by Jani Kay
Kurt.
I had a shower and changed into fresh clothes, but I couldn’t eat. My stomach was in a knot. I felt trapped in the apartment and useless at my inability to help my own sister. Time was crawling—this day would never end. Waiting for news from Kurt and the police was torture. Eventually I called the contact number Kurt had programmed into my phone.
Sergeant Weiss, although polite, sounded frustrated he had no news to share. He assured me they were doing all they could and had every available resource on the case. I thanked him and sank into the couch with a cup of tea. Even that made me burst into tears again when I thought back to the many times Lily and I had tea together in happier times. I was an emotional mess, my nerves frayed, the smallest thing triggering a bout of fresh sobs.
I never knew I had so many tears inside me.
My phone rang. Hoping it was Kurt ringing with news about Lily, I didn’t even look at caller ID before I answered.
“Rebecca, it's me.” Maxwell’s deep calm voice threw me off guard. My heart skipped a beat. I’d missed his voice and just hearing it had a soothing effect on me. I should’ve been mad he broke our agreement; instead, I clung to his words as if they were a lifeline.
Sweet Kurt. I’d told him everything about Maxwell after I returned from New York two days earlier than planned—well, nearly everything—there were some parts Kurt didn’t need to hear. He’d nodded and said ‘mmm’ a lot as I explained my confusion. In the end he agreed I’d done the right thing.
Kurt was also the one to talk me into waiting before deciding if my resignation was final, encouraging me to take up Maxwell’s offer of two weeks leave. Maybe he saw through my denial of having feelings for my boss.
As if misery needed company, I turned to my favorite songs whenever I felt this distressed. It was as if the music nailed the feelings I found difficult to express. I hit the play button, only to have Lana del Ray’s sultry voice strike me right in the chest.
‘You’re no good for me, baby, you’re no good for me’. Each note wrenched my heart.
Maxwell.
I wished I’d spoken to him more if only to hear his soothing voice. The dark hours I’d spent alone made me desperate for his company. I lied when I said I didn’t need him. As much as I denied wanting him to come to me, deep down I was longing for him to hold me and tell me everything was going to be okay in the special way only Maxwell could talk to me.
‘But, baby, I want you, I want you,’ Lana crooned and it nearly ripped my heart out. Because the yearning, the pure want was driving me fucking crazy.
I’m insane. Lusting for what I can’t ever have.
I already had enough worries on my hands; I didn’t need further complications. As good as he made me feel, Maxwell was trouble.
When would I learn my lesson? Fall for the right guy? I rubbed at the ache in my chest. All I wanted was love. Was that so wrong of me? To love and be loved completely by one man.
With no idea how to handle my emotions, drained from everything I’d been through these past twenty-four hours, I turned off the music before I became a blubbering mess.
Be strong, Rebecca. You can't fall apart now. Lily needs you.
I'd focus on my sister, on helping her recover and finding answers as to who did such a terrible thing to her. I didn’t want to think of Maxwell. Yet I couldn’t stop myself from glancing at my watch and calculating in my head when he would arrive—if indeed he managed to get clearance to come to Munich instead of London. I didn’t want to get my hopes up, but knowing Maxwell, he’d manage to get his way and a part of me grew restless as I worked out that he would have landed already.
I wasn’t sure how I felt about seeing him, especially in the condition I was in. I picked up the remote control, and turned on the television to distract my thoughts. Maybe there would be something about the attack on the news. Once reporters found the story, they’d dig for dirt. As much as I wanted to find the attacker and save other women from the predator, I hated the thought of Lily being exposed to vultures.
I flicked to CNN. My jaw dropped and the remote crashed to the floor. My knees buckled under me, forcing me to sit down on the couch and gape at the screen. The breaking news had nothing to do with Lily’s attack. No, staring back at me was Maxwell’s media picture, torn in two, Natasha making up the second half of the picture. The headline running across the screen drew my attention: ‘Humanitarian and CEO of Grant Industries, Maxwell Grant splits from wife, Top Model Natasha Brighton under agreeable circumstances’.
