The Teachings of Maximilian David (David Family Saga: Bayou Billionaires Book 3)

by Gina Watson

  She hugged him to her as she worked to regulate her breathing and the beating of her heart. He collapsed—his weight half on top of her and half supported by his side. “Cara,” he said breathlessly. “I want to do that everyday for the rest of our lives.”

  She smiled. This was crazy. They’d gone from polite disdain to intense lovers. She didn’t want to think about her internship and that worried her because that had never happened before. She’d spent countless hours daydreaming about the New York Library’s art and artifacts division.

  When his head lifted his cock twitched inside of her. He slowly withdrew, and then on bended knee he pushed her legs apart, thoroughly inspecting her. When he parted her she began to squirm. “Cara, don’t move. I need to check you out.”

  She placed her arm over her eyes and wished she could go invisible. Moments passed and he was still spreading and poking at her. When finally he stood she couldn’t have been more relieved. “How about a nice, hot bath?”

  “Okay,” she whispered, mortified.

  His hand on her hot, flushed cheek caressed. “Hey, it’s just a quick check to make sure you’re not bleeding. You look beautiful with my cum dripping from your cunt.” His words took her breath away. Her cheeks flamed and he bent to kiss her lips. She would never get used to his explicit descriptions.

  ***

  Cara Presley. Max smiled down at her in the bed. His invasive inspection had embarrassed her. He put his hand to her red-hot cheek and chuckled. He loved how easily she blushed. He kissed her and then walked to start their bath. “Don’t move. I’ll come get you when the water’s ready.”

  He pulled the lever to plug the drain and then turned the faucet on to fill the jetted tub. He pressed the bubble button and it flashed at him.

  Her admission during their intimacy had left him dumbfounded. The whole situation had been a whirlwind. She’d sweetly and unreservedly given herself to him. Cara had given the most precious gift she had to give, knowing she’d only be able to give it once and it had humbled him. Who was he to deserve such a gift? Max hoped one day he’d be worthy of her. He wasn’t now, but he would work tirelessly to be the man who deserved to be at her side.

  In the future, he’d need her to confide in him—be honest with him. How could she keep something like her virginity from him? He shuddered thinking of what would have happened had he been aggressive and needy with her. Their connection and the closeness they’d created was the closest he knew he’d ever get to heaven.

  He walked to the bed. She’d fallen asleep. When he lifted her into his arms she turned her face into his chest and sighed, heightening the fragility of the life he carried. In the bathroom he whispered, “Cara, ready for your bubble bath?”

  “Hmm.” She opened her eyes and he lowered her into the soothing water. Sliding in behind her, he wrapped his arms around her waist, just under her breasts.

  They were beautiful breasts—plush, round, and natural. Her milky skin was ultra feminine as were the beautiful, peach-colored areolas. He’d also noticed their size, but he didn’t want to be that guy. However, his testosterone got the better of him and he yielded. “Are you sporting double D’s?” His hands cupped her breasts.

  “How old are you?” She playfully swatted at his hands. “And yes, good guess.”

  “I don’t believe there are that many natural sets of double D’s out there.”

  “In the Presley family all the ladies have double D’s.”

  “I’m a lucky guy.” He kissed her neck and squeezed her nipples between his fingers.

  “You are.” She cleared her throat. “I think I’m a pretty lucky lady too. Tell me…are all cocks that size?”

  “I’m not in the habit of looking at cocks, but I’ve never had any complaints.”

  “Have there been a lot of women?”

  She deserved to know and he vowed to answer truthfully. “There’s been a lot of sex. The women I don’t remember. There has only been one love, before you.”

  “One love?”

  “My fiancée.” He could talk about it now. “I knew her from school. We were young and I had a lot of negative emotion, but she some how was always able to turn it around. I’d proposed at twenty-one.” He smiled recalling the sweet memories. “I still have the ring. She died not long after we got engaged.”

