Warning!
Children under 17 not admitted without parent or adult!
by
Mary Ann
(maryanncleveland@prodigy.net)
A slightly inebriated Maxwell
Sheffield tiptoes into his kitchen at 10:30 the evening after the New
York Rangers lost game six of the NHL Hockey League Playoffs. The whole
team and half of New York City blamed Miss Fine, who was dating Mike
LeVoe, the star player for the Rangers. She had worn those unlucky red
shoes to the game and they had all believed she had jinxed him into
having a bad game.
"Pssst, Niles,
I'm in trouble. Max says in a slightly slurred voice as he tiptoes into
the kitchen of his mansion. "Didn't talk to Mike LeVoe about that
jinx business. He confides to his lifelong friend and butler. Had a
couple of beers with the boys instead." He says with a self-satisfied
grin, remembering how the star player of the Rangers wanted him on his
dart team. "They have a picture of Miss Fine on the dart board!
I got her right in the big hair--twenty points!" He is so pleased
with this accomplishment that he is smiling ear to ear.
Niles just looks at him with
a pained _expression.
"Come on, Niles, why aren't
you laughing?" He says as he turns to him and, to his horror, sees
Miss Fine rising up above the kitchen island with a roll of paper towels
in her hand. The sight of her makes his blood turns to ice.
"I'm laughing on the inside
sir." Niles says dryly as he walks into the living room.
"Oh, Miss Fine.
All right come on, let me have it. I deserve it." He says walking
behind the island, his knees slightly shaking.
Fran turns her back to him,
lowers her head and crosses her arms in front of her chest.
"Oh Miss Fine, please?
I never thought I'd say this but please
talk?" Fran takes a sheet off the towel roll and gently weeps into
it. Oh no! Don't cry, oh no,
please don't cry! I can't stand it when you cry! What can I do
to make it up to you? Oh I know, I'll buy you something. Anything. Just
please say you'll forgive me!" He pleads stepping towards her.
Max goes to hug her shoulders, but she quietly shakes him off and slowly
walks up the back stairs to her bedroom. He can only watch her leave
in shock; he is rooted to the spot not believing what had just happened.
Maxwell is horrified.
Oh, god, I've never made her cry before. I've comforted her when
she would cry over those other blokes, but I have never been the cause
of her sorrow! He thinks his mind a blur. He walks dejectedly into
the living room where Niles is sipping a cup of tea. His butler looks
at him under a raised eyebrow. "Oh, Niles--I think I've really
hurt Miss Fine. What should I do?" He cries sitting next to him
and putting his head in his hands. "I was only fooling around with
the guys--I would never deliberately want to hurt her!"
Niles, who is now slightly
disgusted with his boss, mulls over something in his head and makes
a decision. This stupid game between them has gone on long enough.
I'm bloody tired of it. "Well, sir...I think it's about time
you knew something. Miss Fine has been with us for almost three years.
The other day, I 'overheard her talking to Val. She confided
that, for the past year and a half, she has very strong feelings for
you. In fact, she thinks she is in love with you!" He tells Max
looking deep into his eyes to gage his reaction. Niles has known for
quite some time that Max was in love with his nanny, but was just too
repressed to realize it.
"What!?" Max cries
stunned. "S-she's in love with me?" To his surprise
his heart starts to beat faster and he is not at all displeased to learn
this news. "Oh, Niles, what am I going to do. That poor little
thing...well, I mean, who can blame her. She is so naive and unsophisticated,
she was probably just dazzled by me." Max says trying to sort out
his own feelings.
Niles rolls his eyes and shakes
his head. He was well aware that Max was the first one to be
smitten by Miss Fine. After all, he thinks back, she had only been employed
here two months when he figured out his boss was smitten. Niles remembers
well the night two years ago when Max and C.C. had arranged a date for
Miss Fine with that sleazy soap opera star Brock Storm. They wanted
to assure that Brock would sign for their revival of
Oklahoma. That was the first time Mr. Sheffield showed signs
of his true feeling towards Miss Fine. Max was quite apprehensive about
setting up that date and was beside himself when Miss Fine had walked
out the door with Brock. Nigel had witnessed his boss pacing the living
room the whole time she was out, finally falling asleep in the living
room chair only minutes before she returned home.
