Happenstance

The church looked stunning. The flowers accented the beauty of the structure of the building and the music reverberated off the walls perfectly. It was a beautiful sight to behold.

Max sat there as proud as could be as he watched Fran walking down the aisle holding the bouquet looking radiant in her gown. It was as if everyone was admiring her for her beauty.

She was approaching him and he felt all the air escape from his lungs. She was all he could see and he knew that he only wanted to spend his life with her. ‘She is my Fran, and I am hers.’

He watched her walk towards the front of the church with a large grin on her face and happy tears in her eyes. He winked at her as she approached him and he could see her nerves calm upon seeing him.

Then she walked past him and continued on to the front of the church. The ring bearer and flower girl then made their way down the aisle. The young girl delicately throwing the rose petals and the little boy watching the rings studiously as they lay on the pillow, making sure they didn’t drop.

After everyone ‘oohed and ahhed’ over the children the wedding march began and all the guests rose to see the bride make her way down the aisle. Max watched as Val walked past him on the arm of her father towards Freddie.

He watched Freddie’s reaction and he was almost jealous of the feelings he knew Freddie was experiencing. The uncertainty, the anxious feelings, the love, the hope and finally when seeing his bride walking towards him the calm that set over him. He watched Freddie shake Mr. Torriello’s hand and then gently take Val’s hand into his own.

Max then cast his attention to Fran who took the bouquet from Val and straightened out the train of her dress before taking her place next to Val. The vows were exchanged with many tears of joy an then finally, the kiss. As the new couple made their way down the aisle Max watched them and knew that someday that would be him again.

He found Fran outside greeting all of the guests and he kissed her hello. “Hello Darling. You look gorgeous.” She blushed a bit, “Thanks Max. I have to head to the reception hall in the limo with the rest of the bridal party. Are you going to be okay getting there?”

He gave her a gentle smile, “Of course. I’ll see you there.” Max turned to walk away before turning back to her, “Fran? Do I have to sit by myself?” Fran bit her bottom lip and he gave a chuckle. “It’s alright, as long as I get at least one dance with you.” “That’s a promise I am willing to make,” she winked at him.

Once at the reception hall Max found his name on a placard and found his table. ‘It looks like the singles table,’ he thought. Sitting around the table were 5 women and one other man. He found his seat and made himself comfortable.

The women sitting on either side of him began talking to him at once. “So what’s your name?” He pointed to the placard sitting in front of him and smiled politely, “Maxwell.”

“How do you know the couple?” the blonde sitting next to him asked as she placed her hand upon his arm. “Oh, well Val is my date’s best friend and of course then I met Freddie.”

She gave him a pained expression, “Oh, you have a date?” “Yes, she was the maid-of-honor actually.” “Oh,” the two women said dejectedly. Inwardly Max sighed a sigh of relief.

He thought that they would have gotten a clue when he said he was there with someone, but the more wine they drank the more he found them flirting with him. Finally the wedding party arrived and they all stood to welcome them.

Fran was on the arm of her escort but upon seeing him she gave him a wink. It was only then that Max began to feel comfortable again. That wink reminded him why he was there, enduring what he was enduring.

Dinner was served and finally the toasts were made. Before the party began Fran made her way over to his table. The other man’s eyes lit up when he saw her walking towards the table. Even with all the women around him he couldn’t ignore Fran’s beauty.

Max, who’s back was to Fran looked at the man with questions in his eyes, but they disappeared when she leaned down to him and whispered, “Hello,” in his ear. He turned his head to see her mouth tantalizing close to his own. “Hello.”

One of her hands rested on his shoulder while the other was playing with the hair at the nape of his neck “I have to do the wedding party dance, but then I’m all yours.” Max smiled up at her all while watching her lips. “I can’t wait.” She gave him a quick peck on the lips before heading back to the bridal party table.

“So that was your girlfriend?” the man sitting across from Max inquired. “Yes, that is my Fran.” He watched the man’s eyes silently tell him, “Lucky you,” and Max replied silently, “I know.”

After the little show Fran gave to their audience the women surrounding Max began to back off and paid more attention to the man sitting across from him, Anthony. The DJ announced the first dance for the couple and everyone watched as they made their way across the dance floor.

Then the rest of the wedding party began dancing to the song and Max couldn’t take his eyes off of Fran. He watched her, observed her. He looked at her hands as they lay across the other man’s shoulder. He observed that she moved effortlessly to the beat o the music. He watched her hair bounce to every movement she made but most of all he watched her face.

She was listening to what her escort was saying and sometimes she would tilt her head back to laugh. When her escort turned her away from his view he watched the man’s expressions. He was enamored with Fran. Any man could see that, but he also had a wedding rind on his left ring finger.

‘Ah-ha!’ then he felt the band around his own finger. He looked down at his hand and studied the golden ring upon his finger. Then he looked back up at Fran and smiled. He knew what he had to do.

After the first dance Fran made her way to his table, as promised. She took one of the two empty chairs across from Max and made herself comfortable. Max stood from his chair and walked to the empty chair next to hers and deposited himself there.

