Once again, Maxine swore that he could read her mind. “You truly are a Kind Sir…”
“I can be…” he agreed half-heartedly. “Especially on days like today when I’m in a giving mood…”
Spinning in his arms to catch his expression, Maxine questioned him with her eyes alone. His lips twitched slightly before curving into a smile, and then he turned her again to face the window.
“Silently and sweetly, little one,” he breathed into her ear. “Time to put everything into practice. You’re not hiding in some opera box. You’re right here. There are others in this room. There are people below in the gardens. Don’t let them know how much pleasure you’re about to have.”
Steadily, she pulled the fresh spring air into her lungs and held that breath for a long moment. Pressing back against him, she molded her body to his, thrilling in the slight pressure of his cock against her.
How she wished she could just snap her fingers to clear the room. She envisioned herself bent over that thick mattress on the bed where Monet himself once slept—bare-bottomed to Drew with her dress bunched at her waist, waiting to shove that cock up her hungry little ass.
Oh, in fantasy, that would be the perfect scenario, but at the moment, all she had was her imagination—and the sounds of Drew’s seduction teasing her ears—as she willed herself to come.
Allowing herself to sink into the moment, she closed her eyes, envisioning herself clutching that bolster pillow on the bed while Drew fucked away—grunting in his wake. While her thoughts raced quickly, wild with her own desires, her clit rallied with the teases and dares he’d been issuing since they arrived.
And once again, he brought his lips to her ear. “You’re damp, aren’t you? And you’re getting closer…” he enunciated every word with the rasp of his lust. “I wish you could tell me what you’re thinking right now, but I don’t think that would be appropriate.”
“No…” she said so softly that he barely hear her utterance. “Kind Sir…”
Now, her breasts felt as if he’d been pulling on them all morning, as her nipples swelled with the delight of her dirty thoughts and Drew’s encouraging words alone.
“I think you’re going to come for me,” he taunted as she opened her eyes wide. “Very soon.”
Maxine swallowed, then took another short breath. She felt as if the weight of the world tugged at her clit, and she knew it wouldn’t be long. “Such a keen sense of my reactions, Kind Sir…”
“You’re so lovely when you behave like this for me, Maxine. So soft spoken…so sensitive…so…supple…”
Imagination on overload, she allowed herself to drift into that familiar territory where pleasure ensconced her and nothing existed in the world outside of Drew and his commands.
The silkiness of her panties only served to enhance the tingling between her legs as she felt that rumble of raw passion building in her belly. Slackening against Drew, she felt fragile as she constricted with the tension of her own pleasure.
Ever tighter, Drew held her, stilling Maxine in her place. Her quietude left him both amazed yet proud of her once again. As she opened her eyes and dropped her jaw, he continued to coach her through every second of her orgasm, whispering in her ear as she shuddered so subtly against him. “You’re doing so well, Maxine. Just keep coming. That’s my good girl.”
While those words truly set her over the edge, she merely grabbed the windowsill and gripped as she focused her gaze on a patch of wildflowers in the garden. So readily, she succumbed to her pleasure and indulged in that gratification that rippled between her clenched thighs.
“Wish I had the capabilities to pull that off,” Drew chuckled. “You can come anywhere…”
And no one on that house tour was none the wiser.
Once more, she faced him with those seeking eyes. “I pleased you, Kind Sir?”
“Immensely…” he said, blowing little kisses through her hair. “You’ve literally come full circle here. Now if you’d just behave all the time…”
“So hard to do, Sir.” To her own astonishment, she could actually walk on her own two feet, with Drew steadying her by the elbow.
“It could be so easy, Maxine,” he said. “You like to push the envelope.”
“Yes, Sir, I do!” she grinned.
“What the hell am I gonna do with you?”
“Take me to lunch?” she asked. “I worked up an appetite.”
“That, my darling little one, is an offer I cannot resist.”