He also remembers Mr. Sheffield's
face when Fran informed him only a few months after she started there,
that she had reconciled with her ex fiancé Danny. Mr. Sheffield was
outraged that she would forgive that 'Neanderthal' as he referred to
him. Yes, Mr. Sheffield definitely fell in love with Miss Fine first.
After all, it took Fran till the Camp Kindervelt reunion, when Mr. Sheffield
surprised her as her escort to see him as more than just her boss...and
several months later to know she had developed a crush on him.
Niles remembers Miss Fine's
face when he had a date with Sydney Mercer, and how relieved she was
that Sydney turned out to be gay. Again he had overheard her telling
Val that she was having strong feelings for Max. Fran was so touched
that he had showed up at the reunion to save her from an embarrassing
situation, and had been surprising jealous when he had been smitten
with Sydney. That was only three months ago. No, Mr. Sheffield definitely
fell first. Well, he bloody well do something about this, right
now. Niles thinks angrily.
Niles looks at Max and says.
"Sir, why can't you just admit you love her? What are you so bloody
afraid of? She single-handedly brought joy back to this house--back
to you. You are a completely different person than you were
three years ago...before she came here! Do you want to risk losing that
someday? Why are you sitting here--get up there and make everything
right!"
Max sits on the couch staring
at Niles. He is just realizing that those feelings he always had tried
to deny towards Miss Fine were more than just feelings of friendship.
All those times he watched her date those other blokes. The mind-numbingly
short skirts she wore that drove him bloody mad. That smile that melted
his heart every morning. Oh, my god--I-I love her! The thought
that he had just hurt her so badly suddenly was making him physically
nauseous. He suddenly realizes that this could be a life changing moment.
"Yes, you're right, Niles!" Max cries as he heads for the
stairs, running up two at a time. He approaches Miss Fine's room and
hears her gently sobbing. The sound breaks his heart.
Oh, god, did I ruin any chance I had?
His palms are sweating and he stands outside the door for several minutes
trying to gather up his courage.
Miss Fine has her suitcases
out and is quietly packing her clothes. She has discarded her bathrobe
and is now clad in her white silk pajamas.
How could he do that to me, humiliate me behind my back with those
hockey players! He can't have any feelings for me if he can make fun
of me like that. I have been kidding myself--he's so out of my league.
She thinks despairingly as she folds a skirt and packs it.
It's time for me to go, it's getting too hard to live here with him,
anyway. Sometimes it's all I can do to stop myself from hugging him
I just want to kiss him and love him...it's just not natural to live
in the same house with someone you adore and not be able to touch him.
She thinks, fresh tears falling.
Yes, it's for the best--I
have to leave, I was a fool to think that he could ever love a girl
like me. Time to get back to reality, Cinderella. She convinces
herself closing up the suitcase. She turns as she hears her bedroom
door slowly opening. "Mr. Sheffield!" She cries as she sees
him standing in the doorway...a stunned look on his face.
Max sees what Fran is doing
and a feeling of cold trepidation hits him in the gut. "Oh, Miss
Fine! What are you doing?! Why are you packing?!" He cries panicking.
He runs over to her and takes her into his arms. "I'm so sorry.
I was such a bloody cad, Miss Fine! Please don't leave us--me!"
He is suddenly trembling with emotion at the realization that she is
preparing to leave. "Please,
please Miss Fine, let me make it up to you!" He whispers
holding her close to him.
"No, Mr. Sheffield. I
just can't live here anymore. I-It's just become too difficult for me--y-you
wouldn't understand." She says softly. Fran gently pushes him away
and resumes putting her belongings in her bags.
Oh, he's so gorgeous...and emotional! Is he really that upset--over
me? He almost looks like he's going to cry.
She thinks, stunned.
"Miss Fine." He says
taking her in his arms again. "Please forgive me--I would never
do anything to deliberately hurt you. I am such a blithering idiot!
I had too much to drink and was just so impressed that those hockey
players were letting me play with them! Doesn't that sound juvenile?"
