“This feels good?”
“Do you enjoy it when I lick your sex?”
“Yes.”
“There’s your answer, then. If your mouth on me felt any better, I might expire. Now lick me and suck. Once I get closer to my orgasm, I’ll want to thrust. Don’t let me overwhelm you.”
Sasha followed Max’s instructions and took pleasure from his groans and the way he fisted her hair. The sting of pain each time his fingers tightened produced a pulse of enjoyment in her sex.
“Enough,” Max said, pulling away.
“You want to stop?”
He grinned at her. “Hell no. I want to come inside you.” He lifted her away and placed her beneath him, covering her body and making her feel feminine. Using his knee, he nudged her thighs apart, lined up his cock, and pushed inside her.
The sense of fullness pleased her too, and she gripped his shoulders, lifting into each of his strokes. “Yes,” she hissed.
He nibbled her neck and ran his fingers over her dragon tattoo, doubling the delightful sensations running through her. Without warning, Max pulled free. Before she could protest that he’d ruined everything, he lifted her and guided her onto her hands and knees. He covered her from behind, and the new position delighted her.
“Touch yourself,” he whispered against her ear.
She did as he suggested while he pinched and tweaked her nipples. Sasha closed her eyes, excited by the contact with Max. The strokes. The caresses. The lazy glide of her fingers against her clit. Each sensation swelled, growing and growing until she could bear them no longer. She shattered, her channel squeezing around Max’s cock in quick spasms. Max groaned against her ear, and he pinched one of her nipples again. The streak of pain set off another series of delightful twitches, and she gasped in unison with Max. His hips jerked in several rapid thrusts before he stilled, and she could feel and hear his pleasure as he came.
“You are amazing,” Max whispered, long moments later when they both reclined, and Max had his arms wrapped around her.
“Right back at you. I’m so glad we met you. I don’t truly believe my parents when they said they were joking about Bruceous. My mother was convincing when she told me about the pending betrothal.”
“I have to meet this Bruceous character.”
“No doubt you will,” Sasha said. “My father and brothers do business with him, so he attends many of our gatherings.”
“Don’t worry. You’re safe. You’re my mate, and according to Leo and Martinos, no one would ever try to separate a mated couple.”
“That’s true,” Sasha said, feeling more cheerful at the reminder. “Besides, I love you.”
“I like this kissing business,” her dragon said with a throaty groan.
“So now, you’re awake,” Max teased. “This is very weird, you know. It’s like having two women in my bed. Have you read kissing books where there are more than two lovers?”
“No,” Sasha said, not having to force her intrigue. “Two how?”
“One woman and two men or one man and two women,” Max said. “Sometimes more and in different combinations.”
“We have to read some of those kissing books,” her dragon declared.
“As long as you realize, it’s only ever going to be us,” Max said with laughter in his voice. “I will never welcome more men or women into our bed. Wait, maybe we should read those kissing books together. How does that sound?”
“Yes,” Sasha said and kissed Max on his shoulder.
“Yes,” her dragon echoed and did a wee boogie over Sasha’s shoulder and onto her back.
“I love you, Sasha. All of you, and I’m going to spend the rest of my life, proving that to you.”
“I told you we were gorgeous,” her dragon piped up.
Sasha chuckled. “You did.” She turned serious. “I love you too.”
“We’re perfect for one another,” her dragon announced.
Max grinned. “There was never any doubt about that. I thought it the moment I spotted you.”
“Aw,” her dragon said and yawned. “I’m tired now. I’m going to sleep.”
Sasha rolled her eyes and cuddled closer to Max. “We don’t have to sleep.”
Max’s eyes darkened, and he drew her closer. They didn’t have a rest for a long, long time.
Epilogue
Max’s phone rang, and he glanced at it in surprise. They’d been staying on Holy Island while they printed the newspaper he’d written—more of a newsletter really—using a desktop publishing program. Sasha was collating the papers for him while he kept the printer stocked with paper and ink.
