Maxim (13 page)

Chapter 19

“That’s just not fair.” Alona smiled at her friend Maya as another bouquet of flowers was delivered. The GCFA was going all out sending get-well gifts for her and Maxim’s recovery. Maxim, of course, was recovering much faster than she was. He was currently down in the gym doing physical therapy for his knee. He was one step closer to getting back on the roster.

“Taurus doesn’t send you flowers?” Alona asked. She found that hard to believe. Taurus seemed to be a very affectionate towards Maya.

“Yes, on special occasions. But nothing like this.” Maya pointed to the flower arrangements covering almost every table and shelf in Alona’s suite.

“It is a bit much. I’m going to need a bigger suite if I get any more,” Alona laughed.

“Did that Forbes guy and his crony get indicted today?”

“Yeah, it’s part of the reason we’ve been keeping a low profile. Plus we’ve had to go in to give our testimony. It was a closed court, so only the judge and the lawyers were there. Forbes tried to argue he was working on scientific advancements that could change the world.” Alona shook her head in disgust.

“How long did he get?”

“Life plus twenty years for each death that he caused. Since the IDJ counted twenty dead bodies in those glass cases, he won’t be getting out any time soon.”

She groaned when the doorbell rang again. “Seriously?” She went to answer the door. Nigel was standing there holding another vase of flowers. “Hello, Nigel.” She moved out of the way so he could come inside.

“Hi, Alona. Sorry I meant to get here sooner to check on you personally but I got sidetracked with some business . . .” He stopped a few feet inside the suite and looked around with a mixed expression of humor and shock.

“Yeah, I need to talk to you about all of this. I appreciate everything that the GCFA is doing for us. But it’s just too much.”

“I agree. It was . . . an oversight. I’ll talk to my assistant about this. But until then, here’s one more to add to your collection.” He handed her the bouquet just as the door opened and Maxim walked in.

Maxim saw the exchange and took in all the flowers in the suite. He turned to Nigel and growled, “What are you doing here?”

Maya laughed as she headed for the door. “I think it’s time to pick up the kids from school. Talk to you tomorrow, Alona.”

“Traitor!” Alona called after her, making Maya laugh even harder as she shut the door behind her.

Alona sighed as she walked over to stand between Maxim and Nigel. “Easy, baby, Nigel just came by to check on us to make sure we’re doing okay. Oh and look, he brought you some flowers.” Alona handed the bouquet to Maxim who automatically grabbed it from her. Both men blinked at the comment.

Maxim was a little stunned. He didn’t know what to say. There was no way Nigel brought the flowers for him. “Why is he sending you all these flowers? It’s like being inside a botanical garden.”

Nigel rubbed his short haircut. “I think there was some miscommunication between me and my assistant. I’ll take care of it. How are you both doing?”

“Please have a seat, Nigel.” Alona gestured to the sofa. She walked by Maxim as he sat in a chair across from the sofa. He was still holding the flowers tightly in his hand, so she took them back from him and found a small spot on the coffee table to put the vase. She was about to sit on the other end of the sofa next to Nigel when Maxim pulled her into his lap.

“Maxim.”

“You sit with me.” He wouldn’t let her up.

She realized her attempts to get up were futile so she sighed and settled into him. The warmth and scent of him calmed her.

Maxim seemed to calm as well now that he had her in his arms. He shifted his attention to Nigel. “I apologize for my rude greeting earlier.”

Nigel shrugged it off. “It’s understandable.”

“Was there something else that you came by for, Nigel?” Alona asked. She felt more relaxed now that Maxim was relaxed. She knew he was only protective of her and she appreciated it. But for him to apologize for overreacting meant the world to her.

“Yes, I apologize for intruding on your recovery, but the GCFA board wanted to ask if the two of you would do a press conference. The news has spread all over about Dr. Forbes. There have been many messages from the public demanding to see that you two are fine. There are rumors . . .”

“What rumors?” Maxim asked.

“Ridiculous rumors are spreading like wildfire that he performed breeding experiments on Alona, and that you, Maxim, killed everyone involved.”

“I did kill Soren.” Maxim didn’t sound bothered by it.

“But they are making it sound like you lost it and you might not be stable.”