He says rubbing his cheek softly against hers. He is holding her tightly
and is grateful that she isn't struggling to get away. His body is still
trembling with emotion and he is becoming more than a little aroused
at the pleasantly unfamiliar closeness to her. The new knowledge he
has just discovered from Niles about her feelings for him, combined
with the emotions of the past hour has lowered his inhibitions. He knows
only one thing; he wants her as he's never wanted any other woman.
"Oh, Miss Fine" he
whispers in her ear as he rubs his face to hers, his hands caressing
her hair. "Please let me make it up to you, now. I want to make
you feel good, please let me." His voice is hoarse with his rising
excitement." Max kisses her softly, and when she doesn't resist,
he gently lays her on her bed and starts to kiss her more passionately.
"Oh, Miss Fine...you are so lovely. I was such a
beast." He says nuzzling her neck.
Oh, my! Fran thinks,
stunned at this turn-around of events.
What should I do?! She is breathing heavily at the sweet torture
that he is implementing on her body. But, the cool hand of caution stops
her from giving in. What happens after this? It will change everything,
that's for sure! What if he gets what he wants than is too uncomfortable
to keep me around? He is so repressed, that it's a very real possibility!
"Uh, Mr. Sheffield, she says, lifting his face to hers. I don't
think this is a good idea--do you? I mean, it's something that once
done, cannot be taken back! I think it's best if I just go. I forgive
you for what you said earlier, but, I don't think this is going to work."
She says looking sadly into his eyes, knowing that no good can come
from this.
The events of the evening have
taken their toll on him. He is now almost out of control. His libido
is in overdrive. His entire body is on fire, and he realizes that it
is because he is finally in bed with the woman he has loved and lusted
for over the last three years. To stop for him would be sheer agony.
He knows one thing--he can't let her go. "M-miss Fine,
please let me make you feel wonderful. I want to make everything
up to you--I need to make it up to you!" He pleads his
voice hoarse with passion. He is now extremely excited and he rolls
gently on top of her and presses himself into her. He softly groans
as his he rubs his arousal against her body.
Oh, who am I kidding, I
can't refuse him. I've wanted this for so long and, oh...he's such a
great kisser! Fran thinks, giving in to the inevitable. She succumbs
to the passion, she knows it's now out of her control. She has wanted
this for so long. She starts kissing back matching his fervor. Suddenly,
they stop for a second to gaze in each other's eyes--a connection is
made.
Max's body is shuddering with
an excitement he hasn't felt in years--if ever. He begins kissing her
with an eagerness that shocks her. He starts to kiss down her neck and
she let's out a soft moan. The sound drives him crazy. He has now gone
to a place he wasn't even aware existed. All his reasoning is focused
on one thing...to make her his own. Max slowly unbuckles and unzips
his trousers. He takes her hand and tenderly guides it down to his
very abundant arousal. "This is all for you my darling."
He whispers, his voice husky with passion. Her touch sends him into
a whole new frenzy.
Fran gasps at her new discovery.
A jolt of electricity shoots straight to her groin at the touch. She
looks up at him wide-eyed. In her eyes there is more that just a little
apprehension, bordering just a slightly on fear. "Oh, Mr. Sheffield,
I don't...!" She whispers her voice trembling.
Oh, my! I've never been with a man like this! She thinks, slightly
afraid, but, more than a little excited.
He is lying on top of her and
smiles down reassuringly, touched, and more than a little aroused, by
her innocence. He was used to this reaction from his past first experiences
with women. "Don't worry, darling." He whispers tenderly.
"I'll be ever so gentle. I would never do anything to hurt
you." He resumes soft kisses down her neck as his hand slowly unbuttons
her pajama top. His lips find her breast for the first time and she
gasps as his hand caresses her other breast.
Oh, god what is he doing
to me--I've never experienced anything close to this! Who am I kidding;
this is just so much more incredible than I have ever fantasized! Where
did he learn to be such an incredibly skillful lover?
She thinks letting her body give in to the inevitable. Now completely
relaxed and into it, she begins to let her hands wander. They work their
way back to that unbelievable place that she had just discovered.
