Maxwell's Fall

by Tielle St Clare

  And God, the look on Gideon’s face. How would she ever face him again? Great, this one little episode had succeeded in her not only losing a good friend, Jackson, but her favorite restaurant as well.

  Getting into Jackson’s house had been a simple thing. He’d given her his keys the last time he’d been heading out of town so she could run by and pick up some files.

  She’d just never returned it. Getting inside had been easy. Finding the courage to strip had taken a little more effort. And standing herself in the living room had taken what energy she had left. She hadn’t had the strength to lift her eyes and stare seductively at the door as Tracy had instructed.

  Maybe it wouldn’t have taken her so long to realize that Jackson wasn’t alone. And that both men were staring at her breasts and her legs.

  She moaned and clutched fistfuls of hair and pulled. God, what was she going to do now? Well, first she needed to put her clothes back on. She grabbed the white blouse and navy blue skirt she’d worn to work and pulled them on, taking time to tuck in the blouse because she needed to be as in control as possible when she went back downstairs.

  There was no way she could put her nylons back on but she didn’t have much choice in shoes. It was the torture-test shoes Tracy had encouraged her to buy or tennis shoes. Over bare feet. Yuck. It would have to be the heels. She could barely walk in the damn things—as her lovely little flop onto the couch had proven—but she slipped her feet back into the high heels and stood up. It was amazing how high heels gave a woman confidence. Until she had to move of course.

  She shoved the nylons into her purse and grimaced, her fingertips brushing the other object in her bag—the butt plug. A momentary flash of recklessness had made her grab it. Along with lube and condoms. It had seemed funny and sexy at the time. Now it just added to her mortification. She zipped the bag closed and hung the strap over her shoulder. A few deep breaths helped. She glanced in the mirror and smoothed her hair, 82

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  going for cool and collected. Her heart still pounded but at least she felt a little more like herself. Now all she had to do was walk downstairs, head held high and leave.

  Never to return.

  She gripped her purse in her fist and forced her legs to march downstairs.

  The living room was empty and for a moment she thought she might escape without being seen—it was a coward’s retreat she knew but she wasn’t above taking it—then Jackson appeared.

  “Mandy?”

  “Hi.” She offered a weak wave trying to ignore the way her cheeks warmed up again. How long would it be before she could look at him and not blush? Probably never. “Again, I’m really sorry. I’ll just go.”

  “No—”

  “Well, it’s all in there,” Gideon announced as he walked into the room. He stopped when he saw Mandy. She braced herself for a wink or a leer or something. Instead he just smiled. “I’ll let you two enjoy your evening.”

  “No,” she protested. “You guys obviously had something planned.”

  Gideon shook his head. “It’s no stress. There’s plenty of food and—” He looked at Max and Mandy. Both stared at him—eyes wild, panic straining their muscles. Max hid it a little better but neither was ready to be alone. Together. Whatever. Just standing in the room, he could feel the tension between them.

  He liked Max and after seeing Mandy tiny scraps of lace, he realized there was more to her than the staid, prissy woman she appeared to be when Jackson was around.

  During the course of the day Gideon had realized that while he liked Jackson, enjoyed his company, he could fall hard for Max. The two men looked exactly alike but their personalities were vibrantly different. There were some similarities of course—

  they were reared by the same parents—but after the basics, they were polar opposites.

  Max seemed to bring something different out of Mandy as well. Even standing there, in a frumpy blue skirt and blouse, she looked sexual—though that might have been because he knew what was hidden beneath those ugly clothes. He’d never seen anything like lust in her eyes when she was with Jackson.

  If nothing else it would be fun to watch Max and Mandy together.

  Besides if he left now, Max would probably kick Mandy out or worse, tell her the truth, and the wicked side of Gideon didn’t think that was a good idea.

  “Can either of you cook?” He ignored Max because Max had already said he couldn’t.

  Mandy looked at Max before shaking her head. “Not much.”

  “Well, the least I can do is be your chef this evening.”

