Plus one, p.15
Plus One, page 15
The door is suddenly opened and we both look to find a bartender red-faced and wide-eyed taking us both in.
“Shit!” Rae squeals, pulling her dress down. Grabbing myself, I pull my jeans up and push my length inside my underwear. Quickly I grab Rae’s hand and push past the bartender.
“Get back here! You’re going to pay for this!” the man yells.
* * *
Rae
Laughing, we run through the crowd, snaking through groups of dancing people. Quinn reaches out grabbing my hand, but with Max tearing me through the sea of bodies I can’t grip onto her hand good enough. She jogs after us, the summer night air sticking to my body as I follow Max outside.
“Wait, Quinn is coming!” I tell Max.
“She’ll find us,” he states, his hand on my back, he guides me to the truck.
He unlocks the passenger door and I climb in. Going to his side he climbs in behind the steering wheel. He runs his hands back and forth through his gorgeous blond hair, his chest rising and falling as he laughs.
He glances at me, his face going soft before reaching out, grabbing my hand.
“You’re a lot of fun, you know that?” he chuckles, and I blush. His other hand reaches out pulling my chin up, making me look him in the eye. The song “Let Me Love You” by Ariana Grande can be heard from the club, the bass vibrating the truck.
“Come here.” He pulls me into his lap, my legs straddling his lap. The smell of coconut from the rum lingering on my skin. His lips kiss me once, then twice before fully taking my mouth into his control. He squeezes my thighs, deepening the kiss to where I can barely breathe.
I don’t know what is going on here but I’m too scared to dissect it. Fearing I will ruin everything with my big mouth.
His hand slides over my back, his other keeping my head right where he wants it. My every breath is filled with the scent of him, my every taste of him. This man is taking over everything, dominating my world to the point I can’t live without him. He’s in the air, in my mind, inside of me.
A knock sounds at the window and Quinn’s face is right there. I glare at her, angry she’s interrupting.
“You guys have the whole club looking for you,” she informs. “What did you do?” she giggles, looking between us both. I glance at Max who is looking at me with a serious face. “Anyways, I’m calling a cab home, you coming?”
“Get in, you’re not calling a cab. I’ll take you home,” Max’s voice is hard, and sexy.
“Okay,” Quinn responds, no fight in her voice.
She opens the back door, and climbs in. Reluctantly I climb off his lap and over to my side of the truck, but he refuses to let go of my hand. His fingers interlocking between mine he makes it clear he’s not letting go.
My palm is sweaty, my fingers aching from his large palm taking mine captive but I wouldn’t let go if I had to.
We drive in silence to my place. Every now and then Max looks at me with an unreadable look. The tension in the truck so thick I can feel it on my shoulders.
He pulls up to our place and Quinn gets out.
“Thanks for the ride,” she says before heading to our door, leaving us alone for a minute.
Looking at the floorboard I slowly look at him under my eyelashes. His jaw is clenched, his eyes dark and smoldering.
“I guess I’ll see you around?” I state softly. A piece of me hoping he asks me to come home with him.
He nods, before letting my hand go.
Looking over my shoulder I smile at him, winking at him.
He winks back, and I go weak in the knees. The simple act of walking nearly impossible.
He waits until I get to my door before driving off and my world crashes with a cold void when he’s out of sight.
I already miss him.
* * *
Max
She’s everywhere. I can smell her on my skin. Taste her in my mouth. Feel her warmth on my hand.
I rub my chin, contemplating why this urge to turn this truck around and demand she come home with me is so strong.
I went out tonight to get her off my mind, I never thought I’d see her there, or fuck her in the supply room.
But hell if I wouldn’t do it all over again.
I want to call this whole thing off, but doing so would mean I would have to explain why and I’m not ready to do that. Because I will have to be honest, and the truth will tear her from me.
I haven’t felt like this in a long time, and I’ll be damned if I’m in a hurry to chase it away.
13
Rae
“Girl, wake up!” My mattress is kicked, the impact jostling me. Opening an eye, I glare at Quinn, hoping my bitchface will silently tell her to fuck off without me having to do so. “There’s a huge package here for you!”
“Is it six foot, blondish hair, and the bluest eyes you’ve ever seen?” I mumble, and she cocks a brow at me not seeing my humor.
“Unless someone murdered Max and put him in a gift box, I don’t think so,” she clips, crossing her arms.
Throwing the blanket off myself, I slip out of bed curious what this mystery package is.
Stumbling like a zombie, I head into the living room and see a big white box with a black silk bow tied around it. I freeze, suddenly wide-awake. Quinn stops next to me as we eye the package like it might contain a bomb.
“Did the carrier say who it was from?” I ask her without taking my eyes off the gift, knowing damn well who it came from.
“No, it was on the front step when I opened the door this morning,” she informs, twirling her red hair between her fingers.
Slowly I step up to the package, my finger running along the silk that wraps around the white cardboard like a vise. I pull at it, unraveling it from its beautiful state.
Grabbing both sides, I shuffle it off finding a bunch of white tissue paper. Tossing the lid over my shoulder I move the paper aside and find a gorgeous white and black dress inside.
