Plus one, p.10
Plus One, page 10
With all my drunk strength I push myself off the window and slide over to him.
“I want to break a rule,” I whisper. His body tenses, his mouth parting at my suggestion. “And I think you do too,” I giggle.
He looks in the rearview mirror as a distraction, acting as if I’m not affecting him.
“I won’t tell anyone.” I wink, and though I think I’m being sexy I probably look like a lady who lost a contact rather than a seductive temptress alluring a man into her bed.
“No,” he clips dryly. I swallow, my head flinching back by his tone.
“Why, because you want to keep this fake? Because you don’t find me attractive?” I ramble on, my lust turning to anger.
“No.” He looks my way, taking his eyes off the road. His face is almost touching mine and my lips part as he gazes into my eyes seductively. “It’s because you smell like vomit,” he whispers, and I roll my eyes. Feeling horrified I scoot back over to my side of the truck. My cheeks spread crimson and my world spins.
“Well, it’s your fault. If you weren’t all ‘Get in my truck or I’ll make you’ and thrown me upside down over your shoulder, I wouldn’t have gotten sick,” I blame him.
“Maybe if you weren’t out drinking by yourself—”
“I wasn’t! Quinn left when I was waiting for my cab!” I defend. His tone sounding like a protective parent.
“I’m not going to let you get in a cab with someone you don’t know!” he bellows, his jaw clenched.
“Why do you care?” His head cuts my way with an expression on his face I can’t place.
Leaning forward he turns the dial on the stereo to “Vice” from Miranda Lambert. Leaning his wrist over the steering wheel, his shoulders are tense, I can tell he’s done talking about this.
Holding my dizzy head, I lie in the seat and let the song take me into a slumber.
* * *
Waking up to the familiar smell of home, I sit up in my bed. I’m stripped to a shirt and my socks, and I blush.
Did Max dress me?
Last night filters into my head like a bad movie. I threw up, on Max! How embarrassing.
“Quinn?” I call out, hoping she’s the one that dressed me and not Max. Needing to vent to her about everything that happened last night. Not hearing anything, I slide my legs over the bed and step on something, or someone rather.
“Fuck!” a male voice hollers. I jump back on my bed and scream, my head pounding from last night’s drinking.
“It’s just me!” Max appears in my face, the darkness around him making him appear eerie. His hands grab at me frantically in an attempt to calm me. Realizing it’s just him, I shove him away angry.
“What are you doing in here?” I gasp, my heart beating out of my chest.
“You were really out of it, I just wanted to make sure you were okay before I left.” He rubs the back of his neck looking me over with hungry eyes. I pull my shirt further down my thighs, and swallow the sudden lump in my throat.
“How did I change clothes?” I eye him skeptically.
“You had puke on your clothes, if you want to call those clothes, so I changed you.” He shrugs, looking me up and down unforgivingly. Like he’s seeing me naked all over again.
My eyes widen. He changed my clothes? I’m not sure how I feel about that. “I left your bra and panties on.” He gives me a look like I’m being ridiculous.
My heart beats a little faster in my chest, curious if his eyes lingered a little longer than acceptable, or if he snuck a grope.
A devilish smile crosses his face, and then he winks. Conveying my imagination is right on point. I’m not sure if I’m mad that he did look at me, or that I wasn’t awake to see it myself. Did he like what he saw?
“I’m fine.” I cross my arms. My nipples perking at the thought of Max touching me. “You can go now.”
He moves and the moonlight splashes across his smooth chest, reminding me he’s shirtless. My lips part to allow a shallow sigh to escape. My fingers digging into my palm at the impulsive urge to claw the shit out of him.
He steps up to me, and I hold my breath. His hard body moving in the night like a snake.
“If I’m not mistaken, you groped me pretty hard in the parking lot, and the way you’re looking at me—”
“I’m not looking at you.” I avert my eyes quickly.
