Priceless

by Ella Goode

  The next hour is filled with us going about the house as Mrs. Bennington asks me peculiar questions about my likes and dislikes. Everything from my favorite color, dress size and if I have any food allergies. Somehow the roles have been reversed here. I’m supposed to be gathering the information, yet I feel as though I’m the one that’s under observation. This is the quietest I’ve ever seen Major. It’s as if he’s hanging on my every response and taking mental notes of my replies.

  It doesn't take me long to realize what they are doing. I should put up a fight, tell them there is no wedding, but I have a feeling that is not a battle I’m going to win. Not today at least. They will notice when I don’t show up to said wedding that there isn't going to be one.

  “Isn’t this perfect for a wedding?” Mrs. Bennington motions with her hand to the backyard. It’s fall and in the distance the rolling hills of trees are beautifully colored.

  “Yes,” I answer honestly. Darn it! Major, who has been at my side the whole time, wraps his arm around my shoulder. I want to push it off but Mrs. Bennington is looking at us now. Instead I lean into his warm hold on me.

  Mrs. Bennington does an excited clap. “This is so wonderful.” She reaches for me. I go to her, giving her a hug. She hugs me tight. It’s so sweet and motherly that my eyes sting with tears because I haven't been hugged like this since before I lost my mom. I can’t help but hug her back with the same loving tightness.

  “Mrs. Bennington. Ma’am. It’s time for your medications and afternoon nap.”

  I pull back from the hug.

  She lets out a huff. “Fine. I probably should rest. I’m going to need it. There is so much to do.” She beams up at me. I give her a smile because I can’t say no to the look on her face. I don’t have the heart to do it. “I will call you later?”

  “Yes, ma,am.”

  “Mom,” she corrects as Jon comes around to grab her wheelchair and push her off. I stand there watching them go, waiting for her to be out of earshot and back into the house. I turn to Major, about to go off but I see the look on his face as he watches his mom go. It’s soft and sweet but there is a sadness to it. I close my mouth as he turns to look at me.

  “Thank you.” He reaches out, grabbing my arm and pulling me into his big, warm body. My hands go to his chest. “I haven't seen her that happy since my father tried to break her.” I melt into him. The arrogant man I’m used to has disappeared for right now. Even if they think they both played me a little bit. It is actually adorable. Crazy, but adorable. Damn it.

  “We can’t really get married to make your mom happy, Major,” I tell him. My fingers dig into his suit. The same one his mom and I agreed was ugly. It really isn’t but we’d given him a hard time about it. He looks good in everything he wears. I knew that the first day I laid eyes on him in that ridiculous sweater.

  “Sure we can.” He leans down. My heart starts to race. “I could marry you right here. Like you said, it’s perfect.”

  His warm breath tingles across my mouth. I lick my lips, my tongue grazing his mouth. “It’s really perfect. We’ll share our first kiss in the same place you’ll vow to be mine,” he says before his mouth comes down on to mine. I should push him away. I should call him crazy but instead I kiss him back, telling myself I’ll make the necklace and be done. As Major deepens the kiss I let out a small moan, knowing he’ll never be done until he gets what he wants. I guess the saying is right. You are the company you keep. Maybe I’m a little crazy too.

  Chapter 13

  Major

  Her mouth fits perfectly against mine. Her timid tongue flicks against my lips. I let her in so she can taste me. She hums, a happy, interested sound and the vibrations resonate through my whole body, coalescing at the base of my tight, excited balls.

  I cup her soft cheek and tilt her head to the side so I can gain better, deeper access to the recesses of her hot mouth. My hand drifts down past the blade of her jaw to her delicate throat. I stop there and feel her heartbeat flutter against my palm.

  It’s too early to take her, but I can’t wait another second. I slide my hands under her T-shirt. Her stomach contracts under my touch. I murmur an encouraging sound and stroke my thumbs over her round tummy in slow, even motions. She sighs and relaxes, winding her arms around my neck and tangling her fingers into my short, cropped hair. Her leg slides up my calf as her body seeks relief from the pressure building inside of her.