The reporter quoted ‘irreconcilable difference’ and speculated that too many long hours working away from one another caused the split, because apparently, Natasha couldn’t be contacted for comment. Strangely, I felt sorry for her. She had fame, fortune, and one hell of a career, but I bet she would give it up in a heartbeat for Maxwell.
I would.
A small snippet of Maxwell at the airport, holding up his hand to ward off flashing cameras, burst onto the screen. He looked impossibly handsome in his suit, a day-old scrub gracing his jawline. His voice was calm and even as he addressed the press. “My lawyers and PR Company are handling this. All I can tell you is that the split is amenable and the divorce will be finalized by the end of the week. I have no further comment at this time.”
He’d done it. Maxwell had ended the contract with Natasha, even though it would most certainly bring losses to his company and negative publicity to himself. My mouth went dry and I swallowed hard on the lump in my throat.
I knew what this meant: Maxwell was willing to give up his aversion to publicity and take the media basting so we could be together.
Not able to believe it was true, I flicked to another news channel. If lack of sleep was playing mind tricks on me, I'd feel such a damn fool. I waited with bated breath, my hands trembling slightly as my gaze glued to the TV screen, willing it to show the same snippet. An unusually long ad break grated my nerves raw. I was going to wake up soon and find it was a vivid dream, nothing more.
One hundred percent invested in the news, I sat on the edge of the seat, waiting. Minutes that felt like an eternity passed, and then, there it was. The same snippet, just from a different angle, at Munich airport. This time I heard the reporter’s question. His crisp English accent was clear as he held the microphone to his mouth.
“Mr. Grant, is it true you have spilt from your wife?”
And there was Maxwell, the same gesture, the same words, confirming it was true.
Divorced by the end of the week. Holy shit.
When the snippet ended, I leaned back in the chair and closed my eyes, my hand on my heart, the rapid hammering against my ribs showing no signs of slowing down. Taking a moment, I let it all sink in.
Yes. It’s true. At least, it was true according to the news, but I also knew reports could be false or misconstrued. Words twisted to sound different to their original intent. There was only one sure way to find out. From Maxwell himself.
I had to hear it directly from him. Then finally I’d have the answer I needed.
He’d landed in Munich—exactly as he said he would.
A knock brought me from my thoughts. Pushing my hand through my hair in a futile attempt to neaten it, I padded to the front door and peeked through the security hole. Maxwell stood in front of my door, a deep frown between his brows.
He’s here.
Opening the door, my heart melted when I took him in. His usually neatly styled hair was messy and his shirtsleeves rolled up to his elbows. He looked sexy as hell with dark stubble covering his chin and cheeks, and a lopsided grin spread over his face when he saw me.
“Maxwell—”
He didn’t allow me to finish. He pulled me to him and smothered me against his hard chest, his fingers disappearing into my hair at the base of my neck. I breathed him in, warm and comforted in his embrace. He walked me backwards into the hallway, kicking the door closed with his foot, then pressing me up against the wall. His mouth found mine and he kissed me until
I was breathless, his lips bruising mine. I pulled away and sucked in a breath, my chest heaving against his.
“You saw the news.” Although it was a question, he said it more as a statement that he had proof of what he’d done. I nodded, staring into his glistening eyes. The intensity in those green orbs burned into me.
I sucked in a breath. He’s done all of that for me.
“I don’t want us to ever be apart again, Rebecca. I've ended it with Natasha so that we can start our life together. I'm not letting anyone or anything stand between us again. I've waited far too long for this moment.”
“Max—”
He placed his fingertips on my lips, pressing lightly. “Before you say anything, please just listen. I can't pretend I know what you’re going through with your sister’s attack, but I can imagine how distressing it is. That’s why I’m here—to stand at your side and support you through this. And I can only do it as a free man. In the eyes of the world, I want to be the man at your side, the man who takes care of you, who protects you and your loved ones. Give me that chance.” His eyes bored into mine. “Please.”