  Max opened his mouth like he was going to protest. Now that he’d had time to think about it he was probably going to kick them both out.

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  Gideon plowed over whatever Max had been ready to say. “Come on, both of you.

  I’ll cook but I need a sous-chef.”

  “What?” Max asked.

  Mandy rolled her eyes. “Sous-chef. They do the prep and put the plates together.

  Help the chef.” She shook her head. “Don’t you watch cooking shows?”

  “No.”

  Gideon grabbed Mandy by the hand and pulled her toward the kitchen. “He’s a plebian. Jackson—” He emphasized the name more to irritate Max than anything else.

  “Put on some tunes and let’s make dinner.”

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  Chapter Nine

  Mandy allowed herself to be dragged into the kitchen—grateful that Gideon seemed to be willing to ignore her failed attempt at seduction. She laughed as Gideon put her to work cleaning carrots. This was something she could do. She hadn’t been kidding when she’d said she didn’t cook much. She could do basics but based on what Gideon was doing, it was beyond her abilities.

  Music flooded the kitchen. And a wave of normalcy came over her. Despite the fact that Jackson still carried himself with that tough bad-boy attitude, this was typical Jackson—smooth jazz and low blues.

  He returned and Gideon put him to work. This was Gideon’s realm and he ruled it well, directing each of them as he did some sort of magic with chicken and spices. The hiss and crackle of vegetables hitting hot grease filled the air.

  And while Gideon cooked, he talked and laughed, teasing Jackson, almost flirting.

  She’d noticed a hint of sexual tension between the two of them in the past but it was different tonight, stronger. When Gideon came over to check on Max’s progress with chopping parsley, he leaned in, their shoulders touching. Max didn’t shift away even though Gideon had well invaded his space. Was it possible they were lovers? After last night she didn’t think it likely but who knew?

  Both men moved around the kitchen, working together, occasionally sharing a laugh or quiet joke but she didn’t sense a strong intimacy. They probably weren’t lovers but something had changed in their situation. There was something definitely sexual in they way they interacted. Or it could be that your mind is just stuck on sex, she reminded herself.

  “Man, you need to cut that a bit smaller or we’ll be walking around with green stuff stuck between our teeth.” Gideon looked at her and rolled his eyes.

  With one look, he drew her into the sexual connection between the two of them.

  Her nipples hardened and her chest tightened, making it difficult to breathe. Each inhale rasped her nipples against the lacy bra. The edge of his mouth kicked, as if he knew that her body was responding, responding to a simple stare.

  Heat flooded her pussy and she squeezed her knees together, trying to ease the sudden ache. Her body seemed attuned to the sexual energy flowing between the three of them. Even as she thought it, the image popped into her head of the three of them in bed, naked. She shook her head, trying to clear the fantasy but it lodged in her brain and she couldn’t break free. Hot strong fingers touching her, both men sucking on her nipples, sliding into her.

  She looked up, once again meeting Gideon’s gaze.

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  Gideon’s smile widened and damn it really did look like he could read her mind.

  Or maybe he could just read her body.

  Heat blossomed in her cheeks again and she dragged her eyes away, focusing on the salad she was supposed to be making. It didn’t make sense. She was a practical, smart accountant for goodness sake…she didn’t inspire lust in the hearts of men. A low chuckle rumbled from Gideon but there was no mockery in it. She flashed a teasing glare at Gideon.

  A soulful sax wailed in the background.

  Jackson grunted. “I can’t handle any more of this.” At first she thought he meant the herbs he was cutting. But he handed the messy pile to Gideon and spun around, disappearing into the dining room.

  Mandy pursed her lips and shared a confused look with Gideon. He shrugged.

  The wailing sax went silent and moments later the opening drums to Santana’s Smooth started and Mandy groaned.

  “Oh God, I love this song.” Her hips did a slow roll left and right, her body sinking into the seductive musical rhythm. The low buzz of the guitar sent a delicious tingle down her spine. She couldn’t stop. Something about this song just called to her, controlling her muscles, captivating her.

