Intimate Illusions [The Callens 6] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) (15 page)

Max leaned over. “You ready to get out of here?”

Their flight wasn’t until 8:25 a.m., but she had packing to do. “I want to say good-bye to your mom.”

“I’ll see if I can drag her away from the crowd. If you go outside, you may spend forever talking with the patrons.”

How nice that he understood her need for some privacy. She leaned up and kissed his cheek. “You are the best, Max Callen.”

He disappeared, and Ian took his place. “Sure you don’t want me to come along to California?”

He gave her that hangdog look. “Of course I would, but someone has to take care of the ranch.”

“Max just wants you to himself.”

She tapped his chest. “I’ll be back. Don’t you worry.”

Ian didn’t seem to care that his cousins were standing behind him when he lifted her up and kissed her. She hadn’t expected the rush of endorphins to flood her system, but Ian was a great kisser and knew how to savor her body.

“Ian, put that young girl down.” Mrs. Callen’s tone almost sounded tired as if she’d said those words many times before.

Ian lowered her the inch to the ground. Even though her face heated up, she walked over to Mrs. Callen and held out her hand. “Thank you for everything.”

Mrs. Callen took her hand and pulled her into a bear hug. “Know that you’re always welcome in my home.”

The generosity and kindness in the room nearly did her in.

Max came to her side. “We’ve got to pack. I’ll be back in a few days. I imagine you’ll be seeing a lot of Ian for dinner.”

Their mom patted Ian’s hand. “He’s always welcome, but I do need you to stay and help Dustin and Colby dismantle the stage once all the patrons are gone.”

He groaned. “Do I have to? It’s Devonne’s last night.” She said nothing, but gave him a motherly stare down. “Okay, I’ll help.”

Hand in hand, she and Max snuck out the back and slid into his truck to go back to the house. The silence helped unknot the tension in her shoulders.

“You want to sit outside on the rocker and relax a bit before dinner?”

“Sure.”

“Go outside, and I’ll get us some wine.”

She did appreciate that Max liked the simple things in life. To her, rocking on a porch, going for a horse ride, and buying produce from fruit stands signified the life she yearned for. But to completely leave the fast-pace life wouldn’t be easy. She needed to work, and she needed to achieve. There were a lot of hurdles she wanted to jump before her time was up.

Max handed her a glass. “You look pensive.”

She forced a smile. “Do I?”

“Are you confused about something?”

“I guess I’m a little sad about leaving Intrigue, but I have another life in Los Angeles that needs some attention.”

“Let’s not worry about what we can’t change tonight. We can have a nice glass of wine and enjoy each other. Then, if you’re in a competitive mood, maybe you’ll let me beat you at chess.”

“You have the best way of looking at things.”

He polished off half his glass. “Thanks to you.”

She pointed to her chest. “Me? How?”

Max leaned forward. “It’s hard to explain, but when I saw how happy you and Ian were together, I realized I wanted some of that. I’m trying to let go of some of my issues. Most of them revolve around Ian.”

She let his words sink in. A puff of wind caressed her skin, and she closed her eyes, trying to absorb all the good this place had to offer. They must have sat in silence for fifteen minutes, but it gave her quality time to reflect.

“You ready to be beaten?”

She loved the challenge in his tone. “You are so gonna lose.”

Part of Devonne was happy to be back in Los Angeles and part was not. The best thing about returning was that Max was by her side. She never realized how much enriched her life was when she had someone she loved by her side.

Yes, she loved him. Sitting on the porch last night made her realize that a piece of her soul had been missing all these years. Traveling had taken a toll on getting close to anyone.

Max headed to the rental place. “I’m going to rent a car.”

“That’s silly. We can take a cab back to my house and use my car.”

He tapped her nose. “When we’re sitting across the street from your shop spying on the delivery truck, you don’t think your manager will spot you?”

Her shoulders sagged. “I didn’t think of that.”

He smiled. “That’s why you have me around. To protect you.”

From myself
.

They got the car with no problems. “You want me to drive?”

Max raised a brow. “If you’re trying to emasculate me, you’re doing a great job.”

“You don’t lack confidence.”

“Not usually, but I might if you try to take away my driver’s license.”

Once they got on the road, she had to direct him through the maze of freeways. The roads were congested as usual, and the traffic nearly came to a stop several times.

Max never took his gaze off the road. “Remind me never to move to LA. Give me the open plains any day.”

She laughed. “I hear ya.” Her stomach grumbled. “I don’t think I have anything good to eat at the house. Mind if we stop off at the farmers’ market?”

“Just tell me where to go. I’ll be your chauffeur for the week.”

She hoped he’d be more than just her driver. Having a lover and a protector would be a dream come true. If only Ian had been able to come, her life would be complete. Max found a parking place in front of the market on the first sweep.

The heat was a lot more intense than in Wyoming, and she hoped it didn’t dampen his mood too much. When they passed the entrance, Max stopped at the old timey gas pump. “This is remarkable.”

“I love the oil bottles the best.” She grabbed his arm. If he stopped to sightsee, they’d never get food. “You a pizza guy?”

“Can a cowboy rope a calf?”

“I’ve never seen you do that.”

“Actually, my sister, Sam, is the roping champion, and Ian’s pretty good with a rope, too, but give me a few tries and I can get the job done.”

There was so much to learn about this wonderful man. They ordered their own style of pizza and sat at the outdoor tables to enjoy the fare. “This tastes so good.” She licked her lips then wiped then clean.

“I guess you don’t have to watch your weight anymore.”

“Contrary to popular opinion, I’ve never really watched my weight. I probably could eat a horse a day and not get any fatter.”

