Title: Only The Lonely
Chapter Title: Fantastic Fulfillment
Author: Restive Nature
Disclaimer: I do not own the rights to Dark Angel. They belong to Cameron/ Eglee. No infringement is intended and this fiction is for private enjoyment only.
Rating: NC-17
Genre: Fan Fiction
Type: Romance, Humor
Pairing: Max/ Alec
Summary: A remake of the "Pretty Woman" movie, with Max and Alec in the lead roles.
Spoilers/ Time line: This takes place pre-series. Due to the nature of the fiction, some information will be different, but should not overly affect the fiction.
Feedback: Always welcome!
Distribution: Ask first please.
Chapter Ten
Fantastic Fulfillment
Alec was right about what he had surmised earlier. From the moment 511 had walked into his suite at the hotel, he knew they were on the edge of all hell breaking loose. Max and 684 had been finishing up their preparations after supper, hiding out in the bedroom until Biggs was to show up. Alec had heard Max mutter something about making an entrance and the nervous Sabine had apparently, eagerly agreed with her. He had obligingly answered the door for them and desultorily invited his friend and unit mate in, giving no hint of what was to come. Biggs was in an affable mood. The change of plans that Sabine and Max had dictated were no problem to him. And as he chatted with Alec, who happily passed him a stiff whiskey from the mini bar, he had no idea that his world was about to be rocked.
Max had come out first, looking lovely as she always did. She had chosen to wear a shorter dress that evening. Once again black, but tight all the way around. She had covered up her bare arms and shoulder with a red snazzy little jacket covered in sequins. And while Alec was enjoying the effect of the matching heels she was wearing that made her long legs appear that much longer, he was actually looking forward to seeing the rest of Sabine's transformation.
He was sure that Max had given her some pointers on making that said entrance, because it was a very poised, much more self possessed 684 that came out of the bedroom. The girls from Tiente's had done their job well and the dress that Max had found for her on their shopping excursion fit her like a glove. And Alec knew that if he hadn't seen 684 in camo pants before this, he would have sworn that she didn't have legs. But it wasn't that that caught his friend's attention, it was the cleavage factor.
The drink half way raised to Biggs' mouth came to an immediate halt as his friend stared at the girl calmly ignoring him in favor of retrieving her purse. Like Max, she was dressed in black, her dress just as form fitting, but Sabine had opted not to cover up her assets with a little jacket. In fact, they'd even gone so far as to dust a light sheen of silver glitter, across her chest. It was subtle, but caught in the light every so often. That it was also on her arms and shoulders made the effect less crass. It also matched the silver doohickey that had been place in her up swept hair.
Alec was amused to find that they girls were ignoring them completely, continuing a conversation from before that he and obviously Biggs had no knowledge of. It was only when Max turned to him and asked if the limousine was there, did the males get their chance to join in. Unfortunately, the girls were talking about some young women that they had not had the pleasure of meeting yet and they weren't deigning to fill them in on what it was all about. Alec settled his drink on the table and took Biggs' from him before offering his arm to Max. And then with a subtle wit, offered the other to Sabine, leaving Biggs to trail along behind them. Once at the elevator, Sabine shot him an amused and appreciative glance. And Alec was surprised to note that there was just the slightest bit of trembling in her fingers that rested on his inner arm. So whatever Max had cooked up for, she was a little but unsure. But at least it wasn't visible to anyone else. Because with a glance back at Biggs, he sure as hell wasn't putting his mind into reading anything but the most overt of body language right then.
They foursome made it down to the lobby, drawing attention from the staff once again. But they ignored it, heading for outside. Jed, the evening doorman made a sweet comment to the girls that had them laughing and flirting just a little while the males cleared their throat. Their driver of the evening was standing by and helped the young ladies into his vehicle and when it was Sabine's turn, Alec heard a small groan from his friend.
"What the hell is she thinking?" Biggs demanded, sounding half tortured, half angry. Alec bit off the smart reply that had immediately come to mind. There was no way he was going to clue in his obviously clueless friend. If 511 couldn't read 684's intention, since they were glaring like neon, then he wasn't going to spoil the show and do it for her. This was going to be most amusing to watch.