My hand comes to my mouth to hush the gasp of surprise.
“That is drop dead gorgeous!” Quinn swoons. Taking the dress in my hands I unfold it and it’s even more breathtaking. It’s an off the shoulder design, falling mid-thigh if I have to guess. It’s white with sheer black flowered lace covering it. I’ve never had something so sexy and delicate. A card slips from its hold, landing on my toes.
I bend down and grab it.
Finding something as beautiful as you was a failed task, but I thought this would come a close second.
See you tomorrow.
Max
My heart dives a little deeper for this man as I re-read the card. Who knew he could be so sweet and romantic?
“Go try it on,” Quinn encourages.
Holding the dress up, I’m almost afraid to try it on. What if I rip it or get something on it? I open the fabric and look at the tag. Aside from the bold Tiffany stitched into it I also notice it’s just my size.
“Tiffany’s? That had to cost him.” She shakes her head, looking over my shoulder.
My mouth agape, I shove the dress against my chest with a gasp. I was scared of the dress before I saw the tag, now I’m terrified. It’s too much. It goes to show how different Max and I really are. I don’t come from money or upper class anything, it’s one of the things Jacob hated about me. I’m down to earth and don’t expect anything like this.
“Oh, by the way, I need you to cover my shift for the week,” I inform Quinn, almost forgetting to tell her. Her head whips my way in a state of alarm before her eyes narrow in on me.
“Girl,” she points at me. “You owe me!”
* * *
In my room I go through my things deciding what to pack for the week. I hope they have a washer because I don’t know that I have enough decent clothes for an entire week. I rummage through my drawers and find some light pink lacy lingerie, and of course bright green. I grab both, shoving them in a suitcase Quinn let me borrow. After packing I shower, making sure to shave everywhere. My heart is beating harder with every passing hour knowing Max will be here tomorrow to pick me up and whisk me away.
14
Max
Pulling up to Rae’s house I turn the truck off and sit there. My hands gripping the steering wheel. This is as fucking real as it gets and I’m terrified. But the way I feel when I’m around Rae makes me fearless, she sets my soul on fire and my pursuit for that won’t cease until she’s mine.
I just hope I don’t lose our friendship in the process of that. After the wedding, I will tell her everything.
Taking a deep breath, I open the door and get out, making sure to put on my baseball cap.
Taking my hands out of my pocket, I knock on the door.
It swings open and Rae’s bitchy friend Quinn stands there with her hip cocked out and a snarky look on her face.
“Is she ready?” I ask, stepping inside.
“Rae! He’s here!” she yells over her shoulder, her eyes raking me up and down.
“Thanks for giving me the dress size, “ I say softly so Rae can’t hear me.
She smiles, that act breaking her bitch face.
“Of course, but don’t make me regret it,” her clipped tone defying her cheeky smirk.
Rae appears around the corner with a suitcase in tow grabbing my attention.
She’s like a ray of fucking sunshine as she bustles down the hall. Her blonde hair flowing around her oval face. A nude pink top and tight blue jeans fitting her thighs perfectly.
“Hey,” she greets.
“You ready?” I try and mask my emotions as she has them everywhere.
She nods. I step around her, grabbing her suitcase. It’s heavy as hell.
“What the hell is in here?” I ask with a dumbfounded look.
“Just some things I needed,” she looks at me with an obvious look. Did she pack her whole fucking room?
“See ya Quinn.” They hug and I maneuver around them.
I toss her shit in the back and open the door for her, when she passes by a trail of honey and lily scent assaults me. She slides into her seat and I can’t help but lean closer without her knowing to inhale a deeper breath.
She turns, a smile pulling at the corner of her mouth. Nervous I was caught just sniffing her like a fucking tool, I smirk and shut the door.
That never happened.
Rae
“How long is the drive?” I ask, propping my feet on the dash. Max sighs, getting comfortable in his seat. He’s got one hand dangled over the steering wheel, and the other hand rubbing at his chin in the sexiest way a man can.
“About an hour, do you need to pee?” He glances my way before looking back at the road.
“Why would you think that?” I ask with a laugh.
“Because, don’t women have to pee every ten minutes?” he asks casually.
I roll my eyes.
“That’s a lie, and no I don’t have to pee.” I do.
I chew on my inner cheek and look out the window. There is something between us, but we’re both scared of what that is.
Caring about someone, and wanting something more means putting yourself out there. You’re vulnerable, and naïve to reality. I thought I loved Jacob, but comparing that to how I feel about Max right now, I’m second thinking what my past feelings had been.
Max is the first man I’ve let in my life since the day my heart was broken, and he’s mended my cracks and filled them with hope. I don’t know what’s next, but I’m feeling Max. He’s everywhere.
The sound of silence deafening, I lean forward and turn the stereo on. Time passes by as I watch the trees go by, and the sound of the truck lulls me into a slumber.
An hour later a bump in the road wakes me, and I slowly sit up in my seat. The windows are down and the wind is slapping me in the face. My legs sticking to the seat in an uncomfortable sweat.