Sasha paused with her stapling. “Who is it?”
“Jerome. My private investigator friend.”
“Answer it. He might have news. It would be wonderful if you didn’t have to hide Noel, and could visit the mainland whenever you wanted.”
The phone stopped ringing before it restarted. It was his friend again. “Jerome,” Max greeted his caller.
“I’ve got the proof for you. I’ve already mentioned your grandmother has a gambling problem and mortgaged the house without telling your grandfather. She thought she’d regain her losses, but things didn’t work out for her. She borrowed money from a local biker gang, and they want their money plus interest back. When I couldn’t get hold of you, I contacted my friend on the police force and told him everything. I also gave him copies of the evidence I’ve found. It’s obvious that since the bank has foreclosed on the mortgage, they no longer have a home. Your grandfather didn’t know a lot of this, and he walked out on your grandmother. He told me he’s sorry, and it was never his intention to cut you from Noel’s life. He wants to see you and Noel and maintain a familial relationship.”
“How did he not understand what was going on?” Max demanded. “He must’ve known of the legal matters my grandmother instigated.”
“Your grandfather said he had other business interests he was taking care of, and he’d had to take a business trip to Paris. He’d been away for a week, which was when everything unraveled for your grandmother.”
“What happens next?” Sasha stood by him and placed her hand on his shoulder in silent commiseration.
Jerome must’ve caught her question because he said, “The cops have dropped the charges, but I believe the Family Court judge wants to see you and Noel. I think the judge wants to reassure himself of Noel’s safety and happiness.”
“What do I need to do?”
“I checked your mailbox. There is mail there that looks as if it’s from the court.”
“Open it,” Max said decisively.
Paper rustled, and a few minutes later, Jerome spoke. “They’ve made an appointment for next week. A social worker will interview you at your house. She wants to see you and Noel together and separately. Once she completes her report, the judge will see you the following week.”
“That’s quick,” Max muttered.
“It says here that since a young child is part of this mess, they want it sorted as soon as possible or words to that effect.”
“I see,” Max said. “Are you certain I won’t get arrested once I arrive at home?”
“The police became concerned when you didn’t show up with Noel as ordered, but once I gave them the evidence, I’d collected two days later, they understood. The judge may reprimand you, but I doubt they’ll remove Noel from your custody.”
“But there is always that possibility,” Max said in a dark voice. “My grandmother manipulated me into taking that job in Edinburgh. How do I know the judge isn’t in her pocket too?”
“Didn’t I mention the police arrested your grandmother?” Jerome said. “She’s in jail, and they refused to give her bail.”
“Hell,” Max said, startled by the revelation. “All right. I’ll think about this. Email your bill, and I’ll pay you straight away. I owe you more than I can say. Noel is happy with me. My grandmother made him stressed.”
“Because kids can sense when adults a
re going through the motions,” Jerome said.
“Thanks,” Max said.
“Catch ya later.” An instant later, Jerome disconnected the call.
“What are you going to do?” Sasha asked.
“Jerome is right. I have to take the risk this will turn out all right, and the judge will award me full custody. If something goes wrong, we can always disappear again. You are our secret weapon.”
“Ooh,” her dragon said, entering the conversation for the first time. “I’m going to be a spy lady.”
“Only if we need to. It’s the last resort,” Sasha said.
“We’d better retrieve Noel from Leo and Liza, and ask if we can borrow a car to get to the mainland. It’s best if we don’t fly this time.”
“Agreed,” Sasha said.
Three days later, they were back at Max’s house, close to the town of Bamburgh.
“What does one wear to meet a social worker?” Sasha asked.
Max smiled, but it appeared forced. This social worker wielded power with the court and the judge. They had to make a favorable impression. “Wear something smart. A skirt and a nice blouse.”
“We have the right clothes,” Sasha’s dragon informed him. “Don’t worry. If the social worker is horrid, we’ll throw flames at them.”
Max groaned.