She smiled broadly at him, “So, how was your dinner?” He nodded his head and made a frown, “It was good.” Fran laughed at him, “I can’t tell if you’re telling me the truth! I think I need to ask other people, people that will tell me the truth.” She smiled at him and turned her attention to the other guests at the table.

After she made small-talk with everyone at the table Max stood from his seat and held his hand out to Fran, “May I have this dance?” She looked up at him and listened to the slow strains of music fill the air. “Yes please.” She placed her hand in his and he led her to the dance floor.

There he enveloped her in his arms and together they danced. “I feel like I float across the dance floor when I dance with you Max. You tell me exactly where I need to go.” He chuckled, “Well I guess my lead is on the dance floor but off I will follow you anywhere.”

As they were leaving the dance floor Sylvia called them over to her table. “See Max. I’m glad you listened to me.” “Ma!” Fran whined. “What? Look at how happy the two of you are. You should be owing me.”

“For knocking some sense into my head Sylvia, I would greatly repay you,” Max looked down at Sylvia with a smile in his eyes. “I’ll get back to you on the one Max. Just remember your promise.” Max circled his arms around Fran and looked at her, “Oh, I will.”

Max waited for Fran as she watched Val and Freddie off to their hotel then finished up business at the reception hall. Finally, when she was ready he escorted her to his car and drove her home. “I thought we could go to your place.”

She raised an eyebrow to him, “My place huh? And just what do you intend to do once we get there?”

Max shrugged his shoulders, “Oh I don’t know. I’m sure we can think of something to occupy the time.”

The first thing Fran did when she got home was take off her shoes. “OY!!! Does that feel good or what?!?” Max chuckled, “I will never understand how or why women wear those damned things.”

She looked up at him as she rubbed her feet, “Because they make our legs look great.” “Your legs don’t need any help in that area.”

She turned around to face him with her mouth and her eyes wide open, “Since when have you checked out my legs?”

“Whenever I get the chance,” he smiled at her.

He then took her hand and led her to the couch. “Wait! Do we need any wine or anything before we sit?” “I’m fine.” She shrugged her shoulders and sat down next to him.

“Fran, I wanted to talk to you about something.” Her brow wrinkled, “Uh-oh, what’s going on?”

He smiled, “Nothing bad. I promise.”

He cleared his throat. “Today, watching you, I realized how happy you make me. I’ve always known it of course but today it hit me right between the eyes. I realized how much I love you and how much I want you to be a part of my life, always.”

His eyes traveled down to his hands, “Then I realized that I could never really give all of myself to you, at least not until I did one thing.”

She was watching him, bracing herself for what might come next. “For three years now I’ve been hiding behind an object. I’ve been holding onto my past, my life with Sarahh.”

He shook his head, “While I’ll never forget her and I’ll always be grateful for the times that we shared I need to move on with my life. I know that is what she would want me to do.”

He looked back up at her, “There is only one person I want to move on with besides the children, and that’s you. But to be fair to you I need to do something that I never thought I would have the courage to do.”

Max released Fran’s hand that he was holding and brought his right fingers to his left ring finger. “I want to give all of myself to you Fran and this is the best way I know how.”

Slowly the ring began to travel up his finger. “I want to share things with you that I never thought I would have the chance to share with another again.”

Finally the ring came to the tip of his finger and slipped off, falling into the palm of his right hand. He closed his hand around it.

He lowered his head and Fran leaned into him and ran her hand gently through his hair before kissing the top of his head.

Slowly she raised his face to her own with her hands. There weren’t any tears in his eyes as she had anticipated there to be, but there was confusion. “Max,” she swallowed down her emotions, “if you’re not ready to do this then that’s okay.”

He looked into her eyes and found his solace, “I’m ready to do this. I want to share my life with you now. I love you so much Fran. I just feel a bit naked I guess.”

Fran was so caught up in her emotions that she couldn’t speak, but she did mouth the words he loved to hear from her, “I love you too.” His lips sought out hers and he leaned her back against the arm of the couch.

For the first time in years each of them felt as if they finally belonged somewhere. They knew that they had finally found what they had longed for. No longer was there the loneliness that had once consumed them separately.

Max’s hand slowly made its way up along the side of her body. Fran leaned her head back in the sensation that was overtaking her body and Max leaned in to place kisses along her neck. His lips traveled from her jaw down to her collarbone. “Oh Max,” she whispered.

Fran placed her hands on the side of his head and slowly lifted it back to her level. “I need to go get washed up. Do you mind waiting?” He slowly shook his head, “I’ll wait for you my Darling.” He lifted his body from her own and allowed her to get up and walk to her room.

As she walked past him he looked into her eyes and he couldn’t find the loneliness that he once observed in them from a distance, in the park that first day. In the place of fear was now contentment. As she closed the door behind herself he leaned back against the couch and smiled.


