"Listen to me, will you?" Max followed Ashley down the street. She was heading home after a shift at the Queen Vic and he had confessed to her, what she already knew. He loved her and while she reciprocated those feelings for her best friend, he was in a relationship with Rainie.

Ashley had been in love with Max for years, been there when his son, Bradley, fell from the roof, when Tayna buried him alive, when Abi died and when Lauren had left. She never turned him away, dealt with him when he was at his worst and never let him down.

Now here she was in a heartbreaking situation. The mam man she had been in love with for years was finally confessing his love for her. But Ashley couldn't hurt Rainie like that.

Unlocking the door; Ashley looked at Max over her shoulder as he climbed the steps. "I can't do this now!" She quickly got inside and tried to close the door but Mac got inside. She went to the living room and tossed her bag on the armchair. "What are you thinking? You're dating Rainie for gods sake!"

"I know." He said. "Just...tell me you don't love me and I will walk out that door." He said pointing to the doorway.

"Max..." She looked down with tears in her eyes. He had cheated before and her biggest fear was that his love would fade when another pretty face caught his eye. When she lifted her head, he was standing closer than before, chests almost touching.

"You can't, can you?" He said.

"No." She swallowed thickly as she met his gaze. "But I can't hurt Rainie like that. And you shouldn't be even considering this. Us."

Max knew what she were thinking. He had cheated before, many times, and his reluctance wasn't as strong as hers. Frankly he didn't care. He was selfish like that. He wanted what he wanted and didn't stop until he got it. Even if someone got hurt in the process.

"Last time. You and me. I promise." He said placing his hands on your cheeks.

Ashley grabbed his wrists but the look in his eyes prevented her from stopping him from leaning in. His lips met hers and she quickly pulled away. She covered her mouth with your hand and stepped back, staring at him.

After a brief thought about how great it felt to finally have the Max Branning pleading with her, finally confessing his love for you even if it wasn't the best time), ahe stepped forward.

Max placed his arms around her waist when she raised her hands to his cheeks, kissing him passionately. She knew it was wrong. Rainie would be devastated. But selfishly she craved the thrill of his kiss, the feeling of his hands and the look in his eyes reversed for her only.

She pulled away and Max rested his forehead on hers. "Rainie..."

"I'll talk to her tonight." He said.

She met his gaze when he tilted her chin upward. "Max..." He looked at her, placing his hands on her cheeks. "Your timing is terrible." She smiled faintly and he chuckled, leaning in.

Ashley closed her eyes, melting into his kiss.

Max kept to his word. He left Rainie and for a few weeks their relationship was kept hidden until they had been caught kissing when she was carrying boxes from the basement and Max had came to see her.

His history with women, his cheating ways, didn't bod well for your relationship. She knew that one day, maybe, one way or another, Max Branning would break her heart. But both of them knew, this time was different. This time could very well be the last time.