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Max wasn’t one for one-night stands. She didn’t like the anonymity and detachment that came with them. But tonight she couldn’t care less. Work had been an absolute nightmare and she was still bitter about her breakup which was now six months old. To top everything off, today had been one of those days in which no matter how hard she tried, she felt like utter shit.
So, she just stopped fighting it.
Which is how she ended up in this club. Completely out of her element which made it perfect.
Max felt the beat of the music thrum in her blood and in her chest as she sipped on her drink by the bar in a weak attempt to drown out the screaming thoughts running rampage in her mind.
“What did that poor napkin ever do to you?” Max barely managed to hear the stranger’s voice above the loud music. Without having realized, she had torn to shreds the small square paper towel the tall glass of her Rum-Cola had been served on.
“It was at the wrong place, wrong time.” The brunette answered without looking away from the scene of the crime.
“Poor fellah.” Max felt the stranger settle is the small gap between her seat and the empty stool next to her. “However, I believe I’m at the right place, right time.”
Max scoffed at the brashness of the comment. Just as she was about to show whoever this was the door, all words of dismissal vanished into thin air like cigarette smoke when her eyes landed on the woman resting her forearm on the bar counter, facing her.
She was in punk attire; leather jacket, ripped jeans and a shirt that was way too loose on the sides. Not what Max would usually go for. But her eyes. Her pale blue eyes were as striking as her matching coloured hair. Face all sharp angles and alluring smiles.
“Are you always this self-assured?”
“Mm I’d say about 99.9% of the time.” The stranger replied nonchalantly, pretending to examine her short, black-painted nails.
“If only I were so lucky to fall on that 0.1%” The brunette quipped but couldn’t keep the light smile out of her voice.
“I’d wager you can still get pretty lucky tonight.” The blue-haired woman said in a smooth voice as she stepped closer. Pale blues dropping to the brunette’s lips before slowly trailing back up.
“Is that right?” Max chuckled at the stranger’s cockiness. Had it been anyone else, Max would have up and left after such arrogant a comment but something about the stranger was drawing her in like a magnet. “And I’m sure you will enlighten me as to how that will happen?”
“How about I show you?” The stranger whispered into Max’s ear from where she had leaned in, causing a shiver to run down Max’s spine and pool between her legs.
Fuck.
Max gasped for air after breaking the kiss as her back hit the cool, covered in worn-out stickers metal wall of the bathroom stall. What the hell was she doing? Max never did one-nightstands. Least of all in public bathrooms of clubs. But no matter how prominent the thought of taking back control of her senses was, her body was much too eager to hand over the reins to this handsome stranger who was currently running her tongue along the muscle of her neck.
When the blue-haired woman kissed her, she demanded her full attention. It made Max’s brain go radio silent and the blood in her veins run hot as the stranger ran her tongue across the roof of her mouth.
The entire situation was intoxicating. Rough hands on Max’s hips and sharp teeth grazing her exposed shoulder. For a blissful moment, the sensation of the hot tongue against her flushed skin made Max forget where she was and a moan ripple past kiss-swollen lips.
“Such a pretty voice.” The stranger chuckled in the brunette’s ear. “I bet you taste as sweet as you sound.”
Max but almost whimpered, knees going week at the mental image of the other on her knees and dipping that skillful tongue inside her.
“Shit.” Max breathed out, hands gripping tightly onto the blue-haired woman for support.
“Oh you liked that idea, didn’t you babygirl.” Max could practically feel the grin on the other’s lips that were hovering above her pulse point which was thrumming intently in response to the pet name.
“But you only get one.” The stranger teased. “So, what will it be? This?” She ran her tongue along the shell of Max’s ear. “Or these?” Max bit her lip to keep her voice down when she felt the other cup her over pants, the slightest of pressure making the brunette’s already wet underwear slide against her.
“I-ah-fuck.” Max struggled to get her thoughts in order. God, she wanted both, but time was not on their side. “F-fingers.” She finally manged to say before leaning forward to kiss the stranger. Her own hands coming to play with the hem of her shirt before sliding underneath to feel soft skin.
“Ah-uh” The blue haired woman reprimanded as she spun Max around and pinned her hands on the stall’s wall. “Hands to yourself.”
“You usually this bossy?” Max asked as she eyed the woman behind her. If only she had kept her head straight.
Because the stranger’s pale blues had been engulfed by a hungry black, looking as if she were ready to devour the brunette and, God, Max would have let her.
“When the situation calls for it.” The stranger replied in a husky voice, pressing her entire body against Max as her hands began to play with the button and zipper of the brunette’s jeans.
“What makes you so sure it’s the right occasion?” Max inquired while pushing her ass back against the stranger, unable to hold back the small victorious smile when she heard the other groan.
“The fact that you’re already this wet, babygirl.” The stranger demonstrated her point by shoving her left hand past the brunette’s pants and underwear to spread her open, coating her fingers with Max’s essence.
“Fuck.” Max dug her blunt nails into the metal wall but found no purchase as her heart hammered in her chest. Why was being called ‘babygirl’ by a complete stranger turning her on faster than striking a match?
“Mmm that’s the plan.”
Max’s mind seized to properly function as it went fuzzy the moment the stranger sang two fingers in as far as the limited angle would allow.
The restriction was maddening, like barely being able to scratch at an itch. Max wanted to sink further into the stranger’s fingers, wanted to feel her deep inside until there was nowhere else to go. Until-
The bathroom door opened, filling the place with bubbly voices and momentarily the heavy music coming from the club before it shut closed behind the group of people.
The intrusion brought Max tumbling down from her little haven above the clouds as she attempted to control her voice. A battle she nearly lost when the blue-haired woman decided to pull out and begin swiping her fingers up and down over the hood of her aching clit.
Max bit down hard on her forearm to keep from screaming as she saw fucking stars.
“Ssshh, wouldn’t want them listening in on you coming all over my fingers.” The stranger whispered in her ear as Max realised she must have not entirely succeed in being discreet. A part of her wanting to kiss or punch, preferably the second, the smug smile the stranger was surely sporting.
Max couldn’t decide if she wanted the blue-haired woman to stop and wait until everyone left or for her to continue pressing down on her. All she knew was that her underwear was unequivocally ruined and that she was moments from tipping over the edge.
As a prayer answered, the two were once again left alone in the bathroom and the moment Max heard the door click closed, she let go of her forearm, gasping for air.
