Chapter 25
It’s as hot as the devil’s dick in here.
With every chair occupied and more customers standing along the edge of the area Maxine put together for tonight’s event, the body heat is overwhelming.
Dante Woods, an older man with short white hair, has been reading for the past five minutes. Maxine has dedicated the first ten minutes of the program for his reading, and then a short question and answer portion before she’ll usher him behind the table and the signing can begin.
From the look of the crowd, he’ll be working for a while to get through the line.
The stack of pre-ordered books was already a solid sign the event was going to be a success.
Now, seeing all these people stuffed into this small store, it’s even more evident that Maxine has talent for this sort of business.
Other than the fact that the woman has her nose in a book or pressed against the reading app on her phone, whenever she gets the chance. She has a strong head for business.
It wasn’t an exaggeration when I told her she’d doubled the profits of this place in the last year she’d been working here.
And not simply by getting the word out into the community that this place even existed.
She’s reached out to reading groups, libraries, and on-line communities to put this little store on their radar.
Book Nook didn’t even have a social media presence until Max created accounts across all platforms.
Right now she stands near the podium, watching the audience for their reactions. If they start to look bored, she’ll cut him off and move quickly to the next portion of the event.
I take her in, watching from my corner of the shop where I’m not blocking anyone’s view of the author while I can keep my attention focused where I want it. On her.
She’s styled her short hair halfway up for the evening, braiding the two sides until they meet in the back and joining them into one short braid.
She’s placed pins with jeweled butterflies on the ends in an organized pattern along each shorter braid.
The dress she picked for the evening is black, as is much of her clothing, and reaches the tops of her knees.
When she twists to check on the audience sitting to the far side of the podium, the hem rides up enough to see the curve of her thigh.
That curve, which lesser men would consider too thick, leads up higher to her juicy ass.
Just thinking of it, of the little squeal she gives when I squeeze her ass, makes my cock lengthen in my pants.
The neckline of the dress is modest, barely dipping deep enough to show off how generous her breasts really are. Which works fine for me at this moment, because if I have to start gouging out men’s eyes for wandering where they shouldn’t, it will ruin her event.
And she’s put in too much work for anyone to ruin it.
Even me.
Still. As much as that dress accentuates her gorgeous body, I’d rather she not be wearing anything at all. What I’d rather be doing is tying her to my bedposts. Arms over her head and her legs locked into a spreader bar. Laying her out and open for me and me alone.
Sharing her with all these people is annoying. I’m a greedy bastard, and when it comes to her it’s no different.
Except it is.
Not only do I not want to share her with any of these people, but I’m also so damn proud of the work she’s done, and of how happy she looks when she’s smiling out at the crowd. I almost don’t mind not getting my way.
At least for the moment.
The moment I can get her away from this place, I’m ripping off her panties and stuffing my cock in her. I’ll make her ride me all the way home.
If she’s lucky, I’ll make her come by the time we’re parked in the garage. Then I’ll make her give me three more orgasms when we get upstairs.
Punishment for making me wait so long to get her pussy around me.
“Excuse me.” A woman shuffles in front of me, holding her purse against her chest as she moves past.
I’ve been so lost in my fantasy I missed the rest of the reading and the questions. Were there any? I check my watch and realize twenty minutes have passed since I last looked. The audience is lining up in order to claim their autographed book.
Serafina, the owner’s niece, helps get them organized and in line while Maxine works behind the table with the author’s team to get the books ready.
“That was exciting. I’ve never heard an author read from their own book before.” Elana grins as she approaches. Megan stands behind her.
“She’s done a great job here.” Megan moves to stand beside me, getting out of the way of the customers still getting into line. “I didn’t even know this place existed.”
“You don’t live around here,” Elana nudges her.
“It’s not that far from the apartment Mira and I shared. Maybe half a mile north.”
“Don’t remind me of that place.” Alexander frowns.
“Were you here the whole time?” I ask him, checking behind him for anyone else.
“There were only two seats left when we got here. The girls sat, and I was by the door.” He raises a brow. “You were too engrossed to notice.”
“Dmitri is at the front door, and Vas has someone at the back. No one’s getting in here who shouldn’t be here,” I defend.
