Page 80 of Can We Skip to the Good Part?
Praise every star in heaven because Max was seeing them now with Ella straddling her lap. Someone up there had answered her prayer. Ella cradled Max’s face and brushed her lips once and then back again. That was all it took. The dam broke with that little taste, and no one cared about librarians anymore. The ever-present fire between them leapt to life with a roar. Ella went back in, this time with her lips parted and hunger driving the kiss. Their lips pressed and clung as if savoring every heated second. Encouraged, Max pushed her tongue into Ella’s mouth, tentative, and then again without hesitation. Ella mirrored the move, sending heat licking its way from Max’s toes to her fingertips. This was the kind of make-out session that threatened to burn the place down. Urgency enveloped every kiss and caress until nothing was slow anymore. Every part of them that could touch was touching, and Max’s head went dizzy with lust and determination. She wanted her hands on Ella’s breasts, her lips pressed to Ella’s skin. She wanted, wanted, wanted, until she couldn’t hold back another second. Holding Ella to her, she lifted up, shifted to the right, promptly deposited Ella onto her back, and lowered herself on top, ready to take what she needed.
“Okay, that was impressive,” Ella said, eyes wide. “This might be better than reading.”
Max laughed quietly. “I’m putting that on my business card.”
“I want one.” Ella’s hands landed on her waist and then promptly slid down to cup her ass. Max’s hair fell forward, framing them as they kissed with wonderful abandon. They were free in so many ways these days. No more sneaking around or wondering what this thing was between them. They were real and true and unencumbered. Not to mention on fire. Ella raised the thigh between Max’s legs and pressed upward, whichhad Max pulling her mouth away, sucking in air. Pinpricks of pleasure shot through her system, and every inch of her body sat at attention. Sliding a strand of hair behind her ear, she closed her eyes, sat up, and took a moment to steady herself.
“You okay?” Ella whispered, hand to Max’s cheek. The tenderness of her voice brought Max back into the moment. She opened her eyes, and they connected.
“I’m driven wild, but surviving,” she answered, her lips tugging to a partial grin.
“Good because I wasn’t done with you,” Ella said with a smile. She sat up, joining Max, a look of determination layering onto her features. Her gaze flicked to the hem of Max’s shirt, and she lifted it, making her intentions known. Max had no problem helping and pulled the shirt over her head, leaving her in the red bra she’d purchased not too long ago, you know, just in case. “Are you fucking kidding me? Have you ever modeled lingerie?” Ella asked, kissing the underside of her jaw, before returning her focus to Max’s chest.
“Can’t say I have.”
“Well, if you ever need a break from the law.” Ella shook her head, and with one finger, she traced the top of the lacy cup. Max swallowed, wet and beginning to throb. That same finger began to trace her nipple through the fabric. The ache intensified. She felt the nipple pebble and press against her bra. She rolled her lips in, tortured and attempting not to beg. This was Ella’s show. Ella, on a mission, pulled down the red cup, freeing Max’s breast. With her lips parted, she dipped her head, lifted the breast to her mouth, and pulled the nipple inside.
“Fuck,” Max said, closing her eyes, and sliding her hand into Ella’s hair, an anchor and a request for more. Ella sucked, licked, and skated her teeth over that nipple until Max found herself lifting her hips, searching for purchase, anything. Ella pulled back and looked down at Max’s hips.
“Oh, do you want to be touched?” Ella asked innocently, easing her onto her back. Max nodded and watched as Ella undid her pants and shimmied them down to her ankles. Her underwear was next.
Ella touched her lightly. “You’re so wet. I bet I could help with that.” It was only seconds before Max felt Ella’s hot mouth between her legs. The open-mouth kiss nearly sent her over the edge. She closed her eyes to revel in how amazing she felt. Ella’s tongue traced intricate patterns that drove her absolutely wild. She rocked her hips softly to the rhythm until it became quick little pumps that had her climbing and climbing. Ella pulled her mouth away and kissed the inside of each thigh, Max’s stomach, before looking up at her.
“Sit up for me.”
She liked the look in Ella’s eyes and wondered what she had in mind. She did as she was told, realizing that Ella wanted Max in her lap, which she could definitely accommodate. As soon as she settled there, Ella’s fingers slid inside, pulling a whimper from her throat because it was so damn satisfying.
“There ya go. Ride my hand.” Ella’s eyes were cobalt, which meant she was every bit as turned on as Max was.
It also meant that Max was happy to accommodate. She slowly began to move, taking in the way Ella’s gaze shifted to her breasts and how they bounced with each hop or thrust. Every time Max came in contact with Ella’s hand, her now swollen clit brushed Ella’s thumb, sending her tiny rewards. But she needed more. Chasing the sensations, she rocked faster and faster against Ella, pushing her desire higher and higher as the pressure climbed to a dizzying level. At long last, with one firm press of Ella’s thumb, Max careened and broke in a bright spark of bliss that had her crying out and digging her nails into Ella’s shoulders. The unrelenting rush scattered her to pieces. It wasthe payout that just kept giving, as did the small brushes of Ella’s thumb.
“That was fucking intense,” Max said, pressing her forehead to Ella’s.
“Wow. Can I just say that I enjoyed that so very much?”
“Youenjoyed it?You?”
Ella chuckled. “Max. You have no idea.” With her fingers still curled inside, Ella shook her head in awe. “I had no idea reading books with you could be so satisfying.”
“Speaking of satisfying, we’re not done. I’m gonna need you on your back.”
It was only a few moments before Max was following her down with big plans for the rest of their evening that involved Ella and not a stitch of clothing.
Saturdays with nothingpressing on the calendar had become Ella’s favorite kind, especially when they included Max. That morning, they’d joined a painting party at Doug’s, tackling the freshly restored walls with rollers, laughter, and a rotating playlist. Doug’s sister came, the rest of the Weepers showed up, and even Beverly made an appearance, tie-dye scarf keeping her gray hair out of her face. She spent most of her time getting more paint on her clothes than the walls and needling Doug every chance she got, purely for her own amusement. “You know, Doug, you might get the wall done by Tuesday if you go just a little slower.”
“You worry about yourself,” he told her amid a measured stroke. He’d opted for a sage color this time, moving away from basic white.
Ella had a sneaking suspicion he liked the back-and-forth. Or maybe it was simply the romantic in her, pairing everyone up. Before leaving the house that morning, she’d even suggested Rachel might consider pursuing a romance with her former supervisor, who’d reached out about helping her find a new position somewhere. Rachel hadn’t been able to let go of the grudge, which seemed like excellent fodder for a tension-filled romance. Sign her up.
“Just because you’re giddy over Max-fucking-Wyler doesn’t mean I should date Millicent, who is so uptight that I don’t think I’ve ever seen her hair out of a French twist. She’s the reason my position was eliminated,” Rachel huffed. “She’s also twelve years older than me.”
“This just gets better and better.” Ella chewed the inside of her cheek. She felt the urge to design the cover for this story. “She’s gay, right?”
“From what I’m told. But it’s hard to imagine Millicent dating.”
Ella’s brain raced ahead. “And with the layoffs, she was probably just doing what the company’s bottom line told her to do. I have a feeling she was conflicted about it, Rach. That’s why she reached out. And maybe she misses you. Have you considered that angle?”
“No, because it’s weird. You’re reading too many romance novels. And now you work on them, too. We’re going to need an intervention.”
