Magic Man

by Ashley Hastings

  He held my hair, locking me into place against the balcony railing. For a brief moment, I was his trophy he held up for the man across the way to see if he was still there. My entire body was on display, and it was the hottest moment of my life.

  No way I could regret this night.

  I finally took the time to look across the courtyard at the opposing balcony. The man was still there, and he took the last drag on his cigarette before putting it out under his foot. He had seen it all in the dim light and had probably heard most of it. He could have gone inside if he wanted to, but no. He had stayed for the show.

  I should have been embarrassed. The old Millie certainly would have been. But instead, I turned around in a brazen motion and leaped up into Maxwell’s arms. I wrapped my legs around his waist and kissed him like a woman possessed.

  Coming up for air a few moments later, Maxwell nuzzled me with a sexy laugh. “I fucking want you again. But this time, let’s keep it between us.”

  I nuzzled him back in agreement, and he carried me into the hotel room, locking the balcony doors behind us.

  Twenty Four

  We made love all night. After each sweet orgasm, I would drift off to sleep again, only to find myself awoken again a little while later as Maxwell used my body as his personal playground.

  I had no complaints.

  At around three in the morning, after a tender bout of lovemaking, I slipped away to use the restroom, and when I came back, I checked the phone to make sure Ivy was still okay.

  No more texts, so I assumed she was having a great time. I smiled and stretched, feeling lazy and happy, glad to be in this bed with Maxwell.

  He pulled me tight against his body and bit my earlobe. “You okay with what happened outside?”

  I knew he was referring to the little show we had put on earlier for the stranger across the way, and I loved that he cared enough about my feelings to check in with me.

  “Yes.” I buried my face in his shoulder. “I should be embarrassed, but I’m not.”

  “You shouldn’t be embarrassed. You looked hot as hell, and he loved every minute of it. I know I certainly did. I could never share you, kitten, but I enjoyed the fuck out of that.” Maxwell lifted my chin. “I’m getting hard right now thinking about it.”

  I giggled. “You, Sir, are out of control.” I squirmed against his body, loving the virility on display before me. “I enjoyed what happened outside, although I would never have guessed I wanted that particular fantasy to come to life. I felt so desired by you, and so proud to display how you make me feel every single time you touch me.”

  Maxwell grunted, and his eyes grew hot. He rolled me under his muscular body, and he had his wicked way with me yet again.

  I joked about his age, but damn. This man never stopped, and I fucking loved it.

  THE WEEKEND PASSED in a delightful haze, just Maxwell, Ivy, and I lounging around, watching cartoons and trying to survive the blazing heat. Monday morning arrived, and I took Ivy to school before jumping into my workday with enthusiasm.

  How could I not love my job? My coworkers were horses, and my office was a hay-scented barn. This was paradise for someone like me.

  Later, I showed up for lunch at the big house. Today was my first appearance for lunch, and despite my blossoming friendship with Darby and my strong relationship with Maxwell, I was nervous. But I knew I needed to come because it seemed to mean so much to Darby that I be a part of their group. She had done so much for me, and she asked for so little in return.

  Timid, I crossed the threshold of the formal dining room. I was early and being alone here made my nerves worse. I strolled around the big mahogany table that could seat one, two, three...twenty-four people. Are you kidding me?

  The walls of the room were covered in faded wallpaper that looked original to the house but had been meticulously restored at some point. Peacocks and gardenias covered the paper, and it was beautiful. Huge crystal chandeliers hung from the tall ceiling, and there were two marble fireplaces. Because why have one fireplace when you could have two? The room was breathtaking.

  “It’s a bit much, isn’t it?” The deep voice came from behind me.

  Startled, I jumped and spun around. Nathan was smiling down at me. He was every bit as intimidating as his estate.

  “It’s beautiful,” I answered him with honesty, because, yes, while it was over the top, there was no denying how impressive the house was. History was alive all around me when I strolled its halls.

  He smiled. “I’m glad you could join us for lunch today, Millie, and I hope you will try to make a habit of it. We try to use the time to catch up on both personal and professional matters, and you are part of the team now, aren’t you?”