Once again, the girls fairly ignored them as they talked about the gossip the Tiente girls had been sharing with them about the play they were about to see that evening. Alec could see Biggs was starting to get hot under the collar as Max and Sabine discussed the actors in the lead roles and then switched to discussing the movie that had been referenced that afternoon. Max was plenty more knowledgeable about pre-pulse movies than Sabine was, but 684 played that off that her parents hadn't wanted her watching television or movies, having a very strict upbringing.
It fit well with the persona she'd been presenting to the world at large up until Max had taken her in hand and Alec could see that Max was content about that explanation. That led to a discussion of her friend Kendra's religious upbringing, though Max allowed that she was too polite to come right out and ask. But she did wonder sometimes. That led of course to a theological discussion that Alec and Biggs were finally able to join in on, though they all seemed to discover that none of them were of a particular religious bent. Surprising to none of them really, for exactly the same reasons, though they all didn't know that about one member of the foursome, nor she of them.
At last they arrived at the theater and joined the small throng of people at the admission gate. Their tickets from the Cale's were held off to the side and Alec sent Biggs to claim them, thinking rightly that his friend needed a moment to recollect himself.
"It's a dangerous game you're playing tonight Sabine," he warned with more than a hint of amusement in his voice. Sabine simply grinned and shivered lightly in the cool evening air.
"I don't know what you're talking about Alex," she sighed although her eyes were twinkling merrily. "I just felt like a little change is all."
"Yeah, we can ALL see that," he muttered appreciatively, eying her once more.
"Hey, don't blame a girl if she needs a little get back," Max warned him lightly, taking up Sabine's defense. Alec's left eyebrow quirked up in silent question and Max tilted her head. "If Biggs is going to be reverting to type, then I think Sabine's entitled to have a little fun too." She seemed to realize then that she was being a little harsh and softened her tone. "I mean, I know he's your friend, but..."
"Hey hey," Alec held his hands up in a gesture of peace. "Just 'cause he's my friend doesn't make me blind to the fact that he's an idiot half the time. I just want Sabine to think about what she might be starting here." His eyes slid to the other woman and from the pensive look on her face, she definitely realized that the warning he was giving her meant more than just the typical boy girl relationship, but to think about what Manticore would have to say about two of their operatives getting involved. She surely did get it, because she gave him a shaky nod on an even shakier breath.
"Oh look," Max interrupted the moment of silent communication between them by nudging her friend's arm. "There's Bennett. Why don't you go say hello?"
Sabine glanced over at the group of people that Max had indicated. seeming unsure, but, the game had begun and it seemed that she decided she might as well play it out. With a grateful smile towards them, Sabine steeled herself, pasted a smile on her face and began advancing on the other man. Max watched her go for a moment and then turned back to Alec. "You're worried about them, aren't you?" she demanded softly. Alec glanced down at her, surprised that she had read him correctly. Even if she didn't know the full implication of why.
"They're my friends," he offered simply. "I don't want either of them to get hurt."
"But they both will be," Max decided, "even if nothing else happens tonight. Emotions are funny that way."
"They are," Alec agreed heavily, even though he wouldn't admit to himself that it was more than 511 and 684 he was referring to.
"I know it would be a hell of a lot easier not to have them, but we just don't have that luxury," Max sympathized. Alec simply nodded and wrapped one arm about her waist. Instead of pursuing that thought though, another occurred to him.
"Hey, what about Marianne?" he wanted to know suddenly. To his relief, Max giggled softly.
"It was actually her idea," she informed him. "She was helping us pick something out for Sabine and suggested she use Bennett since she wasn't going to be here tonight. Bennett's in on it. Even if he's not all that comfortable with it," the last remark was made in reference to the very noticeable gulps that Bennett was making, as well as the nervous tugging at his suit collar. Of course, that could have been because the tie he'd worn was knotted too tightly. But Alec didn't think so.
When Biggs returned to the group, the tickets clutched in his hand, ready to be distributed, he glanced around quickly, his customary grin fading slightly when he made the connection that one of their numbers was missing. And neither Alec nor Max seemed all that concerned about it. Biggs handed over the tickets and Alec simply threw him a smirk that could have been a thanks, or as Biggs was more aware, was a 'I know something you don't,' indication.
Biggs emotions were all over the place and it was only because Alec had known him for so long that he was able to discern it. But it soon was becoming apparent to Max, if the knowing smile hovering around her lips was any indication.
“Where'd Sabine run off too?” he asked with deceptive calm, but Alec saw the little vein under his jaw was throbbing awfully hard. And the clipped tone? Yeah, he was gritting his teeth, just a little.
