by
Mary Ann, Juupke,
& Sara
Maxwell Sheffield had joined
Fran on the annual Fine Family Reunion in Niagara Falls. It had been
three months since London and that necking session in the hospital bed.
Max was lately realizing that he might just be ready for a serious relationship
with Fran. That was the main reason he subjected himself to the horrors
of a Fine family function.
The sight of the majestic Horseshoe
Falls had inspired Max to propose to Fran. Unfortunately, she couldn't
hear his proposal because of the thundering water around them. After
being tossed down by a huge wave on the deck of the
Maid of the Mist tour boat, Max had wound up in a Niagara Falls
hospital with some memory confusion and a slight concussion.
"How is he doctor?"
Fran asked worriedly. She smiled down at Mr. Sheffield. He smiled up
at her affectionately and held her hand.
"Oh, he'll be fine in
a few days. He may experience some memory confusion. It's not really
amnesia. He is just confused about what is real and what his fantasy
may be. Don't try to correct him, you'll just confuse him and slow his
recovery. Just go along with whatever he thinks. We don't want to overload
his brain." The doctor said signing the release form.
************
"How do you feel Mr. Sheffield?"
Fran said as they got in the Sheffield limo that had picked them up
at Newark Airport. Because he was medicated, he had slept the whole
forty-minute plane ride home, so this was the first she'd been able
to talk to him
"Why so formal Fran darling?
Now that we're married, you don't have to call me Mr. Sheffield anymore.
I'm sorry I got knocked out on our honeymoon. I'll just have to make
it up to you tonight," he said seductively as he kissed her tenderly.
I am so lucky to have such a gorgeous bride, he thought happily.
I can't wait to make love to her.
Fran's mouth opened wide.
Oh, no! He thinks we're married. What's that the doctor said? I shouldn't
try to correct him or it would slow his recovery. Hmmm...This might
not be so bad! She suddenly thought of the benefits of being his
wife, even if it's just in his imagination.
They walked up the front steps
of the Sheffield mansion. Suddenly Max lifted her up and carried her
through the front door. "I love you Fran." He said kissing
her again before he put her down.
Niles, Brighton, Maggie and
Gracie were sitting in the living room. Their mouths dropped open and
their eyes went wide at this scene. "Oh,
sir! You two eloped!" Niles cried as he and the kids ran
over to hug them.
CC was standing in the doorway
to the office. She’d been working, trying to get everything ready before
Maxwell came home, but it sounded like they were back already. When
she saw Maxwell and Nanny Fine kissing her heart sank. She just knew
that Niles’ remark was meant for her too.
Fran caught Niles’ eye and
shook her head slightly. She made a discreet motion that indicated Mr.
Sheffield wasn't quite in his right mind. Niles looked at her very confused.
"I'll explain later." She whispered as the kids hugged them.
"Mr. Sh....Max, honey.
The doctor said you must go right to bed for a few hours to sleep off
the rest of your medication as soon as you got home. You go up and I'll
be up later to check on you. Brighton, help your father upstairs."
She said.
"Are you sure you don't
want to help me, darling?" He said taking her seductively in his
arms. Brighton looked away and smiled.
"Later, dear. The doctor
gave strict orders," she said smiling softly at him. I've got
to talk to Niles and the kids while he's napping. A very confused
Brighton led his dad up the stairs to his room.
Fran met with the rest of the
family in the kitchen. She explained the situation to them. They shook
their collective heads as they realized that this was just another ridiculous
situation that Fran always seemed to get their father into. They agreed
to play along and were intrigued how she was going to get through this
night. The night that their father thought was his honeymoon night.
Niles was secretly thrilled.
This is just what they need to get their relationship jump-started!
He thought happily. The kids just wanted their father and their nanny
to sleep together already. They were old enough to know that it's really
about time. I mean five years is long enough. They all left Fran
alone to her thoughts.
After hearing the latest trouble
Nanny Fine had gotten Maxwell into, CC went to the office. This latest
episode made her problems, her false sense of reality, come even closer
to the surface.
Fran sat in the kitchen for
an hour sorting out her thoughts. What should I do? He will expect
me to fulfill my wifely duties tonight! Well, maybe he'll just sleep
through the night. She thought hopefully. Fran walked up the stairs
to her bedroom. As she tiptoed by Mr. Sheffield's bedroom a hand reached
out and pulled her in. Fran gasped in surprise.
"I heard you coming up
the stairs, darling," Max said hugging her to him. "I had
a wonderful nap. I feel so much better now." He smiled seductively
at her. "I must say you look gorgeous this evening." He looked
at her appreciatively. Suddenly Max lifted her in his arms and carried
her to his bed.
Oh, no!
Fran thought. Now what do I do? Her heart started beating faster
as had he laid gently on top of her. He started applying soft kisses
to her mouth and face.
