The Cat O'Nine Tales: learning to love

CHAPTER 6.

Several days had passed since Maxx had received the invitation to attend the mysterious YGC gathering.

            Brinda—clearly knowing more about the process than she was letting on—had urged her to sign the contract after barely getting to glance at it. Maxx figured she would most likely regret that decision later on, but her boss had insisted it was time sensitive and it needed to be turned over ASAP.

So she signed.

For what exactly she was getting herself into? She wasn’t sure. All she knew, was that she had to wait for a box in the mail, that would lead her to the gathering’s secret location and her next steps would be revealed from there.

So she waited.

An entire week passed as Maxx waited. Everything had seemed to go back to normal. She’d paid the rehab center. Paid her own bills. Set money aside for new textbooks and passed all her final exams. Everything appeared to be looking up for her. Even work had normalized. With Trixie back in the mix, Maxx didn’t have to cover anymore clients in the VIP lounge and was able to perform on stage again. And she was absolutely killing it.

Even Brinda had eased up the last couple of days. But that could also have been due to the fact that Maxx was officially a means to her next big payday. And having not one, but two girls headed to The YGC, apparently had turned her into a new woman. Well, a woman that was less of a b***h.

            “You killed it tonight, Temptation!” Lola, complimented Maxx for the night’s performance. It was Friday, just before midnight and she and Lola had been allowed to leave early. Another perk of the new and improved Brinda.

            “Thanks, Lo,” Maxx said flashing her a pleased grin and hoisted her bag over her shoulder.  “I felt a little wobbly with my first floor routine, but there was a cutie on stage left that kept hollering at me so I had to pull him on stage.”

            “Ever the crowd pleaser,” Lola commented with a laugh.  “I swear you have men just eating out of your hand. And that’s with your clothes still on.”

Maxx shrugged—in a “what can I say?” kind of way—and the two of them headed for the back door.

            “Good niiight Peter,” the girls chorused to their most reliable stage hand, as they passed him on the way out.

            “Night ladies!” He called after them.

            “Did you want a ride?” Lola offered when they reached her car. Maxx normally caught a cab, but she nodded her head. Her apartment was in the same part of the city Lola lived in, so she didn’t feel too bad accepting a ride every now and then.

            “Yes! Thanks!”

***

Lola turned onto Maxx’s street and pulled up in front of her apartment building, stopping right behind a sleek black limousine.

            “I wonder who that belongs to.” Lola mused, curiously. The black car looked out of place parked out front of the ordinary building. Maxx on the other hand had a guess as to whom the limo belonged to, having vaguely recognized the license plate number. Her pulse started to race.

            “Yeah, me too,” she lied, unwilling to divulge the information in case she was wrong. “Thanks again for the ride, Lo!” She said and then waited for her co-worker to drive away before turning to investigate the vehicle.

As if on cue, the back door opened and Jaston Marques stepped out in all his blonde glory. He was dressed a bit more casual than the suit she’d met him in. This time, he was only wearing a pair of slacks and a loose button-up shirt, the tie noticeably missing from his neck. He looked so good and Maxx couldn’t hide an appreciative grin.

“We meet again,” he said, and returned her smile with one of his own.

“Hi, what are you doing here?” Maxx asked, and stepped into his embrace. He pulled her against his chest and she nearly swooned. He was hard. [No, not that kind of hard.] But hard in the sense, that it was no secret the lawyer often frequented the gym after work. The thin material of his shirt, plus the fact that she was wearing a strapless mini dress, did little to hide that fact. She could have sworn she was blushing.

“Waiting for you, actually,” Jaston said, and took a step back effectively ending their embrace. Maxx frowned.

“Really?”

It was his turn to blush.

            “Well not really, more like hoping I’d run into you again.” Maxx smirked.

“Haha, miss me that much?” She teased. Jaston winked.  “Myles and Carina were hanging out at AP3X tonight and we were all about to head back to Myles’ place. But your roomie wanted to drop by the apartment first. I just came along for the ride.”

“I’m okay with that.” Maxx said, shooting him a flirtatious grin. She was more than okay with that. In fact, the only thing she could think of was getting a chance to redeem herself in this man’s eyes. Maybe now she would have a chance to replace the image he had of her, spilling her guts into his kitchen sink while wine drunk, on the night they first met.

“Maxx baby! You’re off early!” a girl hollered and Maxx looked up in time to watch as her—obviously tipsy—roommate weaved her way across the lawn toward the limo. Myles was dutifully hanging on to her arm, as much to keep his date from falling as it was him just being a gentleman.

“Oh please tell me you’re coming with us?” Carina chirped when she’d reached the car, and clung to Maxx’s arm giddily. “We’re gonna go hot tubbing and you have to come. Please? Please, please, pleeaaasseee?” Her roommate begged, until Maxx conceded.