Chapter Twenty-Eight
The afternoon carried on so blissfully, with a stroll down the road—and Etienne following closely in the car as they veered off the beaten bath. Just dropping into the tiny galleries that lined the street and a quick visit to the small American Impressionism Museum took their minds far away from reality.
They’d settled for lunch at a tiny spot on the main drag with stone walls and a hearth that was nearly as big as the entire restaurant. Their server, an elderly woman whose family owned the property long before the government restored Monet’s house and gardens, brought them their lunch with such a sense of pride.
She was quick to detail that the cheese was produced by one of the local farmers while the cider had been bottled by the vineyard across the road. Luckily, Maxine was able to decipher what she told them and to have a brief chat with her about their meal, albeit while struggling with her French. She’d been making an honest attempt at practicing her language skills throughout the trip as she became acquainted with France. Perhaps, she thought, a few lessons in conversational French would be fun once they returned to New York.
It was nearly time for dinner when they’d returned to their hotel, and the storm clouds began to cluster in the sky. At least, she reasoned, they had perfect weather for their tour that afternoon.
They’d rested for an hour, then jumped out of bed to get ready. Drew kept it casual with a navy blue button down and vest, paired with white trousers, and Maxine chose a fun and flirty Oscar de la Renta dress in bright green silk with an eyelet scalloped hem.
While the food and drink were comparable to major restaurants in the heart of Paris, the panoramic view of the Seine with the rain playing upon its waters caught and captured Maxine’s attention.
“So, little one,” Drew began after they ordered, “talk to me about this mess we’re in.”
Reaching out for Drew’s hand, Maxine knew that he needed some assurance that night. Scrambling, though, she had to find her words quickly. “Well, now that we have security in place on the home front, I feel slightly better about the situation…”
“Yeah, well, it still doesn’t shake my fears that it was at least, in part, an inside job,” Drew admitted.
“Well, Drew,” she began, her voice hesitant, “what I’m most concerned about right now is how you’re doing.”
“You’re not supposed to worry about me,” he told her. “My job is to worry about you.”
“Sorry, Mack—worry runs both ways once you fall in love. And I know you’re frightened.” Her eyes plundered his with their sincerity. “But it’s okay to be scared.”
His thumb tracing the rim of his wine glass, Drew pursed his lips and shook his head. “Frightened isn’t the right word,” he said. “It’s a control thing. I hate feeling that there’s nothing I can do when our own personal space was…compromised.”
“It was a violation,” Maxine added. “And it’s worrying about the intent—and how and when this person will strike again.”
“Well, they’ve placed the lobby attendant on leave without pay, and that’s unsettling,” Drew said. “Retaliation seems to be his likely modus operandi…”
“Drew, we’ve now got a team in place,” she reminded him. “Even if he tries, he’s not going to get very far…”
“So help me, Maxine, you are not leaving that house for one second by yourself when we return,” Drew swore. “I would never forgive myself if something happened to you.”
“As I told you, I don’t like the n
otion of having someone watching my every move, but I’ll agree to it if you’ll feel safer.”
“You have no choice but to agree here.” He took a rather large gulp from his glass and turned away from Maxine as he drank. When he waiter hurried to his side for a refill, Drew rolled his eyes. “Do you think I want this either?”
Scooting her chair as close to the table as she could, Maxine nearly scorched her hair on the burning candle between them. “As long as they keep their distance while I’m fucking you…”
“Oh, for heaven’s sake!” Drew shoved his fingers into his hair, caring not how he mussed his curls. “Maxine!”
“Hey, as long as we make it through this without Daddy finding out that you whip me—and without those goons hearing me moan…” she said, mustering all sensibility, “we should be alright.”
“Your appetizers are served, Monsieur, Madame McKenzie,” the waiter interrupted their conversation. “Bon appetit!”
Before Drew had the chance to reach for his fork, Maxine took his hand again. “Just promise me, Drew, that you’ll follow your own advice from this morning? That we’ll put this mess aside for a few hours?” she begged. “We can discuss it over breakfast—anything new from Sean. But for tonight, let’s just be newlyweds.”
