Smokescreen

by Ahren Sanders

“That’s enough, walk away before you embarrass yourself,” I say through clenched teeth.

  “Not until you talk to me. This fight has gone on long enough. Are you still mad about New York?”

  “Erica, I thought I made myself clear at my brother’s party. I told you to get out, when you didn’t make a decision, I made it for you. There is and never was an us. I helped you through a tough situation and it was time to move on. This delusional fantasy you built up in your head is over.”

  “Max, you can’t be serious. We’re so good together.”

  For shits sake! Why can’t this woman take a hint? I look around to see Dana watching us with a sympathetic glare.

  “Yes, Erica, I’m very serious. And while we’re on the subject, I’m involved with someone. Someone I care about deeply and that too is serious.”

  Color drains from her face and she shakes her head.

  “And one more thing, that shithole you’re living in is one of the nicest complexes on this side of Atlanta. If you don’t like it, feel free to move out and get something you can afford. It’s in your dad’s name.”

  I push the button for the elevator again and luckily the doors slide open.

  “And Erica, if you ever come to these offices again, without an official invite, I’ll have security throw your ass out. Father or not, you won’t cause a disturbance in my workplace.”

  As the doors slide closed, her face is still pale but her eyes hard. Almost challenging me.

  The whole drive to Stella’s office is a blur. I try to keep focused but I’m pissed. Finally things are going well and that bitch is determined to fuck things up. The truth is, the blame lies on me. I should have handled this woman years ago. It took meeting someone like Stella to finally man-up.

  Laughter fills the small office when I let myself in. Instantly, my mood shifts. Stella sees me and runs into my arms kissing over my entire face. Her smile radiates the room as her eyes gleam.

  “Before you even ask, we already know what happened. Dana called, worried about you,” she tells me.

  “Is this the reason for all the laughing?”

  “Not really the reason but what happened afterwards. Edward caught the tail end of your conversation and reamed her out further. He didn’t do it publically, but Dana heard it through his office door. He told her to stop embarrassing herself and especially not in his offices. She left with a very humiliated look.”

  “Think she’s finally gone, Max?” Laci asks.

  “Jesus, I hope so. I’m pretty sure the reason she showed up is because she realized the locks were changed. Edward made a point to tell me she’s been in New York looking for a new modeling contract the last two weeks. I guess she just realized she can’t get in.”

  She nods her head and leaves Stella and me alone.

  “Can we get out of here? Let’s take the bike out for a while.”

  Her eyes sparkle and turn to honey. She steps back and gathers her things. Once she double checks she has everything she needs for our trip, we walk out hand in hand. Just the warmth of this light touch shoots electricity through me. It feels incredible, and it feels right. More right than anything ever in my life.

  “Max!” Stella moans. She squeezes my dick so tight it takes every ounce of will I have not to come right now.

  Her naked body writhes under me and I burn the image in my brain. Hearing her scream my name sends a surge of superiority through me.

  “Turn over, babe, and hold onto your headboard.” I instantly miss her heat, but watching her follow my instructions gives me a new energy.

  I slide easily back in and her moans push my resolve. Gripping her hips, my cock drives into her rough and deep. She shifts slightly and swivels back into me. The curve of her back glistens with sweat and I bend over to lick her.

  She whimpers slightly and then the only sound in the room is our skin slapping together. I’m close but want her to come again with me. My fingers slide down to her clit and I rub gently over the swollen area. As if her body knows only my touch, she shoots off again, taking me with her.

  “Stella!” I yell, jetting into her body.

  She lets go of the headboard and slumps forward, her chest heaving. “Wow.”

  Reluctantly, I slide out and lay beside her. Long dark hair curtains her face and I push it behind one ear. He face is flushed and when our eyes meet, she grins at me.

  “Baby, wow seems to be your go to word for a lot of things and it’s safe to say that was more than wow.”

  “I’m numb, Max, literally numb.”

