KNOTTED: The Manhattan Bound Series, Book Three

by Juliet Braddock

  “What do you think she would have said about the TV show?” Maxine pressed him.

  “I don’t’ know,” Tom shook his head. “Might have given her the chance to see the world a bit.”

  “She always wanted you both to travel more,” Maxine reminded him. “Hey, she might have even quit her job to tag along with you.”

  “Oh, who knows if it will even get off the ground?” Tom shrugged. “Honestly, I wouldn’t have done it if I didn’t think that you were completely taken care of. Between Drew and Ben, I know you’re going to be fine.”

  Yes, it was time for Thomas Kirk to begin living his own life…and to learn how to love again.

  “So…” Maxine looked up at him with those questioning emerald eyes, just like she did when she was a little girl, seeking the answers to the entire universe in his wisdom. “So…we’re gonna be alright, Daddy?”

  Slowly, he nodded, hesitation brimming. However, he’d never lie to Maxine or simply tell her what she wanted to hear. Thomas Kirk always spoke from the heart, but also from the gut. “We’re doing as best we can, Princess. And things can only get better from here.”

  For what seemed like several minutes, Maxine just hugged her father. The unspoken silence of every word she needed to hear captured her in the circle of reassurance.

  “And one more thing,” Tom whispered against her hair. “I just want you to know that I have as much love in my heart for Drew as I do for Ben, Maxie. He’s brought us all in as family, and he understands how important that is to us. And I just know you’re going to have a very long and sweet life together—and that when things aren’t so rosy, you’ll find a way to make it through together.”

  “Daddy…” Maxine blinked away her tears again. She could hardly see at that point, so misty were her eyes. “Daddy, I don’t think there’s a better father in the world than you.”

  “That Declan’s a pretty good man,” Tom said as they began to head back toward Maison McKenzie. “And give that fellow you’re marrying a few years—and I mean a few years because I am not ready to become a grandfather yet. I bet he’ll be pretty good at it, too.”

  “I love you, Papa Kirk.”

  “And I love you, Princess…”

  When they’d returned, Adam held court alone on the front porch—sipping a bottle of beer, puffing on a cigar and whispering sweet nothings to Jillian on the phone. She’d be arriving the following day with Jeffrey and Ben, and Adam’s almost child-like anticipation warmed Maxine’s heart.

  As they slipped into the house, Maxine wandered into Drew’s open arms as he stood up from the dining room table where he’d been discussing last-minute plans with his parents. Maxine had borne the brunt of managing logistics, and he knew she needed a break from all talk of tulle and tableware.

  “You look sleepy, little one,” Drew murmured as he kissed her ear. “Want me to meet you in your room to tuck you in?”

  “I would love it…”

  After bidding her good-nights, she began her climb to the second floor and headed down the long hallway to the room she’d call home until Saturday night. As per usual, Nellie was chasing Emile all over the place—across the floor, over the bed, into the bathroom. They certainly didn’t have the same space to roam as they did at the penthouse, but Maxine and Drew were both fearful to let them outside the bedroom with so many people coming and going. In that house, they could be lost for days or escape outside.

  The knock on the door, heavy and precise, brought a smile to Maxine’s lips, and Drew was quick to cross the room.

  Placing his hands on her shoulders and turning her to face him, Drew kissed her so sweetly on the lips, easing away her stress and sadness of the evening with the gentle probe of his mouth. “Two more days until I marry you,” he reminded her. “And you've been crying. Talk to me?”

  There was absolutely nothing she could hide from Drew, even when she thought she'd wiped the evidence of her tears away. Maxine shrugged. “Just had a moment with Daddy,” she said. “We’re both missing Mom right now.”

  Brushing the tendrils of her hair away from her face, he whispered, “And that’s okay. No one wants or expects you to forget about her right now. We’re all thinking of her, and our hearts are with you both.”

  “Oh, Drew, I love you.” Placing her hands on his cheeks, she looked so deeply into his true blue eyes. “How I love you.”

  “Come on, sweet little one,” he whispered. “It's been a long day. Let me tuck you in.”