“God! I’m-I-“ Max’s rumbling was cut short by a loud moan rippling past her lips when she felt the stranger wrap her free hand around her torso to palm and squeeze her left breast while simultaneously grinding against her ass.
It was the final push Max needed. Her orgasm hitting hard and fast as she came on the stranger’s fingers while trying to keep upright as her clit pulsed. Pleasure flooding her brain which seemed endless as Max felt the blue-haired woman sink her teeth into her shoulder and with a groan, come while her hips buckled and pressed firmly on her ass.
“Hhm, I was right.” The stranger’s voice captured Max’s attention who had just zipped her jeans and turned around in time to watch the blue-haired woman lick her fingers clean. “So sweet.”
It made the spark of arousal flare up in the pits of the brunette’s stomach once more.
“So…” The stranger trailed off.
“So.” Max parroted, feeling a wave of apprehension wash over her and settle in at the realisation of what she had done. Effectively replacing the mist of arousal that had clouded her mind.
“Can I get a name?”
“A bit late for that, don’t you think?” Max asked as she made for the door, opening it to go and look herself in the mirror.
“I suppose I can just carry on calling you babygirl.” The stranger walked next to Max and began washing her hands. The shit-eating grin never leaving her face. “I’m Chloe by the way.”
“Max.” The brunette offered after some consideration. Because anything was better than the alternative. Or so she lied to herself.
“Well Max. Can I get your number?” Chloe said while pulling out her phone from her back pocket after drying her hands and presenting it to Max.
Max had had already sex with a complete stranger, what was one more inconsistency with her usual reserved self?
To hell with it Max thought and took the stranger’s, Chloe’s, phone to add her number.
“Awesomesauce.” Chloe grinned, pulling Max into one last steaming kiss before exiting the bathroom. “See you around, Max.”
Max stood there dumbfounded. Her mind still racing from the kiss yet all she could think was:
Who the hell says ‘awesomesauce’?!
-------
“Max! I can’t believe you did that!” Kate exclaimed after nearly choking on her tea.
“Trust me, I can’t either.” Max sighed as she rested her head on her palm and stared down into her caramel latte. “I don’t know what got into me. Pun not intended.”
“Max!”
“Okay, okay. Sorry.” The brunette raised her arms in surrender.
“Do you think she’ll text?” Kate asked. Receiving a shrug from her best friend. “Do you want her to text?”
“Maybe? I don’t know?” Max scrunched up her nose. She honestly had no idea what she wanted only that she couldn’t get that night out of her mind. How it replayed over and over again until she was tossing and turning restless in bed.
The dilemma was solved when Max’s phone vibrated from where it rested atop their table.
Drinks? On me.
C.
Max read the small text three times to make sure her eyes weren’t deceiving her before showing it to Kate who had been patiently waiting for her friend’s brain to recalibrate.
“Will you go?” Kate asked even though she already knew the answer judging by the way Max was biting her bottom lip and rewriting her response a handful of times before hitting send.
“Drinks” turned out to be Max with her back against a wall in the storeroom of a bar, owned by one of Chloe’s friends with said punk’s head between her legs and Max coming around Chloe’s tongue buried deep inside her.
“We clearly have a different definition of drinks.” Max quipped as she straightened out her pine green skirt, smiling at the punk’s laughter.
“This one is more fun.” Chloe stood up from her kneeling position as she wiped her mouth on the back of her hand and wincing at how sensitive she herself was when the movement applied the slightest bit of friction on her clit. Had she really become this worked up from eating Max out?
Chloe did not get the time to reflect on any of it as Max was switching their position before dropping to her knees.
“What are you doing?” Chloe looked down with big dark eyes. Not used to having the action reciprocated by the majority of women she picked up. She never really minded, always getting off on the good job she did at reducing the other to a shivering mess.
“What does it look like?” Max’s lips curved into a small smile as she unzipped Chloe’s jeans and tugged on them until they rested just below her knees.
“You don’t have tooo-oh shit!” Chloe’s words evaporated the instant they left her mouth. Head hitting the wall behind her at the first feel of Max’s tongue parting her open before flicking up to circle the sensitive bundle of nerves that had the punk’s knuckles turning white around the metal rack she was holding onto.
Chloe wasn’t naive. She realized she did not know Max well. Seeing how someone could never truly grasp other’s overall personality from only one meeting, and even less form one hook-up, in their case. But she was fairly certain she hadn’t pegged Max for one this enthusiastic, for a lack of a better word.
“Christ, Max!” Chloe cursed as she saw stars when the brunette sucked on her clit before pressing her tongue against it. “If I’d known you’re this eager, I’d have used those pretty lips of yours sooner.” Chloe groaned in response to Max’s moan at hearing the punk’s words.
It was not like Max was an apathetic lover, far from it. But she always tended to be more on the reserved side. However, when it came to Chloe, something stirred violently inside her. Wanting to take, consume more but also give back. Wanting, needing, to hear the other’s moans and adorations spilling out Chloe’s mouth.
“You’re doing so well for me. Such a pretty thing.” Chloe praised as she pushed chestnut locks to the side, fingers running through the soft hair until she found purchase at the back of Max’s head to press her face firmer against wet heat. “Fuck, keep going.” Chloe incentivized, feeling her legs begin to tremble as she began to lose the rhythm to which she was grinding on before coming hard on Max’s lips with a loud gasp. Fist tight in brown hair as she rode out her high on the brunette’s offered tongue.
Max stayed there until Chloe gently pushed her head away before oversensitivity kicked in.
“How ‘bout an actual drink?” Chloe proposed after helping Max up and fixing her pants.
“Why not. But first, I need to use the bathroom.” Max said but stopped mid track to turn and face the punk. “Alone.”
“Hey! Innocent.” Chloe lifted her hands in surrender.
“Right.” Max deadpanned. She wasn’t buying it.
“You wound me.” The punk sighed dramatically as she closed the storeroom’s door behind her.
“I’ll buy the first round then to sooth your injured ego.” Max’s lips caught into a small smirk.
As it turned out, Chloe was surprisingly easy to talk to. Yes, she was cocky at times. Well, most of the time. But she was also very funny. And beautiful and Max found herself drawn to this woman with each passing minute. Even discovering Chloe was a tattoo artist and owned a small studio close to the bar they were currently at.
“Dude, I am serious!” Chloe exclaimed as she watched Max wipe away tears of laughter.
