I endup following Max back to his house, where we decided to shower... together. Thank you, thank you, thank you, to the person who invented showerhead body sprays. Without whom, I may never have gotten to check a few more fantasies off my list.
Yup.
More than one.
And not for nothing, but the muscles that hide under Max’s five-thousand-dollar suits are not just for show. That man moves me around like I weigh nothing.
As I wrap the towel around my chest and ring the water out of my hair, I see Max come back into the bathroom in black-jersey sleep pants. That’s it. Just comfy-looking black pants. And, oh my, a girl could get used to seeing him like this. He stops behind me and places a gentle kiss on my neck. “You know, siren, I’ve got a few empty drawers in here if you want to leave some of your things.” He kisses my shoulder, then lays a folded pair of boxer shorts and a t-shirt down on the counter in front of me. “There’s plenty of room in the bedroom too. You know, if you wanted to leave some clothes here.”
I watch him through the mirror, loving this relaxed version of him.
Relaxed Max is my favorite Max.
“That sounds very girlfriend-y, Mr. Kingston.” The teasing tone of my voice comes through loud and clear.
Max wraps his arms around my waist and rests his chin on my shoulder. “Yeah. I guess it does. I’m good with that. Are you?”
I rest my head on his shoulder and melt into him. “Yeah. I’m good with that too.”
“Good.” He wraps his arms around my waist and squeezes. “Now, the important question. What do you want to order for dinner?”
“Surprise me.” I turn my head back toward his and kiss the corner of his mouth. “But let’s order soon. I’ve worked up an appetite.”
* * *
That’s how we ended up binging Ted Lasso and feeding each other dim sum from Max’s favorite place while we sat on the couch.
“Maybe you should buy a professional soccer team next. You know... round out the Kings’ sports interest a little.” The look he gives me is awful, like he’d rather rip his skin from his body.
“Not happening. Football and hockey are definitely enough for my family. And mixed martial arts too, I guess,” he adds, since his brother and sister are part of that world before he feeds me a delicious spicy pork dumpling.
“Can I ask you something?”
Max places his box of dumplings down on the coffee table and kicks his feet up. “Technically, you just did. But go ahead.”
“Ass.” I poke him with my chopstick. “Why did you buy the Revolution?”
“Your dad came to me. He said he was going to sell the organization and was looking for a buyer. He and my dad were friends, and he thought he’d offer it to me first. The deal was a good one, and I took a chance. King Corp has been synonymous with Philly sports for so long, it didn’t seem like a far stretch.” He takes a breath and then continues, “We originally planned for Scarlet to be the one to take over the Revolution, but the more we dove in, the more I realized that it wasn’t right for her but could be right for me. This was my chance to prove I could build something on my own. Not the way King Corp. or the Kings were handed to me, but instead, something for me to take the reins and carve out my own legacy. To build the kind of organization I want. To take the team to the next level that your dad was struggling with.” Max sips his beer, then adds, “How is your dad?”
I’m stuck on the fact that my dad approached Max. All this time, I thought the Kingston’s wanted the Revolution. That they pursued it. Not that I should be surprised. If Dad was in trouble, it would make sense that he was the one to look for a buyer. “So he came to you? I still can’t believe he didn’t tell me first.” I place my box of food next to his and lay my head against his chest. “Are you happy you bought it?”
He presses a kiss on the top of my head. “The team could lose every single game this year, and buying it would still be the best move I’ve ever made, Daphne. Because it brought me you.” He wraps his arm around me, and we binge the rest of Ted Lasso.
Hours later when we finally go to bed, Max wraps his body around mine from behind and kisses me goodnight.
It’s soft and sweet.
It’s not supposed to lead to anything.
But the chemistry between us is combustible.
I roll over to my back, and Max pulls my shirt over my head as I shimmy out of my borrowed boxers, then push his pants down with my feet, desperate for his skin on mine. Frantic for his weight against me. Dying for him.
He settles between my legs and drags his cock along my sex, wrenching a needy whimper from my throat.
“Max... I need you.”
His lips capture mine tenderly as he pushes agonizingly slowly inside me. “You’ve got me.” He pulls out completely before repeating the movement but still not giving me enough. One big hand grasps my wrists and holds them above my head. “You’ve got all of me.” He pulls out again and finally... finally slides back in, filling me and rocking his hips against mine. “Completely, Daph.”