a hickey.
Not a full-blown one, but there were a few light marks.
Who even does that?
And why is it so hot?
I’m losing my mind.
At least I have a new project… I’m gonna have to convert my tops to turtlenecks so I can hide these marks.
I finished getting ready before heading to the closet to put on ripped black jeans and a cropped tee that was covered in tears and holes. I loved the ultra-distressed look and that I could see glimpses of my bra underneath.
Forget the turtlenecks, I’m going to try replicating this top.
Excitement bubbled through me as I went to my sewing room and got to work on a black version.
Everything’s better in black.
_______________
Hours later, nearly asleep at my desk, I checked my progress. I needed to research how to prevent the rips from growing or the thread from unraveling, but the top was coming along better than anticipated.
I fed the fabric into the machine to double stitch the neckline.
The door opened, and my eyes snapped up, but it was Ash not Maximo.
Taking in his concerned expression, I asked, “What’s wrong?”
“Watch your fingers.” I turned the machine off, and he asked, “How long have you been in here?”
“I dunno. Since six-thirty or so. Why?”
“We thought you were still sleeping. I went in to wake you, and you weren’t there.”
And I wasn’t there all night.
But then he continued. “Or in your room.”
Wait, he knows I slept with Maximo?
Well, slept in his room, not the other kind of slept with.
Yet, at least.
“Juliet,” he said, not looking happy.
I jolted again. “Sorry, were you saying something?”
“You skipped breakfast and lunch, and you look exhausted.” He shook his head. “You shouldn’t be in here when you’re so tired, you’ll end up sewing your fingers together. Go nap.”
“I’m fine,” I said, even though I was exhausted. I glanced at the time on my iPad. “Maximo said he’d be home after lunch.”
“That’s why I was coming to find you. He wanted me to tell you he got held up and won’t be back until later.”
Shit. I’d been counting down until we could talk.
“Oh, okay,” I said. “I’ll just keep working then.”
“Go rest.”
My eyes narrowed. “I’m fine.”
Ash pulled his phone out of his pocket and typed something. It rang half a minute later and he handed it to me.
I glanced at the screen and saw who it was.
“You tattled on me?” I asked.
“Yes, now answer or he’ll be pissed.”
I accepted the call and put the phone to my ear. “Hello?”
“You’ve been up since I left and skipped breakfast and lunch?” Maximo said by way of greeting.
“Hello to you, too. How’s your day?”
“Juliet.”
“Maximo.”
“Christ, do you want me to spank your ass until you can’t sit down?”
Yes.
Wait, what?
No, definitely yes, I maybe certainly want to consider having that happen.
“I’m fine,” I tried.
“Ash says you’re not.”
“Ash is a snitch.”
“I’ll have the snitch bring you a sandwich and then you need to rest.”
The concern in his voice was reassuring but it wasn’t enough. “I couldn’t sleep because you said we’d talk later.”
“Shit,” he muttered. “I meant we’d talk to see how you’re feeling after last night. If you wanted to change your mind.”
“I thought you’d changed your mind,” I whispered, surprised by how dejected that made me feel.
“Never,” he bit out in an intense way that scared me but mostly made me wet.
“You didn’t kiss me goodbye.” Remembering I wasn’t alone, my eyes darted to Ash’s, but he didn’t look surprised in the slightest.
Huh.
“I was giving you space in case you had regrets, that’s all. Go get some sleep. We’re going to a fight tonight, and it’ll be a late one.”
Even though I’d become a homebody who liked the security of my little world, I had left the house. But errands were much different than going out with Maximo.
Especially going to a fight with Maximo.
Excitement zipped through me. Not wanting to fall asleep during the action, I relented. “Okay, I’ll eat then rest.”
“Now.”
“I will, I will. Sheesh.”
“I’m going to redden that sweet ass.”
“Promises, promises,” I blurted before hanging up.
I’m going to regret that.
When I handed Ash his cell back, he asked, “Want a sandwich?”
My stomach growled at the thought. “I can grab it.”
He gave me a look that wasn’t as powerful as Maximo’s the look, but it was still pretty effective.
“Turkey, please.”
“Got it.”
I finished what I was doing while he grabbed the sandwich. When he got back, he shot me a disapproving scowl but didn’t say anything.
He did, however, stand there while I ate. As soon as I finished the last bite,