Authors: M. Clarke
Max
placed me down on his desk and raked his hair back. His chest rapidly moved up and down from being out of breath, and so did mine. I didn’t care if I lost the bet any more. I wanted Max inside me now.
“
Jenna, I don’t want to win the bet,” Max said breathlessly.
I tried to come out of the daze. What did he just say? “Max. I don’t
want to win.” I was tortured inside from needing him and now he wasn’t going to give me the release. I couldn’t help myself. I started to laugh. I was trying to turn the table and seduce him with my words. “If I did win, I was going to make you my slave and have my way with you in your office. This place reminds me of the first time I fell in love with you.” I placed my finger inside my mouth and sucked it.
Max lifted my chin with the tip of his finger and gave me his signature grin. “You can have me anywhere,
babe,” Max growled softly. After he pulled out my finger, he placed it into his mouth. His eyes bored into mine. He was killing me.
Oh God! This wasn’t working.
I let out a moan and a whimper from being turned on again. The sound continued until Max stopped sucking my finger.
“We need to go. I need to show you the house. And if you like it, we can sign the papers today.”
“Really?” I slid off his desk and fixed myself to look more presentable. “Why didn’t you tell me in the first place? You did this to me again. Made me all excited and ready for you, then we have to leave.”
Max chuckled out loud. “I love to tease you,
babe. I love to see your expression when I make you feel good.” Max moved in for a slow ‘pulling out my bottom lip with his teeth’ kind of kiss.
“Not fair,” I pouted, but I let it go since I also had to meet Becky before dinner.
“It’s always a pleasure, Mrs. Knight.”
“I’m n
ot Mrs. Knight yet,” I warned.
“In four days you will
be. I can’t wait.”
“You already have me, Max,” I said sincerely, softening my tone.
“And you already have me.” He kissed my forehead tenderly, then pulled back with a wicked grin. “I think we need to break in the house. Any way you want it, I’m all yours.”
It was my turn for payback. “I think I like winning. We can
...Max!”
Max lifted me over his shoulder and gave me a smack on my ass. “I’m going to let you win. I’m going to strip you naked and take
you in every section of the house, but it will be under my rules, my terms.”
Chapter 2
6
Jenna
Max pushed a
remote and we entered through the gate. At first, all I saw were the trees, then the road curved into a long driveway. The garage was to the right, but Max parked right in front of the entrance, as did the realtor. Immediately, I fell in love with the exterior of the house. The layout reminded me of his parents’ home.
“Shall we?” Max asked, placing his hand behind my back. “Justin. This is my
fiancée, Jenna.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Jenna.” Justin shook my hand.
“Likewise,” I said, releasing my hand.
Justin fidgeted with the lock bo
x, opened the door, and we walked in. Wow! That was all I could say in my mind. A beautiful, crystal chandelier hung above and sparkled against the natural light. There were two stairways, one on each side, and the tan marble in the foyer was polished to shine. It definitely reminded me of Max’s parents’ place, but once I went further in it was a different layout.
After we saw the
grand family room and the huge kitchen with the finest appliances, we went upstairs. There were six bedrooms, each with its own full bathroom. Then the realtor took us to the last bedroom. My eyes grew bigger when the door swung wider. There was no furniture there, but I saw the potential. The added bonus was the massive bathroom. It was bigger than the one in Max’s place. And the closet was to die for, a walk-in his and her closet. It was bigger than my own bedroom.
“It’s beautiful, Max.”
Max had a huge, satisfied grin spread across his face. “Wait till you see the backyard.” He took my hand and led us to the balcony. There was a swimming pool, a jacuzzi, a basketball court, a tennis court, and a perfect sitting area where we could enjoy ourselves with our friends. It was amazing.
“So
...what do you think?”
I look
ed up at him. “I love it, Max, but it costs too much.”
“Don’t worry about the price,
babe. As long as you love it, then this will be our home. We’re also a couple of blocks away from my parents’ place. They would make a great babysitters.” Max emphasized ‘babysitters’.
What could I say to that? “I love it. Let’s do it. Let’s make this our home.”
Max wore a huge smile on his face and spun me around. After he made sure my feet were planted on the ground, he turned to Justin. “You heard my fiancée. Let’s do it.”
