Disclaimer
A/N: I'm sorry this took so long, but I'm working on two new stories at the same time and that detracted my attention for a while. I've almost finished the standalone so that will be up in a few weeks and the other story I've finished planning it out and now it's just up to writing it and I will post the first chapter of that when I post the last chapter of this story. Don't worry updates should come quicker however because I've practically fully sorted out what I want to happen in this story and it will make it easier for me to write it.
Chapter Eleven
A sigh of relief whooshed out of Normal's mouth as he shook Mr Olsen's hand at one of his men's confirmation of the deposit into his account and left the way he'd come in, making his way on foot back towards his apartment. He could use a bit of air to clear his head anyway.
Despite popular belief Normal was not one of the struggling masses, in fact getting by comfortably enough and not worrying about where his next meal would be coming from.
Not rich by far but he did own one very valuable treasure. Had owned.
Carmen was worth a lot of money. A classic even before the pulse and Reagan Ronald had looked after her like a mother would a child. Normal was the only one who knew he was the proud owner of that car, well him and his insurance company. So worried that he might be affiliated with it that after much hesitation he'd stationed her in L.A. under Tommy Blade's careful watch. Only enjoying her company on holidays.
In his drunken stupor he'd forgotten all about the instructions Tommy had should Normal encounter economical problems.
Glancing around Normal's eyes flitted across a group of people huddled around a burning trashcan, shaking his head he averted his eyes again and proceeded on his way, glad that he wasn't like them, that he had a warm bed to look forward to at night and a roof over his head on the contrary of most of Seattle and the rest of the country.
The memory of his back up plan hadn't returned until he'd received that phone call; Tommy confirming she'd been taken.
Insured for a gross amount of money, double the amount he'd lost at the races she was his scapegoat. Under his instruction the car had been stolen and the insurance had had to fork up the cash. Normal had paid the gambling association, or rather Mr Tudor Olsen, and was now out of debt. Carmen however had a tracker; a GPS and both him and Tommy were following her progress closely.
All that was left for him to do was wait for Blade's men to go get it back and she'd be his again in no time.
It was just a phone call away.
****
Her tongue burned a fiery trail of kisses down his chest, teeth scraping across a nipple and biting his pectoral gently leaving an imprint of teeth, marking his flesh as hers and drawing an elongated moan form his pink lips. Lips snaking and open mouthed kisses left in her wake she moved lower and lower down his body feeling the friction of his body hair against her own smoothness as she slithered down his torso, legs intertwined.
Hands explored his body trailing his thighs and coaxing sigh and moans with every caress.
Obvious display of pleasure on his part pressed insistently against her and with her every move it rubbed between their bodies that were slick with sweat causing both to cry out in excitement.
Reaching her destination Max halted and looked upon his length in wonder, her soft breaths blowing puffs of air across its straining tip and she watched it quiver in anticipation. Closing her eyes she closed her lips over the head and ran her tongue along the underside applying tender pressure delighting in his cries.
Her name left his lips and his hips bucked up at her as her mouth drew him in further, "Max."
The sound spurred her on and she went even further speeding up her movements, "Max!"
"Max!!"
Jolting awake Max startled out of her skin jumping upright in a mix of shock, lingering pleasure and confusion.
Suddenly everything rushed back to her.
She was in Vegas… with Alec… staying at Caesar's.
His name in her thoughts brought her crashing to the present and her eyes caught his. Chest still heaving from the afterglow of her dream a slight panic was in her irises remembering the feeling of his flesh against hers, the taste of… Woah Max stop right there babe, stop right there and think of something else.
"Mud."
"Mud?" Alec looked at her confused, his expression comical and had it not been for her current situation she would have probably already been peeling herself laughing on the floor already.
Looking down at herself she realised all she had on was her underwear and a tank top. A white tank top. Eyes widening in alarm she realised her body was proudly and annoyingly displaying exactly what kind of pleasure her dream had been providing for her. Sweat had soaked the shirt and had made it sheer and transparent and her nipples, hard as rocks jutted out unabashed through the almost non-existant material.
Gasping, in what Max convinced herself was embarrassment and not pleasure, as she was reminded once again of where exactly her mind had been taken her, Alec's eyes followed her path his breath hitching in his throat.
Hands snapped up cupping her own breasts in an attempt to shield them from his view, their sensitised skin almost drawing a groan out of her, I wish it was his hands on me.
Squealing in a very un-Max like way she threw herself off the bed almost tumbling to the floor and edged away from him as he continued to look on in bafflement, "Mud."
"What's with the mud thing?"
Alec's nude body covered in mud, her own just as covered, on the shores of a river, the muscles rippling underneath it, it's wet consistency making it shine under the setting sun as he climbed on top of her, the hard contours of his body moulding into her softer one with ease…
"I'm gonna go shower," she shrieked and basically ran for the bathroom slamming the door behind her. What the hell is wrong with me? I'm so horny I'm dizzy!