“No way!”
“Yes way! Do you want me to pull out my portfolio?”
“I need proof, or it didn’t happen.” Max said once she had settled down.
“Hold up.” Chloe scrolled through her camera roll for a few seconds. “There! See!”
“Oh my God!” Max burst out laughing again.
“I told you. The dude wanted me to tattoo ‘Unhole-y’ on his ass!”
“I can’t believe you agreed to do it.” Max shook her head as she zoomed in on the picture.
“Hey, rent isn’t gonna pay itself!
“Touché.” Max admitted, giving back Chloe’s phone. “Great lightening by the way, you captured his good profile.”
It was the punk’s turn to snicker at Max’s comment. Chloe didn’t know if it was the great sex, the drinks, Max herself or a combination of all three, but she found herself completely relaxed and without having to keep up the pretence of the alluring stranger to keep the other woman interested. It was a refreshing change.
If only those lasted.
-------
Throughout the course of the next two weeks, the one-nightstands had morphed into multiple-nightstands. At bars, in Chloe’s car or their apartment. It didn’t matter. For those blissful few hours they were together, Max could forget about her mundane life at a photography studio she didn’t like but forced to work at until she saved up to open her own.
No matter though, how many times they slept together, Max still felt a pinch of awkwardness whenever she or Chloe dressed and left each other’s bedrooms since neither ever stayed the night. But if that was the price to pay for a few moments of letting go, Max was willing to make an advanced deposit.
Chloe’s heavy breathing above her as the punk came whilst still seethed inside her brought Max back from her fleeting thoughts.
“Next time, if you’re a good girl, you can use it on me.” Chloe mouthed against the brunette’s neck once she calmed down.
“Next time?” Max arched an eyebrow in favour of ignoring how she clenched around the silicon dildo still inside her at the sound of the endearment.
“I thought it was established?” Chloe frowned as she leaned up to look at Max, arms bracketing the brunette.
“Actually, we haven’t established what this, is.” Max emphasized her words by squeezing the punk’s waist.
“This-“Chloe rolled her hips, revelling in the little moan that escaped Max. “-is just sex. No strings attached.”
“Because those always turn out great.”
“Listen, Max. I’m not looking for something more.” Chloe’s expression turned serious a tad bit too fast. Because Chloe did not do relationships. Didn’t know how to do them. A messy upbringing with a stepfather she couldn’t stand and one bad relationship after the other had taught Chloe to barricade her heart and seek out fleeting pleasures.
“Yeah. Me neither.” Max answered but only managed to keep eye contact for a couple of seconds. That had not been the entire truth and Max was not sure if Chloe had caught on. If she had, she ignored it.
“Good. We can go for as long as we like. And whenever you feel like it…” Chloe gave Max a wolfish grin. “You can always pull out.” The punk physically pulled out of Max until just the tip was inside her before snapping her hips forward.
“Ah! Fuck!” Max cried out as a mix of pleasure and pain from oversensitivity shot through her like lightening.
“Deal?” Chloe said before leaning down to bite Max’s lower lip.
“Deal.”
-------
Max had lost track of time. Awareness slipped past her like a shadow in the night as her body tensed in a near painful attempt to keep from coming. Chloe had been edging her for the better part of an hour either with her fingers or her tongue as she lay in bed, forbidden to move or close her legs.
Chloe kneeled above her with Max’s right leg between her own. Two fingers inside, curling them agonisingly slow and making sure to hit that spot she now knew so well.
With her free hand, Chloe dragged her thumb across the brunette’s bottom lip before dipping her index and middle fingers in Max’s mouth.
“Want to come with my taste on your tongue?” Chloe inquired in a playful voice.
“Mmm.” Max nodded, unwilling to let go of the other’s fingers.
“Hm. Good girl.” Chloe chuckled before retrieving her wet fingers only to bring them to her entrance and push inside herself. Never breaking eye contact.
“Shit.” Chloe cursed at finally having some form of stimulation. Enjoying the light stretch her fingers provided but the thing fuelling her pleasure was the knowledge that Max had provided the coating, not lube.
After a few pumps, Chloe removed her fingers and raised them back to the brunette’s lips. Smearing some of her essence on them.
“Open up, babygirl.”
Max stuck out her tongue before taking the two digits. Sucking and licking them clean with fervour as if she were the hungriest person alive. The taste of Chloe on her tongue flying straight to her aching clit.
“So fucking greedy. Look at you, fucked on both ends.” Chloe gritted her teeth, doing her damn hardest to keep from rubbing herself on Max’s thigh. The sensation of Max’s warm mouth and equally as warm and wet core had her brain propelling into override.
A shiver ran down Max’s spine at hearing Chloe’s words. Her stomach twisting in anticipation.
“Oh, you’re close aren’t you?” Chloe smirked as she applied pressure with her thump on Max’s pink swollen clit. “Come for me, then.”
Max needn’t be told twice. She had waited for far too long, her orgasm crashing over her like a tidal wave. Hips buckling with force as she writhed in pleasure. A pleasure which, to her surprise, wasn’t stopping.
“Oh you’re going for a second?” There was a hint of amusement in the punk’s voice. “Go on then, let me see you make a mess.”
Max thought she might blackout as she moaned loudly around two fingers when Chloe added a third finger inside her. Thrusting harder while simultaneously pressing down with her thumb.
With a violent shake of her hips, Max tensed for a few seconds before coming the hardest she could ever remember. Vision going completely white behind closed eyes as she felt her essence wet the bed beneath her. Pulsing wildly around three fingers.
“Shit.” Chloe swore at the sight and the feel of the brunette clenching around her and drenching her hand. Making the punk’s mouth go wet from the pure want to simply taste. Having reached her limit, Chloe pressed her soaking core on Max’s leg until she was coming hard on the brunette’s freckled thigh. Leaving a wet trail across the other’s leg as her body buzzed from her high before collapsing next to Max.
"I'm hungry." Chloe stated from her sprawled position on the bed after the two had a moment to regain their senses.
"If this is another of your euphemisms..." Max warned from her spot next to the punk.
"It wasn't, unless..." Chloe turned to lie on her side. Gingerly, she used her index and middle finger and moved them as if they were walking. Trailing across the brunette’s skin which was still sweaty from their round.
"You're insatiable." Max playfully swatted her hand away.
