Page 145 of Habits
“Better not.” Max turns around. “You kids don’t burn the house down while I’m gone.”
We watch him walk away. His shoulders are stiff, the only indication that something’s cooking underneath the surface of calmness he presents to the world.
“Do you think he’ll be alright?”
Andrew’s lips brush against my shoulder. “Yeah, I think he just might be.”
When the door closes and I know we’re finally alone, I turn around and straddle his lap.
“And you?”
Andrew’s mom came to visit him the day after the accident. It was a coincidence really. Andrew didn’t want to leave my side, but my mom told him to go home and take a shower, eat something and come back. Reluctantly, he listened, but when he returned, I saw he was in one of his moods. I guess anybody would be after being cornered with their past.
“I’ll be fine, too.” He leans in to kiss my cheek.
“Have you talked to her?”
I don’t have to give him an explanation. He knows who I’m talking about.
“A few times. On the phone.” He shrugs like it doesn’t affect him one way or another, but I can see underneath the mask he puts on for everybody. He can’t fool me.
The man he’s turning out to be doesn’t want to care, but the little boy inside him does.
“She wants us to meet for coffee or something.”
I nod my head, brushing a strand of his hair away. “I think you should do it when you’re ready. Small steps.”
“Small steps,” he agrees.
“And us?” My good arm slides up his chest and neck, fingers tangling in the hair at the nape. “Are we going to be alright?”
His hands grip my hips, pulling me closer. I can feel his hard length between my legs. Nibbling at my lower lip, I watch his eyes grow dark with desire. It’s been a while for both of us, but I know he won’t do anything until I’m all patched up.
But that doesn’t mean we can’t have some fun.
I pull him closer to me. His lips brush against mine, our breaths mingling.
“We, Princess, we’re going to be perfect.”
THE END