We went back down to the kitchen area and signed a stack of documents. Justin left after giving Max the key to our
new home. “I want to show you a special room.”
I chuckled to myself from his words. “What kind of special room, Max?”
“I like where your mind is headed, but that room will come later.” Max took several steps up the stairs, and I followed him.
“I thought this room could be the nursery. It’s the close
st to our room. What do you think?”
“I think
it’s perfect.” In my mind I saw the most beautiful crib, a white dresser, with some stuffed animals on top for decoration, and lots of books on the bookshelf next to the rocking chair.
“I’m
glad you approve.” Max’s brow lifted in a naughty way. “Now, time for the other special room.”
“What?” I laughed. “I was only joking.”
“I wasn’t.” Max’s eyes became dark and greedy. “Come here.” His demand rang hot in my ears. I had already surrendered to his expression, but now I just crumbled completely. My body became limp. I couldn’t move. All I could do was stare at him and feel my hammering heart race for him...wanting his touch...needing his love...waiting for him.
Max lifted me up in a cradling position, walked out of the nursery, kicked the door that was slightly ajar to enter our bedroom, and placed me down on the floor. He created a wide space between us. What was he doing?
“I’m sorry you didn’t have a bachelorette party.”
“I don’t care about that. I’m sorry that you didn’t have a bachelor party.”
“I didn’t want one. It wouldn’t have been fair if I had one. Regardless, you’re the only one I want to see undressed...the only one touching me. I’d better be the only one.” He said this with a slight attitude.
W
hat he did next came as a complete surprise. He pulled out his phone and started to play a tune. Max bored his eyes on me as if I were his prey. With a sexy grin, he peeled off his suit jacket and flung it over his shoulder to the beat of the jazzy music. It was a perfect song for strip dancing. I thought I’d even heard this song at Chippendales. Oh my!
Max
licked his bottom lip with one graceful, slow movement and loosened his tie at the same time. Then he swayed his hips from side to side as he unbuttoned the first, then the second button of his dress shirt. He slowly rolled up his sleeves while he bumped and grinded in the air. Could he have made that any hotter? Holy Jesus! I was having my own party with a stripper.
Max
unbuttoned the rest of his shirt to reveal his tight six pack abs. I’d seen it many times before, but presenting himself this way gave off a whole lot of hotness. With one sleeve out at a time, he was completely shirtless, then with a sway of his hips, he glided to me and unzipped his pants in perfect beat with the music. When his pants dropped, I gasped. I wanted to touch him, but he put out his hand in front to stop me.
“I told you I can
dance,” he said in that low, husky tone. He held my hand and helped me up. After the show he’d just given me, I was utterly weak at the knees. Max had on only his briefs and socks, but he was swoon worthy to the max. “I’ve changed my mind. I don’t think I want to win.” Max’s lips dove for mine. I didn’t see that coming.
“You’re bad,” I mumbled into his lips and pulled
away, panting. “You—”
Max was getting dressed. “Time to go,
babe. You’re late for your appointment with Becky.”
I looked at my watch. “Oh crap,” I whispered to myself.
I gazed back to Max. “You’re so bad. This is the third time you made me forget. Ahhh!” I yelped, and jerked forward. Max had smacked my butt.
“I love your
ass, babe,” he murmured into my ear. Then he headed out of the room.
Bad Max! Very bad Max! Very sexy Max!
“Becky, I’m so sorry. Did you get my text?” I asked, finding my seat next to her in the waiting room. She was engulfed in a magazine article.
“Jenna.” Becky jerked a little in surprise. “Umm
...text. Oh. What time is it?” She looked at her watch. “You’re only ten minutes late. You’re fine. I didn’t know you texted.” Becky shrugged innocently, showing me the magazine. “Sorry. I can’t believe I’m reading about pregnancy and what to eat and what to expect.”
I smile
d to agree. “Did you check us in?”
“Yup. Just waiting for you. Let’s get pampered up.”
After we got a facial, we had a manicure and pedicure. Then we went out to early dinner and headed home. Since Matthew had dropped Becky off at the spa, I drove both of us home.
“Tonight is your last night here,” Beck
y said when we walked in. Her tone was somber, producing an ache and emptiness in my heart. “I can’t believe this day has come.”
