Never Let Me Go

by Kianna Alexander

  A low, rumbling sound erupted from his throat. A moment later, he said, “You wouldn’t tease me about a thing like this, would you?”

  She shook her head. “I’ve only been fantasizing about you since the first day I walked into your office.”

  A sharp inhale followed that, and he kissed the hollow of her neck, murmuring, “Why’d you wait so long to tell me?”

  She sighed, her head falling back as he trailed sultry kisses along her collarbone. “It didn’t exactly seem appropriate then.” She would have elaborated on the impropriety of thinking of her charge’s father in such scandalous ways, but his warm lips on her skin were turning her brain to mush.

  “Oh, don’t you worry. If you really want to do this, we’re going to get very inappropriate here tonight.”

  A tingle went down her spine, and she swore her body temperature climbed by ten degrees in an instant. “Maxwell…”

  “Yes, Yvonne. You remember that name, because you’ll be calling it all…night…long.” He punctuated each pause with another kiss and busied his hands undoing the top buttons of her blouse. “You fantasize about me, huh?”

  She nodded…or something similar, since she was too busy melting to be sure.

  “I think it’s high time to make those fantasies a reality.”

  Chapter 14

  Maxwell held Yvonne’s hand, their fingers laced together as they moved slowly up the staircase. Though the passion that sparked between them demanded satisfaction, it was as if they both knew that this moment, this first time, should be savored.

  She walked a step behind him, and when he glanced back at her, he could see her soft smile in the dim light.

  Inside his bedroom, the drawn drapes shrouded the room in darkness. He quickly turned on a bedside lamp, not wanting to disturb the groove. He kissed her on the lips, holding up his index finger. “Give me a sec.”

  She nodded, standing a few feet from the doorway as if awaiting his instruction.

  He stepped away from her long enough to toss his construction vest, hard hat, and long-sleeved tee over the back of the armchair in the corner. He noticed the way her eyes darted from watching him to his bed, then back again. He smiled, sensing her anticipation, then sat in the chair long enough to rid himself of his socks, before returning to her.

  His hands resting on her upper arms, he guided her into the circle of illumination where he stopped. Trailing his fingertips over her jawline and down the curve of her neck, he slipped his hand around to her nape. “You’re sure, Yvonne?”

  “I’ve already told you what I want…” Her voice was just above a whisper.

  “Tell me again.” He stroked his fingertips along her satin jawline once more.

  “Yes, Maxwell. I want you.”

  The sexy rasp in her voice undid him, and he buried his hands in the soft recess of her hair, pulling her into his kiss. She opened her mouth right away, allowing his tongue to slip inside as she wrapped her arms around his waist. Having the lush, feminine curves of her body pressed against him hardened him almost to the point of pain.

  After a few moments of kissing, he broke the kiss so he could focus on undoing her shirt buttons. Tossing the shirt aside, he removed the thin chemise beneath to expose her lacy bra. The pink fabric cradled two perfect breasts, and he kissed the brown tops above the scalloped edges. Without ceasing his kisses, he reached around her to undo the clasp, then removed the bra and tossed it aside. Gathering the luscious weight of her honey-brown breasts in his hands, he kissed and suckled each dark nipple until her back arched. Her soft sighs let him know she liked his particular brand of passion, and he planned to give her all she could stand.

  He could stay there forever, but there was so much more of her to explore, so many more places to brand with his hands and mouth. He knelt, placing a trail of kisses along her belly as he undid her slacks. Pushing the fabric down until it pooled around her ankles, he backed up as she stepped out of them. The pink lace panties were cut high on her hips, exposing the expanse of her honey-brown legs. It was all he could do not to drool.

  He looked up at her, told her in an awe-filled voice, “Baby, you’re gorgeous.”

  “God, Max,” she crooned, her voice soft in the dim light.

  Her knees trembled, and he placed his hands on her waist to steady her. Caressing the round contours of her hips with his palms, he kissed the plane of her belly, then swirled his tongue in the hollow of her navel. “Let’s get you out of these. I don’t want anything between us.” Her legs shook again, and he held her in place with one hand, using the other to whisk away the last scrap of pink lace.