In her room Fran was lying out some pajamas for herself and taking down her hair so she could take a quick shower. “Damn!” Max’s ears perked up, “Is everything alright?” He could hear Fran jumping around in the bedroom. Inside she was yanking at the zipper on her dress to no avail, it wouldn’t budge.

Slowly she opened the bedroom door, “Max? Can I ask you to help me over here?” Max stood from the couch and walked towards her. She turned around so he could reach the zipper.

Upon reaching her he brushed her hair to her front and as he did so his fingers ran lightly across her skin, nearly scorching it. He then gently worked on the jammed zipper, careful not to tear the delicate cloth.

When he finally managed to free the zip he pulled it down her back. As it traveled downward the fabric fell away from her back, exposing her skin to him. When the zip reached its end he ever so slowly brought his hands up her back and his hands cupped her bare shoulders, which he gently squeezed.

Fran was in such a state that her head rolled back, onto his waiting shoulder. He snaked his hand between the fabric and her skin and he drew her body into his own encircling her waist from behind. His lips made their way to her skin and he trailed kisses from her shoulder to her jaw. “Oh G-d, how I want you,” he whispered into her ear.

She pulled herself away from his body almost causing her own body to ache from the detachment. She turned towards him, “I need to go take a shower.” He raised an eyebrow and she gently slapped his arm. “I want to get all this makeup off and the hair products out of my hair. You don’t mind, do you?” she looked at him with raised eyebrows.

“Well, I do, but I can wait.” “You can?” she teased him. He nodded, “For you, I can.” She gave him a quick kiss and walked into the bathroom joined to her bedroom.

She let the water fall on her body and it felt like each drop evaporated once it touched her skin, she felt as if she were on fire. She remembered his touch from just a few minutes before and she longed to have that feeling again. ‘It’s been so long since I felt like that, if I’ve ever felt like that before.’

Her mind drifted to the man sitting in the other room, ‘What is he thinking? What is he doing?’ Her curiosity and eagerness led her to quickly finish her shower and towel dry her hair. Looking around she realized that she had left the pajama top in the bedroom. ‘Damn!’

Meanwhile Max was looking around her room. He had been to her place many times before, but never had he been alone (without the children or Val chaperoning them). He never had the chance to really take it all in.

He smiled at a picture of his family and Fran smiling back at him. ‘I remember that day.’ He then looked at some samples she had for work and then looked at the CDs laying on top of her small stereo. Jazz. ‘No wonder why we get along so well.’

Finally he allowed himself to look at her bed. Many times he had fantasized about her bed, but he had never really been able to stay there with her. Then he noticed the pajamas she had pulled out for herself. ‘I was wondering where those had gone!’

They were the pajamas he gave her the day of her attack. He smiled as he realized she had absconded with a pair of his pajamas. It made him feel special that she had wanted to have a piece of him with her even when he couldn’t be there in body.

Slowly the door to the bathroom opened a crack and he heard Fran’s voice, “Max, um…can you hand me the pajama top that is on the bed?” She threaded her arm between the door and its frame.

He could see her naked skin and wanted to push the door open to reveal her to him, instead he delicately handed the shirt to her. “Thanks,” and she snaked her arm back through the crack and closed the door.

Max sighed and ran his hand through his hair. He turned around and walked to the bed where he sat down. He took off his tie and undid the first couple of buttons on his shirt before taking his shoes off, finally he relaxed against the headboard.

When she finally emerged from the bathroom she found him reading one of her “girly” magazines, with his legs crossed at the ankles. “I see you’ve made yourself comfortable.”

He lowered the magazine to answer her, but instead he couldn’t find his voice when he saw her. She stood before him clad in only the pajama top. Her hair was still damp and her face looked fresh (although she had reapplied a small bit of makeup).

The magazine fell to his side and he quickly sat up. He stammered with his words, “I…uh…I had plenty of time to get comfortable.” She giggled and walked towards him. “If you want to go wash up, the bathroom is all yours.”

“Thanks,” was all his babbling mind would allow him to say before he rose from the bed and went out to the living room to gather his overnight bag. He took his toiletries bag and left the rest in the bedroom.

Once he was in the bathroom he quickly splashed some cold water on his face. ‘Calm down old boy. You have no clue what is going to happen tonight. Let her set the pace.’

He washed his face and brushed his teeth. He was going to get changed for bed when he realized he had left his pajamas in the bedroom. ‘It seems to be the damn thing to do tonight. Oh well.’

Instead of asking her to hand him the pajamas he walked out to the bedroom with his dress shirt completely unbuttoned. He fished out the pajama bottoms from the bottom of his bag and laid them on the bed before replacing his toiletries in the bag.

Max removed his shirt, folded it and packed it away. Then he unlatched his belt and undid his pants. He was so busy with his actions that he didn’t notice her watching him.

It wasn’t the first time he changed in front of her but this time he had her full attention. There were no distractions this time. She watched as he let his trousers drop and then step out of them. Her mouth fell open as she was allowed to admire his beautiful physique.

