Chapter 24

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

IVY

Finals, Christmas, and New Year's came and passed in a blur of me forcing myself not to reply to Max and ignoring everything that was happening.

I ignored the message he sent.

I ignored all the notifications that reminded me he had unhidden all our photo history.

I ignored ESPN playing on repeat how he and Maddox stopped in the middle of the field after he saw I wasn't there, only to call him "the flash" for running at lightning speed and saving the goal.

I ignored the flowers he sent me at the end of the semester.

I ignored the flowers I received on Christmas morning from him.

I even went as far as ignoring Nova and Rosie and their attempts to involve me in any pre-Christmas activity in the town, which meant, for the first time in my life, I missed the Christmas market. I had it on my list to form meaningful relationships with others from my major, and it was a surprise to find out they actually didn't care about Ander or the soccer team. They were a completely separate entity from the sports-team-obsessed students, and it was refreshing to talk with like-minded people.

"We will see you at lunch?" Avery turned around in her seat as I got up from mine. She was one of my new friends, and I genuinely enjoyed her company. It felt like a fresh start. She wasn't part of the gossip mill, and while she didn't live under a rock, she certainly didn't concern herself too much with all the drama from last semester.

I nodded as I waved her goodbye. Picking up my laptop, I headed out of the classroom and quickened my steps to make it into the opposite building on time.

I spent a lot of time thinking up job opportunities for the future with my double degree in marketing and computer science. The world was my oyster, and I saw firsthand how the small changes I implemented in Max's account had immediate rewards. He signed with Under Armour, and I saw his pictures over the break.

Gone was the guy who was way too shy and uncomfortable to pose for a golden-hour sunset picture with me. He looked like a born model in their new collection of clothes, playing around with the soccer ball, feeling completely at home in front of the camera.

I was glad his reputation was recovering after everything that went down last semester. But his talent spoke for itself. It didn't matter what he said about a coach's daughter when his footwork was top-notch, and his dedication was unmatched. He was born to be a soccer sensation, and he was working toward that goal every day.

A notification buzzed on my phone, and glancing down, I saw a campus alert pop up regarding a class cancellation due to the sickness of our professor. But I forgot to even care about my sudden free time as I looked up, and my eyes locked with dark, chocolate-colored ones.

Everything else faded into the background—the chatter around me, all the other students. Nothing else mattered, just Maximilian Aarons standing right in front of me, wearing his black Titan's hoodie with his name on it, his arms crossed as he leaned against the handrail of the stairs.

I gaped at him in utter shock because it was one thing for him to send me flowers and message me, but it was a completely different thing to show up at my campus after everything my school had put him through.

Yet, he was there.

"You're a hard one to track down, Blossom," he said as a greeting, and his lips pulled into his signature smirk I loved so much.

My heart skipped a beat, and those damned traitorous butterflies started flapping in my stomach, reminding me how it felt to love him. Not that I ever had a chance of forgetting.

"What are you doing here?" I asked, my voice coming out all wrong. I didn't want to sound so shaken and raspy.

Max dragged his eyes over my jeans and cropped sweater combination before meeting my eyes again. His windswept, messy hair made him look more innocent than he really was. Because the way his tongue darted out to lick his lower lip, I knew what he was thinking.

"Isn't that obvious?" He shrugged, ignoring the people around us who were pointing at him and taking pictures. "Clearly, flowers weren't working toward my apology. Which is weird because I remember you loved flowers. Unless that was fake too."

I shook my head, not wanting him to think for a second that anything in the past was fake between us. "No, it wasn't."

"Good, because I'm not sure you'll be able to enter your dorm room from all the roses I left you."

Warmth crept up my face. "What?"

"There are roses in your dorm—dozens," he explained slowly with a grin as he reached an arm toward me. "Come here."

I took the steps one at a time, in the slowest pace ever, as my heart hammered against my ribcage. My eyes locked with his, and I didn't dare look away, in case this was all a dream and he was just a fragment of my imagination.

But it couldn't have been, as he looked too perfect standing there casually, like we hadn't spent the last month apart and ignoring each other.

"Come here, Blossom," he asked, extending both of his hands toward me.

"You really shouldn't be here," I muttered as my fingertips brushed his, and his pine scent surrounded me all at once.

Max wrapped his fingers around my hand and pulled me to himself. "I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be. And I should have been here sooner."