“With you as my wife, I have a feeling we’re going to be newlyweds for the rest of our lives, Maxine.”
Now it was her turn to take the lead, and she chose to focus on all of the magnificent things to which they’d return in New York. The new baby would arrive before the year’s end, and Maxine and Drew both harbored high ambitions in their roles as aunt and uncle. In fact, the littlest McKenzie was a topic they’d discussed ad nauseum since the start of their honeymoon, with both of them hoping for a lot of practice time with the little guy or gal.
In the near future, though, they had the rest of the Broadway season to celebrate, capping off with the Tony Awards. In fact, the nominations would be released before they left French soil. All bets were on Drew to land one of the contender spots while theater critics and fans alike agreed that he deserved the win. In Maxine’s eyes, everyone around him sensed that this was his year but for Drew himself.
As they wrapped up dinner, the rain had stalled to a stop. Although they’d been on the run since that early morning, Maxine couldn’t resist the suggestion of a walk. They had but one more night in their little hideaway hotel, and she wanted to savor the serenity before heading back to Paris to round out their honeymoon.
Daylight had just faded, but the property was well lit. The alluring calm of the countryside beckoned. Etienne followed them from a distance, just to make sure that danger remained at arm’s length for the moment. However, as they stepped outside the hotel, Drew stopped short of the descending hillside at the back of the old chateau, crossed his arms and shook his head.
“I truly married a mad woman…”
“What?” she asked, her own stance challenging him. Little did Drew realize that she’d been planning this outing since their dinner the evening before—and she even wore flats to make the journey. “Scared of a few weeds?”
However, before Drew could answer, Maxine began to carefully tread her way down the stone steps that lined the hillside. Before them, the overgrown bushes and tall grass impeded the only pathway toward the gazebo. One needed a hacksaw to chop through nature to get there.
Drew was not pleased with Maxine that evening. The landscaping had grown so high that he feared she would disappear within if he didn’t move quickly. “My clumsy little tree-climbing slut—wait!”
While Maxine adored big city living and couldn’t reside anywhere else but in New York, she was still a small town girl at heart. She grew up on walks in the woods with her daddy, picked wildflower bouquets for her mom and trampled through autumn leaves. Sometimes, she just needed a stroll back in time to remind herself of her roots.
Coerced into this perilous evening constitutional, Drew cursed his way through the brush and thickets of wild, unkempt landscape. One slip could land her on her ass, sliding the steep descent straight down toward the River Seine.
“Okay, stop right now, little brat…” he ordered as they’d reached the general area of the gazebo. “I go first. There could be field mice in that mess—or snakes!”
“Did I ever tell you about the time Daddy shot a snake in the woods?” she asked with the utmost calm in her voice.
“Actually, Ben told me, thank you very much,” Drew said. “I think he was trying to scare me before I met your father.”
“True story, Mack,” she insisted.
“Oh, for fuck’s sake…if we’re going to do this, let’s at least do it right…”
Somehow, with minimal lighting, Drew scooped her up and tossed her over his shoulder, gallantly kicking his way toward that damn stone sculpture. Suddenly, though, he had to laugh at himself. Only for Maxine would he even consider doing something so damn silly—and potentially dangerous.
At last, he’d reached the crumbling gazebo and held her for a moment. Now he worried that if they moved too closely to one of the columns, the entire roof might just crash down upon them.
“Sometimes, Mack,” Maxine began as she wiggled loose from his clutches, “you are such a stereotypical, neurotic New Yorker. And I just love that…”
“My neurosis keeps you out of trouble,” he reminded her as she stepped just a little too close to the fragile railing for his liking. Promptly, he pulled at the back of her bright green dress, which had served as a makeshift beacon on their way down the hill. “Now, for instance.”