"Fran, I love you so much.
Thank you for marrying me," he murmured kissing down her throat.
Max let his hand tenderly caress her body. He started to unbutton her
blouse slowly.
Fran was getting very turned
on, feeling him on top of her. The fact that
Mr. Sheffield was unbuttoning her blouse was madding. She had
waited five years for this moment. Her breathing started getting heavier
as each button was slowly being opened. Fran was conflicted. On one
hand, she had never in her life wanted anything more than to share this
intimate moment with the man she adored. On the other, she was starting
to feel tremendously guilty that she just might be taking advantage
of him. We can't do this! She suddenly realized. He's not
of his right mind.
"Um, Mr. Sheff...Max.
I, uh I can't do this now," she said breathing rather heavily.
She sat up and tried to catch her breath. It had taken tremendous willpower
on her part to stop him.
Max looked at her stunned.
"But darling, it's our wedding night," he gasped. He was also
having trouble catching his breath.
"Yes, well, you know.
I can't," she looked down shyly.
"Oh," he said suddenly
figuring out her situation. Max took her in his arms. "I don't
mind if you don't, darling. That doesn't bother me a bit." He nuzzled
her neck.
Oh, no! That was my ace
in the hole, she thought desperately.
Now what excuse can I give him? "No, no, it's not that.
I just mean that with all you've been through, the doctor didn't want
you to exert yourself." She lied.
"But..." He tried
again.
"No, sorry Maxwell. I
won't take the risk," she said firmly, kissing him on the cheek.
Max looked at Fran incredulously.
I can't believe she's doing this,
he thought quite stunned. He was extremely disappointed and quite
surprised. He succumbed to the realization that she was completely resolute.
He was rather tired. All the drugs hadn't completely left his
system yet. And, truth be told, he wouldn't mind getting a good nights
sleep. "Well," he said "At least you have to sleep here
with me tonight. I insist." Max said smiling and lying down on
the bed with her in his arms. He snuggled her to him and fell almost
instantly to sleep. His forty-something body finally succumbing to the
exhausting events of the day.
OY! Well, this isn't going
to be TOO frustrating! She thought. Being in his arms, in bed,
was having a drastic effect on her, but she knew she had no other choice.
After more than an hour of restless combat with her libido, Fran finally
fell asleep.
************
The next morning, Fran was
grateful that she woke up before Maxwell. At first she didn’t know where
she was and, more important, how she’d gotten there. But after a few
seconds gazing around she remembered again exactly what a ridiculous
situation she had gotten her handsome boss and herself into. She watched
his relaxed, sleeping face a few more moments, sighed deeply and worked
her way out of his arms, careful not to wake him.
Fran really hoped that his memory would have returned by the time he’d come downstairs. She had no idea how to keep up this whole charade. She sneaked out of the room and went to her own bedroom to take a shower and put on her make up. When she was done, she went down to the kitchen, where Niles was preparing breakfast. “Good morning, Miss Fine," he said expectantly.
”God, I need a cup of coffee,” Fran mumbled as she sat down at the kitchen
table. "What a night."
“Why Miss Fine? Didn’t you
get enough sleep last night?” Niles inquired with a big grin on his
face. He set a steaming cup of coffee down in front of her. Fran took
it gratefully.
“No, I didn’t, for your information. Unfortunately it’s not what you think it is,” Fran replied taking a sip of the black coffee.
”Did Mr. Sheffield’s memory return already?” Niles said a little disappointed.
He had really wanted them to get together once and for all last night.
He really couldn't understand how they could have slept in the same
bed together, again, and not have done anything about it.
Fran sighed. “Do you know how
frustrating it is to be in his arms, knowing that he desperately wants
to… Well, you know?” She said shaking her head feeling very frustrated.
Well, actually I don't.
“So you didn’t?” Niles asked. Damn.
“No, of course not. I mean
he doesn’t know what he’s doing or thinking. I’d never forgive myself
if I took advantage of that.” Fran said thinking affectionately of her
wonderful boss.
“I see…”
“Oh, I just so hope that his
memory comes back as soon as possible. To resist him one night is one
thing, but I don’t know how much longer I can take such torture.” Fran
puts her head in her hands. God he's so incredible. How on earth
did I control myself last night?
She is impressed and surprised with herself.
Max had awakened quite aroused.
He was pretty dismayed that Fran wasn't next to him in bed. Fran had
been confessing her frustration to Niles. At that moment Maxwell came
down the back stairs, happily whistling. “Good morning my darling.”
He said, tightly embracing Fran from behind “I was
really disappointed to wake up alone. I thought that I’d never
have to do that again now that you are my wife,” he whispered against
her cheek.
Niles gave Fran a knowing look.