  The mood shifted radically from sentimental to sexual. As his hands lifted her t-shirt, Maxine's jaw dropped in surprise. “I thought you were staying in the guest house...”

  “Oh, I am,” he grinned. “I'm just getting you ready for bed before I head down there. Where's your jammies?”

  “Red bag next to the fireplace...”

  Rummaging through her toiletries, underwear and cat toys like a man on a mission, he said, “What the hell is my t-shirt doing in here? Last I knew, I tossed it in the laundry room.”

  “I know,” Maxine said. “But it smells like you. I planned ahead for my lonely nights here in this big house without you.”

  “Well, then,” he said as he returned to her, “I think it's only fair game if I get to take your panties with me.”

  Hooking her thumbs into the belt loops of her jeans and tugging them down just ever so slightly on her hips, she said, “Be my guest...”

  “Oh, little one, I fully intend to...”

  First, Drew reached behind her to unsnap her bra, the strap of which he pulled between his lips and dragged down her arm to free it. From there, the tip of his tongue took a slight detour to the inside of her wrist, which he knew was a ticklish spot for Maxine. He then traveled back up that same arm—flicking over the equally delicate skin inside her elbow. As he lapped along her collarbone, he removed the other strap. Yes, indeed, her nipples were feeling that old, familiar tingle, and he took one into his mouth, nibbling her delicately with his teeth.

  “Uh-uh-uh, Mack,” Maxine warned. “No play until we're lawfully wed. Wasn't that, in fact, your decree?”

  “I can break my own laws in my own kingdom, Maxine.”

  “Never gonna make it...” she ribbed him.

  “Me...or you?” his breath played against her breast as his fingers worked at the button on her jeans. “I know I'm quite capable.”

  “We do have a blowjob in some seedy little corner of Paris...ahem...riding on this...”

  “Oh, I'm fully aware of that, Maxine,” he said. “And I never...” His hand pulled hard against her jeans. “...ever...” And he tugged them lower, past her knees. “...lose...”

  “You're just a tease, Drew,” Maxine said, her voice husky.

  “A tease who will thrill you come Sunday morning,” he promised. “Step out of your jeans now...”

  Struggling as she kicked, Maxine finally maneuvered the denim over her ankles and feet. Four days had passed since they'd made any sort of love—kinky or otherwise. The evidence of her desperation stained the front of her silken panties. However, he seemed to be in Dom mode, so to humor him, she bent down, folded her jeans, and placed them on the chair beside the bed.

  “Such an obedient girl this evening,” he said. “Who needs a Dungeon? You could play anywhere, Maxine...”

  “Please?” she implored. “Kind Sir?”

  “How I would love to,” he said tenderly, smiling as he shook his head. “But think about how delicious our wedding night is going to be if we abstain now...”

  “Abstinence only makes Naughty Sassy Maxine grow wetter...”

  “And that's exactly how I need you to be for me, little one,” he said, his thumb pressing against then circling her clit through her panties before he pulled them down. “Good thing I grabbed a second pair for you from your bag. Now, on your back for me. I need to clean you up before I dress you.”

  After tucking her panties in his pocket, Drew reached for the box of tissues on the nightstand and so delicately dabbed her betwee
n the legs.

  “Oh, you’re killing me...” Maxine groaned. “Just one, please?”

  “Can’t do that, Maxine...”

  “I’ll take care of it after you leave—you’ll never know.”

  “Ah, my dearest little one...that’s why I’m tucking you in,” he explained. “I promise I won’t leave you until you’ve fallen fast asleep...”

  Maxine spread her legs wider with the hope that he would just say the magic word. “Drew McKenzie de Sade...”

  “That would be Marquis Drew McKenzie de Sade to you, toots...”

  “May I please come...Marquis?”

  Nuzzling his stubbly cheek against her inner-thigh, he chuckled, his breath wafting acutely over her overheated center. “No, Maxine. What part of that word don’t you understand?”

  Before creating another mess to clean up, he reached behind him for her clean pair of panties and yoga pants, then tapped her on the hip. “Legs up.” Carefully but not so sensually because they both did need their rest, Drew slipped the panties over her legs.

