Page 51 of The One That Got Away

‘Maybe. I had a few cocktails by the pool and now I’m on the wine from the other day.’

‘Whoa… easy, tiger! You should pace yourself. You know what a lightweight you are.’

‘I’ll be fine.’

‘If you say so. You’re so lucky to be going to a barbecueanda party on the beach! Speaking of that, don’t forget to wear one of those thongs your mum gave you, in case you do getluckytonight!’

‘Bye, Sammie,’ I said.

‘Laters, sweetie!’

As I put the phone down, a naughty giggle slipped from my lips. Must be the alcohol making me feel lightheaded.

I went to the wardrobe and opened the drawers. Coincidentally the ‘Touch Me’ thong was right at the top.

Just the thought of Max touching memade me quiver with excitement.

My inhibitions were evaporating faster than the wine in my glass.

Which was probably why I plucked the red lacy thong out of the drawers and slid it on.

Just in case…

23

MAX

Tonight was the night.

It was time to do the thing I’d avoided for years: explain my bad behaviour to Stella.

Even though I knew it’d kill all the progress we’d made, I just had to suck it up. That was the least she deserved.

I buttoned up my white linen shirt, zipped up my khaki shorts, slid my feet into my flip-flops, then headed to the beach.

When I arrived, Stella was already there.

I swallowed hard.

She looked like a wet dream.

I thought that having a wank in the shower earlier would’ve helped, but nope. My dick was still ready for action and from the way it was twitching right now, there was only one woman that would make it satisfied.

‘You’rehere!’ Stella ran over, grinning and clutching a colourful drink.

That was strange. She seemed happy to see me.

‘Yeah,’ I frowned. ‘Didn’t you think I’d turn up?’

‘You’vebeen avoiding me!’ She poked my chest.

Ohhh. She was tipsy. That was why she was being so friendly.

‘How many of those have you had?’

‘These?’ Her voice went up an octave. ‘Not sure! But they’redelicious! It’s called aTintode something.Tinto de Veranda! Here!’ She thrust the glass in my face. ‘Try it!’

I didn’t have the heart to tell her it was Tinto deVerano– a summer drink with wine and some lemonade-type stuff. A bit like a sangria. It wasn’t normally strong so she’d either had a lot of them, or had mixed her drinks.

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