The Golden Collection

by Kam Carr

  “A game?” she was biting down on that lip again. “As long as we stay here we are no longer married.”

  She narrowed her eyes and looked at me like I was crazy. “Maxwell? You just said you don't want a divorce.”

  “No, hear me out” I added. “You'll like this... The life we have doesn't exist. We are good old Mr Golden rule and Miss Dawson.”

  “You want to go back in time?” She laughed. “You have gone crazy!”

  “I am only crazy in love with you” I replied. “We need to learn to discover each other again. When we go home” a smirk came to my lips. “That's where we will both decide what to do.”

  “Do I have a choice after you seemed to have planned everything?”

  “Do you want a choice?”

  “No! And besides I like your games.”

  I pulled her head towards mine and placed a single kiss on her forehead. “Then I guess we are two of a kind, Miss Dawson.”

  ***

  Georgina

  I couldn't get my head round the fact he was actually here. For the last few days/nights my dreams and my thoughts had been filled with him. I had wished and prayed to have him next to me; feel his lips on my skin, his warm hands running over my body and most of his bare skin against mine. After everything that had happened he was still my sweet fix and I now knew there was no way I could even contemplated being without him.

  He was my world and I loved him so much it hurt deep in my stomach. We had been stupid and lost so much precious time. I looked up at him and smiled. He smiled back, his eyes sparkling and his red hair floppy and curling round his eyes. Wow, this was the man who had swept me off my feet, changed my life in so many ways.

  We were heading to Brett's bar. Brett was Maxwell's best friend and was now running it with Maxwell's sister Amber. We strolled in and Amber's jaw dropped open.

  “Oh my god!” she squeaked, running up to us. She threw her arms round me and then Maxwell. “What are you both doing here?” She stood back and suddenly looked confused. “Wait! Mum said you were getting divorce?”

  Maxwell looked at Amber and slowly looked down at me, his beautiful mouth twitching in amusement. “Divorce.” He raised a perfect eyebrow and chuckled. “You have to be married to get divorced, right Miss Dawson?”

  Amber narrowed her eyes. “Miss Dawson? Maxwell, are you on drugs?”

  “Just play the game, little sister, play the game!” He patted my arse and walked over to the bar, leaving me with Amber who looked even more confused.

  “Are you on what he is?” I shook my head. “Well, divorce? Please say my mother had it all wrong.”

  I gave my girly grin. “He thinks we need to discover each other again-- the game!” I paused and brushed some hair out of my face. “I don't want a divorce... I want my husband forever.” My eyes looked up and he was staring straight at me, leaning against the bar as if he was posing for photos.

  “Thank god” Amber linked my arm with hers and dragged me over to Maxwell. “Finally some happy news.” I took my place next to my man. “Drinks?” Amber asked.

  “Vodka and Orange for Miss Dawson” he scooped down and kissed my cheek. The tingles flooded through my body, I was in heaven and Maxwell seemed like his old self.

  “Well, look what the cat brought it” bellowed a voice. We all looked up and Brett had emerged from nowhere. He had got fat! I had to bite down on my lip to stop myself from saying anything.

  “Hey” Maxwell smiled. “Brett, I would like to introduce you to my girlfriend, Miss Dawson.”

  “Mmmm,” he gave the same confused look Amber had a few moments ago. “Georgina, is he okay?” I nodded. My man was fine in every way.

  “It's a game” Amber added.

  “Right! Come!” He ordered and we all followed him up to the VIP section upstairs. He escorted us to a table and pulled a chair up for me. “Take a seat. I'll be back in five with drinks.”

  Finally me and Maxwell were alone. The place looked exactly the same from years ago. The only difference now was I wasn't his dirty secret but his wife. Except that wasn't allowed to be said out loud.

  He leaned over. “Someone's been eating too many pies!” Maxwell laughed. “Knowing Amber, she has probably been force feeding him.”