  She kicked the panties aside, and he inhaled sharply as he took in the sight of her glorious nudity. The lamp cast a glow over her sumptuous form, and his eyes lingered on the shadowy place between her thighs. He dragged his fingertip up the inside of one thigh, then down the inside of the other. “Open up for me, Von.”

  She did as he asked, widening her stance so that her feet were on either side of him.

  He leaned forward, nuzzling against the soft curls crowning her thighs. Moments later, he swept his tongue through her folds.

  Her knees buckled in time with the strangled cry that escaped her throat, and as before, he used a gentle hand on her hip to stabilize her. He followed the first lick with another, then another, and another still, enjoying the sweetness of her essence coating his tongue. She tasted of warmth and wanting, of an exotic meeting of sweetness and spice that had no name and was uniquely hers. The sounds she made only drove him to be more thorough. As her cries melted into sharp growls of pleasure, he felt the fire raging in his blood.

  A single word echoed in his mind. Mine. And as she came, shaking and shouting his name, he knew he’d begun the process of claiming her, of truly making her his.

  He eased away from her in time to keep her from collapsing beneath the weight of the magic, then gathered her into his arms, her limp legs draped over the crook of his elbow. Carrying her the short distance to the bed, he laid her down. Crawling atop her, he observed her. Her eyes were closed, her chest rising and falling in time with her rapid, shallow breaths. A light sheen of perspiration had collected around her hairline, plastering the tiny curls to her forehead, and the crimson flush of passion was all over her.

  She was disheveled, flushed, nearly vibrating with pleasure.

  And she was beautiful.

  He lazily stroked one thigh, and her legs parted for him as she groaned.

  “Ready?” He undid his pants, stepped out of them while awaiting her answer.

  “Now.” She hooked her lower leg around his waist and dragged him between her legs. “Please.”

  The tip of his dick brushed against her mound, and he winced. “Patience, baby.” He said it even as the scorching heat radiating from her body turned his own patience to ash. Shifting a bit, he stretched out his arm and opened the drawer of his nightstand. Snatching out a condom, he brought his hand between their bodies and covered himself with protection. Tossing the wrapper aside, he barely had time to breathe before he felt her hand encircling him.

  “Now,” she murmured again, guiding him inside.

  “Ahhh.” He felt his entire body tense as her heat enfolded him. Slowly, he entered her, inch by tantalizing inch, letting her guide him until she’d taken him in completely. He growled, moving his hips, and those first, deep strokes nearly rendered him senseless. With her tight warmth cradling him, he felt as if his entire body were on fire, the flames consuming him from the inside out.

  She moved her hips in time with his, rising to meet him each time he rocked forward. She arched for him, her head thrown back, presenting her breasts like a gift. He flicked his tongue over the taut tips, his affection climbing as she purred in response. Caught up in the wonder of her, he grasped her other ankle and brought it around so both her legs were hooked around his waist. Then he kicked up hi
s pace, driving into her as his growing arousal demanded.

  He heard his own grunts mingling with her high-pitched, staccato cries, and then it hit him. The blinding, glorious release he’d been chasing finally engulfed him, and he closed his eyes as his whole body vibrated with the force of it.

  He didn’t remember falling asleep, but the next sounds he heard were the baby’s cries.

  She stretched, her body shifting beneath his. “Sasha’s fussing. Maybe she had a bad dream.”

  Rolling over so she could get up, he watched her walk naked across the room toward his armchair. There, she took a moment to slip into his long-sleeved tee.

  Turning to face him, she asked, “Do you mind if I borrow this?”

  The sight of her, hair flying around her head like a crow’s nest, lips swollen from his kisses, and her neck bearing the slight redness where his lips had been, was one of the most erotic sights he’d ever seen. Hard for her all over again, he shook his head. “Not at all. But I should tell you that seeing you in my shirt is a major turn-on.”