  “Damn, girl, that’s it.”

  She opened her eyes and looked at Gideon. He watched from the stove, his eyes appreciating her sensuous dance. The intensity of his stare startled her and she froze.

  “No, darling, keep going. You’re feeling it.” He swung his hips back and forth and winked. “Dance with me.” He held out his hand and Mandy laughed, placing the knife on the counter and blushing as she put her fingers in his, allowing herself to be drawn to him. It took a beat or two to recapture the sound in her body. She moved with Gideon, matching his rhythm, her body reflecting the sensuous pulse. He drew her to him until their bodies almost touched, his hands sliding down, lightly fingering her hips as they moved.

  She laughed and tipped her head back. She’d never danced with anyone to this song. It was the one she kept for herself, around her apartment. The sexual music and rhythm swirled through her body. He pulled her closer, trying to slip his leg between her thighs.

  “Damn, this skirt has got to go.” As he spoke he reached for the side zipper, his fingers dragging down the tab. The waistband sagged free even as she gasped, her mind finally catching up with the fact that he was taking off her clothes.

  “What—”

  “For this song, you can’t wear that straitlaced, schoolmarm skirt.” He placed a fast kiss on her lips. “Besides, your ass is too sweet to be hidden in ugly clothes.” She stared up and blinked, standing still as he dragged the skirt down to the floor and pulled, giving her little choice but to step out of it. Her shirt hung to the tops of her thighs 86

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  leaving her mostly covered. He tossed the skirt away and grabbed her around the waist, dragging her forward, his thigh sliding between her legs. It wasn’t particularly sexual.

  He didn’t rub up against her pussy, he just locked their bodies together so that everywhere she moved, she touched him.

  “That’s it, Mandy, feel the song.”

  Shock kept her frozen for just a moment but then the music and the encouragement in Gideon’s eyes melted her fear and she let her resistance go. Letting Gideon lead, she allowed the rhythm to fill her and they danced, their bodies close, touching and pulling back. Yes, this was how this song should be experienced, body against body. The low ache in her pussy transformed into a throb and oh she needed something to satisfy the intoxicating need.

  Max came around the corner. “There. How about—”

  The sight before him locked the words in his throat. Mandy, wearing nothing but her white blouse and those high heels—where the hell had her skirt gone?—pressed against Gideon. His thigh slid between her legs. Their bodies rocked in time to the song but Max wouldn’t call what they were doing dancing. Foreplay. His cock twitched, the blasted thing eager to join in.

  Gideon looked up and smiled—the look sexual and arrogant and Max wasn’t sure how he felt about it. But then the music changed, the chorus filling the room. Gideon stepped back, not releasing Mandy, taking her hand, and spinning her around. Her laughter sparkled through the air. Gideon guided her to a stop, her back to his front, presenting her to Max.

  Passion saturated her eyes as she looked up, her body following a rhythm—set by the music and the man standing behind her, rocking his hips against her ass. She was completely captured by the music, sensual and sexual and Max needed to be a part of it.

  He came forward, taking the place that Gideon had occupied, his thigh between her legs. Mandy’s arms slid up around his shoulders, lightly clinging to him as she moved and rocked. God, she was lust in its purest form.

  He pushed closer, gripping her hips and pressing his thigh against her pussy. Heat melted his jeans as she groaned. The beat swelled inside, echoed and reinforced by Gideon and Mandy. Max began to move.

  The music changed again and once again Gideon led them, drawing Mandy away, turning her, spinning her until her ass was nestled against Max’s groin. Lost in the music, her hips pressed back and she rubbed against him, the thin material of her panties barely enough to stop Max from sliding into her cunt. His cock slipped into the split of her ass, close to where he wanted to be. She groaned and pressed back.

  Unable to resist tasting her any longer, he leaned down and kissed her throat, laving his tongue across the tight skin. The sweet taste invaded his head, reminding him of the taste of her cunt, muted and faint, just enough to tempt him to have more.

  But first he really had to fuck her.

