Chapter 36 - Here to Stay (1/2)
Up inside Olivia's decoy apartment, the two just finished brushing their teeth when Maxen walked to the kitchen and grabbed a tall glass of water, bringing it to the living room.
”Here, drink some more,” he coaxed Olivia who took a sip before slinking back on the sofa.
”Aren't you supposed to go home?” she asked in a weak voice, all the nosebleed she had that day depleted her energy exponentially and it started to worry her too. She made a mental note to discuss it with her doctor on her next visit.
”I don't want to leave you alone. Not after your bleeding episode and not with you looking appetizing in my dress shirt.”
Olivia rolled her eyes and kicked Maxen who crawled on top of her and wiggled his way beside her. Luckily, the sectional sofa in Olivia's living room could be converted into a queen-size bed.
”Why don't you just move in with me? You're always crashing my place,” she bit the inside of her cheeks when Maxen sn.a.k.e.d his arms and hugged her from behind. This guy is so clingy that his touch was starting to claw its way under her skin.
”Let's go to your room. This bed is uncomfortable and bad for your back.”
”I told you…”
”You don't like strangers in your bedroom. Then why did you ask me to move in?
”Sarcasm, Max. The word exists in the dictionary.”
”Aww! What an arse! How dare you bite me?”
”That's your punishment, baby. I'm not a stranger anymore. Not after tonight.”
Olivia turned around to face the topless Little Prince who wrapped her in his arms. The warm cocoon feeling melted a few of her frozen walls that she built over time.
”We need to slow down, Max. We just met yesterday and you don't even know me. We're strangers to each other.”
”Why? Do I make you feel uncomfortable?”
”No, as a matter of fact you don't,” she said honestly.
He hugged her tighter, sniffing the scent of her hair and thought of what fruit it smelled like.
”I haven't been this sure in my life, Olivia. The moment I saw you, I knew you were the one I've been waiting for all my life,” he exhaled heavily, resigned over the truth that Olivia's not ready for any long-term commitment at the moment but she's not pushing him away so that means something, right? ”I just want you to give me a chance, baby.”
Upon hearing his words, Olivia suddenly felt the urge to ask him something personal but bit her tongue before it's too late. Do you love me? she thought as she ran circles on his c.h.e.s.t.
She knew he's attracted to her, that's for sure. But what if that was just something momentary and when the mystery in her is gone, he'll walk out of her life and find someone else to pepper with his attention.