“She's saying hi to Bennett,” Max pointed out, though she kept her gesture in their direction more discreet. Probably had something to do with the clutch purse in her hand, since the other was hooked through Alec's arm, as he stood casually with hands in his trouser pockets.
“Bennett?” Biggs asked, a little stupidly and twisted his head to look in the general area that Max had indicated. Alec had to hand it to 684. She was playing it up for all that she was worth. Whatever she had said to Bennett had relaxed him, or amused him, probably both, since he was chuckling as 684 brushed something off of his shoulder. He glanced down at the offending area as 684's hand lingered for a moment and then his glanced flickered towards her friends. In what would seem like a deliberate snub, he turned his back to them and gestured towards the front of the theater. Sabine's rich, throaty laughter floated through the air to them and the vein in Biggs temple joined a staccato throb in counterpoint to the one in his jaw.
“What the hell is she playing at?” he hissed, through clenched teeth.
“I wouldn't worry,” Max offered quietly, benignly, though she took Bigg's preoccupation with his partners flirtation, for a surface thing only. “Marianne told us that she wouldn't be able to make it, but Bennett was afraid of his mother's disapproval, since he had encouraged Marianne to go to her family event. We promised her that we'd keep an eye on him.”
“Oh?” Biggs sounded somewhat relieved, much to Alec's amusement, because Max had chosen that moment, while he was still distracted to wink at him. “Well, that's nice.”
“Mmhmm,” Max agreed. “Of course, I guess she kind of worries about his father's influence over him at these sorts of things.”
“His father's...” Biggs looked obviously confused now and Alec only had the slightest glimmer of what Max was trying to achieve here.
“Trying to live up to his father's reputation, I guess,” Max chuckled and when Biggs whirled on her to demand she out and out say what she meant, Max made a little moue. “Oh I'm sorry. Bennett and Marianne are so nice. I really shouldn't be carrying tales.” She turned away from Biggs then and looked up at Alec. “Shall we go find a drink? Or our seats?”
“A drink sounds excellent,” Alec agreed, finally picking up on the whole treatment.
He held out his arm to her and with their tickets in hand moved forward into the theater, strolling past Sabine and Bennett. Max gave the girl a wink and a discreet thumbs up as they passed them by. Alec had seen at once what she had done, by offering up those tidbits to 511. And then she had immediately turned and declared that she couldn't talk about it. And he couldn't force her to without looking like a complete boor, or jerk. Alec wanted to chuckled, but concern over the pair of them and why on earth they were willingly playing along in this dangerous charade that they knew couldn't survive Manticore, kept him from it.
But then, at the same time, 494 also knew that Manticore couldn't control everything. Not as much as they purported to or desired to. Not events in the world and not even it's own operatives. As they approached the bar and Alec maneuvered he and Max through the crowd, he caught sight of their hosts, holding court. As soon as they spotted the young couple, both Jonas and Margo brightened and with a few words, made room for them. Jonas of course was pompous as usual, and Alec was able to grunt out a few casual phrases that kept the older man placated. It was the tittering laughter between Max and Margo that had him interested.
“I see Bennett is playing his role well tonight,” Margo preened, taking on Bennett's kindness to help out as her own.
“He is,” Max agreed benignly. “At least Sabine is relaxing a little.”
“Oh, poor dear,” Margo moued instantly, her drink held aloft in her hand as she glanced at where her son, Sabine and Biggs were entering the theater. The former two were conversing easily while Biggs trailed along, a thunderous look on his face. “Was she still unsure about this?”
Max didn't comment, simply shrugging and taking a drink of the cocktail that Alec had passed her. It was pink and fruity and he had to repress a smirk when her eyebrow went up at the first taste, and not in a pleased way. But she swallowed and softened her face again. And then she sighed, shifting her stance a little. “All our pep talks don't mean much if she doesn't believe in herself at all.” She watched the other couple plus one, as Margo and Alec and a few others watched her. “She might pull it off tonight,” Max commented sadly, and then turned back to the older woman. “but it's something she needs to be aware of all the time. What good will tonight do if she allows things to go back to the status quo tomorrow morning?”
“Mmm,” Margo nodded. “And you think she will?” Alec was surprised, that the older woman actually sounded sympathetic, for real this time.
