Chapter 7
For two weeks I hadn't heard from Max and then he had shown up one night at my apartment and told me about his father's death. We'd spend the night comforting each other and behaving like a couple when we were no more than fuck buddies. When Max left my apartment the next day I sensed that something had changed in our dynamic but tried not to think about what it was. I wasn't sure about where I stood with him and it was something I worked on consciously not to think about as I was determined to simplify my existence.
So instead I made my sole focus the quest for a stunning gown to wear to the annual company charity ball. I knew my current wardrobe budget wouldn't allow me to squander the equivalent of my annual wages for an outfit that I would wear for just one evening. Eloise and Deanne heard about my predicament and helped me out by getting in touch with one of their designer friends who in turn was kind enough to lend me one of her creations for one evening. So far, I thought to myself, everything was coming along like a modern fairytale.
The days rolled by and soon it was the night of the ball, which was taking place in the hotel that housed Nomad as well. In fact the food for the event was being provided by Nomad. I knew these things only because Shrini had made it point to tell me about it more than once- apparently the company had been able to secure the location for their charity ball as a direct result of Shrini's efforts.
I was expecting to make a grand entrance walking down the stairs of the ballroom in my designer gown while all eyes watched me. So I was rather disappointed to find that there were no stairs and though I managed to feel all eyes on me I suspected that had more to do with my fashion faux pas. I was wearing a strapless flowy chiffon dress with a gold girdle around the waist that accentuated my curves in the most flattering manner, and oh, the colour of my outfit was peach while everyone else in the room was dressed in either black or white.
For a split second I considered rushing to my apartment and changing into one of my basic black, evening dresses. But then I reconsidered and thought what the hell! It's not often that up-and-coming designers lend me their clothes to wear so I might as well make what I could of the situation. Plus, I told myself, with the amount of time I'd spent being naked around Max I could easily handle a ballroom filled with people while dressed.
"You look like a breath of fresh air." Shrini said appearing out of nowhere.
"Hey. Thanks?" I smiled at him and shrugged, "Sorry, I didn't get the memo about the dress code.
"There is no dress code; people just prefer to play it safe."
I laughed in relief.
"You're in black, does that mean that you like to play it safe too?"
"Nah, I couldn't manage to find a peach coloured tux in time." He said holding out his arm for me to take.
We took a turn about the room; Shrini introduced me to a lot of important people who could serve as useful contacts for me down my career path. The conversation was breezy, the mood jovial, I felt relaxed and at ease; I was having fun.
I noticed for the first time that on one side at the very entrance of the room was a long table with some items. There were some cards lying around and next to each card was a pad with a list of names scribbled on it.
"Aha, you've found the silent auction table." Shrini informed me while scanning the different lists.
"Is that what it is? I just noticed it."
"The big prize is a boat, but we all know that Svenson has his eye on that one, so you can forget about that one. The next best thing is an evening with Nomad's chef where he'll come to your place and cook a meal for you and a friend."
"Oooh. That does sound good." I said practically drooling after recalling my one and only dinner at Nomad.
"I've already put down my name. Why don't you bid as well? If either one of us wins we can invite the other person over; we'd double our chances that way."
That did sound like a good idea so I pencilled in my name and my bid. At the end of the night when they were announcing the names of the winners of the silent auction I listened eagerly, hoping they would announce my name.
As Shrini had predicted, Svenson got the boat, he was a well known corporate bully but also a genius at what he did, so everyone put up with him- it's one of those corporate slash life lessons that an asshole is actually a valuable asset to a body because of the service it provides.
"And now to announce the winner for a dinner date with Nomad's head chef is none other than Chef Williamson himself." The host announced.
The crowd had gathered closer and there was a great deal of clapping. I watched in shock as Max walked up to the host and took the microphone from his hands and went on to read the name of the winner. I wasn't paying attention as I was more focused on Max in his crisp white overalls and bright blue eyes.
Who is this man?
