Maxwell's Fall

by Tielle St Clare

  Asshole.

  She dug to the bottom of her purse—for such a little bag, it held a lot of stuff—and found her office keys.

  She glared at Jackson’s door as she walked past it. Somehow being here made her feel like even more of a fool. She turned to her own office. She’d drop her stuff and go feed Jackson’s fish.

  She opened the door and walked in. Papers covered the desk and the top file cabinet drawer was open. What the hell—? Her overwhelmed mind couldn’t process what she saw.

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  The door closed with a loud click and Mandy jumped. She looked up. A man stood in front of the closed door. She opened her mouth to scream.

  “Quiet.” The harsh command came from her right. She recognized the voice and froze. Brian Mickelson. She turned, fighting to keep her breathing calm. The sight of the knife in his fist sent her heart racing. Sean Baldino turned from the file cabinet, his eyes flashing with guilt.

  Stay calm. Stay focused.

  “What’s going on?” Her voice quivered but she decided that was okay. They knew she wasn’t a hardened criminal.

  “Where are those books?”

  “Books?”

  “The books. You said your father kept a second set of books.” He shoved the knife a little closer. “Where are they?” She blinked and tried to figure out what he was talking about. Her father didn’t have a second set…then she remembered. She’d mentioned that he kept duplicate records. And he had. For most of his clients. Not Oyltech.

  “I-I didn’t find any. Not for Oyltech.” That was the truth. She looked at Sean and crushed a scream. The smooth gloss of a pistol glinted in his fist. Guns? We’re playing with guns now?

  She swallowed trying to clear the lump from her throat.

  “Uncle Sean?” She’d always hated calling him that but if she could remind him of the relationship between him and her father, it might help.

  “I’m sorry, Mandy. We didn’t want it to come to this but we really need those books. Where are they?”

  She considered telling them again that they didn’t exist but somehow she didn’t think they were going to believe her. And the idea of being shot over some imaginary accounting books was too much for her to handle.

  “I gave them to…” The obvious answer popped into her brain. “Jackson. My fiancé?”

  Brian’s eyes tightened at the edges.

  Mandy shrugged, trying to maintain the “innocent and not quite understanding”

  look. “He’s a great accountant and I wasn’t sure what I was looking at, you know?” She cleared her throat.

  He grabbed her arm and pulled her toward the door. “Fine. You’re going to call him and have him bring us those books.” His fingers tightened on her arm. “We’ll make it nice and easy. You for the papers.”

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  Chapter Thirteen

  Max tipped head back and let the water pound on his face, closing his eyes and fighting the wolf for control. The unscented shower gel washed away the sweat and dirt but did nothing to mute the memory—Gideon’s body, his scent as he’d climbed, his smile, that arrogant smirk that just made Max want to fuck him silly. Max groaned and slid his hand down his front, curling his fingers around his cock.

  It was hard but then he’d gotten used to that in the past three days—a constant state of arousal. Being around Mandy and then Gideon. There was no relief. He stroked up the full length of his erection. He was close could probably make himself come with a couple of strokes but the thought didn’t appeal. Not when he could have a mouth or a different hand touching him.

  Or a tight ass to plow.

  “Damn.”

  He released his cock and shook out his hair, letting the water rinse away the last of the soap. Jerking off wasn’t going to help. The full moon was too close and it had been too long since Max had let his wolf run free. And having double temptation surrounding him was almost more than he could take.

  Maybe he just had to face it. Push it. See if Gideon would actually be willing. If there was something behind all that teasing.

  He killed the water and grabbed a towel, wrapping it around his waist. He dried off and got dressed, figuring this kind of conversation was better to have while he was fully clothed.

  With a sigh, he stared at his reflection. Was he really contemplating fucking Gideon? Probably a bad idea. Based on the way he’d treated Mandy, his decision-making ability was obviously questionable at this point. Fucking Gideon would just compound the problem.

  That sounded good in his head. Logical and mature. First he needed to talk to Mandy. Then once he figured out that situation, he could consider including Gideon.