  I relaxed a little in light of his warm welcome. “Thank you, Nathan.”

  Darby breezed in carrying the baby and lit up when she saw me standing there with her husband. “You came!” She hurried over and hugged me, handing Baby Nathan off to his namesake.

  I hugged her back and then peeked at her son. “He’s so handsome.”

  Nathan was cooing at his son, and the transformation on his face was startling. But then his phone rang, and he frowned. “I have to take this, but it shouldn’t be a long call at all. I can hope, anyway.”

  He thrust the baby at me and surprised I scooped him up. I cradled him against my chest and stared down at his sweet, wise face. His baby scent wafted upwards, and I closed my eyes briefly, remembering times long ago with baby Ivy. I snuggled little Nate closer and breathed in his good scent. Babies were sweet, weren’t they? Maybe another baby wouldn’t be the end of the world.

  I looked up and was stunned to see Maxwell leaning against the opposite wall, staring at me. It wasn’t his presence that surprised me, although I hadn’t realized he had walked in. No, it was the intense look in his eyes that knocked the breath out of me. It was a look that staked his claim. His burning gaze said I belonged to him, and that we had made our own baby together. His woman, his child.

  I swallowed hard, lost in his eyes.

  Darby chuckled, bringing me back to reality. She took her baby from me with a curious look at my face, and then she turned to Maxwell with the same searching look for him. She placed Nate in his carrier in the chair next to where she would be sitting before speaking.

  “Please, you two. Can we make it through lunch before you get on with your baby making?” She laughed when I blushed scarlet. “I’m sorry, Millie. It’s just Maxwell looks like he’s ready to pounce, and you look like you are ready to let him.”

  She hadn’t asked about the pregnancy test, and I hadn’t taken it yet. It was still in the bottom of my overnight bag. I hadn’t even bothered to unpack it from my night away with Maxwell, even though that had been a couple of days before, and I had removed all the other items from the bag. I was avoiding the pregnancy test at all costs until further notice.

  I was no longer upset about the idea of being pregnant, but I wasn’t ready to know yet, either. I didn’t want to make plans. Instead, I wanted to continue enjoying being Maxwell’s girlfriend, and Ivy’s mom. I wasn’t quite ready to change my life.

  Maxwell smiled smoothly and came to my side. He kissed my cheek and brushed a finger over the tip of my nose before pulling back my chair so that I could sit. He sat next to me.

  We all huddled at one end of the massive table, and the end chair had been set as well. I assume that’s where Nathan would sit when he returned from his call.

  Darby instructed the staff that we would begin eating. “Nathan will catch up when he returns. He says the call won’t be long, but you can never tell with him, and he won’t want us to wait.”

  A salad was placed before me, and I dug in with my heavy silver fork, monogrammed with a fancy, scrolled “R.” I was hungry. “This looks so good. I’ve been so busy this morning, that I forgot to stop for my morning snack. I’m starving.”

  Darby smiled. “You and Maxwell both work too hard.”

  Maxwell chuckl
ed. “I can honestly say I slacked off this morning, thank you very much.” He took a bite of his salad.

  “Whatever.” Darby settled a pacifier in her son’s mouth and rubbed his tummy. “I saw you earlier on the back porch studying that notebook again.”

  Maxwell frowned.

  Darby must have thought he was confused by her reference because she hurried on to explain. “You know, the purple one with the black stripes? Looks like something a teen girl would carry around, drawing hearts on it and writing the name of her crush over and over. I’ve seen you with that notebook several times in the last few weeks, and you are always intent on whatever is inside it.” She smiled in her relaxed way. “Like I said, working too hard if you didn’t even realize I saw you.”

  A cold wave washed over my body, followed by a tsunami of heat. A cheap purple notebook with black stripes? My journal of fantasies. But it couldn’t be, could it?