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  She rocked her ass against his erection, making it harder and thicker until Max was sure he was going to come inside his jeans. He fought the pressure in his balls, even as heat covered his back. Gideon. The strong male body pressed against his, cock against his ass, promising, threatening, but damn, it felt good. He couldn’t stop his groan, needing some release from the overwhelming seduction of the two bodies surrounding him.

  As if Gideon felt free because Mandy couldn’t see them, he leaned forward and scraped his teeth across the base of Max’s neck, a sharp, almost painful bite. Max’s gums tingled, his teeth threatening to plunge down and drive into Gideon’s neck.

  He took deep breath and forced the wolf back into its cage.

  Concentrating on not allowing his other side to be free, he almost missed when the music change again. Except Gideon spun away, leaving Max to miss his warmth.

  Bodies shifted, Mandy turned and once again she was face-to-face with Max, her legs spread, straddling his thigh, pressing against him. He groaned, needing the fiery liquid that dripped from her pussy. He clamped his hand on her ass and dragged her up until he pushed against her pussy, her clit. She raised her eyes, the gray depths dazed and blurry, as if she didn’t understand what was happening to her.

  “Mandy?” he asked, not wanting to frighten her.

  “More.” The low groan slipped from her lips as her head tipped back, hitting Gideon’s chest, her hips rocked forward, pressing harder against Max’s thigh.

  “That’s it, darling,” Gideon said, his voice soft and strong, surrounding them. “Feel him.”

  Max watched as Gideon whispered soft kisses up the lovely length of Mandy’s throat. She tipped her head to the side, giving him access. The sight of Gideon’s lips on her skin swamped Max—her pleasure, wicked and pure as she moved between them, rubbing against them both.

  The music had long ago faded into insignificance and the pretense of dancing disappeared. Max leaned down and captured Mandy’s lips with his, driving his tongue deep into her mouth, swallowing her moan as his reward, feeling it deep in his cock. He was conscious of the fact that Gideon’s hands were on Mandy’s skin, beneath her shirt, close, so close to those breasts he’d enjoyed last night. Part of him braced to feel jealousy. Werewolves were
notorious for their territorial nature, but instead he sensed her pleasure. And he wanted her to have more. He wanted her screaming, watching her come until her body collapsed from climaxing.

  Hands worked the buttons of her blouse—and damned if he could figure out if it was him or Gideon opening them—until the laced edges of her bra appeared.

  Max groaned and licked his lips. Memories of the previous night were ripe in his mind. The sweet curves, perfect for his tongue, his lips. He bent down, nuzzling the delicious mounds, licking, his wolf savoring every stroke of his tongue, the taste of her skin. His teeth stretched and the urge to bite, to penetrate that sweet flesh was almost too much.

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  He fought the wolf’s natural desires and instead licked, sliding his tongue beneath the lace of her bra, capturing the tight nipple. Mandy’s gasp taunted the wolf. The animal wanted more of those sounds, wanted her writhing beneath him. Wanted to feel her pussy opening for him.

  Foreign hands reached forward and snapped the front clasp of her bra, giving him access. Silently Max thanked Gideon, his own hands too clumsy to work the delicate clasp. Max dragged down the open collar of her shirt and sucked her breast inside his mouth. Another delicate but powerful cry rang through his head and he knew he’d never be happy without that sound inside him. Needing more, wanting more for her, he sucked deeper, wanting her all in his mouth. God, he would consume her. He could—a distant bell chimed and Max snapped his head back, snarling at the interruption.

  Mandy’s eyes snapped open wide and the tension that raked her body warned him she was feeling much more than surprise. He stared at the floor, knowing his eyes had to be glowing with the bright red of passion, anger. Max forced himself to straighten.

  “Damn—” Gideon moaned. “I guess dinner’s ready.”

  The way he said it—flirty and a little effeminate—defused the tension in a snap.

  Mandy giggled and Max allowed himself a glance toward her. She was blushing.

  Gideon stepped back and Max realized that Mandy had been trapped between them—