Page 17 of Her Reclusive Beast

“As for your problem…” he muses, “I’d like to send that notice on to Javier.”

I raise my head to ask, “Who is that guy, anyway?”

Max shrugs with a slight smirk lifting his lips. “A self-assigned problem solver, a brother of sorts. I’ll explain later. I have a feeling Diana doesn’t realize you’re still here and involved with me.”

I giggle. “Am Iinvolvedwith you, Max? What does that mean, exactly?” I’m teasing him because we both know what he means, but I enjoy making him delve into words.

“It means, sweet little Jenna, that I’m in the process of seducing you so thoroughly that when I ask you to marry me, you not only won’t think twice about it but you’ll have no regrets for the rest of your life.”

Oh. That’s not the dictionary definition I was expecting. My whole body lights up with delight at being wanted so completely. I peer up at him, meeting his steady blue gaze. “How long will that take, do you think?”

Max’s lips curve up most deliciously before he presses them to mine. “That’s entirely up to you, Jenna.”

I frown at that, unsure of what he means and how I can speed up the process he’s referring to if I don’t entirely understand it. Pouting, I pull back so I can fold my arms across my chest and exert some authority. “Be more specific, Max.” I narrow my eyes at him to emphasize my seriousness, but his gentle expression doesn’t waver.

“Come find me when you’re ready for your next orgasm, baby. Until then, please forward me that email so I can send it on to Javier.”

With a wink, he picks up his phone and pivots on his heel, leaving me standing in the middle of the room with my mouth once again hanging open. “Wide enough to catch birds, not just flies,” my grandma used to say before tapping my chin. She’s not around to do that, so I make the familiar gesture myself before bringing my jaw back into its normal position.

Attempting to lose myself back in Max’s new manuscript, I keep finding my attention drifting off. Mostly to Max. I had no idea he was such a deeply sexual man. I knew he was gorgeous. That was obvious to anyone with at least one functioning eye, and I knew his mild flirtations were charming, but I had noconcept of his fixation on giving me orgasms. Of course, that could be new… but regardless, most of the authors I’ve worked with were too deep in their heads to remember they even had a body, let alone try to do anything with it. Although to be fair so far, Max only wants to do things withmybody. And I’m not averse. Just… hesitant, I guess.

I go on like this, bouncing between my thoughts and his fictional words until it’s nearly dinner time. So much energy thinking about Max and everything he’s said has my pussy wet and achy. It’s almost sore from sitting so long unattended. Should I go in search of Max? Will he laugh at me?

But why would he? I ask myself in all seriousness. I’d be doing exactly as he requested, as he demonstrated he wanted. Fresh resolve has me standing on trembling legs and striding into the hall.

9

Max is not in the kitchen when I go searching for him, nor in his cozy winter study, and definitely not in his bedroom. I’m perplexed as to where to look next when I finally hear a dull thump from the back of the house. I head down to investigate and find him moving boxes in a back storage area behind the kitchen.

“Max?”

He shifts another box and reveals himself.

“What are you doing?”

“Sorting through things I should have done ten years ago,” he remarks dryly. “Are you ready for dinner?”

I tilt my head to one side. “Yes, I guess, but I was hoping for a different sort of appetizer.”

His eyes widen in surprise. “Is that so?” Without a word, he comes around the pile of boxes and picks me up. I’m dangling over his shoulder with one warm, possessive hand pressed against my backside.

“Did you have anything particular in mind?” he asks mildly as we move down the hallway.

“Nope,” I mumble, my words muffled by my hair swishing around my face.

We climb the steps, and I have to work to keep my nose from banging into his back. When Max finally rights me, we’re in a completely dark space. The only thing I can make out is his glow. It’s not even strong enough to combat enough of the darkness to make out his features. My breath catches.

Max leans down to kiss me gently, and it’s nice, but not nearly enough. “My pussy aches, Max,” I confess and thankfully, he doesn’t laugh. This close and I can read his expression. It’s thoughtful and a tiny bit mischievous.

“I can only help with that if you take off your jeans and panties, Jenna.”

I frown. And yet, the dark of the room makes it easier somehow. I’m not ashamed of my body, but somehow revealing it for scrutiny makes me too vulnerable. This time is different. I trust Max and I want my pussy to stop dragging my attention away from everything else. Slowly, I shrug out of my jeans, trying not to fall on my face as I bend to pull the legs off my feet. I can feel the heat of Max’s gaze on me even as he’s stepped back slightly to give me room. After sliding my panties off too, I stand up and turn towards him.

He picks me up once again and places me on a low surface. I frown because how is he… oh. Max places one soft kiss on my belly and then steps between my legs. “Lean back, Jenna,” he commands in a low, growly voice. I hesitate. Mostly because I want to watch whatever he’s going to do, but he simply stands back and waits until I comply. With a sigh, I lean back into the unknown. It’s awkward because I’m not sure what I’m sitting on, but eventually I figure it out: it’s the top of a dresser or something against a wall. I can brace my weight on my elbows and rest my head on the wall. And see absolutely nothing.

But the instant I’m settled, Max makes contact with my pussy. He doesn’t touch it, helicksit. My legs spasm in response. He chuckles, the small puff of air on my clit making me moan. He holds my legs still with his hands and nuzzles my folds until his tongue slides into my channel. I practically jump off whatever surface I’m lying on. I had no idea anything could feel like this. His tongue probes my center, soft but insistent, until I’m quivering with need. My spine is tingling with repressed energy and the need to move — closer, away, I can’t even say for sure. Then his tongue is gone so his lips can fasten on my clit.

“Nnngggahh!” explodes from my mouth. Max pays me no mind, except to tighten his grip on my thighs. His tongue licks and swirls even as his lips keep a tight suction around the base of my poor little clit. I’m on the edge of some great canyon and I’m not entirely sure what will happen when I fall over the edge. I’m waiting, anxious and eager to find out. Max moves his head away and I almost cry out in disappointment. Then his teeth nip at the soft fleshy bit of my inner thigh and I see stars. And I find out what’s on the other side of that abyss.

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