Paint the town red

Chapter XVII

This morning is very similar to what happened after my sudden sleepover at Max's: I woke up before my partner, then quietly left the room, took a shower in the shared bathroom, changed clothes there and went to the kitchen to make breakfast. But there was one damn big difference from spending the night at Max's – we slept in the same bed. Nothing happened between us, but the fact that we were sleeping together, and slept in each other's arms, brought both joy and some awkwardness for sure. I was always yelling about not having a relationship with my partner, and now I'm ready to give up my principles and give myself to Max. Yes, to give in in every way. Hell, even the thought of it stirs my secret desires, which I keep in the furthest corner of my mind.

And now I'm standing in the kitchen and cooking breakfast for three, while Yuki makes coffee for us, as Pierre once taught him. And we chat about everything: the weather, plans after work or his studies, he gives me cooking tips, but my thoughts still come back to the fact that I woke up in bed with my partner. Yuki asked me about the sleepover, and I told him everything as it is. He was skeptical of my story and in no way wanted to believe that there was nothing between me and Max.

"What, there wasn't even a kiss?"

"No."

"Not even peck on a cheek?"

"Nope."

"And you didn't want to?"

"No."

"You're lying, aren't you?"

"Yes."

Yuki laughed and I caught it and laughed softly with him. He asked me to keep an eye on the coffee and left the kitchen, leaving me alone with my thoughts again. Apparently, I was so lost in thought that I didn't even hear how someone came up to me and hugged me from behind. I shuddered in surprise, and then I smiled relaxedly.

"Yuki, coffee's fine, don't worry."

"You weren't waiting for me?"

Damn, that slightly husky voice is right in my ear! I almost dropped the knife from my hand out of surprise, and my partner rested his chin on my shoulder. And it seems that he has already taken a shower, because I can smell my shower gel on his skin. It's a small thing, but it's nice. So, what was he saying there? Damn, what a stupid situation!

"Um... good morning?"

"You never answered the question."

"I'm sorry, I..."

"Forgot my question, right?"

I think even the tips of my ears are red right now, not to mention my cheeks. And it certainly didn't escape Max's attention, as he chuckled softly and painfully slowly ran the tip of his nose along my neck, and it hit me like an electric shock. My neck, my damn neck. It's one of my weak spots, and now the Dutchman's gonna know about it. And what the hell is he doing? Why don't I want him to stop now?

I put the knife aside, tilted my head slightly forward and rested both hands on the countertop in front of me. Max didn't seem to think about moving away from me, because he hugged me tighter and pressed his body closer. I suddenly felt so hot, and the air around me seemed to be electrified. He barely touched my neck with his lips, and I let out a barely audible moan, and I was sure that he would've repeated it on purpose if Yuki hadn't entered the kitchen. Damn it, I don't even know if I'm happy or upset about him coming in right now.

Max immediately pulled away from me, greeted the Japanese man and acted like nothing had happened, and I just wanted to fall into the ground out of embarrassment.

"Oh, so I interrupted such an interesting moment?"

"No, I was just watching what Charles was cooking."