Why didn't I know that Max was a chef? He had handed me his card the first time we met but I hadn't even looked at it. I wondered why I'd never asked him about what he did especially since I'd spoken to him about my work several times.
No, he had asked.
I corrected myself. He had asked about my work and I had talked. I was beginning to suspect that I knew less about Max than he did about me. Shrini was beside me saying how unfortunate it was that we hadn't won. He put his arm around my waist and began to move us towards another group of people with me mechanically following him. I wasn't sure if Max had spotted me in the sea of people. I wondered what he would say or do if he had.
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The rest of the evening passed uneventfully. I didn't understand why the revelation that Max was a chef had unsettled me in the manner it had. But it did, and I was preoccupied with those thoughts. Shrini must've noticed the change in my manner because he commented about it.
"I think I've had too much excitement for one evening."
"You know I think they're ready to wrap this thing up. No reason for us to stick around." Shrini pointed towards the exit, "Shall we?"
"Oh yes!" I said feeling relieved.
He left to say his goodbyes while I waited for him. The musicians had started playing a beautiful piece of string music that I didn't recognise but couldn't help swaying to.
"May I?"
I looked up; it was Max holding out his hand as if he was asking me to dance. I nodded and placed my hand within his while he slid his other hand around my waist. He gracefully stepped across the floor and I followed his lead. He held me stiffly and a little apart but even the empty space between us seemed to be charged with electricity as he looked at me. I could feel his gaze caress the curve of my breasts as if it was his hands upon my bare flesh. I shivered, he noticed and for the first time that night I saw the hint of a smile on his stern face.
"You're a chef." I felt stupid stating the obvious but my thoughts were a bit disorganised at the time.
"Yes."
"I didn't know."
He looked at me closely as if questioning the veracity of my statement and then looked away.
"I don't know you."
I believed I'd spoken the truth.
"I think you're right."
The words were said in a matter-of-fact manner but his expression looked pained.
We danced silently for the rest of the piece. I saw Shrini had returned and had probably grown tired of waiting for me. Max noticed him approach and he spun me around before pulling me closer to him. We were now moving away, in the opposite direction and closer to the exit. As soon as we were near the exit Max gave up the pretence of dancing and dragged me along with him. I had to practically run to keep up with his pace or risk falling on my face.
Within a few minutes we were outside in the alleyway when Max finally stopped. He pushed me up against the wall and stepped between my legs. Instinctively I wrapped my legs around his waist as he lifted me. Max supported my butt with one hand while struggling to unzip his pants with the other. I hastily raised my dress out of the way and prayed that I wouldn't end up ruining the dress but it never even occurred to me to ask him to stop.
Pushing my panties aside Max eased himself into me- both our bodies tensed till the moment he was finally all the way in. We both moaned when his penis bottomed out.
"Nayana?"
He was staring at me. He didn't say anything he didn't move and I didn't understand the silent question he was asking me. I held Max's head between my hands and I kissed him. I kissed him with all the passion that I felt for him as well as all the confusion he created in me.
He must've got his answer in my kiss because he started moving inside me. Not fast, not slow but jerky motions that were making his veiny cock hit all the right spots inside me. I moaned louder and bit his lip. I must've bitten hard because I was certain I tasted blood. I broke our kiss to check the damage and saw a small trickle before I felt his lips crush mine. I licked his lips and suckled on the cut to stem the blood flow making Max groan into my mouth and increase the pace of his strokes.
It had been so long since I'd been fucked by Max that it took no time for my climax to build up. Max too must've been eager for release because he was grunting like he always did just before he came. He looked at me and I nodded letting him know I was ready. Max moved a little faster and bit down on my nipple through my dress.
That's gonna tear.
"Max!" I screeched as I came.
He managed to pull out just in time and jerk off his come against the inside of my thigh.
We stood there like that for a few minutes, our panting the only sound in the quiet and dark alley. Eventually, he placed me down and helped me tidy my clothes before straightening himself. We stood there uncertain about what to say or do next.