Max then picked up his bottoms and stepped into them before sitting on the bed to remove his socks. She admired his strong back as it faced her. She could see the muscles working as he folded his pants and put them away. Without even realizing it, she shivered.

When he was done he turned towards her and she quickly looked down at the magazine she had picked up to read after he had dropped it on the bed.

“So…” She looked up at him. “So?” “So…where do I sleep?” She made a frown and thought, “Well, if you want to…you can sleep on the couch, or I suppose you can sleep in Val’s bed, but then I would have to change the sheets,” her brow wrinkled at the thought.

Her fingers played with the blanket that was covering her legs, “Or…I guess…if you want to…you can stay with me.” He smiled at her and got up to turn off the light. “I like the last plan the best.”

He walked to the side of the bed that she left empty and crawled under the covers. Fran turned the lamp off on her bedside table. He held his arms open for her and she scrambled into them, reveling in the warmth they provided. She smiled into his bare chest as she realized that this was the only place she wanted him to be, forget the couch and the other bed.

“Thank you so much for going to the wedding. I know it couldn’t have been much fun for you.” “Nonsense, I had a blast!” She looked up at him and from the little bit of light provided by the nightlight in the bathroom she left on to lead the way they could just make out the other’s face. “Yeah right!”

He quickly responded, “I did! I was able to admire you. And while I’ll admit that I didn’t exactly enjoy sitting at the singles table again if I may add, I did love the look on Anthony’s face when he saw that you were with me. Or is it, I was with you?”

She playfully swatted his chest. “Either way, thanks.” He sunk lower in the bed so his head was level with hers and he gave her a quick kiss. “You are more than welcome.” She leaned in to kiss him and what was intended to be a small kiss quickly became a heated exchange between the two.

Both were lying on their sides and with his free right hand he pushed her nearly dry hair away from her face. Her left arm went under his right and she held onto his bare shoulder blade with her fingertips, her nails slightly clawing him.

His hand traveled down her back to her bottom where he pulled her body closer to his. When his hand rested there he could feel the curve of her bottom just before it met her leg with his fingertips. He breathed into her mouth, “G-d I love you so much.”

Fran couldn’t answer him because again he took her mouth with his lips. Her legs intertwined with his, pulling their bodies even closer together. She could feel his arousal through the thin pajama bottoms he was wearing and she moaned. ‘Oh how I want him!’ she thought to herself.

He pulled away to see if she was comfortable with their situation. Fran looked up at him with heavy-lidded eyes, “I love you Maxwell. I love you so much.”

He leaned further into her, pushing her back against the mattress. Max took a moment to look at her in this position. With her hair splattered against the pillow and her eyelids heavy he thought he had never seen anything more beautiful. Fran’s foot traveled up one of his legs causing Max to groan before he took her mouth again.

His lips traveled from her mouth to the arch in her jaw and then down her neck to her collarbone. She let her head fall to the side to give him better access to the tender skin there.

He cautiously bit her soft skin right above the collarbone, then licked it to soothe the irritated skin. A moan escaped from her throat and Max knew she was enjoying his attentions. He rallied in the way her skin tasted. He could taste the scented body wash she used to wash herself with and there was also a bit of saltiness to it as well. Her taste intoxicated him.

His right hand moved from the top of her leg, up under the shirt to her torso. He could feel her uneven breathing from the rise and fall of her stomach. It was warm to the touch and he made a mental note of how soft her skin felt on his. His hand traveled from the top of her stomach to her side and it traveled up, slowly, with just the tips of his fingers touching her skin.

A shaky breath escaped her lips and he could feel the goose bumps rise upon her skin. He rested his hand on her ribcage and his thumb could feel the roundness which he had longed to touch for so long, but he waited…he waited for her approval.

Turning her body slightly towards his hand she gave the signal that it was okay for him to continue his painstakingly slow assault on her body. His thumb slowly followed the outline of her breast to its underside, where he traced it. Her breath caught as a sudden flood of emotions filled her.

Under his inspection she found it was an opportunity for her to take contol and explore some of Maxwell’s body. They traveled from his shoulder blades down his spine and then back up. Then she let them travel back down his body at his sides and she could feel his muscles quiver at her feather-like touch.

They traveled further and further down his body till they reached the elastic of his pajama bottoms. Her fingers tickled his senses as they traced the outline of the pajamas where they touched his back. Another moan came, this time from Max and he tore his mouth from hers with a growl.

She smiled up at him, “Oh, you think this is funny, do you?”

She shook her head, “No, not funny.” “What is it then, hmmm?” She looked in his eyes, “Fabulous.” He smiled down at her.

One of his fingers swept away a loose curl from her face and then allowed it to fall to her chest. Still looking in her eyes his hand cupped her breast and he gently squeezed. Instantly she could feel her own arousal as his hand made its way to her peak.

His thumb found the bud and rubbed it gently for a moment before his hand moved to the middle of her chest and began to undo the buttons on the top with shaky hands, his breathing becoming more erratic with each button he released.

