Page 57 of Invisible String
“Thanks,” he mumbles.
An older man calls his name. Max stops in his tracks. “Max, I’m impressed more each time. Carlos taught you well,” he says, with Annette by his side.
“He did. As you already know, he’s trained many professionals.”
The man, I think, is the owner, nods to him. “You’ve been in good hands, then. Would you like to come over for dinner? It’s been a while.”
Annette smirks at me. That woman is so fucking annoying, and I bet that’s her father.
“I appreciate the invite, Rico, but my girl and I have plans.”
My girl?My stomach flutters with happiness.
“Alright, some other time.”
We exit the bustling gym, which was filled to the brim with people. The sky is dark, and a storm has begun to pour down upon us tonight. The forecast predicted rain, so it was no surprise. Personally, I’ve always enjoyed rainy days. They have a special place in my heart.
“Is it always this packed with people?” I ask, just as Max pins me to the car. His lips catch me by surprise. The heat of his lips feels like wax melting under the flames of desire. This kiss is possessive. The scent of his sweat turns me on. Weird, I know, but fuck, who doesn’t love a man who works out?
He steps back, licking his lips, and I’m still trying to recuperate from the brutal, hot kiss.
“No, it’s never this packed. Only because I was sparring today.”
Wow, just imagine if he fought for real. It would be a massive crowd.
“What was that for?”
He opens the passenger door to the Nova. “What?”
“The kiss?”
His hands grip the door, and his jaw clenches. “For the mother fuckers watching us. And because having you by my side watching sent blood rushing to a certain area.”
My head falls back in laughter. I don’t know how I can ever live without him again. He has become the air I breathe.
I catchmy breath after the heart-thumping orgasm Max just gave me. “Let’s wash your hair,” Max instructs. “Who called you when we were driving home?” His fingers massage my scalp in a gentle, romantic way. He doesn’t realize he’s doing it.
“It was my dad. He said he wanted to talk to me about something important.” He claimed we needed to talk about something vital. I’m still pissed at him, and I will always hold resentment toward him.
“Oh, you sounded mad,” he says, adding body wash to a sponge.
“I am.” I shake my head. “The way he treated my mom pisses me off.”
“I don’t blame you. Your mom needs someone on her side.”
I turn to face him. “I know. Mom has been taking it hard these past months. That’s why I didn’t go home for summer break.” My voice cracks. “I know it’s dumb, but it doesn’t feel like a family anymore.”
He kisses my lips. “I understand exactly what you mean.”
My heart sinks to the ground. My parents are alive, and his mom isn’t. I shouldn’t be such a whiner.
“I’m sorry your family is going through some hard times.”
“Don’t be sorry. It was all my dad’s doing.” The water cascades down my back as I get the last soapsuds off my body. “Your turn.”
He eyes me as I run a sponge on his muscles, ripped across his taut stomach and immaculately sculpted chest.
“So, you’re going to fight next month?” I ask, remembering Annette forcing herself on him.
