A Crime too far (Closed to cynstv )

[DeliciousMaiden]

"Sounds like a plan,"

A simple response that indicated that he had accepted her suggestion. She realised that she really hadn't expected him to. After all, for all he knew she could simply steal all she could carry and head off in the night with it. Not for the first time, she wondered if he could see in her something that she and other people couldn't.

"Max, is there anything you need first, like soap or shampoo or anything? I don't have any girlie stuff really..."

She turned to him with a smile.

"It's a while since I had any girlie stuff. I won't pass for a guy if I smell of all that... I'd have to scrub it all off again tomorrow ... I'll borrow anything you've already got ... besides no point in buying new bottles of anything just for one use ... "

She told him ever practical.

"It was kind of you to think of that though ... "

She told him, touched by his thoughtfulness and finally allowing her hood to fall back and running a hand through her hair. He had said she looked beautiful, but she knew that couldn't be, especially looking as she did at the moment.

 

[cynstv]

besides no point in buying new bottles of anything just for one use ... "

"I insist, if you must scrub again tomorrow, so be it... but tonight, and for as long as you will allow yourself, you feel like the princess you deserve to be," Eric remarked while pulling into a Walgreens 24 hour pharmacy... "Not much left open at this hour, but lets get whatever you desire," Eric said, hoping she would allow herself some comforts.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

"I insist, if you must scrub again tomorrow, so be it... but tonight, and for as long as you will allow yourself, you feel like the princess you deserve to be,"

His words surprised her! A princess wasn't what she had in mind, but he definitely had a different perspective to her and, she figured, there were worse things in life ... and secretly, she realised that perhaps it might be nice to be 'girly' just for one evening.

"Not much left open at this hour, but lets get whatever you desire,"

She nodded, thinking that making what shower gel to use into an issue would indeed be beyond petty. And so she allowed him to walk with her into the chemist, her hands instinctively going to her hood, then pausing before returning them into her pockets and entering the doors and surveying what was on offer...

She was determined not to be side-tracked by anything less than practical and so she wandered around carrying a basket to which she added a selection of items, finding some travel sizes to avoid waste.

"That's more than enough ... "

She told him finally, her basket filled with brush, elastic hair bands, toothbrush and paste, shower gel and shampoo-conditioner as well as a body spray, a ladies' razor and a slight indulgence, a moisturiser.

"Anything you need..?"

She asked handing him her basket.

 

[cynstv]

"Anything you need..?"

"Nah, I'm all set, you sure thats everything?" asked Eric.

As they made their way to the front to pay, Eric watched Max walk... noticing she made a point to leave her hood down. He smiled a bit to himself... "So she can be girlie if she wishes," he thought to himself.

As they got back into car, Eric held the door for Max, then got in himself. He proceeded to drive back the the expressway... "Anything else before my place?" Eric asked.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

"Nah, I'm all set, you sure thats everything?"

She nodded and walked beside him as they paid and then made their way out to the car again. She found she was actually looking forward to a soak and a few 'treats'.

"Anything else before my place?"

She seemed to consider.

"You do have something old I can borrow for this evening, before I get my new clothes?"

She asked.

"You must have an old robe or something laying around somewhere ... or ... "

She was going to make a joke about clothes from a girlfriend, or ex-girlfriend, but remembered that he had said that he had nothing feminine at his place. Was he perhaps taking her to his 'bachelor pad'? He was rich enough to have several places, she guessed.

"Eric ... it's none of my business, but ... are you married, or is there a girlfriend who wouldn't be happy if she knew you were ... helping me out?"

She asked and secretly thought to herself, .. and if not, why not? ...

 

[cynstv]

"Eric ... it's none of my business, but ... are you married, or is there a girlfriend who wouldn't be happy if she knew you were ... helping me out?"

"Max, no, there is no one right now. It's been several months since I broke up with my ex-girlfriend," Eric offered. "She and I had some serious differences on some things, so we cut it off."

"You do have something old I can borrow for this evening, before I get my new clothes?"

"Well, I'm not a robe kinda guy... but I have some T Shirts you could wear... or a sweat shirt if you prefer. You being as small as you are, they would practically be a dress on you. We could run to Wal Mart if you need... shoulda thought of that.... not great quality, but always open."

