"Stop, yes, you do. Coach Nash is going to be so lucky to have you." The weight of my words passes between us. There’s that timing problem rearing its ugly head again as the butterfly that was flapping in my chest just minutes ago slowly dies.
"Can we just pretend for tonight?" Max begs, his lips pulled in and a hint of sheen in his eyes.
"Pretend?"
"That I’m not leaving. Hell, that neither of us are running off to our jobs in a matter of days." He lifts me from the seat I'm in, opening the cabin door with his free hand. "Can we pretend that the words we said not ten minutes ago are enough?"
"I would love that." Pressing a soft kiss to the bicep draped over my shoulder, I duck my head through the door and step into the sleeping quarters.
I’m not lying, I would love to pretend nothing else exists outside of our bubble—and I’ll do my best to fake it until I make it. But we both know this isn’t a solution. Instead, it’s a temporary salve that will lessen the sting for a little while, only for it to come back twice as hard in the morning.
The cabin isn’t a large space with only about two feet at the end of the bed. But it’s cozy, and the blue patchwork comforter looks to be not just well-worn but soft in a way you know will be comforting.
I slip my still soaking wet jean shorts off and toss them out the cabin door. They land with a thud on the deck, followed by my tank top. Max strips, ditching everything including his boxers—leaving me breathless.
"See something you like?" Max smirks, running his hand through his hair so it’s slicked out of his face.
"Mm-hmm." I slip my lace thong down my legs, kicking it off with my feet before ditching my bra.
Max pulls the comforter back, motioning for me to lie down, but I shake my head and point my finger to the spot he just uncovered. The book is sitting in the center of the pillows, and it’s open to the next clue.
"For someone who says they want to help you, Beth really knows how to kill the moment," Max jokes, climbing up to it and lifting it from its spot as he scans the clue. "This one’s easy. It’s protective." He tosses me the book, followed by a pencil.
I read the clue aloud. "Three across… a human behavior that is comparable to sunscreen." Grabbing the pencil, I scribble in the answer and watch the letters melt to gold. "You’re getting better at those, or Beth gave an easy one so we could get onto the good stuff."
Max rolls his eyes. "Yeah, maybe toss it aside now?"
Following his command, I drop it to the floor and dip a finger through the wetness that has pooled between my legs, holding itup. The lighting in the cabin is dim, but it illuminates the room enough for Max to see it glistening.
"You said you loved me…" I purse my lips, fighting a smile. "I think maybe you should prove that… even if it’s just for tonight."
It’s official—I’m a masochist. With the way he’s looking at me, the way he so easily saved my life and confessed his feelings… I couldn’t deny him this moment any more than I could deny it for myself.
Max scratches the back of his neck lightly. "Is that so?" Nodding, I finally give in to the smile—allowing myself to grin. "What are you proposing?"
Cocking a hip out, I hold my finger up and motion for him to come to me. "Crawl over here and find out."
Max leaps forward, reaching me in only a few quick movements. He pulls me on top of him, grabbing my hand, sucking the finger that was inside me a second ago into his mouth.
"Mmm…" He swirls his tongue around the tip. "You know, I think I’m getting hungry."
Pressing myself up with my hands, I move to scoot off of him. "Oh, uh, yeah we can eat instead."
He chuckles, pulling me so that I'm straddling his chest. "I meant you. I’m ready for my meal." Max pushes on my ass, hoisting me forward so that I’m hovering over his face. And when he sinks his tongue inside of me, I see stars.
He circles my clit slowly, like he’s savoring every pass of his tongue. And then he suctions his mouth onto my already sensitive bud while plunging two fingers inside of me.
"You taste so sweet, Sade." He whispers, the warm breath fanning over my pussy. "Ride my face, baby."
My hips move in slow circles as Max brings me to the brink. But when my thighs start to shake, he pulls back, grinning up at me.
"What are you doing?" I brace my hands on the small piece of wood that serves as a headboard, lifting off of him slightly.
"Taking my time… there’s no rush."
His hands grip my hips harder, pulling me back down again as he flattens his tongue and presses punishing flicks to my clit.
"Fuck, Max!"