  I sweep my hands under her ass and pull her tight against me. “You need something, babe?” I growl.

  “I...yes.” It’s more of a question than a statement. My baby is an innocent, I realize, and her body is giving off signals she can’t interpret. All she knows is that she’s got an itch between her legs and she thinks that rubbing herself against my erection is going to ease that. Funny how our bodies know things even before our heads can process them—kind of like how my gut instantly knew that I would need to claim Maple as my own.

  “I’ve got you. Your little pussy needs attention, Maple, and I’m going to make it feel better.” I swing around and carry her over to the chaise lounge that faces the outdoor garden. “You know how I’m going to make you feel better?” I ask her as I lay her down on the cushion.

  “You’re going to have sex with me?” my brave girl asks.

  I shake my head and sweep my hands down the curve of her hips, past her thighs, over her knees until I reach her ankles. “I’m going to make love to you and you are going to make love to me.” She starts to open her mouth, but I wave my finger at her. “Oh no. Even if you can’t say you love me, it’s still love and the baby we conceive here in this orangery will be made from love. You can’t convince me otherwise.” I strip off her shoes and socks and toss them aside.

  “You’re nuts, you realize this, right?” Her tone is almost awed rather than filled with disgust.

  “When you know, you know.” I reach up to her waistband and pull down her tight yoga pants. A small scrap of black lace is left. I lick my lips. “Look at how pretty you cover your pussy.” I pet her lightly. The silk between her legs is wet. I slide a finger under the elastic and lightly caress her swollen cunt lips. “Have you touched yourself here?”

  Her tongue darts out and she shakes her head. “Not bare,” she half-whispers with rosy cheeks. So she’s touched herself over her panties, but not under, which isn’t surprising, I suppose. She’s as innocent as a newborn. I can’t deny that it turns me on. It’s a caveman feeling and not one I’ve ever felt before—at least not toward a woman. But everything about Maple brings out responses and urges in me that are foreign. I’ve never wanted to possess something like I’ve wanted her. I’ve never wanted to hold someone like I want to hold her. Every fiber of my being is filled with an urgency to claim her, to hear her scream my name in ecstasy, to hear her proclaim herself as mine. And I know to achieve that I have to make this first time for her perfect. The blood in my cock pounds in agony. My shaft wants to be in her wet depths so badly it feels like my dick may break off—that’s how hard I am. I swallow down that need and rasp out, “Have you ever masturbated? Gotten yourself off?”

  “I guess?”

  “Oh babe, you haven’t if you’re guessing. You would know.” I place a hand over my raging cock and pray for patience so I don’t hurt this glorious woman with my need to possess her. “I’m going to fuck you so hard that you’ll remember this moment for the rest of your life. I know I will. You should touch yourself. You’re soft, like a flower.” I take her hand and guide her down to her own core. “Feel yourself. Your cunt is like a fruit—delicate but juicy.”

  With a push, we slide the tip of her finger and mine inside of her. She gasps at the penetration. I push, watching as her cunt sucks her digit in deeper. “This is the sexiest goddamn thing I’ve ever seen in my entire life. I could come in my pants right now.”

  “You haven’t even loosened your tie,” she pants.

  “I need all the control I can muster,” I reply grimly. “If even one button of my
shirt was undone, I’d be shoving my cock into your tight cunt so hard, you’d have an imprint of the lounge on the top of your head for a year.”

  I take her free hand and place it over my erection. Her eyes flare wide. “That’s right. We’ve got to prepare you, babe. We’ve got to make your tight, hot hole ready for my dick because I’m not a small man. Now work with me.”

  I work a finger in beside hers. “We’re going to fuck you together. Your fingers and my fingers are going to bring you to your first orgasm and after you’ve come, you can get on your knees and suck my cock. You’re going to know me and I’m going to know you and from today on, there won’t be a day that goes by that I’m not inside of you in some way. It’ll be my tongue in your mouth, my cock in your cunt, my finger in your asshole. I’m going to own every inch of this body. Every crevice, every hole will be filled with me. Every day it will be my mission to make you happy. You will never know want again.”