"Oh, Fran...please don't
do anything, I want to be able to make sure you are satisfied. If you
continue with that, I won't be able to control myself." He moans
as he takes her hand and puts it on the pillow above her head. He holds
it there briefly with is left hand as his right is finding that most
important part of her body that he must attend to. He gently slips her
pajama bottoms off. He has to make sure that she is completely prepared
to receive him. The last thing he wants is to cause her any discomfort,
and he takes great pains to assure that she be ready for him.
She sighs at the feeling of
her pajamas being slipped down her thighs. Max is now utilizing all
his talents to make sure that he causes her no discomfort. Then he touches
her, deep. His touch was like a lightening bolt--all sizzle and heat.
Moaning with pleasure, she readjusts her hips to accommodate him. The
orgasm was upon her almost before she realized it. She flattened her
hand over his, pressing it deeper into her, grinding her body against
it. This fervent assault on her has already caused her to climax once,
and though she is still a little nervous, she is more than ready to
finally join their bodies. "Oh, Mr. Sheffield, please make love
to me now." She begs shuddering; her heart pounding madly, all
her apprehensions forgotten.
Max was grateful she was ready
for him. He had to have her, now. He had always imagined that she would
be passionate, but was overwhelmed by her responsiveness. The way she
clung to him...he had to please her...that was his only goal. He forces
himself to slow down--he had to make sure she is satisfied. "My
pleasure," he moans.. He kneels above her and slowly lowers himself
down to meet her. Gently! He reminds himself, his manhood slowly
discovering her. He groans as he meets her for the first time. His heart
is pounding madly.
At his initial touch, Fran
gasps. His well-meaning gentleness is a teasing torture to her. She
is in a slight frenzy and suddenly grabs his behind and thrusts him
in all the way. They moan together at this unexpected action. She was
more than ready for him and nearly passes out from the pleasure. Max
has now pretty much lost all the control he had valiantly tried to suppress.
He pulls her to him all the way. After several minutes, he just cannot
hold on any longer, and is relieved when she throws her head back and
shudders. "Oh, Mr. Sheffield!"
She whispers in his ear, clutching him tightly around the neck her face
rubbing his. "Mr. Sheffield!"
"Fran...oh god,
Fran! He cries as he releases at the same time. He lay on top
of her nuzzling her neck. He is breathing so heavily that he can say
no more. His heart is racing. Did she enjoy that as much as I? Enjoy
is the wrong word, I have never experienced anything close to that in
my forty-three years! He thinks in astonishment. The alcohol, stress,
and absolute pleasure of the last few hours finally take toll on his
forty-something body, and he falls slowly into a satisfied sleep, still
holding Fran.
Now that it is over and Fran
is starting to get her senses back, she is more than a little nervous
about what just transpired, and what happens next.
I mean this really changes everything. There is no getting around
that! She thinks as she gazes at him.
I need to think! She gently wiggles out of his arms and goes
into her bathroom to draw a warm bath. She lies back in the tub and
reviews what had just happened. Why did he suddenly want me so badly?
Was it a guilty conscience and he was just trying to make it up to me?
Oh, god! Worse...was he drunk, and will regret it in the morning?
She thinks desperately.
Suddenly, everything becomes
very clear in her mind. He only did this out of pity, because he
felt sorry about hurting my feelings!
She remembers his exact words ' Oh, Miss Fine... Please let me make
it up to you, now. I want to make you feel good, please let me.'
"He did it out of PITY!" She cries out loud sitting up in
the tub. Oh, I have to leave here. How can I stay here now that I
know what I am missing? Besides, now that I know how passionate he is,
I love him more than ever!" Oh, how do I get myself into these
things? She thinks despairingly. He just had too much to drink
and is going to regret this in the morning--it will be so humiliating!
Fran gets out of the tub, dries
herself off and puts on her pajamas. She walks quietly into the bedroom
and resumes packing. Tears well up in her eyes as she thinks back to
the incredible lovemaking that she just experienced...and would never
know again. She closes her last suitcase with a 'click.'