“Where are we?” I ask, half asleep, the sun blinding me to the point I can barely open my eyes.
“Here,” he replies. “And, by the way,” I look his way. “You fart in your sleep,” he smiles and I panic.
“You were probably smelling your socks, I don’t fart,” I retort seriously.
He chuckles, sitting up straighter in his seat.
“My socks?” he asks confused.
“Yeah, don’t men have stinky feet?”
He shakes his head, still smiling.
Pulling into a paved driveway there’s cute little cottages spaced sporadically around the land. They’re made out of stone and look rustic. Green foliage and vines laced around them. There’s a giant lake that trails around the bend of trees as far as the eye can see. Amongst it all is a tall white building that oversees it all. There’s a ton of cars parked in front of it, and people walking all over.
I began to sweat, the reality of what I got myself into weighing heavy.
“Here we are,” Max mutters under his breath. He’s leaning over looking out the windshield.
“It’s beautiful,” I whisper. It’s very romantic and simple. He looks my way, his eyes narrowing.
“Don’t be nervous, you’ll do great.”
“I’m not nervous,” I lie. He scoffs, and I eye him.
“I know you, and you’re nervous. Look, just stay away from Uncle Bernie, he’s handsy. Grandma Agatha is brutally honest so I would keep away from her if your feelings are easily hurt,” he informs, giving me tips to survive his family for the week.
I nod, looking out the window. I know he’s trying to help, but I’ll never remember those people.
“Other than that, I’m not sure who all is coming. There’s over one hundred people invited,” he continues. I think I just threw up in my mouth; that is a lot of people.
I hate weddings. Why am I here? Why am I doing this to myself? The questions assault me like nunchucks to the heart.
He parks, and as I’m lost in my own torment a warm hand grabs at my hand. Squeezing it reassuringly.
My eyes peek under my blonde bangs, finding blue irises silently telling me he’s got me.
“Hey!” We both look up at the voice, finding Becca, his mother approaching the truck. A woman with dirty blonde hair that matches Max’s, right behind her.
He gets out, and I do the same.
“Where is she?” the younger woman asks and I freeze where I stand, knowing she’s asking about me.
“Rae, this is my sister Macy,” Max introduces me to the younger woman. The bride.
I muster a big cheesy smile, trying to mask my fear of being here.
“Hi, congratulations.” I tuck a hair behind my ear and walk around the truck. Macy holds her hand out, and I shake it. She looks so much like Max with those blue eyes and blonde hair.
“Mom has told me so much about you,” she says cheerfully. I glance at Becca, curious what all she has said. I laugh, and feeling uncomfortable I look at Max for backup. He catches my cue and struts over to me, placing an arm around my waist. Instantly my world is better. The weight that was sitting on my chest to the point I couldn’t breathe is lifted.
“Let’s not interrogate her, huh?” Max states playfully, and Macy smiles and takes a step back.
“Right, sorry. It’s just I’ve only met one of Max’s girlfriends before and let’s just say—”
“Macy!” Max barks, and I jump.
“Right,” she clears her throat. “You’re staying in cottage three, right in front of the lake,” she tells us, but I can’t take my eyes off Max. The way he reacted about the girlfriend has me off guard. I remember him talking about a girl who was cheating on him when we first met, is this the same girl? What happened to them?
He turns us, his grip on my waist possessive.
“Oh, Max. I invited Jacob, he should be arriving tomorrow.” My heart slams in my chest. My palm clutching it to ease the hatred and poison rushing through my blood.
“You what?” Max looks over his shoulder, his brows furrowed together.
“I invited Jacob. I thought you’d be happy to see him,” she shrugs, and Becca looks at Max confused.
“Why would I be excited to see him?” He shifts on his feet.
“What is wrong with you? You guys grew up together why wouldn’t she invite him?” Becca clips, her face pensive.
His hand taps my hip, urging me to move forward. It takes everything I have, but I put one foot after the other and follow him back to the truck.
Jacob will be here. I haven’t seen him since the day he ran out on me. What will I say to him? What will he say to me? How does Max feel about this?
It’s official. Weddings fucking suck!
15
Max
Pulling up to the cottage I can’t help but keep glancing at Rae. Her face is pale, her jaw clenched. She’s not that ray of sunshine she was moments ago. It’s as if a dark force has taken over her and made her into something I’ve only seen one time before. Her wedding day.
I rub at my chin, the thought of Jacob being here unsettling. What if he tries to mend things? What if he wants her back?
Throwing the truck in park, my stomach knots.
I can’t let that happen.
Getting out, I walk around the truck to open her door, but she just sits there when I open it. I sigh, pulling my hat backwards.
“Are you okay?” I ask concerned.
Her head snaps my way as if she didn’t realize I was there.
“Yeah,” she smiles, but it’s fake. Not quite reaching her eyes.
She slides out, and I grab our shit.
She leads the way, her head down and I open the door to let us in.
It’s small, cozy, and fucking romantic. Its roof slanted limiting the head room. There’s a small white metal frame bed in the corner, and a small loveseat adjacent to it with a fluffy white blanket thrown over it.
The windows are open and blowing sheer curtains around.
