MEREDITH'S POVA calm smile carved its way across the woman's face. She stood nearly 6 feet tall. In her hand, she carried a bottle of wine and topped off my almost empty glass again. Nodding in acknowledgement, I lifted my cup for another drink, keeping an eye on her as she chugged from the bottle. When did she get here? Why did she come here? I was furious. I just wanted to be left alone. "So why are you hiding behind a plant? Don't you enjoy dancing?" she asked. "I'm not one for dancing," I replied, frowning beneath the mask. "I was never taught quite how to dance for grand events like this."She seemed amused, the smile taking on a sardonic cast. "Grand? House Crawford's balls are of high quality, yes, but 'grand' may be too generous," she spoke while her eyes looked around the area. "Bode Crawford is a beast of a man. But he tries to compensate for what he's lacking, if you know what I mean, by ensuring to paint how rich
MAXIMILIAN'S POVI found myself feeling apprehensive. I hadn't seen Meredith since I saw her kissing that man at the hotel in Las Vegas. I adjusted the top buttons of my jacket while looking at the multiple flat screens that decorated the walls of the private area I occupied. I felt conflicted between the amazing woman I shared an unforgettable night with and the woman I witnessed the following morning entertaining another man. There had to be two Merediths. Perhaps she had an identical twin I didn’t know about. I clenched my teeth tightly in my head. I became lost in a whirlwind of laughable scenarios. I just couldn't shake the fact that maybe I was overreacting. I decided on the spot that when I met her tonight, I would confront her and let her give me her side of the story, but the universe said, fuck you Maximilian as my eyes landed on the screen in the middle showing a woman and a guy getting cosy behind a big ugly potted plant. The woman was donned in a white dress, and she w
MEREDITH'S POVI was still feeling flushed from that kiss with Blake. I sensed that she was an appealing woman, full of intrigue and excitement. I wish I didn't have to go through with this auction, and I was free to do what I wanted, but I knew what was at stake and I would rather die than leave Brenda trapped in those clutches of that fucking wicked man. As if the devil heard his name, he strolled into the bedroom I was in. Mary left us alone so we could talk. "Ah, if it isn't the virgin," he laughed heartily. Another fellow shuffled in behind him. He was wearing an old suit that was in dire need of a dry-clean. "This is my attorney, Mr. Wayland. He will go over the contract with you to make sure I'm not tricking you.""No need to do that, Mr. Fuller. I had already had someone review it for me.""Really?""Yes," I replied. Brenda got me a copy, and she sent it to Paxton, whose lawyer looked it over and said all was well. Paxton was such a nice guy, and he was really into Brenda, b
MAXIMILIAN'S POV"Paxton, tell me what you've got," I demanded. The auction was about to start, and my PI was late with the details I requested. Paxton held his phone in his hand, waiting impatiently for the email from Derek Russo. "Derek is so laid back, I don't understand why you didn't use Conner instead," Paxton shrugged. "I know Conner is more professional, but Derek has his ways of digging deep and going to whatever lengths he must go to get the information needed," I stated calmly even though I was panicking on the instead. Paxton refreshed the page. "It's here, finally," he beamed."OK, open it and tell me what it says," I requested, my heart beating fast inside my rib cage. I watched Pax's eyes roam the e-mail while his lips mimed whatever was in the report. His face went pale making my heart speed up even more. "I don't like that look on your face. What is it?" I asked. "Trouble," was all he said as he handed me the phone. "Read it yourself." "Let me see," I snatched th
MAXIMILIAN'S POVTo say I was nervous would be an understatement. There was a ruckus going on inside my stomach. Sweating intensely like a prisoner awaiting execution, I struggled with my racing thoughts that were blurring my vision. I was gripping the armrests tightly in an attempt to stabilize myself, but I just ended up with some chipped nails and skin burns. "You have to calm down," Paxton whispered near my ear. "You are making me nervous.""I just don't like when things aren't going my way.""Relax, you got this. Furthermore, your accountant arrived with the funds you asked for. Do you think it'll be enough?""I hope so. Obtaining two billion dollars in cash on such short notice wasn't easy. I had to use bitcoins to cash out this much money."With excitement, Paxton exclaimed, "TWO BILLION DOLLARS!" If it wasn't for the commentator speaking over the mic, then all eyes would have been on us. In order for my accountant to provide me with this much money, I had to threaten to fire
MEREDITH'S POVAs Mary extracted me from the tiny box, I didn't utter a sound or remember how to blink. She didn't say much as she removed the blindfold off my eyes. "Come," she beckoned. "Your new master wants me to give you a bath."New master? What the hell. I didn't like that term at all. "But I can bathe myself," I protested. "Yes I know Meredith, but this is my order. Now come," she said irritated. I reluctantly followed her to the bathroom and stepped into the tub of warm water that was drawn for me. My body felt tense as Mary's hands rubbed soap along my collarbone and my chest. She applied some body wash to my washcloth and handed it to me so I could wash my privates myself. She faced away from me to allow some privacy while I cleaned myself. Once I completed my bath, Mary provided me with a lovely pink baby doll dress and some mesh underwear to wear. These clothes were at least normal, and as if she could read my thoughts, she remarked, "The master selected these for you