  Chapter 14

  Maple

  If someone would have told me when I woke up this morning that I’d be sitting in an orangery co-fingering myself, I would have said they were insane. I also would have asked if they wanted a job because obviously they have an impressive imagination. Yet, here I sit with my legs wide open as I do exactly that. With each insertion of our fingers, the need to come increases. Major’s fingers are like a magician and my orgasm is the rabbit in the hat. He waves them around and ta-da, I come all over them.

  My other hand grips his shoulder tightly as the orgasm rolls through my body. Everything fades to black for a few seconds as my body soaks up every last drop of pleasure. I bury my face in his neck, shy about what took place between us and how easily I’d given in to him. He slips our fingers out from inside of me. I clench, missing the fullness already. I want him back there but not with our fingers. I want more. I feel greedy for it. Another feeling I’m not used to having. This man is turning me inside out. I’m not sure if I should welcome all these new feelings or run. It is all so much.

  His mouth wraps around my finger as he sucks me clean. A groan comes from deep inside of him. My whole body buzzes with need. I am never going to get enough. He’s done something to me. He has flipped some switch inside of me I didn't know was there.

  “Don’t hide from me, babe. Let me see that beautiful face of yours.” He lifts my chin, taking my mouth. He kisses me until I’m breathless and worked up all over again. My other hand reaches down to rub his cock through his pants. That’s what I want. I may be new to this but my body knows. I’ve never even felt a cock in my hand before so all of this is new to me. Excitement and lust start to bubble inside me again.

  “I’m going to be honest, I have no experience when it comes to...” I shift my gaze down to where I’m stroking him, licking my lips. I could still taste myself on my own lips from when he kissed me after licking our fingers clean. I have a desire to know what he tastes like. I’ve never wondered what a man might taste like but now it is all my mind can think about.

  “Stroking a cock. Is that what you’re trying to say?” I know my cheeks turn fuchsia at his filthy words. “Don’t worry, babe. I’m going to show you how to stroke it, suck it and fuck it. We have a lifetime to explore one another.” My hand continues to stroke him. He unbuttons his slacks, allowing my hand to slide into his briefs. “Fuck that’s good, babe. Keep pumping it.” He feels so thick and smooth as my hand goes from root to tip, trying to mimic the pleasure he had given me. “Shit that’s good.” I watch his face as he tries to fight for control. I feel a trace of wetness on my fingertips.

  My breathing grows heavy as I try and work him fast. I want him to come. My mind is screaming it over and over again.

  “Sir?” I think I hear someone say but I’m too focused on what I’m doing. Major pulls away from me. I try and follow after him. He lets out a string of curses as I watch him right his clothes. Then I realize someone is coming. “Sir?” I hear Jon this time for sure. I look down to make sure I look fine with everything in place. I have one boob completely out.

  My heart races in my chest. The thrill of being caught is not helping the throb that has grown between my legs again. “I’m fine, Jon. Give us a moment.” Major tries to keep his voice level. I put my hand over my mouth to keep from laughing. His eyes flick to me. He doesn't seem to find this as funny as I do, which only makes me giggle more.

  “Sorry, sir,” Jon says before I hear his steps leading back away.

  “Not funny. He could have seen you.”

  “It’s just a boob.” I bat my hand at him. I might be somewhat new to all the sex stuff but I’m not naïve. Sure, no one has really seen me naked before but naked should be natural. Nothing to be embarrassed about.

  “My boob,” he growls as he drops back down on the chair with me. I let out a small squeal when he lifts me so I’m straddling him. I can’t stop smiling now. I’ve got the upper hand on him now.

  “These feel so powerful now.” I grab my boobs. “Maybe I can blackmail you with them? Threaten to flash people if you don’t stop your shenanigans?”

  His hands dig into my hips as he keeps his hold on me. “I guess I’ll have to keep you here. Can’t have you running around flashing your tits at everyone. Sounds like a lot of legal work for your brother.”

