Maxwell, obviously, did not let Andrew pay for the bill. He wouldn't even let him look at it. Andrew gave him a look, but Maxwell just winked at him and tapped the ring on Andrew's left hand.
"If you ask me to let you pay right now, I'm going to look like a damn fool." Maxwell said, and Andrew just rolled his eyes. There was no way he could look like a damn fool. He looked too dapper for that to be the case.
"There is no one who would call you a fool, especially a damn one. I just wanted to know how much it cost." Andrew said, and Maxwell's eyes curled up as he smiled at Andrew and got to his feet. Andrew went to do the same, but Maxwell moved to his side, forcing him to remain seated. Maxwell reached out, cupping his face with his hand, smiling down at him.
"Baby, are you trying to compare the costs of our proposals?" Maxwell asked softly, and Andrew stared up at him. He blinked, before he swallowed.
"I mean, not really, but I won't deny the fact that it's in the back of my mind." Andrew said softly, and Maxwell smiled. He shook his head, as if Andrew was ridiculous, before he leaned down and pressed his lips against Andrew's.
While Andrew knew this had to be for a photo, he didn't mind. He wasn't going to fight the man kissing him.
After that, they pulled on their coats, the photographer took a few photos of them outside of the restaurant, had them stage a few around the hotel as well, in the elevator, in front of the windows.
Then, it wrapped up, they waved goodbye to her, and Andrew pulled her aside and told her the start time for tomorrow. She had a soft, secretive smile on her face as she nodded, and left.
It was just Maxwell and Andrew after that.
Maxwell actually suggested that they go pick up some ice cream or something from the store, and Andrew thought that was a little weird until they were in the frozen aisle, holding hands with Maxwell, when it hit him.
Maxwell wanted to show off. He wanted others to know that he had secured Andrew, locked him down. He wasn't trying to be too obvious, they had sent the photographer home, no one else knew who they were, but he wanted others to know.
It was adorable.
They had agreed to not let anyone know until Sunday, but Maxwell was on a high from his proposal. He was trying to skirt it without getting in trouble. Who the hell would notice two random people in a supermarket picking up ice cream? Beyond the fact that they were very dressed up, nothing else would really make others pause. Andrew didn't call him out on it, or speed up their shopping. He let Maxwell hold onto his hand, lean against his shoulder, and sigh wistfully.
It was cute.
So, they got some ice cream, waited in line like normal people, and headed home. They then realised that Richard wasn't there, and found a note on the island after the sinking feeling hit both of their stomachs.
Gone to stay with Rose and Jordan for the weekend. See you on Sunday, you love sick fools.
It was all Richard, and Andrew laughed softly.
"He knows?" Maxwell asked, and Andrew gave him a slight smile.
"Who do you think helped me get into my suit today? My hands were shaking too much." Andrew admitted softly and Maxwell gave him a look, slightly annoyed, before he sighed.
"Fair enough. I got dressed on my own, but I was asked several times today why I was so overdressed." Maxwell muttered and Andrew blinked.
"You were wearing normal clothes when we went into work this morning." Andrew said it like a question, but it was more of a statement. Maxwell nodded.
"I wanted to fool you. In case you saw me when we were at work. You didn't, tragically, but I wanted to potentially see your facial reaction if you did see me in my suit going about work." Maxwell's look was a little sly, and Andrew stared at the man.
He had wanted Andrew to have a damn heart attack, that was what he was asking for. Andrew turned, putting the ice cream into the freezer while Maxwell stared at the note for a little longer.
"Well, with Richard not here, that means we can…do some things." Maxwell suggested coyly, and Andrew slammed the door to the freezer a little too hard. He flinched, but turned to face Maxwell, glowering at him.
"Max, no. I wasn't joking when I said there is a chance you could be bedridden. I'm emotional, all over the place, and don't feel in control of myself. Hell, I'm not even sure we should do it tomorrow. Maybe next week, because of my nerves." Andrew told him and Maxwell stared at him. His mouth fell open slightly, and his face flushed.
"What if I took control?" Maxwell asked. As if Maxwell didn't take control in some way every time they slept together. Andrew stared at Maxwell, stared at the handsome man, his soft expression, the way he was radiating confidence, happiness, and everything in between.