“That was easy,” Sasha said with a chuckle. “We’re teasing. We will be on our best behavior. I’ve made cookies and will make tea. Noel is busy drawing pictures.”
“What if Noel tells her about the Dragon Isles?” Max asked.
“If he does, we’ll spin it and tell her it’s a story we’ve invented. Don’t worry. Get ready.”
They were back in the kitchen when the doorbell buzzed.
“I’ll get it,” Sasha said, her face softening at his grimace. “We’ve got this.”
All Max could think of was the number of things that might go wrong.
Sasha’s voice carried back to him as she greeted the social worker. “This is Karen,” she said as she ushered the middle-aged woman back into the room. “This is Max, my fiancée, and this is Noel.”
“Hello,” Karen said.
She was an older woman with lines of experience bracketing her mouth and radiating from the corners of her blue eyes. She wore a teal cotton skirt with a plain white blouse and what his mother had called, with a wrinkle of her nose, sensible shoes.
“Have a seat,” Max said, gesturing at the kitchen table, which thanks to Sasha, was impeccably clean. “We were about to have a morning tea break. Tea?”
“That sounds lovely. Milk, no sugar, please.” Karen smiled and took the chair Max had indicated. She set her briefcase beside her. “Do I smell chocolate chip biscuits?”
“You do,” Sasha said. “They’re Noel’s favorite, so he helped me make a batch this morning.” She grinned at Noel, who was sitting at the table and drawing in his book. He’d tucked his tongue between his teeth as he so often did while concentrating.
“Hello, Noel,” Karen said. “My name is Karen. I enjoy drawing plants and flowers. What are you drawing today?”
Noel glanced up at her, and Max gave a silent prayer his brother would talk to the woman. Sometimes, he was quiet with strangers and didn’t present well.
“Dragons,” Noel said. “I like dragons.”
“They are magnificent creatures,” Karen agreed.
“Has she met a dragon?” Sasha’s dragon demanded through their private channel.
“No, she means the ones on television,” Max replied, automatically thinking his response. “She’s probably attempting to empathize with Noel and find common ground.”
“Oh,” Sasha’s dragon said in a dismissive tone. “The dragons on TV are silly. They’re not gorgeous like us.”
“Nor do they have such an inflated opinion of themselves,” Sasha said drily.
“But, we are gorgeous.”
“Yes, you are,” Max said firmly. “Now, shush. We need to pay attention to Karen.”
“What else do you like to do?” Karen asked Noel.
Max made himself help Sasha and handed Karen her tea while he silently prompted Noel to respond.
His brother hesitated before glancing at Sasha. “I help Shasha do jobs and grow plants in the garden. Swimming. Shasha is teaching me. Max reads me stories, and we visit the castle.”
“Bamburgh Castle?”
Noel bobbed his head.
“What else?” Karen asked. “Do you go to kindy?”
“Yes,” Noel said.
“Milk and cookies?” Sasha asked Noel.
“Yes, please,” Noel said.
Pride swelled in Max. Noel was handling this meeting well.
“We’ll pop your coloring aside for later, buddy, so you don’t get crumbs on your dragons.” Max packed up the coloring pencils and Noel’s book and set them aside.
“What do you do to stimulate Noel and help him learn?” Karen asked.
“Both Sasha and I teach him small tasks and repeat them until he learns them. He loves the beach, and Sasha or I or both of us take him walking or swimming most days. He enjoys getting outside and likes nature. His strength and coordination have improved a lot in the last few months.”
“He’s looking healthy and happy. Even in this short time, I can see that he’s comfortable with you and your fiancée. Have you set a date yet for your marriage?”
“Not yet, but it will be soon,” Max said with a wink at Sasha. “Our engagement celebration took a back seat after my parents’ accident. I’ll admit it has been difficult striking a proper home-work balance, but Sasha has helped. She stepped in when my mother’s previous helper started drinking on the job.”
“Your grandmother stated you fired the woman for no reason.” Karen rifled through a file. “Yes, that is what she said in her statement.” Karen jotted a note, then lifted her head to peer at both him and Sasha.
