by Kells, India
As she did, the golden letters shone into the soft light of dawn.
Freedom
Taking a pen from her bag, she added her own message to it.
Dear Max,
Don’t hate me for leaving this way. I believe it is best for you. I thought when I came here, that I would be fighting for my inheritance, but instead, I found something even more important to fight for: you. I can’t judge the man you were or what you did. It’s in the past, and I couldn’t care less. I saw how it affected you, and how hard you wanted to redeem yourself. I understand that there is still a long road ahead of you to decide what you want to do, who you want to be, and more importantly, to forgive yourself. Whether you decide to be a dominant again, or anything else, remember that you are worthy of happiness.
Lani X
She could still see her hands writing the words, and every time, she hoped that he’d found a way to achieve peace. And she wished she could see his face when he found she had torn the confirmation form into pieces.
Lani admired the paintings around her, and pride filled her heart and reminded her of the initial spark that inspired this entire show. In no way could she ever reproduce that work of art she had left behind with Max, not that she wanted to, but it was the inspiration she’d needed.
Mixing her traditional techniques with the wildness she imagined as Max, was the key to defining herself as an artist. It took a couple of months to refine it, and a few more to dive into the arduous creation process. Contemporary art was a cut-throat field, but she believed she had found her niche.
“Hey darling.”
Lani turned at the woman’s voice and smiled. Jeannie Humboldt beamed as she took her in a tight hug. Jeannie, her agent, had literally been her savior. The light at the end of an unending tunnel.
Running on fumes, Lani had submitted the very first painting of her new series to a state contest, and in the meantime, Jeannie had worked her ass off, trying to get any money she could to come their way. Then a foundation supporting talented and upcoming artists reached out, and a solution miraculously appeared.
From that moment, Lani had the constant support of the foundation and it was the stepping stone she needed to soar.
“I told you this would be a success. And you’ve received so many emails and calls, it will take days to go through all of those. Oh! And I even convinced the main contributor to the foundation to make an appearance.”
Lani prepared her brightest smile for her benefactor, but it froze when she saw who it was.
Max approached her in his three-piece suit, handsome, with his graying hair, beard, and sharp blue eyes.
Her stomach sank with shock, and her chest tightened at the sight. But it was how her thighs pressed together that gave her the strongest reaction.
Jeannie didn’t notice the sudden temperature change and Lani was glad of it. The woman continued to talk, but Lani didn’t hear a word she said. Max seemed to have a tad more control when he kept a straight face and offered his hand.
“Miss Mackay. I’m honored to make your acquaintance. Your paintings are amazing. I’m sorry I’m too late to buy one.”
Jeannie beamed. “Lani will show you her work and make you regret being late.”
Her phone rang and as she excused herself, the awkwardness only between the two of them now.
“Won’t you show me around, Miss Mackay?”
He wanted to play it that way? She could do that.
She led him into the main showroom where most of the crowd was.
Once in front of one of her paintings she’d titled Reflection, it was a very apt name for the present conversation.
“Mr. Langdon, I very seriously doubt that you are that interested in art, or paintings for that matter.”
Instead of answering her question, he faced the painting, hands in his pockets. “That’s where you are wrong, Miss. It took me time to realize it, but art had a significant impact on my life. And when I realized that, I knew that it could have the same effect on other people. That’s why I found it essential to support the foundation.”
Lani looked up at him. “So, the foundation, the funding…”
When he saw the doubt in her eyes, he frowned. “No. No! This exhibit, those sales, there are all you. I injected the money and only hoped. And maybe suggested looking in your direction to a few people. The rest, this is all you. I knew how important your dream was to you and would never do anything to sully it. My sincere congratulations, Lani.”
Everything shifted, and Lani smiled at him. “Thank you, Max. For everything.”
The man nodded. “And I have the very first painting that defined your style.”
“I can’t take complete credit for that one. And I never saw the final product.”
Max grinned. “Took me some time to go into that room after you left. The same amount of time it took to understand why you left. It was the kick I needed to take a hard look at my life. I realized certain things, realigned a lot more. Looking myself in the eye was the most difficult. Forgiving myself too. I wanted to thank you. You are an amazing woman.”
“And what about your work?”
He moved to another painting. “I decided to work on something else. A few ideas are on the table, it will take time, but I can be patient.”
“And what about your other needs?”
Lani surprised herself, asking that question. What did she want to know? And it clicked in her brain, she didn’t want him to go. It had been months since she had seen him, and she’d missed him. Not just the sex, but the man. And the Max Langdon now beside her was even more fascinating than before.
“I thought hard about it, and you made me realize that dominance is a part of me, and I need it. But, with more communication and balance.”
That made her smile. “Who are you? What did you do with the man who opened that door six months ago?”
When he smiled back at her, it was dazzling. “He’s still there, I won’t forget him, ever again.”
What got to her was his body heat. It hit her how cold she had been since she’d last seen him and her heart sank realizing that he came here not for her, but for closure.
Her expression must have revealed something because Max touched her elbow, concern on his face. “What’s wrong?”
