Chapter 1
“Babe, is it alright? I told Foster he could come over later, for a few beers,” Max asked in my ear, in a low, soothing voice.
We were snuggled together on the couch watching a movie. His hand was absently stroking my arm. He must have felt me tense a bit at the mention of his friend’s name, because he backpedalled.
“I can call him back and tell him it’s not a good night,” he trailed off in a pseudo-question.
Foster was Max’s amazingly beautiful best friend. The kind of male beauty that made him nearly blinding to look at – seriously, like weak in the knees, stammering, gibbering idiot beautiful. I could never relax when he was around. He made me anxious and self-conscious.
It didn’t even matter that he seemed like a really great guy, he just made me nervous. I felt guilty for my reaction. I loved Max so much. He was my life, but lord I had some impure thoughts about his best friend, really, really indecent thoughts.
“No babe, that’s OK. Invite him over. You two never get to hang out. I feel like I’m monopolizing your time. I don’t want to be that girlfriend… The one that steals you away and cuts you off from everyone who means something to you because I’m jealous of your time and your attention.”
I leaned into him, giving him a squeeze and a quick kiss. “Have a boy’s night.”
“Mai…Maya,” began Max. “I want you to be there,” he pleaded. He turned me to face him squarely, looking me in the eyes and giving my upper arms a soft squeeze. “Foster’s my best friend and I feel like you two don’t get along, or like you avoid him for some reason. You two are my favorite people in the universe. I want – no I need – you to get along with each other.”
Panic.
How was I supposed to interact and function while Foster was around? Just the sight of him brought a blush to my cheeks and instantly made naughty thoughts pop into my head. It made me feel so awful and so guilty, and I definitely didn’t want Max to see that. He didn’t deserve that. I would have to find a way; it clearly meant so much to Max. I had to do it.
I pasted a smile on my face, though inside I was quaking. “Great,” I said. If Max could sense the falseness in my overenthusiastic tone, he didn’t let on. “That sounds great. I can’t wait.”
I am going to hell.
I gave Max my best innocent doe eyes. He leaned in with a smile and gave me a deep, lingering kiss that soothed my frayed nerves and made my body begin to tingle. He pulled away just as I wanted him to claim much more, then came the sound of the doorbell and the front door being pushed open.
“Hello?” A deep, melodic, voice sounded from the front of the house. “Is everybody decent?”
Not nearly, I thought, as my nipples perked up and the blood slowly pooled to my clit at the sound of his voice.
Foster’s beautiful voice.
He was the singer and lead guitarist in a local band that was doing pretty well. They had a fairly big following – it wasn’t all horny girls either - they were actually good, in a dark, indie rock sort of way that reminded me a bit of Interpol, or maybe Echo and the Bunnymen.
My palms went sweaty and my mouth a bit dry as he found us in the living room. He popped his head in with a wide, charismatic, grin. “What’s up kids?”
“Hey Foster,” Max smiled back, waving him in. “Long time no see, buddy, what’s n—oooh, beer!” Max broke off mid-thought, mesmerized by the drinks, “and whiskey too!! Good man!” grinned Max.
“Yeah, I brought a few refreshments,” Foster affirmed, then sat down right next to me on the couch.
Gulp, I was now sandwiched between Max and Foster. “Hi Foster,” I said a bit shyly. “Good to see you again.”
“Good to be seen,” Foster said, surprising me by leaning in to give me a friendly kiss on the cheek.
My hand reflexively came up to rest on his ribcage.
Sweet Jesus, I think I’m in shock!
I blinked as the realization that Foster’s lips had just touched my cheek hit my brain.
And holy fuck! His flesh felt fantastic.
Even through the fabric of his tee, I could feel the supple, corded muscle. It was a struggle not to slide my hand along it. I pulled my hand back quickly, taking a shaky breath and scooching into Max a bit.
“How about a shot, pretty Maya?” asked Foster, twisting the cap off a fresh bottle of nice Irish whiskey.
“Umm, sure,” I replied, biting my lip a bit nervously. Foster slid the mouth of the bottle towards my lips as if to pour a shot into my mouth.
He must have seen my quizzical expression, because he winked at me and said, “We’re all friends here.” Just as Max also said, “No need to waste glasses.”
I hesitantly opened my mouth as Max placed a kiss at my temple and rubbed my arms reassuringly from behind. I think he could tell this was making me nervous.
The bottle gently touched my lips and Foster tilted it up, pouring the searing liquid into my mouth. It was too much. I had to close my lips to swallow before it started overflowing. I gulped it down, coughing and lightly spilling some down my jaw as Foster pulled the bottle away.
“Oops, sorry Maya.” Foster grinned as his free hand shot out to wipe the excess off my face. His thumb slid over my jaw, just as the burn of the whiskey hit my belly turning my insides molten. He lifted his thumb to his full sensuous lips and sucked the whiskey off of it.
What the fuck??? I think my brain is about to short circuit from the sight of that. I can’t believe he just did that in front of Max. What the hell is going on?
“Give it here,” demanded Max, holding his hand out to Foster for the bottle.
Foster took a swig first then handed it over. His tongue slid out to lick the top of the bottle as his eyes met mine, before setting his lips over it, tilting his head back and taking a healthy swig.
It felt like flames were licking my insides. I could feel my cheeks heat up. Why was he playing with me like this? And with Max right there?
Foster handed the bottle over to Max leaning in closely over my body as he did so, and placing a hand on my shoulder for balance - and my god did he smell good! I could feel the outline of each individual finger on my shoulder where his hand practically singed my flesh.
“I brought a movie over,” Foster said, sitting back up straight, his hand still burning a hole through my shoulder. “I think you guys will like it,” he chuckled a bit. “It’s got a killer soundtrack.”
Foster got up and walked over to the DVD player, and I tried – and failed miserably – not to look at his tight, firm ass, encased in worn but well-fitting jeans.
I snapped out of my misbehavior when Max held the whiskey in front of me and said, “Take another swig Mai.” I needed it. I took the bottle from Max and downed a good-sized portion of whiskey, just as Foster finished inserting the movie and came back over to the couch.
He reached out for the bottle of whiskey and I handed it to him. His fingers slid over mine as he took it from me, a small smirk sliding over his features.
“Somebody’s messy,” he said, and I could not look away as his tongue came out to swipe the side of the bottle, licking the dripping whiskey from it. My eyes flew to his throat to watch him swallow as he poured another shot down it.
Foster leaned back over me again to give the bottle back to Max. He cracked a couple of beers, handed one to me then sat back, even closer than before.
Too close.
I could feel the heat and electricity emanating from his body. I was so nervous that I was trembling, and my breathing was becoming erratic. I needed to get my shit together. Being this close to Foster, and his odd flirting, was really disconcerting.
“What’s a matter babe?” asked Max in a solicitous tone. “Are you cold?” he asked, pulling me back against his chest and sliding his hot hands up and down my arms. “Why don’t you put your feet up?” he continued without giving me a chance to answer. “Foster will rub your feet. It’s fine,” he said, sensing my hesitation. “Foster gives amazing foot rubs. Don’t you buddy?”