  Cara gasped. “Oh, my God. Max, I’m so sorry.” Her hand reached up to cup his cheek.

  “Thank you. It’s been eight years. I’d given up trying to find someone I could develop deep feelings for, and then out of nowhere you came along. I wonder if the connection is so intense because we have been close for six years.”

  “Max, what happens on Monday?”

  “I’ve got a teeth cleaning scheduled in the morning and in the afternoon I’m sitting on an interview committee.”

  “That’s very funny. You know what I meant.”

  “I assume we will go on like we always have except we’ll look for opportunities during the day to steal a kiss or two.”

  “We’re going public?”

  “We are.”

  “Shit! I need to call my mom.”

  His hold tightened around her and he spoke softly in her ear, “How about we wash up, and then you call your mom? After that we can get some dinner.”

  ***

  They ate at Brennan’s and had an exceptional creole dinner. She was exquisite in her blue silk, the hue matching her eyes. Cara was a good sport about trying escargot and watching her moan around a spoonful of bananas foster had him in an indecent situation. They walked down Bourbon Street to his favorite hole in the wall jazz place and danced. The love was new, but having worked with Cara for six years, he knew her deeply and to know her like this was close to perfect.

  Chapter Six

  May rolled around, bringing with it a break from the ice and cold that had been one of the coldest winters on record. Having known each other for six years, Cara and Max shared a level of comfort with one another that had quickly defined the parameters of their relationship to be somewhere between obsession and friendship. Cara was in hopeless love. Her life wasn’t without worry, however. Max was set to meet with the president of the university regarding Ed Koch. She was nervous and had suffered several sleepless nights—many of them spent in his arms. Her mind kept fast-forwarding to the worst-case scenario—prison time. Was that even possible?

  Max was on the phone with his lawyer when she walked into his office. He waved her over so she closed the door and went to him. He pulled her onto his lap and continued to speak with his lawyer.

  “I want to submit resignation as well.” His eyes met hers, sizzling green.

  “There are no terms. I want to resign. It will be perfect for the university. They can choose to pursue the allegations however they see fit.”

  So he was resigning? They hadn’t talked about that.

  “Will do. Thanks, Charles.”

  He hung up the phone and tightened his arms around her waist.

  “You’re resigning?”

  “Yeah, I want out.”

  He’d been hinting at that lately saying things like ‘What if I were to accompany you to New York?’ and ‘I think I want to pursue writing’. He’d written a book of poetry when he was in school that had been well received. She’d read some of his work and had been inspired.

  She squared her shoulders in preparation to deliver her wish, “I want to be the one to present the case against Koch to President Simon. I have my mother ready to give a detailed account of what Mr. Koch did with the girls from the club.”

  He brushed away her offering with a sweep of his hand. “Absolutely not. We’ve been over this, Cara—I won’t have you enmeshed in scandal.” He squeezed her tightly. “This means a lot to me. I need your promise on this matter.”

  The hand that wasn’t wrapped around her was held in a white-knuckled fist. As close to him as she was she could hear the grinding of his jaw. Her suspicion was confirmed when she saw his jaw twitch. Twisting in his lap she to
ok his cheeks in her palms. “Max, I love you.” She kissed his cheek. “I promise not to interfere as long as you promise me everything will be okay. I trust you.”

  “Baby, I’m not going anywhere. And I love hearing you say those three little words.”

  It was the first time she’d said it, but she needed him to know.

  ***

  Cara left Max at work and went home to proofread her paper detailing a cost-effective classification analysis system of quantifying information. After an hour she took a break and walked through the house, finding her mother in the kitchen, “Hey, Mom.”

  “Hey, baby.” They hugged. “How’s Max?”

  “He meets with the president this afternoon.”

  “I’m sure he’ll be fine. He can be quite accommodating. I’m sure they’ll reach a compromise.”

