by D. A. Young
Again Max nodded. “If I do anything to displease you, you’ll let me know?”
“Wait! There is something else. I have a photo shoot in Las Vegas next week,” Georgina said excitedly, still unable to believe she was going to take this huge leap in her life. “I want you to be my model.”
“You want me to model for your lingerie ad?” Max asked slowly and Georgina nodded her head eagerly, already in business mode. With his gorgeous looks and sex appeal, she knew that he alone would be eye-catching on the cover. Add her designs, and she could feel in her bones that the article would be an eye-catching winner.
“Yes, that’s the deal. You invest in my business, and I make you richer. I get you as a model, and you get an assistant. Plus, there’s the bonus of being lovers for four weeks and then we walk away friends. Deal?” Georgina asked in her crisp business voice as she held out her hand.
Max grabbed her hand and pulled her to him, lowering his head to seal their deal with a searing kiss. Georgina clung to him and he scooped her up without breaking the kiss and walked back to the table. He set her on the edge and sat down in the seat in front of her with a raised eyebrow and expectant look. Heavily aroused, she threw her legs over his shoulders, causing her dress to fall open and reveal her naked, glistening pussy. Gripping her hips, Max leaned forward and delved his tongue into her sweet, hot wetness as Georgina ran her fingers through his curls, moaning and writhing under his skillful ministrations.
Max smiled as he delved even deeper, confident he would get the outcome he wanted. Four weeks was enough time to change her mind. He’d won cases for millions in less time.
Chapter Nine
It felt good to be with Uncle Nate and Aunt Valerie again. Before picking them up from the hospital, Georgina cleaned the house from top to bottom, especially the table.
On the way to the farm, they chatted about the changes the spring season would bring to Baymoor and the annual festivities which included the Easter egg hunt that would take place at the farm and the spring carnival. With every season change, the town celebrated with a carnival, and the spring one was the most popular. As they started the drive down the long road with white wooden fencing in the green pastures on either side leading to the big farmhouse, Georgina took in the changes that had been made in her absence.
The road was now paved, and the big cherry-red barn had doubled in size. Next to it was a small black building with a parking lot. She had a moment of nostalgia as the house came into view. It was still the same— a big, white, sprawling two-story with three chimneys and steps leading up to the wraparound porch lined with Adirondack chairs and two porch swings. Georgina remembered that after mealtime was over, everyone would come out to relax and stretch on the porch. She remembered sitting on the steps numerous times waiting for Farmer Jennings and Uncle Nate to come home from being out in the fields.
Now another man, with two beautiful Australian shepherds by his feet, stood on the porch waiting for them. Her heart leaped at the sight of Max so tall and handsome in his gentleman’s attire. He’d put the cowboy away for the night. His eyes were shielded by a cognac-colored Newsboy cap that matched his belt and brogues, but she could feel them on her. He was wearing a two-pocket olive work shirt with rolled up sleeves and dark denim distressed jeans. As they got out of the car and approached the porch, Georgina struggled to compose herself. Good Lord, the man hadn’t even said hi to her yet and already she wanted to get naked for him. He came down the steps to meet them, the dogs running ahead, tails wagging to greet Nate and Valerie. Max shook Nate’s hand, kissed Valerie’s cheek, and greeted Georgina politely.
“Hi, Georgina; welcome to my home. Let me take that from you. Sherlock and Watson, down!” he commanded of the dogs as he took the box containing German chocolate brownies and chamomile and caramelized honey macarons that she’d bought from Sugar Rush bakery. Max turned and started back up the stairs, chatting with Nate and Val. Georgina frowned and bent to pet the dogs. She felt stupid for taking so much time to select her knee-length black, form-fitting dress and nude heels with her leather biker jacket.
Max held the door open with one hand and allowed them to pass through. Georgina was the last to walk by, and he stopped her to cup her delicate chin and press an all too brief kiss to her lips. He winked at her, and she lowered her gaze to his lips, needing more than a damn peck. Her stomach dipped when she thought of this gorgeous man, who played her body expertly, being her lover for the next few weeks and couldn’t control the elation and arousal that shot through her starving body.
“Stop looking at me like that, love, or I’ll make an excuse to show you the barn. You look amazing by the way,” Max said in his panty-dropping voice, and then nodded his head towards the door, indicating that she should go in. As Georgina passed, he closed his eyes and inhaled her scent, before shaking his head and letting his breath out with a whoosh as he watched her swaying backside. It was going to be a long night.
***
Dinner was delicious; Max was a superb cook. For appetizers, he’d made a charcuterie board of pecorino cheese, Vermont white cheddar, and brie accompanied by prosciutto and smoked cashews. There were small, thin slices of French bread and strawberry chipotle preserves and hot honey bourbon butter. The main course was lemon orzo with sautéed prawns and asparagus.