Students brushed behind my back, and whispers penetrated our little bubble. "You shouldn't be here. What are people going to say? You are…"

"Let them say whatever they want, I don't care." He pulled me until my chest was flushed against his, his arms sliding around my waist. He flashed me the softest yet realest smile I'd ever seen on his face. "I missed you, Blossom. Every single day since the semi-finals. I'm sorry for not being here sooner, for not being more persistent and trying to get your attention. And most of all, I'm sorry for acting like none of it meant anything and thinking that if I removed the pictures, I could remove all the impacts you have made on my life. Because I can't, and I don't want to pretend like I can or want to anymore."

Tears burned my eyes, and I felt like I was dropped into an alternate universe. One where the guy I was fake dating, whose career almost crumbled because of me, still wanted me despite all that.

"I don't understand," I whispered stupidly as I blinked up at him. He seemed different than before, yet he was exactly the same. I couldn't decide what had changed about him, but something did.

Maybe it was the way he held himself with endless confidence, or the smile that sat on his lips, or the way he hugged me to himself, all protective.

"What about the National Team? All the... mess?" I asked, thinking the reason we broke up was the leaked messages and that everyone expected him to fall in love with me and mess up his game. Which almost happened as well. He was a prophecy coming to life, and yet, despite all that, he chose me.

Max shrugged. "The season is over; we won the final, despite the fact that you not showing up messed with my head bad." He flashed me a cocky side grin. "And that's all. I re-evaluated my life and realized... I won't always please everyone. I'm talented and an asset to any team who wants me. My worth as a player or human being is not decided by a coach who doesn't see who his daughter really is and puts his daughter above the team. I know when and how to make sacrifices for the team. But I'm not willing to make them right now. I proved myself time and time again. I know I'm a good fit; there's nothing else I can do. I won't sit and beat myself up over his decision when I know that in my heart, I did everything to prove my worth. So, I decided to follow my heart, take a leap of faith, and do something out of character for once that will benefit me. Not the team or my career, just me."

My heart fluttered in my chest as he spoke, and every word melted away the walls I tried to put around myself. He was penetrating all my defenses, and I had no desire to reject him. Not when he poured his heart out and laid all his cards in front of me. He was honest and offered me a fresh start—a new beginning for the two of us, despite everything.

"I know we can't forget everything that happened, and I don't want to. You made me a better person. You changed me during these past few months, and I have no intention of forgetting that. I want to continue from where we left off the morning of the semi-finals and pretend like everything in between didn't happen. If you want it too."

I let out a low chuckle and pushed my head into his neck. "I would love that, but equally, I want nothing more than a fresh start for us. To wipe out everything and start over on that day in the bar or even pretend we really met at a marathon. But we both agree on one thing... I want you. And I'm tired of pretending I don't want you."

The side of Max's lip tipped up into a sexy smirk. "Good to know we agree on the main thing."

I laughed and tipped my head up, looking up at him and brushing my lips over his. Max captured my lips with his in a deep, passionate kiss. There was no tentativeness in the way his hand came up to cup my face or in the way his tongue teased mine, leaving me wanting more.

A small moan escaped me as I fully flushed against him, my arms around his neck pulling him as close as I could while we kissed.

Max's fingers dug into my face as he held me to him with a deep kiss before pulling away and flashing me a grin. "I don't want to cut the mood, but... can we go somewhere more private to finish this?"

I laughed and nodded. "I would offer my dorm, but apparently, some idiot left me roses there."

"Come home with me," he said, pushing his forehead to mine, his pleading puppy eyes boring into mine. The way he said "home" made me melt even more.

"Sounds perfect," I whispered, my voice once again hoarse from all the emotions.

Max held my hand all the way as we walked across the Westpoint campus and throughout the drive back to Hillview University's soccer house. There was something oddly calming and familiar in the way we walked hand in hand through the door.

Max wrapped his arms around me and kissed my neck as we entered. "Welcome home, Blossom," he muttered into my flushed skin, and I blinked up at the big blue banner hanging in the foyer that read: Welcome Back.

I let out a laugh and turned in his arms. "Were you that sure I was going to come back with you?"

"Was I that easy?" Max touched the tip of his nose to mine and grinned. "That was for Dex, when he got back from the hospital, but the guys wanted to keep it on in case we decided to get back together."