“Okay, I’ll come.” She laughed. One of the perks of being a stripper was that she was pretty much always prepared for last minute situations like this one. She knew there was a spare bikini, and a fresh set of underwear in her bottomless purse, along with an emergency toothbrush, deodorant, and of course, her makeup bag.

“Yes!” Carina cheered triumphantly and they all piled into the back of the limousine and headed uptown to ‘billionaire row.’ Which is what Maxx had been referring to the gated neighborhood of enormous mansions the cousin lawyers lived in.

***

Jaston sat poolside, with his legs dangling into the water of his cousin’s in-ground pool.

            The group had decided last minute to host a full on midnight pool party, because Nyla had showed up unannounced with Vivian in tow and insisted on joining them.

            Carina and Maxx were changing in the pool house on the opposite side of the lagoon and Myles flopped down next to him.  “I’m gonna call Bran, and Todd and the twins.” He informed him.  “And Adam. He’ll probably bring Charlie unless he can’t convince her to get out of bed this late.” Adam was the son of Clyde Jacson—the same Clyde that owned AP3X—and was also a member of their tightknit group of friends. Everyone that Myles had listed off lived in the neighborhood, so it was easy to make last minute plans at all hours of the night.

            “Sounds good to me.” Jaston told his cousin and shrugged. Their once exclusive hot tub night with the girls had very quickly turned into one of their classic parties. Everyone knew the Kent and Marques boys hosted the best gatherings. Or the wildest ones at least. They were skilled lawyers by day and party animals by night, take it or leave it. And most people took it.

            Jaston sighed, and closed his eyes momentarily, while rolling his head from side to side in an attempt to relieve some of the stress in his neck. He’d prosecuted a particularly trying case early that afternoon where the defendant was so clearly guilty, but had one of the best defense lawyers from out of the city representing him. It had dragged on and on and on…

            “I can get that for you.” A flirtatious voice interrupted his thoughts. Nyla.

Jaston opened his eyes and looked up as his tall brunette friend slipped into the pool and positioned herself between his knees in the shallow end. The water level hit her just below her breasts, and she was wearing a barely there string bikini in neon orange. The color complimented her skin tone nicely, which reminded him of Maxx. She also had nicely tanned skin, and a smoking hot body. He’d seen that firsthand the week before when he’d removed her vomit-soaked dress and replaced it with one of his own shirts. At first he’d tried to avoid looking at her directly, but he was only a man. And who could blame him? Maxx was sexy as hell. Just the thought of her made his d**k throb and mind race. Or wait…was that?

            Jaston focused his thoughts again and looked down.  “How’s this?” Nyla cooed suggestively and flicked her eyes toward the hand she was currently resting between his legs. She was stroking him with practiced motions, and his d**k—the f*****g traitor —was responding eagerly to her touch. There was no way to hide the fact that she had successfully aroused him, and he pushed off the side of the pool and lowered himself into the water in order to keep himself from saluting the rest of the party.

            “Now that’s not fair.” He smirked, pulling Nyla toward him, so that he could press his erection against her hip. She let him and shot him a minxy smile.

            “And what about your neck pain?” She teased.

            “Forgotten.” Jaston grinned and then captured her lips with his. Nyla giggled and kissed him back playfully. They’d always been like that with each other. Never official, but always around to push each other’s buttons. Not to mention, he had a different brunette on his mind tonight anyway.

            “THE PARTY HAS OFFICIALLY ARRIVED!!” There was a whoop followed by a round of cheers and then Todd went hurtling into the pool, completing a perfect cannonball and effectively soaking them both.

            “Todd you asshole, these are custom extensions!” Nyla shrieked, before they proceeded to splash water at each other, expensive extensions be damned.

***

Meanwhile, Maxx adjusted the strap of her bikini top and did one last onceover in the floor-length mirror of the pool house bathroom.

            “Carina are you almost ready?” She called into the bedroom, where her roommate had gone to put on her swimsuit. There was a muffled, “Just a minute!” From her roommate followed by a series of drunken curses. Clearly, the red-head was a bit drunker than she’d realized and had made a poor choice in bikini. Maxx had seen her remove the suit from her bag before heading into the bedroom and knew it involved a fairly complicated series of wrap-around ties and clasps, that needed to be adjusted, just so, to attain the desired look. The design would have been challenging to a sober person let alone one in the tipsy state Carina was obviously in.

            “Okay, just let me know if you need help!” Maxx called back and stepped out of the bathroom and into the main room of the pool house. She’d refreshed her pits, and wiped off her stage makeup, already feeling ten pounds lighter without her wig and fake lashes. Unlike Carina, she had opted to wear a simple white triangle bikini top and matching Brazilian bottoms that had taken her all of two minutes to change into.

            “I’m Gucci.” Carina reassured her and then went silent. Most likely in order to focus.

            Maxx chuckled and rummaged around in her bag until she found a sheer brightly patterned scarf and tied it around her waist. She had just finished securing the knot when the glass door to the pool house slid open and in stepped a tall, dark haired man, carrying a 30 rack of some sort of stout she didn’t recognize and a bottle of crown.