  Thought after thought flashed through my mind. In quick succession, memories resurfaced in front of me. I saw the therapist from long ago pushing it across her desk at me, after realizing I had probably been raped, even though I was intent on denying it. It was right after I found out I was pregnant with Ivy. I saw myself writing in the notebook late at night, filling the pages with my secret sexual fantasies, and then hiding them away. Then I was packing the journal in a moving box for the trip to Mississippi. And then I made the realization that I hadn’t seen the notebook since I boxed it up it so many weeks ago.

  My fork dropped from numb fingers, clattering against the fine china plate. I vaguely heard Darby asking if I was okay, and then I heard a muffled curse from Maxwell as I pushed back from the table.

  Maxwell had my notebook. The only question was, how long had he had my journal? From the beginning? All this time?

  As I stood on shaking legs, I thought about all the times we had had sex. How it had seemed like he was reading my mind and fulfilling every one of my secret, furtive thoughts. I remembered thinking it was as if he was going down a list, checking off each fantasy as he fulfilled them.

  Maxwell grabbed my arm, but I shook him off, furious. The roaring in my ears prevented me from hearing whatever he was trying to tell me, so I turned to Darby and tried to find a semblance of social skills.

  “Darby, I’m sorry. I’m not feeling well.” My voice sounded odd to even my ears, but no matter.

  Darby looked pale. She glanced from my face to Maxwell’s and tried to speak. Her mouth opened but no words came out. I knew she wasn’t the slightest bit fooled by my statement.

  I stumbled out of the dining room, powered by rage and humiliation. I plowed right into Nathan as he came back in from his phone call. He steadied me with both his hands on my shoulders. He spoke to me, too, but I missed what he said entirely, focused on getting away from Maxwell.

  A quick glance over my shoulder showed me that Maxwell was coming after me. I hurried away, and this time I heard Nathan telling Maxwell to wait. Something about letting me go for now.

  I didn’t stop to find out whether Maxwell would take his advice or not.

  I kept going, running blindly this time with no clear destination in mind. I needed to be away as if away was an actual place marked on a map somewhere. My feet scrambled on the hardwood floors, and then I was out of the house.

  I ran until I found a path slippery with pine needles. I had never been here before. I followed this path until it came to a low, wrought iron fence with an ancient, creaking gate. I opened the gate and slipped inside. I found myself in the Peacock Alley cemetery. The location seemed appropriate to my mood, and I wandered the rows of old, well-tended headstones until I found a shaded, granite bench next to a trickling fountain.

  I flopped down, bringing my feet up under me and lowering my head to my knees. My humiliation was complete. I had to deal with the fact that Maxwell had somehow gotten his hands on my most private of thoughts, but according to Darby, he had the journal for some time now.

  Did I drop it during our hurried move in that long ago day? Or had he taken it from my apartment?

  And all this had taken place at my first lunch with my employers. Fuck Maxwell for putting me in this position.

  Fuck, fuck, fuck.

  What was the truth? And what was the lie? I couldn’t tell at the moment.

  “Millicent.”

  Jumping, I turned around, cursing myself. This was the second time today someone had startled me. “What could you possibly want, Maxwell?”

  Flinching at my words, Maxwell approached me with caution; hands held up as if I was a rabid animal that might attack with no warning.

  “I want to explain.” He swallowed hard, and I realized one of his hands was trembling.

  “Oh, please do. Please explain. How long have you had my private journal? Did you steal it out of my apartment?” My tone strident, I got up from the bench and started pacing back and forth.

  The only witnesses to our heated exchange were dead people. That seemed appropriate somehow, but it only added to the weirdness of the scene.

  Maxwell frowned at me as if I were the one out of line. “No, I didn’t steal it from your apartment. The day you moved in, I found it on the ground outside the barn door. It must have fallen from one of your boxes.”

  “Aha!” I laughed with bitterness. “So you stole it the very first day I met you?” My voice, thick with tears, squeaked at the end of my question.

  “I didn’t steal it!” Maxwell fought to keep his voice down, to keep his tone even and relaxed. “I found it as I said. I didn’t know where it came from or who it belonged to.” He walked closer to me, and I stepped back.