I closed my eyes for a long moment, feeling his hot breath on my skin, his fingertips on my mouth, the warmth radiating off him penetrating my mind and body and expelling the chill that had gripped my heart since this nightmare began.
My heart hammered in my ears, the loudness of it drowning out the noise in my mind.
Needing his touch and his comfort, I leaned into him, wanting to be closer, completely enveloped by Maxwell Grant. Being strong had taken its toll and now I just wanted to be nurtured and cared for. He was offering me all of that—it was mine for the taking.
I want to be selfish—grab it with both hands...
My mouth spoke differently. “You’ve put your business and yourself at risk. Everything you’ve worked for all your life. It's a hell of a chance you’re taking, Maxwell. It can explode in your face—I don’t want to be the cause of that happening to you. Look what happened to Lily—”
Maxwell shut me up with a kiss, his lips bruising mine with its force until I stilled completely. He pulled back, locking his gaze with mine. I drowned in his eyes, my knees week.
I’m tired of fighting my feelings. Bone tired of denial.
My body went limp.
He read my mind. “You can't deny what you feel any longer. I won’t believe you, and you can stop running...or pushing me away. I'm never letting you go again.”
“I just cause trouble wherever I go. You should be the one running, Max.”
The corners of his lips twitched, sending a pang straight to my heart.
“Never. I know what I want. It's standing in front of me.” Blazing eyes held mine captive. His fingertips stroked over my cheek, lined my jaw and traced down my neck, sending shivers up my spine. “And it's worth fighting for.”
Maxwell’s certainty was an aphrodisiac I couldn’t resist any longer.
His fingers were at the edge of my shirt, pulling it up and over my head before I could protest. Next, his hand behind my back unclasped my bra and he pushed it from my shoulders and threw it on the pile where my shirt lay.
“I've been waiting for this day forever. There is nothing standing in our way any longer. Say you want it too. Say you want us. Say you want me.”
I stood naked before him. Not because I was topless, but because he was looking into my soul, searching for answers there. Dark eyes, pupils dilated, watched my face, waiting for my response.
He turned me toward the mirror behind me, holding my hair up at the nape, his lips on the soft flesh behind my ears as he nibbled on my skin. One large hand splayed over a breast as his fingers teased the nipple, rolling and pulling at it till I felt the fire spread to my groin.
“Look into my eyes and tell me you don’t want me as much as I want you.” His voice was hoarse and low, his warm breath caressing my sensitive skin.
I sucked in a breath. I looked into my own eyes for a split second. It was all there in their depths. My desire, my longing, my want. My gaze slid to his as we stared at one another in the mirror. There was no denying it any longer.
“Yes. I want you. So damn much it makes me ache.” My voice cracked as I said the words I’d suppressed for so long.
The smile that spread across his face arrested my heart. Small crinkles appeared at the sides of his gleaming eyes. His beauty took my breath away.
Chapter 23 — Maxwell
Rebecca’s reflection in the mirror was one of pure beauty. Her heavy breasts beneath my hands as I cupped both, rubbing my thumbs over the hardened crests, were more alluring than any I’d ever experienced. But it was the expression in her eyes that drew me in. Her eyes were wide and open, inviting me to look deep into her soul, and what I saw pleased me.
Even if she didn’t realize it yet, she was mine. There was no way she could hide her attraction to me any longer. Exposing myself and the business to the media was risky. It could be lethal in many ways, but I'd do it all over again to see the light in her eyes.
Keeping my eyes locked on hers, I leaned in and kissed her neck, dragging my lips across the soft flesh, tasting her skin. Fuck. She felt so good. I had to get inside her. Finally, I would. I’d make her mine tonight and show her how we belonged together.
She watched my hands drift lower to her jeans and undo the button, then the zipper. She shimmied her ass as I slipped the fabric off her long legs, taking her panties down with it. She stood in front of me naked, yet her gaze didn’t waver. My hand rested at her apex, taking possession of her pussy.
“Mine,” I growled as I sunk a finger deeper to test her wetness. She whimpered as I found her clit, pushing herself into my hand, silently begging me for more. “I'm going to be honest with you, baby. I need to get inside you as quick as possible. I want your pussy.”