It was very obvious that Maxwell’s memory hadn’t returned yet.
CC walked in right at that
moment. She also saw that Maxwell was still thinking that he and Nanny
Fine were married. She couldn’t take it and turned right around to the
office.
Niles discreetly left Max and
Fran alone. He was encouraged that maybe all wasn't lost after all.
He had seen CC leave and decided to have some fun with the witch. He
walked into the office, holding his feather duster so he had an excuse
to be there. He didn’t need one because CC was so distraught that she
didn’t notice him coming in.
Niles was surprised to see
CC crying, she never cried. Niles’ tender side decided that he should
comfort her, even though she’d probably push him away. “Tell me,” he
asked her gently.
Forgetting that Niles was her
worst enemy, she just had to tell him. “Even when he is not in his right
mind, his subconscious picks her. "I never stood a chance Niles.
And yet that’s not even what is bothering me. I knew that those two
would end up together. But Maxwell has found a second wife, and Nanny
Fine has found the love of her life. Why can’t I Niles? Why doesn’t
anybody want me?” She looked sadly up at him. He had never seen anybody
look so lost in his life.
“How come you think nobody
wants you, you date plenty of men,” he then muttered under his breath
‘They all seem to want you.’
“They don’t want me Niles. They want my money. They want me to get them a part in our show. They want to be seen with me so they can impress. But as soon as they get to know me they flee. They want to sleep with me. The only one who knows me and still like to be around me is…” Suddenly CC realized whom she was talking to. She stood and ran out of the office, out the door and jumped into a cab.
Niles couldn’t catch up with
her. He was left wondering whom she could be talking about.
Probably Maxwell again, after all, he had known CC for more than
half her life. He thinks dejectedly. He decided to do what he always
did when he was depressed; he went to the kitchen to prepare himself
a snack.
Maxwell snuggled the back of
Fran's neck with kisses. "Fran darling, I'm feeling so much better
now," He murmured in her ear. This caused the tiny hairs on the
back of her neck to rise. He lifted her out of the chair to stand and
face him. Max took her face in his hands and gave her a soft, slow,
wet kiss. He let his tongue part her lips and play in her mouth.
Fran's knees literally give
out as she feels his tongue for the first time. She has to hold tightly
around his neck so as not to land in a crumpled heap at his feet.
"Fran, Fran...please let's
go upstairs," Max pleads desperately. He presses his body against
hers. She can feel just how much he wants to go upstairs. The feeling
of his hardness against her is causing her to become very turned on.
Fran feebly shakes her head no. Max just smiled seductively and lifted
her up.
"Maxwell, we shouldn't,"
she said only stopping as his mouth covered hers. He kept it there until
he reached his bed. Fran has now pretty much lost all resolve and threw
caution to the wind. I mean, how much torture can a person be expected
to take. She thought justifying what was about to happen.
And what am I doing that is so wrong? I'm not seducing...him he's
seducing me! She suddenly started to feel better about all this,
especially as she watched him get undressed.
Max never took his eyes off
of her as he got into bed. He took her in his arms as his mouth hungrily
found her again. "Fran, my darling. I've waited so long."
He groaned as he kissed down her throat. When his hand finally reached
into her bathrobe he hesitated and looked deeply into her eyes.
Fran looked into his eyes and
finally came to her senses. Oh no! He's going to cop a feel! This
isn't right. We can't do this like this,
she thought, starting to panic a little she searched her brain for an
acceptable excuse.
“Oh, I’m sorry, sweetie, but
I promised ma to visit her this morning and I'm very late!” she said
while gently working her way out of his arms, again.
Wow was that lame! My mind went blank with him kissing me like that.
I couldn't think of anything!
“Well darling, don’t you think that can wait? Don’t you think that what
we’re about to do now is far more important than your two-daily visit
to your mother’s?” he said his eyes at half-mast.
“How can you say such thing?”
Fran exclaimed. “That poor woman. My visits are one of the few things
in her daily routine that she keeps looking forward to. Would you really
want to take that away from her? Do you realize what that would mean
to her? She’d definitely feel as if you were taking her daughter away
from her! Are you sure you want to be the one to cause all that?”
Maxwell looked at her, speechless.
He didn’t really know how to answer all of Fran’s questions. And he
was flabbergasted that she was making excuses to keep from having sex
with him. Even though Sylvia could be pretty annoying once in a while,
she still was Fran's mother after all.
Oh please dear God,
Fran thought at the same time. Let the guilt do its job just one
more time. I really don’t know what other excuse I could use.
Maxwell sighed and took a deep
breath. “Well, all right then, but please come home as soon as you can.
We still haven’t had a chance to have a proper wedding night, and darling,
you have no idea how much I want you.” He smiled seductively.
