The Way It's Supposed To Be

by

Gabrielle
(gmrde@yahoo.de)

Maxwell Sheffield was sitting on the green leather sofa in his office, legs stretched and crossed at the ankles. He was reading the review of his latest play and was very satisfied with the critiques. It had been an extraordinary successful theatre season. He was extremely pleased with how his play was doing and rumours about Sheffield/Babcock Productions being the hottest candidate for this year's Tony Awards were spreading. Maxwell was excited about the prospect of him beating Andrew Lloyd Webber another time. Life was indeed good. As a matter of fact, things were going so well that CC and he really were not having too much business to care of these days - except attending to some parties or giving interviews. CC had made use of this convenient situation by taking some days off for a week's holiday in the Caribbean.

So Maxwell was having quite an amount of free-time which gave him time to think about certain things, or rather people in his life - one person in particular: Miss Fine. He couldn't help but smile when her beautiful features appeared before his mental eye. Unconsciously he lowered the paper to his lap and his gaze drifted off to some other place as he recalled their time together. Since they had become "closer" in Niles' hospital room and had become officially an item he had been feeling far more at ease with their relationship for he had admitted that they had a 'thing' going on, which he would have denied a few weeks ago.

After the hospital incident he had invited her on a date to Elton John's movie premier of "Tantrums and Tiaras" and he had so much hoped that that date would have turned out to be a lot more than just a date as he had confessed to Elton when Fran was using the restrooms. But once again she had managed to mess up one of his business deals which had made him lose his temper and patience another time.

He hadn't asked her out a second time after this night even though his anger at her hadn't really lasted long - but it had made him think about them and their relationship again. Of course this incident hadn't changed his feelings for her. He was well aware that he was in love with his nanny way too deep to let a ridiculous thing like that have any effect on their relationship, especially since getting into trouble was part of Fran Fine and he loved her for all she did and was. It reminded him once more of how different they were, though. He couldn't help but wonder because this was one of the things he found so extremely alluring about her. She was different from any other person he knew and everything what seemed to be "his world". The longer he knew Miss Fine the more he saw that he really didn't want to be a part of that world any more, where sometimes even he - with all his upbringing and education - felt out of place. He had come about to realize that he liked the world she offered to him far better - a world of real people, real feelings, bad moods, real friendship, warmth and passion. Oh God he loved her passion and the way she could bring out his own - no matter if they were fighting or kissing. It - no she - made him feel good and alive.

The smile which had appeared during this train of thought was replaced by a frown on his forehead. What if their differences - however alluring they might be - were too big to maintain a relationship? What if he committed and then it would turn out that they weren't made for each other? Would love be enough? If it wasn't, he would never be able to stand the pain of losing her and all the good things they had between them.

He sighed and absently took a sip from is tea.

The recent development in their relationship had meant a big step and it had intensified his need to have her by his side and to be by her side even more. Once again. Like so often lately, he couldn't help but think about them in the hospital. He had felt overwhelmingly intoxicated, kissing her deeply and cravingly, feeling her body so close and responsive. He remembered the feel of her soft skin and her firm breast under his exploring hands, her touch, her sighing, her body arching towards his, her incredible kisses - oh God, it had felt so good, so right. If CC hadn't appeared, he surely would have made love to her the way he had wanted and dreamed of for so many times.

On second thought he blamed most of their fights on the strong sexual tension crackling between them. He knew that as long as this tension wasn't eased by them finally sleeping with each other, fighting seemed to be the only way of ricocheting this immense energy.

Their nearly love-making in that hospital room and the prospect of possibly picking up on it, was surely a step in the right direction. Formerly Maxwell would have felt guilty at the mere thought of making love to another woman - guilty of giving in to his needs and getting over the loss of Sarah. But now he had reached a new stage where he felt comfortable with his feelings for Miss Fine. Perhaps the conversation between her and grace which he happened to overhear a few weeks ago had helped him to realize that there was nothing wrong about loving her. His thoughts drifted back to that particular night.

