Between Us

Chapter 41 - M

Alianna

I sigh as I turn my phone off. It hasn't stopped buzzing since our announcement went live, and though the initial media attention was exciting, it quickly became exhausting. Most gossip pages started to look into our relationship instantly, but needless to say, they haven't been able to find anything. How could they, when our relationship didn't exist before our wedding day?

I'm worried that if they look hard enough, they'll find traces of Crystal and Max's relationship, and there's no doubt that it'll be shameful for all three of us. I don't want anyone to find out that this thing between us isn't real.

I bite down on my lip as I rummage through our dressing room, needing a distraction. Max walks out of the bathroom just as I fish my trusty old measuring tape out of one of my boxes. Her eyes widen when she sees me bent over, on my hands and knees, and the way she bites down on her lip sends a rush of desire through me. She's in nothing but a white towel that hangs low on her hips and sports bra, drops of water running down her chest.

"Max," I say, my voice is huskier than I wanted it to be, "Don't get Dressed."

Her eyes flash with desire, and she smiles wickedly.

I hold up my measuring tape and grin at her, "I want to measure you. I've got something in mind that I want to design for our first official event together."

She lifts her hand to her neck, her gaze heated, "You want to measure me... right now?"

I nod, "Yeah. I prefer to get accurate measurements. It's not quite the same over clothes, you know?"

"Fine," She beckons me forward and I approach her nervously. I haven't taken this much initiative since the last time I tried it.

Every time we sleep together, it's Max who initiates it. It's stupid, but part of me is still scared she'd reject me again. Realistically, I know she won't, but somehow my heart hasn't healed from the pain she inflicted.

"Lift your arms," I tell her. My hands tremble as I wrap my measuring tape around her arm, barely thinking straight. I needed a distraction, and I suppose I got one.

I can feel her gaze burning on my skin and look up nervously to find her staring at me, her eyes filled with desire. She's sexy as sin on the worst of days, but right now, standing here in front of me in just a towel and sports bra?

Delicious.

I place my hand flat against her torso and smile at her, "Do you have any favorite colors?"

She reaches for me and pushes my hair behind my ear, her gaze dipping down to my chest, where it lingers, "Whatever you create for me will be amazing, I'm sure."

I wrap my measuring tape across her torso and lean in close to read the measurement, brushing my body against her as I do so. Max inhales sharply and clears her throat uncomfortably, making me smile.

"Oh, I forgot your neck," I rise to my tiptoes and press my breasts against her chest as I wrap my measuring tape around her neck, my lips brushing over her jaw. She groans softly, and a rush of desire rushes through me when I feel her harden against my stomach.

She raises her hand and threads it through my hair, tightening her grip and keeping me in place, "This is how you take measurements, wifey?" she snaps, sounding angry.

I lean back a little to look at her and shake my head, "No. I never do this myself, but I wanted to for you."

"Hmm," she grunts, "Very well. No one but me, Alianna."

I nod nervously as I let my hand roam down her body. Her face is so close to mine... should I give up on this charade and just kiss her? Her eyes drop to my lips and I tilt my face, hoping she'll make a move.