Inwardly Eric liked the idea of Max in his T Shirt.... but put those thoughts down, not wanting to let that cloud his judgement.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

"Max, no, there is no one right now. It's been several months since I broke up with my ex-girlfriend ... She and I had some serious differences on some things, so we cut it off."

Maxine nodded, accepting his reply, after all, why should she doubt him and it wasn't relevant anyway.

"Well, I'm not a robe kinda guy... but I have some T Shirts you could wear... or a sweat shirt if you prefer. You being as small as you are, they would practically be a dress on you. We could run to Wal Mart if you need... shoulda thought of that.... not great quality, but always open."

She smiled at his words.

"Well, my stuff won't hold up to launderin' ... apart from these jeans ... "

She dared to confess to him.

" ... your clothes will work this evening if you've got some shorts or boxers or something, else I'll be walking round bare assed,"

She laughed at his reaction.

" ... then I can pull on my jeans for your shopping trip tomorrow ... "

She suggested.

"That would work ... "

 

[cynstv]

" ... your clothes will work this evening if you've got some shorts or boxers or something, else I'll be walking round bare assed,"

"Well, not that bare assed is a bad thing, but I will let you borrow some shorts... but they may be a bit big on ya," Eric laughed.

As he drove home, he tried to make small talk, but was afraid of her biting remarks if he said the wrong things.... so, instead, he asked, "Certain kind of music you like to listen to when you can?"

As he arrived at his house, he walked her to the door, and held it for her as she entered. Eric lived in a respectable 3 bedroom, 2 bath brick home. One bedroom functioned as his study. The other was a guest room for when company came. Certainly not a high dollar home, but not cheap either.. the classic middle class home. He showed Max to the guest bathroom, and showed her where the guest bedroom was. "Make yourself comfortable, Max, please," Eric said.

Walking toward another door, Eric commented, "I will grab you a shirt and boxers."

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

"Well, not that bare assed is a bad thing, but I will let you borrow some shorts... but they may be a bit big on ya,"

She laughed with him and they sank into a relatively companionable silence, broken now and then by a few questions, but Maxine noticed, he was careful to steer away from personal questions and made no reference to her past.

His house was more modest than she had expected, which actually put her more at ease. He waved her through and she walked with him, her eyes widely curious as he escorted her to the room which she assumed was the guest room. To Maxine it looked heavenly as did the tub. It had been a long, long time since she had been anywhere as nice.

"Make yourself comfortable, Max, please,"

He invited putting her bag of purchases down on the side.

"I will grab you a shirt and boxers."

He told her leaving her to stand feeling somewhat lost in the middle of the bedroom. A bath was definitely called for. She didn't dare touch or sit anywhere until she had bathed and she was definitely going to look forward to having new clothes and binning the ones she wore.

She headed for the bathroom, the bag of pharmacy goods in hand and set to running a bath. One by one she took the items out and set them around the bath. She heard him enter the room beyond and stuck her head out of the bathroom to thank him before returning to watch the water pour generously into the deep tub ...

 

[cynstv]

Eric proceeded to his room, wanting to be sure she had something to wear after the bath... he expected her to be a while.

Walking back up toward her, Eric handed her the small bundle of clothes. He got her a college t shirt from his alma mater, and a pair of plaid boxers. Both were in good condition, as he didn't dare give her anything stained or anything.

"While you are bathing, anything you want me to order in to eat?" Eric asked. He noticed her eyes sparkling at the thought of the bath, and smiled... glad she was going to enjoy herself.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

"While you are bathing, anything you want me to order in to eat?"

He asked her as she took the clothes.

"... could we have pizza?"

She asked shyly, not knowing if he even liked that kind of food.

"There's nothing I don't like topping wise, so ... but only if you want that too ... "

She told him awkwardly.

"But, I might be a while ... "

She grinned as he left her to her bath.

The pharmacy carrier bag, now empty made a perfect way of disposing of her clothes. Folding them up she packed them tightly inside, keeping back
the belt and the pants she had been wearing for use the next day, she remembered that she would also need her tattered trainers having totally forgotten about footwear. The hooded coat she merely folded up and laid on top of the plastic bag placing them all along with the in the shower tray.