"What's the matter , sweetie?" he could hear Fran say in a low cooing voice when was passing Gracie's room on his way to his own.

"Maggie went out with that Michael but she had promised to stay here home to have a beauty-night with me" she whined. "She has only eyes for him. Since she's been with him, she doesn't care about me any more."

"Oh, honey. You know that's not true. Listen, hon', I know how you feel, but love is a very strange thing, you know? It's one of the few things in life that you can share with as many people you like without taking it from someone else."

As Max stepped closer to peek through the slightly ajar door, he could see his daughter and nanny on Grace's bed lying close to each other on their bellies, chins propped on their hands. Gracie frowned quizzically.

"Look, you love me, for example, right?"

Gracie poked up on her elbows immediately. "Of course" she replied a little upset that Fran could ever doubt it.

"I know, sweetie. And I love you" Fran went on. "But when you find yourself a nice, hunky Jewish boyfriend then your love for me wouldn't stop, would it?"

Before Gracie could answer she continued. "You can love two, three or hundreds of people at the same time. Mags might be in love with Michael but she still loves you and nothing's gonna change that. Ever. And the same goes for me and you. And now come here an give me big hug."

Gracie had smiled as she gladly had snuggled up to Fran.

Miss Fine's words had really spoken to him and he was once again touched and amazed by her way with people and how she could make things seem so easy.

When he had finished work later that night, he took some time to think about the conversation of two of his favourite girls. With his forearms on his desk and his chin propped on the back of his hands he recalled what she had said "You can share love with as many people as you like without taking it from somebody else." He really liked this way of thinking and when he absently stared through the things on his desk he realized something strange in his peripheral view. He tried to look more closely but when he lifted his head, it disappeared. He assumed his former position with his head on his hands and then he saw it again.

He had several photographs on his desk and the astonishing effect was caused by two of them. In one picture he could see his family on their very last summer vacation together. He had his arm draped around Sarah's shoulders and younger versions of Brighton and Maggie stood on either of their sides while Gracie, who had been a toddler at the time, was held by Sarah. The picture showed a truly happy family. The other one showed almost the same display, as it was also taken on a holiday. But instead of Sarah, it showed Fran next to Maxwell and his grown children. Maxwell had looked at these pictures for many countless times but from his present position and the angle he was looking at them, he realized that by focussing his fingers directly in front of him he could make the two pictures become one, showing a blurred version of him, Sarah, Fran and the kids at the same time. Even though it was out of focus, it surely showed a group of happy people - one big family. He rose his head and took the first picture to look at Sarah's gleaming face. Nobody would have thought that only a short while later that gleam would disappear from her face and from his life for ever.

"Oh, Sarah", he sighed as he let his fingers run over the frozen smiling image of her lovely features "I guess, you know that the children and I had been having a hard time after you were gone. We've been missing you so badly and we still do. We will always love you. You know, the children have been developing so wonderfully - thanks to Fran. They love her a great deal .and so do I. I have denied it for a long time because it was so." he was looking for the right words "...so 'improper'. You know I vowed eternal love to you and I will keep that promise as long as I live. I know that loving Fran doesn't mean I have to give up my love for you. I hope this is all right with you and I hope that you're happy for us."

He kissed his fingertip and brought it to her face. "Goodbye, my love" he said calmly with a tender smile, ready to begin a new life. It might have been the reflection of the light from his desk lamp but when he put back the picture in its place it seemed that for a small moment the frozen twinkle in Sarah's smiling eyes seemed to lighten up a little. But before Max could take another look everything was as it used to be.

Since that day he had felt this certain calm- and easiness deep inside him which made him feel completely content with his life - well almost completely. He still hadn't committed to Fran and he realized that this had made her a little 'jumpy' lately. She even considered dating other men, like Maggie's professor for instance, which he didn't like a bit. He had been rather shocked for he thought that after what had happened in the hospital, things were clear between them.

