She was exactly the same as the last time I’d seen her. Light brown hair trimmed just above her shoulders, blue eyes that held the same coldness that mine and Roz’s could, and no wrinkles around her eyes. I doubted she’d had Botox; my mother just never genuinely smiled. For as long as I could remember, I’d never seen her truly happy. My dad wasn’t any better.
There she sat, in a designer pantsuit without a single thread or hair out of place, watching me with that fake-as-fuck smile. Fuuuuck, I wanted to leave.
“It’s such a shock to see you, Remington.”
I tried extremely hard not to roll my eyes. “Yeah, you said that at the door.”
“Forgive me for being surprised. I haven’t seen you in ten years, and then only heard from you when you needed help from William.”
William being the family attorney. I might have been cut off financially, but Bill was left available to me to keep the family name out of the mud. After all, I was a Kincaid above all else, and that was what mattered most. Puke.
“I’ve been busy.” I sat back and my knee began to bounce.
“It would seem so.” Her voice was flat, like she wasn’t at all affected by my presence. And I knew she wasn’t. It was that apathy that slowly killed me when I was younger. That was part of why I’d loved Maxim so fucking much. He saw me, and he never wanted me to be anything I wasn’t.
My attention shifted from my mom’s indifferent expression to the immaculately decorated house. Tasteful and elegant Christmas decorations were sprinkled among brand-new furniture in a house that didn’t seem lived in. It looked like a staged home, and in a lot of ways it was. Anyone looking in would have seen a perfect family and a perfect home. But perfection was a fucking farce.
“Sit up and stop bouncing your knee. Those habits are unbecoming, and you should know better, Remington.”
I flicked my attention back to her and stilled my knee on reflex. I deliberately didn’t sit up straight.
“Why have you come today? Do you need something?”
“No. I guess I don’t.”
For a fraction of a second her eyes narrowed on me. “Did you come here looking for money? Your father and I have already—”
“This isn’t about your damn money,” I replied, with more irritation than I liked.
“What is it you want then?”
I don’t fucking know. “I thought it would be a good idea to catch up. Like you said, it’s been so long. I kind of missed my family. I’ve been seeing Roz a bit,” I said with a small, tentative smile. It was then that I knew without a doubt that this had been a stupid idea. Her face didn’t soften one bit—she didn’t react at all.
“You’ve been to see Rosalind? She cut off all of her beautiful hair and dyed it much like yours. It’s rather garish and unfit for a medical professional.”
“That’s your takeaway from what I just said? Un-fucking-believable,” I muttered.
“Remington—language,” she scolded.
“Of course that’s what you choose to focus on.” I sprung to my feet and strode over to the mantel, which was devoid of any photos.
“You’re being awfully dramatic, Remington.”
“Will you please stop calling me that?” I snapped.
“I’ll have to ask you to leave if you’re going to continue to be contrary. I’m expecting company, and your foul attitude is not appreciated.”
I tapped my fingers on the mantel, then nodded and spun around to face her. “No need. I’m leaving. It was nice seeing you, Mom,” I said as I breezed past her and headed for the hall closet to get my shoes and coat.
She didn’t follow or say a word.
“Jesus, you’re frozen,” Maxim said after he’d unzipped my coat and pulled me into his big, strong embrace.
My teeth were chattering and shivers wracked my entire body. I’d booked a ride back to Maxim’s after I’d walked a few miles to a gas station. The ride back had warmed me up, but Maxim wasn’t home when I got back. I’d waited outside for him for nearly an hour.
“I’m fine.”
“You’re not fine. Why didn’t you tell me you were coming back so soon?” He rubbed his hands up and down my back and arms.
“She wasn’t happy to see me. I’d half been expecting it, but to actually see and hear the indifference in her… I—”
“I’m sorry, love. I’m so sorry. I should have come with you.”
I shrugged. “There isn’t anything you could have done.”
He grabbed my chin and tipped my head back so our eyes met. “Being there would have been enough.”
“You’re here now.” I closed my eyes and buried my face in his chest.