“I have no idea? Honey, you
do remember who you’re talking to, don’t you? I want you just the same,
believe me.” To prove her point Fran kissed Max passionately. “It’s
just that… Well, I don’t know exactly. I just feel that our wedding
night has to be very special." Suddenly she had a brilliant thought.
"What do you say we go on a proper honeymoon together, and then
we can have the wedding night we have both have dreamed of for so long?
It’s been such a long time, it doesn’t really matter anymore whether
it’s going to be a few more days, does it?”
Or weeks…I really cannot believe that I’m the one keeping him at
arms length now! Boy, have I come a long way, or what?
Maxwell hesitated. He looked
at Fran, who was now giving him her puppy dog eyes. “How can I resist
you when you look at me like that?” Fran returned him her most dazzling
smile. He sighed and said “Well, whatever makes you happy, sweetheart.
But will you at least do me a favor and let me plan our honeymoon?”
“Of course honey, if you want
to do that. What do you have in mind?”
Max smiled mysteriously. “I’m
afraid that’s not yet for you to know...not just yet. You’ll find out
when the time comes, I promise.”
Fran kissed him softly and
got out of bed to get dressed.
************
“Oh Dr. Grant, I really don’t
know how I do this anymore. It’s been four days, and he still believes
we’re married! There is not even a small sign that his memory will be
back soon. Are you sure this is normal and that he didn’t suffer from
brain damage after he fell on his head?”
Fran had gone to Maxwell’s
doctor, to see if there really wasn’t anything she could do to speed
things up, and to make sure that there wasn’t anything seriously wrong
with Max. She was very glad that she’d been able to come up with a honeymoon
as an excuse to hold off making love to each other. At least now Maxwell
wasn't trying to make love to her every minute they were alone. It was
still very frustrating though, to be in his arms every night, keeping
control of her mind and body, so as not to give in to her desires.
“I’m sorry, Miss Fine, but
the only thing you can do is wait. I really cannot say how much more
time it’s going to take. But I can assure you that this is entirely
normal. I’ve even heard and read about patients who kept suffering from
this temporal amnesia for several months.” Dr. Grant explained sympathetically.
“Months!” Fran exclaimed.
“Please tell me that I misunderstood. You didn’t just say ‘months’,
did you? And why can’t I just tell him honestly what’s going on? You
told me before that he’d be only more confused, but now
I am the one who’s confused.”
“I completely understand this
is very difficult for you to handle, but you have to trust me when I
say that you really shouldn’t tell him. If you do, you might cause old,
hidden traumas of his childhood to appear all of a sudden, and then
things will only get worse. Whereas, if you don’t push him, these traumas
probably won’t surface for the rest of his life. You see everyone’s
got this kind of trauma. They don’t even have to be about something
very serious. Often they’re just caused by small things, every adult
would laugh about them. But because these traumas have been in someone’s
mind and memory for so long, people feel like they’re very important,
and it takes quite some time to get over things and to move on with
life.”
Oh my god, Fran thought
to herself while the doctor was explaining all this,
if even people with a nice childhood have these traumas, I really
don’t want to know what’s hidden in Max’s memory. After all, his youth
hasn’t exactly been pleasant. Her thoughts go to his cold uncaring
parents. “All right, I get your point. I suppose I’ll just sit and wait.”
Fran sighed.
************
A week had passed since Fran
and Max had come back from Niagara Falls, and still nothing had changed.
Max had been busy planning their honeymoon, and no matter how often
Fran asked where they were going, Max wouldn't tell her anything. Fran
could tell by the way he smiled mysteriously every time she mentioned
the honeymoon that Max was going to pull out the big guns. Truth be
told, she was very curious to know where he was going to take her. It
was the day before their departure. Fran was in the kitchen chatting
to Niles. He was totally amazed at how she managed to keep control.
Niles knew what kind of torture the last week had been for Fran.
“Niles, do you have any clue
about where he’s taking me?” Fran asked desperately. After all Niles
was the biggest yenta the world had ever known, so she figured she could
always give it a shot.
“No Miss Fine, I know as much
as you do. I can’t believe how cautious he is. I snooped around his
office, the bedroom, and the living room. I’ve thoroughly searched through
every room in the house...nothing! He never managed to keep something
from me before.” Niles sulked.
“You know, at first I felt
really guilty about talking him into this vacation, but now, I don’t
know. I mean, it’s not as if can't afford it. I tell you, I definitely
can use some time off. And maybe when Mr. Sheffield is in surroundings
other than his own he’ll remember everything. And since he planned this
as a honeymoon, I’m sure it’s going to be pretty romantic. It's exactly
what we need to spice things up, and this time for real. What do you
think?” She looked at Niles.
“It’s about time that things
get spiced up! For years I’ve been hinting, to him, to you, to him again.
