by Linzi Basset
She turned and walked away.
“He is my son, Joanne! You won’t keep him from me,” Max shouted angrily. The thought that he might not be the father never once crossed his mind. He knew it was his baby.
The whizz of the wheelchair sounded in Joanne’s ears as she stepped into the elevator.
“Joanne Katherine Blackmore! Get back here!”
She lifted her palm in his direction, smiled sweetly and just as the elevator door slid closed, her sweet voice floated toward Max, “Talk to the hand.”
Max cursed, spun the wheelchair around and ignoring Rhone, Keon, Jack and the rest of the team who had come to investigate the commotion, slammed the wheels into motion, back to the ops room.
“Richard!” His voice bellowed through the entire floor. “Get that fucking specialist on the phone!”
* * * * * * * *
Ding-dong! Ding-dong!
“I’ve got it,” Joanne shouted to Jack who was busy preparing breakfast in the kitchen, as she walked down the stairs when the doorbell rang.
“If it’s that damn vacuum cleaner salesman again, tell him I’ve got my shotgun ready,” Jack shouted back.
“I’ll be sure to tell him,” she laughed as she opened the door. Her smile slipped. Her mouth gaped open. “Maximilian?”
It had been three weeks since her visit to Precision Secure. She’d not heard or seen Max since and had been too proud to ask Jack about him. She had laid down the gauntlet and had started to believe that she’d gone too far. Now, she was filled with hope as she looked at him. He was as gorgeous as always. His hair had been neatly trimmed and his scruffy beard was as scrumptious as ever. The new silver dusted addition to the sides of his temples and beard gave him an even sexier look than before.
“You’re walking.” Her gaze moved over his legs encased in faded jeans. He was leaning heavily on the cane in his hand.
“Shuffling is a better description,” he said. She looked as ethereally beautiful as ever. Pregnancy suited her. She glowed from the top of her silky, honeyed gold tresses, to her small bare feet. His gaze shot back to her hair.
“You got your color back,” he stated the obvious.
Joanne fingered the shortened blonde curls. “The dark hair was part of a time in my life that I’d rather forget.” She glanced at him. “I thought you liked my blonde hair.”
“I love your hair, no matter its color, baby,” Max said as he walked closer and planted a long, hard kiss on her lips. “May I come in? I need to sit down.”
“Oh yes! Of course,” Joanne stepped back to allow him entry and closed the door behind him. She watched him as he walked slowly toward the living room. She itched to wrap her arms around him and support him but knowing how proud he was, it would be the worst thing she could do.
“Who was at the door?” Jack shouted from the kitchen.
“It’s Maximilian,” Joanne replied as she watched Max lower himself carefully in the wingback chair.
“Hey mate, are you joining us for breakfast?” Jack’s shout resounded back.
“Yeah, but only if you keep your big ass in the kitchen for the next fifteen minutes,” Max returned.
“This is my house. I’ll fucking do what I please, thank you very much,” Jack flung back.
Max chuckled. “I guess that means I’ve got to talk fast then.”
Joanne found it difficult to tear her eyes from him. He looked like the old Max, the man who loved to tease you all the way into his soul.
Max stared at Joanne. The past five months had been hell. He’d never felt such devastation as he had the day he was told he’d never walk again. He, who always felt energized and approached life with no holds barred. But it had been more than that. He’d been lonely. It had been blissful to have Joanne in his house, filling it with love and laughter. He’d become lost in the emptiness that now surrounded him . . . the loneliness.
He was left searching, hungering to find something to give him direction, a will to rise above the darkness that was pulling him down—yet finding nothing to ease the turmoil that kept him awake at night. He’d been able to hide it from his friends—to an extent—but somehow, he didn’t think they had been fooled by his forced laughter. Not when the dullness was always there in his eyes.
“Why are you here, Maximilian?” Joanne asked when she couldn’t bear the way he looked at her any longer. The longing in his gaze echoed what she was feeling. She had to hold herself from throwing her arms around him.