Sinking her body into the depths of that hot water was truly bliss. Although it had been unnecessary Maxine loved the scents of the products she had bought and soaped up her body and hair, then soaked further before soaping up and washing her hair once more ... She lost track of how long she remained there, but finally she emerged, wrapped in a large towel, the second smaller one around her head, her body smooth and scented and refreshed more than it had been for months ...

Curiously she never considered that Eric might disturb her in the bathroom, or in the bedroom he had shown her to and indeed he left her to make herself at home as he had directed until clad in the boxers held in place by her belt and the t-shirt knotted at the waist due to its size, she padded barefooted, towel around her shoulders and hair hanging loose in damp tresses to seek out her host ...

 

[cynstv]

While Max bathed, Eric ordered two large pizzas. One with pepperoni and cheese, the other with everything but anchovies. When he placed the order, he asked that it be delivered in about an hour, as he figured Max would be busy for at least that long.

Eric then put his wallet and such in his office desk drawer, and locked the door on the way out. Due to his line or work, his office at home was quite secure. He could ill afford someone breaking in and stealing work related items or information... he figured he ought to play it safe with Max... while he hoped she would turn around, he couldn't afford to chance it.

Eric then changed out of his suit and into a pair of sweat shorts and T shirt. He wanted a shower but didn't want to turn it on in case Max needed more hot water... so he just changed and put on some Axe body spray.

After doing all that, Eric had a seat in the front room, and clicked on a baseball game. He settled down with a cold beer, waiting for Max to get finished.

He heard Max come out of the guest room, and when he turned to have a look, his jaw hit the floor. He thought she was beautiful before, but now.... Wow was the only thought he could muster.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

She padded through the house, checking a the kitchen and then found the living room. She smiled at him shyly and then faltered at the look on his face.

"Is it ok? You're much bigger than me ... ' had to fix it somehow...?"

She glanced at the screen and saw that he was watching a game. Not wanting to disturb him she slid into an armchair and continued to towel her hair lightly.

"Thanks for the bath, Eric ... "

She told him with a soft smile.

"It was wonderful ... "

 

[cynstv]

"Is it ok? You're much bigger than me ... ' had to fix it somehow...?"

"Are you seriously asking if it is ok? You look amazing!," Eric exclaimed as he struggled to not stare so intently at Max.

"I ordered a couple of pizzas, should be here in a few, care for something to drink?" Eric asked, then not wanting to stop looking at her, he asked, "Anything you care to watch? I can change it, no big deal."

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

"Are you seriously asking if it is ok? You look amazing!,"

She laughed. The sound unfamiliar even to her own ears.

"I look clean..."

She conceded in amusement.

"Who am I to question your judgement, but ... have you had your eyes tested lately?"

She gave him a grin and ran her fingers through her damp hair straightening it.

"I ordered a couple of pizzas, should be here in a few, care for something to drink?"

She seemed to relax into the chair, a smile still on her lips.

"I'd have a beer if you've got enough ... "

She told him.

"Anything you care to watch? I can change it, no big deal."

She shook her head, and pulled the towel of her shoulders.

"I've lost track of what's on TV, so whatever you want ... it's nice just to be able to sit somewhere comfy and not be worrying about who's gonna move you on or decide to beat up on ya ... "

 

[cynstv]

"Who am I to question your judgement, but ... have you had your eyes tested lately?"

"Actually, yes I have... and I can assure you, you are stunning!" Eric exclaimed, instantly realizing what he said and blushing a bit.

"Umm... anyways... so yeah, you look great. Smell good too," Eric tried to back pedal, he didn't want Max to feel uncomfortable.

"I'd have a beer if you've got enough ... "

"I have plenty, no worries hon," Eric said, as he stood to walk to the kitchen. Eric got Max a Shiner Bock, popped the cap on the bottle, then got himself another, knowing his was about empty. As Eric walked back to the couch, he slowed, admiring Max as she sat in the chair. Trying to be careful not to let her catch him admiring her. He loved the way she looked in his shirt.

"I've lost track of what's on TV, so whatever you want ... it's nice just to be able to sit somewhere comfy and not be worrying about who's gonna move you on or decide to beat up on ya ... "

Eric clicked the TV off, and turned on some music. He selected a Jazz station, hoping that would be ok with Max... "How about music instead then? This ok?" Eric questioned.

