STAGESTRUCK - The Complete Series (10 page)

I managed to finish my shift without snapping at anyone else or falling asleep on my feet. The last of my tables cashed out at eleven p.m. and I clocked out and left without speaking to anyone. All I wanted to do was get home, take a long bath, and collapse onto my bed.

I knocked on Janette’s door before unlocking my own; she didn’t answer so I assumed that she’d gone out for the night. I stepped into my apartment, tossed my purse onto the couch, and stripped out of my clothes as I walked into the bathroom.

My full-sized tub was one of the major selling points when I rented the apartment; most of the units I’d looked at had only standing shower stalls. I plugged the drain, turned the hot water on full blast, and sprinkled some lavender bath salts under the tap. I shuffled back to the kitchen for a glass of cold chardonnay before sinking into the tub.

The heat of the water relaxed my tired muscles; I rested my head on my small foam bath-pillow, sipped my wine, and thought about my life. I knew that I wouldn’t be able to keep going at my current pace much longer; something had to give soon or I’d collapse from exhaustion.

‘If only I could get a part time job that pays well… I wouldn’t have to slow down with the auditions…’ I sighed loudly and took another sip of the wine. The practical side of me thought that it would be best to spend a week or two away from the theater, rest up, and start auditioning again once I felt better. The determined side of me wanted to quit my waitressing job, burn through my trust fund, and throw myself full force into the theater. I was debating the pros and cons of each side when my doorbell rang.

I wasn’t expecting anyone so I assumed that Janette had gotten home and was stopping by to check in. I took my time getting out of the tub; I dried myself off with a fluffy towel, wrapped my hair in it, and then slipped into my well worn bathrobe. As I stepped into the living room, the doorbell chimed again.

“Jesus Janette, I’m coming.” I called out as I crossed the room. I opened the door and was shocked to see Max standing in the hallway. “Oh… hi,” I said with a blush. “I’m sorry, I thought you were Janette… come in and let me get dressed real quick.”

“Don’t worry about it, I’m not going to be here long.” He said as he stepped through the door. His tone was even but bordering on cold.

“Is everything alright?” I asked him with genuine concern in my voice.

“I don’t know, Kate. I came here to ask you that.” He sighed and sat down on the couch. “I know that you have a problem with Megan and me.” He said quietly.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I gasped, feigning shock.

He studied me critically. “You know exactly what I’m talking about. You were completely out of line today, but that wasn’t the first time I’ve noticed your attitude… I see the looks you give Megan when you think no one is watching you.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I said again firmly. “I told you before, I’ve been really tired the last few weeks. Between the theater and the restaurant, I’ve been working my ass off. I realize that I’ve been snappy, and I’ll work on that.”

Max sighed. “Kate, are you even capable of saying how you really feel? Could you just be honest and admit that you’re jealous?”

“Fine, I’m jealous.” I snapped. “Are you happy now?”

“No, I’m not.” He replied angrily. “In fact, I’m even more pissed off than I was before. What the hell is wrong with you Kate? You HAD me! I saw you that night at Syd’s and felt like I’d finally found what I’d always been looking for. That’s why I took you home that night! And then you just disappeared. YOU treated ME like a meaningless one night stand, and now you’re jealous that I’m seeing someone? What gives you the right?”

I started sobbing. “I’m sorry, I know you’re right. I just assumed that I was just another random hook-up for you. I was embarrassed and ashamed and I didn’t know how to face you.”

“That’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard, Kate.” Max scolded. “If you’d just answered one of my calls, you’d have realized that I felt more for you than that…”

I dried my eyes and stared at him. “The day I got the call from Marion, about that god awful audition… you were about to say something before my phone rang… you were going to ask me out again, weren’t you?”

He blushed and nodded. “Yes, but then you suddenly had so much going on… it didn’t seem like the right time.”

“And then you got serious with Megan.” I sighed.

He nodded. “She’s really sweet. I’m sorry that it hurts you, but she and I really do enjoy each other’s company.”

