by Tina Saxon
He hops off the bed, slapping my ass on the way up. “I’m great at multitasking, but my head up here” —he taps his forehead— “is useless when your hot pussy is milking my dick.”
My cheeks flush from his dirty words. He pulls up his shorts and comes back to sit down next to me. “So, beautiful, when do you want to get married?”
“As soon as possible.” The words fly out of my mouth, surprising even me.
His smile is disarming, and I’m glad he saves them for me. “I can arrange a wedding before we leave.”
It’s crazy that I’m tempted to say yes. Could I get married without Addison here? I’m sure she’d get over it. My shoulders slump into the bed. What am I thinking? She’d kill me.
“Getting married to you, here, would be amazing. But our friends should be here. I don’t need a huge wedding,” I slip in so he doesn’t think I plan to go bridezilla on him.
His lips twist as he thinks and then his smile returns, reaching his eyes. “I have a plan.” His plan intrigues me. So far, his plans have been perfect. “But first, I want to take you to my house.”
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Max
When your woman has been staring at her engagement ring for at least twenty minutes and then she looks over at you and says, “I’ve been thinking,” you brace for the worst. Conflict swirls in her eyes and my chest tightens, readying for war. She’s not getting away from me that easy.
“Okay,” I drawl, reading into every move she makes. She swirls the ring around her finger, the very thing causing her distress. I don’t get it. We had an amazing week in Hawaii.
She licks her lips and says, “I don’t want to tell Addie and Aiden, yet.”
Fuck. This again?
“Not because I don’t want them to know.” Her hand covers mine and she squeezes. “This is our first time at your house and I want… I need more time to learn about you without distractions from our friends. We can tell them after the concert.” I release a heavy sigh filled with relief, looking out the window. The foreign feeling of insecurity is a bitch. The town car pulls off the main highway, headed toward my house. “Am I being too selfish asking this?” She turns in her seat toward me, worry etched into her features.
“No.” I shake my head. “I just thought you were going to say…” I stop myself, not wanting to throw my doubts out in the open. Cupping her neck, I brush my thumb across her pouty lip. “Never mind. Selfish be damned, I’m happy to have you all to myself for a little longer.”
Pulling her to me, her lips melt into mine and I get lost in the taste of her. She’s a drug, the euphoric vibe when I’m with her is more intense than any adrenaline rush I’ve experienced. It’s a constant craving and I hope, for the sake of my sanity, I’m able to control it someday. She breaks away from the kiss when the car stops and the craving spikes again.
Damn, I’m in trouble.
“Wow,” she says, looking out the window. “I forgot how big this place is.”
Dirty thoughts come to mind, but I keep those to myself. I want this to be our home base so I need her to like it here. “And I want to show you every square inch of it.” I laugh to myself. This conversation is much different in my head.
The driver opens the door and I reach for Sydney’s hand, pulling her out behind me. “Addie will be so jealous,” she snickers. I glance down and her smile matches the gleam in her eye as she stares at the house.
“Of what?”
“I’m about to learn what’s in the mysterious house of Max Shaw.” I bust out with a laugh, swinging her up into my arms, carrying her toward the front door. She wraps her arms around my neck and holds on. “Well… unless she already knows.” Her voice turns down.
I stop walking right before I hit the first step. “Tink, you are the only woman I’ve ever brought into this house that will see everything. I don’t want there to be any secrets between us other than the ones I can’t tell you for your safety.” She pulls her head back a bit and raises her brows. “I’m in the security business and that means there are things I can’t share. But this house isn’t one of them.” My dad’s secrets in this house passed onto me when he died. Only my team and Aiden know about them. And now she will.
“I’m not afraid. You are.” Syd’s voice trembles behind me. My laugh echoes all the way down the dim-lit stone spiral staircase leading to the underground tunnel. We just finished touring the half of the house where I run my operations. The weapon room, the command center with all the monitors, the boardroom, each of the guys have a bedroom so if we have a late night, they can crash here. But last of all is the underground rooms. We slipped through a secret door, masked as a wine cellar, right off the kitchen.