  She giggled, her hand over her mouth. “Max, I have to go check on the baby.”

  “Go ahead. Because I’m about two seconds from dragging you back into this bed.” He gestured with his hand, effectively shooing her out of the room.

  With a wink, she turned and fled, shutting the door behind her.

  Lying there in the quiet, he tucked a pillow behind his head and stared at the ceiling. She’s amazing. She’d impressed him from the very moment she walked into his office. And now that they’d shared this moment, this magnificent lovemaking, he knew she’d captured him, heart and soul.

  “Max?”

  “Hmm?” He looked to the doorway as her voice broke into his thoughts and found her standing there with Sasha on her hip.

  “I’m going to take her downstairs and try to get her settled, okay?”

  He was so…enamored by the sight of her standing there, wearing his shirt and cradling his daughter, it took his breath away. He knew he should respond to what she’d said, but he couldn’t. Not when he was so busy imagining a future that included her wearing a huge diamond on her left hand and holding another child in her arms, a son they’d conceive together.

  She frowned. “Max, did you hear me? I’m taking Sasha downstairs.”

  “Sorry, I was…never mind.” He smiled, nodded. “I’ll be down in a minute.”

  * * *

  Yvonne attempted to roll over in bed Saturday morning but found she couldn’t move. Maxwell’s arm, locked around her waist, kept her firmly in place. Lying near the center of the king-size bed with him, she took a moment to relish his hard, muscled nudity pressed against her own.

  Over his shoulder, she could see the sliver of sunlight filtering between the dark drapes covering his windows. She yawned then, and as she moved to stifle it, he stirred with a low groan.

  He opened his eyes, and as soon as their gazes met, a huge grin spread over his face. “Good morning, Yvonne.” He gave her a squeeze, drawing her a bit closer to him.

  “Good morning.” She lifted her face, giving him a short peck on the lips. “Can I get up please?”

  His face twisted into a mock pout. “I’m disappointed. I was really getting into holding you like this.”

  If only he knew. “I’m just as into it as you are. But I have to go to the potty.”

  He chuckled, releasing his grip on her waist. “You’ve been working with kids for a long time, and it shows.”

  “Says the man who spent all night doing all sorts of very adult things to me.” She rolled over, scooting away from him before he could swat her behind. Padding over the plush carpet, she slipped into the adjoining master bathroom.

  When she returned, she found him standing by the windows. He’d opened the curtains, and the resulting flood of sunlight bathed his still nude body in a bright white glow. She swallowed, taking in the sight of his male beauty. His tall, broad frame was like a sinewy statue of carved bronze, and she couldn’t resist walking over to touch his chest. “I see you’re giving the neighbors a free show.”

  He laughed. “Nope. This window faces the backyard, and with my privacy fence, nobody can see a thing.”

  She crossed her arms over her body, feeling the chill hit her skin now that she’d left the warmth of the bathroom with its heated floor. “I’d better get dressed. Starting to get chilly.”

  “I keep it pretty cool in here.” He stretched, raising his arms high above his head. “I’m going to get in the shower. I’d ask you to join me, but if I did, we’d never make it to breakfast.”

  Her brow hitched. “What do you mean? Do you have plans for us?”

  His gaze swept over her body, lingering on her chest for a moment before rising to her face again. “For this morning, I was hoping you’d join me for another family breakfast at my parents’ house.”

  She tilted her head. “I thought y’all usually did that during the week?”

  He strode across the room, flipping on the light as he entered his huge walk-in closet. “We do. But we’re going out on the golf course this afternoon as a family, so we thought we’d just make a day of it.”

  Walking around to the side of the bed where her clothes were still piled up, she slipped into her camisole and panties. “Sure, I’m game. Just let me shower and—”

  Sasha’s plaintive wail cut through the silence.

  “Duty calls. Come and get Sasha when you’re done showering, then I’ll have my turn, okay?”

  “Sure thing,” he called from the recesses of the closet.