Swallowing hard and forcing a smile, Lani shook her head. “Nothing. I’m so happy you are happy. It’s all I wanted for you. Thank you for coming here and telling me. I need to go. Good luck.”
With one last smile, she headed for the back room. With any luck, she would be able to cool down, or even better, find some hard liquor from the catering company.
Heading for the back, Lani pushed through the door that led to an alley. The night air was cool, and damp and she filled her lungs with it.
Lust and longing messed with her mind, and there was no way she would barge into Max’s newfound peace with those hectic emotions.
“Lani. Stop.” Her body froze, and she closed her eyes. “What’s going on?”
“Nothing, everything is fine.”
The familiar growl coming from the man sent shivers down her spine. “You are lying. Why are you lying to me?”
Determined to keep her turmoil for herself, she was trying to find something sensible when his hand came to her flowing hair and closed into a fist. “Lani, tell me.”
When his hand closed around her neck, and she felt engulfed in him, all her resistance dissolved, and she leaned back against him.
“Lani…”
“I missed you.”
His fingers traced her jaw. “You are the one who left.”
He lingered over her pulse. “I didn’t want to intrude. I knew you had a lot to process. I didn’t know if…”
Max leaned closer to put his chin in the crook of her neck. “You didn’t know if I would still get hard at your memory. If I’d still see you bent over or screaming in pleasure. If I still wanted you in my life.”
“If I haunted you that much, why didn’t you tr
y to contact me?”
“I had work to do on myself. And when I did, I wasn’t convinced you’d want to be with me anymore. I didn’t know if you had feelings for me.”
Lani twisted in his arms and grabbed his lapel to take his mouth. There wasn’t anything tender or tentative about it. All the pent-up desire exploded in her belly, consuming her. Lani couldn’t bear the clothes between them and started fumbling when Max pushed her backward until she was caught between a brick wall and her hard-muscled man. Max turned her once again and placed both her hands on the wall. “Don’t move, pet. I will take care of you.”
Max pushed her between her shoulder blades until her ass poked out and hitched her skirt to reveal her lace panties. A car honking nearby made her jump, making her realize where she was. Fearing that anyone could see them, Lani tried to push herself up, but Max would have none of it and slapped her ass, hard.
“I said don’t move. I won’t repeat myself.” He slapped her again before sliding her panties down. Feeling vulnerable and incredibly turned on, she jumped when he kissed her spine. “Tell me what you want, Lani.”
“Touch me, Max... please.”
Immediately, his hands circled her waist, his caress soft. She pushed back a bit and it made him laugh.
“I know what you want.” His hand cupped her sex, his finger pressing against her clit in an electrifying caress.
When he removed his hand, she cried out in frustration. About to turn around, Max slapped the back of her thigh, but it was impossible to stay still. Her hands scratched the bricks while all she wanted was to pinch her nipples, strum her clit and open her cheeks even wider for him.
Finally, when she felt his cock starting to enter her, it was impossible to obey him anymore and she finished taking him in.
Lani’s world was centered around the man possessing her, his erection inside her and his hands holding her still.
His thrusts increased in intensity, and as she was surfing on the edge of insanity, he cupped her sex and trapped her clit. Near the precipice, she desperately heard the command she craved.
“Cum, my pet. Now.”
His voice, deep and growly, was all that she was waiting for. Her entire world shattered, her voice muffled by his hand. All she could hear was the thunder of her pulsing blood and Max’s contained yell of release.
Trembling, but satiated, Lani didn’t want to move, although her legs were starting to shake.
When he slid out of her, his persona changed from dominant to Max. The switch was somehow perfect, his hands tender on her skin. He replaced her skirt before buttoning his trousers. All the while, his blue eyes were solely on her, and he went to her, taking her lips like a drowning man.
Only when they were both out of breath did he relinquish her mouth. “Does that answer your question?”
“What was my question again?”
His amused smile made her melt. “I don’t know what our future is. Your career as a talented painter is starting, I’m an old man trying to get his life on track, and a marked dominant. What is there for us?”
In his arms, Lani knew what he meant. It was a valid question. One word came into mind. “Do you remember my uncle’s card with the last task? The word that was on it?”
He nodded. “Freedom.”
It was her time to smile. “Exactly. I don’t know what is in the future for us, but we are free to do as we please. What if I go to your place in the mountain to paint? And while I’m there, we make some more art together?”
Max licked her lips. “You want to come and play with me?”
“Will you tie me up? Torture me? And make me come over and over again?”
The gleam in his eyes was unmistakable. “Everything and anything you want.”
Lani grabbed his collar and smiled. “Well, I think we have a deal. Sir.”
<<<< The End >>>>
About the Author
Writing for me is like being caught in the eye of a storm and loving every single minute of it.
Dear courageous readers, who dared to thread inside my wild imagination, filled with adventures of amazing women and courageous men, welcome to my world. When all seems to be lost, strength, intelligence, and love will help my heroes fight back darkness, and find their way to each other. And you know what? That’s my favorite kind of story!
When I’m not writing about sexy thieves, dashing soldiers, and cunning villains, I’m traveling the world to find inspiration for my next story. Human nature is the greatest muse!
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India xx