“I hate to say it,” Max smiled gently, including Alec in her glance, “but yeah. The habits of a lifetime are very difficult to break. Unless you have a miraculous change in your circumstances.”
Margo nodded at that and then wrapped one arm around Max's shoulders and pulled the girl close to squeeze against her, her cheek pressed against Max's ear. “Oh dear, you are such a good friend,” she crooned. “Well, we'll just have to hope for the best, won't we?”
“That's all we can do,” Max agreed. And then the two women broke apart and Max chuckled. “Now tell me, what is Marianne seriously up to tonight? I can't believe she was so sweet as to give up this play, after she was going on and on about the lead.”
“Oh yes,” Margo tittered. “She doesn't like being made a liar,” the woman shrugged. “So she actually is visiting with her parents. She quite liked your idea about the flowers, so she and her mother are going over some ideas. And did I remember to thank you about that? The wedding planner was about ready to tear her hair out!”
“I do what I can,” Max simpered and Alec, seeing that their conversation was turning back to the silly dismissive topics of society women, tuned them out a little. He turned slightly, having tracked and was still tracking the gentlemen's conversation, now checking up on Biggs and Sabine. They were all part of another group, one that Alec saw with relief that included the Marchmont's, their marks.
And despite her having no clue about what 494 and his unit and team mates were really up to, Max had reassured him once again about this entire debacle. Yes, he had the right to be concerned that 684 and 511 were bringing trouble upon themselves by pursuing whatever it was between them. But at the same time, he could see that in a way, they were also playing their roles. They were using these problems to continue their in, with the crowd and certain people that they had needed to be close to. And once again, with no effort on her part, Max had been the one to orchestrate this. He was amazed that everything seemed to be falling together so easily. She had even provided them with an out, where it mattered for down the road. If there were ever a reason to have to return to Cale Industries, excuses wouldn't exactly have to be made. Alec reminded himself to take 684 and 511 aside later, when they were alone and pass this along and kind of gage where their heads were. As team leader, it was his responsibility.
Reassured now that things would work out, or they wouldn't, on the public front of the matter, Alec tuned back in to the conversation around him with a muted pleasure. He always liked accomplishing things, even if it was just a decision in his mind.
“Back with us now, Alex?” Jonas chuckled. Alec swirled the bourbon over ice in his glass and took a small sip.
“Just musing how quickly the weather changes,” Alec hinted broadly, glancing once more at his friends and then clapping Jonas on the shoulder. “Just happy that it's not my little yacht that's rocking.”
The assorted gathered men laughed along with him and someone else asked Jonas a question, while 494 made a quick reassessment. Jonas seemed fairly canny when his attentions weren't engaged after extracurricular tail and he would want to step carefully for a little while.
But finally, after not too long, it was time to take their seats. Alec moved to escort Max and was surprised when she clutched at his arm a little tighter than she usually did. “Everything okay?” he asked as she glided along beside him as they followed the crowd.
“It's fine,” she demurred, but he could see in her face that all was not well. But at her glance once more at Sabine, walking a little stiffly, well almost being dragged along by Biggs' side, that perhaps he might understand.
“They'll be okay, you know,” he whispered as they were directed to their seats by a helpful usher.
“I know,” Max agreed quickly as she looked up at him. “It's just...” she paused, waiting for the usher to move on, before she spoke again, quietly, just for his ears. “I like your friends. And I just wish...” she shrugged one shoulder and seeming shy, glanced towards the stage and the movement around the front of the building. “It'd be nice to see how it all turns out. But it's okay,” she forced herself to chuckle. “That's life, right?”
All at once, 494 did understand. He understood very well, realizing that despite being from such different walks of life, that he and Max were quite similar. They were both alone in the world, but for the puppet masters that pulled their strings, directing them here or there, unable or not allowed to make connections beyond a moment. Trolling themselves out to the highest bidder to earn simple rights like food and shelter. In his case, it was always the same. Manticore controlled everything he did, or had a hand in the decisions that he made, by nature of their instructions and teachings. For Max, she might like to think that she was in control of her life, but as long as she was living the lifestyle she was, there was always the possibility that things would go south. That one of her tricks would only pretend to play by the rules.
The thought scared the crap out of him and his arm was wrapped around her, pulling her closer before he even realized what he was doing. And the fact that she seemed grateful for the support, snuggling in closer to him, in what didn't seem an act, but true relief in his physical comfort, scared him even more. Just as 684 and 511 could only continue this, whatever they had, as a charade presented to society, could he, 494 could not allow himself to be further engaged by this prostitute at his side.