"So far I've heard no complaints." Chloe retorted but her bravado crumbled when her stomach gave a thunderous rumbled. "That's it. Get up. We’re having a shower and going to grab a bite." Chloe tapped Max’s thigh lightly.
"Chloe, it's-" Max unlocked her phone. "Almost one thirty in the morning."
"Precisely. Best time to go get something greasy." Chloe said as she climbed over the brunette to get out of bed and pull the other along with her. "Get up, buttercup."
A…thorough shower later, Chloe was driving them just outside the city to a food truck parked under a streetlamp in what seemed the middle of nowhere, with a few scattered miss-matched plastic chairs and tables.
The night was eerily quiet out here away from the noise pollution of the city. The only sound coming from a small old radio on the counter of the food truck and the sizzling patties on the grill as the owner prepared their orders of cheeseburgers and fries.
"You won't find better cholesterol to clog up your arteries." Chloe grinned from her spot on one of the tables, feet on the chair. Because why sit on the chair like a normal person?
"Ew, that's supposed to motivate me?" Max eyed the punk form where she sat on a white plastic chair, hands inside one of Chloe’s hoodies she had burrowed for the chilly night breeze out here.
"Trust me on this." Something in the way Chloe's eyes shown under the old dusty streetlamp gave Max pause. Be it the sincerity in those pale blue eyes or the eagerness in the punk’s voice. Max could do nothing but trust her.
"Fiiiine. But maybe stray clear from a carrier in advertisement." Max teased when she realized she had been silent for a moment too long from Chloe’s quizzical gaze.
"Away?! Babe, you know I'd be the best in the bid-ness!" Chloe spread her arms wide, smiling at Max’s laughter with her antics.
When Chloe went to get their food, Max shook her head as she smiled to herself, unable to stop. What am I doing? She wondered, trying not to give too much attention to the way her heart flutter whenever Chloe addressed in such a way.
“Voilà!” Chloe presented Max with their food which was served on a plastic tray where two burgers wrapped in foil sat with an enormous pile of fries in the middle to share.
Max wasn’t going to lie. It looked good.
At the first bite, a near orgasmic moan ripped past Max’s mouth. Juices dripping on the aluminium foil and down her hands as her tastebuds threw a party.
"Damn, Max! Keep it down or I'll think you'll replace me with the burger!”
"You brought this on yourself. Now face the consequences." Max said between her last bites before licking her fingers clean, not failing to notice the way Chloe followed the movement. “Actually, you know what? Maybe you should be worried cause it’s one of the best I’ve had.”
“Are we still talking about the burgers here?” Chloe arched an eyebrow when Max shrugged indifferently. “Oh, I see how it is.”
“Care to enlighten me?” Max smiled, resting her chin on the palm on her hand.
“I’ll do you one better.” Chloe winked at the brunette as she stood up and took her by the hand.
Max’s enlightenment came in the form of crying out Chloe’s name in the punk’s car with the owner of the vehicle between her legs.
-------
Their arrangement had officially surpassed the third month. Max wouldn’t normally think much of it if it weren’t for one, teeny tiny detail.
Said detail being how her mind had begun to wander off to a pair of pale blue eyes and get lost in memories only to realize she was daydreaming after reading the same sentence of an email for the 50th time. And of course, there were those unsolicited feelings of excitement and anticipation which only spelt trouble for the brunette. Big trouble because now their reason of existence wasn’t just for the sex. No, no. The reason was shifting to the person. And that was cause for alarms to go off. Alarms which Max wanted to ignore.
And all because they had started to spend more time together, either before or after sleeping together. A drink here, a bite there all whilst chatting about work, life or a silly movie Max had watched. Chloe would no longer up and leave. On the contrary, she would sit and listen, and they would laugh and Max didn’t know what to make of it all.
Because they had made a deal. One Chloe had been very adamant about. Which was why Max, apart from being confused, was getting somewhat irritated.
Max could have of course confronted the punk, but she wasn’t very keen on those. And frankly she’d rather have this convoluted…whatever it was they had, than nothing at all.
Or that is what she kept reminding herself of. This was simple sex. No strings attached.
Then why had Chloe looked at her in such a tender way last night? Why had she gone through all the effort of driving up to her place even if Max had texted that she had a shitty day and was not in the mood to go out. Why had Chloe shown up to her door with Chinese takeout and a sixpack of beers? Why had they sat on Max’s couch to eat while the TV played some random cooking show to feel in the silent moments between their conversation? It hadn’t been the first time Chloe made Max forget all her worries yet this time she had done so by going slow. By kissing her like a woman parched and cradling her cheek while the brunette came undone under Chloe’s fingers.
It threw Max for a loop. And so, she stayed silent in fear of losing not what they had, but Chloe.
-------
“A friend’s company is throwing a boring corporate party. She practically blackmailed me to join her to save her of boredom.” Chloe stated with a grim face from where she sat across Max in a dinner.
“Oh yes, how absolutely terrible it’ll be to get free food and drinks for the evening.” Max feigned concern as she shook her head.
“Trust me, there’s not enough alcohol to save you from the life draining conversations of old white men.”
“Okay. Yeah, you make a good point.” Max admitted before slurping the last few drops of her fizzy drink.
“I know. That’s why you’re coming with me.” Chloe said as if stating the obvious.
“I’m what now?!” Max’s eyebrows flew up in surprise.
“Be my plus one.”
“But I thought you were your friend’s plus one?”
“Yeah, well she’s not the only one who can blackmail. I told her it’s either I’m brining someone along or she can enjoy a long, long evening with her capitalist boss.” Chloe reclined in her seat, resting her arm on the backrest. A satisfactory smile playing across her lips.
“You guys have a very healthy friendship.” Max joked.
“We wrote the book. So, what do you say?” The punk switched positions so she could place her forearms on the table and lean forward. Expectant eyes never leaving the brunette.
Max bit her lower lip in thought. What was happening? Chloe’s plus one? How was she not supposed to read into that?
“Your plus one?” The brunette repeated.
“Yes, Max. It’s not that big of a deal.” Chloe couldn’t understand why the other was hesitating so much until she opened her mouth again and the punk faltered.
“Well, isn’t it?” Max couldn’t help but ask, having reached her limit. Risking to spiral into a vortex of overthinking if she remained silent.
“Max…” Chloe cleared her throat, her posture suddenly going rigid as she put some distance between them. “Don’t read too much into this. We can go as-as friends.” The punk said as her pointer finger tapped nervously on the table before she caught herself and altered to playing with her Zippo lighter.