  The right side of his mouth pulled up in a smile. Maybe Mandy would get to experience her two-lover fantasy.

  He started down the stairs, glad to have that settled in his mind.

  And it worked. At least until turned the corner and saw Gideon, fresh from his shower, smelling clean and crisp. Max’s cock jumped inside his jeans and he stumbled forward. The compulsion to be close to the male came from deep inside him—a combination of wolf and human desires—but he didn’t fight it. Didn’t want to fight it.

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  Gideon looked up, his eyes glittering with heat. Fuck. Max reached out and wrapped his arm around Gideon’s back, dragging him close, not needing to bend to match their lips together. Their mouths met, open and hot and perfect. Max groaned.

  Gideon’s taste caressed his tongue reminding him of the night they met and he had to have more. Warmth covered his cock—Gideon moving right in, his palm covering Max’s dick, cupping him, rubbing. Energy surged through his body, spinning in his veins and filling his cock.

  Gideon squeezed his dick, just a light pulse that made Max moan. Fuck, what was he doing? He couldn’t think with those lips on his, that tongue twirling around his, but damn he couldn’t pull himself away. The flavor and texture was too addictive. The hand on his dick slid away and Max moaned, pressing his hips forward to follow the caress. Gideon’s hands returned, opening his fly, wrapping long fingers around Max’s bare cock.

  Oh fuck.

  “Yeah,” Gideon replied and Max realized he’s spoken aloud. Or at least moaned the words against Gideon’s lips. The sighed agreement lasted only a moment before Gideon sank his tongue back into Max’s mouth. Dominant instincts nagged at the corner of Max’s thoughts, that he should take command of the kiss, but it felt so good, feeling Gideon’s desire, Gideon’s fingers on his shaft, slowly pumping.

  “Gideon—” His mind went blank after that one word.

  “Need this,” Gideon whispered. Max didn’t know if he meant Gideon needed it or realized that Max truly did. Gideon bent down and pressed a hard kiss on his neck, licking for one wicked caress before he bit down, his teeth nipping at Max’s throat. His wolf came alert at the bite, loving the feel of another’s aggression on his skin. He growled and pulled Gideon up, dragging him close for another hot, deep kiss.

  They battled for control, teeth clashing together, neither willing to back down. His nerves gathered like vines, capturing every sensation and pulling it into his core.

  Gideon kept stroking, his fist firm and tight, not fast, every pull of his hand passing the entire length of Max’s cock.

  Gideon drew away, his eyes hot as he bent forward, biting down on Max’s neck and moving lower, sinking to his knees.

  Max stared down, the soft dark hair sliding through his fingers. A distant portion of his mind connected to the fact that he was stroking Gideon like a lover, not just a mindless mouth ready to suck his dick. No flutter of panic occurred. His wolf accepted it. Max accepted it. Hell, he wanted it. Wanted whatever Gideon had to offer.

  Gideon released his grip on Max’s cock and laved his tongue down his hipbones toward his groin. The heated lick sparked tiny triggers just beneath his skin, like someone tickling him from the inside. Gideon’s cheek brushed Max’
s cock, the faintest scrape of stubble lighting up his skin. His cock twitched, every touch digging deep into his groin. He spread his legs and braced his knees, his body tensing. Ready to fuck.

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  Gideon turned his head and kissed the hard shaft, rubbing his lips up the full length, tongue flicking out, tasting. Fuck.

  Fingers curled around Max’s cock, stroking, countering the wandering path of Gideon’s lips, working the underside of the head, teasing until Max thought his mind would explode. Gideon pushed aside the tight jeans and slid his hand between Max’s legs, cupping his balls, rolling them between his fingers.

  Max grunted and rocked his hips forward, trying to drive his cock into Gideon’s mouth. Gideon looked up, the wicked light in his eyes. He ran his tongue across the full length of his upper lip. The air left Max’s chest in a rush, just the sight of that pink tongue, those lips. Nothing feminine about either but fuck, Max wanted to feel it.