“I don’t want Alona to have to deal with all those annoying questions.”

“Yeah, I don’t feel like doing that.” Alona agreed with Maxim. They should at least be allowed some private time. Maxim may not regret what he had to do with Soren, but she wondered if maybe he thought about what would have happened if he had found out about Soren earlier. Could he have intervened and saved Soren from Dr. Forbes? They may never know that for sure.

Nigel rubbed his chin. “How about an appearance at the after party for the next fighting event? Neither of you are cleared for the event, of course, but an appearance at the after party with just a few reporters and some of the fans would be great. If they can see you and how happy you are, I’m sure it will relieve their minds.”

Alona looked at Maxim. “I’m okay with that if you are.”

“Do I have to dance?” Maxim asked.

She smiled. “Only with me.”

“I can deal with that.” He looked over at Nigel and sighed. “I want to thank you and the GCFA for everything that you have done for us.”

Nigel waved his thanks off. “It was the least we could do. Let us know if there’s anything you need.”

Alona was nuzzling Maxim’s neck and he was rubbing her back with gentle hands. She nipped his ear playfully, making Maxim rumble with need.

Nigel stood up quickly. “Uh, I’ll just leave you two to . . . whatever. I’ll see you at the after party.” He made a hasty exit. Neither heard Nigel shut the door behind him.

Alona looked at Maxim. “Are you okay?”

“I’m sorry for overreacting about the flowers. I was jealous.”

She cupped his cheek. “I get jealous too when the women go gaga over you. But I know I am the one you come home to every night.”

“Yes, for the rest of our lives.” Maxim agreed. He turned his attention to her lips, but Alona was too interested in where Maxim’s hand was headed.

He had been squeezing her knee while they were talking to Nigel, but now his hand was slowly moving up her thigh. He easily moved the hem of her dress out of his way. His fingers found her lace panties and then he began to massage her seam through the thin material.

“Mmmm . . .” Alona was wet and ready for him. She was always ready for him. She tilted her head back so she could kiss Maxim. She groaned with need when he moved his hand down the front of her panties and teased her clit.

“I should take a shower, I’m all sweaty,” he said between kisses.

“I like you all sweaty.”

Alona lifted her hips trying to get him to enter her with his fingers, but he continued to tease her. She reached down and gripped his hand, trying to force him to go where she wanted him to go. But he wasn’t having it.

“Oh no, my love, I won’t be rushed. I thought all day about this sweet spot right here.” He inserted his fingers deep, lightly rubbing her inner g-spot.

Alona actually purred. He was driving her crazy. “Please, Maxim.” She wiggled her ass against him, feeling his arousal pressing underneath her.

“I want to take my take time, make it good for you,” Maxim murmured as he took her earlobe between his teeth.

Oh fuck. She loved it when he nibbled her ears. If he was going to tease and drive her crazy, she would do the same to him.

She moved over a little and reached down with her hand. She undid the snaps of his pants, opening him up to her. She reached inside and took him firmly in her hand. She worked him up and down, still amazed at the smooth hardness of him. A nice contrast that fit him in more than one way. Maxim came across to others as stoic and unemotional, but she knew there was a deep layer of passion within him. A passion he shared only with her.

His other hand reached across her chest and massaged her breasts through her dress. He growled. “Get this off.”

Alona couldn’t agree more. She pushed his hand away from her pussy so that she could stand up. She then pulled her dress off, throwing it to the floor. She stood before him in nothing but her black bra and panties and a pair of black high heels. She turned around to find Maxim had already removed his shirt and was pulling down his pants. He wiggled to get the pants down while he remained sitting in the chair. He kicked off his shoes and pants to the side.

“You are so hot,” Alona told him.

He shook his head. “You’re the hot one. Just look at you, how beautiful you are. It takes my breath away.”

That’s how he made her feel, like she was the sexiest woman in the world. As she reached behind her and unhooked her bra, letting it fall to the floor, his eyes darkened with his desire. She dragged her panties down her smooth legs, kicking them to the side.

“Leave the shoes on,” Maxim ground out. He was pumping his shaft, priming himself for her. “Come here, beautiful.”

Alona straddled him. Her wet dripping pussy hovered over the head of his cock. She moaned when he leaned forward to take a nipple in his mouth. He suckled her while his hand teased her other nipple into a fine point.