“Friends.” Max parroted, eyebrows stitching together. Not entirely sure how the word tasted in her mouth. She wanted to feel joy that they could call each other that. Then again…
“You know what? Forget I asked!” Chloe suddenly burst out when Max didn’t say anything more, making for her leather jacket and wallet.
“Where are you going?” Max asked in bewilderment as she watched the other get up and place a few dollar bills on the table.
“Leaving.” Chloe spat. Momentarily regretting her tone when she saw the pain and confusion flicker behind deep blue eyes. She didn’t know why her heart was hammering in her chest. Only that the walls were closing in on her and she needed to get out.
“Chloe! Wait, can’t we just talk about-“
But Chloe was already walking away and out the door.
Everything transpired so fast it nearly gave Max whiplash. The brunette sat at their table dazed and baffled. Her chest felt so tight she might as well have dived 300 feet below the ocean.
Their entire evening had been derailed by such a trivial question or so it seemed. Max hated how much it affected her. Hated how she felt her eyes sting by holding back tears, but she dared not allow even one fall.
The music blasted as loud as the old speakers of her car would go as Chloe sped on the freeway.
“What the fuck is wrong with you?” Chloe asked herself aloud in the comfort of her car as her grip tightened around the steering wheel.
Why had she panicked? Why had she asked Max to join her to that stupid event in the first place? Chloe cursed her emotional ineptness. She had truly wanted to spend more time with Max. With the one person she had felt a real connection within years. But when the time arrived and Max, rightfully, inquired about their status even if indirectly. Chloe froze and closed off. Her body moving at its own accord and out the dinner despite how much she loathed herself for it when she saw the hurt in the other’s eyes.
“Get your shit together.” Chloe chewed on the inside of her mouth so hard she thought she tasted blood.
Deep inside, the punk felt like something had irrevocably changed.
-------
Max knew she shouldn't pick up her phone. But no matter how many times she plucked the idea out of her mind, it just regrew like weeds. The urge to fire a quick text gnawing at her like mice in a wall.
It was nearing two weeks since their argument, if one could call it that, in which neither had called or texted. It was the first time, in what seemed like forever since they met that they had not talked to each other.
At first Max refused to text first. It was Chloe that needed to do some explaining but the punk had gone radio silent, and Max’s unrest was slowly eating away at her resolve.
She was not particularly fond of the fact that she missed the other and even more so, missed their nights together. Which unhelpfully, her brain decided was a brilliant idea to replay in 4K every time Max shut her eyes. Conjuring up memories that left the brunette hot and bothered until one night, lying in bed with her hand past her pants she broke after unsuccessfully bringing herself any relief.
"Come over?" Max tossed her phone on the mattress, not waiting for a response.
She didn't even have to pretend that it was an invite to talk things over.
When the doorbell rang, Max stood in the doorway as she locked eyes with a pair of pale blues which gave her pause. From the moment they had met, those haunting eyes had always made her stomach explode into a kaleidoscope of butterflies. But now, the blue was almost completely engulfed by black as the punk's breathing appeared slightly irregular.
Max didn’t know who moved first, only that Chloe was shoving her up against the door once shut closed and kissing her senseless. Her mind blinking in and out of focus at the feel of a strong thigh parting her legs so Chloe could pull her down on it.
Shit. Max thought, sighing into the kiss at the first feel of pressure and unable to comprehend how she had already soaked through her underwear.
"Missed you." Chloe breathed against the skin of her neck and Max wanted so badly to believe it, she convinces herself it was true.
With a pair of firm hands on her hips, Chloe controlled the rhythm Max was grinding on her thigh. Making sure she hindered the movement whenever she felt the brunette attempt to go faster.
"Chloe...please..."
"Already so desperate." Chloe chuckled. "Bet I could slide two fingers in with no problem."
It was impossible to control the whimper that escaped Max’s mouth.
"Chloe." Max repeated with more verve. "I need you inside me."
"Fuck." Chloe cursed as Max's words pooled heavy between her legs. By now she knew that this side of Max popped up whenever the brunette was in a particular needy mood and if she played her cards right, would get her to say more.
Wasting no more time, Chloe shoved her hand past Max’s sweatpants and underwear only to be met with soaking folds that had her heart pounding in her chest. Holding herself back with teeth and nails from dropping to her knees for a taste.
"Shit, babe." Chloe quickly reigned in her surprise before grinning. "Glad to know I was right."
"You talk too much." Max retorted before using her own hand to press down on Chloe’s so she could slide two fingers inside, herself.
"Fuuuck." Max bumped her head against the door with closed eyes as she finally got that sweet stretch she'd been craving for.
The position wasn't ideal, but Chloe did her best to thrust her fingers hard into wet heat and relish in the way Max tightened around her in response.
"How long were you thinking of my fingers inside you?" The punked breathed the question beside Max's ear, before darting out her tongue to lick the shell of her ear. Knowing all too well what it did to the other.
Right on cue, the brunette moaned as her hands flew out to grab onto tuft of blue hair.
"A-all day." Max answered honestly. "My-ah-fingers weren't enough."
The mental image of Max sinking into herself while thinking of Chloe, hit the punk like a freight train. With a growl, Chloe doubled her efforts of fucking Max against the doors and not long after, the brunette was coming hard around two fingers.
But Max, was far from satisfied. Yes, it had taken the edge off, but she was still hungry for more.
With a decisive shove, the brunette pushed the punk towards her bedroom who went willingly.
The distance from the entrance to the room was nothing but short however, it took them unnecessarily long since neither of the two seemed to be able to keep their hands off each other. Constantly pausing to kiss, bite or lick while they unceremoniously discarded their clothes around the apartment.
Chloe hit the soft covers of Max’s bed with a light bounce, eyes going dark when she saw the brunette follow closely after to straddle her waist.
Loosing no time, the punk’s hands found purchase on the brunette’s hips and pulled her down until her core gridded against her abdominal muscles and smeared all of Max’s essence on her.
“Chloe.” Max moaned, head lolling back as she rolled her hips, working herself up for a second round. “Chloe.” Max said now with a more warning tone.
“What is it, babe?” Chloe knew perfectly well what the other wanted. She simply wanted to hear it, loving how brass Max got when she was in this headspace.
