With that, I hold her face in my palms and crush her mouth with my own. She’s so giving and soft, her mouth immediately opening beneath mine. Rachel moans softly, and suddenly, I know I’m done for. It doesn’t matter that I’ve been friends with her father for more than thirty years. I want this woman, and she belongs to me now.
7
Rachel
The kiss is all-consuming as the compelling alpha male pulls me to my feet. Max slides his mouth over my jaw, down my neck, and nips at my collarbone in a way that makes my stomach do somersaults. But then my eyes fly open.
“Max, wait. Wait,” I grab his shoulders and push ever so slightly.
He lifts his mouth from my neck and looks into my eyes, that blue gaze penetrating.
“Sorry, honey. What’s wrong? I thought we were enjoying one another.”
I nod.
“No, we are. You’re not understanding me. I don’t want to stop.”
“Thank fuck,” he growls, his lips seizing mine again. But then I break away.
“I just need a moment because you’re a powerful man, and I’m feeling a little overwhelmed. I mean, you went from being my dad’s best friend to … well, this in the blink of an eye.”
He pulls back a little then and chuckles.
“Well, I certainly don’t want to overwhelm you, at least not emotionally.” He winks, and I laugh. “I do, however, want to wreck this body. Fuck, you’re gorgeous, honey.”
Now, I really do let out an amused giggle. “Oh, please. The women you work with on an hourly basis are a thousand times sexier than me. Weren’t you doing make-up for that new supermodel for the TrueColour ad? And weren’t you the make-up artist for Princess Lavella when she got married to that Duke?”
He nods and looks thoughtful, but then cocks his head. “Rachel, I did that campaign, and yes, I worked that wedding. But honey, you have absolutely no idea how beautiful you are. How amazing your body is. Yes, I’m surrounded by professionally beautiful women day in and day out, but it’s just an illusion most of the time. I’m not saying they’re ugly, but nothing you see in the papers is real.”
“You mean Princess Lavella’s hair isn’t really fire-engine red?” I ask, tongue in cheek.
He chuckles.
“Exactly. It’s just an illusion. A combination of bleach, dye and the work of professional retouchers.”
I sigh.
“Yes, but they’re all so thin! I mean, I could see Princess Lavella’s clavicles in that poufy ballgown she wore.”
He takes my shoulders in his big hands then, looking me straight in the eye.
“They’re not just thin, Rachel. They’re unrealistic. These women are surgically enhanced, hungry, and cranky because of it. Have you heard the term “hangry”? It’s exactly what it sounds like. These ladies are hungry and angry at once, and it makes for a beast of an animal. By contrast, you’re real, honey. When I put my hands on your body, I’m going to feel authenticity and lush, soft curves, not to mention gorgeous breasts and wide hips.”
I look at him, and there’s hunger in that blue gaze.
“You’re serious, aren’t you?” I whisper. Max nods.
“I’m absolutely serious, honey. Yes, I’ve seen a lot as part of my job, but you’re the best of the best, Rachel, and I wouldn’t trade you for a stick thin model any day of the week.”
In seconds, my confidence grows by leaps and bounds, and I smile at the older man, my shyness suddenly evaporating.
“Then, maybe you should hurry up and get your hands on me.”
With a growl, Max pulls me to his broad frame once again. He kisses me deeply and walks backwards, pulling me with him across the room and then up the staircase. He heads left, into the larger bedroom where my stuff is, but I stop him.
“Can we not? This is where my parents sleep when they’re here,” I say with a breathy giggle. He laughs.
“Of course, my lady.” Then he pivots and pushes me into the other bedroom. We stumble together into the space until the backs of my knees hit the mattress and tumble down together, a mess of arms and legs. His weight is heavy and hot pressed against my breasts, and there’s also a huge length nudging my tummy.
“Oh my God!” I gasp, my eyes going wide.
“Just wait for it honey,” he croons into my ear. “No need to get nervous.”
But this is the new Rachel, and I want it, bad. As a result, I take the initiative and pull away for a moment to reach for the tie at the back of my neck. Slowly, the string falls loose, and then the fabric over my cleavage peels away, revealing my huge creamy orbs. Max’s pupils dilate as he stares at the pink crests, and the bulge at his crotch jerks.
I look into his eyes and giggle.