“Do you remember the kiss I gave you on your eighteenth birthday, Jo?”
Joanne smiled briefly at the unexpected question.
“Yes, it was on the porch while Jack went to fetch the champagne.”
“It was the sweetest, most honest kiss I’ve ever received. I knew then . . .” His gaze darkened as he watched her cheek suffuse with a rosy tint.
“Knew what?” she whispered.
“That I loved you. It was also the day I knew that I had to stay away from you. Far away. I was so much older than you and you were on the brink of becoming a woman.” He shrugged. “I should’ve stayed away longer but when I saw you again at Jack’s birthday party, I knew I had lost the battle. I didn’t even try to fight it. I should have but I didn’t.” He lowered his head briefly before he continued. “I’m sorry I hurt you, Joanne. Of all the people on this earth, you were the one who deserved it the least, but if I didn’t let you go, I would’ve destroyed you and I couldn’t do that.”
He got up and started to pace. Joanne smiled at that. Even now, still in the process of recuperating, he couldn’t sit still. She watched the ropey muscles in his thighs bulge as he walked back and forth.
“I always thought I was a brave man. I didn’t fear death—I still don’t—but I turned out to be a coward at the time it mattered the most. I failed you when I chased you away. I couldn’t bear to see pity in your eyes or watch as you wither away while taking care of me.”
“It should’ve been my choice, Maximilian,” Joanne fired back passionately.
“Yes, I know that now. I wasn’t thinking of you, it was all about me. What it would do to me and for that . . .” He stopped pacing and leaned on the cane. His stare was intense. “You made me realize just how wrong I had been. That I needed to have the courage to believe in life and love; to believe in myself.”
“And you did that.” She gestured to his legs with a bright smile.
“Because of you. You made me realize what I’ve been refusing to face. That my heart belongs to you and that you are the only one who can wipe out the emptiness that has been sucking me into a black void.”
Max sat down next to her in the sofa. He cupped her cheeks with a smile that could make the angels swoon. “My life has been empty and aimless all these years, Jo and I only fully came alive the times you were with me. When I’m alone in my house, I see your sweet smile; hear your tinkling laugh and your husky voice whispering in my ear when we make love.” He smiled tenderly. “I know now that I need you to make me whole. It has always been you.” His eyes glowed with warmth.
“I love you, Joanne, so fucking much and I can’t be without you one day longer,” he said against her ear. Joanne shivered as the heat of his breath awakened a deep longing. Max’s lips brushed briefly over hers—a soft touch that made her crave more.
“I never thought I’d hear those words from your lips, Maximilian,” she whispered against his lips.
Max gazed into her earnest eyes. He was humbled by the love that shone brightly and openly for him in their depths. He had never doubted her love because it had always been his for the taking— unconditionally. For a moment, he was too emotional to talk. He swallowed hard.
“The fact that you still love me after all the hurt I’ve caused you, is a miracle I will treasure all my life. And I will spend the rest of my life loving you and thanking you for giving me the strength to confront my fears.” He traced her lips, completely enchanted by the loving smile that curved them upward.
“I know t
his is completely unromantic, but I love you, Jo, with a depth and emotion that I can’t fully articulate. Will you marry me?”
Joanne breathed in deeply. She’d hoped for a declaration of love but not a marriage proposal. Especially as Max hadn’t even mentioned the baby once.
“This is much unexpected, Maximilian. However, I can’t help but wonder if you’re asking me now only because I’m pregnant,” she said and stood up. “I’m afraid I have to say no.”
Max didn’t move for a moment. Then, he slapped his hands on his thighs. “Right,” he said. He got up and started walking toward the door.
“Just that? Right? You’re not going to try and change my mind?” Joanne asked with disbelief painted over her features.
Max turned around. His face was impassive. His broad shoulders lifted in a negligent shrug.
“I declared my love—which is the undying kind, in case I forgot to mention it—I asked you to marry me; you said no. I did everything right.” He turned and took another couple of steps. “Now, if you want me to marry you, baby, you will have to do the asking.” With those cryptic words he made his way toward the kitchen.