He grinned. “That’s because it might take more energy to chew a whole horse than there are calories in one.” His humor grew every day.

They finished their meal before the midday heat set in. “Let’s get back to the condo, and we can shower and relax. I’ll be able to do a search from there as to when the next shipment is due.”

“Sounds like a plan.”

Unfortunately, the traffic was worse driving home, but that was the hazards of living in the city. She liked that her condo was located near the store since driving was a royal pain. She’d purchased her place not only for the location but because it had an underground parking garage. “There’s a spot. We are so lucky.”

He groaned. “I might visit here, but I wouldn’t want to live in a town this crowded.”

After seeing Wyoming, she tended to agree. They took the elevator up to her place. Inside, it smelled a bit stuffy. “Let me turn on the air conditioner to freshen up the place.” She adjusted the dial to make it a lot cooler. “I only have a one bedroom. I hope you don’t mind sharing my bed.”

Max put down his suitcase and stepped close. Her pulse shot into overdrive, and her pussy melted. His kiss was soft and gentle. Since she was tired, the pressure was just the right amount.

“Did you say something about a shower?” He licked his lips as if he wanted to savor her taste.

“I only have one.”

“Would you mind if we share? It’ll save water.”

Right
. Like he cared about that. He just wanted to get naked with her, but she had no problem with his plan.

Another reason she bought this condo was because of the large size of the shower. It came equipped with two showerheads, which she thought was overkill. Now she wasn’t so sure.

“No problem.” She tossed him a smile, picked up her cases, and headed into the bedroom. Max followed.

She’d just put down her case when he spun her around and planted a kiss on her. “I can’t get enough of you.”

They’d had sex two days ago. “Don’t you want to take a shower?”

His response was more kisses down her neck. “I need to get you naked.”

Naked was good. Since he liked to participate, all she did was kick off her shoes. Max could do the rest. He flung off her dress and peeled down her bra straps but kept the back hooked.

“Your skin is so soft.” He stroked her shoulders as he nibbled a path down to the top of her breasts.

Only having one of them naked wouldn’t do. She undid his belt, unsnapped and unzipped his jeans, and tugged them down over his hips. To her surprise, he wasn’t wearing any underwear.

“You’re a naughty boy.”

“I’ve been dreaming of this moment.” He slipped the straps lower and dragged down her bra until her tits popped out. His mouth devoured her nipples. She arched her back as tiny electric shocks sizzled up her spine.

His hand cupped her pussy. “I want all of you.”

“Get out of your clothes, and I’ll see about donating some of me.”

He grinned as he toed off his boots and stepped out of his jeans. His shirt floated to the ground a second later. “That better?”

She ran her hands down his rippled abs, but stopped short of touching his cock. His dick twitched. Too bad. He’d tormented her, and it was high time she returned the favor. Her hand brushed the tip, and his jaw tightened. Driving a man crazy might be fun. She stepped away from him and leaned over.

“Do you have anything to fill my ass?”

“You’re the match to my wick.”

“Ooh, a poet.” She giggled. Dear Lord, what had come over her? He’d turned her into a big flirt.

“I brought something to help you out.” A large zipper sounded. A jar opened, and a smell of mint filled the air.

She connected the dots. “Is that lube?”

“And a glass plug to help stretch you out.”

“You don’t want to come in my ass now?” She spread her cheeks. Never had she been this brazen, but on the flight over she decided he was the man she wanted to spend the rest of her life with.

“You couldn’t handle me.” Foil ripped, and she thought he’d change his mind. Latex snapped, not once but twice.

She looked behind her. A condom was on his very erect cock and a cot was slipped over his finger. He slathered cool mint on her puckered hole, and the rubbing alone got her hot. Okay, being with a naked Max got her hot, too. Knowing she was playing with fire didn’t stop her. Ever since she’d met Max and Ian, she’d entered a whole new world, one that she wanted to explore.

His finger dipped into her hole and slid passed the muscled ridge with ease. He made a circle with his finger over and over again as if he were trying to stretch her out.

He pulled out his finger, and then more mint scented the air. Something cold touched her ass. She hadn’t meant to tense, but her body had just reacted.

The slap took her by surprise, but it didn’t sting much. “What was that for? Am I’m bad now?”

“On the contrary. You’re being very good. I just want your rear to be tired enough to let go of its tension.”

“Maybe you should slap me again.”

His cupped hand came down on her ass with a tad more force. The quick sting heated her body. When she didn’t jerk, he must have considered it consent, for she received two more equal spankings.

Cascading ripples of warmth and pleasure dripped over her rear. “Ooh, nice.”

Max rubbed her ass then pressed the glass cock against her hole and threaded part of it in. The tip was a lot wider than his two fingers ever had been.

“That’s big.” She wasn’t frightened by its size. Curious about which sensations it would evoke was more like it. She wiggled her butt to help guide the plug in.

“You have a great ass.”

“I’m glad you like it.”

“I more than just like it.”

She was in midsqueal when he worked the plug in another inch. He kept pressure on the end. When she shifted her weight to the right, the glass hit some pleasure nerve and caught her by surprise. Maybe she’d been missing out on something wonderful by not engaging in this kind of activity before.

Max kept massaging her rear and back while he eased in the plug. When it was fully seated, he lifted her shoulders. The change in angle made the glass hit all sorts of divine nerve endings, and she smiled.

He turned her around and kissed her. “I see you’re beginning to understand the scope of possibilities.”

“Yes.” She wrapped her hands around his neck and returned the kiss. She dragged her lips down to his chin and gently nipped.