Be
cky tossed her purse on the dining table and I did the same, and we both plopped on the sofa. Then she extended her hand to show me a pair of pearl earrings.
“
They’re beautiful. Did you buy it?”
“It was a gift from my sister. I thought it would be perfect with your wedding dress
. I overheard you saying that you needed something borrowed.”
“Oh, Becky. I would be honored to borrow them. Thank you so much.”
I closed them in my hand.
“You know you can borrow anything of mine. We practically share everything anyway.”
“I know.” I didn’t want to admit it, but my heart was breaking. Becky had been the sister I always wanted and now I was leaving her. “Do you remember the first time we met?”
“How could I forget? I knew the minute you walked into my life that we would be best friends.”
I leaned back and rested my feet on the coffee table. “I had that feeling, too, but I have to admit I was sort of worried.”
“Why?” Becky leaned back
, too. We were both facing the kitchen.
“I figured you would either be a good or a bad influence on me.”
Becky laughed. “Well...you were right. Lucky for me, you were a good influence on me so I felt like I had to act proper. Which got me out of many troubles. So, thank you.”
“Proper?” I squealed and
moved my legs to where I was now facing her. “Ugh. I sound so boring.”
“Boring is not what you are, or you wouldn’t have attracted the boss’s son, one of the most eligible bachelors. You stole his heart. You’ll have your forever with
him and a baby coming soon.”
I rubbed my belly
, which seemed to have pooched out somewhat. Though people couldn’t tell by looking, I felt it. I could see the growth. I changed the attention to Becky. “Look at you. You’re changing into a responsible adult with the man of your dreams. We are going to have what we’ve always wanted, but never imagined that we could.”
“Sometimes I think this is all a dream,” Becky sighed. “And if it is, I don’t ever want to wake up from it, Jenna. I’m afraid that everything good will disappear. I’m sorry, but I’m so sad that you’re leaving me.”
Tears blinded my vision. I felt the same way, but I didn’t have the courage to tell her out loud. It would only make it too real, too painful. “I’m not leaving you, okay?” My lips trembled. Oh God! I was going to lose it. “But I’m going to miss you like crazy.” I quickly wiped my tears, but they fell so fast that I couldn’t hide them.
“We’ve been through so much together,” Becky sobbed. “I know you’re not that far away, but this place will never be the same without you. Every time I step inside this apartment and glance toward your room, I’m going to be really sad. I’m sorry to make you feel bad, but I can’t help the way I feel. You’ve been my mentor, my strength, and my hope. I just want you to know that.”
I embraced Becky, but words wouldn’t come right now. I need
ed to comfort her and me. “Oh, Becky,” I said, still holding on to her as I rubbed her back. “Don’t be sorry. I feel the same way. I just couldn’t say it. You were always the one that could express your feelings better than I ever could. You made me see the goodness in me. And you’ve always helped me through all of my problems as if they were yours. You are my forever sister, Becky. No one could ever replace you, and no one could ever take away what we had, and will still have. Our babies will be friends. They are going to be cousins. We are going to be married into the same family. We’re going to see each other a lot.”
We both pulled away to wipe our tears. “You’re right. There
is so much to look forward to.”
“Let’s not make this a sad occasion, but a happy one instead. When one door closes, another one opens
, right?”
Becky nodded to agree. “To new beginnings.”
I hugged Becky again and released her when her cell phone rang.
“Shoot. What time is it?” Becky stood up and pulled her phone out of her purse. “Matthew asked me to meet him at Long Beach pier.” Her fingers moved speedily as she texted. “I’m letting him know I’m on my way.”
“It’s so late. Don’t forget we’re picking up my parents at their hotel first before we head to San Diego.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll make this quick
. I’m not sure why he wants me there. He wouldn’t say, only that it’s important.” Becky grabbed her sweater and her purse, and turned the doorknob.
“Don’t worry about anything. Drive carefully. If you need to stay late, then it’s fine. You can always sleep in the car since I’ll be driving us there.”
“Okay. Love ya. Bye.” The doorknob jiggled from the other side as Becky made sure she locked the door. Little did she know that she was going to a have a huge surprise.