Page 50 of The One That Got Away

As I poured myself some more wine, I told Sammie all about the walking trip, him bringing me dinner and how nice his playlists were.

When I also let slip how cute the photos were, she insisted I send some for her to look over immediately.

Earlier, Jasmine had sent a link to view the photos we’d chosen as our favourites so far, which were mainly taken on Max’s mobile and digital camera and I may have downloaded them straight away on my phone.

I pulled them up on my screen then swooned. The one of me resting my head on Max’s shoulder really was cute. I sent them to Sammie whilst she was still on the phone.

‘Oh my God!’ she screamed. ‘You two are bloody adorable! And holy shit! Max is a fucking god! What the hell are you doing, Stell? How are you even able to talk or think straight withhimnext to you?’

‘With great difficulty.’ I blew out a breath. ‘Earlier he was putting sun lotion on my back and… let’s just say I found itveryenjoyable.’

‘Shit. I can imagine! So if you like him, why don’t you just go for it? I know what happened was crappy, but that was years ago. I’m not trying to downplay what you went through. Remember, I was there. I saw how you suffered, but maybe you can push it to the back of your mind somehow? I’d hate to see your past ruin your future.’

‘I wish it was that simple.’ I drained my glass. This wine was so good.

‘Why not just take advantage of the situation? Use it for your own good. It’s been ages since you had a shag, so can’t you just be fuck buddies? Have a bit of fun in the sun? It doesn’t have to be anything deep – just a holiday fling. Give your poor vibrator a break and get the real thing!’

‘You’re forgetting one thing: sex involves two willing parties. It doesn’t matter if I’m attracted to Max. He doesn’t feel the same way.’

‘How do you know?’

‘He said, at the beginning, that if we stuck it out for the week it wouldn’t be anything romantic.’

‘You’re forgetting thatyoualso hated his guts at the beginning, but now you feel differently.’

‘Even when I was standing in the pool topless, Max didn’t show the slightest bit of interest.’ I ignored her comment, which was annoyingly accurate, and drank more wine to console myself.

‘He was being a gentleman!’

‘And the only reason he put sun lotion on my back today was because Jasmine suggested it and he probably felt bad saying no.’

‘I doubt that.’

‘He was so repulsed by touching me that he only lasted two minutes before stopping and diving into the pool. Oh, and he’s avoided me for most of the day. Those enough reasons for you?’

‘Maybe he was hot. And you said he’s the CEO, right? He probably had work stuff to do.’

‘I don’t know. He was acting weird. Anyway, I’m not going to make a fool of myself. If he’s interested, which like I said, I doubt,he’llneed to make the first move.’

‘Come on,’ Sammie sighed. ‘This isn’t the 1900s! Did Beyoncé teach you nothing? We’re strong, independent women! We don’t need to wait for a man to make the first move. If you want to have some fun with Max, tell him. The least he owes you is an apology fuck.’

‘I don’t want an apology fuck!’

‘Yeah, you do! Think about it. If he’s really sorry, he’ll dowhatever he can to make it up to you. He owes you twelve years of orgasms! It’s time to collect!’

As I pictured Max with his head between my thighs sucking on my clit, tingles shot up my spine.

Sammie was right about one thing. Itwouldbe nice to experience an orgasm that wasn’t given to me by my vibrator.

But for all of the reasons I’d already mentioned, I wasn’t sure that declaring my attraction to Max was a good idea.

‘I’ll think about it.’

‘Good!’

‘I’d better get ready. We’ve got a beach barbecue and party tonight. I hope they have more of this wine or those delicious cocktails.’

‘What wine? Are you drinking right now?’

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