Chapter three, enjoy!
Disclaimer: I own nothing, sadly!
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Anna sat in the living room, it was late. The grandfather clock that was nestled in the back corner began to toll for one. She sighed, it had been a long day. "That's an understatement," Anna mumbled faintly to herself. She pulled back her think wavy hair and clipped in place. The apartment was quiet, there was the soft hum of faint snores for the back bedrooms and the rustle of wind from a passing taxi. It was eerie almost. For the city that never sleeps, it sure was peaceful.
Well, it was peaceful until Max came stumbling into the living room, escorting his latest girlfriend to the door. Anna didn't even know she was here and it got under her skin a little. Annoyed, yes. Jealous, quite possible-however, Anna would never admit it.
"I hope she gave you a good price since it's so late," Anna commented as soon as she heard the door close.
Max jumped upon hearing her voice. Anna had been sitting in the dark, "Jesus Christ, Anna!"
"What? You don't sit in the dark at one in the morning?" Anna asked innocently as she turned on a light.
"No, I have better things to do at one in the morning," Max replied, joining her on the couch.
"Like?"
"Women, for one," Max responded, smirk evident.
"We're not things Max, we're people too," Anna corrected with a glare.
Max scoffed, "Well, you might be."
Anna rolled her eyes. Max yawned and did the not-so-subtle stretch to wrap his arm around Anna. She laughed at his attempt to be crafty, "Are you drunk?"
"A little tipsy, maybe," Max conceded.
"Well, Mr. Carrigan I am going to bed," Anna announced as she removed Max's hand from her shoulder.
Max chuckled as they stood up, "I'll join you."
"Not this time, Max," Anna replied, pushing him slightly.
Being in his slight stupor, Anna's playful tap was enough to cause him to stumbled as he followed her. She reached her door, pushed it open, and stood in the doorway. Max looked over her shoulder, eyeing her bed and returned to look at her.
"Go to your own room Max," Anna ordered quietly.
"Oh, but your bed looks so much more inviting," Max returned, slurring his words.
Anna shook her head, knowing he was totally shit-faced, "Good night, Maxwell."
He smirked as he walked closer to her. Without warning, Max stole a kiss from her. Just long enough for her to get the taste of cheap liquor in her mouth. He then stepped back and headed for his room. Regardless, it was still enough for Anna go to weak at the knees. To cause her to swoon over him. Ignoring the nagging voice in her mind, "Wait, Max."
Max turned on his heels, "Yeah?"
"Come here," she beckoned.
Max obliged. He walked back over to her. Anna snaked her arms around his neck, her hands combing through his dirty blonde locks. She leaned up and kissed him. His lips slowing parted, allowing her to taste the cheap booze again. Anna found the alcoholic kiss deliciously sensual because she wasn't the one completely plastered. Although, she wished she was because her actions could be blamed on the booze.
Anna pulled him forward, causing Max to stagger into her bedroom. They fumbled their way to her bed amidst their kissing. She felt him push her over the edge of the bed, it seemed like a long fall at the moment. But, Anna's back soon hit the mattress. Max had already made his way between her legs, despite being partially dressed. He unclipped her hair, grabbing a fistful of her ebony locks.
He continued to kissed Anna, who was soon regretting her choice. Max moved down to her neck and began to slowly suck and nip at the soft skin. The coarse hair of his mustache tickled and pricked her as he moved from her neck to her collarbone. Anna let out a small moan, forgetting her remorse for a moment. His hands skillfully worked to pulled her dress up and over Anna's head, throwing the unneeded material to the floor. Max's lips travelled down to her lace covered breasts, kissing the exposed skin.
She began to work Max's beater off his body, when the voice of reason made an unwanted appearance in her head. Anna groaned-this went unnoticed by Max, who was continuing his journey down her abdomen-his hands gently massaging her breasts. Her stomach flexed at the prickly feeling of his mustache as he kissed her. Anna knew this wasn't right by Max. This isn't what he wants Anna thought as Max made his way back up her stomach. He stopped at her breasts again-he suckled and nibbled at her hard nipple through the fabric. She let out a low moan escape her lips. Anna shook her head, trying to clear her mind. She continued to regret her actions, This could ruin any chance of repairing out friendship let alone getting past our relationship. No, we can't continue. Anna placed her hands on his broad shoulders and slowly pushed him away.
Max gave her confused look, "What? Am I going too fast?"
"No, it's not that," Anna assured him as she sat up a little, "it's just, this isn't you Max. I know you don't feel this way towards me anymore."
"What are you talking about?" Max's drunken mind was not following.
Anna ran her fingers through his hair, "You're completely shit-faced, Max. The only thing you know is that you want something to fuck. And that something left twenty minutes ago."
"So what?" Max asked as he brushed his lips up against hers.
Anna pulled away, "So, when you're sober and you want to do this, you know where I am."
She climbed out of bed and took Max's hand. Leading him to the door and out into the hallway. They stood in front of his room. Anna placed a light kiss on his cheek.