  Max could be obliging, but Cara knew he wouldn’t budge on the issue of Ed Koch. “I hope so, Mom.”

  “Are you two going to the library later?”

  “Yes. I was going to ask for your help. We are scheduled to have the usual homebound visitors as well as the Michigan Avenue Nursing Home. That’s like sixty people. Mrs. Roberta wants someone to read her the end of Wuthering Heights, but Max is reading The Great Gatsby during circle time and I’m hosting the book club on the second floor. She sighed and rubbed her temples.”

  “Baby, I’ll be there if you need me. I can do whatever. If Roberta and I don’t get to Wuthering Heights, I’ll go by her room after I play piano on Tuesday.”

  Cara smiled. Every Tuesday and Thursday her mother spent the afternoon at the nursing home playing piano. Old songs like Ragtime and Hill Street Blues. Some of the ambulatory residents would get up and dance. “Thanks, Mom.”

  “I’m making spaghetti. Please have Max join us.”

  Cara went to her room and picked up where she’d left off on her edits. Two hours later, she had an edited final copy to email to her thesis mentor. Once she’d caught up with her school work, she crawled into bed, intent on taking a nap. Her worry over the Ed Koch situation had stolen more than a wink or two of her sleep. She desperately hoped for a dream-filled sleep…the star of which would be Max.

  ***

  “Come in, Vice President David.”

  Max entered the President’s office and took the only empty chair around a low table. The university provost, chaplain, and director of the board of regents rounded out the assembly. When Max’s palms began to sweat he was reminded of the last time that had occurred, standing in front of the class while sister Timber tapped her ruler against the palm of her hand. He was supposed to recite something from memory about prayer from Proverbs twenty-eight. When he couldn’t remember, Sister Timber quoted ‘he who turns his ears from hearing the law, his prayer shall be an abomination’ as she slapped his palm three times.

  Mr. Coffey, the board of regents director, cleared his throat. “I’m not completely ignorant of the ways of man. I understand large donors expect red-carpet treatment. I further comprehend that this university could not operate without the sacrifices made by you and various others who cultivate and nurture relationships within our society that prompt the giving to our fine institution.

  Max knew his standing within the community and the relationships he’d developed with the elite and his ability to extract money from them were the reasons he’d been given the position of vice president. After two large donations had been made in his name he’d been promoted straight from assistant professor to VP.

  Mr. Coffey continued, “We were disheartened to learn of your involvement with the incident.”

  Max had been also. He should’ve never let that night happen.

  Mr. Coffey leaned forward to make eye contact with Max, “You understand we don’t want to lose you, but must protect the integrity of the institution at all costs.”

  Mr. Coffey’s hazel eyes were squinted with anxiety. Deep lines popped up on his forehead and between his brows. “I’m sorry, Max. We’d keep you if we could. Maybe once the air clears we can hire you back. At any rate, we are prepared to offer you a severance package in exchange for a quiet resignation on your part.”

  He deserved that. Hell, he’d been sure he was to be fired. “Of course, I’m ready to submit my resignation. What of Koch?”

  “In the interest of the university, it has been decided that we will not prosecute. The university will no longer accept monetary support from the Koch Foundation. However, his company does fund a substantial scholarship to the arts program.”

  “The David family is prepared to fund the scholarship. The money will come from our family trust fund.”

  “Very well.”

  “Is Ed aware of the reasons surrounding your refusal of his contributions?”

  “He understood and was quite apologetic and remorseful regarding his actions. I think he was relieved we weren’t going public. His main concern is that he avoid legal action.”

  The chaplain and provost said a few words and then excused themselves. When he tried to follow suit, President Simon raised his hand to Max in a halting action, and then went to escort the duo from the office.

  Max unbuttoned his suit jacket and took a seat, waiting on Simon to return.

  Simon shut the door swiftly and walked to his desk. “Have you watched the video?”

  They’d already been over this. “No, I told you I hadn’t.”