“Only my pussy?” Eyes wide, she gave me smile that barely curved her lips.
She’s still afraid.
“All of you—from your smart mouth to the tips of your toes. And everything in between. Say it's mine. Say you are mine.”
“Take me, Max. Make love to me.” Her voice quivered with desperation. She needed me to take her pain away. And I would—in the best way I knew how.
“I will, babe. I will make love to you, but first I need to fuck you. Hard and fast, just to be inside you. That okay with you?”
“Hmmm...” she hummed with pleasure, her desperation evident within her pitch.
She reached back and grabbed hold of my cock, squeezing hard as she opened her legs wider to give me better access to her pussy. I stroked over the swollen wet flesh, feeling my cock grow in width and length as she rubbed me through my jeans. They had to come off. I wanted nothing between us.
I let go of her for a moment while I frantically plucked at my clothing. I slid down my jeans and boxers and kicked them to the side. She watched me in the mirror, licking her lips as my cock sprang forth ready to take her. I ripped open the condom I’d retrieved from my shirt and rolled it onto my painfully throbbing erection. I hoped I wouldn’t need these much longer, but at that moment, I couldn’t talk; I was trembling that much inside.
She placed her hands on either side of the mirror, shoving her ass backward.
“Jesus,” I groaned, gripping her flesh in my hands and squeezing. Our eyes locked in the mirror. This was going to happen. She nodded slightly as I positioned my dick at her slick entrance and nudged in slowly. I had to fight the urge to roll my eyes backward and close my eyes from sheer pleasure.
“Stay with me, baby. I won’t last,” I hissed through gritted teeth.
“Fuck me, Max. I want you inside.” I pushed in deeper, afraid I’d hurt her. “All of you, Max, I want every inch of you. Give it to me.”
Jesus Christ. I had no idea she talked dirty. It drove me insane. My cock jerked, thickening as it slid deeper into her. She took all of me, moaning as she pushed back to take me to the hilt.
“Oh, God! Oh, God!” she panted, “I want this so
bad.”
“How bad?” I grunted. “Tell me.”
“Fuck me till I pass out bad. Hard and fast, Max.”
My hands moved from her breasts to her hips. She wanted this hard. I was going to fuck her senseless. I pulled back and shoved back in again, harder than the first time.
“Yes,” she hissed, “harder.”
Jesus. My balls slapped against her clit, aching for release.
I gave it to her. Long deep strokes that filled her and made her gasp every time I hit the end of her. I reached a hand in front of her, finding her clit, rubbing it with my thumb. Her eyes threatened to fall closed.
“Rebecca, stay with me, baby. I want to see you when you come.”
Shorter faster strokes. In—out—in—out—faster—harder. Panting. Eyes wide.
“Max, oh, God! I’m there.” A fine mist covered her entire body, her skin glowing as she moaned and tightened around me, squeezing my length as she came apart. Her face softened, her eyes big and round, biting into her bottom lip as she rode me and her orgasm.
Beautiful.
“Fuck, baby. Hold on.”
I came hard. It felt like nothing I'd ever experienced. I knew then I'd never get enough. This was only the beginning. I wanted to spend the rest of my life fucking Rebecca.
Her eyes closed and she leaned back against me, limp and trembling. I folded her into my arms and spun her around, hugging her to me tightly. I smelled her hair, drinking her in, before planting a kiss on her forehead.
Lifting her in my arms, I carried her to the couch. I sat with her in my lap, caressing up and down her spine. She fit so naturally around me. She nestled her face in my neck, her warm breath tickling my skin.
“Baby, look at me.” I needed to see her eyes.
She shook her head slowly. Nestling deeper.
“Rebecca,” I whispered, lifting her chin to meet my gaze. Her eyes stayed shut. “Let me see you.”
Slowly, her eyes fluttered open. They were wet. She was crying? Fuck, what have I done wrong? My heart beat in my chest, fear spiking through me. Did she regret this?