During dinner, the group shared their traveling adventures and discovered they had a lot in common. They all loved Europe and spoke French. Max was also fluent in Italian and Spanish. Nate and Valerie entertained them with stories about living in London and Paris. When Valerie was attending university in England, Nate visited several times on spring and summer breaks from Oregon State. After they graduated college, he was accepted at Le Cordon Bleu so they married in Paris before school started, and Val worked at a well-known fashion house. During their spare time, they traveled throughout Europe before coming home for good. Watching them, you could tell they truly loved each other and were best friends. It was evident in every touch and glance, and Georgina couldn’t stop looking at them. Occasionally she would feel Max’s eyes on her, but she couldn’t even look at him as she was too afraid he would see in her eyes the longing for what her aunt and uncle had; that underneath her prickly demeanor, she was just a big old softie.
“Do you have plans to go back to Italy, Georgina?” Max asked casually. He had been trying not to stare at her all night, but he enjoyed the deep v of her dress and the way the fabric clung to the lush curves of her breasts.
Before she could answer, Uncle Nate jumped in huffily, “She better not! Last time she was there, she started dating this smooth-talking, gigolo-looking fellow. He was so full of crap with his slicked back hair and all his “ciao bellisimas”. He came to every show they had in Italy!”
He was talking about Franco, an avid fan of El Sol & Le Moon. He’d been a real sweetheart, but he had actually been in love with Hugo, a brawny Croatian member of their dance troupe. Every night swearing her to secrecy, Franco would profess his love for Hugo until Georgina’s ears just about fell off. She didn’t have the heart to tell him it would never happen because Hugo was in a committed relationship with Yuri, their Austrian star tumbler.
“Is that right?” Max asked tightly, jealous of some little shit named Franco. He wanted to book a flight to Italy, find and ram his foot up the ass of some man that he had never met, all because of Georgina. Had she moaned for him over and over as well? He took a sip of his wine and coolly surveyed her bland expression.
“Uncle Nate is exaggerating. It’s a big drama-filled story that is hardly worth the time or energy to tell it.” She went back to eating her food, acutely aware of his gaze on her. Neither one of them caught the look of amusement Valerie and Nate exchanged. Before Georgina arrived at the hospital, they’d discussed Max’s interest in their precious niece. They agreed that the pair made a great couple and would test the waters at dinner. Judging from Max’s jealousy, it seemed they were on the right track. Nate mouthed to his wife, ‘you’re next’
, and she nodded with a smile.
From there, any conversation between the two younger people went downhill. After dinner, everyone moved into the family room for coffee and dessert while Sherlock and Watson lounged in front of the fireplace. Georgina noted the changes to the house. The furniture was now decorated in a more modern industrial design rather than the heavy brown furniture Walter had preferred. She touched a console table in admiration. At first, it appeared to have only two drawers, but as Georgina peered closely, she saw there was a pull-out top drawer on the surface of the table that blended in. “This is an amazing piece of work. Look at the intricate detailing on the door handles. Were they all hand-carved?”
“Isn’t it exquisite? Max introduced us to a company called Americana Traditions. I loved their work so much that your uncle and I commissioned the picnic tables at the cafe as well as the candle holders. Oh, and they also did our new dining room table! Did you notice it?” Valerie was so enthusiastic, she didn’t notice Georgina’s ill expression, but Max did and couldn’t resist teasing her.
“Yeah, Georgina, you didn’t notice that gorgeous piece of work in the dining room? It’s so sturdy and durable,” he said innocently, and she glared at him as Valerie agreed.
“I can’t wait to spread a feast out on the table when your brother and sister come,” she said to her niece, and Max chuckled knowingly.
“Only the best meals should be served on a table as fine as that one,” Max co-signed.
Nate chimed in with, “That table was expensive but a good investment. So strong and solid. Why I bet it could withstand a-”
“Good rocking?” Max suggested helpfully and shrugged when Valerie and Nate looked at him in confusion.
“Any macarons left?” Georgina asked in a strangled voice as she gave Max a murderous look.
Max was finally cooling down from his earlier jealousy as he teased Georgina. He enjoyed the way she could be baited so easily. Her face was alive with the color and fire snapped in her warm brown eyes. Again they didn’t notice when Nate nudged Valerie, and the two co-conspirators exchanged mischievous smiles.
“Max, what about that lovely girl you brought to the hunt last year? She was really nice; do you still keep in touch?” Now it was his turn to shift uncomfortably under Georgina’s narrow-eyed, judgmental stare. She raised her eyebrows as if to say “really?”.
“We were just friends, Valerie. And she actually wasn’t here for a personal visit but to purchase a horse for her nephew,” Max replied tersely, wondering why she was referring to another woman when he’d already expressed an interest in her niece to her.
Georgina began gathering the empty plates and coffee mugs without saying a word. When she walked out, Max jumped up to turn on a soul station on the small stereo. Immediately Nate and Val cuddled up with each other and sang along with the music. Max scooped up the rest of the dirty plates and told them to relax. He found Georgina at the sink washing dishes. Max grabbed a dish towel and started drying next to her. He looked out the window at the full moon lighting up the yard, and then back at her. Her lips were pursed, and she wore a slight frown that he wanted to kiss away.