It was an uncomfortable thought that tainted the entire evening.
*****
The thoughts that had chased 494 the entire evening at the theater didn't leave, even as the limousine service dropped off his partners at their hotel. The goodbyes between them were curt, even as 684's words were soft to Max, as the two women promised to get together for a late lunch the next day. As soon as the vehicle pulled away again, they lapsed back into silence.
494 regarded the woman at his side, without looking directly at her. Max had seemed, on the surface to enjoy the theater, laughing at some of the more obscure jokes and sallies by the actors and holding her breath pensively as the drama played out. She was an amazing thing to watch and 494 wondered if she had ever, even being trained by Carlton, what chance she'd ever had to truly enjoy things like this in her life. He was happy, on some level that he was able to use his position, being Manticore's assassin he could provide these things for her. To make her life a little brighter, as he did his own by indulging where he could. And it struck him that it was alright. He knew the truth of the situation. She knew some, and they were both realists enough to realize that they could have some happy, even if it was just for a little while. There was enough crap in life, whether in their situations or others, that they should grab at what they could when they had the chance.
To that end, 494 leaned forward slightly and pressed the button for the intercom to the driver, as the darkly shaded partition glass was raised. “I'm feeling in the mood to drive for a little bit,” he announced in the bored tone of the fantastically rich, one used to having his every whim indulged. “Why don't you take us on a little tour of the city?”
“Yes sir, Mr. Spaulding,” the driver responded immediately and with a little underscored humor in his voice.
Leaning back in his seat, 494 felt a smirk playing at his lips as Max looked on, a questioning gaze on her face.
“Not tired?” she asked quietly and he shook his head, the smirk becoming a predatory leer. “Oh,” she murmured softly as his hand reached slightly to trace the line of her dress across her chest, reveling in the feel of her soft skin under his slightly rougher fingers. There was something in her eyes that was like liquid in the muted lights of the city street lights that in turn illuminated their seats for moments before fading before they passed the next and the next.
Max sat in her seat, quietly contemplating where her life was at and the things that she had been missing for so long. But when Alex had commanded the driver to take them on a “tour” of the city, she was brought back to herself. Remembering what she was, what she was here for, she was slightly startled at the feeling of regret that passed through her. She had almost wished that she could really be here, Alex's girlfriend, living the high life, making friends that she would see beyond the end of the week.
But that just wasn't meant to be. All she had was the here and now and it was up to her to make the best of it. So, recognizing the look in his eyes and putting away the sharp pang of disappointment that she didn't have a larger slice of the life she was enjoying so thoroughly, she shut the avenue with a slam of the door, figuratively thinking, of course and turned her attention to where it was needed.
But when she reached for Alex, his hands stilled hers. She was puzzled slightly as he shook his head, his voice silent, his eyes wicked as he moved to the floor. She had little idea of what it was that he wanted. But as he leaned forward and his lips descended to softly brush against her collarbone, she could not control the shiver of lust that descended on her. Her hand came up to hold the back of his head as he swept light kisses over her skin, leaving a slight trail of moisture just above her neckline, low as it was.
His hands, at first braced at her sides as he knelt before her, started moving around, wedging themselves in between her and the seat. Max squirmed forward a little and stilled a slight gasp as his finger darted up underneath her jacket and nimbly pulled the tiny zipper loose and then slid in to caress the sensitive skin at the base of her spine. Her dress, loose now, began to slip, but it didn't go far, as her arms were up, her fingers entwined in his soft locks. Alex seemed pleased as his questing lips dipped lower, unerringly finding one of her nipples that was straining against the material. Max was suddenly glad that the dress had a built in support system, as a bra would have ruined the lines.
Her head moved back, elongating her lines and she groaned softly into the sensations that Alex was slowly bringing out. His hand continued to rub at her lower back, but his other was moving around her waist, over her hip and down her leg, to catch at the hem of her dress. A few tugs had the material lifted and then his hand was gliding up her thigh, tingling over the silky material of her stockings. He brushed against her bare thigh and through slitted eyes, she saw his smirk re-emerge as his fingers deftly undid the snaps that held the garters to her belt. He removed his other hand from her back and pulled out the other from under her skirt to grasp at her hips, pulling at her lower body.