  She smiled. Here we are, coordinating the baby’s care like it’s no big deal. It made her thoughts stray to what it would be like to be a true member of this little family, not just Sasha’s caregiver. She left the room and walked down the hall to the nursery. When she entered, she found the baby standing up, holding on to the crib railing, with fat tears standing in her eyes.

  “Goodness.” She picked her up, holding her close and bouncing her until she calmed down. “Somebody’s hungry, huh?”

  Two hours later, they were standing on the front porch of Humphrey and Delphinia’s house. Sasha, dressed in a pink-and-white polka-dotted dress and solid pink leggings, bounced up and down in her father’s arms as they approached the front door. He fumbled around for a moment as if trying to free a hand.

  “I’ll get it.” Yvonne turned the knob.

  Finally succeeding in freeing one of his hands, he placed it over hers to stop her. “I wanted to ask you…”

  “What is it?”

  “I want to tell my family that we’re together today. As a couple.” He watched her as if waiting to see how she’d react. “If that’s okay with you.”

  She couldn’t stop the smile from spreading over her face. Knowing he wanted to share their relationship with the people most important to him meant a lot. “I’m definitely okay with it.” She sighed. “I just hope your parents approve.”

  “Oh, please. What’s not to love about you?”

  She nodded, certain he would take that as her agreement. It was more of an acquiescence; she had no way of knowing if the Deverses would approve of their son with someone like her. There wasn’t anything refined about her background, and as likable as the family seemed, sometimes she felt a bit out of place in their presence.

  If I remember right, though, they’re all pretty eager for him to settle down with someone.

  They were greeted by Kelsey as they entered the kitchen. “Morning, y’all.”

  Humphrey was already in his seat at the table, his face obscured by the open newspaper he held in front of him. Alexis and Delphinia were at the center island, putting the offerings on platters. Yvonne couldn’t help noticing how stoic the usually cheerful Delphinia seemed; even her expression seemed flat and distant.

  Greetings were exchanged, and after the food was set
on the table, everyone took a seat. It was in the breakfast nook, situated in the sunny alcove on the left side of the kitchen. Yvonne sat between Maxwell and his father, while baby Sasha was seated across from them on Aunt Alexis’s lap. Resting against her aunt’s chest while drinking from a sippy cup of formula, she seemed as happy as the proverbial clam.

  After Humphrey delivered a brief grace, the platters brimming with fluffy scrambled eggs, crisp bacon, triangles of wheat toast, and red, ripe strawberries were passed around the table until everyone had filled their plates.

  Yvonne ate in silence, watching the family’s interactions with one another. Alexis and Kelsey chatted easily with each other while Sasha gnawed on a strawberry she’d grabbed from her aunt’s plate.

  “So, Dad. When do you think we’ll get out on the lake again?” Maxwell watched his father expectantly.

  Humphrey shrugged. “I’ll have some time maybe two weekends from now. First thing I need to do is take the boat over to Harvey’s and have him take a look at it. She’s been out of commission for a good couple of years now.” He paused to sip from his mug of coffee. “Gotta make sure she’s still fit for sailing.”

  “Sounds good. If things are still going well at the jobsite, I should be able to swing that.” Maxwell turned Yvonne’s way. “That is if Yvonne is free to look after Sasha on a weekend.”

  Kelsey popped her lips. “No way. Let Yvonne have her weekends. I’ll be happy to take Sasha for a couple of days.” She reached over and tapped the tip of her index finger against the baby’s nose, eliciting a giggle. “We’ll have a great time. I’m sure she’d like to try some finger-painting with Auntie Kelsey. Isn’t that right?” She gave Sasha’s cheek a tiny squeeze, and more giggles followed.

  “Thanks, Sis.” Maxwell grinned. “So where are we fishing, Dad? Lake Rim, maybe? Or do you want to go farther out?”

  While the men discussed the details of their upcoming fishing trip, the sisters continued to fawn over Sasha. The baby was at peak precious today, and she’d easily turned her aunts into smiling, cooing, baby-talking enthusiasts. Yvonne couldn’t help smiling at their interaction; it was entirely too cute.