He unlatched every button through the buttonholes in the fabric then finally he pulled each side away from her chest, revealing her to him. He looked down and stared for a brief moment. He felt ridiculous for staring, but he wanted to take in every inch of her body so it would be engrained in his memory.

Finally he lowered his head to her neck and kissed his way down her chest. With his right hand he caressed her left breast tenderly and he paid equal attentions to the other with his mouth.

He kissed his way along the sides of it and finally under it which caused her to take in a shaky breath. He looked up into her eyes, asking for guidance.

She gently grabbed his hair and guided him where she wanted to feel his mouth the most. He happily obliged as his tongue swept the outline of her areola, and finally his lips took it into his mouth.

Fran’s chest instinctively rose to his mouth as she let the sensation take her over. Her fingers splayed through his thick hair. Gently he nipped at the tip before drawing it further into his mouth. His lips captured it and his tongue bathed it.

After paying some worthy attention to one nipple he moved to the other. As he did he redistributed his weight on the bed, causing a small creak to emerge. He looked up at her and smiled, if only her neighbors knew what they were in for. He hoped they wouldn’t be disturbed too much. Looking in her smiling yet sensual eyes he knew she was thinking the same thing. ‘Then again, the more we disturb them the better.’

He looked back down at their bodies. Sometime during his shift his lower frame was now in an intimate position between her legs. It felt so good to be so close to her and yet he needed more.

He directed his attention back to her breast and as he suckled her peak his engorged lower body took on a mind of its own as it pushed its way up to meet with hers.

At first contact Fran’s fingers squeezed his hair tighter and she let out a low moan. The feeling for Max was so intense that he paused what he was doing to revel in the feeling. Even through his two layers and her one he knew that they would be good together. He couldn’t resist it and he pushed again.

With his second thrust something inside of Fran went into panic mode. Suddenly she became frightened and she began to pull away. Her hands grabbed at his shoulders and pushed them up from her body.

She couldn’t do this, not yet. “Max?” she whispered in his ear. Max was far too involved with what he was doing to hear her so she pushed harder, “Maxwell, please…stop.”

He heard her that time and quickly looked up at her with panic in his eyes, ‘Have I hurt her?’ he thought.

She took his face in her hands as a tear fell down her check. “I’m so sorry, I can’t do this.”

As he tried to control his breathing he looked into her eyes, “What’s wrong? Did I hurt you?” She shook her head, “No, it’s just that…”

He rolled off of her and pulled her onto his chest. “What is it Fran?” She didn’t answer. “Fran, whatever it is I want to know. We don’t need to do anything if you’re not ready,” he was practically pleading with her to answer him but he didn’t care, he just wanted her to feel secure.

She wouldn’t look at him, “I’m so embarrassed.” He petted her hair as he felt his lower body begin to calm, “There is nothing to be embarrassed about. What is it my darling?”

She brought a hand up against his chest and placed her palm atop his beating heart. “It’s just that…it’s been so long for me.”

He smiled sheepishly at her, “Well, that is something we can relate on.”

Fran shook her head, “No I mean I can’t remember the last time I made love to someone. For years I had sex with Danny because ‘I was supposed to’ or it would be to shut him up…but I can’t remember…” her voice trailed off as Max began to understand what she was getting at. When she found her voice she continued, “I don’t know what I’m suppose to do anymore. What I’m supposed to feel.”

He kissed the top of her head, “I think I understand, but Fran, with each new relationship comes a sense of learning your familiarity with that new person. I don’t expect this or any other time to be perfect, it will just happen. Together we will learn what the other likes and eventually it will be like painting a picture.”

His soothing voice began to calm her, “Painting a picture?” she felt like a child for asking. “Yes, big broad strokes and small calculated ones all coming together to form a beautiful masterpiece.”

She smiled into his chest. “Where did you hear that one?” “I made it up.” They each chuckled. “No matter Fran, if you’re not ready for this next step then I can wait.”

She hung her head low, “But Max…I’m just too frightened. For so long I was forced to do things I didn’t want to do.”

Max’s face fell. “Fran, oh my darling Fran,” he caressed her face. I would never force you to do something you didn’t want to. Including this. If now is not the right time, then we don’t need to do anything. This is something you need to want just as much as I do. If it isn’t now or it isn’t me then someday you will find the right time and the right person.”

He sighed, “Till then we can just lie here and hold each other. That is…if you’ll let me.” He waited for her answer, looking at her, praying she would accept him and trust him with at least that.

When she finally gathered her courage she looked up at him. She searched his eyes for the answer. It took only a brief second to find it. She knew she could trust him…that he loved her…that making love to Maxwell would be different than all of her past experiences. This she was okay with, she wanted this with Max. She wanted intimacy with him. Her fears laid aside, she began to calm and take control of the situation.

She wanted to experience lovemaking. She wanted to feel the passion she knew so many other people had for someone else. She had that type of passion for Max and she knew that it was the moment she had to prove to not only herself but to Max that she loved him.

Saying the words wasn’t always enough. Fran wanted to exchange her love with Max. She knew he wouldn’t force her but she needed to prove to herself that she was a woman.