“I guess neither one of us was prepared to hear about the other’s involvement or possible involvement with someone?” The thought of him being with someone and doing the things he had done to her made Georgina feel violently ill. She was jealous that someone else had touched him. The raging jealous fights between her mother and her men flashed through her mind, and she quickly blinked them away.
“Carmen is the lady we discussed the other day. We have a casual sexual relationship with no strings attached. I haven’t seen her in five months,” he explained sincerely. “Our agreement was for the time that you are here. And during that time frame, I will not cheat on you nor abuse your trust, Georgina. I promise. Are we ok?”
No, she wasn’t ok. How could she say that she wanted to change the rules before they even started? Her mind flashed back to a couple of days ago in the hospital when one week had seemed like forever; now even with the additional time, it didn’t seem like enough. Her jealousy was stupid and petty. She would take what the next month brought and walk away when they were done. “Everyone is entitled to a past, Max.”
“Tomorrow let’s go over your business plan and go horseback riding?” Max suggested, exhaling hard. He hadn’t even realized he was holding his breath as he waited for her answer, and smiling shyly, Georgina nodded her head in agreement.
He returned her smile, and later when he walked them to the car, he held her hand in front of Nate and Valerie who beamed their approval. Max barely managed to restrain himself from begging her to stay with him when he claimed her lips in a possessive kiss that she returned sweetly. Internally he groaned, because he knew that tonight just like every night since he’d met her, he’d be stroking off in the shower before going to bed alone.
On the drive home, Nate turned to Valerie and suggested they go back to Paris. As she looked at him in surprise, he pleaded his case.
“You know Paris in the spring is gorgeous! It’s been so long since we’ve had a long vacation. The doctor said that I should just relax for the next month. We could shut down the café for three weeks and be back in time for Easter preparation. Raymond could organize everything we need in the meantime. While I was lying in the hospital, all I could think of was how short life is and to truly appreciate it. Say yes, Val,” he urged.
“I would love to, Nate, but we can’t put people out of work for three weeks. They have bills to pay,” she said reasonably, but Georgina could hear the longing in her voice.
Nate smiled at her but couldn’t hide his frustration. “You’re right. I guess I was just being selfish, wanting you all to myself and taking a break, sorry.”
Georgina sat in the backseat listening to them. They had taken her in and provided her with a home, no questions asked. When she left without looking back, she still had their support. They were her biggest cheerleaders, and their confidence in her was unwavering. They’d never asked anything of her. Georgina cleared her throat. “I have an idea…”
***
Georgina and her aunt arrived at The Comfort Table bright and early. When she offered to watch the café so they could go to Paris, they had stared at her in disbelief. Almost offended, she reminded them that she was a business major with a minor in culinary arts. They were overjoyed and couldn’t thank her enough. But she waved it off because it was the least she could do for them. This morning Valerie was going to show her how to do payroll, banking, and supply ordering while they were in Paris, as well as hold a staff meeting to formally introduce her to the staff. After further discussion last night, they decided to promote Chandra to a part-time manager position. She was an excellent employee with a great work ethic and people personality. She was also the perfect counterpart to Raymond’s crusty personality and would ensure he didn’t offend or scare customers off. The promotion would also enable Georgina to take Fridays and Saturdays off. Val also confided that Raymond and Chandra had been a couple for five years, but kept it absolutely professional at work. As in, don’t ever refer to them as a couple within the walls of the cafe.
Tomorrow she and Max would be going to Las Vegas. Due to Georgina’s spontaneous decision to stay longer, the photo shoot was being moved up after texting Max, who said he was fine with it. Tonight she would be spending the night at his house, and they would head to the airport for their two-day trip to Las Vegas from there. Despite the time difference, she and Renee had a phone conference late last night on what needed to be done in order to make the shoot go smoothly. Then after that, Georgina was so excited about the prospect of expanding the business, she was inspired to create a small loungewear capsule collection, as well as a signature candle, that would be available in time for the holidays. She’d stayed up until four-thirty this morning; and although she was tired, it was nice to spend time with Aunt Val for some one-on-one girl time.
Valerie told the best stories and was a gre
at listener. The last couple of hours had flown by as she regaled Georgina with interior designer stories, and now they were waiting for Nate and Raymond to join them. Nate was at City Hall speaking with the mayor regarding postponing the party until he and Valerie returned from Paris.
“I still can’t believe you cut your hair this short, but it suits you, baby,” Valerie said, fluffing Georgina’s layers. “It has such a sixties vibe and I love it, with your big eyes.”
“Thank you. It’s really easy to do and one less hassle for me,” she murmured, avoiding Valerie’s assessing gaze.
“And it has nothing to do with the fact that if you hadn’t cut and straightened it, you’d be your mother’s identical twin?” Valerie inquired bluntly, watching as Georgina’s face went deliberately blank. And because she knew that look meant her niece wouldn’t be forthcoming with any more information, Valerie changed the subject.
“So, Georgie, I have to ask; what’s going on with you and Max? You have to know that we’re concerned since you don’t have much of a social life. I know your uncle was giving you a hard time about your friend the other night, but he just wants you to be happy,” Valerie explained.