.”
Zoe rolled her eyes. “Don’t wait up.”
“I won’t. Stay safe.”
“Always.”
Zoe went down in the elevator to the basement and got in her car. Public transport wasn’t going to get her to his hotel on time—the Goodwood Park Hotel or The Goody as everyone knows it. Besides she wasn’t planning on drinking. It wasn’t like she needed any Dutch courage for how she wanted things to unfold.
A shiver of delight ran down her body, prickling her skin pleasantly. She started her car and drove for about fifteen minutes to the Goody. She got out. She was amazed at how busy the front bar was. She went around to the back of the hotel, through the entrance Max suggested. There was a more high-dining area there, but even so, she felt overdressed for this pub. I should’ve just worn jeans and a shirt. She glanced at what everyone else was wearing. It was obvious from the amount of denim, striped shirts, and work boots that the majority of people here were from the country. It was just another reminder she didn’t belong. Not here with her designer dress, flash heels and styled in a modern look.
