Coming Home

Chapter 13

Chapter 13

She yelped in surprise, immediately grabbing her dress and clutching it tighter to her chest. Her eyes widened when Max continued to prowl toward her; a dangerous glint in his eyes as he approached her like a predator on his prey. She'd never bared herself to anyone, not even her ex-boyfriends but this was different. They were legally married and he was her husband. He had every right to do what he liked with her.

"Max," she breathed, taking a step backward.

He took another step toward her. "I don't think I've seen you so beautiful."

"Max, we've agreed not to do this," she whispered until her back hit the wall.

"What exactly did we agree on, Venice?" he had her against the wall; her breathing labored, her eyes never leaving his as she clutched the dress tighter as if her life depended on it.

"You know what we agreed on," she reminded him.

His mouth quirked up. "Care to elaborate?"

His gaze landed on her breasts as they spilled over the bodice. Perspiration covered her palms as the fabric slipped over her fingers, making it hard for her to grip the dress. She swallowed as he watched her throat work as if mesmerized by the simple act. Her lips burned from the kiss they had earlier at the ceremony. She couldn't forget how his mouth had felt on hers. It was soft, plump and made her insides jittery.

"You know how many times I've thought of you?" they were inches apart now. His chest was so close to hers that if she so much as lean against him, his shirt-clad chest would brush against her bare breasts. Her n*****s pebbled at the thought of having the smooth fabric gliding against her skin; eyes almost closing from the imagination.

"Remember what we've agreed on, Max." She tried to recall everything they'd agreed on but couldn't remember a thing. He was leaning over her, arm perched on one side of her head, caging her in, giving her no choice but to inhale his aftershave. It was musky; manly as Max got closer. Could he get any closer?

"Things don't have to be complicated. Not if we want it to," he said before his mouth descended on hers. She moaned, eyes rolling at the back of her eyes as pleasure shot through her veins. Her whole body came alive as his arms wrapped around her; trapping her in his heat, providing warmth she'd never known.

He parted her lips and his tongue slid in, caressing the roof of her mouth; swirling and licking as if he couldn't get enough of her taste. This was why she'd stayed away from him all these years. She didn't want to become one of his play-thing knowing that with a single touch, he could drive her crazy. He had the ability to make her forget but he couldn't erase the main worry that lingered at the back of her head.

The agreement.

She pushed him away that sent him to stagger, caught by utter surprise. She watched as his eyes widened in shock, as if he too couldn't believe what just happened. She felt a sense of deja vu again. They were back to the balcony at his parents' house, him trapping her against the wall again, kissing her senseless until he'd wiped away the worries from her mind. But not again. She couldn't let him play her this time. She'd be a fool if she let him.

"Stop whatever you're doing, Max. You know exactly why we can't do this." She brushed past him and into the closet. Before she could take a step toward it, a hard hand had clamped around her arm, bringing her back to a hard chest that caused her to let go of her wedding dress.

Max pushed her into the bed and came on top of her. She could barely move when he pinned her arms above her head, her breasts thrust out, n*****s hard as cool air wafted in through the opened window. She waited for goose bumps to appear on her skin but none came. She was warmed by his body, keeping her safe and secured even when he ran his gaze over her naked form, lingering on her breasts that betrayed her arousal.

"You have pretty breasts," he murmured.

"Release me immediately," she warned as she tried to fight him off but he was too hefty for her. Her strength was no match to his. He was far stronger, heavier and had pounds of muscles packed on his upper and lower extremities. So when his mouth came down and covered her n****e, her back arched and she cried out. The foreign feeling of wetness pooled between her legs, butterflies erupting in her lower belly. She needed him to satisfy the craving in order for her to think.

His tongue wrapped around her breast, suckling and nurturing the n****e as if it was a child. She writhed beneath him, her hips moving and brushing against his hard-on causing an abrupt groan to slip out of his lips. She couldn't stop the movement of her pelvis, needing that friction that her body yearned.

"Please, Max." She wasn't sure what she was begging for but the need for relief overwhelmed her. She laid on the bed, hair spread out on the sheets as her legs gave way. His shirt brushed against her skin; fingers intertwined in his hair, tugging at the strands when the pleasure became too much.

Things were just becoming interesting when he pulled away and left her. She laid there, winded, as the door slammed after him. What just happened? She was still wondering by the time she'd gotten dressed and slid under the covers. Night had fallen and moonlight streamed through the window surface. She'd almost given herself away to him, not realizing the aftermath it could bring.

But the rejection burned brighter than anything. He'd left her without a word after seducing her. She didn't ask him to go to her room and invade her privacy like that. The hurt lingered even after she went to bed.