  A grin spreads across my face and I chuckle. “It’ll wear off, babe. I’ll give you a couple of hours to rest.”

  She slides against me and stills, her eyes grow wide. “Max, we didn’t use a condom.”

  “No, we didn’t. Does that bother you?”

  “Well, I mean we’ve never talked about it before but I’m protected and clean.”

  “I’ve seen the pills, babe. I know you’re clean. And I had a physical last week. I’m clean too. It was something I wanted to talk about, but after having you on the back of my bike, grinding into me, I lost my shit. As soon as we got back here, there was no holding back. We can go back to condoms if you want.”

  “It’s not that, but we never really talked about it.”

  “Stella, I never want to know about your past. It would drive me into an early grave hearing you talk about men you’ve been with.”

  Her silence worries me.

  “Bella, you want to ask me something?” I dread her answer.

  “I don’t want specifics, but I know you stopped sleeping with Erica and never brought woman home. What exactly did you do to … ummm … stay satisfied?”

  Running my hands over my face, my mind tries to decide how much to tell her. But there’s only one answer, the truth.

  “I never gave up sex, it was only a question of where. We have a corporate apartment and hotels are very convenient. I’m very good at being discreet. But sex was always just that. I’m always in control. There was no emotional connection, no promises, no commitment on my end. On the odd occasion I saw a woman more than once or twice, we usually went to her place.”

  “That’s terrible.”

  “Why?” Her response surprises me.

  “I don’t know how to explain it but the way you describe it is so clinical. You sound removed. Things with us are so much more. I can’t imagine you being anything but passionate and loving.”

  “That’s because it’s us. You said it yourself, from the day we met, we’ve had a connection. Hell, the minute you walked into that boardroom, my heart raced. Before I turned around to see you standing there, my life changed. As soon as our eyes met, I was a goner. So yeah, if you dissect my previous sex life, it was clinical.”

  Her face softens and she runs the back of her knuckles over my cheek. “I felt it too. At the time, I thought it was because you were such a handsome man. Any woman would react to you. But when you held onto my hand a little longer than necessary, my stomach fluttered.”

  “Glad to know I’m not the only one affected by just one touch.”

  “You’re not,” she whispers, locking our gaze.

  “So, Bella, about the condoms. Yes or no.”

  “You do know the pill isn’t one hundred percent effective right?”

  The look of concern on her face asks the question she is too scared to verbalize. My hand slides to her lower abdomen and I nod. “I know. But I’m thirty-three years old. I’ll be thirty-four soon. For the first time in my life, I’m in a relationship. A relationship I never want to end. I’m not saying we need to be careless, but I want you—all of you—with no barriers. I’ve tried to be respectful of your hesitation, but at the same time trying to prove my feelings for you.”

  “Is this really happening? How can you be so sure? We’ve been together such a short time.”

  “Duration is really a hang up with you, huh? Thought we may have conquered this at my mom’s that night. I guess I was wrong
.”

  “Yes, no, I don’t know. I’m not denying our attraction, but it’s so intense so quickly.”

  “I’ve told you, even before we made love, you are mine. Our level of intimacy is important, but not because of the physical attraction. It’s because of the emotional attraction as well. Please stop worrying about the time we’ve been together and instead embrace the depth. I can guarantee you, my feelings aren’t changing.”

  “You’re too good to me.”

  “And it’ll only get better. You’ll never doubt how I feel for you.”

  Her eyes shine and a smile spreads across her face. Her palm trails down my torso until she reaches my dick, which grows hard at her touch. She pushes me onto my back, straddles my lap, and positions me to slide easily into her. The look on her face tells me she finally understands.

  Why am I so nervous? This is supposed to be a good surprise. It’s only a few changes and if he’s not happy, we can re-arrange. My phone dings with a text signaling my plan in place.

  Max: Babe, just got a call from doorman at my place reporting a problem. Stopping by there before I get to your house. Why aren’t you answering your phone?