That settled some of the annoyance that started brewing in me. I didn't want to be easy or manipulable anymore. That wasn't the new Ivy I tried to be.

"I think we both learned a lot about ourselves since our arrangement," I told him as he kissed my neck. "We have both grown, and we're not the same people we were."

"Completely agree," Max nodded. "I would love nothing more than to get to know the new Ivy. We could have a Disney date—I think you promised that over Christmas. Or we could go on a hike; I found this new trail not that long ago and saved it for us."

It was hard to remain serious and level-headed when Max was that sweet and attentive. I wanted nothing more than to lock ourselves in his room and remind myself why I fell for him so easily, besides his amazing personality.

"Can we go up? Before we run into anyone?" I looked around, self-conscious.

Max claimed my lips again, kissing me long and slow, like he had all the time in the world. "Everyone is in the gym. Strength training."

"Are you missing out on it for me?" I gaped at him, and he laughed.

"I couldn't wait a moment longer to approach you. It took all my self-restraint to give you enough space over the holidays to process everything that's happened and not push you into anything."

I nodded, appreciating his honesty.

"Now, I know I might seem too forward," he muttered, and a blush painted his cheeks, "but I'm dying to be inside you. That being said, I completely understand if you want to take it slow and not have sex. We can still have fun, or we can just kiss. I really don't mind what we do... as long as it's with you."

I was becoming a puddle of emotions from all his sweet words. Someone needed to teach the art of talking to women like Maximilian Aarons, because he had a magical way of wrapping every word with a little bow and making sure it drove me crazy.

But what I most appreciated about him was that his actions matched his words. They weren't just pretty words; they weren't empty promises. I knew with conviction that he meant every single one of them. And I knew that if I told him I wanted to take it easy, he was going to offer to play video games, watch a movie, or go on a hike. He was going to do whatever I felt comfortable with, because I came first.

I only ever came in second when it was about soccer. Otherwise, there was no competition.

And that wasn't something I was used to—being first or being important—but Max taught me that feeling, and I was slowly getting addicted to it. It was intoxicating.

"I want all of you," I muttered over his lips. "You know I was tired of you being a gentleman anyway."

Max let out a low laugh, and grabbing the back of my neck, his lips crashed against mine. It felt like something had finally snapped in him, and he didn't hold himself back anymore. Like he was finally ready to give me his all. Our kiss was sloppy, deep, and passionate. Teeth met teeth, and tongues danced with tongues. His hands roamed my body in strong, confident strides as they reached under my sweater, cupping my breasts over the thin top I wore underneath.

I moaned into his mouth and arched into his touch as his fingers brushed my peaking nipples.

"You really need to get undressed... now," Max growled over my lips as he pulled away.

I immediately missed his lips on mine, but his greedy hands pulled the sweater over my head and threw it on the floor as he dropped the straps of my top and let my breasts spill out. I knew it was a good idea not to wear a bra, and as soon as his lips connected with my nipple, I appreciated my laziness even more.

A loud gasp escaped me as my back hit the wall, and I used that as support to arch into his mouth more.

His hands unbuttoned my jeans, and he pulled them down while his tongue moved in slow, teasing circles over my nipples.

"Step out," he ordered as he kept on pushing my jeans and panties.

His teeth grazed my nipple, making me moan.

"Blossom," he growled my name over my breasts as he lowered to his knees, and lifting my legs one by one, he helped me step out. He reached up, pulling my top all the way down, leaving me fully naked and bare for him.

Sitting back on his heels, he looked me over like he was staring at his favorite all-you-can-eat buffet. His eyes shone with love and admiration. Yet under all that appreciation, there was something dark and primal lighting up his chocolate-colored eyes.

I gave him a shy smile, and I wanted to ask him what he was doing as he cocked his head to the side and grinned to himself. But before I managed to get a word out, his hand reached between my legs, spreading them, and his lips met my wet folds.

I never told him that the last time he ate me out was the first time anyone had done that for me. Ander never put his mouth on me down there; he didn't enjoy it. But the way Max feasted on my pussy was sexy as hell.

My fingers threaded through his hair, and I let out all the moans I wanted from the way his tongue fucked me. It was divine, how he knew exactly how to fuck me like it was his dick.

Climax contracted my stomach muscles, and my legs started shaking as his thrusts became quicker.

"I need more." I whined, pulling onto his hair. "Please... Max!"

Two of his fingers plunged into me, hitting all the sensitive spots as his tongue teased my clit.