His hard hands grab both of my shoulders and my thighs squeeze together from the contact.
“You’re looking at me like you want me to fuck you into this mattress until you forget your name and chant mine like a goddamn prayer, Rae. Don’t lie.” His voice comes out husky, and thick.
My chest swells, my eyes nearly rolling into my head. It’s like I get amnesia when I’m around Max. Rules and self-respect gone.
Quickly I look away, my fingers playing with my bottom lip nervously. I need him to leave before I give in to my desire and let Max take me right here. My sex squeezes wanting me to act on that notion.
“That’s what I thought,” he mutters, his tone bitter and cold before turning and leaving my room.
I fall on my back, my body practically vibrating with passion.
What is wrong with me?
This is all fake. Pretend. Anything other than a fairytale in a nightmare waiting to happen.
Max doesn’t do relationships, hence why I’m in this predicament in the first place.
He’ll eat me with a wet grin, leaving a napkin that says ‘call me’ in his wake. Which he never will and I will be that girl that is obsessed with a guy that doesn’t want her.
Because I can tell, any woman who has had Max… can’t easily walk away.
* * *
Max
A week later
Rolling up the blueprints to the new hotel in New Jersey, my phone vibrates.
“If you’ll excuse me?” I hold my phone up to the client and take a step outside. “‘Sup little brother?”
“Hey, I’m having a party this weekend. Can you come?” he asks hopeful.
“You don’t want me there, I’ll cramp your style,” I laugh. Beau is the star of the family. Quarterback of the Tennessee College football team and is very popular in our parts.
“Shut up. Every time the girls hear you’re coming they come in flocks, but Mom told me you have a girlfriend so maybe I have a chance at getting laid,” he cuts to the chase.
Lowering my head, I chuckle. “How old are you again?”
“Twenty, and save me the sex talk,” he snaps, clearly knowing what he’s doing. Not sure if I should be proud or not.
“When is it?” I sigh into the phone.
“This weekend in the hayfield.” I lift my head looking down the hallway lined with stupid art that makes no sense. I haven’t been out in the field in years. Me and Beau used to help clear the fields out there for summer paychecks as kids.
“Does Mr. Kenmore know you’re using his hayfield for this party?” I ask, knowing damn well that old man doesn’t know.
“Nope,” he clips.
“Your funeral,” I shrug.
“So are you’re coming?” he asks again. Hanging with some nineteen-year-olds isn’t really my scene but I do it occasionally when my little brother asks.
“We’ll see.” I click the phone off and slide it into my pocket.
I can’t lie, an excuse to see Rae again has me a little excited. But she’s also the reason I took this building so far away. To put some distance between us because it took every fucking thing I had not to give into her that night she was trashed.
I want her, and I shouldn’t.
* * *
Rae
Shopping with Quinn I look at a pair of plaid sweat pants at Victoria's Secret when my phone buzzes.
Hey, my brother is having a party. Want to come? –M
I furrow my brows. Want to come? Does he need me for appearances or does he want me to come because he wants to spend time with me?
“Why is your face like that?” Quinn asks, her hands full of bright colored clothes.
“Max invited me to his brother’s party,” I tell her.
“For like, to show you off to his brother?” She tilts her head to the side confused.
“I don’t know, he didn’t say,” I shake my head.
“Maybe he wants you to throw up on him again. Maybe it’s a new thing men are into,” she replies casually, sniffing some perfume.
I ignore her. I never should have told her about that.
For fake? –R
Quinn looks at me as we wait for the three little dots to stop bouncing as Max replies.
Yeah, sure. –M
Relief, and regret sink heavy into the pit of my stomach. I’m not sure what I’m wanting out of this but that’s because Max is sending mixed signals.
When? –R
This weekend. –M
See ya then. –R
After typing my reply, I shove my phone back in my pocket.
“Thank God, I thought he was really asking me out.” I fake a smile and Quinn rolls her eyes at me. She doesn’t believe me.
