Max is sex personified. I’m also not confirming nor denying that I may have used his likeness as inspiration for my alone time material.
There was something about how he cared for those around him, Charlie and I included, that made him damn near irresistible.
I had made a solemn promise to myself that I would never, under any circumstances, cross that particular line. Charlie and I were finally in a stable environment and were working towards getting on our feet again.I wasn’t about to fuck that up for some good sex, and I knew being with Max would be more than just a one time fling.
There had been no news or sightings from anyone associated with Dean, a situation I knew wouldn’t last forever, but for the moment, things were good. I had replaced my original phone with a pre-paid temporary fix, keeping my original turned off and in the bedside table drawer.
“Well, Trouble, are you finally ready to break into the Firefly Cove scene and go out on the town for a night at Jack’s?” Max asked, bringing me back to reality.
Oh yeah, we were talking about going out.
“Uh… I guess we could go out for a couple hours,” I conceded. “Itwillgive me an excuse to pick up some of the new items in the boutique I’ve been eyeing.”
Not missing a beat, Max held up a finger as if telling me to ‘pause’ and walked back down the hallway and to his room. A soft rustling filled the air, punctuated by the hard clang of a belt buckle as he rummaged through something. He walked back into the kitchen and held out a credit card.
“I know you haven’t gotten a really steady paycheck from the boutique yet. I don’t want you spending your hard earned money on a night out, so here,” he pushed the card in my direction. “Grab yourself a new outfit. Don’t worry about the cost. I want your night out on the town to be more than just abreak from being a mom; I want you to feel truly special and indulged.”
Instant swoon. A fiery blush, encompassing at least fifty shades of red, crept across my cheeks as, with the utmost gentleness, I accepted the card from his outstretched fingers.
I’d never had someone offer to buy me an entire outfit just for a night out. I knew Max wasn’t exceptionally wealthy. He worked damn hard for all the money he had. Was it wrong of me to squash the thoughts that I should give the card back? Should I play coy and insist that he not pay?
Nope, I’m going to get those fucking sparkly boots and look like a snack out at the bar this weekend.
“You don’t have to do that,” I said, looking up into Max’s eyes.
He grinned down at me and my heart melted even more when he said in his deep timbre, “I know. Just let me take care of you, Stella.”
TEN
max
The week crawled by,the stress of each day compounding, but before I knew it, Friday night arrived with a sigh of relief and the promise of weekend freedom. I was preparing to head out with Wade, Ray, and Stella to the local dive bar, Jack’s.
I’d just finished the evening chores, the scent of hay and earth still clinging to my clothes, and was getting ready while Stella settled Charlie down for the night.
After showering, I changed into a clean black tee shirt, my one good pair of ‘going out’ jeans, and my dark brown Lucchese boots. I’d run some pomade through my damp hair and let it dry in what Wade liked to call ‘fuck boy chic’, which comprised an intentionally messy effect.
I wasn’t sure if I was getting dressed up because it had been awhile since I’d been out to Jack’s on a Friday night and I was hoping to get lucky, or if I was holding out hope for a certain blonde-haired, green-eyed, single mom that had worked her way into our crew.
I checked my outfit once over in the mirror and grabbed ablack Stetson off the hat rack by my bedroom door. Ma had always made sure that Wade and I had two distinct sets of boots and hats. We had our work set, a pair of broken-in Tecova boots and a straw Stetson that wouldn’t blanch in the sun but would still keep us shaded. Then, we had our ‘nice’ set that was kept for church, funerals, weddings, and special events.
I definitely wouldn’t want to be seen with the most stunning girl in Firefly Cove—her beauty radiating like the summer sun—while wearing my muddy work boots and faded jeans. I had been raised with a little more class than that.
Going down the hallway, I passed Charlie’s cracked door. I could hear her sound machine softly playing lullabies and Stella’s gentle voice whispering the lyrics in accompaniment. Their quiet time together felt sacred, filled with unspoken words and gentle smiles, so I decided not to intrude.
I walked down towards the kitchen and pulled out one of the barstools to sit down and wait. Wade and Ray had already made their way into town already, citing the need to get a prime real estate table near the pool tables. I’d never seen Jack’s full, so I’m assuming they were attempting to play cupid’s assistants and force Stella and me to ride together.
As I heard the soft sound of a door quietly shutting down the hallway, my attention was immediately drawn to the sound, and I froze instantly.
Stella wore a black sundress that hit mid-thigh. The top was a corset style that pushed her breasts up to a point that I was sure would be dangerous with some vigorous dancing, and the tiny straps did nothing to help the situation. The fabric flowed in soft waves over her silky skin and I wondered if it felt as soft as it looked.
On her feet was a sparkly set of heeled booties that hitabove her ankle and gave her outfit a bit of extra sass. Her hair was curled in soft waves and her makeup was heavier than I’d ever seen her wear, but accentuated the darker flecks in her eyes.
Although she was naturally beautiful, a captivating smile played on her lips, and in this moment, she took my breath away.
I imagined what her skin would feel like under the rough calluses of my palms. I wondered if that blush I’d seen creeping up her face extended to the top of those perfect tits. Those tiny little straps wouldn’t stand a chance if I got my hands on her.
A throat clearing brought me back down to reality and out of the daydream of Stella, spread out beneath me on my bed. I raised my eyes to meet hers and that blush that I’d been fantasizing about made an appearance across the bridge of her nose and tops of her cheeks. My mouth had suddenly gone dry, so I cleared my throat with a rasping sound before I spoke.