That day she had almost made him say it out loud what everyone ion the house had already known for a long time anyway. But in the very last moment he had backed out again, using Maggie as a pretext to avoid telling Miss Fine he loved her, which had made her quite mad at him. If only Maggie had come in a few moments later he would have told her but instead of that he had had to watch her go out with somebody else again, which had made him totally jealous as he confessed to Niles in the middle of the same night unable to find sleep at the mere thought of her being in the arms of another man. Of course he knew she had done it to get back at him, though. But still he hadn't liked it. Not at all. In the end they had made up as usual and now things were quite right between them. 'Yes, life indeed was good' he thought as he smiled and brought up his paper again to continue reading. He soon got lost in it so he didn't realize Fran enter his office, closing and locking the door behind her. Only when she walked past him towards the patio doors, he realized her. He smiled as he lowered his paper a little to face her through his glasses.

"Oh, hello, Miss Fine" he smiled charmingly at her.

When Fran continued her way to the patio doors without a single word, Maxwell raised an eyebrow but still remaining in his position.

"Miss Fine?" he tried again, this time a little concerned.

Still Fran didn't respond to him. Instead of that she closed the curtains in a swift motion and came towards him. Maxwell took off his glasses a tad annoyed by her not answering as he started to sit up "Miss Fine, what the heck are you do."

Before he could finish his sentence Fran had stepped over his legs, kneeling on either side of his thighs, pulling him close by his shirt and pressed her lips feverishly against his. Although he was immediately turned on, he tried to fight down his response. "Miss Fine." he tried but when Fran silenced him by sending her tongue to explore his warm and moist mouth he lost it and returned the kiss wholeheartedly. Fran let her fingers run through his hair, deepening the kiss. He allowed his hands to travel up her thighs to her hips to pull her closer into his lap making her sigh. Maxwell gave in to the intoxicating sensation of sharing this intimacy with the woman he had loved for so long now. He moved towards her and pulled her closer to his chest following the urge to feel her more intensely but then, as abruptly as she had started the whole thing, she pulled away and pushed him back to the backrest of the couch with unexpected strength. Maxwell looked at her baffled, breathing heavily.

She fixated him through her narrowed eyelids with passion and challenge.

"Tell me honestly, you don't want me" she demanded.

Maxwell was too flabbergasted to answer anything else but truthfully "You know I do" he said, still breathlessly.

She pulled him close again, her face only inches from his and both were very well aware of their intimate position and closeness.

"Tell me honestly, you don't love me" she whispered barely audible still capturing his eyes with hers.

Max couldn't avert his gaze from these beautiful dark eyes sparkling with fire. "You know I can't" he whispered hoarsely.

"Good" was all she responded before she pulled him in for another kiss. But this time she started it slowly, letting her tongue play around with his and his lips sensuously, gently brushing the tip of it against the inside of his lower lip, pulling it back just to dip it in and out of his mouth teasingly. Maxwell responded with increasing passion as he pulled her again against his lap moaning as he felt her body move against his. Their hands started to roam and Fran began to unbutton his shirt. Maxwell let his hands run freely along her body, caressing and stroking her behind, her belly and breasts, making her moan with passion. Fran let her mouth wander along his jaw line to his neck kissing, suckling and caressing his skin with her lips and tongue all the way. He arched his head slightly back to give her better access while he sneaked his hands under her tight turtleneck. When Fran continued her way down to his chest slowly making her hands drift lower his mind kicked in and he made a weak attempt to steady her.

"Miss Fine.Fran.we can't do this." he croaked but neither him nor her stopped their assaults on the other one's body sending their senses into overdrive. Fran felt his body clearly betray his words as she felt his desire for her against her groin.