“Girl, you couldn’t be more disappointed than a virgin going home solo on prom night,” she huffs.
I pretend to be interested in the lingerie on a mannequin, avoiding eye contact.
“What do you want me to say. That I want this pretend relationship to be real?”
“You don’t have to; I can see it on your face and hear it in your voice. Which means you need to be really careful, and sex is definitely off the table.” She steps in front of me, her index finger pointed at me.
I furrow my brows, my mouth falling open.
“What does that mean?”
“You can’t do casual sex, Rae. You’ve had sex with two people. Jacob, who you almost married, and then three months later you hooked up with that sexy basketball player in the bathroom at Club Voodoo. Which then turned into you staying in your pajamas crying into a bowl of ice cream while watching re-runs because you felt like a whore,” she rambles about, flinging through the rack of clothes.
I remember that hook up. I was drunk, and didn’t even remember the guy’s name. He was cute, I remember that. I went to the doctor the next day and got a full work up, I was so scared and ashamed of myself.
“You’re right. I don’t do casual hookups,” I admit. “When I have sex, my whole heart and body go into it. I connect with other person,” I sigh, coming to terms I’ll never be a bed hopper.
Quinn gives a sympathetic smile, and squeezes my shoulder. “Hey, it takes skill to have sex devoid of emotions.”
I toss my flannel pants at her.
“You’re such a skilled ho.”
Saturday comes at a crawl and I’m ready for mine and Max’s date. I’ve made up my mind though, keeping things platonic and professional.
I picked out blue shorts, a white tank top and a red and pink flannel button-up that I left unbuttoned.
My hair is down, and I even put on a little makeup.
“You look good. Remember. No sex!” She points at me, and I roll my eyes.
“I know. I’m keeping these legs closed like a nun!” I inform her with a serious tone.
She gives me a pensive look and walks into the next room.
“He’s here!” she hollers.
Looking the mirror my sun burnt cheeks and blonde hair stand out but I don’t look bad. We can do this. No sex.
Stepping into the main living room I find Max standing by the door. He’s tall and muscular, taking up the whole room.
He has on blue ripped jeans, a red shirt and a blue button-up. My thighs clench when my eyes fall on his backwards ball cap.
There’s no hope for me.
Heading out to the truck we don’t make eye contact and the ride is silent. There is so much tension and unspoken thoughts I can barely breathe. I keep to my side of the car, and look out the window.
Pulling into the field there are a few trucks, and a couple cars. The bonfire’s flames licking into the hot summer night.
“Looks like people showed up, so that’s a plus,” Max mumbles under his breath as he drives into the bumpy field. It’s the first time I’ve heard him say anything tonight.
I grab the oh-shit handle, as I’m tossed around the front seat. The terrain of the field is rough. Max’s eyes falling to my bouncing chest doesn’t go unnoticed.
Parking, we get out and a younger kid that almost looks identical to Max, but falls short on the boyish good-looks, comes strutting toward us.
“Wasn’t sure you were goin’ to show,” he states, his southern accent thick. He’s not wearing a shirt and has blue jeans with cowboy boots on. He stops, his eyes undressing me crudely. I clear my throat, crossing my arms uncomfortably.
Max walks around the truck and places his arm around my waist, claiming me.
“Mine,” Max growls in warning, and my head whips in his direction. Those fuck me eyes telling me to try and argue. The possessive undertone in his voice striking me right in the hopeless romantic instincts that I try to keep locked away in my chest. “Rae, this is my brother Beau. Beau this is my girlfriend, Rae.” Calling me his girlfriend came out smoother this time. Unlike last time when he had a stroke between spitting the word out.
“Girlfriend?” Beau chokes out in shock. “When did this happen?” Beau looks at me like I cast a spell over his brother and I better come clean with my witchery right now.
“I knew you were seeing someone, but I didn’t know it was that serious!” He scoffs like he doesn’t approve, must be some brotherly code or something.