The pizza arrived as he was settling back in, so Eric got back up, went to the door. He paid the delivery guy, and tipped him. Eric walked back in holding two boxes, and set it on the coffee table. He set out a couple of paper plates, and only then realized, Max couldn't reach the pizza from her chair.

Feeling like an idiot, Eric asked, "We can eat at the kitchen table if you'd rather..."

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

"Actually, yes I have... and I can assure you, you are stunning!
Umm... anyways... so yeah, you look great. Smell good too,"

Maxine thought on his words as he went to get her a beer. It seemed he really did like the way she looked and that he had seen that in her even before the bath. Being noticed for her looks was never a good thing, or at least it hadn't been in the past, but he had seemed embarrassed and there was nothing 'creepy' about him, so far at least.

"Thanks, that's great ... "

She said sipping at the beer.

"How about music instead then? This ok?"

She nodded and gave a contented sigh. And just when she thought it couldn't get better, the pizza arrived. Her hunger had been supressed, but now the sight of the two pizzas definitely had her stomach rumbling.

"We can eat at the kitchen table if you'd rather..."

He offered realising that she couldn't reach the coffee table where he'd put the food.

"Easily fixed ... "

She told him scooting across to him and sitting at his feet, a grin on her face as she helped herself to the first large slice.

"You forget I'm a girl who sleeps rough ... this carpet is so comfy I could just stretch out and sleep here even..."

She told him to reassure him that she wasn't uncomfortable, in fact if anything she felt more at ease as they ate companionably, unaware of how Eric might view the sight of the young girl at his feet ...

 

[cynstv]

She told him scooting across to him and sitting at his feet,

Eric was a bit surprised at Max's move, but he welcomed it. He could feel her warmth on his leg. He smiled to himself, thinking she had to be the most amazingly beautiful girl... err... woman he had ever seen. Again, he briefly thought back to her trying rob him, wondering what drove her to that situation.... Eric enjoyed her sitting at his feet... he could look down at her and take her in... her beauty, her scent... He was careful not to let her catch on, hoping she didn't see him staring... as he would be utterly embarrassed.

He ate a piece of the pizza Max didn't eat, as he wanted her to have all she wanted... She had said she was ok with any toppings, but this way he was sure she would get full.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

She'd eaten two slices of pizza, one from each box before she realised that he wasn't eating. She could guess why, and kind though it was, she did not intend to eat alone.

"If you don't join me, then I'm going on hunger strike."

She told him her voice casual as she turned in his direction and folded her arms.

"And that would be plain cruel, so ... you'd best start digging in."

She told him with mock drama.

 

[cynstv]

Eric dug in with gusto, eating a slice of pizza. Somehow, things seemed perfect, a beautiful girl, pizza, beer, good music... what guy couldn't love this.... Eric felt like luck in the girl department might finally be coming his way.

"I'm eating, I'm eating," Eric laughed. Between eating and looking down at Max when she wasn't looking, Eric was having to be careful not to make a mess.

Eric looked down as Max shifted a bit, and was able to see her beautiful legs.. amazed at how tight and soft they looked... his mind quickly wandered to thoughts more explicit, and he felt himself stirring at the thought of feeling them... He tried not to stare, and looked back at his beer, acting like it was the most interesting thing he had seen in a while.. hoping she hadn't noticed.

"Need anything to go with that, Max?" Eric asked.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

"I'm eating, I'm eating,"

She laughed with him as Eric finally dug into the pizza. Uncrossing her arms she helped herself to a third slice and settled back with a happy sigh to eat. Money really couldn't buy the feeling of being clean, well-fed and safe ... Such was her feeling of contentment that she was oblivious to the way the man beside her seemed unable to keep his eyes off her.

"Need anything to go with that, Max?"

She looked from beer, to pizza and shook her head.

"What else would I need?"

She questioned, wondering what he meant.

 

[cynstv]

"What else would I need?"

"Just whatever... another beer, chips, believe it or not, I know some people who put ranch dressing on pizza... just offering," Eric laughed.

Eric ate another piece of pizza, with all the toppings. He settled back on the couch and listened to the music, enjoying the feeling of warmth Max was emanating. He pondered what the hell he was thinking. He knew he was way too old to interest someone so young, so beautiful. She was way out of his league and he knew it. He figured she would cut and run tomorrow after getting some clothes... his mind scrambled to find a way for her to stick around. He was off work for the long weekend, and realistically could take more days if he wanted. Was he losing his mind? He wanted to believe Max could change, that she wanted to change...