Ok that was odd. Wasn't expecting that. Alec mused to himself.
Twenty minutes later when Max emerged clean and dressed, hair still partly wet, though she'd towel dried it, Alec was still looking at her strangely but shrugging it off she brushed past him wafting the scent of fresh baby oil past his nose and the blonde X5 had to bite his lip to keep from groaning. He could see her skin fresh and soft with it and there was nothing he wanted more in that moment than to brush her hair off her shoulder and nuzzle her bare neck inhaling the scent of the naked skin her off-the-shoulder top exposed.
She'd sent most of what they'd bought back home to be delivered to his apartment and they'd already left instructions to Dix at HQ to set Biggs up at his pad to receive the stuff.
Lots of it was for Terminal City anyway, including a brand new computer for Dix and Luke. The only thing she'd kept was two new mobiles and more appropriate clothes for them. Despite very different to his normal look Alec was thankful for the cargo shorts she'd bought him and the sleeveless t-shirt. Blue, nonetheless. According to her he looked good in it.
Alec shook off his thoughts and managed a weak smile at her but she ignored his gaze refusing to meet it. With a sigh of frustration Alec finished tying his shoelace and ran to catch up to her just as she was leaving their room.
It was still early, only 8:30 or so but it was already hot and the two transgenics were thankful for the air conditioning. Looking out the windows once they reached the floor to the restaurant they could see the heat rising off the pavement and Max with a slight grin realised she'd never thought she'd miss the rainy overcast weather that hung around Seattle 360 days a year.
They still hadn't spoken a word and Max was half glad as she really had no idea what to say. The dream was still fresh in her mind despite how many times she'd tried to repress it her thoughts kept on spinning 180 degrees and returning right back to it.
"You know I could understand if it was a tropical island or something," fate seemed to want her to dwell on it though as his voice brought more flashes to her eyes.
The waiter showed them to a table and they sat down, Max still avoiding his gaze staring outside instead, "What do you mean?"
Grinning he continued, "It feels like we're on the surface of the sun and yet we're in the middle of nowhere. I mean I could understand if we were in the tropics somewhere, but here… I don't think my body can handle it all that much more if I don't get regular pool breaks."
Last night rushed back to both their minds and the tension grew thicker while Alec berated himself mentally. Why the hell am I so good at conversation stoppers?
Alec watched Max moisten her lips, something he'd noticed she only did when she was irresolute, almost like a nervous habit, something to fill the silence but this time it was different. In confusion he watched her leave earth getting a faraway look in her eyes and repeating the action torturously slow much like a panther would staring at its quarry. Twin glints appeared in her eyes as they moved slightly to the right and Alec realized she was recalling past events.
Breath hitching at the incredibly arousing spectacle he was witnessing Alec squirmed in his seat curiosity burning holes into him as he tried to think of what his very far away companion could be thinking… or rather recalling.
"Max!" startled out of her thoughts she blushed slightly hiding her face in the menu, anything to avoid his gaze and forget that stupid dream, "Where did you just go?"
Huffing at his determination to unknowingly keep her thoughts where she didn't want them she dropped the menu looking at him. Green and brown swirled together, both forgetting what they were about to say, silence filling the void.
"Excuse me, are you ready to order?" thankful for the waiter's interruption Max averted her eyes and turned a full beam smile to the awe struck suit.
"Yes thank you. I'm going to have the French toast, extra strawberries please," regaining his wits the waiter quickly scribbled down the order turning to Alec who managed to bury the jealous scowl in time, covering it with his charm your pants off of anyone grin as he ordered the full cooked breakfast and a hot chocolate for himself and Max.
That was one thing he'd learned on this trip, Max really didn't like coffee unless she had access to milk and an almost sickening amount of sugar. Just like him. They'd laughed it off when they'd both caught each other adding the same suicidal quantities and put it off to having had so much bitterness that no more was needed.
A smile touched his lips remembering and he caught her gaze again as they both thought the same thing.
The morning he'd awoken with Max in his arms and they'd gone off to that diner for breakfast was his favourite moment of this trip so far. Her happiness had been infectious for the past few days but that morning it had been even more so if that was even possible. She'd looked positively… Max. Of course he'd gotten hit several times because he just couldn't help himself but stare at her but he hadn't cared, it'd been worth it.
This was another of those moments; it was just him and Max, no distractions or thoughts of guilt about Logan or Rachel, no past just present.
Leaning back into his chair he stretched lazily and released a pleased sigh, "So. What are we up to today?"
"We're gonna scam of course," god how much he loved that smile.
***
Wind whipping through her hair contrasted to perfection the warmth of Alec's body around hers. Huge smiles on their faces and his exultation of success provoked a great deep feeling of satisfaction as she revved the bike faster ripping up the streets with a an almost vertical wheelie.