  “Just panties,” Maxine said. “And your t-shirt.”

  “Sure about that?”

  “Mmm hmm...”

  “Okay,” he said, with an air of skepticism rising in his tone. She was always so cold at night. “Lift your arms...”

  How adorable Maxine looked, practically drowning in his huge, faded, navy blue tee that he'd slept in himself just the night before. Yes, it would indeed be a struggle for Drew to wait until after the reception...but one so worth every second.

  The bed had already been turned down by the staff at Maison McKenzie, which just left Drew to find the kittens to lull to sleep beside Maxine for some company in his absence.

  “Emile doesn't like to be covered,” Maxine said, taking the purring little bundle of fur from Drew's hands and asking for one quick kitty kiss before settling him next to her head on the pillow.

  Holding his precious Nellie with one hand and dragging the blankets over Maxine with the other, Drew endeavored to manage both of his squiggly girls. When at last he settled on the bed, he placed Nellie beside Emile, then curved himself around Maxine.

  “I wish you'd stay with me the whole night...”

  “I'm rather enjoying this little twist on traditionalism,” he murmured against her ear. “And I enjoy just holding you like this.”

  “Me, too,” she whispered and comfortably settled back against the strength of his entire body.

  As he squeezed her tighter, his lips feathered through her hair. “I love you, my precious little one...and sweet dreams...”

  Turning in his arms, Maxine touched her lips to his. “I love you back—and sweet dreams to you, too, Kind Sir...”

  Chapter Ten

  “Adam, it's not even noon!” Maggie scolded as she hurried past him with a vase of flowers in each hand to set the table for lunch. “Put that beer away until later!”

  “Mumsy, I have to drink to get through this,” he explained. “My big brother is getting married in two days. I'm losing my only ally in bachelorhood.”

  “Might be losing that all on your own, Big Guy,” Maxine chimed in. “Jill should be here with Jeffrey and Ben any second.”

  “Shit, maybe I should put this beer away,” Adam said, tucking the bottle behind a pair of Venetian masks displayed on the bookshelves behind him.

  “Saw that,” Maxine said.

  Forlorn, Adam shot Maxine a sharp sideways glance, and reluctantly retrieved the beer.

  “I'm betting you lost your new car, buddy,” Tom added.

  “You know, I don't need to be subjected to all of this mockery,” Adam said suddenly. “I think I need a few moments of quiet...”

  “Why don't you go stand in the corner?” Declan suggested, never looking up from his copy of the Times as he sat with his coffee on the couch.

  Alone, in his sockless sandals, Adam McKenzie retreated and strode out to the front porch sans his beer to sulk. Conjuring Coldplay in his head, he took a seat on the concrete and focused his gaze upon the long driveway

  “Hey, buddy,” the familiar voice startled him from behind. “Want some company?”

  Turning his head, he met Drew’s surprisingly soft gaze and muttered, “Only if you don't pick on me.”

  “Didn't we have a little talk about the sandals, bro?” Drew joined him on the stoop and nudging Adam's foot with his own leather loafer.

  “Jillian said that my sandals are fine,” Adam informed him. “As long as I don't wear the socks...”

  “See,” Drew said, draping his arm around his baby brother's mammoth shoulders, “you're learning how to compromise.”

  “Like you compromised with anyone before Penelope...” Adam accused.

  Scooting back, Drew slugged Adam in the arm. “And that's how I knew I was in love with her.”

  Adam shook his head and pursed his lips, minding Drew with all sincerity. “You're so relaxed right now.”

  “I have no reason to feel anything otherwise,” Drew said with a confident smile. “There's not a single doubt in my mind over my love for Maxine—over the idea of spending the rest of my life with her.”

  “Well, that's all good because I'm the one who's nervous,” Adam finally admitted. “Jillian has a way of wrecking my cool.”

  “And that's normal,” Drew reasoned. “You think I was the pillar of calm when I first met Maxine?”

  “Wait...” Adam grabbed his brother's forearms. “Wait, wait...wait.”