“Alec, what-?” she began, but he shook his head, leaning forward to quiet her, nipping gently at her jaw.
He turned his head just slightly to whisper in her ear, “just feel like making one of your fantasies come true tonight baby.”
She had to think a moment, before remembering what she had teased him about the first time they had ridden in the limo, how she had wanted to. But that had been a one off comment and certainly nothing that she had defined a plan for. If she had, it probably would have been her riding the hell out of him and not this soft play of him over her. But she had to admit, the slow swelling and movement, so self assured and strong and in charge was a blessed change, but a dangerous one as well.
But, Max reminded herself, he was paying her damn well to go along with his wishes. And she knew, not really from experience, but a lot of hearsay, that some guys got off on pleasing a woman. And when they did it as well as Alex did, Max moaned slightly as she felt his finger return, sweeping over her satin covered core. She could feel herself growing wetter by the moment, thinking, only barely hoping that she'd found a guy that, like she had thought the very first time she had been with him, was as giving as he paid her to be.
If she got to enjoy herself in the process of earning her rent money, well wasn't that the secret to financial security, to love the job you were doing. Not that love was a four letter word that she could indulge in, but he was getting damn close as his fingers hooked the lacy edges of her underwear and with a few gentle tugs, had her lifting her hips, her feet braced on the floor as he drew the fabric from her body. She barely noticed as he stuffed the material in his jacket pocket, before he pulled away to remove said jacket. She wanted to lean forward to help divest him of the rest of his clothing, but he seemed to see the intent in her eyes and shook his head, that irresistible smirk hovering on his face. He caught her hands quickly and settled them back at her sides. She strained just a moment before letting her hands go slack and sure that she would behave, Alex moved back to his ministrations.
He bunched the fabric of her dress up, positioning himself between her thighs and Max scooted up again to allow the extra material out of his way. He pulled her to the edge of the seat so that her head and shoulders reclined against the back of the seat. It was slightly awkward, but Max could have cared less as Alex's lips returned to her heated thighs, skimming kisses, moist and hot along her skin. His large hands held her hips down as she squirmed, waiting for the first contact she was rapidly coming to desire. Her eyes fluttered shut as she wondered at how easily he manipulated her body, coming to know her so better than any other man she had known. Whether in work or the very rare time of her own play.
And at last his tongue darted out, the tip of it taking a brief foray, just the barest taste of her swollen flesh. She jumped slightly, as if electrified. Her hands clenched against the seat once more before she forced herself to relax as Alex chuckled over her reactions.
“That's right baby,” he whispered approvingly as she stilled, waiting for his movements. And then, to her surprise, instead of slowly building her up, his mouth covered her mound, sucking her clit with a surprising intensity that had her crying out, one hand flying to her mouth, clenched, to stem the sudden sounds. “Uh uh,” Alex uttered, barely moving away to shake his head slightly. “Let me hear it Maxie.” His tongue took a long slow swipe against her and Max panted as his hand reached for hers, bringing it to his head. Slightly relieved, she let her fingers dive into his hair again, finding something to clench as he pressed her thighs further apart. He began a slow exploration around her mound, teasing her clit before at long last he allowed himself to drench his tongue with her honeyed liquid.
Max was panting, gasping under his ministrations, wishing for once that she could let herself go, in the unexpected way of using her Manticore given strength the flip the poor guy on his back and ride the hell out of him, desperate for release. But she held herself back for several reasons. One, she couldn't reveal herself and that mantra always played on her mind. The second, she knew that she was being given a gift. In a precious moment of unselfishness, this man was treating her like she mattered, just as he somehow always had. That she was more than her profession, more than Manticore had deigned for her to be. She had taken the first step, busting free from them. And while her existence wasn't the best on this earth, Alex was showing her in his own way that she was, could be, someone that mattered. Not just a nameless, faceless person in the crowd, to be looked down upon for the choices she'd made, nor the ones that had been thrust upon her.
She was startled by the moisture in her eyes that she had to quickly blink back, lest Alex see and wonder at. But he was thoroughly engrossed in his self appointed task, laving at her sex, his tongue circling her clit before he would tease at it with his teeth, gently, always gentle as he carefully and powerfully brought her to her climax. Her hands clenched convulsively again as she felt the gentle swell of orgasm breaking over her. She cried out again, softly moaning his name. Her name for him and she could feel the smile against her skin as she called his name. Alec.