At the sound of the suitcase
closing Max wakes with a start. He sits up and is incredulous that Fran
is packing. He finds his boxer shorts and puts them on. He jumps out
of bed and runs to her. "Miss Fine...Fran, why are you still
packing? What's wrong? Didn't you have a... good time? He asks shyly.
Oh, god! Why is she leaving me? She must know how I feel about her
after that! Maybe Niles was wrong--maybe she doesn't love me! He
thinks desperately. He moves to hug her.
Fran holds him at arms length.
"Mr. Sheffield, it's more imperative that I leave now than it was
before! Please don't make me tell you why." She says turning away
from him so he wouldn't see the tears in her eyes.
He gently grabs her arm and
turns her around to face him. "Please,
please tell me why you want to leave, Fran. I don't want you
to leave, we...I need you!"
"Oh, Mr. Sheffield, how
can I stay here after...this! I know you just did it to apologize
for hurting me. And, you're right, you did make me feel incredible--I've
never felt like that before." She says casting her eyes down, a
little embarrassed finally admitting the truth. She makes a decision.
I might as well confess my feelings since I'm never going to see
him again. "Oh...since I'm leaving, I might as well confide
in you. Mr. Sheffield...I am in love with you." She says sadly.
"I'm not stupid...I know that a girl like me isn't good enough
for a man like you! I have no illusions about a future with a handsome,
successful, rich Broadway producer! How can I stay here day after day
loving you and knowing what I am missing? You are way out of my class!"
She sobs turning to break loose of his grip. She is stunned that he
just tightens his hold on her.
"Don't
ever say that again!" He says angrily. "You have more
class than anyone I know!" He cries lifting her up and taking her
to the bed. He sits down with her in his lap and rocks her gently, kissing
the top of her head. "Oh, darling...d-didn't I just prove how much
I love you? What kind of man do you think I am? Did you think I would
make love to you like that then not commit to you?" He whispers
gently. "Fran, I think I love you, too. Damn it,
no! I do love you...there, I've admitted it to both of us! I've
loved you since the first time you walked down my staircase in that
red dress. I was never the same after that!"
Fran looks at him in disbelief.
Her heart skips a beat as she registers what he had just admitted. "Oh,
Mr. Sheffield." She cries hugging him tightly.
"Uh, I think you
can call me Max, dear." He says smiling, making the fine lines
around his eyes crinkle. This always took her breath away.
"Y-You mean it? You aren't
going to take it back?" She asks worriedly.
"Fran, I'm not the sort
of man to take back saying I love you! What kind of person would
do that!?" He says kissing her softly. Suddenly an idea
hits him. "By the way, I have to go to Paris soon to see my brother,
would you do me the honor of accompanying me?" He looks at her
lovingly.
She looks at him astonished."
You bet, mista!" She exclaims excitedly. She jumps up and starts
to unpack her suitcases. Max grabs her and throws her gently on the
bed. He towers over her and tenderly lies on top of her.
"Uh, Fran"...Max
says a little shyly a slight look of worry in his eyes. "I didn't
um, cause you any...discomfort earlier, did I?"
She looks at him surprised
and a little embarrassed at her nervous reaction at that intimate moment.
She blushes slightly as she recalls her initial apprehension. A seductive
smile comes to her face and she says with a twinkle in her eyes. "The
most wonderful moment in my life was when we became one--you are the
most awesome, gentle, beautiful man I have ever known."
She whispers kissing him passionately.
Relieved, he responds eagerly.
His heart is starting to beat through his chest, again. His voice is
husky with renewed passion as he whispers in her ear. "So, that
means you just might want to have another go?" He starts to unbutton
her pajama tops then suddenly stops.
"Fran, I think we should
go on a date!" He says suddenly looking down at her.
"Now?" She looks
up at him wide-eyed.
"No, tomorrow. I have
excellent center-ice seats for the game seven finals of the Rangers
Hockey playoffs. Uh...but, please, leave your red shoes at home."
He smiles down at her, a twinkle in his eyes. He kisses her and finishes
unbuttoning her pajamas, ignoring the pinch she had just applied to
his bottom.
The End