"Fran.no.not like this.that's not.how.it's supposed.to be" he breathed again between kisses and moans. "It.has.to.be.special. Far.more.romantic" he managed to say before he got lost in another deep lip-lock. With most likely the biggest act of self-control she had ever managed in her life she pulled back resting her forehead against his, her eyes closed. Both of them were breathing heavily trying to calm down. She stood up, adjusting her clothes feeling very hot fanning herself with her hand. She took a deep breath and said "O.K. Think of something and pick me up at ." she took and twisted his wrist to look at his watch ".6:00 sharp." With that she unlocked the door and went out leaving an agape and breathless Maxwell behind her. Maxwell shook his head as a rather unsuccessful attempt to make his brain work normally again. Then he took a deep breath and while exhaling he mouthed a silent "wow".

In the beginning the limo ride was rather quiet - but it wasn't an uncomfortable silence. Both were enjoying each others company and their thoughts about the other and the prospect of the coming night. Although she had been the one triggering off the whole thing, Fran couldn't help but feel a little shy while Maxwell seemed oddly calm. She turned her head to look at him and felt a little familiar shiver flow through her body as his thigh touched hers. God, he looked so handsome. Sensing her look, he turned towards her. When their eyes met, he smiled his adorable boyish smile at her to which to which she answered by smiling radiantly back at him.

"So were are we going" she finally asked starting conversation. Max took her hand, brought it to his lips to brush them tenderly along its soft back.

"I'm afraid that's not for you to know, yet" he replied.

"Oh, Mr Sheffield! Trying to be mysterious, uh?" she said, giggling a little.

"It's Max, Fran" he simply stated. He bent over to whisper seductively close to her ear "Do you like it?"

"I think I do.Max."

He smiled at her, loving the way she took her time to pronounce his name slowly as if to save the sound of it and this moment for ever.

Max has picked a classy restaurant on the top floor of some of the many New York skyscrapers where they were seated at a cosy table in a secluded booth, providing privacy for the guests. The food and wine were delicious and they were sharing a very good conversation about a lot of different topics. Max once again admired how good Fran was at socializing and entertaining people. He found himself hanging from her lips absorbing every word and sometimes he had trouble to keep from laughing out loud. In addition to this she was a very good listener as well. His mind slowly drifted to the various moments when she had paid attention to his worries during their years together and how she managed to make him feel better by finding the right words or by the mere touch of her hand.

"Hey, are you still with me?" he heard Fran's voice bring him back to the restaurant.

"More than you would imagine" he smiled and stood up extending his hand. "May I have this dance?"

"With pleasure" she replied and let him lead her to the dance floor. She loved dancing - especially with him. Dancing with him always reminded her of the dance at her reunion during which she had realized that she had fallen for him.

They were swaying slowly and closely to the smoothing jazz tune and again there way no need to make conversation or small talk as they simply felt comfortable in each others arms. Maxwell lead her through the open patio doors to the terrace where some tables were placed due to the warm climate of this time of the year. As they were swaying, Fran snuggled closer to him and rested her head against the crook between his head and his shoulder. Maxwell could feel her warm breath against the skin of his neck. Fran inhaled his scent and said with a sigh

"This night is so wonderful, Max. I wish we would go on forever."

He turned his head slightly to inhale the scent of her soft hair.

"Me too, but we've got something else on our schedule for tonight" he whispered against her head.

She drew back a little to face him "Where are we going?" she asked as she had before.

He cocked his eyebrows apologetically and she said " Let me guess: That's not for me to know, yet, right?"

"I've always liked your quick thinking" he replied chuckling.

Half an hour later, after they had enjoyed their dessert - or basically Fran had enjoyed the dessert and Max had enjoyed watching her doing so - they boarded the limo again. After some time Maxwell brought out a dark silken scarf and explained at her surprised look.

"Well, Fran, since this is supposed to be a surprise, I need to ask you to cover your eyes for a while."

When he put the scarf over her eyes and tied it up carefully with a knot at the back of her head she smiled mischievously.

"Well, Max if this is supposed to be part of the foreplay already, I need you to know that it really is a turn-on" she said in her most seductive voice.

