Stay With Me

Part 2

"Finally home," Maks said with a smirk as he walked into Karina's apartment. He set his and Karina's bags down by the door before pulling her onto the couch. It was just past 1am, and both of them were extremely tired.

The two of them had decided on the plane that they would stay at Karina's apartment, at least for the night. They were going to discuss their future- whether that be together or not- tomorrow.

As Karina's tired body lay snuggled into Maks, he had time to think. He wasn't tired, he was too nervous for what would come out of the following day.

What if she doesn't want me? What if I'm just a distraction? Or what if our past takes over our future? What if I'm not enough for her?

His brain overwhelmed him with worst-case scenarios. He looked over at Karina's beautiful body. She was asleep.

Karina sighed and wiggled closer to him.

Maks sat up and his head started spinning. He got up and walked into her kitchen. He took a wine glass from the top cabinet and poured himself a glass. He took a sip, then set it down on the counter. He turned towards it a took his phone out to text Val.

Karina tiptoed in. She wrapped her arms around him from behind. "Baby?" She whispered as he relaxed into her. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing, princess," Maks lied as he turned around to hug her. "Do you need anything?"

Karina was skeptical but didn't push it. She ran her fingers through his hair before standing on her tiptoes to whisper into his ear. "Take me to bed..." she whispered. She bit her lip.

Maks pushed a gentle kiss to her forehead before scooping her up. "Okay babe," he cooed.

Maks held onto her tightly before grabbing their bags and setting her on the covers.

What Karina did next surprised them both.

Karina wrapped her arms around Maks' neck and pulled him forcefully towards her. She attached their lips and bodies. Maks didn't fight back- he couldn't. He wanted to stay in that moment forever.

He wanted to stay in all the moments that they were stupid, passionate, young, and- most importantly- in love.

"I love you," Maks said as he pressed their foreheads together.

"Mhmm," Karina sighed before kissing him lightly one last time.

"Now, I think it's time to sleep," Maks said, pulling back to admire her beauty. He walked over to his suitcase, pulling his shirt over his head.

Karina stared in awe at the way his back muscles were gently lit by the dim light in the room. She tiptoed over to him before stealing a loose grey shirt and heading into the bathroom.

Maks sighed. She was so perfect. He didn't want his life to be any different than it had been that night. He wanted to be able to kiss her whenever he wanted... to have her sweet scent on his clothes and his body.

He wanted her.

Maks hopped into Karina's comfy bed, remembering the many nights he had spent there.

Karina crawled in shortly after, cuddling into him in nothing but his shirt and a pair of underwear.

"Thank you for letting me borrow your shirt," Karina whispered.

"You can keep it," he said. "It looks better on you anyways."

"Well in that case, thank you for my shirt," she giggled.

"Goodnight babe. I love you."

••••••••

Karina woke up the next morning

She hurried to the bathroom before slipping out the door into the kitchen.

"What to make?" She said to herself. They were going to talk over breakfast because they both had a busy day. Maks had interviews and press, whereas Karina had to rehears with her new partner. They wouldn't get home until 9, after Maks picked Karina up.

She looked through her fridge, finding just enough ingredients for Maks' favorite- chocolate chip pancakes.

She mixed, poured, and put them to cook before making coffee for Maks and herself.

"There's my princess," she heard and strong arms wrapped around her stomach and firm lips kissed her neck.

"Mhmm," she sighed. She kissed his lips before flipping the pancakes onto the plates.

"Breakfast is served," she cooed. Maks stole a kiss before pulling Karina's chair and motioning for her to sit. He sat and began eating.

Karina pulled her legs up. "Ready?"

Maks sighed. He took in as much of her beauty as he could. He didn't know if he would be able to look at her in that way again.

"As ready as I'll ever be," he said.