She wanted sex, she had for a long time. She wanted it bad and she wanted it with Maxwell. She always had, since that first set of butterflies rose in her stomach the first time she saw him. The attraction had always been evident. It was just that she never listened to those desires, until they talked about their mutual feelings. Then they all just came spilling out.

Her hand caressed his hand, “I do want you Max. I know I need to do this with you. It’s you who can show me how to do this. You can teach me how to trust giving my body to another. I want this. I want you. I love you with all my heart.”

His eyes began to tear up and his mouth came crashing down on hers. Fran felt her fear and hesitation slip away as he kissed her. She wrapped her arms around his neck and he pulled her onto his lap. They were getting lost in their emotions again when she remembered the other thing.

She pulled away again, “Max, wait.” He tore his lips away from her and rested his forehead on her shoulder, “Maybe I should go.” She lifted his face to hers, “No! It’s just…I guess I should have planned better.”

“Max, it’s been so long.” His eyes searched hers for the answer to his question. “I don’t have any protection for you and I haven’t been on anything for quite some time now.”

His eyebrows rose as he realized what she was talking about. “You don’t have anything, do you?” she asked him.

He smiled at her shyly, “It’s been a long time for me too.” Together they gave a disappointed and frustrated sigh. He leaned against her and she against him, still seated in his lap. Suddenly Fran sat up straight, pulling the cloth of the shirt around her body, “I have an idea.”

She disentangled her body from Max and she ran out of the room. Max could hear her running through the apartment and rummaging through things. When she returned she was holding a few condoms in her hand. She smiled as she walked back to the bed. “Where in the world?”

“I figured Val wouldn’t be missing them for the next few days seeing that she isn’t here. I can replace them later.” She crawled back into bed and into his awaiting arms.

“Are you sure you’re ready for this Fran?” She looked into his eyes, “With you, I’m ready.”

A small smile formed at the corners of her mouth and he thought she looked so innocent at that moment, so trusting. Then like a light switch suddenly turned on she turned into a sexy vixen. She pushed his body down onto the bed and then lifted herself up over him straddling him around his torso, where she leaned over his face and let her mouth hover over his.

She gave him little feather kisses around the outline of his lips, never quite touching them. She kissed every inch of his face without kissing his mouth. When he would move his mouth in the direction of hers she would pull away, teasing him. Her lips brushed his as she moved from one side of the face to the other. She could see the frustration building in his eyes and inside she laughed.

The brief moment that she took to observe him was all he needed to regain some sort of control over the situation. He sat up pushing her body down onto his legs. This quick movement caused her to lose hold of the shirt she was holding shut across her chest.

He wrapped one arm around her back under her shirt to steady her and the other went to the back of her neck, guiding her mouth to his. He kissed her furiously, with a passion so strong that it knocked her senses from her.

She finally pulled away from him when she needed air; it was then that he noticed her shirt had come open again. Her breasts were pushed up against his hard chest. He pulled his arm from around her and both hands went to her shoulders, pushing the fabric off of them, baring her to him.

His breath was shaky but when he looked in her eyes he managed to say, “You are so beautiful. I don’t deserve you.” Tears were in his eyes.

She looked down at him and her heart swelled with love for the man holding her. “I think finally we’ve found the other that we’ve been waiting for.” She ran her fingers through his thick hair, “I love you Max.”

He watched her lips form the words before he answered, “I love you too Fran, I love you so much.” Their mouths crashed together in another heated exchange. His tongue licked her lips then parted them before he dunked it into the depths of her mouth. Her tongue bathed his before she was allowed access to his mouth, where she did the same.

His left arm went around her back to support her while his right hand found its way to her breast. She whimpered when his fingers tugged at her nipple. With each moan that she gave him his manhood swelled even more.

When she pulled away they felt their bodies sticking together from the heat that their bodies were omitting. Finally, she positioned herself on his hard cock and together they rocked, taking in all the emotions, each moaning in pleasure from the intimate contact.

Her head fell back and his lips traveled down her neck and to her chest, bathing each breast with his tongue. Max couldn’t take it anymore, he knew that he only had so much willpower before it would all be over for him and he didn’t want to disappoint either of them. “Fran, darling. You can’t do that.”

Fran couldn’t hear him, she was too far gone with what she was already doing. He grabbed her hips with both hands to stop her rocking motions. “Fran, please,” he begged her. She lifted her head and looked at him, ‘Why had he stopped her? It felt so good!’

Through a shaky breath he responded to her look, “I won’t last much longer if you continue with that.” She brought her mouth to his and whispered into it, “Make love to me Max. Please, make love to me.”

He looked deep in her eyes, waiting briefly for the guilt of Sarahh to come but it didn’t. All he felt was his love for her.

Gently he turned her around, depositing her on the bed. His actions slowed as he began to truly make love to her. He knew that though this may be their first time together they would have many more exchanges and that this one should be unforgettable.