Even though both knew where the evening was leading them, Maxwell blushed at her forwardness at first but then leaned closer "I was hoping you would find it alluring" he whispered, his lips almost touching the rim of her ear shell.

Fran suddenly felt a surge of heat run through her body as her heartbeat and breathing increased.

Being deprived of her sight, Fran felt her other senses highly alert throughout the whole ride and she loved this rather thrilling experience. She heard the muffled sound of New York's traffic, Maxwell's breathing so close to her and the sound of her own heartbeat. She enjoyed his intoxicating scent and the shiver caused by the touch of his arm and leg brushing accidentally against her.

Maxwell also enjoyed the ride and the possibility to observe her without being watched himself. He smiled at the display of expressions on her face and her own smile. He allowed his eyes to travel over her incredibly sexy body. Her long dark tendrils fell softly down along her merely bare shoulders and her collarbone. His eyes stopped for a long moment at her décolletage and he once again admired her well-shaped breasts which were perfectly accentuated by her low-cut long claret gown, which was held by two thin spaghetti-straps. Its slit revealed one of her bare shapely legs and the way its silky material was shining in the semi-darkness of the car's interior made it almost impossible not to reach out and touch her.

When he couldn't resist the temptation to touch her soft skin any longer, he carefully brought his fingertips to her shoulder and brushed them gently down along her bare arm along the inside of her forearm to her hand, watching her skin go goose-pimply all over. He slowly intertwined their fingers, caressing her hand with his thumb. When he looked at her partly covered face again, he saw her smiling and she answered by teasing his palm with her thumbnail and now it was his turn to go all goose-pimply himself. Like this they remained until the car came to a halt.

Maxwell helped her to get out and lead the way by putting a comforting arm around her waist. Fran enjoyed the warmth through the fabric of her dress. She could tell that they were entering a building for she couldn't hear the street noise any more. Instead of this she heard other people talking quietly to each other. They ascended some stairs and Maxwell made her sit down in a comfortable seat. She could hear the muffled voices coming from below now.

"May I take it off now?" she inquired.

"Just a little longer, Miss Fine, then you'll be released". From the tone in his voice she could tell he was excited himself which made her even more curious about the surprise he had planned.

Then the voices calmed down and some music started accompanied by applause. When Fran recognized the voice singing the first notes of "Somewhere" her chin dropped and her mouth formed a perfect "O" at which Maxwell almost had to laugh out loud. He carefully removed the scarf from her eyes "I guess now we can free you from this". She stared down at the stage and just whispered "Barbara" and he grinned amused at her still incredulous expression. She looked like a seven-year-old standing in front of a Christmas tree.

The welcoming applause faded as Barbara continued singing. Fran squeezed Maxwell's forearm "Oh, Max.Barbara.Oh, thank you" she looked lovingly at him and impulsively leaned in for a quick but tender peck. She took his hand and excitedly leaned forward to the railing to see her Barbara more clearly from the balcony where they were seated. Maxwell watched her watching Barbara and felt an enormous happiness even though he was sure she would like it. Once again he was glad to be in the position of a famous Broadway producer. He had had to do a couple of calls and use some of his connections but in the end he could get a hold of two tickets. Of course he owed some people a favour now, but Fran's happy face was surely worth all the effort.

He couldn't get the picture of the happy seven-year-old out of his mind and he thought he had never loved her more than in this particular moment, which showed her passionate self with even little things again. He continued watching Fran, who was radiating with happiness through most of the concert. He felt very proud of the fact that he was the one who had made her feel this way and vowed to himself that he would never let her go out of his life.

When the calls for encores were answered and Ms Streisand bade her still heavily applauding audience a good night, Fran turned to Maxwell still excited and overwhelmed "Oy, She's heavenly. You are heavenly. Thanks so much." Then, without any hurry, she pulled him in by one of his lapels to kiss him tenderly. It was not a deep but nonetheless heartfelt and loving kiss. When they parted, they looked into one another's eyes "Let's go home", she said in a low voice and both new what for.