  As if Gideon knew he was pushing Max’s control, he smiled and drew back, guiding the tip of Max’s cock to his lips, lapping at the drops of pre-cum painting the head then opening his mouth wide. He pressed forward, slow, taking inch after inch until the head pressed against the back of his throat. He took a breath and relaxed his throat, letting Max ease a little deeper.

  Max groaned. He ground his back teeth together, fighting the need to come, not wanting it to end too soon.

  This was going to be fast. His claws popped out of the ends of his fingers and he dug them into the wall behind him, trying to hold himself still, not thrust deep into Gideon’s mouth. But Gideon wouldn’t let him hold back He sucked hard as he retreated and Max felt his eyes roll to the back of his head.

  “Fuck!” He released the death grip on the wall and grabbed Gideon’s hair, pulling what had to be a shade too hard, holding him in place as Max shoved his hips forward.

  He stared down, watching his dick slide in and out of Gideon’s mouth. Gideon groaned and took him, took every thrust, tightening his lips as he retreated. Max’s balls pulled up, his climax moments away.

  He stared down. There was no way to know what would happen if he came in Gideon’s mouth. Would it work the same as with a woman? Fuck he couldn’t do that to Gideon without warning him.

  “No, man, I can’t. Wait.” He pulled back, easing Gideon’s mouth off his cock. The only thing harder had been resisting in Mandy’s mouth. The wolf voiced its disapproval. A loud howl vibrated Max’s eardrums from the inside. Damn, he needed to mark both of them, needed something to quiet his wolf. Gideon shook his head and looked up, shock flashing through his gaze. “Here.” He hooked his hand below Gideon’s arm and dragged him up, wrapping Gideon’s fist around his cock, his hand covering Gideon’s. Together they pumped the few last strokes, all it took to grab him by the balls and make him come. His hand fell away as he sagged back against the wall, his head hitting the plaster behind him with a thud. He didn’t notice. His mind remained locked on his cock and the calloused hand stroking him through his orgasm, drawing every last bit of cum from his body.

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  He closed his eyes and licked his lips. The smell of sex and hunger filled the room, drowning his other senses.

  He opened his eyes. Gideon rubbed his thumb across his lower lip, a sexual sensual reminder that Max’s cock had just been there.

  His cock twitched again, as if wanting to return. He leaned forward and covered Gideon’s mouth with his own, tasting the blended flavors of Gideon and his own lingering traces. He growled, the wolf pacing inside his brain, wanting to complete the claiming with a hard fuck and a bite.

  The dominant animal inside him demanded submission from his lover and he spun him around, putting Gideon’s back to the wall, caging him with his weight.

  He drew back and scraped his teeth across the strong tight muscles of Gideon’s neck. The urge to bite down, penetrate and mark for every wolf to see snapped at Max’s control. It was all he could do to pull back, leaving surface scratches as he bent down, ripping open Gideon’s shirt, baring the hard muscular chest he’d admired at the gym.

  Max raked his fingernails down the smooth skin, liking the way his nails left thin lines.

  Yes, that skin would look delicious wearing his mark.

  He slid his hand down and cupped the thick bulge between Gideon’s legs. Breath caught in his throat. He’d never imagined fucking another man—at least nothing so specific as thinking how it would feel. This was different. He wanted this. The material was in his way. He wanted skin. Skin over hard flesh.

  A phone ringing penetrated the edges of his lust but Max pushed it aside. He reached for the zipper to Gideon’s jeans, eager to feel his cock, wanting that hard rod beneath his fingers.

  Gideon’s hands stopped his. “No. Get the phone.”

  “Ignore it,” Max growled, biting Gideon’s lower lip, reprimanding him for the interruption.

  “It might be Mandy. Or Jackson. And you need to talk to them.”

  Fucking logic. Max sighed. Gideon was right and damn him for being so sane that he could still think.

  Slowly uncurling his fingers from the warmth of Gideon’s cock, Max stepped back, and snatched up the phone.

  “This is Max,” he snapped.

  There was silence on the other end of the phone, then, “Max?”

  Damn, his brother. But the wrong brother.

  “Hey, Mikhel.” His gaze darted over to Gideon, making sure he was still dressed, though why Max was worried his brother could see through a phone line he didn’t know.

