Sugar Rush (Friend-Zoned 3)

She asks a surprised, “You haven’t talked to him?” She hesitates, and then replies, “He went to talk to Nik, but he never came back out of the office.” She adds an annoyed, “I’m not talking to Nik, by the way. Not until he apologizes to you.”

I sigh. “Don’t do that, please? For God’s sake, let’s just let it go and move on. I don’t want to think about it anymore.”

She pouts, “But he was so rude to you. I’ve never seen him be like that before. I can’t just get over it. Sorry, the only person who’s allowed to be rude to my sisters is me.”

Stupid Nat, making me laugh when I want to feel sorry for myself. I say lightly, “Whatever, ho. I’m getting into the shower now. Peace.”

“Peace out, sistah!”

I feel something soft and warm at my ankle. I’m surprised to find Tedwood purring up at me. I lean down and scratch him behind the ear. “Oh, I bet you know Mommy’s had a bad night.” Cats sense shit like that, don’t they? “You’re a good boy w

hen you want to be.”

Unzipping my dress, I work it down my body, stepping out of it and throwing it into my bedroom, and then make my way down the hall and step into the bathroom. I start the shower, step in, and wash away the shitty night I’ve had.

After a good, unnecessary half-hour in the shower—unnecessary, because I didn’t wash my hair—I wrapped a towel around me and walked into my room. As I make my way into my room, I come to a halt in the doorway.

Max sits on the edge of my bed, facing me. “Hey.”

My gut sinks. He’s here to break up with me. I tighten my grip on the towel and respond weakly, “Hey.”

He stands, taking the four steps towards me. “Don’t ever do that again.”

I lower my head, ashamed. “I’m sorry. I know I shouldn’t have done it. She just said it and I don’t know what happened.” I look up into his eyes, pleading for him to understand. “I just lost it.”

He makes a face. “Not that.” He takes a step closer, looking down at me menacingly. “Don’t ever leave me again without giving me your mouth.”

Huh? I ask confused, “You’re not upset with me?”

He lifts a hand to my lips, outlining them, following his finger with his eyes. “Why would I be?”

I mutter against his fingers, “I attacked a female club patron.”

He leans down, gently placing a kiss at the swollen side of my mouth, then nods. “You’re passionate.”

I close my eyes and murmur, “I let her words get to me when I know better.”

He shrugs. “Because she insulted Ceecee. An insult to her is an insult to you.” He catches my chin between his thumb and forefinger, forcing my gaze up to his. “How could I ever be mad at you for loving my daughter?”

I like that. Oh boy. I really like that. Bottom lip quivering, I squeak out, “So you’re not breaking up with me?” He sighs, yanking at my towel. It falls and I’m left naked. Max wraps an arm around my back and the other under my ass as he lifts me. “What are you doing?” I ask in disbelief as I cinch my arms around his shoulders, holding on tight.

He carries me over to the bed, laying me down in the middle. Undressing himself, he mutters, “I’m gonna fuck you until you stop being stupid.”

Leaning up on my elbows, I gulp at the sight of his bare chest. “Might take a while.”

As he pulls down his boxers and climbs over me, he grins and utters, “Challenge accepted.”

His body covers me in hard warmth and his mouth devours mine with such passion that I moan out loud. Relief pours through me as I realize Max is still mine.

For now, anyways.

Chapter Thirty-One

Helena

Knocking at my front door wakes me, but before I can get up to answer it, Max leans over me and kisses my forehead, slipping out of bed. I hear low murmurs of conversation before Max tiptoes back into the bedroom. Half-asleep and deliciously sore from last night’s sexathon, I ask a hushed, “Who is it?”

As he dresses himself, he looks over at me and responds cautiously, “It’s Nik. I told him I’d give you guys a minute.” My palms sweat, and reaching down, I slowly pull the covers up to my nose. Max smiles softly at the action. “This isn’t round two, all right? He just wants to apologize.”