The limo ride home was silent and peaceful. Maxwell had his arm around Fran's shoulders as they were holding hands just enjoying to be together. Every once in a while they would turn to look at each other smiling before comfortably resting their heads against the other one's again.

When the chauffeur took a turn into their area, Fran suggested to get out and take a walk for the rest of the way to the mansion, so they exited the limo and Max thanked and dismissed the driver. They started to stroll along the street hand in hand, chatting about their night so far and both agreed to have been enjoying it a lot. After a while they fell silent again and like earlier in the limo they smiled at each other from time to time.

When they came up to a familiar mansion Fran stopped. "Well, this is where I live" she said as she walked up the first two steps, letting go off his hand.

Max took her clue "Wow, this seems to be a fancy place, Fran. What are you? A millionaire?"

"No, but my boss is. I live here with him and his children."

Max raised and eyebrow.

"I'm the nanny, you know."

"Oh, I see" he replied.

"Are you disappointed? I mean, that I'm only a nanny?"

He smiled and took both her hands is his and brought them to his sides, stepping closer. "I hear some nannies are wonderful people who can do magic with children - and their fathers" he said more seriously now looking down at his shoes shortly and then at her face. She met his serious gaze and the unspoken love between them was clearly written in his eyes. Fran was sure that he could read the same in hers. Then she lowered her eyes and for a moment she appeared rather shy before she spoke to him.

"I can't thank you enough for this wonderful night and all the other wonderful things you have done and are still doing to me, Max." She paused. "Well, since I'm only a nanny, my means of repaying you for all this are limited, but I guess this should do for a start." She stepped down one step now almost equal in height with him. She slipped one of her hands around his waist while she brought the other one to the back of his head. She let her fingers run through his hair while she pulled his head in for a sensual and slow kiss. Maxwell stepped closer and slid his arms around her waist to pull her body close while deepening their kiss. Fran started to stroke his back and Max allowed his hands to travel slightly up and down hers in sensuous circles.

Max pulled slowly back, ending their loving exchange of feelings with a soft little kiss. "What do you say we continue this inside?" he said as he gently traced her lips with his index finger. Fran automatically kissed it brushing the tip of her tongue against it.

"I would love to but I'm afraid Mr Sheffield doesn't allow any men in my room" she teased him.

"Well, we don't exactly have to go into your room then, do we?" Maxwell asked rhetorically and the look in his eyes told her that they would continue what they had just started.

She smiled at him seductively "But we'll have to be careful. You know, he's the jealous type" with she that she handed him the keys. He opened the door and held it for her before he stepped in himself. They stepped into the hall and Max tossed the keys casually on the table. Then her turned towards her, stepping close again. He put his hands on either side of her hips and pulled her in to share a sweet kiss. Then he stepped back into character and took her hand leading her into the living room.

"This really is a nice place" he said "would you mind giving me a little tour?"

So they went through the rooms on the ground level as Fran showed him around. They both liked their little game and far later Maxwell would wonder whether it had been part of their foreplay, simple foolishness or their way of concealing their nervousness about the things to happen. When they were on the first floor, Fran stopped in front of her door.

"Well, this is my room, but you know the rules" she reminded him.

"What about that room over there then?" he pointed towards the door at the end of the corridor.

"That's Mr Sheffield's room."

"What do you say I checked out whether it was available while you keep waiting here" he suggested as he ran his index-finger in a line from her cheek along her neck slowly making her feel like a teenager doing some nasty thing without her parents knowing - well, as a matter of fact they weren't and Fran had to giggle a little at the thought. "O.K." she answered.

Maxwell disappeared behind the door and after some minutes during which Fran had started to wonder what he was doing inside, he reappeared. She came over to him as he stepped besides her. "Close your eyes" he said as he reached for the knob to open the door for her. She did and he lead her in guiding her by putting one of his hands onto her lower back.

She heard some soft music and through her closed eyes she could sense that the lights weren't switched on.

