Page 54 of Moonlit Kisses

Max insistedon dragging me out of bed, so he could clean me up, only to mess me up again as he was drying my body. I chuckle to myself at the expression he wore when he realized we’d need to have another shower.

“What’s that chuckle about?” he asks as he slices fresh fruit for our breakfast. My favorite.

“Nothing.” I pop a strawberry into my mouth and give him a wink.

I can’t believe I had sex with my hot boss!

Awesome, life altering sex.

With the man who’s been diligently keeping everything professional between us, no less. The one who didn’t see me as a woman and thinks it’s okay to invite me for drinks with the boys after soccer. I want to squeal with excitement, but I don’t want to remind him I’m younger than him or that he’s my boss—the sticking points that have been holding him back. I’m not sure what changed, but I’m glad it did.

Max carries the fruit to the small dining table, while I carry the juice. He grabs the yogurt, while I grab the bowls and spoons. We work silently to get breakfast set up as efficiently as we can. Max scoops fruit into both of our bowls and then I top them both with a healthy serving of yogurt.

“Damn. I forgot the honey,” Max mumbles as he moves back to the kitchen. When he comes back, he holds up the container. “Would you like some?”

Honey’s freaking expensive, and definitely not something I’ve eaten very often. “Not normally. But I’ll try some. Thanks.” He dollops a small amount in each of our bowls, then sits. We both eat quietly for a few minutes, stealing glances at each other with satisfied smiles on our faces. I rub my toe up Max’s leg over the top of his gray sweats. “I love these sweats.” I wink at him. He brings out a cheeky side to me I’m enjoying.

His spoon stops halfway to his mouth, and he raises his eyebrows. “Yeah?” I nod and go back to eating. “I’ll keep that in mind.” After a few minutes, when we’re both finished, Max rises and takes our dishes to the kitchen. “Would you like a coffee?”

“Thanks, I’d love one.” I step beside him to wash the dishes as he makes us both a coffee. He glances at me with the strangest expression. “What’s wrong?”

He shrugs. “Nothing.”

Once the coffee’s ready, we step out on the back deck to enjoy it. His backyard is low fuss. No garden, only grass with a decent-sized workshop I’m guessing he uses for car stuff. I take my first sip and close my eyes in appreciation, humming my delight.

“Did you want to talk about what happened with your …” He runs his hands through his hair. “Uhm, your … Martin?” I’m guessing he was going to call him my dad. Which is what he is, I guess. “You don’t have to if you don’t want to. I just want you to know I’m here.”

I reach across the space between us and grasp his hand. “Thank you. He, uh, he told me his version of what happened when Mom told him she was pregnant. He didn’t respond well. Cursed her out and told her she was ruining his life.”

My stomach rolls as Max’s eyebrows shoot up and if fire could shoot from his eyes, I’m certain it would. “He what?”

I shrug and give Max a pointed look. “He blamed it on being nineteen.” I raise a brow.

“Sorry. Men … no, boys are fucking dumb at that age. We have a toddler brain which is all about food and sex. Anything else doesn’t compute.”

I can’t hold back my chuckle at his explanation, though it doesn’t change how things unfolded all those years ago. “It sounded like he treated her terribly. I couldn’t sit across from him any longer listening to his story. I get that he’s regretful. But his actions had an enormous impact on our lives. I can’t pretend it doesn’t matter.” Max laces his fingers with mine, squeezing them in silent support. “I told him I need time. I’m not sure how long, but it was a lot to digest.” Max’s gaze follows my tongue as I lick my dry lips. “I walked away, not liking the man who says he’s my father. In fact, I’m not sure I have any respect for him.”

Max tugs my hand, pulling me across to him. He situates me on his lap, stroking his hand along my spine. “I’m sorry, Mols.” I sink into his warm body. “You were right to walk away, if that’s what you needed to do. You don’t owe him anything at this point.”

Silence surrounds us as I work my mind back to the night before. Then further back to when Mom explained to me why I didn’t have a daddy who lived with us. I think she still loved him. Even after the way he hurt her.

“Do you want to come to lunch with my family?” Max breaks the silence. I turn my face to study his. Even though he seems surprised that he’s invited me, his offer is genuine.

“Thanks for the invite, but I’m not in an emotional space today to meet the rest of your family.” I kiss the scruff on his jaw. “I’ll definitely come to Lachlan’s birthday, though.” I hope he understands I feel too raw to be around people.

He returns my kiss, rubbing circles on my back. “Of course. I get it.”

“I guess I should get out of your hair so you can get ready. Do you mind dropping me back at my car?”

“No problem. I’ll put on a load of laundry and then we can head out.”

* * *

The salty breeze off the ocean tickles the strands of hair across my face as the sun sets on another day of my new life. Resting my arms on my knees, I drop my chin down to rest on top. A smile touches my lips as I remember this morning. Was it only this morning? It certainly ‘feels’ like it happened this morning.

He’s a generous lover who definitely knows his way around the female body. I guess that decade between us has given him the opportunity to gain the extra experience. My stomach squeezes at the thought of Max with another woman, though I have no right to be jealous. We both have our pasts, which include previous lovers. A shiver runs down my spine as I remember how my body responded when he pushed inside me for the first time. The way he praised me and called me, ‘good girl’. I chuckle quietly.Who knew I’d like that so much?

I focus on the waves lapping on the shore as the sun drops even lower on the horizon. I think this is my favorite thing to do. My chest tightens as I recall dinner last night with Martin. I’m unsure how to move forward. Blaming him won’t change what happened or the path it led Mom down. He seemed genuinely remorseful and worried about the impact telling me his side of the story would have on our relationship now. It was definitely confronting to hear his side of the story and the way he behaved to the news of Mom’s pregnancy. I get it was probably a shock, and he was young, but shit, Mom was young too and I would imagine equally shocked. The situation would have been scary for her. Perhaps when it’s not so raw, I’ll be able to move past how I’m feeling at the moment.

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