  “I thought I dialed Jax.”

  “You did. I’m at his house for a few days.”

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  “Oh. Well, uhm, is he around? I need to talk to you both.”

  Max rolled his eyes. Mik and their father had both left repeated messages but Max had managed to avoid the calls. He didn’t know the specific reason behind the calls but he was pretty damn sure his father was going to ask him to move back again. It was a pretty constant refrain in their conversations.

  Not that their father wanted them in his Pack, but he wanted his kids close.

  Now that Mikhel was Alpha of his own Pack, maybe he was joining in the subtle nagging.

  “No, he’s out of town. Listen, Mik, uh I’m kind of in the middle of something.”

  Wasn’t that the truth? “Maybe we could—”

  “No. We need to talk now.”

  Max covered his eyes with his hand. He’d avoided his brother so long that he’d pushed Mik into Alpha mode. And Max knew better than to ignore an Alpha wolf.

  “Sure, what’s up?”

  “It’s about the wedding.”

  He straightened. “What’s wrong?” Damn, Mik had seemed happy since he’d hooked up with Taylor. His heart felt squeezed. He hated the thought that his brother might have lost his woman.

  “Nothing. Well, I mean…listen, you remember Zach?”

  “Zach? Uh yeah, Mik, he practically lived at our house growing up.”

  “Yeah. Okay, here it is.” Max heard Mik take a deep breath but he didn’t continue.

  Max’s heart started to pound. This wasn’t like Mikhel. Whatever was going on was some heavy shit. His brother didn’t hesitate, didn’t dither. He was an Alpha werewolf for God’s sake.

  “You’re starting to freak me out, Mik. What is it?”

  “Sorry. You’re right. Okay, here’s the truth. Zach and I are mates.”

  “Mates?” But Mik had mated Taylor.

  “Yes. We’re mates. Lovers.”

  “What?!” The question came out as a shout that he couldn’t contain. It was too much to comprehend. He glanced at Gideon. Well, maybe not.

  “We’re lovers.”

  “What about Taylor? The woman you’re going to marry.”

  “She’s there as well. The three of us are mated to each other. You know, a couple.

  Except there are three of us.�
� He laughed but there was no humor in it. “I guess we’re a trio.”

  Max’s mind flipped over. And then again. Mikhel and Taylor…and Zach?

  “Max? You there.”

  “Yeah. I’m here.”

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  “Nothing to say?”

  “I’m happy for you?”

  Mik chuckled. “Thanks. It really is a good thing. You’ll see when you get here.”

  “Okay.” Max knew that wasn’t the best answer but between screwing up with Mandy, the physical exhaustion and the fact that he’d just received the blowjob of his life, his mind was bordering on overload.

  “I didn’t want to tell you over the phone but I didn’t want you to come to the wedding without knowing because it’s going to be a three-way ceremony. I’ll be marrying both Taylor and Zach.” Mik’s voice still held tension but the hesitancy was gone and the natural Alpha tendencies returned.

  “Okay.”

  “Have you talked to Dad?”

  “Recently? No. I’ve been busy.” Max rubbed his fingers along the bump between his eyes. He couldn’t deal with a family feud right now. “Is he freaked out about this?”

  “Uh, not exactly. He’s actually handled it quite well. You need to talk to Dad.”

  “Is something wrong?”

  “No. He just wants to talk to you before you show up at the wedding.”

  “Okay. Sure.” Like he had time for more family drama. But it didn’t sound like anyone was dying or being sent to jail so he’d wait to call his father until after he’d worked out what he was going to do about Mandy.

  Of course, once his father found out he’d stolen Jax’s mate, he was going to get kicked out of the family anyway. If the males in his family let him live.

  Max glanced at Gideon. He no longer leaned against the wall, curiosity lighting his eyes as he listened to Max’s half of the conversation. And then there’s Gideon, the man you were about to blow. Max shook his head and sighed.

  “Mik, I got to go.” He couldn’t take any more. This was so fucked up. His life was fucked up. He’s seen to that quite nicely.