I stop and turn on a step; her eyes almost level with mine as she stands on the next step higher. “There’s nothing down here that’s scary, babe.”
“That’s what the guy says in every horror movie out there.” She runs her hands through her hair. “I’m thinking I would be okay to skip this house secret.”
The last thing I want is for this place to scare her. “Listen, just think of it as the magical castle from Beauty and the Beast instead of an Amityville Horror house.” She stares at me through round eyes, making me chuckle.
“If a clock talks, that would be just as scary.” She closes the space between us as her voice carries, echoing down the chamber. “I know this is your house and I should have nothing to worry about, but holy shit, Max, I am almost certain there are ghosts down here. What did your dad use this for?” Her body shivers.
“You were already aware he was a philanthropist, right?” Even though he wasn’t a great father, he was a great man. She nods her head. “He helped hide battered women and their families until the organization could give them new identities and a new life, away from their abuser. This is where they would stay temporarily.”
“Wow.” Her expression lightens. “That’s amazing, Max.” Her lips twist in thought. “Is that why you help fund the women’s shelter?”
In Hawaii, I told her about all my other endeavors, including the women’s shelter. I nod. “He left all his money to me and since helping women was important to him, I wanted to keep that spirit alive. Obviously, I didn’t want to continue hiding people in my house,” I smile inwardly at the thought because it’s happened a few times as we’ve had to hide dignitaries when working a government contract. But it’s not regularly. “So, that was the next best thing.”
“You two are a lot alike. The innate need to help people runs deep in your blood.”
“I used to fight it. Last thing I wanted was to be like him. Until he died, and I learned everything about the man. My view of him transformed into more of a role model, a man I strived to be.”
“He’d be proud of you. You’re so much more than him, though. You don’t push aside your feelings for fear of what you’ll look like in the business world. Your compassion for Lulu is proof of that. And she’s not even yours.”
“You couldn’t be more wrong,” I say, rubbing my thumb on her back. “I’m just like him. I never wanted to get married, especially didn’t want kids. In my head, having a family wasn’t worth the risk in my business. They’re a liability.”
Sydney tilts her head back, twisting her lips, as she mulls over my words in her mind. “Hmm. Not sure how this makes me feel.”
“That was all before you. Now, the reward is worth the risk. And there is still a risk. But what I’ve learned in the last few months is there are risks everywhere. Even in your job.”
She nods. “That there is.”
“After meeting you, I started wondering if my dad had just never met the right woman. My mom was a faceless woman, who got pregnant. The foreign feelings I had after kissing you once, was a mind fuck. One kiss was all it took. Your taste was like pure dopamine and the chemical reaction fucked with my head.”
“And you fought it.”
“I did.” I close my eyes, remembering how angry it made me to watch her with someone else. Let
alone one of my best friends. I blow out a harsh breath, not wanting to go down that memory lane again. “If my dad had met someone that triggered this much of a reaction as you did to me, he would have chosen love too.”
“I’m happy you chose love.” She plants her lips on mine. When she pulls back, I groan, demanding more. “Okay, I’m ready to see the basement.”
“Of course you are,” I say sarcastically, adjusting my snug pants. She bites her lip like she’s sorry, but that sweet look is nothing more than a front. She loves that she controls me, even though I try my hardest to prove otherwise. Rather than try to prove it now, I think about where we’re going.
And the perfect spot where I’ll strip her down and show her how much her control affects me.
I unlock the door at the end of the tunnel and her eyes roam around the gathering room. “This furniture doesn’t look like eighties stuff.”
“It’s not. When I moved in, I updated everything, even down here. Just in case I ever needed it.” I pull out a chair at the end of the long conference table, watching her peek into each room. Every room is the same with two double beds and a small table with two chairs. Similar to a hotel room. The restrooms and kitchen area are out here.