“I’m not talking about that.” He gives a pointed look at Maxine.
The author’s team has everything moving along smoothly. She stands off to the side, in case she’s needed. Or if she sees an opportunity to pitch in.
It’s going to take time for her to realize she doesn’t have to be everything to everyone in order to be important to them.
Years of vying for a place at the table can’t be undone with one conversation.
It’s going to take a few more lessons. But I can be patient when it’s called for, and with her I’m willing to take my time.
Maxine lifts her gaze up from the table and catches me staring at her. The professional, customer service smile that’s been plastered across her lips for the past hour changes into something softer. Something genuine.
The room is lighter, brighter now.
After saying something to the author’s assistant, she wiggles out from behind the table and makes her way toward us. She’s stopped twice by customers thanking her for putting together the event.
“Wow. I didn’t realize how much of a following Dante really had around here,” she says as she gets to us.
“I can see why. I looked him up while he was reading, he’s huge in the crime novel world. I’m not usually a true crime girl, but I think I might give him a try,” Megan says.
“Thank you guys for coming out. I’m sure you had way better things to do tonight.” Maxine pushes up her glasses.
She needs a new pair. Even with me fixing the temples, they continue to slide down her nose. I make a mental note to get an appointment made in the morning.
“Of course we came. You did a great job with this.” Megan hugs her.
Maxine looks at the line slowly moving as the author makes his way through the books to be signed.
“Yeah, it was definitely a better turn out than I thought I could pull in.”
“Is this what you went to college for? Event planning or something?” Elana asks.
“No. School wasn’t an option for me but turns out you can learn a lot online. I’ve just been reading as many blogs and business articles as I can.” Maxine glances at the back of the store.
“Whatever you’re doing, it’s working.” Elana shuffles closer and lowers her voice.
“I heard one of the guys sitting in front of us saying this place nearly closed a year ago. I guess the owner wasn’t making any money, and the place was drowning in debt.
He seemed really impressed with the turnaround. ”
“It’s all her doing.” I roll my shoulders back, locking my eyes on her. “Without her, he’d probably have lost the place.”
“Lev, you don’t know that.” Maxine blushes. It’s not a self-deprecating gesture; she’s not the type. She genuinely doesn’t like too much praise.
Years of not getting enough of it.
Well, that’s going to fucking change, too.
“I do,” I say firmly.
“I’m sorry. I need to get back over there. He’s almost done, and I want to make sure he’s all set for the night.”
“Before you go,” Elana holds onto her arm. “We’re going out tomorrow for lunch and some shopping. Come with us.”
“You’re not working tomorrow. You should go,” I urge her, already making a list of items to have set aside for her at the usual boutiques for her to purchase. All she’ll need to do is pick the color and size for what she wants.
She smiles; her shoulders drop. “Thanks, that sounds fun.”
“Perfect. If Nicolette were here, she’d have everything lined up for us, but it’s just us, so we’ll have to wing it.” Elana laughs.
“Oh, I know where she likes to shop. I’ve tagged along on her sprees before,” Maxine smiles. “Sorry, I gotta run. Megan, you have my number, right?”
“I do.” She confirms.
“Great. Text me what time, and I’ll be ready.” She hugs Megan and then Elana, thanking them again for showing up.
“I’ll come help you break down when he’s finished.” I tell her. She pauses, like she’s going to argue, but then snaps her mouth closed and gives me a short nod.
“Thanks, That would be great.”
“Three of them out shopping,” Alexander mutters behind me as Maxine hurries back to work.
“Dmitri will be with them.”
“I’ll have Artem put two men on them, as well.”
“Artem’s going to be coming with?” Elana turns to her older brother with her brows raised.
“I doubt it, but whoever is with you better stay with you.” Alexander’s voice leaves no misinterpretation.
Elana rolls her eyes. “I’m not a child.”
“No, you’re worse. You’re a stubborn woman who won’t fucking listen to reason,” he says.
By his expression, he’s ready to battle his little sister, but Megan steps in, moving to put herself between the siblings.
“It’s not a problem. Dmitri and two of your guys will be with us.” She pats Alexander’s chest lightly, then turns to her sister-in-law. “More hands to carry the bags.”