Chapter 10
10
W ith a muttered swearword, Max reverses his descent onto his chair and stands straight again. He’s still muttering as he strides through the kitchen and down the hall towards the front door. I linger for only half a second, too bemused at the interruption to immediately follow on his heels. But I quickly make up for lost time.
I arrive in the entry just in time to see Javier stepping over the threshold. The man is wearing a scarf, for fuck’s sake. And not the kind meant to keep your neck warm. This confection is lemon yellow and if my window-shopping eyes are correct, it’s cashmere.
Javier purses his lips as he studies me. It’s not exactly a disapproving expression, more like he’d pick me out of the crowd first to go get a head to toe makeover. He shakes it off though and flicks his elegant wrist towards Max. “Am I in time for dinner? I’m famished.”
Max rolls his eyes and then shrugs. “I guess. Come on.”
Javier politely gestures for me to go in front of him, except I wish he hadn’t. I’d like the opportunity to study him without being observed back.
“I thought we were having a call at eight,” Max grumbles again as he fetches another plate from the cupboard.
“And miss the chance to see your beautiful face?” Javier smirks as he settles into a chair, still wearing that annoying scarf.
“You probably want to stay the night too?”
The other man shrugs lightly. “It’s either that or listen to me complain for the next five years about the quality of sheets at the Lantern Inn. Which would you prefer?”
Max shudders. “Fine. You can have the room Jenna was using.”
Javier’s green eyes light with amusement. “And where is the lovely Jenna sleeping?”
The scowl on Max’s face would make any gargoyle proud. “Where Jenna sleeps in none of your business.”
“Have it your way. But it will make what I’m about to share that much easier if she’s already sleeping with you.”
A small squeak escapes me. Javier swings his gaze to me. “You have been causing quite a fuss, lovely Jenna.”
I can feel the blood drain from my face. “What do you mean?”
“Your delightful colleague has stirred up quite a hornet’s nest. She’s claiming you went behind her back to seduce our boy Max here in order to deprive Rudnam Publishing of not only his future books but also the cachet of having his brand associated with theirs.”
“What? Why would I do that? She’s the one that sent me here!”
“And when they call Max to the stand and ask him if he was expecting you?” he inquires mildly.
“But… but…” My words peter out.
Max shakes his head. “If I’m being questioned, then surely I get the chance to say how Diana did the same thing a few years ago.”
Javier shakes his head. “Maybe, but even a half-good attorney will spin that, so it looks like that’s how Jenna got the idea. Much of this is Diana being proactive to cover her own, shall we say, less than ethical standards. By attacking now, anything reflecting on her poor behavior looks like made up retribution.”
Max frowns, and his pale eyes are filled with concern. I swallow hard. “Then what do we do?”
“Not we, my dear. You two. You need to get married. The sooner the better. Like this weekend.”
Max coughs while I gasp. “How does that help? I don’t want Max being dragged into a lawsuit with me.”
A very small smile teases Max’s lips. “Are you trying to protect me, little Jenna?” He scoots his chair back and in seconds, I’m curled up against his chest. He seems to like me here. “Now then, Javier, explain please.”
Javier brushes his fingers through his perfect blond hair. “It does two things, really. A spouse can’t be forced to testify in court and it dispels the seduction for financial gain or strategizing story and makes it about love instead, which everyone prefers. And that’s where you were headed for anyway, yes?”
Max jerks his chin and sighs. “I had another path towards that destination, however. Are you sure this is absolutely necessary?”
Javier shakes his head. “Necessary? No. You can spend some of your fortune on attorneys. Make Jenna be crucified on the stand, no doubt including questions regarding the intimate nature of your relationship and generally be pilloried by the press.”
“Well, when you put it that way…” Max drawls dryly. His fingers drift through my hair, curling possessively around my scalp. He uses the tension to gently pull my head back until I’m staring into his striking eyes. “What say you, Jenna?”
I frown. “I think this is yet another transaction and not romantic at all . But neither is being a witness. If you’re truly determined, I’ll agree on one condition.”
Max is amused, while Javier looks impressed at my insistence on negotiating. Max leans down to kiss my forehead. “What condition is that, little one?”
“You tell me everything you’ve been holding inside you immediately after the ceremony. All the secrets, all the fears, everything.”
Javier’s eyebrows shoot up. Max simply hmmms quietly to himself. “All of them?”