All that running through his head, as he gazed at the back of her head... "Max..." Eric muttered, instantly realizing he had no idea what to say, so he followed up with, "How's the pizza?" He tried to keep the tone of voice neutral, but wasn't sure how he did.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

"Just whatever... another beer, chips, believe it or not, I know some people who put ranch dressing on pizza... just offering,"

She laughed with him and shook her head.

"No, it's just fine as it is ... and the dressing idea sounds too exotic for me anyhow ... "

She commented playfully and she continued to enjoy the food he had bought her.

"Max..."

She turned her head at his voice.

""How's the pizza?"

She shook her head looking at him curiously.

"I'm not sure of the kind of company you usually keep..."

She told him.

"But as it's days since I ate anything warm, I could be eating that cardboard quite happily by now, so this ... "

She indicated the two emptying boxes.

"Is manna from heaven for me ... "

She told him then looked at him curiously.

"I really don't think you have any idea, do you ...?
I know you think you can understand, but ... "

She said not unkindly.

"But there's no reason why you should ... and besides ... you're just a bloke..."

She joked, partially to put him at his ease, partly to steer him way from realising that there were more reasons than one for her not wanting to attract male attention or even making her gender common knowledge ...

 

[cynstv]

"I really don't think you have any idea, do you ...?
I know you think you can understand, but ... "

"Max... You're right, I don't understand. I don't understand a lot of things. What I do understand is that I am known as the one who always understands, so to come across you... someone I just don't understand... your circumstances, your life, I don't get it," Eric blurted out, looking ashamed that he really didn't understand.

"I can tell you what I do understand, I understand that I hate that you understand. No one should have to struggle as you do. No one should have to hide who they are for the sake of being afraid of being beaten up, or worse. No one should have to eat throw outs. I'm not ignorant, I know people do this, but I know that all too often, they do it because no one cares... no one gives a damn. I was always of the opinion that there were too many to help them all, so what's the point? I found my point, Max... and it came at the point of your knife. I can't help everyone, but I can help one. Call me crazy, call me stupid, call me whatever you wish, but Max, I can't stand the idea of you having to go through what you do for another day. I hate that you have to understand the things I can't understand... there is so much more I would rather understand!" Eric blurted out... "Ok, sermon done," Eric stated, embarrassed he had said all that was running through his mind.

"God she has to think I am a nut, she is so outta here," Eric thought to himself... mentally kicking himself for being so open.

 

[DeliciousMaiden]

She had expected him to protest that he had some understanding of her life, but he totally backed down. Part of his frustration it seemed was that he claimed to 'always understand' and Maxine and her circumstances had obviously thrown him.

"I can tell you what I do understand, I understand that I hate that you understand."[/I]

She was confused now.

"No one should have to struggle as you do. No one should have to hide who they are for the sake of being afraid of being beaten up, or worse. No one should have to eat throw outs. I'm not ignorant, I know people do this, but I know that all too often, they do it because no one cares... no one gives a damn. I was always of the opinion that there were too many to help them all, so what's the point?"

She shrugged. He did seem to acknowledge at least the facts she had chosen to share with him, but he had hit the nail on the head, there were many of her type out there, each with their own stories, but too many for most people to even start to think about offering help.

"I found my point, Max... and it came at the point of your knife."

She blushed recalling her actions to the man who had turned out to be beyond kind.

" I can't help everyone, but I can help one. Call me crazy, call me stupid, call me whatever you wish, but Max, I can't stand the idea of you having to go through what you do for another day. I hate that you have to understand the things I can't understand... there is so much more I would rather understand! ... Ok, sermon done,"

The silence hung between them as Maxine tried to digest the content of his outburst.

"OK, so you understand a bit,"

She conceded with a grin.

"And you have helped ... more than you realise ... "

She told him, her voice dropping to a murmur.

"I reckon ... that without this chance ... just to ... recharge ... I'd probably have been in the bottom of that lake by the end of the week ... "

She told him, her voice softly serious.

"But now ... "

She smiled.

" ... guess after being fed and a good night's sleep, not to mention fresh clothes, I can deal with stuff again ... "

She told him brightly.