He kissed her slowly and deeply, tasting her as if she were a delicacy. Her nails ran up and down his back at a pressure that was soft but just hard enough to let him know what she enjoyed the most.

Her fingers fell upon the top of his pajama bottoms and though she hesitated she slipped her fingers under the fabric and allowed her hands to follow. Though she had intended to go under just the pajama bottoms she found the palms of her hands against his skin. She cupped his buttocks and pulled him into her.

He ripped his mouth from hers as he brought in a large intake of breath, and moaned her name. Her hands slowly came out of his pajama bottoms just enough to grab the waistband and begin pulling them down.

He felt her tugging at the material and began to help her. He pulled his body away from hers and rose from the bed. She watched as he pulled the fabric down his legs, his eyes never wavered from hers.

He smiled and sat back down on the bed at her side. For a long moment they just looked at each other. Their eyes spoke in volumes.

He repositioned himself so he could rest his hands on her shoulders and then they traveled down her arms and to her hands, which were lying at her side. From her hands they made their way to her hips.

His fingers felt the soft skin there, he loved how her skin felt in his hands. Finally his fingers hooked under the fabric of her panties and slowly began to pull them downward.

She was mesmerized and could hardly lift her hips from the bed to allow the fabric to go any further. He pulled them down her legs and past her feet and then it was his turn again to stare.

He lay down beside her, supporting his weight on his arm. His hand rubbed the outside of her thigh traveling down, causing her to shiver. When he reached her knee his hand began to caress the inside of her thigh, encouraging her to open herself up to him. She was shy and resisted the temptation to part her legs initially, but eventually her desire overpowered her shyness.

His hand continued its journey and when it neared the top of her leg it just traveled down the inside of the other one. As it traveled up again his eyes made contact with hers and before she knew what was happening his finger dipped into her center, parting her folds.

She drew in a shaky breath and arched her neck where his lips fell. His thumb rubbed her most sensitive spot then finally he plunged his middle finger into her, causing her to moan his name.

Slowly he moved his hand and her hips gyrated to match his slow movements. Her senses were on overload as his thumb continued to rub her clit. Not only was she feeling what his hand was doing to her body but she could also feel his lips on her body and his erect penis against her leg. She wanted him so badly…

She could feel herself getting lost in the emotions. Her breath caught as she fought the surge of feelings off. He looked at her face, he wanted her to let go. “Just let it happen darling.”

She looked at him and her eyes pleaded with his. She wanted it to happen with him, “Max…please…I need you.” She placed both hands on the sides of his head and forced him to make eye contact with her. Breathlessly she begged him, “Please.”

A bit reluctant he removed his hand from between her legs and he reached to the bedside table to pick up one of the condoms. His hands began to fumble with the wrapper as he sat back on the heels of his feet in his kneeling position on the bed.

She sat up and took the packet from his hand. Though her hands were shaky she ripped it open and took out the condom. She looked at him and he at her, unsure of what move she was going to make.

Her palm rested against his chest and pushed him. He laid back against the mattress, taking his legs out from under him. He watched her study his form, her eyes were sparkling and pride filled him.

Her right hand reached out for him and when she touched him he thought he was going to explode right then. The desire to push into her hand was great but he resisted. He closed his eyes as she slowly rolled the condom down his shaft.

When she was done she crawled up to his face and kissed his cheek before lying back down on the pillows. He lifted himself from the reclined position and he looked down at her. His member swelled even more against the restraints of the condom.

Max crawled towards her, parting her legs as he came to her. He position himself between her legs and laid down on top of her, not allowing all of his weight to fall on her as he perched himself on his forearms. They looked into each other’s eyes as she brought her legs around him, inviting him into herself.

“I love you Fran,” and he nudged himself against her entrance. Together they drew in a breath, “I love you too.” With her declaration of love he pushed himself into her.

The feeling was so intense that he rested his forehead against hers for a moment as they reveled in the feeling. He gathered enough sanity to ask her, “Are you okay with this Fran?” She opened her eyes and a tear fell from one of them.

She smiled up at him and in a husky voice said, “I am more than okay with this Max.” She began to move her body beneath his and she pleaded, “Please Max. Please.” Finally he began to move within her.

They moved in unison with each other. Their thrusts began slowly but the feeling was so intense that his body went into overdrive and he began to thrust faster and harder. The bed frame creaked as they moved together.

It wasn’t long before he knew the end was coming for him. Max wanted to push the desire away but couldn’t. He looked down in her face and saw her concentrating.

She was so close to the edge but she didn’t realize it until it hit her. She arched her back, screaming his name as the feeling overtook her and a warmth ran through her body. He couldn’t control himself as he felt her muscles contract around his manhood milking his very essence out of him. He pushed harder and faster until he exploded.

As he began to slow his assault on her body he watched her react to his actions. He still moved inside of her at a slow pace not wanting to break the connection. She was still sensitive where he was. But she was enjoying the feelings that subsided after her release.

Her hands were moving across his body, memorizing each muscle’s reaction. She picked her head up to kiss his naked shoulder and as she lowered her head back to the pillow her eyes caught his.