“Maximilian Bartolomeus Shaw! Get back here,” she shouted, stamping her foot for added effect. He ignored her, forcing her to run after him.
He glanced at her as he reached the arched entrance into the kitchen. The wicked amusement in his eyes shot a shard of longing to her loins. How he always managed to arouse her with that particular look, she’d never know.
His eyebrows wiggled in a taunting manner as he flipped his palm in her direction.
“Talk to the hand.”
“You . . . I don’t believe this! You did not just do that to me,” Joanne raged with her hands on her hips.
“You better go and help your sister, mate. I think she has trouble breathing. Last I saw an expression like that, it was on a trout you had caught back home,” Max’s amused drawl floated toward her.
“That’s not funny, Maximilian!” Joanne balked in protest but couldn’t stay the smile that curved her lips upward.
Jack popped his head around the door and looked at her. He straightened and walked closer. With his arm over her shoulder he guided her back into the living room.
“Want a few pointers on how to seduce Max, sis?”
“Jack! You’re my brother. I don’t want seduction pointers from you,” she hissed, glancing to the entrance in case Max had followed him.
“Don’t worry, he’s drowning himself in coffee. Can I start being happy for you, sis? Has Max finally seen the light?”
“Gmphf . . . if expecting me to ask him to marry me is him seeing the light, then yes, I guess he has.”
Jack barked out a delighted laugh. “Somehow, I don’t think you’re telling me the whole story.” He hugged her against his chest and kissed her loudly on the cheek. “Now . . . about those pointers.”
“Jack!”
“Seriously, sis. I can help. No one knows Max’s tastes better than me.”
“Hm, I suppose you’ve got a point.”
“He loves kink dress but—”
“I hardly think it’ll be very seductive to wear nipple tassels with this huge tummy, Jack,” Joanne grumbled.
Jack brushed his hand over her belly. “It’s not huge and I have to say, I think it’s time I find a woman. I can’t wait for the day my wife is pregnant, sis. If there’s one thing a man can’t resist, it's the beauty of a woman carrying the fruits of his labor.”
Joanne raised her eyes to the ceiling. “Oh lord, you’re going philosophical on me!”
“As I was saying, Max loves kink dress. If there is a butt naked woman next to one dressed in sexy lingerie in front of him, I can guarantee you, he won’t even notice the naked one. He’ll go for the one who entices and enhances her beauty every time.”
Jack winked at her from the doorway and said loudly. “You’re welcome, sis and you can repay me by naming your firstborn after me.”
“Over my fucking dead body,” Max retorted from the kitchen.
“Ah c’mon, mate. Jack is a good, strong name. Some would even say wholesome.” He taunted as he walked back to the kitchen.
“I’d rather have that wholesome breakfast you promised. At this rate, it’ll be lunch by the time we eat,” Max grumbled.
Joanne sank into the sofa. She smiled as she listened to them bicker and poke fun at each other.
“My Maximilian is back and oh lord, I love him so much.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
“Anyone watching me right now might think that I’ve lost my marbles!”
Joanne hid behind one of the large plants at the restaurant, to the side of the Entertainment room at Club Devil’s Cove. She felt like a peeping Tom as she peeked between the leaves at the group of Masters gathered at the bar. She’d thought she’d feel self-conscious walking into the club with her pregnant belly but those who had seen her, thought she looked sexy and very enticing.
Everyone was elated that Max was walking again. With the exercises he’d been doing with Richard at the gym, his legs had been strong, and he was back to his normal self.
One particular Master held her attention. His easy smile was at the ready for every sub that approached him. For the first time Joanne wasn’t overcome with jealousy as she watched them flirt and caress his wide chest.
The knowledge that Max loved her had a lot to do with that. Joanne watched his hand brush over a sub’s ass or trace the curve of another’s hip. She was shocked to feel the tingle on her skin, like she was the recipient of his caresses. She felt a quietness flow over her. Acceptance and finally, understanding that as a Dom, Max was always the one in control. Every action was aimed at a specific outcome. His popularity with the subs in the club was undisputed and now, she knew why.