“I want to feel you inside me. Please don’t keep me waiting any longer.” Max pleaded, her voice almost a tone deeper which never failed to get Chloe’s blood pumping.
“Which one do you want, babygirl?”
“Blue. Please.”
“Fucking hell.” Chloe grunted at the desperation in Max’s voice and the feel of her wet heat rubbing against her own. “I’m going to fuck you until your legs give out.” Chloe stated as she flipped their positions before nipping at the brunette’s freckled collar bone.
“God, yes! Chloe, hurry.” Max rasped as she arched her hips into the punk’s.
“So impatient.” Chloe pushed the brunette back down before quickly climbing off the bed to go and retrieve the strap, toy and lube from where Max kept them in her closet.
“Says you.” Max smiled and Chloe tried her best to ignore how it made her heart flutter.
“Let’s see you play smartass while I pin you to the bed.” Chloe licked he lips as she watched Max shiver at the promise.
For the only time that night, Chloe took pity on Max and wasted no time getting ready. Within a few minutes, she was pushing the head of the thick dildo past glistening folds and only stopping until it was halfway in to allow the brunette to catch her breath.
Chloe observed mesmerized as the blue silicone slid inside, inch by inch. Eyes darting from where they were connected to Max’s heaving chest and half lidded eyes.
It was taking all her willpower not to bottom out with one strong thrust, but she needed to go slow, seeing how this was a thicker toy than the one they usually used.
“Chloe.”
The punk’s name dripped like honey from the brunette’s lips as she pushed down, hungrily taking more in.
“I need you to move, God, I need you to go hard.” Chloe had never heard Max this desperate before. The same Max who blushed at a complement. It made the punk’s head spin and like oil to the flame, set her body ablaze.
“This what you want?” Chloe asked as she pulled out halfway only to snap her hips forward with enough force to shift Max’s body a few inches across the mattress.
“Yesyesyes.” Mas mewled as she clenched around the toy. The pain of the stretch mixing in with the pleasure of it pressing on all the right spots.
Chloe gave a few more experimental thrusts before pulling almost entirely out and thrusting back in, going faster and faster until she was gripping Max by the waist and pounding into her hard and fast.
“Shit, babe. You’re taking me so well.” Chloe panted as she ran her hands along Max’s sides before leaning down to take an erect nipple in her mouth.
Max’s hands flew up to grasp onto blue strands of hair and tug harshly, drawing a growl from the punk that mixed in with the pleasure of Chloe’s hot tongue lapped around soft skin and going straight to her pulsing clit.
“Fuck, Chloe! I-ah-I want-“Max struggled to form a coherent sentence while Chloe made good on her word to fuck her senseless. “Come while inside me, please.”
“Jesus, fuck.” Chloe swore from between Max’s breasts before leaning back up to place her hands under Max’s knees and keep her legs spread open. Providing her a clear view of pink wet folds and an engorged clit that was begging to be taken in her mouth.
Chloe was not going to last much longer. Between the design of the strap to apply pressure on her sensitive spot, the image of a thick toy parting Max open and the sounds they were both making, she could feel herself teetering dangerously close to the edge.
With a final thrust, Chloe’s orgasm hit her like an avalanche as she buried herself deep inside Max, grinding against her as every nerve in her body lit up like a Christmas tree.
The sight of Chloe giving in to pleasure was enough to drag Max along with her. The hand she had snaked between them, rubbing deft circles around her clit as she clenched and pulsed around the thick length buried deep inside her.
“Oh God! Chloe, don’t stop. Don’t you dare stop!” Max blurted out when she could finally speak again. The thought of the punk pulling out now being downright offensive.
“What’s the magic word, babygirl?” Chloe panted as she pushed back her sweat-slick hair.
“Please! I need you to fuck me, please.” At this point, Max was not sure what she was saying. The only thing registering in her mind was that Chloe needed to fuck her until she had to tap out.
“Turn around, ass up.” Chloe ordered as she pulled out to the sound of Max’s protests only to immediately slide back inside once Max had the upper half of her body flat against the mattress and hips up in the air.
The punk could feel the fatigue slowly begin to accumulate in her body but there was no way in hell she was about to stop from delivering on what Max needed.
“Ah!” Max gasped when she felt Chloe squeeze her ass tightly and spread her open. Max felt exposed, felt vulnerable but it wasn’t accompanied by shame. On the contrary, it was freeing.
“Do you hear that? That’s how fucking wet you are for me.” Chloe leaned forward, one hand resting on Max’s waist, the other grabbing onto brown locks to twist Max’s head and give her a brief, messy kiss. “Begging to be filled.” Chloe breathed into the brunette’s ear who trembled as the words caressed her skin.
At this point, Max had lost all and any capacity to speak except an incoherent mumble or “Fuck” in between gulps of air. Her entire body pulsing in sync with her clit, fists balling around grey bedsheets.
“Come for me, Max.” Chloe finally gave the green light. Watching as the brunette whimpered into the mattress as her muscles spasmed from the force of her orgasm before her legs finally did give in.
Chloe pressed down on Max, griding against her ass and coming a second time with a guttural groan as her vision went blurry before collapsing as well on top of the brunette.
Max lay spent on her bed, chest heaving for air with the additional weight of Chloe above her.
As the minutes trickled away, so did the sweat from their bodies as the two women stayed quiet while they recovered. The conversation they should have like the adults they were, looming over their head like dark stormy clouds. Yet no one took that first difficult step.
Between Max wanting to avoid conflict and Chloe reverting back to pretending like nothing had happened, the two decided to ignore the elephant in the room and continue from where they had left off.
Problem with that choice though, was that just because they ignored the wound, did not mean it wasn’t there. Slowly festering until the damage was done.
-------
“So I’ll see you on Friday?” Chloe asked as she lit a cigarette from where she was lying in her bed, back resting on the bedrest. The covers pooled around her waist, not bothering to get dressed as she watched Max put on her clothes.
Even though a week had passed since their fight and despite ignoring the massive crack that had formed in their relationship, messy as it were, the two kept meeting each other. With only one small difference. Their time spent outside of the bed had reduced dramatically.
“I-uh-I can’t actually.” Max avoided eye contact. The question she had been dreading and rehearsing the answer in her mind all day, finally addressed.
“Oh? Got something more exciting to do?” Chloe teased, flicking the ashes of her cigarette in the ashtray by her bedside table.
Best to pull the Band-Aid.
