Page 31 of Shattered Dreams
Max laughed. “Not surprised. She’s always been a snuggler. I gave up on sleeping on one side of the bed. I sleep in the middle with her on top of me, otherwise I end up on the floor.”
“Yeah, I found that out.” Elliot poured himself a cup, then lifted it to his lips. He took a long sip, a groan of pleasure escaping him as the bitter brew coated his tongue. He wasn’t sure what kind of coffee the other man stocked in his kitchen, but it was damned good. Better than his own in fact. He’d have to find out what kind it was.
“That’s so fucking wrong.” Max’s voice came out hoarse.
Still enjoying his coffee, Elliot smirked, thankful that Max couldn’t see him. “And what is that?”
“Quit molesting my coffee! I haven’t had a decent cup of java since before the shooting.”
“I’ll save you some.” Elliot promised. “I made a whole pot. There should be a few cups left by the time you get here – if Elizabeth doesn’t finish it. Does she like coffee?”
“As much as she loves snuggles.” This time Max groaned. “Tease. That’s what you are. Make sure you make a fresh pot for me. I’m gonna need it when I get home.”
Taking another sip, Elliot savored the jolt of caffeine. “That sounded suspiciously like an order, young man.”
“Ah…I’m a dominant, what the fuck did you expect?”
“Boy, someone’s cranky this morning. And what did we agree to about cursing?” Elliot reminded him.
“It’s early and you’re teasing me with coffee. Come on, a man has needs.”
“That he does. And that’s three, by the way.” Elliot set the cup aside, then turned to lean against the counter.
“What’s three?” Max honestly sounded confused, so Elliot took pity on him.
“I warned you last night I don’t abide by liars, Maxwell. Now you have told a doozy. I realize your wife doesn’t know, but with me - you will be honest.”
There was a long silence, then a groan. “I’m gonna kick his ass.”
Elliot sighed. “Perhaps a bar of soap might work?”
“You’re not washing my mouth out with soap.” The words came out as a protest, but his tone was weak. Like he was trying to be strong in his stance but was wavering.
At that moment, Elliot wished he could see Max’s face. It would help judge how far he could push without pushing too far. “We’ll discuss it later.” He picked his coffee back up, then changed the subject. “So what time are you being released and how are you getting home? Storm said something about picking you up?”
“Yeah, he’s supposed to be here after breakfast, so around nine. And don’t think I’m not gonna have a discussion with him about telling my secrets.”
“Relax, he told me the bare minimum so I’d know what I’m dealing with. I’m not about to wreck your marriage or anything else. But we will talk about it.”
Max made a sound, a grunt maybe? Elliot wasn’t exactly sure. “Fine. We’ll talk, but privately. My role as Lizzie’s dominant is just as much a part of me as the other. I won’t take that away from her.”
Elliot’s fingers tightened around the mug. He thought the man was foolish to keep such a secret from his wife, but he wouldn’t out the man to her. That would abuse the trust that he was trying to build with Max. “She won’t hear it from me, Maxwell.”
The sigh of relief that filled his ear told its own story. The man was truly worried about what his wife thought. And since Elliot wasn’t nearly as experienced in the dynamic they shared, Max might have a valid concern.
“Thanks, Elliot. I’m gonna get off here and start the long process of getting dressed. I’ll see you sometime after nine.”
“I’ll be here.” Elliot promised, before disconnecting the call.
“As much as I love him, that man is a damned fool.”
He glanced up to see Lizzie standing in the open doorway to the kitchen, wearing nothing more than a long t-shirt and fuzzy socks.Shit.She’d obviously overheard something.
“Language, little girl.”
She shook her head, then walked over to him. “Sorry, Daddy.” Then she wrapped her arms around his waist snuggling close.
“Maybe there’s hope yet of cleaning up our language.”