“Let’s go take a hot shower—you’ll feel so much better after.”
He started to pull away, and I clung tighter. “Just stay like this a bit longer.”
Maxim grunted then resumed rubbing my chilled back.
“I acted like a fucking child. I literally threw a fucking hissy fit and stomped out of the house. The best part is that I was actually hurt when she didn’t try to stop me. Ten years, and she acted like I was a fuckin’ stranger.” My shivering somehow got worse, and Maxim was holding me tighter. Then I heard a raw, awful sob, and I realized that I wasn’t shivering.
Maxim picked me up and carried me over to the couch where he sat us down with me cradled in his lap. I hid my face in his neck, too embarrassed to look him in the eye and see what I might find there. I’d shatter if he pitied me and saw me as weak—even if it was what I was.
I stayed in Maxim’s arms long after the worst of my tears ceased, until the only sounds in the apartment were those of our mingled breathing.
“Are you feeling better, love?”
“A bit.” I sniffled, not wanting to get his sweater all snotty and worse than I’d already made it.
I heard Maxim swallow, and it made me feel better to know he was nervous. “Do you want to talk about it more?”
“Fuck no.”
He let out an amused hum. “Okay. Are you ready for that shower now?”
“This is cozy. Wanna stay like this.” Once the fog in my mind cleared more, I remembered something else that had bothered me about the day. I wasn’t sure if I should mention it so soon after saying I didn’t want to talk, but fuck it. “I realized something today.”
Maxim hummed again, the vibration from it comforting me.
“I don’t want to end up like them—my parents, I mean. Rich, cold people devoid of any life or redeeming human qualities. I could have easily been like that, you know? Just some rich fucking asshole who doesn’t give a shit.”
“You’re not like that at all.”
“But I could have been. I think that’s why I let Mac get under my skin so much. He sees me and sees everything I hate in myself. I know he’s not really a bad guy. He’s annoying, sure, but he’s not unjustified in the things he says about me. I get so angry because I agree, and I hate it.”
Maxim sighed, and didn’t offer any platitudes, which I was thankful for. I hadn’t admitted that so he could tell me how great I was or some shit.
“I have something for you. The timing is awful, but I can’t wait any longer,” Maxim said in a rush.
“Yeah, I saw the lovely turquoise box earlier when you walked up. Thanks for that, by the way.”
He shook his head. “It’s not that.” One of his hands left my back, and a chill replaced it. Maxim pulled something out of his pocket and placed it in my hand. I didn’t have to look to know what it was. “I was going to give it to you on Christmas Eve. I-I know we said no gifts, and I’m sorry. It’s something I want you to have. Frankly, I should have given you a key last month.”
I turned the key around in my palm as the smile on my face grew wider. “Thank you, Max,” I replied. A yawn caught on his name and he chuckled quietly.
“You’re welcome. Now it’s shower time, and I’m not taking no for an answer.”
As exhausted as I was, my body responded to the sight of a wet, nak
ed Maxim. That of course led to a physical response from him, and our innocent shower turned into something that looked awfully pornographic. Not that I minded one bit.
To my surprise, Maxim never directly touched my cock. Yet he had me on the edge by the time we’d finished from light caresses and well-placed kisses on my neck. His fingers glided down my sides from my ribs to my thighs, sending shivers through my whole body. His short stubble scraped my nape while his hot breath tickled my ear, and his hard cock pressed against my ass and lower back. When I’d tried to push back against him, his hands had held me still, and he continued lavishing me in all the indulgent touches he wanted. I’d nearly melted when he added soap to the mix.
After the teasing shower from Hell—or Heaven, it was debatable—Maxim led me to his room and finally touched me where I’d needed it most. He climbed into bed, then pulled me against his chest facing away from him. Maxim’s fingers were cool and slick when they pushed inside me, though the pleasure that came from him massaging my prostate quickly pushed any discomfort to the side.