He pushed into her again and she moaned as he did. He wanted to say so much but felt that no words were adequate to describe the emotions and feelings he was experiencing. Instead he lowered his head and kissed her, putting his emotions into the kiss.

When he lowered himself to the bed he drew her body into his arms and cradled her to him. With her arm draped across his belly she rested her head upon his chest. “I can hear your heartbeat.” “It’s probably a bit fast right now,” he chuckled. She kissed the breastbone that guarded his heart, “It sounds wonderful.”

His arms tightened around her and his lips fell upon her soft hair, he whispered into it, “I love you Fran. I will never let a day go by that you don’t know that.” He could feel her smile against his chest, “Ditto.”

“Well then, it’s agreed…” “What is Max?” “That we need to spend more time together, alone, so I can tell you and show you just how much I love you.” She looked up at him and purred in his ear, “I like the sound of that,” sending shivers down his spine.


Early the next morning Fran was the first to wake. She felt his arm around her, his hand cupping her breast like it did all those weeks ago after the attack. She felt wonderful and her mind reminisced to the events of the previous night. She remembered every taste, every touch and it felt like she was experiencing it all over again.

Then a horrible thought crossed her mind, ‘What if it was a spur of the moment thing for him? What if the events of the day pushed him to take off the ring? What if he wasn’t ready for this?’ She began to panic as she dreaded the moment he awoke, scared of being rejected.

She tried to remove his arm from around her but instead woke him in the process. He pulled her back to him, “Where are you going?” She didn’t respond, ‘What if he thinks I’m Sarahh?’

He perched his body on his elbow and turned her over, “Fran? Is everything alright?” She turned to look in his eyes and saw nothing but love flowing from them…for her. Her fears were laid to rest. “Everything is great,” she smiled up at him.

“Then where were you going so early in the morning?” “For your information Mister, I was going to go to the restroom. If that is alright with you.” He released his hold on her and let her free, as she lifted her body from the bed she gave him a peck on the lips.

The room had just a bit of early morning sunlight streaming through the curtains and he watched as she walked naked into the bathroom. ‘Beautiful.’ He lay against the pillows with his hands behind his head and remembered their activities of the previous night.

He looked over at the nightstand to count the opened wrappers and he smiled. Never had he felt so wonderful. He felt like he could do anything. It had been far too long since he had done what they did together but he knew that he was just waiting for the right person, and finally he had found her.

When she crawled back into bed they talked about what had happened and how they felt about each other. Both agreed that it had been one of the best experiences of their lives.

Fran confessed to him, “I’ve never felt like that Max. No one has ever been as giving as you are. Last night was the first time I ever…” She was too embarrassed to finish her thought.

He leaned in to kiss her on the nose, “Last night was the first time you ever…what?” She bit her lip and gave him a shy smile, “It was the first time I ever…had an orgasm during sex. And multiple times.” She smiled at him.

Max gave her a beaming smile of pride, “Well…” he cleared his throat, “I aim to please.” She laughed and he fell upon her showering her with kisses.

When they finally got out of bed Fran made a run for the shower but with her shorter legs and his faster ones he caught up with her and they shared the shower.

He lathered up his hands and rubbed her body clean with the body wash she had. He started at her toes and worked his way up, paying special attention to her breasts.

Fran took the bottle of body wash from him and lathered her own hands then rubbing the suds on his chest. He smiled down at her as she grinned up at him while she lathered his arms and hands, massaging them. She then took more soap and lowered her body.

She took hold of his manhood and ran her hands up and down it, causing his half erection to form into a raging one. He leaned back against the wall of the shower to brace himself as she continued to rub him.

Her name spilled from his lips and she smiled up at him. He pushed against her hand unable to fight the desire. His breathing quickened as her strokes did. When he was about to release he pulled her up into a standing position and pulled her body to his.

Her body crashed into his and he pumped his manhood between their abdomens. Fran was so turned on by his enjoyment that she too felt herself getting lost in the moment.

Finally he released and he moaned her name, “Oh Fran!” When he finished he held her against him in an embrace. It was an embrace that served two purposes: to thank her and to have her support his shaky legs.

He whispered into her ear, “You never fail to amaze me.” She snaked her arms around his neck and kissed him. When she pulled away she reminded him that he probably wouldn’t want her to stop amazing him, to which he agreed.

She giggled and put her body under the stream of water from the showerhead. Again he washed her and washed her hair. She returned the favor and they didn’t leave the shower till the water began to turn cold.

He dressed himself halfway, his pants were on but his shirt was left unbuttoned and he wore no shoes or socks. He reclined on the freshly made bed and watched her get ready. She was so involved in getting ready that she didn’t notice her admirer. When she finally looked at him her breath caught as she noticed how sexy he looked in his attire.

She shook her head and returned to the task at hand. They were going out for breakfast and then heading over to the office while she checked that everything was completed for her vacation. All this before going to the mansion and picking up the children and heading to the airport.