The first three years he had a crush on you. This last year you had
a crush on him, which scared the hell out of him. Lately though, I've
noticed that he seemed ready to put his fears aside. I think it’s about
time that my efforts start to pay off. Just make sure that you pack
something really sexy, so he won’t be able to resist you.”
Like she even owns anything that
isn't sexy. Niles smirks.
“Well you know he gave me his
credit card to buy something special. I can assure you, as soon as he
sees me in what I bought at Victoria’s Secret, he won’t even
think of pushing me away if his memory returns.” She winked.
“Good thing he chose some warm place to go to, at least he told me to
pack for a warm and sunny climate.”
Niles smiled in agreement and
left the kitchen. At the same time Maxwell came in through the backdoor.
“Ah darling, there you are.
Are you packed? Since we leave early tomorrow, we have to finish packing
today.” Max said slipping his arms around her waist and pulling her
towards him. She kissed him softly. To her chagrin, he immediately deepened
the kiss. Fran had decided not to feel bad about kissing him. After
all they had kissed before he lost his memory. She returned his kiss
wholeheartedly, wrapping her arms tightly around his neck. After a while
they broke apart, both breathing heavily. Fran decided to give it one
more try. “So tell me already, where are we going?”
Maxwell grinned teasingly.
“Wouldn’t you like to know?" He was delighted that he was torturing
her just a little. As I told you numerous times before, I’m not going
to tell you until we are at our final destination. Trust me, you’ll
love it. Imagine, within two days we’ll be walking around where the
mighty king Minos lived.” he said mysteriously.
Fran looked at him uncomprehendingly.
Max loved the fact that she obviously was so curious. He was pleased
that, for the first time ever, he’d been able to keep something secret
for Niles. He’d done his very best. He knew that Fran would find out
in no time as soon as Niles had found out. Max was quite excited himself
about their vacation. It had cost him quite some effort because he had
to get everything organized within just two weeks. He was happy that
everything had worked out fine. He was planning on showering Fran with
his love.
The two of them went upstairs
to pack the last few things.
************
The next morning they hugged
the kids goodbye and left in the limo for the airport. Max put his arm
around Fran and held her close. She closed her eyes and put his head
on his shoulder.
The limo dropped them off at
the Newark Airport Continental Airlines Terminal. As Max walked over
to the First Class ticket agent, Fran looked at the display above the
counter. Well, at least now the options are narrowed down quite a
bit. We can go to Moscow gate 6, Athens gate 14 and Dubai gate 16, Baghdad
gate 19, or Kandahar gate 21. Let’s just hope it’s going to be Athens.
She thought a little nervously as she viewed the options.
“Now darling, why don’t you
just wait here with our luggage, then I’ll go and check us in for our
first flight,” Max said kissing her tenderly.
Damn. I was already hoping
that I would be able to get a glimpse of the tickets, and maybe even
of our destination. Oh well, I guess I’ll just have to let him surprise
me, ‘cause I really don’t see him revealing his hand prematurely.
“Sure honey. I’ll wait right here for you.”
Just make sure to remember which gate number belongs to which flight.
“Let’s see, where can we find
gate 14. Ah, we have to go into that corridor over there.” Fran followed
Maxwell, and was relieved that he was looking for gate 14...Athens.
For some reason, Baghdad and Kandahar were not high on her list of holiday
destinations.
************
After the nine-hour flight
to Athens and another half-hour flight to Crete, Fran and Maxwell had
finally reached their limo. Maxwell decided to finally tell Fran about
his plans. “Well, sweetheart, what do you think of two weeks on a cruise
ship, starting here on Crete and visiting several Greek islands?”
Fran was overwhelmed. Of course
she had expected something really great, but this was definitely not
the first honeymoon destination that she, or Maxwell for that matter,
would think of. She shivered a little as she once more realized how
deeply she was in love with this wonderful man. She just prayed that
everything would work out the way she was hoping for.
Max and Fran checked in at
the VIP line for suite passengers. They left their bags to the butler's
care. He had assured them that he would unpack for them; it was after
all, part of his job. They disembarked and had the limo take them to
the famous ancient Knossos, the leftovers of the palace of king Minos.
As they were looking at what was still intact of the famous labyrinth,
Max told Fran about the myth that belonged to it.
“In ancient times, Minos, a
very rich and powerful king, had a beautiful daughter, Ariadne. Everyone
wanted to marry her, but her father decided that only the one who was
able to kill the monster that lived far away in the labyrinth would
be given that privilege. So far, no one had been able to do so. Every
single prince who had tried, was killed by the creature or got lost
in the labyrinth and died because of hunger and thirst. Every year,
the lives of seven young virgins had to be sacrificed, to feed the monster.