Andrew shook his head with a sigh.
"Maxy, honey, I love you, but I can't explain it any clearer than I already did. I'm a damn wreck, and if I can be honest? You won't be in control for long." Andrew told him and watched as Maxwell's whole body shivered. He blinked in shock, as if he didn't expect that Andrew would say that.
"That…doesn't sound too bad." Maxwell admitted softly, his hand rising up to his face, attempting to hide his smile. Andrew narrowed his gaze, and his pheromones seeped out of him. It was subconscious, the way his pheromones reached for Maxwell and wrapped around Maxwell. Maxwell let out a soft gasp, his gaze looking down at where the pheromones were, before they looked back towards Andrew.
"Max. Please. I want tomorrow to go well, prefect, but I know myself. Please just respect me this once when I say no and not tempt me? I'm doing my best here." Andrew said softly, and Maxwell dropped it immediately.
"Sorry. I didn't-I'm on my own high." Maxwell's face fell and he moved towards Andrew, reaching up and squeezing his arm. Andrew nodded, knowing that probably was where this was all coming from.
Andrew made sure that he kissed Maxwell, so that he knew that there were no hard feelings. Andrew wasn't upset. Frustrated, but not upset. Maxwell lingered on the kiss, his eyes closed, and when Andrew pulled away, he pouted.
"Okay. I won't ask for anything serious, but can we at least cuddle on the couch and make out? You just accepted my proposal. I want to celebrate." Maxwell said softly, and Andrew melted. It was a juvenile suggestion, but one that he didn't do often with Maxwell.
They were known for breezing past the more soft things and going straight for sex.
Andrew's shoulders relaxed, his eyes softening, and Andrew nodded.
"I can agree to that. I think that's safe, just don't touch my dick." Andrew warned. "I'm serious. I'm usually able to control myself, but I'm feeling on edge right now. It's…annoying, honestly. Not feeling fully in control of myself." Andrew told him and Maxwell softened as well.
"Do you think it comes from being an alpha?" Maxwell asked softly, and Andrew paused. He let out a harsh breath after he thought about it for a moment.
"Maybe? I'm unsure. I do notice that big emotions feel bigger, and I am under a lot of stress." Andrew felt his face warm as he came to a sudden conclusion. He reached up, covering his face. "I just realised something very embarrassing." Andrew admitted softly. Maxwell raised his hand up, touching Andrew's wrist.
"What? It can't be too embarrassing." Maxwell prodded, and Andrew knew his face was warm as he looked down at Maxwell. His big blue eyes. Caring, soft, curious.
"The last time I was under this amount of stress, I fled overseas. Overseas I…dealt with my stress through sex. That might be why…I can't trust myself right now." Andrew mumbled, not really wanting Maxwell to hear him clearly.
Maxwell was stunned.
"So you don't want to have sex with me, on the day I proposed to you, because you're worried that you are going to use me for relief from stress?" Maxwell said carefully. It sounded a bit ridiculous when Maxwell said it like that.
"That's…it wasn't really sex, Maxy. It was just me, uh, thrusting, into someone else. Unemotional. I don't want to treat you that way and honestly…" Andrew felt like his face was on fire. "My dick is bigger. Walking could be difficult tomorrow." Andrew told him. Maxwell's tinkling laughter filled his ears.
"Oh Baby, you're so damn sweet. Alright, I'm glad we've had this conversation, and I won't pester you more about this. We'll wait till after all the stress has left your body, and then we're going to consummate this, alright? Celebrate." Maxwell said warmly. "But first, I get my make out session with my tall, big dicked fiancé in my living room, alright?" Maxwell's smile was all charm, all teasing, and Andrew could only laugh.
"Of course. You get your make out session." Andrew confirmed and Maxwell pulled back, all smiles, before he turned and moved across the floor. His ass was bouncy, perky, and Andrew knew he was doing it on purpose.
"Are we showering together, at the very least? We don't have to go far, just some heavy petting, right?" Maxwell asked, blinking big blue eyes as he looked at Andrew over his shoulder. Andrew shook his head with a sigh.
He wasn't asking for sex anymore, but intimacy. How could Andrew say no to that?