The following morning, Max was nowhere to be found when she woke up. She swung her legs off the bed and made her way to the kitchen. A pot of coffee waited by the stove; steaming hot as if someone had just made it. There was no sign of Max when she poured herself a cup and sat down by the stool. Being here in his home made it weird knowing they were married. She'd thought it wouldn't make much difference when she'd agreed to marry him. But now as she sat sipping her coffee, a thought occured to her.

What if he was with Shirley right now? She shook her head. It didn't matter. He was free to spend his time with whoever and wherever he wanted. So long as he kept his affairs discreet, then she didn't have much to say. She did hope that Max wouldn't expect loyalty from her. She'd thought about dating again but hadn't really gotten to doing it. From the time when Jill's grandmother was operated, she'd spent her time looking after the elderly and going to lunch dates with her in-laws for the wedding.

But now that the deal was done, she had time to go out and focus on herself. She drank the last drop of her coffee and went out to get ready. She had more than enough in her bank account and it wouldn't hurt to spend a few dollars on herself. She shimmied into her black jeans, white blouse and a pair of sandals that completed her outfit.

Max wasn't around. They were meant to be in their honeymoon phase but he'd left her like she meant nothing to him. Maybe she didn't mean anything to him. But to her, he'd become more than her boss; a friend she'd thought she could confide in despite of the contract between them.

She hopped into her car and drove downtown for a shopping expedition. She ended up buying a black dress that felt like a second skin and a pair of jeans that made her short legs look endless. She bought a few more items before she headed back home. It was after five o' clock that she realized she'd spent eight hours outside, shopping and looking through beautiful pieces of clothes and realizing how much she missed having time alone.

Max was still nowhere in sight when she came back. A heavy feeling settled in her stomach as she realized she'd be alone far longer than she'd liked. What a better way to spend our honeymoon together, she thought sourly.

Her phone lit up and showed a text message from Jill. She bent down and stared at the screen, frowning when she read the message.

Hey, girl. You free tonight? There's a new club downtown that's opening tonight. Wanna go?

She bit her lip. Shouldn't she wait for Max to come home? What if he was in trouble again? She shook her head. No. She'd not think of him. She sent a quick message agreeing to meet up with Jill before getting ready.

Half-hour later, she sat in front of her vanity staring at her reflection. She'd worn contacts to see better and had straightened her hair. The strands cascaded down her back; soft and long as she tucked it into her ear. She wore a pair of diamond studs that Eunice had given as a wedding gift. The sequin dress fit her curves perfectly. The long sleeves covered her arms, her legs bare as the hem of the dress came down to the midde of her thighs. She'd used eyeliner on her eyes and black shadows before blending it together. The combination of both make-up and outfit set her on fire.

Another message popped up on her phone that revealed Jill's text. She was waiting outside already. Venice quickly donned on her heels and went down to where her friend was parked. A cold blast of wind passed by and she shivered. She'd forgotten to take a jacket with her. The only thing she had on was the dress and it didn't exactly protect her from the harsh, cold lash of breeze.

"You're smoking hot," Jill said as soon as she jumped in.

"Turn your heater on," she said as she rubbed her legs. Maybe it was a bad idea to wear a dress after all. "Maybe I should just go back inside and wear jeans. I don't think I'll make it in town wearing this dress."

Jill purposely put the car on drive before she could open the door. "No time, sweetie. We've got a club to go to."

They arrived at the club where the name flashed in neon lights. She glanced at her friend, unsure whether to go out or not. The last time she'd gone to the club was when she'd picked up Max after drinking himself to a stupor.

"Let's go," Jill said before dragging her inside.

Beer, smoke and sweaty bodies greeted her the moment they stepped inside. Unknown faces met her gaze as she pushed through the crowd, trying to find a free spot where they could sit. Two stools were vacated at the bar section where Jill immediately led her. The chill that covered her legs disappeared and was quickly replaced by warmth. It was hot inside but the loud, pumping music made her hips sway to the rhythm. She had time to dance later but right now, she needed a drink.

"What can I get you ladies?" a cute bartender asked.

"I'd get vodka," Jill answered before glancing at her.

"A martini please," Venice answered.

She settled in her seat and looked around her surroundings. She didn't know anyone here apart from Jill. She was glad none of her co-workers were around. She hadn't turned up at work for weeks and some of them were speculating something had happened between her and Max. She'd transfer to another branch of the company, so why should she bother explaining herself to anyone?

She took a sip of her drink as soon as it came and looked up. She almost choked on her drink when a pair of blue eyes stared right through hers.