Master Jag was the ultimate challenge. The way he elicited submission offered subs supreme pleasure. As for Max? Watching him flirt and exert his domination at the same time was fascinating, especially now that she understood what he needed as a Dom from her—his submissive.
And it is high time he knows that I’ve matured as a submissive—his sub.
She skirted like a thief behind the seating areas, keeping out of sight to the group at the bar and slipped into the dungeon. Her aim . . . the harem room.
Joanne looked around. The one time she’d been there, she’d been too shocked to notice the intimacy of the room. It was decorated in rich colors of crimson, gold and copper hues, with a huge round bed in the center surrounded by soft chiffon sashes hanging from the roof. Hammocks piled with scatter pillows and plush sofas gave the room an added ambience. A Saint Andrew’s cross, a punishment chair and a spanking horse formed a half-circle in the one corner. The room oozed sensuality and over-indulgence—just as its name.
A mirror covered one wall. She turned to view herself skeptically. She’d taken Jack’s advice and was dressed in deep purple, baby doll lingerie in chiffon and lace with a satin thong. The teddy covered her growing belly, but the see-through lace top fitted her breasts like a glove. It made the amethyst glint in her eyes appear mysterious. Her blonde hair glimmered luxuriously as it tumbled over her shoulders. She’d even painted her toenails the same purple color and to show them off, she was barefoot.
A knock on the door drew her attention from her scrutiny. She pivoted to open the door. She smiled brightly at the three subs that entered.
“Are you sure you wanna do this, Violet?” asked Celia, the sub who Joanne had caught giving Max head in this very room.
“Yes. I finally understand the excitement of watching you caress each other. Especially to a Dom.”
“You do realize that Master Jag always joins in the fun, Violet. He doesn’t usually just watch.”
“I’m not expecting anything less. In fact, I’m depending on that.”
“I have to say, you’ve come a long way in a short time to realize what makes Master Jag tick,” Celia said with a smile. “I’ve been a sub for twelve years and believe me,
if I find the Dom I want to spend the rest of my life with, I’ll be slapping a chastity belt on him. Especially if he looked anything like Master Jag.”
“When you know you own his heart and his love, his happiness and pleasures are just as important as your own. I know that now. It has given me an ultimate sense of security. I feel safe and protected knowing that I can trust my heart and my body to his ownership. When he tells me I belong to him, I’m flooded with a sense of peace and contentment because it means he belongs to me as well.”
“That’s the kind of relationship I’ve been searching for.” Celia shared a smile of understanding with Joanne. “Well, shall we get ready?”
Celia climbed on the bed where Lucy and Vee were already waiting. They stared at Joanne with appreciation in their eyes.
“I have to say, Violet, you look fucking hot in that outfit. It makes even me wanna fall pregnant,” Lucy cooed with a faraway look in her eyes.
“Have you ever been aroused sexually by a woman, Violet?” Celia asked.
“During sub training, years ago, yes. It wasn’t unpleasant but not something that really excited me.”
The three women laughed. “Prepare yourself then, my dear. Having your Dom watch, is a game changer,” Vee said.
“We’ve told Master Jag that Master Black has requested his assistance with a punishment. He should be here in a couple of minutes. Shall we get started? Get you all hot and bothered by the time he arrives,” Celia said as she patted the spot between the three of them.
Joanne was uncomfortable and stiff as she joined them on the bed but soon their gentle and teasing caresses set her at eased and she relaxed. They were experts at getting past her conscious awareness, easing her into a new understanding of her body’s needs.
Celia caressed her shoulders and the soft skin under her arms but not once touched her breasts. Lucy and Vee squeezed her knees and her thighs, causing a shiver to start at the back of her knees to thrill upward. She was on her side and gasped as Celia trailed her hands over her back to tickle the skin of her ass. Her nipples started to grow taut.