Unlike the first few urgent times when it was a mad dash to see how fast and hard he could fuck me, he took his time tonight. Probing fingers stretched me while he kissed my neck and shoulder and whispered how much he wanted me. He paid extra attention to the roses on my back as his fingers worked me over. I felt so fucking loved and cherished that I’d almost cried again.
When he withdrew his fingers, I whimpered at the loss of him. He slipped his fingers into my mouth as he held my hip and gradually slid into me. The stretch and burn were sublime. Pure fucking ecstasy. Maxim’s cock felt like it was burning me up from the inside, and I yearned for it.
I’d always hated the term “making love,” but there was no other way to describe what Maxim did to me—what he did for me. He was making love to me, and it was everything I hadn’t known I’d needed.
Christmas was every bit relaxing as I’d hoped it would be. We’d spent the day watching movies, eating food, and seeing how many times we could get each other off. I won that competition, but it’s not as if either of us truly lost.
The days leading up to the New Year held very much the same, only with less food, and more workouts that didn’t take place in the bedroom. Or the couch. Or up against the wall. With regular ice and heat presses, Maxim was able to cut out his painkillers entirely. He’d been on a significantly reduced dose for a couple of weeks but stopped just after Christmas. I’d had to stop him from flushing the remainder down the toilet, just in case. I couldn’t trust him not to get some kind of sex-related injury and need them again.
On New Year’s Eve, I finally got to see Eat Cake in person. It was closed to the general public for a private party of Bryan and Elijah’s closest friends. I felt weird about going until Bryan had personally invited me at the gym the other day. He’d seemed genuine about it, and I couldn’t say no.
The blinds were closed when we walked up, though we could hear music and laughter inside. Maxim sent someone a quick text, and an adorable brunet around my height opened the door a few beats later. I vaguely remembered him from the hospital.
“Hi, Maxim, sorry for making you wait.” His gaze traveled to me, and he smiled. “You must be Remy. I’m Eli. Bryan’s told me a bit about you, but it’s nice to finally meet you. You can’t really tell about a person until you meet them, and oh my God, I’m so sorry. Please come in.” He stepped aside as a flush colored his pale cheeks. “I talk too much sometimes. Can I take your coats?”
We handed off our jackets to Eli, and he disappeared through a door at the back of the room. I tugged on Maxim’s dress shirt and he leaned down so I could speak in his ear.
“He’s fucking adorable. Bryan must feel like the Big Bad Wolf around him.”
Maxim snorted. “They’re perfect for each other. Bryan has the patience of a saint, and Elijah is a great man. He’s just nervous with the crowd. And you’re new.” He tilted my head up for a quick kiss. “Find him one-on-one later, and you’ll see a different side of him.”
I opened my mouth to reply, then caught frenzied movement coming our way from the corner of my eye.
“Maxim!” a young man shouted as he launched himself at Max and hugged him around the waist.
“Hi, Axel.”
“Fuckin’ hell, man—I thought you were dead when Bryan called.” He said something else in Spanish that I couldn’t follow. I knew basic Spanish at best from living in California for years, though this kid was speaking way too fast and it was too loud for me to follow.
Maxim seemed to understand just fine. He smiled and patted the guy on the head in a gesture that made me more than a little jealous.
“I’m fine,” Maxim answered. A bunch of other guys, including a very handsome Latino guy with sinful brown eyes who gave me an obvious once-over, came over and gave their well-wishes to Maxim. He’d introduced me to each of them, and I smiled and nodded, despite knowing I’d never remember all of those names. Santiago turned out to be my handsome admirer, though he’d cut the flirty glances after one stern look from Maxim. These were his baseball friends, I’d gathered.
Maxim wasn’t a big sports guy, I even less. The kind of camaraderie these guys displayed was foreign to me. It was nice to see that Maxim had so many people in his life who cared about him. There were no fake smiles and empty well-wishes being tossed around. These guys really cared, and I could tell that it had bothered them to keep their distance. Bryan and Mac had made that call, and I had to agree that it was the right one until now. Maxim wouldn’t have wanted all this attention while he wasn’t in full control.