I nod definitively. “Every last one.”
“Only if you agree to be my editor and put a priority status on my books.”
I snicker. “You think there will be a line out the door?”
Max nods. “I do. I want special privileges.”
Giggling, I hug his middle. “Okay.”
“Okay? That’s it?” Max’s bemused face peers down at me.
I shrug. “What else is there?”
Javier’s expression is priceless when I glance over. There might even be a touch of envy in there somewhere. “Alright, kids, I might be able to pull a string or two in the morning to minimize the paperwork. Now I’m off to bed.” He strolls out of the kitchen like he owns the place, already knowing his destination apparently.
“Hey, how did he drive up to the front door? The gate is still closed, right? Or is he able to scale walls without getting dirty?”
Max snorts. “Nothing holds Javier back from where he wants to go. I’m sure he overrode the gate mechanism without even having to think about it. You ready for bed?”
The abrupt change of subject has me blinking, but slowly I nod. Max stands and moves me up and over his shoulder. I’d protest, but the way his hand is clamped on my ass has me stifling any objections. The man has very talented hands.
Upstairs and in his bedroom, he sets me on my feet and gives me a gentle push towards the bathroom. “Go wash up.”
I roll my eyes but don’t stop to argue. I continue to have questions from earlier. Hashing them out in the middle of the bedroom doesn’t sound that comfortable. Sometime during the day while I was busy editing, Max moved all my things in here. By things, I mean all the stuff from New York. Kiki hasn’t stopped playing least in sight, but she shows up just enough to let me know she’s still alive and that she knows where her litter box is. However, it’s a surreal experience having my brush sitting on the counter next to Max’s, my collection of bubblebaths arranged on the shelf by the sunken tub. I like it. But it’s all a bit weird.
I have a decision to make in the moment I realize a few minutes later when Max and his body heat join me and warm the chilly sheets. I can either start in on my questions or take advantage of his much earlier promise to use this time to explore.
Investigation wins. I smile into the darkness when Max sucks in his breath suddenly. My hand hasn’t even ventured as far south as his ribs. I don’t see any need to rush.
“What are you doing, little one?” His tone is curious but also slightly hesitant.
“Hmmm?” I stroke down and out, tracing the curved path of his ribs. “Do you remember telling me I could explore your body as long as I was in your bed?”
Max flings his head back with a groan, making me giggle. “I didn’t think you would take me up on it,” he admits.
I sniff in disdain. “Then it’s time you got to know me a little better, isn’t it?” I trail a line of kisses down his sternum. I notice he’s not pushing me away. My hand continues to drift south. I tease him by focusing on the ridge of muscle in his thigh. He’s holding himself still and I kiss him softly on the mouth in appreciation. When my fingers make contact with his cock, I think we both jump slightly. Certainly, his cock twitches in my grasp. He’s very thick and hard there. My pussy goes wet in appreciation. I want to slide over him and sink down on his cock in the worst way. But honestly, I don’t think Max is ready for that. Not in a physical sense, of course, but emotionally. He doesn’t quite believe yet.
“Do you want to show me how to touch you here?” I whisper.
Max emits a strangled groan. “You’re doing just fine on your own, Jenna. But maybe you should stop now?”
I shake my head even though it’s really too dark to see. Even his slight glow is mostly blocked by the thick blankets. “Nope. I want to take care of you, Max. It’s time you learned to let someone do that for you. And I’m not going to step aside to give some other chick the opportunity.”
Max snorts in disbelief. “I suppose it would be counterproductive to my end goal to attempt to convince you otherwise?”
I nod assertively. “It would.” I return to touching him, sliding my fingers over him, attempting to stretch them to meet around his circumference. There’s no way. I sigh again, wanting to feel him stretching another part of my anatomy. My clit begins throbbing at the thought and a small whimper escapes me.
“Jenna?”
“Nothing. Just my imagination running away with me,” I confess ruefully.
Max says nothing in reply, but suddenly his big hand is burrowing between my thighs. He spears me with two thick fingers and my whole body wriggles with delight.
“Let go of my cock, sweetness. And I’ll make you feel better.”
I pout. Why should I have to?
Max laughs and I only then realize I said it out loud. “Because I like having you at my mercy, and I’d rather not have you squeezing too hard in reflex. Now, are you going to let go, or do I need to remove my hand from your sweet pussy?”