This was to make sure that it would stay within the labyrinth.
One day a brave prince arrived.
Ariadne loved him as soon as she met him. She gave him a special knife
and many meters of wool. She told him that only with this knife would
he be able to kill the monster, and if he would take one end of the
wool with him, he would be able to find the exit again. He did as she
told him, and in the end they lived happily ever after, ruling the big
kingdom.”
Fran sighed. “And
that’s why I wouldn’t want to live in Greece! All those monsters
and other meshugganas!” she declared.
Maxwell smiled down at her.
“Darling, what do you say we go back to the ship now. That way we can
settle in a bit. I’m sure you wouldn't mind a wonderful dinner in the
5-star restaurant on board.” He put his arm around her.
“Mmm, you know me too well.
That ain’t good, honey!" she said pushing him playfully. So, what
are we waiting for?” Max snuggled her ear as he helped her into the
limo.
After changing clothes in their
fabulous suite, Max escorted Fran to the restaurant where they feasted
on a wonderful dinner. Afterwards Max decided to dazzle her a little
in the casino. "Let's do some gambling darling," he said taking
her hand and leading her into the ship's casino.
That sounded good to her. She
was starting to get a little nervous as bedtime loomed. She was willing
to put it off as long as possible. She still had no idea how she was
going to handle the whole dire situation. "Oh Max...look! There's
two seats open at the five dollar blackjack table." She said pulling
him over there. She is surprised that he pulls her in the opposite direction.
Max leads her to the High Rollers area. He sits her down at the two
hundred dollar minimum table. The pit boss hurries over to them. "I'd
like a line of credit and markers please." Max says taking out
his wallet.
"Certainement monsieur!"
Pierre said. "For how much?" He took the ship ID card that
Max handed him.
"Twenty thousand dollars."
Fran and Pierre gasp. Fran looked at her boss in total disbelief.
Oh god! Pierre quickly recovered and scurried to the casino cage
to run a credit check on Maxwell Sheffield.
"Um, darling, we're only
on this ship for a couple weeks. Do you really need that much in markers?"
Fran heart started to beat faster. Max just looked at her nonchalantly
and gives her a small dismissive smile.
"You said you played
Twenty One all the time in Atlantic City. I want to see how good
you really are."
Fran's mouth dropped open.
"I played at the two dollar tables. If I lost one hundred dollars
a trip, that was a lot!" She cried gazing nervously at the little
brass sign that indicates that this table was a minimum of two hundred
dollars a hand!
"Fran darling. You're
a very wealthy woman now." He smiled rubbing her nose to his. He
is delighted that his showboating had the desired effect on her. Twenty
thousand dollars is nothing to Maxwell Sheffield. Even if she lost it
all, he wouldn't blink an eye.
Pierre returns breathlessly
with the paperwork. His supervisor, had told him in no uncertain terms,
that however much Mr. Sheffield wanted, give it to him. "Mr. Sheffield,
how much would you like in chips?" You have been given an unlimited
line of credit." Pierre is perspiring slightly.
"Oh, I'll just take the
twenty thousand for now." He looked at Fran. "My bride is
a skilled player," he said looking affectionately at her. Fran
just smiled weakly at him. She knew that he wouldn't be so generous
with her if he didn't think they were married.
Oh god, if I lose all this money he's going to go ballistic after
he realizes we're not married.
Pierre is a little disappointed
that Mr. Sheffield doesn't want more. He signaled the dealer who immediately
started counting out the black hundred dollar chips.
"No," Max said.
The dealer looked up. "Sir?"
"All white please."
Fran gasped again as the dealer
put the black chips back in the tray and counted out twenty white thousand-dollar
chips. "Mr. Sheff...um, I mean Max. I can't possibly play one thousand
dollars a hand!" Her stomach is starting to turn over as she stared
in horror at the white chips.
Max just chuckled and slid
them over to her. "You can and you will. I can't wait to see you
play," he whispered a little suggestively.
Fran shivered a little getting
the double entendre. She swallowed and tentatively put one white chip
on the spot in front of her. The dealer and Pierre were slightly nervous
also. Players on cruise ships rarely bet this big. This wasn't Atlantic
City or Las Vegas after all. Fran's heart was beating through her chest
as the dealer slid her first card out of the shoe.
Max watched her in secret amusement.
The _expression on her face was priceless. He chuckled silently to himself.
The dealer dealt her a blackjack. She let out a yelp.
"Player wins." He
paid her a thousand dollars plus another five hundred due to the blackjack.
"Okay. Let's go."
She started to get up but Max just grinned and sat her back down.
"We're not going anywhere
until I say so." He smiled at her "I noticed you don't have
a beautiful engagement ring on your finger. You're going to win yourself
a fabulous one right now." Fran resigned herself to the inevitable
and just prayed that the cards fall her way. After an hour of some
of the greatest cards she had ever been dealt, Fran had doubled the
twenty thousand dollars. She was completely spent. "I can't take
this anymore."