  Me: Sorry, honey! I was trying on clothes, didn’t hear phone. Be careful!

  Laci snickers behind me, reading over my shoulder. “You’re a terrible liar, even through technology.”

  “Shut up. I’m already nervous enough. This could go either way.”

  “He’s going to love it. He’s so fucking gone for you, he’s probably going to be furious that you—”

  “Stop! Now is not the time to make me more nervous. He’ll have to get over it.”

  Her smile tells me what I already know. Max will probably flip his shit when he learns what I did.

  “He’s on his way,” I tell the room full of people.

  I concocted this elaborate plan to get away from Max today in order to finally set up his place. I removed any reminder of Erica and completely redid his guest room as well as re-arranging his living room and kitchen. I had to enlist the help of his brothers, Matt and Mason, my friend Ryan, as well as Chris. Laci, Sara, and I took on the actual decorating while the guys painted, moved furniture, and hung pictures.

  At first, Max was pissed that I was leaving him for the whole day but relented when I promised it would result in new lingerie for his viewing pleasure. He’s called several times throughout the day, no doubt bored. But I was too busy to answer and too tired to try and lie anymore.

  The guys get a beer and sit back in the living room, while I set out the appetizers. The sound of the key in the lock sends my heart racing. As soon as he walks through, his expression changes. Confusion spreads across his face and he stops in the foyer.

  “Hey, man! Welcome home!” Chris raises his beer in the air and the other guys mimic him.

  “What the hell?”

  “Surprise!” I yell, walking around the counter to get to him.

  His arms jet to my waist and he pulls me flush against him. “What did you do?”

  “Just a few little things. Come on let me show you.” I smile up at him, trying to step back, but he holds tighter.

  “You’ve been gone from me all day, lied to me about your whereabouts, and kept a secret, tell me why I shouldn’t take you over my knee right now.” His tone is serious but his eyes playful.

  Heat creeps up my cheeks, hoping no one heard him. No such luck.

  “Please, please don’t do that right now. I’ll never recover,” Laci replies snidely. “And Sara may need therapy.”

  Max’s head snaps up and he grins. “Mom.”

  She hurries over and throws her arms around both of us. He kisses her cheek but doesn’t let me go.

  “Maxwell, you have no idea how happy I am this day finally came. Don’t give Stella a hard time.”

  “Yeah, man, this day should be written in history. Matt and I missed the Georgia game to help.” Mason joins us, with everyone in tow.

  “Babe,” Max says quietly. “What have you done?”

  “Follow me.” We pull out of Sara’s arms and I lead him to the kitchen.

  “First off, your kitchen is completely re-stocked and organized.” I point to the glass front cabinets that are now full of matching items. “Then I rearranged your living room and added some touches.”

  He looks at the new arrangement with his TV on a far wall and the sectional facing his view of the city. The knick-knacks we bought are spread throughout the room and the wall that used to have his TV now has a full-length mirror that reflects the lighting. The guys have a game going and have settled in making the room more inviting.

  Max nods and looks around taking in the new décor.

  “Come on.” I link our fingers together and walk him to the new guest room. “I didn’t talk to you about this, so please don’t be upset. If you don’t like it, we can change anything you want.”

  When I open the door, his hand goes tight around mine and he freezes. This room is completely transformed. The walls have been painted a cathedral grey and the trim changed to deep silver. The black furniture is contrasted with ivory bedding and a pop of color with bright blue accents. It screams masculine but at the same time inviting. Nothing resembles the Grecian décor Erica placed in here.

  He stares at it blankly and my palms start to sweat. “If you don’t like it—”

  “Bella.” He wraps his hands around my waist and pulls me to him, covering my mouth with his own. His kiss is soft and warm and I lose myself.

  “Seriously?” Laci interrupts and Sara giggles behind her.

  Max groans but pulls back and looks around the room again. “I wouldn’t change a thing. I’ve been eyeing this furniture for a while. Dana found it for me back before the Erica fiasco. How’d you get it?”