Max loved the small-scale scams far more than the big ones. More exciting and dangerous, sometimes the risk not even worth the reward, it was the adrenaline making anything worth it. She'd gotten so caught up in ripping Gareth that she'd forgotten their initial reason for this trip, apart from saving Jam Pony that is. A little relaxation revelling in their abilities without having to worry about Logan's disappointed stare.
This was the fifth bike they'd taken off with, and legitimately too. Well as legit as a pair of cat burglars could be that was. Street racing wasn't exactly legal but they'd won them fair and square along with ten grand each time and after each victory it didn't take them long to find a nice new home in a garage somewhere, the sell rewarding with several grand at a time.
Not to mention the casino cons they'd done before lunch.
Damn did Alec have light fingers, sidling up to middle aged gambling women, stealing their chips from right under their noses, while she observed him inconspicuously playing the part of the ditz, gambling for the first time.
Alec had laughed his ass off when she'd told him of when her and OC had had to dress up as working girls and gamble the night away to save Sketchy's ass. Max still remembered the warm sound of his rippling laughter and she felt the hairs on her body rise in pleasure, his body against hers not helping in the least.
It didn't take them long to find someone willing to buy the CBR and it was barely 5 in the afternoon when they headed back to the hotel, Max insisting she wanted to shower before going out that night.
"With the amount of showers you're taking, Vegas' water supply is gonna be halved by the time we go back to Seattle," he grumbled and she laughed at him, her hand settling around his waist, reflex forcing him to wrap his around her shoulders, "Oh give it a rest Pookie. I swear ten minutes tops, a change of clothes and we're out again. By the time you've counted the money I'll be ready to go."
Grinning she sniffed the air and made a face, "On second thought you're having a shower too. You're not exactly a bed of roses Alec."
***
A smile was settled on her lips, lazy in its appearance but without of doubt of satisfaction. She lay on the bed watching the city slowly light up as the sky began darkening with the creeping of dusk over the horizon. The sound of beating water in the background was relaxing and tranquil, soothing even. Max sighed softly, happy, just thinking about everything in general and trying to ignore the little niggling thought in the back of her mind of how good Alec must look in the shower.
Small chuckles escaped her as she remembered just a mere half hour ago when she'd walked out of the bathroom…
…Max released a breath and smiled as a cloud of steam spilled out behind her and the cooler air of the bedroom played against her flesh. A shiver rippling through her she had the distinct urge to giggle but suppressed it swiftly looking instead to a calculating Alec sitting on the loveseat next to the balcony window.
The bag with their money was on his lap, a look of contemplation on focus on his face forcing her to smile, 'He looks adorable with that expression,' she couldn't help but think.
Not wanting to bring him back to reality but knowing she had to Max sighed softly, "Bathroom's free."
Alec didn't look up, instead stuffed the bills back in the ruck sack and zipped up putting it back into the hiding place and removing his shoes, "We're almost there you know. Selling the bikes, plus the winning of the races raked in 82 grand which is not bad at all though buying into the race stole us 2 grand each time which brings us back to – considering your little shopping spree that cost us 67 grand – to a total of four-hundred-and-ninety-five thousand dollars. Counting the casino pick pocketing…"
Alec looked up.
Alec stared.
Max shifted beneath his gaze self consciously checking herself over for something that might cause him to stare. Doing a whole 360 on herself she finally gave up exasperated, "What?!"
Alec breathed.
"…which though it was incredibly fun and we must do it again only gave us fifteen grand and it brings us to five-hundred-and-ten dollars. We're 53 k off our goal."
Max stared.
"What?!" Alec asked unintentionally copying her.
"What do you mean what?" Max responded, for a second asking herself if they'd always been this articulate, with the whole one syllable word thing.
Shrugging it off Alec tried to brush past her but she was faster moving in front of him, "Why were you staring at me?" Nope looked like one syllable words was all they were capable of, not to mention having whole conversations with only questions. They were real good at that too.
Something resembling a grumble fell off his lips and not even Max's super hearing and high IQ could have decoded it, "What?"
"I said you're wearing my towel."
Silence.
"So?"
Silence, "Well it's blue."
Silence, staring and blinking.
"It looks good on you." …
Max quietly laughed to herself again remembering how he'd stood there for about half a second while she stared at him completely lost on how to respond before rushing off to the bathroom. So quickly in fact that he'd missed the low blush that had crept up her neck and to her cheeks as she glowed with girly pride at having received a compliment.
She didn't know how she could have ever overlooked how incredibly amusing he was. Not to mention adorable, though that word didn't do him justice. Charming better suited, followed closely by endearing.
Any thought that was to follow was interrupted though as the water turned off and Max shifted her gaze to the door, Alec walking out in a pastel pink towel a slight frown on his face. Stifling her laughter with her hand Max valiantly kept any comments to herself as he glared at her when she caught sight of the embroided 'Hers' "Don't even think of saying a word. It was the only towel in there."
Yup. Tonight was gonna be fun.