  I shook my head at his bad joke. “Don't be cruel!” I placed both my hands in his and we stared at each other from opposite ends of the table. I didn't want to look away. I wanted to mentally capture the way he looked like now forever. I had missed him more than I had thought. Maxwell Thomas was mesmerizing and unbelievably erotic. Just being this close to him sent the dark deadly desirable pain down below. I was never going to full fill my craving for him, he was like a drug; the more I had the greedier I became.

  I laughed to myself and he tilted his head to the side. “Something you would like to share?”

  “I gave that red dress to charity” I blurted out and the thought of what he had once said about my red boob-tube the last time we were here. The memory started to play in my mind--

  '"When you're in that tiny dress it pays off coming away with you!"

  I looked down at my red boob tube dress. I did look amazing. It hugged all my curves and showed off my best features-my legs.

  I tilted my head the way he did and tried to copy his special smiles.

  His eye widened and we were locked in our own world.

  "Oh Miss Dawson," he shifted in his sea and his voice went dangerously low. My body temperature raised and my sexual demon was awakened. "I will fuck you right here and now. I don't care whose watching."

  “Oh” he beamed. “I remember the dress. I also remember Amber bursting in that night too.” His expression changed and he looked angry at me. “We are meant to be playing a game, Miss Dawson” his tone serious. “Don't let that happen again or there will be consequences.”

  I placed my hand over my mouth, opps I had forgotten. I hoped I wasn't into much trouble. Then again, the idea of a punishment was a big turn on. I squeezed my thighs together to try and relieve some of my discomfort.

  “Here,” Amber cheerfully said as she placed the tray of drinks down. Vodka shots-- a Brett special! She took a seat and wiped the sweat from her forehead.

  “Hot?” Maxwell mocked.

  She took a seat and scrawled at her older brother. “Observant as ever, Maxwell.”

  “I thought you were selling this place?” I blurted out. Maxwell glared at me and then gave his special smile. I had missed that. Opps! I had forgotten about the game again!

  His attention turned back to Amber.” You’re not selling now?” he asked and I watched as Amber's face turned sad. She stared down at her hands and her lip trembled slightly. “We were” she began, “But the plan didn't go the way we had wanted.”

  “What plan?” All Maxwell's attention focused on his little sister. He had noticed her reaction to his question.

  “We were going to sell up, move to England and start a family.” She ran a hand through her hair and gave a little sigh. “I can't have children” she looked away but the tears were already falling down her cheeks.

  Maxwell grabbed her hand and held it tight. “How do you know that?”

  She wiped tears away with her free hand. “I had a few problems, went and saw a doctor, had tests and well...” Her eyes widened and fear crossed her face. “Please, Maxwell” she begged, chocking on her own tears. “Don't make me say it out loud!”

  “Cancer. You have cancer?” Maxwell said slowly and amber nodded. “What treatment are you getting?”

  “I had a hysterectomy and some chemotherapy. I’m just waiting to get the all clear.” She said calmly.

  “Does Mum know?”

  “No!” Amber yelled. “You can't tell her not with all the trouble she is having with dad!”

  “Dad?”

  Amber sat back in her seat and looked at Maxwell confused. “You don't know? Mum and Dad are bankrupt. Dad lost everything, he has a gambling addiction!”

  ***

  Max
well

  I placed my phone on the coffee table. It was true... dad had a problem with gambling. My mum had lied to me. He wasn't joining her in LA. Why? James—my brother, had paid for her flight and mum was filing for divorce. I guess that's why she was determined for me to get Georgina back.

  I looked around the Villa. This was being sold as well. Everything he had worked hard for was being sold bit by bit, leaving them with nothing. How could he of been stupid? He had always been a man with complete self control.

  In fact I had based my whole business ethics on what he had taught me. Now, he lost everything... It made it all hit home, everything you had could be taken from you with one stupid mistake. What happened in New York had made me lose my wife, that one moment of stupid ness and weakness at now led me to here.

  Yeah, I had Georgina while I was here but what would happen once we went back home? I couldn’t end up like my father and I couldn't just stand back at watch his world fall apart anymore. I was in a better position than anyone in my family. God! I wanted to slap myself... mum, dad and Amber had been going through so much and I hadn't even bothered to ask if everything was okay.