  Shit! This is what I was hoping to avoid. My thoughts were he would love it so much he’d never ask.

  “Stella,” he growls.

  I stay quiet and look to Sara for help but she’s grinning widely.

  “Well, it’s a present from me.”

  “A present?”

  “Yeah.”

  His eyes grow dark and heated and I can tell he’s about to explode. Thankfully Mason steps in and touches his arm.

  “Brother, you need to see the rest,” he says softly.

  Max looks between us and motions for me to continue. I lead the way to his master bedroom and pause.

  “I hated what happened to you so with the help of everyone, I was able to, hopefully, get your room right again. This time Erica can’t touch it.”

  I open his door and wave my hand for him to go through. His mom’s eyes start to tear up when he stops dead center and looks around. I’ve framed all his diploma’s and business articles and hung them in his office space. His once bare walls now have paintings and family portraits. The drab room is full of color and life.

  He takes in everything and his eyes finally meet mine. Emotion pouring out of them. He glances to everyone in the room and then turns his head to the ceiling blowing out a deep breath.

  “Stella, come here.”

  I walk to him nervously but before I can stop, he bends and picks me up, cradling me to him.

  “Why? Why’d you do this?”

  “I wanted you to have a home,” I say shyly repeating his words from all the weeks ago.

  “You wanted me to have a home?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Jesus Christ, you’re the best thing that ever happened to me.” He leans down to kiss me gently and catcalls yell behind us. I break away and smile up at him.

  “Max, she ever leaves your ass, I got her number. She’s a fucking miracle worker,” Matt tells the room.

  “Never, brother, never,” Max replies.

  “Dinner will be ready in an hour. Let’s go enjoy the appetizers,” Sara says with a crack in her voice. Everyone follows her out of the room but Max holds me close.

  “Laci!” Max calls and she walks back in. “Have Dana transfer money into Stella’s ac
count tomorrow. I know how much that furniture costs. And before you argue, know there’s a bonus in it for you.”

  Instead of arguing, she doubles over in a fit of laughter. “I knew it! Stella Bella, you’d never get away with it. I just won ten bucks from a bet with your sister. Poor thing thought she had a chance.”

  I glare at her but can’t wiggle out of Max’s hold.

  “Don’t you dare! I’ll fire you for real this time! We had a deal.”

  “No, Stels, I knew this would happen, but it was fun to watch you squirm.” She winks and leaves us alone, closing the door behind her.

  “This is incredible. I’m not changing anything. Knowing that you put your sense of style in here makes me a very happy man. For the first time, this place feels like I wanted it to. There are no reminders of my past mistakes. You’ve helped erase the bad memories. Each time I walk in my room, I’ll know it was you who made it perfect. Thank you.” He kisses a path from my jawline to collarbone.

  “Max, I wanted to do this for you, please.”

  “Stella, look at me.” His tone serious. “I wasn’t kidding, no one has ever done anything like this for me. It’s not just about redecorating my rooms to make this place more comfortable. It’s about making a place for me to come home to.”

  I open my mouth to talk, but his finger hushes me.

  He looks a little nervous but swallows hard and his eyes soften. “I love you, Stella. Everything about you.”

  “Oh my God.” The breath leaves my lungs. My heart beats so fast, I’m sure he can hear it. My minds races and my skin tingles. I want to think it’s too soon, but it’s not. I love him too. He’s proved to me that we are the real deal.

  “I love you too,” I whisper eagerly. Panic comes but only because I can’t picture my life without him. His sweet words, his touch, his ability to fill my mind with thoughts of a future.

  “I wasn’t going to let us leave the country without telling you how I felt. Last night, last week, hell even on your birthday, I knew. But I waited. Today, I missed you so much and felt like a pussy. Even if you didn’t feel the same way. I had to tell you. I fucking love you.”

  I open my mouth to respond, but there a knock at the door.