  Frowning, he considered me. “I had to read it to figure out who the owner was.”

  “Really?” Incredulous, I pulled at my hair. “And where exactly did you find the line, property of Millicent Carter? Tell me that, please.”

  “Nowhere.” He muttered his words, not looking at me now. “I just kept reading, and I knew somehow it was you. And then the next day, I looked at something you had written down in the barn, and I realized the handwriting matched, and that sealed the deal.”

  “So naturally you decided to keep my journal for yourself. You couldn’t just return it and try to forget what you had read like most people would do in that kind of awkward situation. And then like some perverted Santa Claus, you decided to start fulfilling my fantasies one by one.” I put my hands on my hips and stared him down, willing him to look up at me.

  He did. Shamefaced, he approached me once more. “You were so closed off when you first arrived, Millicent.”

  “So it’s my fault you had to steal my journal and read my most private thoughts? Okay, got it.” Indignant, I started pacing again.

  “No. Of course not.” Maxwell took a deep breath. “I wanted to find a way in. You see, the very first time I met you, something happened. I knew deep down that you were someone special. I didn’t know exactly what that meant, but I knew you were going to be very important to me.”

  When he paused for breath again, I attacked. “So you couldn’t just wait and let things unfold, could you? You were so damn sure I was someone special, but not sure enough to leave my private thoughts alone? You had to invade my privacy.”

  “Millicent!” Maxwell sprang forward and grasped my shoulders. “Stop it! I was a man who had never been in love before. I’ve had my share of women, and I’ve had women throw themselves at me. I never cared beyond taking whatever cheap pleasure I could get from them before moving on.”

  I stared at him, not sure of what to say.

  “Then you stepped on the porch at Peacock Alley, and I looked into your eyes, and I was lost. I didn’t know what to do or how to act. You fucking mattered, and I was terrified of getting it wrong, that you would somehow slip away from me. I couldn’t let that happen. So when I stumbled on your journal, I thought maybe this was the edge I needed.”

  “Are you psychic? Are you a mind reader? Or are you a fucking con artist?” I glared at him.
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  Maxwell growled in frustration. “I don’t know what I am. I’ve never cared for labels, and I didn’t realize for a long time there was anything different about me. I don’t know if I have a special gift, or if I am just extra intuitive in some way. I don’t care about any of that, and I never have.”

  He pulled me even closer. “I love you, and I love Ivy. I love this baby of ours that you are carrying now. When I met you, somehow I knew you were just what I needed, and I so desperately wanted to be just what you needed.” He shrugged his shoulders. “The journal gave me an extra edge.”

  I sighed.

  He leaned down to kiss me. “I love you.” I jerked back from his kiss.

  I pushed away from him. “Do you? It’s so hard to tell right now.” And then I ran away yet again.

  Twenty Five

  Eventually, I made my way back to my apartment, only to find a somber Darby sitting on the top step, waiting for me. To my surprise, Lucy and Casey were with her.

  Darby brushed her red curls back and pointed at my two friends who were hovering on the landing behind her. “I brought reinforcements.”

  I greeted Lucy and Casey, and then I flopped down next to Darby with a sigh. “I’m so sorry, Darby. I acted like a crazy person at lunch, and I didn’t mean to put you in the middle of my soap opera drama.”

  Darby bumped shoulders with me. “Silly girl. I came to apologize to you. First of all, that was hardly the first dramatic scene Peacock Alley has witnessed. Secondly, I wanted us to have a pleasant lunch enjoying each other’s company, and instead, I dropped the mother of all bombs before the first course was even finished.”

  I smiled ruefully. It had been a bombshell revelation, all right.

  “Can I ask what the significance of the notebook is? Or do you want me to stop prying and just offer you a shoulder to cry on instead?” Darby looked so sad that I stood up. “We are here to give you whatever you need, to the best of our capabilities.”

  “Come on. Let’s get out of the heat, and I’ll tell you all about it.” I unlocked the door to my apartment and stepped inside. “Of course, I’ll be late going back to work, so don’t tell my boss, please.”