“Are you done looking?” I ask when she takes the whole tour.
“Yep. It’s so cool. Definitely, not the dungeon I was thinking. Maybe, you should’ve updated the scary stairway.”
I chuckle, shaking my head. I love that hallway. The mystery of it has always intrigued me, but I’m not about to argue that right now. I have other things on my mind. “Maybe, you should bring your sweet ass over here.” I pat my legs and wag my brows.
Desire flickers to life in her eyes as she walks over. “Yes, sir,” she purrs, swinging her leg over mine, straddling me. My fingers dig into her thighs as my thumbs graze her clit through her leggings. Her body shudders and her eyes roll back as she melts against me.
“Take your shirt off,” I command. She toys with the hem of her shirt for a couple beats and I lift a brow. I won’t mind putting my handprint on her ass. She scrunches her cute button nose but lifts her shirt over her head. A black lace bra covers her beautiful tits. She throws her shirt on the ground and then goes to pull mine off. Sitting forward for easier access, I raise my hands so she can take it off. Her fingers tickle my torso as she unbuttons my jeans. She laughs when I suck in my stomach.
“Is Max Shaw ticklish?”
I grab her hand, inching to my stomach. “You won’t find out right now,” I say, bringing her hand to my hard cock. She grips it through my jeans, pressing her palm up the length of it until her fingers brush against the head at the top of my underwear. Impatience strikes, so I stand, putting her on her feet while I pull my pants and underwear down. She follows suit, taking off the rest of her clothes. She looks at me and I love that she waits for my direction. It fucking makes me crazy with desire.
Sitting back down on the cushioned chair, I stare up at her perfect petite body, holding my hand out. She slips her candy apple red fingernails into it and I guide her back on top of me. “Country girl, I want you to ride my dick like you have eight seconds to hold on.”
“Is that all it’ll take?” she purrs.
“Fuck, I hope not.”
When she slides down my cock, swallowing it with her wet pussy, I lean back and groan, the burning need for her enveloping me to the point of obsession. She rides me, slamming down and moaning with pleasure each time. I don’t dare move knowing the second I do, I’ll come. Hard.
I might have lasted more than eight seconds, but not more than eight minutes. The sight of her getting off on my dick, there was no way I could hold out.
“Damn, if I would’ve known you were a rodeo star…” She pushes off my chest, sitting up. Her flushed face brightens with a smile.
“I have a hand full of tricks, you just need to find out what they are.” Jesus Christ. My dick just got hard again.
“That sounds like a challenge I plan to win by the time we leave my house.”
“Do you want kids?” she asks hesitantly, peeking up at me. Her silky white skin pebbled as I skim my fingers over her bare back. I just found another trick of hers. She’s very flexible. I’m kicking myself wondering why the fuck I haven’t given her free rein before.
I freeze my movement and eye her with a lifted brow. “Why, are you pregnant?”
She slaps my chest and pushes up to a seated position. “No, Max,” she says, her frustration with my question loud and clear. She nods to herself, the conversation she’s having in her head, doesn’t include me. “I mean, we’re getting married, this is stuff I should know already. But, I gather you don’t,” she says, her voice rich with disappointment.
What? How did she come to that conclusion? I sit up, raking my hand through my hair, wondering how we went from amazing sex to this. “Tink.” She ignores me, running her palm against the sheets. Stopping her movement with my hand, I squeeze it and wait for her to look up. “It was a joke. Obviously, my comedic efforts didn’t go as planned.” Her lips break a smile. “I want kids. I want however many you want.”
Her eyes narrow. “What if I want five?”
“Then we’ll have five. But, nothing comes in odd amounts. Four-pack, six-pack, eight-pack, there are never seven-packs. We’ll either need to have four or six.” She chuckles. I pull her hand, guiding her back to me, relieved we’ve moved past the unnecessary emotions.