He continued to lave at her as she came down, until she was shuddering under him, shivering at the intensity she had found. When his lips finally left her, to rest his head on her thigh as he regarded her slightly breathless form, she was enchanted, stilled completely by the emotion shining in his eyes. It made her want to cry, the nameless, unallowable for either of them, emotion. It was hard and she swallowed heavily as his thumb came up to wipe the tear that leaked from the corner of her eye. Her tongue darted out to moisten her lips, suddenly dry. What could she say?
But there were no words necessary, because Alec was suddenly moving again, slowly as his hands returned to her legs. Max watched as with a predatory smile, he reattached her straps to her stockings and then smoothed the front of her dress down a little. His hand reached into the empty space behind her, readjusting her clothing and pulling the zipper up. Max allowed it, since he seemed to want to take care of her for the moment and she couldn't have stopped him if she wanted to. Every once in a while, a great while, she had wanted someone to take care of her. That was her true fantasy, one that Alec was fulfilling, even if he wasn't truly aware that he was.
It was okay, she reassured herself, to indulge just a little. It wasn't really real, of course. And as long as she kept the end in mind, that she would walk away from him as he walked away from her, it was okay to just take a little right now. Just a little wouldn't hurt. She was a smart, streetwise woman of the world and she knew how it would play out in the end. But that was the end, not the here and now.
Alec retrieved his coat and instead of pulling it on, turned and climbed back onto the seat beside her, wrapping the coat around her shoulders. He carefully pulled her hair out from under the collar and as he did so, his knuckles brushed lightly against her cheek. Max couldn't control the small shiver at the contact and he was smiling again. He pressed a kiss to her temple and then pulled away to glance out the window. His amused smile met her soft, questioning one as he jerked his chin towards the outside world. Max followed his gaze, a little reluctantly and blinked as she recognized the hotel that the limo was just pulling up to.
Alec chuckled in her ear. “That was good timing,” he rumbled just slightly, subduing any louder noises. “He's certainly earned his tip tonight, hmm?”
She couldn't help the slightly hysterical giggle that bubbled up. She had almost completely forgotten about their driver and the fact that he probably had an exact idea of what they'd been up to. Not that she was shy. She'd had her share of experience with this sort of thing. Some guys, after all, got off on watching. She was just amazed that Alec had gone for it. She recalled having told Kiki that he seemed a little too vanilla for this sort of thing. But judging by the restrained tension in his body, maybe it got him off a little too.
Their limo driver was circumspect enough to simply park and wait for them. Rather than climbing out of the vehicle and perhaps revealing something that wasn't his right, to the rest of the world. But Alec simply checked to make sure that they had everything and slipped some cash out of his pocket, choosing some bills and settling them in the empty ash tray on his side, before he moved to open the door himself. He climbed out and then turned to hold his hand out for Max. She scooted forward again, making sure that her dress came down, as it was supposed to, to cover herself, clutching her purse in her other hand and took Alec's proffered hand.
He helped her out of the limo, pushing the door shut behind her and then wrapped his arm around her shoulders, holding her as closely to his side as could be allowed. As they stepped together up onto the curb, the evening door man hurried to assist, doing the job he was paid for. But something about the couple seemed to emanate from them and the man found himself smiling fondly at them.
“Did you enjoy your evening Mr. Spaulding, Ms. Guevara?” he asked politely. He fought back a chuckle as the young lovers glanced at one another, smiles playing on their lips.
“With Maxie?” Mr. Spaulding grinned and then winked at the man. “Always.”
With a nod, the door man, Jed, found that he was not the only one watching them as they made their way through the lobby. They seemed oblivious to the rest of the world around them as they snuggled closely, making their way amicably to the elevators, their strides evenly matched, everything about them screaming of another young couple happily in love with one another and the world at large.
There weren't many perks for a guy like Jed. Some days the weather of Seattle, most days, it left a lot to be desired. Tips could be sporadic, until a lady like Ms. Guevara came along. A woman who paid attention to the things and signs of life around her. Caring about him simply because he was another human being. And her little kindnesses made up for a lot of crap that he put up with, standing around for hours on end to perform a service that the majority of the world could do for themselves, all to maintain an old world air of respectability that the hotel prided itself on.
But seeing that look, it went a long way to reassuring Jed that despite what the world had come to these days, there was beauty there too.
Life In The Dark
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