“I found Noel wandering around outside when I arrived home,” Sasha said. “Max came not long afterward, and we discovered Sheryl passed out in her room. There was an almost empty bottle of alcohol on her side table.”
“She was drunk,” Max said firmly. “The fumes almost knocked me over once she woke and spoke to me. I told her to leave immediately, and Sasha offered to step into the void.”
Karen sipped her tea and set down her empty mug. “What about a job? I understand you are unemployed at present.”
“I intend to do freelance journalism, and in between stories, I’ve agreed to help a friend in his art gallery in Bamburgh. He and his wife have purchased the old bookstore there and one of the adjoining buildings, they’ve turned into a gallery to showcase my friend’s work plus that of local artists.”
“And that would mean you’d be at home with Noel most nights?” Karen asked.
“Yes, that was partly the reason I accepted the job. Plus, it’s a challenge. I want to help my friend do well.”
Karen picked up her handbag. “Would you mind showing me Noel’s bedroom?”
Max stood. “Yes, this way, please.” He guided her through the house and up the stairs to the second level. At the end of the landing, he pushed open Noel’s bedroom door and stepped aside. One wall was an art gallery of Noel’s paintings and drawings while a framed photo of their parents sat beside Noel’s bed. His toy box was open, and a teddy bear sat propped against his pillow.
“Does he dress himself?”
“Yes. He prefers to dress himself. Sasha and I guide him in clothes choice and make sure he showers and keeps clean. He likes to learn how to do things for himself and perseveres until he conquers a task. It’s not always easy, and he gets frustrated, but he’s doing well.”
Karen nodded. “I have everything I need to complete my report. We will contact you in the next few days.”
“I thought you’d spend longer with us,” Max said.
“Normally, it would take longer, but because of the circumstances, we are pushing Noel’s case through the system. It’s imperative a chi
ld is settled and happy. We don’t want to jeopardize Noel’s advancement, given his Down syndrome. You will hear from us by the end of the week.” She smiled and patted Max’s arm briefly when he scowled. “Don’t worry. I am thrilled with everything I’ve seen here today.”
Karen left, and Max and Sasha exchanged a glance.
“I need to keep busy,” Max said. “Otherwise, I’ll go crazy. What do you say to driving to Bamburgh and helping Cherry and Martinos with their cleaning? Noel can take his coloring, and we can go for ice cream or a walk in the park.”
“Done deal,” Sasha said.
An hour later, they were in Bamburgh and working alongside Martinos, Cherry, Liza, and Rena. Max’s phone rang, and he took it from his pocket to check the number calling.
“My lawyer,” Max said, his stomach flipping.
“Answer it,” Sasha said.
Everyone else fell silent as Max spoke. “Hello.”
“Good news for you, Max. Your grandmother has stopped proceedings against you. The social worker wrote a complimentary report about Noel’s progress, and her report went to the judge along with a copy for us and your grandmother’s lawyer. The judge dismissed the case, and you’re officially Noel’s legal guardian.”
Sasha beamed at him while Martinos whispered details of the call to Liza and Rena.
“What will happen to my grandmother?”
“She is facing charges of attempted kidnapping along with others relating to fraudulent claims, which brings me to your grandfather. He insists he knew nothing of his wife’s schemes. He wants to continue visiting you both with prior notice, of course. What do you want me to tell him?”
“He is welcome to visit Noel and me,” Max said. “Tell him to ring first, though, since Sasha and I intend to travel a bit and take Noel with us.”
“Will do,” his lawyer said. “I’ll send you details in writing, but congratulations. You’ve won.”
“Thank you,” Max said. “We appreciate your help.”
The lawyer chuckled. “I’ll send my bill. Any questions?”
“No,” Max said. “Thanks.” He hung up, and Sasha threw her arms around his neck and hugged him.
“It’s over,” she said.
Sasha (Dragon Isles Book 4) Page 20