  My smile falters for a moment as I remember why I’m here. That I don’t like Major Bennington. “I should probably go.” I let out a small sigh. This has been fun. It wasn't supposed to be but it has been—but it is time to get back to reality. I try and get off his lap but he doesn’t let me go.

  “You are home.” There it is. That playfulness back in his voice. It should irritate me but I enjoy it as much as I’ve enjoyed getting a rise and upper hand on him. This man really does have me turned inside out. I glance around the orangery. This place is beautiful but it isn’t my home. I need to get to mine. Get some space from Major and his wonderful mother before they both have me married and living here permanently. It is all too tempting.

  Chapter 15

  Major

  “You weren’t the London I was hoping to see today.”

  Maple’s brother, Gavin, glares at me. He’s a tall man, slightly shorter than me. His face is tight and unhappy. I tap the side of my face. “You’re going to look fifty in a few years if you keep frowning like that. At least that’s what my sister says to me whenever she sees me.”

  “You probably won’t be alive by then so what does it matter to you?” he replies coldly, throwing his briefcase on the top of my desk.

  I lean back and watch as he tries to exert dominance over my space. Whatever he has in his bag must be something he thinks I won’t like. I’m guessing it’s a prenuptial which I’m willing to sign if it means hurrying this damnable wedding along. It’s already been a week since we first met and I think that’s enough time for anyone to decide whether they should be lifelong partners.

  “Here.” He thrusts a sheaf of papers toward me. “Sign these.”

  I start reading, fully expecting to see some egregious division of assets in Maple’s favor which I don’t mind but am brought up short when I see it’s basically a restraining order, except I agree to it instead of it being forced on me.

  “What the hell is this?” I toss the papers back to him. “I’m not signing this. I’m sorry that you are unhappy with your sister’s choice of a partner, but that’s a problem you’re going to have to deal with.”

  “You’re damn right I’m unhappy,” Gavin shoots back. “Whatever you did to my sister shook her up so much she came to my house in the middle of the night and demanded I protect her from you. You’re lucky I don’t have the police here arresting your ass. You can thank Maple for that. She says she won’t take any action against you so long as you sign these papers.”

  My first instinct is to call him a liar, but there’s something in the red in his eyes that makes me think his anger is real. How did Maple go from being the gorgeous wanton in my mother’s orangery to sending me a restraining order? This had
to be Gavin’s doing. I rise to confront him. “What did you say to her?”

  A grim smile appears on his face. “Are you hard of hearing? She came to me last night demanding this.” He slaps the papers against my chest. “So sign them or I’ll have the police arrest you.”

  I shove the papers back at him. “For what?”

  “Assault.”

  “Is she claiming that? Is that what she’s saying?” I stumble back, my ass landing on my desk. Is that what she felt happened? That I forced her to touch herself? I drag a shaky hand down my face. Out of all the reasons I could think up for why she’d left so abruptly this was not one of them.

  “You did, didn’t you?” he snarls and this time I don’t defend myself because if that’s how she feels, I deserve to be put away. “Fuck, I suspected but I wasn’t positive.”

  I see the punch coming, but I deserve it so I don’t duck. I let Gavin strike me full in the jaw. “I gave you that one,” I tell him.

  “You’re also going to jail.”

  “Fine, but we’re doing this privately and not to cover my ass but to protect your sister’s reputation. She doesn’t need to go through any pain because of me.”

  “Any more pain, you mean,” he corrects.

  I rub my jaw and give him a terse nod of agreement. “I’ll meet you down at the station. First, though, I’d like to write your sister a letter of apology and compensate her for her...trauma,” I conclude.

  “She doesn’t want your guilt money.”

  “She can donate it then.” I return to my desk and pull out my checkbook. I write the check out for the full amount in my bank account and then I start typing, deeding over two buildings in lower Manhattan and a property upstate. I hand these all over to Gavin with further instructions. “I’ll begin liquidating my stock in the morning. I’ll have to do it slowly because I don’t want the market to panic.” My holdings are sizeable and a sell-off now would crash the entire system.