  Once again business had ruled my life and I had been selfish. I had turned back into that man I was before Georgina Dawson. She had told me on many occasions but I had never listened.

  I ran my hands through my hair. It was crunch time. I had to get myself and my life sorted out before it was too late. I couldn't lose Georgina. I had to come up with something. Something that would blow her away and let her know I had changed. I had to become Mr Golden Rule again!

  I couldn't sleep even with my wife next to me for the first time in weeks. I grabbed my phone off the bedside cabinet and slowly walked into the living room. I had to speak to my mother and I couldn't rest until it had been done.

  I paced up and down as I waited for her to answer. I had no idea what the time difference was between LA and France, I also didn't give a fuck. I needed her to explain everything in her own words.

  “Hello” my mother yawned down the phone.

  “Mum!”

  “Maxwell, what are you doing calling? Something wrong?”

  “No” I sighed. “Amber has told me everything.”

  There was a slight pause and finally she replied. “She had no right to. You have enough problems at the moment.”

  “Let me help you...”

  “Nothing can be done. Your father has taken everything away.” I could hear her crying down the phone.

  “I can help you both. I can get dad help. I have the money, mum. Please let me help you.”

  “I can't let you do it, Maxwell.”

  I rolled my eyes. It was time to get into boss mode. “Mum, this is an order. When I get back to LA I will sort everything out. Tell Jay to book dad a flight.”

  “Maxwell...No.”

  “Just do it” With that I put the phone down, my eyes slowly moved to the doorway where Georgina was now standing. She had a proud smile on her face. I held out my hands for her, she strolled over and wrapped her arms around my neck.

  “That was a nice thing you just did” she smiled. “I forgot how caring you can be.”

  “You’re making me blush” I laughed.

  “You seem to be dealing with everything rather well.”

  “Because of you” I smiled, leaning back to take in her beautiful face. “When we met I was miserable, lonely and overworked.” I closed my eyes and inhaled. “The last year I was beginning to turn back into that man again. You noticed, told me and ignored you.”

  “Maxwell, we all make mistakes.”

  “I made the biggest mistake of possible. I 'm truly sorry, Georgina, Please let me make it up to you.”

  “You have already done that today.”

  “I didn't mean sex! Let me do something special...”

  “What do you have planned?”

  “All in good time, Miss Dawson. All in good time.”

  CHAPTER THIRTHTEEN

  Georgina

  I couldn't see anything, Maxwell was guiding me. The feeling of anticipation was rushing through my body. I had no idea what he was planning. All I knew is that I was outside and he had been on the phone all day.

  “Ta-dah” he whipped the blindfold off. I stared in astonishment as I looked around the boat; a table on the far side was covered in flowers, candles and a white crisp table cloth.

  Two men stood either side dressed smartly in white shirts and tight black trousers. Music was playing quietly in the background. I looked over at Maxwell in amazement. He took my hand and guided me over to the table. My chair was pulled out for me and I took my seat. My eyes looked down and in front of me was a black box.

  “Open it” Maxwell smiled as he took the seat opposite me. I slowly opened the box and my jaw dropped. I was staring down at my heart pendent, he had brought it with him. He slowly got up, took the necklace and placed round my neck. I couldn't speak. My heart was swelling up with love for this man.

  “Exactly where it should be” he kissed my cheek and instantly his composure changed. “Champagne?” I nodded, I couldn't speak. Maxwell clicked his fingers and one of the men rushed over with a bottle and began to pour.

  “I want this to be special.” Maxwell reached force my hand. “We are going to have dinner, watch the sunset and spend the whole night on this boat.”

  “A night at sea” I smiled back. “Sounds very exciting.” I picked up my glass and took a much needed sip. It tasted divine and the bubbles popped on my tongue. I had missed my Miss Dawson champagne lifestyle.

