Page 16 of Whispered Promises

Arriving back at our building, I turn into the car park and pull into an empty space.

With the music blasting in the car the whole journey back, Max kept the awkward silence to a minimum by singing along to every single track. This man knows every one, even with the genres being a mismatch. Taylor Swift? No problem. My Chemical Romance? You bet. Oh, and the Frozen soundtrack? Every. Single. Word.

It eased my anxiety, distracting me enough that I spent most of the ride absorbed in Max.

But now that we’re here, it’s come back with a vengeance, overwhelming me with thoughts about the dinner.

I don’t think I can do it.

It’s just so imposing, so intimate, when they all know each other…and I’m a stranger they barely even know. What would we even talk about the whole time?

Stepping out of the car, we both walk over to the building entrance. My heart’s hammering so loudly, he’s surely able to hear it. I’m so absorbed in my head that I almost jump when Max’s heavy arm drapes across my shoulders as we head into the lift.

“So, dinner is going to be ready in an hour. Does that work for you, or do you need a bit more time?” With his arm still around me, pressing me into his side, his words practically vibrate through me. Reaching forward, he presses our floor number, and the doors close. Trapping me in a confined space with him.

“Yea-h.” My voice croaks, and I clear my throat. “Yeah, that’s fine. I don’t need more time than that. Should I bring something? Is there anything you need?”

“Nope, just your beautiful self. Bry’s got everything else covered; so don’t worry about anything,” he responds obliviously.

Don’t worry about anything?

I almost snort at that. My entire being is consumed by constant worry.

We step out of the lift together and walk down the corridor, stopping outside my door. His warm arm falls away, and I have to consciously hold myself back from swaying into him, missing that contact.

“See you in a bit! Just come and knock on the door whenever you’re ready.” His voice echoes down the hallway as he walks backwards towards his flat.

Offering a wave and a nod in response, I open my door and rush inside. I need to shower, throw on some clothes, then I can hang out with Moshi for a bit and get him sorted before I go over there.

EIGHT

MAX

After watching Rosy enter her place, I barge through my door, toe off my shoes, and slide out of the hallway into the kitchen. A mixture of mouth-watering smells hits me.

“Fuck, that smells banging, Bry.” I groan, my stomach loudly announcing my hunger. Heading over to the cupboard, I grab a bag of salt and vinegar crisps, opening them roughly and shoving a handful into my mouth. I love when the vinegar tingles.

“Maxi! Dinner’s soon! You’re going to get crisps everywhere and ruin your appetite,” Bry scolds, but his attention is fixed firmly on drizzling oil on some focaccia. Fuck, that looks good.

“We could only hope. But I don’t think we’re lucky enough for him to find the bottom of his stomach.” Noah chuckles as he walks in and grabs cutlery from the drawers.

I go to throw a crisp at Noah, but it’s plucked from my grip as Nate pops it into his mouth and crunches loudly.

“You’re welcome for stopping you getting into trouble.” He smirks, then sits on one of the stools.

“My charm’s too irresistible for me to get into trouble,” I quip, throwing another handful of crisps into my mouth. “Rosy said she will be over in an hour. I’m going to grab a shower quickly, I’m covered in hay from all the rolling around we did in it…”

“Max!”

“I’m joooooking.” I cackle at Noah. I swear, I’ve been given all the personality to make up for their lack of humour.

Heading into the bathroom I share with Bry, I close the door behind me and immediately strip. I flick on the shower and get straight in, sucking in a sharp breath as the cold water hits me.

Fuck, I love that brief moment when your heart freezes before the adrenaline hits. Standing still, I let the water cascade over me, enjoying the feel as it slowly heats up. Grabbing the bottle of shower gel, I quickly scrub some of the liquid into my skin, washing away the sweat, fur, and fuck knows what else from the day.

My thoughts jump to Rosy, and I wonder if she’s currently in the shower too. Is she standing there, lathering up her body and washing away the day we had together? She had more sass in that curvy body than I thought she would…and the sound of her laugh had my dick twitching in my pants all day.

And now it’s twitching again.