Chapter 19: Passion Released

“Max, this is ridiculous. You can’t keep giving me the silent treatment.”
Maryanne is now standing within the confines of Max’s bedroom. She had barged in a minute prior, not giving him much of a say in the matter. He now towers over her, his t-shirt in hand, half dressed.
She forces herself to stop glancing down at his incredible form and to focus on the argument at hand.
Max does not bother covering himself in another shirt. Instead, he tosses his old one onto his bed before placing his hands on his hips. “What are you talking about? You’re the one usually running away from me every time I enter the room.”
“Well do you blame me? After everything, how am I supposed to act normal after I am put down for making an honest living.” Maryanne crosses her arms and pops her hip to the side as she shifts her weight to her right leg.
Max’s expression is washed with confusion, “Maryanne, why would you think that I was putting you down? Because I told you to let me pay for everything?”
“All I want is to help pay for some living expenses. I need to make a contribution. I may be poor, but I am not worthless because of it.” At this point she just wants something. It doesn’t matter if they move or not, as long as she can help.
“Just let me take care of you. How hard is it to just accept my help?”
She forces herself not to roll her eyes. Of course he would want to just take care of them both. He thinks that’s what a woman wants, to relax and allow the man to pay for everything. “Max, just let me pay for something. Why are you being such a crass snob? You may have money, but that doesn’t make you a good person.”
“Why are you acting like this? How am I being anything other than helpful? You don’t have the means to pay for a comfortable life for Riley, so I am helping as much as I can. How is that wrong?”
Maryanne takes a step forward, trying to be as strong and intimidating as she can when she is shorter than him. “I can afford to take care of her and I don’t appreciate you looking down on my lifestyle.”
Max refuses to back down and only puffs his chest out more. “Mary, stop being so stuck up.”
“Max, you are nothing without your money. Maybe you should live a day in a middle class life.” Her voice becomes clipped and she grits her teeth.
“You are also not losing out while here. You got a brand new car and clothes. I can just take them away if you’re so ungrateful.” Max shrugs slightly, pivoting away.
Maryanne scoffs, a laugh forming in her throat, “Do it. I don’t need your gifts. Money doesn’t fix everything. A parent should know that.”
Max’s anger begins to leak out, his arms waving as he rants, “Why is everything about being a good parent? Our lives don’t revolve around Riley. We are her guardians, that’s it. Think about yourself for once, Mary.”
Maryanne suddenly explodes, her anger blurring the edges of her vision. “Stop calling me Mary!”
“Stop being deflective,” he retorts.
She is only able to counter with an, “I’m not.”
“Mary,” Max repeats, his own fury burning through his judgement. He takes a step closer to her.
“I said stop.” Although her voice is as angry as ever, her body begins to back down. She takes several steps away, but Max advances on her.
Once he is hovering over her, heat explodes between them, drawing their bodies together. Maryanne’s mind goes fuzzy as her heart begins to race, her skin tingling.
She is not sure who makes the first move.
Their lips finds the other’s in hot passion as Max pushes her up against the wall. Maryanne is pinned, her abdomen blooming with heat as his hands roam her body. She brings her own hands up to hold onto him, her fingers lacing through his hair to hold his head in place.
Max’s leg finds a home between her own, pinning her further.
Maryanne forces her mind to clear as the pleasure rolls through her body, causing a gasp to build in her throat.
She pushes on his shoulders, but Max is the first to break off, throwing himself across the room, far from her. They stand there in silence, both heaving and trying to clear their minds.
“I. . .I’m sorry,” Maryanne presses herself against the far wall, trying to get as far from Max as she can. Her heart is pounding, her vision still blurred from emotion.
“No that’s—that’s my fault. I was out of line.” Max runs both hands through his hair, tugging on his locks to try to clear his head.
“That can’t happen again.” Maryanne swallows, tears springing up as her heart twists and is thrown up into her throat.
Max watches her silently for a moment. “Yes, of course. It was a complete accident. My emotions got the best of me.”
She tries to gather enough clarity and confidence to speak. “Please, just let me pay for something.”
“How about the groceries? It’s the only payment that is flexible since I already bought the house.”
Her shoulders lower as relief washes over her, “Thank you, really. I seriously appreciate it.”
Max stands before her, his eyes still glistening with the memories of what just occurred.
Maryanne averts her gaze, “Thank you, um, I better go.”
“Uh, yeah, have a good night.” Max opens the door for her, his body trembling as Maryanne walks by.
She breathes in his cologne once more before she disappears down the hall and into her room, shutting her own door before she has the insane thought of going back to Max.