“And you’re no longer interested in me at all?” I asked with my best sultry pout.

“I didn’t say that.” He replied quickly. “I just… accepted that you aren’t an option.”

“So what do we do now?” I asked innocently as I let my robe fall partially open; Max didn’t notice.

“I don’t know.” He sighed and held his face in his hands. “What am I saying? There’s nothing we can do now. I’m with Megan. She’s a good person and she makes me happy. I have to give the relationship a shot.”

“You sound like you’re fulfilling an obligation, not falling in love.” I observed.

Max let out a sad chuckle. “Maybe that’s true.” He stared at me for a moment; his smoldering eyes reminded me of the night we’d spent together.

I tightened the strap of my robe and stood. “Look, we can still be friends, right?” He nodded. “You look like you need a beer.” I observed. I retrieved two Bud Lights from the kitchen; when I returned, Max was holding a joint I’d stashed under a coaster.

“Do you mind?” He asked.

“Of course not,” I replied, relieved that he wasn’t giving me a lecture on drug use. I grabbed a lighter off an end table and tossed it to him along with the beer. He took two long hits before passing it to me.

We smoked in silence as we drank our first beers; I retrieved the rest of the six pack and we relaxed on my couch. The weed had relaxed us both, almost to the point of being giddy.

“I can’t believe you smoke.” Max laughed as he pinched the cherry off the roach and set it on the table.

“It’s one of my newly acquired tastes.” I laughed. “So far, it’s my favorite thing about the city.”

“You aren’t having fun here, are you?” Max asked seriously.

I sighed. “It’s just a lot harder than I thought it would be… I’m not sure that I have what it takes to make it here.”

“Kate,” Max smiled patiently, “you have an abundance of what it takes to make it here. You’re beautiful, talented, and determined. And you have a fire in you like nothing I’ve ever seen before… I saw it that first night and I still see it now. You’re amazing… if you just trust yourself, nothing will stop you from living your dream.”

“Thank you Max,” I told him with a warm smile. I leaned in and hugged him; he held me close and I couldn’t bring myself to pull away. “Do you ever… think about that night?” I asked with my head resting on his shoulder. He took a deep breath and sighed.

“I think about that night all of the time.” He whispered. “I think about it when I’m trying to go to sleep, I think about it when I see you moving around the restaurant… I think about it all of the time.” He repeated.

I pulled away from his embrace and smiled; my robe had loosened again and I didn’t bother to tighten it. “Do you remember how pissed off the taxi driver was once we got to your place?”

He laughed. “Yes I do. By distance, that was one of the most expensive taxi rides I’ve ever had… but it was worth every penny.”

I stood, took a few steps back, and turned to him. “Do you remember what happened once we got through your door?” I asked, holding intense eye contact with Max as I spoke.

He nodded lustfully. “I turned to shut the door and when I turned back around… you… were… naked.” I pushed the robe off of my shoulders and let it fall to the floor as he spoke the words.

“Kate…” he whispered, studying me as I stood before him.

“Say the words, and I’ll put the robe back on.” I told him.

He stood, took two steps towards me, and wrapped me into his arms. His mouth found mine and we kissed eagerly as he ran his hands over my naked flesh.

“Oh Kate,” he sighed again as he moved his mouth down my neck. He wrapped one arm around my shoulders, another behind my knees, and lifted me into his arms. “Where’s the bedroom?” He whispered.

I pointed to the door as I traced kisses down his collarbone. His growing erection pressed against my hip and my pussy got wet in anticipation. He pushed the door open, stumbled into the room, and collapsed onto the bed. He tried to lay me on my back but I resisted and climbed onto his lap. I unbuttoned his uniform shirt, kissing each piece of his chest as it was exposed. Once I’d discarded his shirt to the floor, I quickly tugged off his black slacks.

“There are condoms in that table next to you.” I told him as I stroked his long shaft with a firm grip. He shook his head.