  With a chuckle, Drew asked, “What?”

  “The great Drew McKenzie admits to being human!” Adam cheered. “Mark this day on the calendar.”

  Leaning in close, Drew whispered, “Can you keep a secret?”

  “Maybe...for a price...” Adam said, then laughed. “Yeah, just tell me, Dr. Drew!”

  “The one person who can shatter my confidence is Thomas Kirk,” he began “I’ve stuttered and stammered my way around him since we first met. I’ve almost even spilled a couple of drinks on him...”

  With a very thoughtful nod, Adam said, “That's deep, dude.”

  “And even after all of that...Tom didn't care. He knew my love for Maxine was genuine, and that's all that mattered to him.”

  “So, okay, let me get this straight here...two lessons here today,” Adam said, counting on his fingers. “It's all gonna be alright, even though Jillian scares the crap out of me right now...”

  “Yep...”

  “And—at all costs—win over her father...”

  “Exactly!” Drew snapped his finger, thrilled that for once, Adam was actually paying attention to his advice.

  “You know, she doesn’t get along with her family all that well,” Adam reminded Drew. “But I think her father actually kinda liked me when we spent the weekend in Michigan with them. He’s into microbrews, so he can’t be that bad…”

  “Beer is an excellent way to bond with her father!” And Drew knew that better than anyone.

  Never in a million lifetimes did he ever think that he'd be the one offering relationship advice to Adam. He had to tread carefully.

  However, Adam’s smile faded as silence fell between them. He continued to look out toward the winding driveway for any signs of a car. A pang of concern struck Drew suddenly. He’d never seen Adam switch gears so quickly.

  “Something is on your mind, little brother….”

  With a shrug, Adam said, “Yeah...I guess so…”

  Giving Adam’s arm a quick squeeze, Drew implored him, “Talk to me. Don’t keep it in.”

  “Nah…not right now.”

  “Did you two have a fight?” Drew pressed him.

  “Haven’t had one of those since before we started dating, actually.”

  “Come on, Adam, what’s bugging you?”

  “It’s your wedding week,” Adam said. “You don’t want to hear my bullshit.”

  “Who cares what week it is?” Drew asked. “If something has you upset, it’s not bullshit.”

  Shifting his enti
re body, he turned and looked into Drew’s eyes. “I’m really worried about her, Drew. She’s been sick on and off for a while now. Look at her eyes—puffy, dark circles. She’s not looking well.”

  In truth, Maxine had said the same to Drew, but he didn’t want to add fuel to his brother’s fire. “Has she been t a doctor?”

  “Yeah, and she just keeps telling me she’s fine.” Disgust raged in his voice. “So help me, I’m taking her to whatever specialist she needs next week myself, and we’re getting to the bottom of what’s going on here.”

  “I…let’s just say that I went through something similar with Maxine,” Drew said. “Tread carefully there. Now, I realize that I could have easily lost her forever.”

  “But you cared about her enough to take charge of the situation. Right now, I don’t care if I piss her off for a couple of days. I’m in love with her, dammit. And I have been for a while…” Shoving himself up from the stoop, Adam grunted and began to pace. “And I just disappointed you, too. You’re fucking getting married, and I’m just going off about Jillian.”

  Following his brother’s lead, Drew stepped up and caught Adam, stopping him dead in his tracks. “Doesn’t matter, Adam. You’re upset. And that upsets me.”

  “Let us just play this game for a couple of days, okay?” Adam begged him. “Jillian’s going to put up a front, and I can deal with that until Sunday when everyone is gone.”

  “Adam?”

  “Yeah?”

  While his mind whirled with worry for Jillian, Drew still couldn’t help but smile. “It’s rather wonderful seeing you finally in love…”

  “You know, bro…it’s nice to be in love,” Adam admitted. “I don't get mushy very often...but, likewise, I really am thrilled for you that you've found Penelope. And I think she's a good fit with the fam.”

  “Adam, that’s quite possibly the nicest thing you've ever said to me,” Drew said, then added a moment later, “and meant...”