  “Good, isn't it” Maxwell smirked as he raised a suggestive eyebrow. He clicked his fingers again and this both men returned with our dinner.

  “Wow” I licked my lips as I looked down at my food.

  “You’re favourite” Maxwell said. “I remember you saying you didn't like fancy food, Miss Dawson.”

  My eyes glazed over with affection for this powerful man. Only my Mr Golden Rule could treat me to fancy set up like this and order me jacket potato, cheese and beans.

  I reached out for his hand. “Thank you” I said breathlessly as I ran my fingertip over his wedding band. Wedding band. My eyes darted down to look at it. He was still wearing his ring, was he no longer playing the game or was he just testing me?

  “The game is still on” he smirked. “I just couldn't bear to take it off.” He sat back and his blue eyes burned into me. “It is the only thing I have that still connects me to you.”

  I looked over at my bare hand, I missed mine. That tiny piece of metal that told the entire I belonged to Maxwell Thomas. How I loved belonging to him. I loved waking up with him every morning knowing I was the only woman in the world worthy enough to be his wife.

  My stomach flipped and I suddenly felt very sick. I had been stupid and childish. Why did I always deal with everything by just running away?

  “What are you thinking about?” Maxwell asked the look of worry spread across his face.

  “We’ve both made mistakes” I mumbled.

  “I know” he rubbed his brow and then his magic fingertip traced his bottom lip. He shifted in his seat and his eyes finally looked back at me.

  “I’m sorry” I pleaded. I really was sorry. I had ripped my family apart. My son was home without me, Olivia without her dad. Everything was my fault. Once again I was Miss Dawson who inflicted pain on others. My eyes welled up and couldn't hold back my tears.

  “Shh” he said in a concerned way. “Not tonight... Eat!” he demanded. “You’re going to need energy for what I have planned.”

  And he was right. I did need energy as we made love three times. That night I decided it was time to go back to my husband and I wasn’t ever going to let him go again.

  ***

  Maxwell

  I waited until Georgina was deeply asleep. I slipped into some shorts and heading on deck with my mobile. I searched my phone for Jay's number. Earlier I had given him a massive list of orders and I needed to know if he had dea
lt with them.

  “Mr Thomas,” Jay answered his voice full of happiness.

  “Did you manage to do everything?”

  “Yes” he relied confidently. “Everything is in place just like you asked.”

  “What about the lawyers?”

  Jay gave a little chuckle. “They will meet you at the hotel just like you requested. All you have to worry about is getting there before 3pm.”

  I gave a sigh of relief. The lawyers were a big part of my plan. Without them the whole thing would backfire and I couldn't risk that.

  “Good, if something comes up please let me know” I ordered.

  “Mr Thomas” his tone was now sounding more serious. “Do you think this is wise? I’m only thinking of Mrs Thomas, this could have a devastating effect on her.”

  “She deserves it” I yelled. “Now remember not a word to anyone. Good night, Jay.” I hit the end button and clutched my fist around my phone. She did deserve this more than ever now. Tomorrow we would be returning home and Georgina was going to get the shock of her life.

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  Georgina

  It was time to finally head home. I watched as Maxwell checked his phone again. Since yesterday morning he and that phone had been inseparable. Every time I had stepped in a room he would lower his voice and quickly end the call. I had a strange feeling he was up to something. I wondered if he was still in contact with her.

  I gazed out of the airplane window and rested my head against my seat. The last few days had been amazing. I had been trapped in a world of tranquillity with my Mr Golden Rule by my side. Now it was back to reality and LA. Then the dread set in, I didn't know where I was going to go or where I was going to stay.

  I had been hoping that maybe Maxwell would ask me to move back home, but he hadn't. Maybe after everything he still wanted to get divorced. I really hoped not, I had never needed or wanted my husband more than now. I wished he needed me.

  I glanced down at my wedding ring free hand and the sadness drifted through my body. I no longer cared about him being controlling or caring about his work. That was just who he was and I wished I had realized this before. He loved to own everything in his world and who was I to deny him that.