Letter To Max, My Online Friend

I broke the kiss and leaned back a little to look at you as you held me right there.

"If I am staying overnight... here... could I, umm, take a shower? All that travel, I just - " You interrupted with an apology and, taking my hand ( woo! ), you sorted me out with towels and shower instructions.

"I'll be fine with that, I'm manage, yes, don't worry..." I nodded as I steered you back to the bathroom door, waving at you with my fingers as I finally closed the door on you. I leaned my head against the door, shaking my head with a smile: were you the other side? I so needed that shower. Having a shower usually grounds me in a place, makes me feel I've properly arrived, but as I towelled dry, my nerves began to rise. What the hell was I doing? What must you think of me? Did our online relationship really count for anything? I avoided looking in the mirror until I had my hair wrapped in a towel and I began to reapply a little makeup. Then I saw your cosmetics on the shelf – I assume they were yours and not a girlfriends? That made me smile anyway and gave me back a little confidence.

I slipped on my dress and tried to decide how many buttons to do up – like you do... I went for casual confidence "Nothing too provocative" I said to myself.

Supper was delicious, the wine chilled to perfection. You still dodged the questions about your past as you've always done, but there was still plenty to talk about. I learned a whole lot more about woofers and cross fading and rock bands I'd never heard of, but sitting next to you, the music and the mood slowed in the warm evening air. I rested my head back, closed my eyes and broke into a big smile as I felt you lips brush my face. My fingers slipped into your hair and your kisses made their way down my neck. When you stopped at my collar bone I opened my eyes to find you looking right back at me. Those blue eyes that could only be Max. We kissed again, your hand warm on my bare thigh, my fingers tracing the contour of your ear. I crooked a finger at you and put a hand up to whisper