She needed him inside her, she couldn’t wait anymore. She lowered herself down on his shaft, sinking down further and further until she had taken him all in.

“Yes, so good,” he moaned against her flesh. Maxim placed a hand on either side of her hips to help her find the pace and rhythm they both needed.

She moved up and down, twisting and arching her back. Maxim thrust upwards to meet each of her downward thrusts. They were both breathing heavily and sweat glistened on their bodies.

She felt the fire building so fast within her, it was like every cell in her body had awakened and was in need of relief. She was so close, she just needed that extra push.

Maxim, sensing her need, reached between their bodies and rubbed her labia. It was the final stimulation that she needed and she rocked her body a few more times until they both shouted out their release.

They didn’t separate right away. Alona slumped forward, wrapping her arms around Maxim’s neck. “Welcome home, baby.”

Maxim smiled, completely satisfied. “I could get used to a greeting like that every day.”

“I’ll see what I can do. I love you, Maxim.”

“I love you too, my sweet Alona.” They held each other, feeling complete and whole.

Epilogue

Alona smiled at the cameras as the photographers took picture after picture at the after party. They didn’t have to speak to the press, for which she was very grateful. They just had to come, pose for a few pictures, dance, and then they could leave.

Maxim led her out on the dance floor, away from the strangers. All their friends were there with their mates, too, surrounding them, keeping the press and fans away from them. She was grateful to have such loyal friends.

“Are you happy?” Maxim asked her.

Alona looked up at him and gave him a dazzling smile. “I am utterly and completely joyful about my life. How about you?”

“I have you, and there isn’t anything else I could want. You’re all I need. My life is perfect.”

“Good thing, because you are pretty much stuck with me.” She winked at him.

*****

Sersan watched as her friend Alona danced with her mate. Most of her friends were there dancing with their mates. It seemed like everyone was coupling off. Maybe something was in the water.

She sighed. She could make jokes, but that was what she wanted. She wanted to have a mate, someone she could spend her days thinking about and her nights making love to. But of all the GCFA halfsie team members, she was the most unlikely to find a mate. Especially if her brother had anything to do about it.

What was the saying? “Always a bridesmaid but never a bride.” That was exactly how Sersan felt. She was a Reptan halfsie. An oddity even among the others halfsies. She had allowed her hair to grow out in the hopes it would camouflage her differences, but when she spoke, it became clear that she was not
normal
. What she wouldn’t give to be scale less and have a full tongue instead of one that could split.

Esan walked up to her. “Did you want to danccce?”

Sersan snorted. “With my brother? No thank you.”

“Are you going to leave early then?”

“Yeah, probably.”

“Have a good night. I’ll sssee you tomorrow.” Esan walked off to ask one of the VIP women to dance. It was easier for him to find a woman to spend time with. It always had been. She wished she could be more outgoing.

She sighed in resignation. Another night alone. She left the banquet hall and headed towards the elevator. Maybe something good was on TV. She entered the elevator and found that she wasn’t alone, Ronin was there.

“Good evening, Sersan.” His deep voice rumbled in a way that made her nipples tighten in response.

“Good evening, Ronin. Leaving the party ssso sssoon?”

“There wasn’t anything there for me. Besides, I think I prefer to find my own entertainment.” He eyed her short, tight mini skirt.

Sersan knew she was blushing. She wasn’t good around men. Either her friends or her brother were always with her in awkward situations. But she couldn’t stop herself from asking, “Like what?”

He moved towards her, making her take a step back until she was up against the wall of the elevator. “I prefer to find a woman that I can spend some quality time with, one on one.”

“That sssounds niccce.” She knew she was out of her element. She felt her body heating up.

“It does, doesn’t it? Do you want to be that woman for this evening?”

Oh shit.
Did he just ask her to spend the night with him? What the hell was she supposed to do? What did she want to do?

The elevator stopped on Ronin’s floor and the door opened. He stepped away from her but held out his hand to her. “What do you say?”

She looked at his hand, then she surprised herself by putting her hand in his. She looked up into his dark eyes, so mysterious, so seductive, how could she refuse?

“I sssay . . . yesss.”