“I’ve always wanted four kids,” she says, holding up and wiggling four fingers. I nod, smiling at the thought of our kids running around this place. The killer games of hide and seek. The hiding possibilities endless. “I’m sorry about my comment, I assumed you didn’t want kids. You had mentioned before you didn’t and it caught me off guard wondering if that was still how you felt.”
“The person I was before you doesn’t matter anymore. You changed me.” The words don’t do justice to my feelings. I could never express to her the impact she’s had on my life. Showing her how much I love her for the rest of our lives will have to suffice. I pull her swollen lips to mine, hoping I’ll be enough for her forever. That this will be enough.
“I love you, Max,” she murmurs against my lips as if reading into my insecurities.
“How about a Dallas wedding?” I say, an idea being driven from those same insecurities. She pulls back, tilting her head. “We can fly everyone out for the concert and then get married.”
Her eyes widen. “You make it sound like that’s an easy task. Max, that’s less than one week away.”
I lift a brow. One thing I know about Sydney, she likes to fly by the seat of her pants. “Are you saying you can’t plan it?”
“I didn’t say that,” she boasts, her spine straightening. “I was just saying we would need to get busy planning. Like, right now.”
“So, is that a yes? Will you be my wife by next week?” She nods, her smile bright against the dim room. Relief, that she’ll be mine soon, builds in my chest.
Her lips meet mine for a quick kiss before she hops off me. “Time is a wasting, my future hubby.” I lie back and watch her slip on her clothes while she sings, “Goin’ to the chapel and we’re gonna get married…” by The Dixie Cups.
My future has never looked so fucking hot.
Chapter Forty
Max
“How am I supposed to watch the sunset when you’re on top of me?” Sydney lets out an adorable huff and tries to move off me. I shake my head. “Where the hell do you think you’re going?”
She slaps me on the chest. “Make up your damn mind.” The wood of the dock, hard under the blanket I’m on, creaks as I shift to a sitting position. Sydney wraps her legs around me and leans back on her arms. An angelic glow shines behind her from the setting sun.
It was her idea to come down to the docks at the lake my property borders and watch the sunset. I had a better idea when I rolled her on top of me. First she needs to be naked. We’ll watch the sunset as we make love.
�
�How about we get nak—” My phone vibrates in my pocket, stopping me and Sydney’s smile widens. “Ignore it.”
“I’m not sure I can ignore something vibrating against my core.”
When it goes off immediately after, I sigh. She scoots back enough for me to reach into my pocket. There is no better cock blocker than your mom calling. When Sydney sees who’s calling, she tells me to answer.
“Let’s tell her.”
My heart hammers against my chest hearing her say she wants to tell someone. And my mom, of all people. “Hey Ma,” I say, putting her on speaker. “You’re on speaker and Sydney is here.”
“Oh. Who’s Sydney?”
Sydney pinches her lips together. “Hi, Ms. Shaw. It’s Sky, but you can call me Sydney.”
“Like Sky Owens?” she squeals.
“Ma,” I say, shaking my head.
“Sorry, I’m just so excited to meet you. Even if it is on the phone.” She tries to contain her excitement, but it’s useless.
“It’s nice to meet you too, Ms. Shaw.”
“Oh, please call me Susie.”
“We have some news,” I interrupt, hoping to move this conversation along. “Sydney and I are getting married.” When it sounds like the phone drops and then silence, Sydney and I stare at each other. “Ma, where did you go?”
“I’m here. I think the phone line crossed with someone else’s. You know when that happens? Like when me and Julie were talking once and then for a few seconds, a man’s voice comes on the line. It’s the weirdest thing. But it only lasts for a couple seconds. Funny thing, you were just getting ready to tell me something, and the line switched with someone telling their mom they were getting married.” She lets out a humorless laugh. Sydney grimaces and buries her face into my shoulder. This is not how I imagined my mom reacting.
“Ma—”
“Max, can you please take me off speaker?”