MEREDITH'S POV Not a single ounce of emotion existed in those blue orbs. My heart ached, because the way Max was looking at me was nothing close to how he did when we first met. Everything about him now was dark and cold. He was exuding a sense of danger that sent even more chills down my bones. "That's what I am to you, a toy?" I spat. He lit up his cigar and took a puff from it. He narrowed his eyes while observing me. He took a few more puffs before putting the cigar in the ashtray. "Come here," he beckoned me closer, slapping his thigh to suggest I take a seat on his lap. I trembled and felt goosebumps forming on my skin. When I first encountered Max, I believed he was a kind-hearted angel. Gazing at him now, I recognized the devil lurking beneath his charming exterior, with his malicious intentions shining through. "No," I said, folding my arms across my chest and staying rooted in my place. "No!" He cackled. "I'm sorry, love, but I don't know what that word me
MAXIMILIAN'S POVI was lost in thought. Meredith's words echoed repeatedly in my mind. 'Hate me?' I should be the one to hate her after I opened my bed and heart to her, and what did she do in return? Stole the cheque right under my nose. Was it always about money for her? I startled when someone placed a hand on my shoulder. I turned to find Paxton behind me, gazing at me with a puzzled expression. "Shit, man, you startled me," I smirked as I took a drag from my cigar. "Sorry," he apologized. "Since when do you smoke?" He asked me. "Since I fell for someone who chewed me up and spat me out like I was chicken bone," I grunted, throwing the cigar bud in the fire. The wood crackled, and the flames flickered as I stormed to go plop on the couch. "What happened? You're all broody and irritated," Paxton mentioned. "I thought you'd be happy. You've got your girl, so why aren't you two riding off into the sunset?""I genuinely believed I would be able to forget that she took the cheque
MAXIMILIAN'S POV"Oh Max," Meredith whispered as she arched her back and rode me like she was a jockey and I was her stallion. My toes curled, while I tried my best not to explode too soon. Her sweet little pussy was squeezing the life out of my cock. She must have been born to ride dick because she was doing it like a fucking pro. "Meredith!" I moaned. "I don't want you to stop. Keep going," I begged her. I watched her through hooded eyes as she played with her nipples while she bit down on her lips. She rocked back and forth on my shaft like she was a rider at the rodeo. I was flabbergasted when she pulled me up into a sitting position, circling her hands around my neck. She slowed down, changing the tempo. Now she rotated her waistline slowly; more sensual. She made sure to gaze into my eyes as she did this. "Oh Max, you feel so big inside of me," she moaned, throwing her head back and chewing on her bottom lip. "I'm loving how you're filling up my pussy."Her dirty talk was a
MEREDITH'S POVI was breathing way too heavily as Max closed his bedroom door behind us. Why did my body have to react like this every time I was in a room alone with this man? My body tensed when he swift passed me and walked up to the closet. He opened the door and stepped inside. He shuffled around in there. I couldn't see him, but the sounds he was making in there told me he was taking off his suit. He emerged from the closet around two minutes later wearing a grey sweatpants and a black t-shirt. "You have eight minutes Meredith," his rough voice sounded. He plopped on the bed with his back leaning against the headboard and his eyes straining on me. "Make them count."I took a deep breath before I spoke. "I read something online, and I wanted to hear it from you.""You g00gled me?" He smirked. "You're a smart girl and should know that not everything you read on the internet is true.""I know that," I argued. "That's why I'm here, trying to get answers.""OK then. What's the ques
MAXIMILIAN'S POV"This weekend sucks ass," I complained to Paxton over the phone. I was angry with father for making such a rash decision, and with mother for wanting us to act like we were one big happy family. I didn't like acting. I prefer to tell the truth and be myself. I needed to blow off some steam and when I say steam, I meant make sweet love to Meredith. Her sleeping in Blake's room was the worst punch in the gut for the night. This wasn't how I saw us spending our first night here together. Blake, I scoffed. She had been wiggling her way in between us since the day I met her. Why did she have to be such a nuisance?"Yeah, well, what do you expect if I'm not there." Paxton's chuckles reminded me I was still on the phone with him. I was in a stupor, but not a drunken one. I was in a 'I miss and crave Meredith's company' one. "Ha ha. Very funny," I sighed. "So, where's my girl?" He asked. I could tell he was pulling my chain by the playful tone of his voice. "Who Brenda?