“I want to take it slow this time.” He said as he leaned over and took my right nipple into his mouth. He traced light circles around it with his firm tongue before nibbling softly.

“Harder.” I moaned. He bit down firmly and the blend of pleasure and pain made my pussy gush once more; the sweet, musky smell of my juices filled the air.

“Oh god Kate, I have to taste you.” Max said urgently. He flipped me onto my back and shoved his head between my legs. He put his hands on my thighs and pushed my legs apart wider while his tongue plunged in and out of my aching hole.

“I’m going to cum.” I warned through heavy breaths.

“Yeah?” He groaned. “You like it like this?”

“Yes…” I moaned.

Instead of continuing what he’d been doing, Max replaced his tongue with two fingers; he folded his lips over his teeth and started biting and licking my clit as his fingers circled my G-spot. The pleasure was unlike anything I’d ever felt before and I bucked against his face.

“You like this better?” He asked softly when he came up for air.

“Oh god yes… don’t stop.” I begged.

He resumed his position and in a matter of moments I exploded in the most powerful, earth shattering orgasm of my life. Max lapped up my juices as fast as they flowed out of me and then collapsed next to me on the bed. He turned on his side to face me and pulled me into his arms.

“I almost came just tasting you.” He said as he nuzzled his face against my neck. “I know that you need a minute to recover, I just want to hold you.”

I rolled over onto my side and found his lips with mine. As we kissed softly, I threw one leg over his hip and angled my pussy towards his throbbing love wand. I moved my lips from his mouth to his earlobe and whispered, “I don’t want to recover. I want to keep going.” Max thrust his cock against my pelvic bone a couple of times before rolling over and retrieving a condom from the drawer.

He quickly rolled the rubber down his shaft and returned to my side. I wrapped one arm around his chest and threw my leg over his hip once more. I reached down to guide him in to my waiting tunnel.

“Do you feel how I ache for you?” He asked as I took his cock in my hand. I gripped him firmly and lead the head of his prick into position. Max put his hand on the small of my back and pushed himself deep inside of me.

I gasped with pleasure as he filled me completely; we remained motionless for a moment and then Max ran his hand up my back and twisted my hair into his fingers. We kissed passionately as our bodies rocked back and forth against each other. I loved lying in his arms, but I knew that I could take him deeper if we changed positions. I put a hand on his shoulder and gently rolled him onto his back. I rolled with him, keeping his cock buried in me as we moved. As I sat up, I felt the last two inches of his cock slide into me.

“That’s better,” I groaned as I swiveled my hips in circles.

“Kate…” Max gasped. “You’re amazing.” In response, I squeezed him tightly with my pussy muscles. “Ohhh…” He groaned. I pushed my hips forward and through my shoulders back; his cock hit my G-spot and I rocked frantically against him as I felt my orgasm build. Max responded to the urgency of my motions by sticking two fingers in his mouth, and then placing them on either side of my throbbing clit. He stroked and pinched me lightly and I exploded in ecstasy once more. I collapsed onto his chest; he wrapped his arms around me as his still throbbing cock sent aftershocks through my body.

“Do you need a break now?” He asked sweetly as he kissed the top of my head.

“No,” I replied immediately. “I want to make you cum… use me Max… tell me what to do.”

“Oh Kate,” he breathed passionately before kissing me again. As our tongues danced together, Max sat up. He pulled away from me. “Turn around,” he directed. “But don’t let me slip out.”

I smiled, kissed him, and did as he said. I carefully lifted my left leg and moved it between our bodies. Then I slowly rotated until I faced the headboard. Once in position, I started bouncing up and down on Max’s cock. He grasped my hips firmly, pushing and pulling as he met me thrust for thrust.

“Put your legs together… I’m going to push you onto your knees.” Max gasped. I placed my hands in front of me on the bed and let Max roll me onto all fours. He kneeled behind me, still gripping my hips as he thrust with abandon.

“I’m going to cum again.” I warned. I couldn’t believe I was about to have my third orgasm and Max was still at zero.