"Are you going to be a good girl and come for me, Blossom?"

"Yeah," I moaned, thankful we were alone in the house. "Just don't stop."

"I have no intentions of stopping," he muttered somewhere through the haze of my brain.

I felt my orgasm shake my body as his teeth scraped my sensitive clit, and I fell apart against the wall, my voice echoing through the house.

Embarrassment should have dragged me from my lust-filled daze, but there was no shame in me. It was one of the best orgasms of my life.

When I blinked my eyes open, I found myself slumped against the wall, Max kneeling in front of me and licking his fingers.

That was the sexiest sight I had ever seen. The way his tongue darted out, and he licked the remaining cum off his lips sparked desire up in me again.

Reaching out, I caught his hand with mine, and he offered me his fingers to suck on. Slowly opening my mouth, he placed two of his fingers inside, and I sucked on them. I wrapped my tongue around them like it was his cock, reminding him of the way I sucked him off in the shower before the semi-finals.

One glance at his darkening eyes was enough to tell me he was rock hard under his jeans.

"You're way too overdressed," I muttered, my voice raspy from all the moaning and screaming.

Max pulled his fingers out of my mouth, and in one smooth movement, he stood.

If I thought watching him kneel in front of me was sexy, I had never seen him set his jaw with an unreadable expression as he pulled his hoodie off, showing off his sculpted abs. Then, he unbuttoned his jeans and kicked them off too. It was the most sensual experience watching him undress himself as he held my gaze the whole time.

I took a long, ragged breath in as my eyes dropped to his manhood, and I licked my lips.

"You want it?" he asked, stepping closer to me.

Kneeling up, I reached for him, but he shook his head. "Open up."

I gave him a tentative look as I did as instructed and opened my mouth as wide as I could.

He fisted himself and guided his dick to my mouth, pushing it slowly inside. "Now suck it."

I'd never seen him as much in command as in that moment, and suddenly, all I could think about were the gossips I heard about him before I actually met him. This was part of his personality that never got to come alive—the primal, animalistic side of him that he kept hidden and only used when he hooked up.

But the way his fingers caressed my hair and face, there was nothing controlling or demanding in his touch. On the contrary, it was all caring and kind. Opposite of the dirty words and the storm brewing in his eyes. Yet it told me it was more than just a hookup.

Max pulled out of my mouth, and reaching down, he helped me up. His fingers laced with mine, and leaning me against the wall, he kissed me deep and leaning me against the wall, he kissed me deep and sensual once again.

"I don't think I'll make it back to the room," he muttered in my ear as he kissed the sensitive spot behind it.

"We have the whole house to ourselves," I chuckled.

Max grinned at me, and squeezing my butt, his hands ran down the back of my thighs. He wrapped his arms behind my knees, lifting me up.

My legs moved to hug him and crossed at his back.

"Are you on the pill?" he asked as his hardness teased my slick folds. All it took was one slight rock of his hips, and he was going to be inside of me.

"No." I watched panic wash over his face before I quickly added, "I'm on the shot."

"You're the devil," he muttered, rocking his hips into me and sliding inside me with one swift movement.

A loud gasp escaped me as I adjusted to his size.

"Try not to forget your next shot so we don't turn this story into yet another cliché romcom plot twist," Max said into my neck.

My fingers dug into his hair, and I pulled his lips to mine. "Then don't try to leave a hickey. We're not in high school."

He flashed me the sexiest of his grins and instead kissed my lips with the same desire and need as the first time on campus. Our breathing mixed as his hands squeezed my butt, his thrusts picking up a faster pace, my back slamming against the wall to allow him even more momentum.

Yet, through all the thrusts and pace changes, his lips never once left mine. He kissed me breathlessly and sloppily until the only thing I could think about was his name.

"Max," I cried out as my climax shook my body yet again. My muscles were not used to this kind of exercise, and the way all of them contracted and shook was ridiculous. "I'm going to come."

"Come for me, Blossom," he muttered into my ear, sending a shiver down my spine.

"Max," I called out his name, my fingers digging into his hair and back as the last of the shakes finally released my body. A cry erupted from me as my body found its release and finally settled into sweet oblivion.

"I love you, Blossom," I heard Max mutter somewhere in the darkness. I wasn't even sure if I really heard him say it or if I imagined it as exhaustion claimed me.