"Go to sleep. You won't regret that," Anna told him.
Max seemed to comprehend and nodded. He walked through the beads in his doorway and collapsed into his bed. Max soon feel asleep. Anna watched him a minute more, making sure he was all right. When Anna was satisfied knowing he, was she returned to her room.
Dragging her feet to her bed, Anna flopped onto it-this fall didn't seem long at all. She sighed angrily when she realized that her door was wide open and she was only in her underwear. Too tired to care, Anna allowed the delirium of sleep overwhelm her.
Max awoke the following morning with a killer headache. One that only a shower and black coffee could ease. He glared at the light that streamed through his blinds. Squinting as he rose from his bed, Max headed for the bathroom. He cringed at the sound of the door slamming behind him. A wave of nausea over came him. He steadied himself against the sink, his knuckles turning white. Max stared hard into the mirror, trying to glare the nausea out of himself. Closing his eyes, he inhaled and exhaled slowly. To his delight, the queasiness dissipated.
Max turned on the shower and allowed it to run for a few minutes before jumping in.
Anna woke up to the sounds of water running. Disoriented from sleep, she began to panic. However, she soon realized it was from the bathroom. Sighing, Anna felt like an idiot for not realizing the distinct sound of water hitting porcelain. Getting out of bed she checked the time on her watch. It read 11:32 AM. She heard the shower stop and someone stumbling out and cursing. Anna smiled knowing it was Max. At that moment, Anna realized that she was only in her underwear.
She stood awkwardly for a moment. Anna then moved to close her door, however, Max appeared in her doorway. He eyed her a moment before speaking.
"So, can we talk about you taking advantage of me last night?" Max asked nonchalantly.
"No, because I didn't take advantage of you. I almost did," Anna corrected as she tried to push him into the hallway, but with no avail. Max had himself firmly planted.
"But you wanted to," he countered as he backed Anna into her room.
"And what if I did? We could have, but I know you would have regretted it and I would have too," Anna argued, "For having a hangover, you're really lucid."
"Great, isn't?" Max smirked, "Now, why would I have regretted our night between the sheets?"
"Because, like you said, I wrecked you. And what you were feeling for me last night wasn't real. It was just the alcohol," she reasoned.
Max shrugged, "How do you know for sure?"
"I don't, but I'm pretty damn sure I'm right," Anna retorted.
"It's a shame," Max sighed.
"And why is that?" Anna asked, still trying to push him back.
"Because," Max began as stepped forward, closing the door behind him, "I'm no longer wrecked. I'm past whatever happened to us. I can't even remember. I'm fine, well from the neck down."
Her brow rose, unconvinced, "You're over it, completely fine?"
"Yeah," Max confirmed, "So, why don't we pick up where we left off?"
He placed his cool hands on her warm skin, elating goosebumps. Anna's hands rested on his. Max firmly clamped onto her hips, brought her forward slightly, "You said to come back when I'm sober and I am. And I know what I want."
"Max...I don't believe you," Anna said, her voice cracking.
"What? That I want you?" Max asked, with a devious smile. He pressed her body against his.
"No, that you're fine," Anna clarified.
Max looked puzzled, "But, I told you I was. What more do you want?"
"I don't want to rush into this, whatever this is," Anna explained.
"All right, but can we still pick up from last night?" Max asked, half serious.
"No," Anna replied, "but I'll give you this."
She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him. Max parted her lips slightly. Anna obliged and allowed Max in. He left the lingering taste of mint and alcohol from mouthwash. Anna broke the kiss, knowing if they were to continue any longer they might just pick up from the previous night.
"I left my bag in your room yesterday, it has all of my stuff, including clothes," Anna explained, her breathing a little uneven.
Max smirked, "Maybe I'll keep it. This is a good look for you."
"To you it is," Anna retorted, releasing herself from his grasp. Grabbing her dress from the floor, Anna quickly pulled the soft material over her body, "So, I'm going to get it."
"Ok," Max replied.
The two left her room, she turned left while Max took a right.
He wandered into the kitchen, excepting to see someone up. Max only found Jude. Sitting down at the table with him, Jude handed him a note. It was from Sadie and Jo-Jo. She informed them that her manager, John, booked another show for the end of the week. Therefore, they had to leave today and were taking Prudence along with them. Max chuckled when he read Sadie's joke about not harassing Anna too much. She sent them their love and told them that they'd write.
"So, it's just the three of us, huh?" Max sighed as he looked over to Jude.
"It appears to be that way," Jude confirmed.
Max got up and prepared the coffee. He then rejoined Jude at the table, "So, how are you doing?"
"Good, why?" Jude asked, curious.
"No reason, man. I was just making sure you were ok," Max replied with a shrug.
"Well, between the two of us, I should be the asking if you're ok. You're the one with a piece of shattered bullet lodged in your skull," Jude joked darkly.
Max chuckled, "Yeah, well like I said, I'm good from the neck down. My head's never been any use to me anyway."
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