I spotted Eli alone across the room leaning against an exposed brick wall. I gave Maxim a nudge to let him know I was leaving before heading toward Eli. I hadn’t noticed Mac or Bryan yet, but I was sure they weren’t far.
“Bro, you shaved! You look awesome!” Axel’s voice cut above the chatter in the bakery. I chuckled to myself and went over to Eli.
“Hey, again. I wanted to properly introduce myself,” I said, holding a hand out to Eli.
“Hey,” he replied as he shook my hand. “I’m really sorry about making you guys stand out in the cold earlier. I ramble when I get nervous.”
“No worries, man. This is a really nice place.”
He perked up at that. “Yeah? I love it in here. It’s one of my favorite projects I’ve worked on.”
“What do you do?”
“Advertising and some design. The interior was all Bryan; I just helped get the word out and get people through the door.”
“Do I hear a certain someone selling themselves short again?” Mac came up behind Eli and slung his arm around his shoulders. Bryan was right behind them. “This guy also designed the sign and helps Bry with the menu. He also keeps him from being a moody ass all the time,” Mac whispered loudly.
Eli and I laughed while Bryan rolled his eyes and cleared his throat. “I can hear you.”
“Yeah, I know you can, dude. Doesn’t make it any less true.”
Bryan pried Mac’s arm off of Eli and hauled the obnoxious blond away with him. “Stop harassing my fiancé and come help me get Axe off of poor Maxim.”
I talked with Eli more about other projects he’d worked on and learned that he and Bryan had a pit bull that I couldn’t wait to meet. Eli was a completely different person when he spoke about her.
When the conversation had shifted to me gushing about the confections, and him telling me about new flavor ideas, another guy joined us. His wavy red hair and piercing blue eyes set him apart from everyone else in the room. I’d seen him with Mac around the hospital, though I wouldn’t have guessed they were a thing had Maxim not told me.
“You must be what’s got Mac rippin’ around at home. I’m Dubhlainn.”
“Remy,” I replied with a nod. “Has he, ah, said what’s got him so riled up?”
He scoffed and grinned. “Knowing him he’s jealous that ‘his Maxy’ has someone new to play with.”
“Guilty. Sorry about
that, man.”
“No bother. It’s been fuckin’ class watching him mope around and mutter under his breath while he texts Bryan. He’s the biggest eejit sometimes, but he’s my fella.” I heard warmth in his voice.
“Why is Mac upset?” Eli asked with a furrowed brow. “Bryan hasn’t said anything about it.”
I shrugged and went for nonchalance. “He doesn’t like me much. It’s nothing big.”
The three of us carried on with others coming and going every so often. The longer I talked with Eli and Dubhlainn, the more I relaxed. No one here was treating me like I was this asshole who wasn’t welcome. I was… shocked.
I was on my way back to Maxim when I bumped into Mac. To say he cornered me would be more accurate. His jaw ticked while he studied me, but he wasn’t yelling or hurling insults, so I held back as well.
“Um, your boyfriend is nice,” I offered awkwardly.
“Yeah, Dove’s great.” The silence between us resumed while we both stood there looking at each other. It was weird. Mac finally sighed and crossed his arms. “Maxim looks good. Better, I mean.”
“His shoulder is healing up all right.”
“I wasn’t talking about his shoulder. He looks happier. I still think you’re a dick, but I’m good as long as he’s happy.”
There was a clear warning in his words, though his casual delivery softened it. “I’ve already told you that hurting him isn’t my intention.”
“What is? Nope, never mind. That’s none of my business. How about we keep it that way, with you not hurting Maxim, and I’ll try to stop being angry with you over ancient history.”
“Sounds good.”
“Fantastic,” he replied. “Scowling at you is gonna give me premature wrinkles.”
I could have let that be that and walked away, but since Mac and I were having a moment of sorts, there was something else I wanted to get off my chest. “Thanks for not bashing me to everyone here. I was surprised no one had any reservations talking to me tonight.”
Somebody to Love (Crazy Little Thing Book 3) Page 10