“Well, I um have a date.” Max made eye contact in time to see dark clouds gather behind the punk’s eyes. The brunette had swayed left and right like a metronome, debating whether she should go or not. Because frankly, Max had absolutely no idea where Chloe and herself stood. The punk had made it clear there were no strings attached, so what harm would it do to go on one? After all, they could end their deal whenever one of them wanted, right?
“A date?” Chloe repeated as she put out her cigarette and sat up straight.
“Y-yeah, this model from the studio I work at invited me out for drinks.”
“And what did you say?” There was an edge to Chloe’s voice now.
“I didn’t answer her yet.” Max bit her lip, starting to feel uncomfortable under Chloe’s blazing gaze.
“Good. Cancel it.” Chloe spoke with finality.
“Excuse me?” Max’s former restlessness was giving away to annoyance at the punk’s tone.
“You heard me.”
“And I wish I hadn’t!” Max couldn’t believe her ears.
“Max you’re not going on that date.” Chloe scowled. The thought of someone else’s hands on the brunette churning her stomach.
“I wasn’t asking for permission, Chloe!” Was she being serious right now? Where was all this coming from? “You know what? I was debating if I should go.” Max admitted, because part of her still hoped that maybe whatever she and Chloe had might evolve, but she was getting tired of waiting. “But after your little show, I think I’ll say yes to her.” Max said before exiting the room.
“Max!” Chloe called out behind her as she scrambled out of bed, quickly grabbing her sweatpants from the floor and pulling them on. “What are you doing?”
“What does it look like.” Max snapped while throwing on her bomber jacket.
“Look, I didn’t mean-It’s just that we’re-“ Chloe scrupled. Shit. She didn’t know what to say only that she didn’t want Max to leave.
“We’re? What? Friends? Fuckbuddies? Because clearly, we’re nothing more than that right?” Max filled in for the punk who stood behind her.
“Fuck! I don’t know, it’s complicated!” Was the feeble excuse Chloe gave.
“Complicated? Oh no, you made it crystal clear from the start. This is just sex.” Max spun around to face Chloe.
“No Max, I-“
“You what? Look me in the eyes and tell me it’s not true.”
Chloe locked eyes with a pair of deep blue which were beginning to redden on the sides with unshed tears. And she knew she couldn’t do it because Max was right. This had been only sex. Or that’s what it had started out to be and even when things began to shift, Chloe had convinced herself there was nothing more between them. A choice she was now beginning to bitterly regret.
“That’s what I thought. God, I’m so stupid!” Max pressed the ball of her palms into her eyes as if that could stop the tears threatening to break. “And to think I was beginning to-No, never mind. It’s over.”
“To what? Max?” Chloe asked with urgency as she watched Max grab her belongings from the couch. “Max?”
But the brunette was done talking. When the door shut with force behind Max, Chloe felt something crack inside her.
-------
Max?
I fucked up
Max. Please pick up the phone
“FUCK!” Chloe shouted, throwing her phone on the couch from where it bounced off and onto the tiled floor.
It was the third day since she royally screwed up. Chloe had brewed in her own self-loathing the first couple of days but when Max had not reached out this time, anger and frustration gave away to worry. Because Chloe realized with icy cold clarity that she could not lose Max. The one person that had somehow managed to make her care for someone else again.
The radio silence was making the punk pace restlessly up and down her apartment. Running her fingers through her hair before balling them into a fist and tugging harshly. The pain grounding her.
Chloe needed to try. Needed to make things right and if Max wanted nothing to do with her any longer, she’d bite the bullet and accept it no matter how much the thought made her want to throw up.
Chloe wasn’t about to sit on her ass and keep waiting in hopes of a reply. She grabbed her keys and flew out the house.
It took seven knocks for Max to answer the door.
Fuck. Chloe cursed as her eyes studied the woman in front of her. Max stood by the door in her indoor clothes she favoured and looking like she hadn’t slept for three nights. And by the sight of a pair of black bags under her eyes, she probably hadn’t. She even seemed slightly slimmer which concerned the punk. Not that she herself had been any better, with her whiskey and a sorry of an excuse meal once a day.
“Can I come in?” Chloe asked. Hands shoved inside the pockets of her jacket to hind how she clenched and unclenched her fist from the nerves.
For a moment, Max didn’t answer, and Chloe was about to leave with a heavy heart.
“You’re here. Might as well.” Max said in a monotone voice, stepping aside to let the other in.
“Thanks.” Chloe walked past her and went straight for the spot on the couch she always sat in.
To her surprise, Max took the other end, grabbing a cushion to hug and pulling her knees to her chest. The gap between them feeling as vast as the Grand Canyon but Chloe was at least grateful the brunette was willing to be on the same couch with her.
It was evident that Max was not going to start speaking from the way she avoided eye contact. Gaze lost somewhere behind the punk.
“Max, I-uh-“ Chloe cleared her throat. “I fucked up, okay? I shouldn’t have lashed out because of my insecurities.” It had taken a long time for Chloe to come to terms with this fact. The understanding sinking heavy in her stomach like an anchor. But she knew that admitting her wrongdoings was the only way to win back Max. “Max, please. Look at me. I want to make this work.”
Chloe was not sure if she managed to keep the anguish from her voice. Maybe it was because she hadn’t that Max finally made eye contact for the first time since she arrived.
“Huh.” Max scoffed. “You want to make what work?”
“Us. This. Fuck, I don’t know! All I know is that I can’t lose you.” Chloe shuffled a bit closer and was relieved when the brunette didn’t recoil.
Her last words seemed to give Max pause. Deep blue eyes studying the punk’s face for lies as Max bit on her lower lip pensively.
“What about our deal?”
“Fuck the deal! It’s over. Max, I want you. I want us.”
“Chloe…” Max hesitated, squeezing the cushion tighter against her. “Last time…I know I should have said something to you earlier about the date, but that didn’t give you the right to treat me like you owned me.” Max spoke with a clarity she didn’t even know possessed. Yes, they had a deal but she still felt guilty about hiding it. That didn’t mean however, that Chloe could dictate her actions. No one would. “If you want this to work, you must promise me Chloe. Promise me to never do that to me again. I cannot and will not be your punching bag.”
“I promise. I swear it won’t happen again.” Chloe said with urgency as she moved one last time to close the gap between them and place her right hand on the brunette’s knee.
“God, I missed you.” Max exhaled as her shoulders finally relaxed from their tensed position.