Max was delighted at how his
little plan has transpired. Fran's winning was just the icing on the
cake. He had a marvelous time. "I think you can quit now."
Max takes two of the white chips and pushes them to the dealer. "A
tip for you young man."
"Thank
you sir!" The grateful dealer gasped.
Pierre just shook his head.
He knew that the cruise line just took a big financial hit.
Well it's not my fault. They told me to raise the table limit for
him. This thought doesn't stop the perspiration that is now flowing
freely. Max looked at Pierre. "Have my winnings wired to my bank
in New York please."
"Certainement monsieur!
Immediately."
Max helped Fran off her chair
and led her out of the casino. Fran's knees were shaking and her cheeks
were flush, but she was beyond excited. "Did you see those cards?
I couldn't do anything wrong!" she cried excitedly. "I can't
believe I just won twenty thousand dollars! Oh god, that was
freaking awesome!" She looked at Max with big brown eyes. He is
thrilled that he had indeed dazzled her. He suddenly realized that she
had dazzled him also.
"Fran you were unbelievable!
You didn't make a wrong move. I may just retire from Broadway and bankroll
you from now on," he joked. The look on her face touched him. Suddenly
he reached down and kissed her tenderly. "Let's go to our suite
darling." He murmured hugging her close. Fran took his hand and
let him lead her to the Penthouse Deck.
Max followed Fran into the
suite. "Why don't you take the master bath to change, darling.
I'll take the smaller one." He kissed her tenderly, holding her
tightly to his body. Fran could feel against her lower body the
enormous trouble she was in.
Oy! He feels wonderful. How am I going to be able to resist?
The feeling of his hardness made her knees week. She walked wobbly to
the bathroom to change. As she was freshing up, she tried to devise
a plan to keep from taking advantage of him. Nothing. Fran changed into
the most conservative item in her trousseau. A long white negligee with
a matching sheer robe with soft white ostrich feathers as trim.
Damn, I look too good. She thought desperately. "I'm in
big trouble. Well, here goes." Fran took a deep breath and walked
slowly into the master bedroom.
Max is standing by the fireplace
and pours her a glass of champagne. Her negligee caused him to gasp.
"Oh darling, you take my breath away!" His heart starts pounding
madly. She's just lovely. How have I controlled myself this past
week?
Fran smiled nervously and took
the wine.
"To us." Max declared.
He took her in his arms and said surprisingly seriously. "Fran,
I love you." He looked directly into her eyes when he said it.
Something about the way he
said it made her shiver a little. She couldn't put her finger on it,
but something just wasn't completely kosher here. She shook the feeling
off. She had much bigger problems at the moment. They finished their
wine and set the glasses on the coffee table. Max took her hand tenderly
and led her to the bed. "I know you're a little nervous darling.
That is so sweet," he murmured as they got under the covers. "You
know I'd never do anything to hurt you, don't you?" He looked directly
into her eyes again.
That shiver came back to her.
It was the way he said it. "Yes," she said hesitantly.
"Oh, Fran. You're so beautiful."
He kissed her and gently pushed her back on the pillows. He got gently
on top of her. He nuzzled her ears and neck whispering endearing words.
His erection pressed softly into her. Fran couldn't help make little
pleasure sounds at the feeling of his arousal. All of a sudden Max
stopped and slid off of her. Fran was surprisingly disappointed at that.
Easy Maxwell.
"Fran," he whispered as his hand traveled down the silk negligee
and lifted it up. He let his hand softly stroked her bare tummy lightly
with the backs of his fingers. They tentatively traveled to her satin
panties. Fran's heart started to beat madly. Her breathing became very
heavy at his erotic stroking and the fact that he was so near to touching
her there.
"Fran darling, I've waited
for this for so long," he whispered. As his hand started to enter
her panties he hesitated and looked deeply into her eyes again. Fran's
eyes go wide realizing what he is about to do. She was a little confused
again. That nagging feeling that something wasn't quite as it appears
was crowding her mind.
"Mr. Sheffield...No!
We can't do this!" she cried, holding his hand before it reached
its destination. She looked him in the eye. "I'm sorry, it's not
right. You think we're married and we're not," she said sadly.
"I was wondering how long
it would take before you stopped me." He said with a twinkle in
his eyes. He didn't realize that he was holding his breath until he
released it. Max took her in his arms. "You're really something,
do you know that?" He said admiringly.
Fran's mouth dropped wide open
and she stared at him almost uncomprehendingly. "MR. SHEFFIELD!
You were faking?" Fran cried, getting out of his embrace.
"When...why..." She sputtered.
