She, the Kingdom (She #1)(14)

“No.”

He sat back, relaxed and confident of my impending answer.

Ten minutes passed. I’d read over the contract twice. Also included amid the papers were two health questionnaires. One was filled out, the other blank. “What are these?” I asked.

“Please have that filled out and signed by your physician. You’ll see mine is completed for review.”

“It will likely be next week before I can get appointment. Maybe longer.”

“I’ll arrange it. Which doctor and at what time?” he said, tapping his phone.

My mouth hung open. His confidence was half fascinating, half daunting.

“Dr. Walton. And before the… um… preparations I suppose.”

“It won’t take long,” he said, still tapping at his phone. “Less than half an hour.”

My eyes poured over the questions. How many sexual partners have you had? How many times had you experienced unprotected sex? Had you ever been with a man who’s had sex with another man? Have you ever been an intravenous drug user? Are you currently using birth control? Have you ever experienced anal sex? Have you ever been diagnosed with an STD? Have you ever suspected you had an STD? Have you ever had sex, protected or unprotected, with a partner who had or suspected they might have or have had an STD?

“This sounds like an application for blood donation,” I said, my head spinning.

“Along the same lines,” he said, unfazed. “You’ll see I’ve answered all the same questions.”

I looked at his questionnaire. “You’ve never been with a man who’s been with another man. My curiosity is satiated.”

“Fantastic.” He put his phone away. “Your appointment is set. They’ll text you the details.”

I blinked. “Do you ever not get what you want?”

“Never.”

When I looked up from the signing page, Max was holding a pen, smiling wickedly. He may have controlled everything around him, but he was unable to conceal the joy my question created.

I stared at the dark gray metallic pen, and before I could talk myself out of it, I reached across the table.

After a hesitation that lasted less than a second, he withdrew. He took off his glasses and placed them on the table. “One more thing. It’s not mentioned in the contract, but something I would like to do before you sign, if you agree.”

“What?”

“To stand.”

I considered his request, and then backed away from the table in my chair, standing. He was about to be my boss again, but this time, the pay would be far better. This time he was oddly politer; more respectful.

He stood, rounding the chairs, and stood just two feet from me. I realized how tall he was when my forehead was inches from his chin. The wall was equidistant to my back as he was to my front, but I didn’t feel I was in danger. He exuded gentleness, and I knew whatever he was about to ask, I was going to enjoy.

“Your hair is still wet,” he said, as tender and complacent as he could manage.

“Yes?”

“You’ve showered recently, and I thought,” he licked his lips and pressed them together for a few seconds before continuing, “I thought I should have a taste, so we’re both sure.”

I breathed out a faltering breath, and then reached down, inching up my long skirt in my fists.

He tensed and held his breath. Once I had gathered my skirt at the apex of my thighs, Max let his breath escape, licked his fingers, and sunk his flattened hand between my skin and the cotton fabric. His index and middle fingers separated my skin as if he’d touched me a thousand times before, and he searched without penetrating, while his palm pressed against the top of my clit. His sure, skilled movements were enough to make me melt, but he took a step toward me, moving me against the wall. With his free hand, he reached down to spread my legs a bit further, making certain to drench his fingers in the wetness he’d created.

Just as I began to fight the urge to pull him against me, his hands left my skin, and his fingers went into his mouth.

I stood for a few awkward moments while I waited to be judged in the most vulnerable way. If he didn’t like the way I tasted, I didn’t want to know.

Max licked and sucked his fingers the way I was fantasizing about sucking his cock, and he moaned.

I relaxed, leaning against the wall again. He moved with me, leaning down to whisper in my ear. “I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t the best thing I’ve ever put in my mouth. Until tonight, of course.”

“If I sign,” I whispered.

He pressed his temple against mine. “I’ll do anything.”

I turned toward him, feeling a warmth I hadn’t felt in a very long time. “You’ll have to move.”

He stepped aside, watching me as I reached across the table for his pen, and then scribbled my name on the line. His name was already signed to both signature pages. I signed a second page, gathering his copy before turning to him. I suppressed a smile, seeing that he was pressing the fingers he’d touched me with against his lips.

“Your copy,” I said, handing it to him.

“I’ll have new sheets delivered as well.” He tapped something into his phone, and then let it fall into his front jacket pocket, then tucked his glasses into his inside pocket. “Looks like we’re partners.” He fished out a credit card holder, then pinched a card and held it out to me. “This is for you. Please prepare. Is it all right if I arrive around nine forty-five since the children are away?”