Chloe couldn’t hold back anymore. Not when Max was looking at her with red-rimmed eyes and a longing expression that tugged at the punk’s heart strings.
“Max, I’m so sor-“ Chloe never got a chance to finish her sentence because the brunette was smashing their lips together in a fiery kiss that set Chloe’s heart and body ablaze.
Chloe’s hands found an automatic purchase on Max’s hips before running up along her sides to cradle her face and deepen the kiss. Tongue running along the brunette’s, not fighting for dominance.
“I’m sorry.” Chloe finally managed to say when they broke apart, the need for air no longer possible to ignore.
“I’m sorry too.” Max said before kissing her again, hands balling into fists around the blue haired woman’s hoodie as they rested their foreheads against each other.
“Stay the night?” Max spoke in a quiet voice, as if fearing any louder would break her from a dream.
Chloe nodded before standing up and entwining their hands. Letting Max guide them to her bed. Allowing herself to fall on the mattress and watch with fully dilated eyes, Max climb on top of her and remove her top while maintaining eyesight before taking hold of Chloe’s, who leaned forward to help the brunette undress her.
When the barrier of clothes had been removed and skin touched skin, Chloe’s heart jump to her throat, feeling its pulse between her legs.
Her hands itched to hold the brunette and she would have if it weren’t for the other pinning them down beside her head.
And then Max was kissing her again with the desperation of a drowning woman. All the emotions she felt bleeding out of the kiss and directly pouring into Chloe who found it difficult to breath. Not because of the brunette’s lips on hers but from the sheer intensity of those feelings. Like stroking a raw nerve. It fucking hurt. Because Chloe knew what Max was doing. Had written the book. Silencing fears and doubts in another person’s embrace. Chloe couldn’t, wouldn’t allow Max to trudge down the same path.
Using her strength to her advantage, Chloe wrestled free and flipped their positions, startling Max.
She lowered her hand and with determined fingers parted pink folds only to find Max was already wet for her. It made her mind spin and her blood pump heavily in her clit.
Chloe lost no more time, collecting some of Max’s essence to coat her finger and sliding into warmth and nearly losing her goddamned mind from how smooth and ready the other was.
Max wrapped herself around Chloe as if she were afraid the other would disappear, holding on tightly, nails digging into flesh. Skin on skin.
The intimacy had Chloe’s mind freefalling. Feelings she had long buried in a graveyard of her own making were now clawing their way out.
“Max.” The punk nipped at the brunette’s ear before tilting her head to lock eyes. “Max, I l-“
“Don’t.” Max interrupted, shaking her head. “Please don’t say it. Not now. If you really do, tell me in the morning.” Max said with a hint of desperation in her voice.
Chloe hated the poignant stare the woman beneath her was giving her. That this relationship had twisted into something so ugly and noxious that she had trouble getting Max to believe her. This had to change, and Chloe was damned if she wouldn’t succeed.
“In the morning.” The punk whispered over the brunette’s soft lips before capturing them in a tender kiss.
“That means you’re staying?” Max asked in an expectant voice even if she had asked before. Needing the extra reassurance.
“I’m staying.” Chloe replied and she hoped Max caught on to the second meaning hidden behind those words. Judging by her smile, she had. “But until then…”
Chloe stroked deep inside Max, feeling for that area that made her toes curl. It’s when she noticed was Max biting down on her lip, trying to stay quiet but she would have none of that. Pressing firmly against that sweet spot, Chloe breathed against Max’s ear.
“I’ve missed you. Missed this. How fucking good you feel around my fingers. How you hold onto me tightly when you’re about to come and how your voice breaks. Won’t you let me hear it again?” Chloe encouraged Max as she pressed down on Max’s clit with her thumb to seal the deal.
“Chloe…” Max gasped as her mind began to fog.
“I’m here.”
“Are you really?”
It broke Chloe to hear the disbelief in Max’s voice.
“I am. I promise.” Chloe kissed the side of her temple and peppered her freckled shoulder with kisses, feeling the shiver run down the brunette’s body when she pressed deep inside her.
“Chloe, I can’t…” Max trailed off, unable to finish her sentence as she neared the edge.
“Let go, baby.”
Max came hard. Muffling her cry by hiding her face in the nook of Chloe’s neck as her hips buckled against Chloe’s hand. Long sleepless nights of frustration finally leaving her body as she felt her essence trickle out and smear against the punk’s hand.
Feeling Max pulse around her fingers, feeling her press her body to hers and hearing the near-obscene sounds of her fucking the brunette through her high was enough to pull Chloe under as well. Getting herself off on the back of her hand that was still buried inside, Max’s name spilling out her mouth.
Their mingled breaths filled the empty room as the two panted, physically and mentally spent.
Max stood in limbo. Somewhere between post-orgasmic bliss and apprehension for what tomorrow would bring. Only time would tell.
Errand sun rays squeezed past the blinders to fall on Max’s face. Their warm light on her cheeks, a welcoming way to stir her awake. As Max blinked her eyes open, a blurry vision of blue hair and naked shoulder came into focus.
Chloe was laying next to her. Breath even and slow as the punk still slept.
She had stayed. Chloe was here. Max was having trouble believing it. Unconsciously, she reached out a hand until her fingertips grazed over soft, warm skin. This was real and not another painful dream.
Chloe roused as she turned her head to face Max. Blue hair ruffled from sleep and voice groggy when she spoke.
“Mmmornin’” Chloe mumbled; eyes still closed.
“Sorry, didn’t mean to wake you.” Max apologised, running her fingers through blue locks to massage the punk’s scalp.
“Mmmm is okay.” Chloe hummed in satisfaction as she finally opened her eyes to look at Max.
“I should have guessed you’re not a morning person.” Max said in a light voice after dropping her arm back to her side.
“What gave it away? My sunny disposition?” Chloe made sure to exaggerate her frown.
“Heh. Something like that.” Max chuckled. And oh, Chloe could get used to this.
“Hey, Max?” Cloe moved closer to wrap her arm around the brunette’s waist.
“Yes?”
“It’s morning.”
“It is.” Max agreed, feeling her heart begin to beat so fast in her chest she was certain Chloe could feel it.
“I love you.” The words left Chloe’s mouth with an ease she was not familiar with. But they were worth it. Worth it because she got to witness Max’s face shine brighter than the sun peeking in the bedroom.
“I love you too.”