"Well," he said rather
sheepishly. "Um, well my memory returned after my nap last week."
He took her in his arms again. He was slightly embarrassed about being
so busted. "Well, I thought I would have a little fun with you.
I wanted to get you back for pretending that you had amnesia a couple
months ago." He looked hesitantly down at her. Max was, in a perverted
way, very pleased at the stunned look she gave him. Her mouth was wide
open and she was blinking rapidly in surprise.
"Mr. Sheffield. Do you
know what you put me through this week? Don't you know it took all my
will power not to make love to you? I...I didn't want to take advantage
of you while you weren't of your right mind," she said a little
shyly pulling out of his embrace again. She cast her eyes down, as she
was a little embarrassed at admitting that she wanted to have sex with
him.
He smiled tenderly at her.
"Yes." He took her gently back into his arms. "Your absolutely
sterling character made me realize once and for all how incredibly much
I am in love with you." He whispered as he nuzzled her neck softly.
"I knew then and there that I love you more than I could ever believe
possible. Do you know how devastated I was that you weren't in my bed
when I woke up that morning?" He confessed as he cuddled her closer
to him. "I've never wanted to make love to a woman more than I
did that morning...more than I do now." He said as he kissed her
passionately. "I'm sorry I played with you. I just couldn't resist
getting back at you a little." He whispered. "Please don't
be angry with me." He pleaded as he kissed down her neck. You don't
know how hard it was for me to sleep with you this last week either.
There were several nights that I almost gave in and told you the truth.
I think this way was more fun though.
Yeah, right. Like I could
be mad when he's doing that, she thought happily. Fran kissed him
suddenly. For the first time in a week she doesn't feel guilty as the
awesome feelings surge through her lower regions. Max groans and pushes
her gently on her back. He gets on top of her pressing himself into.
Fran cries out softly which only makes him kiss her more frantically.
"Fran darling, before
this goes any further, will you make me the happiest man on earth and
marry me?" he whispered looking deeply into her eyes.
"Well, I'll have to think
about it." She smiled as his eyes opened wide. "Gotcha."
She batted her eyes at him. "Of course I'll marry you Maxwell,"
she murmured kissing him.
Max raised his eyebrows. "Oh,
'gotcha'...huh? Well, Miss Fine, we'll see who says 'gotcha.'
He turned her over and kissed her passionately. "I'm going to be
the one who says gotcha last he whispered. In fact woman, spread your
legs," he said a little playfully.
Fran looked at him in complete
astonishment. "What?" she whispered not believing what he
said.
He smiled at her, a twinkle
in his eyes. Max purposefully spread her legs apart which caused her
to gasp. "Oh Mr. Sheffield," she whispered.
Max got on top of her and kissed
her ears and neck. He worked his way to her breast where he lingered
for a while. Slowly, methodically he worked his way down her body, which
caused Fran to moan. This encouraged him to continue. Since the moment
he met her, Max had wanted to do one thing. He was ecstatic that the
time was finally here. His tongue found that very receptive spot between
her thighs. Fran whispered his name in ecstasy. Her hips frantically
pressed up into his torturing maneuvering. Her hands found his thick
head of hair and grasped it desperately. She begged him to stop, terrified
that he would. She didn't want to come without him. He continued relentlessly.
His goal was for her to climax, since he didn't know how long he would
be able to control himself after he entered her. It had been quite a
while since he'd been with a woman, and he wanted to make sure that
this woman was satisfied.
Finally Fran cried out his
name her body shuddering uncontrollably. Max kissed his way back up
her body. He perched over her looking into her face lovingly. Her eyes
were still tightly closed as the spasms were dissipating. When he saw
the sublime _expression on her face, there was no doubt in Maxwell's
mind that he had satisfied her. Suddenly he couldn't wait any longer;
he had to have her now. He got on top of her and glided easily into
her wet silkiness.
Fran opened her eyes in rapture.
She was a little surprised to see he green eyes staring into her hers.
She mumbled his name as he pressed himself in all the way. He cried
out softly as he felt her muscles involuntarily convulsing around him.
He tried to control his ejaculation, but the feeling of her massaging
relentlessly pulled his essence out of him. "Oh
god!" he moaned as he released explosively in her. He whispered
her first name over and over.
Fran wrapped her legs tightly
around him thrusting up into him one last time. She was incredulous
that she was experiencing what she had only read about...multiple orgasms.
Max rolled over and pulled
her on top of him. He was overjoyed that he satisfied her so stupendously.
He gathered her into his arms and held her tightly. They were both trying
to regain some semblance of normal breathing. After several minutes
Max looked tenderly at her and was able to gasp..."gotcha."
The End
I hope you enjoyed my joint effort with Céline and Sara. We had a blast writing it!