“It sure was. Thank you.” I got up from the bed. I needed to play it off, as that was all I wanted: no cuddling, no talking, nothing. If I cuddled, I’d fall. If I fell, I’d break. I just needed sex. That was all.
“Where do you think you’re going?”
“I’m getting dressed.” I smiled.
“Why? Get back in bed.”
I turned around and looked at him, narrowing my eyes. “Max, we fucked. That’s it.” I put on my clothes and went back to the kitchen, and poured a cup of coffee.
“Really, Emma?”
I turned around. “What?”
“You’re just going to up and leave like that?”
I silently laughed because wasn’t that what he did?
“We both knew it was inevitable, Max. We were going to have sex sooner or later. But that’s all it is. We’ll never have to see each other again in three months.”
Saying that hurt me in places I never knew could hurt. I needed to keep my head in the game because this was what it was. It was a deal. A three-month arrangement, and then it would be over. It would be easy for him to walk away because he’d get his trust fund, the only thing he cared about. For me, it wouldn’t be so easy if I became emotionally involved.
“I guess you’re right. But still.”
“Isn’t that why you brought me here? I mean, come on. You were practically naked when I got here. Admit it. You brought me here hoping we’d have sex.”
He looked at me and narrowed his eyes. “Sorry, Emma, but that’s not why I brought you here. I brought you here because I thought we could spend the day together at Central Park. You haven't been there since you’ve been in New York. At least, I don’t think you have.”
“No. I haven’t.”
He stepped closer to me and smiled, placing his thumb on my chin. “Would you like to go to Central Park with me?”
“Sure.” I gave a small smile.
Chapter Eight
Central Park wasnothing like I’d ever seen in my life. It had to be the most beautiful place on Earth. At least to me, it was. This wasn’t an ordinary park; it was another world. Growing up, the only park I ever went to was the one by my house in Miami. A small piece of land with a few swings and overgrown grass that wasn’t regularly cut. We were near mid-park when I spotted a familiar statue ahead.
“Is that what I think it is?” I asked in excitement.
“Depends on what you think it is.” Max smiled.
I was in awe of the beauty standing before me as I approached the sculpture.
“Oh my God, it is. It’s Alice in Wonderland. That was one of my favorite Disney movies when I was a child.”
I climbed up and ran my hand along the bronzed mushroom that Alice was sitting on.
“Sit down, and I’ll take your picture.” Max smiled.
Suddenly, I felt like a kid again as I became giddy and sat in front of Alice while Max snapped a picture.
“Come up here, and we’ll take a selfie.” I waved my hand for him to join me.
He climbed up the statue and sat down next to me. He held up his phone in front of us and snapped a picture.
“I have an idea,” he spoke as he took my hand and helped me down. We walked over to where the horses and carriages were parked. Max pulled out a wad of cash, handed it to the man in the carriage, and then helped me up.
“Have you ever been on a carriage ride?” he asked.