  “Ed is livid that he was recorded without his knowledge. He wants the video. I pretended to not know the whereabouts. I don’t think he’s going to go quietly into the night. As long as we have the video, we’ve got him, but I believe he is prepared to make it his life’s mission to retrieve any and all evidence at any and all costs.” Simon passed Max the video. “Watch the video. Figure out your move and keep me in the loop.”

  ***

  In her room, Cara awoke from a blissful dream to an invasion by Max. He appeared frenzied and frantic. He had her jeans and panties down, as well as his own. Her first thought was that her mother would walk in any time and announce that dinner was served.

  “Max, Mom made spaghetti.”

  He kissed her passionately, his pace needy and wild. He consumed her for so long she was running out of air. When he released her lips she gasped for breath. He entered her on a slam, wrapped his arms around her, and pulled her body tightly to his. His desperation scared her.

  “Max?”

  He didn’t answer. Instead he pumped away, lost in a world she couldn’t penetrate. She accepted his punishing rhythm, hoping she could provide what he had need of.

  “Cara,” he cried, ejaculating inside of her while she also climaxed.

  “Max?”

  “Cara, you’re mine. I need you…your goodness, I need it. I promise to take care of you. Nothing bad is ever going to happen to you.” He smoothed her hair away from her face. “I love you.”

  It was the first time he’d said it. “I love you, Max.” He was distraught about something. “Max, what’s wrong?”

  “Simon and I watched the video.” Moisture filled his eyes. “I just felt so dehumanized after…and then I realized I could have prevented”—

  “No.” Cara shook her head. “Max, you’d gone to bed. Ed Koch is solely to blame here.”

  “It happened in my home.”

  “Max, no.” She took his hands in hers. “That’s Ed Koch on that video. Not you. We’re going to get through this. I’ll be with you every step of the way.”

  “I don’t deserve you.”

  She pressed her fingers to his lips, quieting him. “Shut up, Max.” She kissed where her fingers had bruised.

  “I need to make you mine.”

  He’d said that before, but she was at a loss as to what it meant. “Yours? I am yours.”

  “Know that I want to ask you to be forever mine, but I’m going to need some time to fix all the wrong I’ve done…all the evil that I am.”

  “Need some time?”

  “Yes.” He inhaled a shuddering breath. “I won’
t have you united with the man that you see before you today. I want to be deserving of you and I definitely want to ensure that the Koch scandal and fiasco end here.” He burrowed a finger into his breastbone.

  “I won’t be away from you.”

  He sighed. “I don’t want to think on it anymore tonight. I’d like to focus on our evening at the library.” He smiled, seemingly optimistic. He’d fallen hard and fast for their library service. She thought it might have something to do with the fact that all of the old ladies fawned all over him.

  “Mom made dinner. I smell garlic bread. Shall we break bread?”

  “We shall.”

  They walked to the table and Mom demanded they sit while she brought the food to the table. She served Max first, but he waited—and so did Cara—for her mother to sit before eating.

  “This is delicious, Mirabelle.”

  “Now Max, don’t have me on. It’s Prego.”

  “No, seriously. I like it. My mom used to make Prego. It reminds me of my childhood.”

  “Well then, thank you.” She held the bread bowl up and pushed it at him. “Take another piece of bread. You’re much too thin.” She winked at Cara.

  “Mom’s going to read to Roberta tonight.”

  “Wuthering Heights?” Max asked.

  “Yeah, for the one hundredth time.” Cara answered.

  “Somebody should introduce her to Jane Eyre,” Mirabelle said, and then sipped her tea. “So…I hear you’ve resigned from the university due to the extracurricular proclivities of Ed Koch.”

  “Mom!”

  “You told your mother?” Max’s eyes narrowed at her like a sniper’s on his target.

  “I’m sorry.”

  “Nonsense.” Mom shrugged off his anger. “I can help you remedy this situation…and you do need a remedy.”