However, that only led Maxine back into his arms, and she snaked her fingers through his hair to steal a kiss. “Just enjoy this moment with me for a little while,” she whispered. “We’ve only got a couple more days in France…”
Drew folded his arms tighter around her waist, and Maxine held on to him as they gazed into the stormy night sky hovering above the sleepy valley below. Again, she had to take a step outside herself, as she thought about the last two days. They could have easily just hopped a train from Paris and spent the day at Monet’s gardens, but he always had to make the extra effort and create the grandest memories that they would cherish for years to come.
“You’re so very right, little one,” he said. “It’s been the most beautiful trip of my life.”
“It’s been the most beautiful trip of my life so far…” she corrected him. “I have a feeling our journeys will only get better from here.”
“That’s why I’m glad we’re not rushing into having children,” Drew admitted, albeit with some hesitation. “Not that I don’t wish Adam and Jillian the very best in life—because I adore them both—but I just feel we need some time as a couple.”
“And I love that you said that.”
“Oh, if it happened by accident, I would certainly still be thrilled,” Drew added. “I can’t wait to have kids with you. I’m just greedy, and I want you to myself right now.”
“At least you admit your faults….”
“Falling in love with you was no fault, Maxine,” he said, tipping her chin to look at him. “Happened quite by surprise, but I’ve thought all along that you were the best thing that ever tumbled into in my life.”
As his lips covered hers so tenderly, desire began to simmer again within her soul. The chilly breeze drifted from the river, blowing her hair in its wake, and she clung ever closer. Kneading the taut muscles in his back, she warmed from just the closeness of his body to her own.
While her thoughts continued to run rampant over what awaited them on their return to New York, Maxine never doubted her safety. Perhaps, she considered, that might be quite gullible of her, but she truly had faith in this man she married. Lip service simply didn’t figure into the personal side of Drew’s life. When he promised her father that he’d take care of her, Drew meant every single word—even if he had to risk his own life to prove it.
Lips following his exploration, Maxine sunk into his spell again. Desperation claimed
her, hot and wild in its sweep. At that moment, she couldn’t imagine returning to their normal routines. Every second of this time alone with Drew plunged her deeper in love, and she wanted to cling to those memories forever.
Just as Drew slithered his fingers down her back to cup the cheeks of her ass in his hands, the rain began to fall again. Heavy and pelting, even the shield of the stone canopy overhead didn’t do much to protect them from the elements. And somehow, they had to make it back up that hillside.
“Monsieur…Madame McKenzie…” Etienne’s fevered voice called out from the thick bushes surrounding them. “You need to go now…”
“Fuckballs…!” Maxine and Drew simultaneously grumbled against each other’s lips.
That was exactly what she didn’t want—someone telling them where to go and what to do and how to behave. Fury suddenly replaced her passion, and she pulled away from Drew.
“Why do we have to go in? There’s shelter here!” she insisted.
“Because…” Etienne finally made it to the gazebo, and his entire dripping wet body filled the arched entrance. As he leaned against the pillars, Drew feared that Etienne’s muscle just might be their doom. “…I am the one standing in the rain, Madame.”
“Ooops!” she covered her mouth with her hand. “Sorry…”
“All of that nonsense just to get down here, and now we have to go right back,” Drew spat bitterly. “Can’t we at least wait for a break in the downpour?”
“No break, Monsieur,” Etienne said. “Flood warnings. My rates triple if I am forced to withstand inclement weather…”
In a snit, Drew began to unbutton his vest, with which he promptly covered Maxine’s head. Not that it was going to do much in the driving rain, but he felt he had to make some sort of effort in shielding her from the elements. “Alright, Penelope…can we do this?”
“We can do anything together, Mr. Mack…”
At least on their trip down the hill, they’d cleared some of the foliage from their path, but the steps were now slick with the storm. Maxine felt like it was Valentine’s Day all over again—right in the middle of the blizzard with Lou leading them to the penthouse. However, now they were on French soil with some poor facsimile of Jean-Claude Van Damme, shoving them around like chess pieces.
KNOTTED: The Manhattan Bound Series, Book Three Page 45