MEREDITH'S POV "Enough!" Mrs. McTavish shouted. "Surely, you three can spend one measly weekend with us and not fight like you are enemies," her voice broke, and I felt sorry for her. All she wanted was for her children to get along. Max relaxed in his seat with an embarrassed look on his face. Asher, however, still had that mischievous smirk plastered on his lips. "Your mother's right. If you two want to hash it out, then you'll do it when we go hunting tomorrow," their father announced. “Maybe bringing them around shotguns isn’t a good idea,” their mother sighed. "We're sorry, mother," Max apologized. "Don't cry mom," Genny added when she saw the older woman dramatically placing the back of her palm on her forehead and making sobbing sounds. Maybe I was sitting too far away because I didn't see one tear slide down her cheeks. "Mother we didn't mean to upset you," Asher let out. "I remember when you three were younger and that kid with the lisp, William pushed Asher do
MEREDITH'S POV"Don't look, but the ice queen is staring daggers at you right now," Blake whispered to me. I felt it, the burning stares on the tail of my neck. That Kimmy lady must be eyeing me with disdain right about now. "Alright Meredith, just relax," Blake mentioned, and I inhaled and exhaled. "Now laugh like I just said something funny." "What?" I mumbled. "Just follow my lead," Blake suggested as she held my palm, throwing her head back and laughing sweetly. What the hell. Might as well. I began giggling like an idiot, too. We were there laughing when all of a sudden I heard someone shout, "YOU'RE IN LOVE WITH HER!"I literally could feel Kimmy's gaze leaving the back of my neck. My skin almost felt cold. I guess she was staring at the person who had just yelled and disrupted the meal. I followed Blake's eyes as they settled on Genny, Max's sister. Mr. and Mrs. McTavish dropped their utensils onto their plates. Mrs. McTavish quickly wiped her mouth with a silk napkin befor
MAXIMILIAN'S POVThe wine was smooth as it trickled down my throat and into my gut. The air was getting thick, and the AC wasn't doing a great job of keeping my temperature down. Wearing this suit made me feel like I was stuck inside a furnace. I loosened my collar and tie. Furthermore, I couldn't believe father had promised Asher the company. I thought he would have at least called a family meeting so we could discuss who was the best fit to run the business after he retired. Asher was not ready. In fact, I didn't believe he would ever be ready for such a huge and important role. Genny also voiced her displeasure. However, mother quickly scolded us, saying this wasn't the right time or place for a debate. "That's enough children!" Mother scolded. "This is not a good time to discuss this. We have guests and besides, Max hasn't introduced Genny to his new girlfriend," Mother let out as she looked over at my date. Right, I needed to calm down before I smashed Asher's face on the tabl
MEREDITH'S POVI was bored out of my freaking mind sitting at this excessively large table with people who kept staring at me as if I were beneath them. "So Maribel what's your last name?" Mr. McTavish asked while he cut into his bloodied steak. His fork scraping over the crockery made a sound that reminded me of car drawing brakes. "Father, for the last time, her name is Meredith," Max emphasized to his dad while drinking his wine. I shot him the dirtiest look I could muster. I could fight my own battles. "I apologize for that son. I just want to get to know the woman who has stolen my firstborn's heart," Mr. McTavish snickered as he placed a piece of the meat in his mouth. He tossed his head up so he could look over at me. "So your family's name, Meredith." Specks of saliva flew as he spoke my name. Max's dad was smug for a little old man. Quite intimidating, too. He still displayed strong muscles along with a slight belly, but at over sixty years old, he looked really good. Now
MAXIMILIAN'S POVI felt victorious knowing that Kimmy had no effect on me. I believe I finally found the closure I needed after I pushed her into the pool. I'd come to see that she was just an opportunist. That night, as I headed home to share the news of my sixty-billion-dollar deal with her, I never got to tell her because I found her in bed with my brother. Asher and I had became a bit close the short while he lived with me. We kinda opened up to each other, so after he confided to me that mom and dad cut off his expenses, he begged me not to say anything to Kimmy because he was too embarrassed. The puzzle pieces were finally coming together. Asher likely informed Kimmy that he would inherit our father's company, which Kimmy believed had a higher value than my business. That was the only reason I could come up with for her cheating on me with him. I found myself laughing as I understood that Kimmy never truly loved me. She loved my money. And now that she knew I gained more weal
MAXIMILIAN'S POV I didn't realize that my feet were taking me to the door that led to the pool outside rather than the dining room. I suppose I could spend a few minutes calming down before enduring dinner with Asher and Kimmy. I rested my back against the bar counter, enjoying the refreshing night air. I couldn't get the images of Meredith in that peach silk dress out of my mind. She looked so delicious. She didn't know the extent of her effect on me; the fragrance of her bare skin, with no lotions or perfumes, was one of the finest, most intoxicating smells I've ever inhaled. I felt uncomfortable with Asher trying to bond with her so quickly. I figured he would try to hit on her simply to play games with me. I refused to let that happen. With a sigh, I ran my palms over my face. I quickly came to the conclusion that I wouldn't become any calmer than I was now. That was when I noticed the devil approaching me. Oh, God!! Why me? I would much rather be hit by a bolt of lightning