“I don’t tell you everything, bub. Now, are we here to talk about me or are you hosting a party?” Max tilts his head to the side, his face hard.
“Nah, let’s go get a drink or something,” Beau holds his hand out, gesturing toward the fire.
Max grabs my hand, leading the way. The feel of his hand making my heart flutter inside my chest.
Thunder sounds from above, and the wind suddenly blows my hair around my face. The smell of rain strong.
“Looks like your party will be cut short,” Max states, but Beau doesn’t respond.
Walking through the small crowd of people everyone’s eyes are on me and Max. Young girls eyeing him and whispering to one another.
As if Max can sense what I’m thinking he tucks me into his side. The protective gesture is making my head spin. He smells so good, and feels strong against me.
Some random guy hands Max a beer in passing. Twisting the top off he presses the beer to his mouth and takes a big sip. His throat muscles flex, and I take notice of the stubble that is lining his strong jaw. I want to run my hands along it. I roll my fingers into my palm to ease the urge, tonight is not going to be easy.
None of this is real. The flirting, the touching, the kiss. My fingers slide along my neck where Max kissed me.
It’s all fake and a show. I want to believe it, but my body is defying every thought.
We reach a random truck parked by the bonfire and we climb on top of the tailgate. His thigh brushing against my bare leg. I begin to sweat, wishing these feelings and thoughts to vanish.
“You want some?” he holds his beer toward me, and my eyes snap to his.
“Sure,” I smile, taking the bottle. I take a sip and smell him. I can feel his eyes watching me as I drink in not only the beer, but him.
Wiping my mouth with the back of my hand I keep my eyes on the fire, not wanting to be sucked into the depths of his blue eyes.
“I’ll go get us some more,” he chuckles, hopping off the back of the tailgate. I watch him strut over to a blue cooler, his arms loose at his sides. Girls instantly flock around him and my teeth bite down at the jealousy.
He rubs the back of his neck nervously, his head bowed, he looks at me across the way. He shrugs, and points at me. In a snap all the girls look at me like I’m the biggest bitch in the world.
He gives an apologetic smile and heads toward me with four beers in his hands.
“That must have been a new experience,” I tease him. “Telling a bunch of girls you’re off the market,” I explain further.
He hands me a beer, his head falling back with a deep laugh.
“It was actually. This whole,” he gestures his hand between him and I, “thing. It’s different.”
Popping the top off the beer I look down at the muddy ground.
“I get what you’re saying.” Everything about him and I isn’t normal.
The heavens suddenly open and cold rain pelts into my skin. Everyone hollers, running to their vehicles.
“Come on!” Max grins and turns his back toward me conveying he wants me to hop on his back. I wrap my arms around his neck and my legs around his strong back and he runs.
My sex throbs with him in-between my legs, the smell of him a toxic concoction to my reality as the rain splashes against his strong neck. I want to lick the rain from his glistening skin.
Thunder cracks in the sky, and the wind smacks me in the cheeks. Trucks and cars peel out of the grassy field as we make our way to his truck.
Max opens my door, and I climb inside soaking wet. He jogs to his side and situates himself behind the steering wheel.
We’re both laughing, wiping the wetness from our faces, but you can still feel the awkwardness of it all.
He starts the truck and when he puts it into drive the truck just rocks back and forth, the tires spinning.
“Shit!” he cusses, trying the reverse. Nothing.
“We’re stuck?” I ask with wide eyes.
“Let me see if we’re stuck on something,” he states, opening the door and running out into the rain. Not wanting him to do it by himself I open my door and jump out. The wind howls, and lightning splits across the sky. Raindrops stick to my lashes causing it hard to see anything without blinking a bunch of times.
Max is behind a tire, kicking rocks and mud away from the divot. Holding my arm above my head I walk toward him.
“Did you find the problem?” I holler above the storm.