            Maxx’s brows shot up immediately with recognition.

            “You?” She gasped barely audible, her surprise clear on her face. It only took a second before the man looked down at her and returned her surprise with a cocky grin.

            “You.” He shot back and moved past her into the kitchen where he deposited the beers into the refrigerator and began twisting the cap off the bottle of whisky. “Want some?” He asked, offering her the bottle and she shook her head, still unable to fully comprehend what was happening.  

At first, she’d thought he’d recognized her too, but it became quite clear the man was under the impression this was their first time meeting and was simply being friendly. After all, she’d only ever met him as Temptation. Never just as Maxx McVey; and with her makeup gone and her natural hair pulled into a messy bun—she couldn’t have looked more different than her p***y cat persona. But on the other hand, he looked much the same, except instead of a suit, he wore navy board shorts and an open Hawaiian T-shirt, his expensive shoes replaced by simple brown flip-flops.

Buchanan. Buchanan. Buchanan.

His name raced through her mind over and over, and over again.

            “Suit yourself,” the Brit said with a shrug and brought the bottle to his lips, tilting his head back to take a swig of the amber liquor. “Ah, now that hits the spot!” He said with a satisfied grin. Maxx forced herself to remain calm. Maybe she could use this to her advantage. The last time she’d seen him, he had called her Kitten and admonished her like a child for not making proper eye contact with him while performing in the VIP lounge. That moment had replayed in her brain on repeat every night for the past week. And never in her wildest dreams had she imagined she would ever run into him outside the work setting. Least of all, at a late night pool party hosted by her roommate’s new prospective boyfriend and his handsome cousin.

            “I’m Conall,” the man said extending a hand and fixed Maxx with yet another swoon worthy grin. “—and you are?” God, he was hot.

            “Maxx.” Maxx supplied, regaining her composure and returned his smile with one of her own. “Maxx McVey.” There was a moment of silence when they just stared at each other, eyes locked, his, a stormy grey and hers, a clear blue.

            “It’s a pleasure luv,” Conall smirked, layering on the accent; and before she could respond he was pulling her to him, his free hand cupping her cheek and his other one releasing her hand and sliding around her waist. She let herself be guided and was now fitted snuggly against his chest, his bare skin hot on hers through the open buttons of his Hawaiian shirt. Maxx gasped, the response parting her lips to let air past and he took that as an opening and lowered his head. The movement closed the small distance between their lips and he was kissing her.

He tasted like whisky and danger. His lips teasing her playfully, his tongue stroking hers in seamless motions. Maxx moaned quietly, opening her mouth wider and was rewarded as he deepened the kiss and moved his hand from her cheek to the base of her neck, his long fingers threading their way through the loose hairs that had fallen from her bun. The other hand applied firm pressure to her back, grinding her more securely against him. One long thumb stroked the sensitive skin of her hip through the thin material of her scarf. Maxx noted how expertly he touched her. His hands constantly moving, caressing and squeezing in just the right way until she was panting helplessly against him, clinging to the front of his shirt for support. 

“My, my, my…” Conall said, after what seemed like an eternity—breaking their embrace to Maxx’s dismay. She couldn’t deny the effect he’d had on her. She had her thighs pressed together to hide the gathering heat at her apex. Any longer and she would have been begging him to take her right there on the kitchen counter of the pool house.

Of course, anyone could have walked in on them if that were the case. But in the moment, Maxx didn’t care. She was wet with need and breathless. What on Earth had she gotten herself into?

“That was—“ Maxx began.

“—something else.” The dark-haired man finished for her and winked. “It was very, very nice to meet you, Maxx.” He reiterated and then scooped up the forgotten bottle of Crown and disappeared out the door he’d entered through. He’d left so casually, it was almost as if they hadn’t just shared a passionate moment in the kitchen just now.

Maxx blinked. What the hell?!

She couldn’t believe it. Of all the cocky bastards she had ever encountered, Conall Buchanan was the worst! Damn Brit. Like who does that?!

Maxx stormed out the door in the direction she’d seen him go, and scanned the pool area for his frustratingly handsome face. Aha! There he is!

Her gaze fell on the back of his head. He was leaning against the counter of the outdoor bar, his body silhouetted by the hanging lights that were strung across the patio like a starry sky. He was chatting casually with one of his buddies, his back to her. She recognized him immediately and strode over to him, gaining confidence with each step. Finally, she reached him, and extended a hand to shove his shoulder.

“What was that?” She demanded obstinately, and placed her hands on her hips reproachfully. Conall stiffened, and he set down his drink, and slowly turned toward her. Time seemed to stand still as his grey eyes focused on her and he arched a brow.

“What, was hwhat?” He responded coolly, as if unphased by the accusing glare she had been shooting him. Maxx’s confidence wavered slightly. She’d been expecting another one of his smug grins, but instead he was regarding her with a confused, almost indignant stare. 

“Do I know you?” He questioned.