"Open your eyes" she heard his low voice order gently.

She liked what she saw. Several gleaming candles were spread out over the room providing a light smell of honey. A fire was crackling in the fireplace putting the surroundings in a warm shimmering light. Fran smiled and inhaled the sweet scent of the candles closing her eyes. Maxwell didn't have to ask. He could tell from the look on her face that she liked it.

"Care for a glass of Don Corleone" he asked smiling smugly at her.

She returned his smile "That's Dom Perignon, Max. And yes, please" she returned very well remembering the first time he had almost kissed her - without any pretext.

While Maxwell turned towards the table, he slipped his jacket off his shoulders and draped it over the back of the by-standing chair. He loosened his tie and undid the first button of his shirt before he took the bottle from its chilling container and opened it. He poured two cups and put the bottle back before he turned to face Fran again. He handed her one and as their hands touched they smiled briefly at one another.

"To us" he toasted.

"To us" she returned while they clinked their glasses. They both took a sip of the pearling liquid watching each other over the rims of their glasses.

Their eyes were locked and without a word Maxwell slowly took the glass form her hand and placed it together with his own back on the table. When he turned towards her, his eyes captured hers. He cupped her face and brought his head down to hers almost shyly taking her lower lip between his as if asking for permission. He sucked it gently and Fran returned his gentle advance by slightly caressing his upper lip with the tip of her tongue. Maxwell welcomed her tongue with his own as they both got lost in the sensation of their deep feelings for each other.

Fran folded her arms around Maxwell's neck and stepped a little closer to feel his body touch hers. He slid his arms around her waist and pulled her close, enjoying her warmth through the fabric of his shirt. He could feel her body melt against his as he started to run his fingertips carefully up her sides to her back where he found the zipper of her gown. When he pulled it down to where it ended on her behind, the dress fell apart slightly, revealing her bare back and underwear. She sighed as his fingertips started to caress the skin along her bare back expertly. She took his tie off and undid the buttons along his chest, just as eager to feel and taste his skin. She brought her mouth to his neck, teasing him with her lips and tongue, sucking and biting carefully along his neck proceeding on his chest.

When she pulled out the shirt of his trousers and stripped it off his shoulders, she felt his chest heave and sink with his increased breathing. She continued the sweet torture by working her way to his belly, around his navel and then up again to meet his craving mouth in a much more fevered and passionate lip-lock, shivering at the touch of his skin.

Maxwell entwined one hand in her soft tresses absorbing her kiss deeper and deeper with every fibre of his body while he let his other hand slip into the slit on her back to run it over her firm behind squeezing it as he pulled her abdomen to his. Both were breathing heavily now and Maxwell stepped back a little to turn her around by her shoulders without breaking their kiss. He caressed her arched neck with his fingertips and then followed them with his mouth to expose Fran to the same nibbling, sucking and biting she had teased him with earlier. He let his fingers wander to her shoulders and slipped his thumbs under the straps of her dress before he pulled them over her shoulders leaving her clad in her underwear and high-heels only.

Fran felt her knees go weak as he brushed away her hair and started to kiss the back of her neck. She had to lean back against him for support and both had to sigh at the feel of the other ones bare body. He embraced her waist tightly from behind as if wanting to pull her into his own body so that she would become a part of him and he would never lose her. As if she could read his mind she made her hands move to his behind pulling him as close as possible towards her.

Maxwell continued his sensuous assault on her neck as he made his warm masculine hands travel her body. He loved the feel of her soft skin and her shudders as he lovingly caressed and stroked her body, exploring every spot of what was once forbidden territory but what was now bared and freely accessible for him. He could feel her pounding heartbeat with his lips as he sucked her throat gently. She moaned quietly and arched her body towards the touch of his hands.

He felt her hands travel to the front of his trousers and he stepped back a little stopping his intoxicating advances for a moment to give her better access. She unbuckled and unzipped them making them go down where they joined his shirt and her gown on the floor while he rested his hands on her hips grazing her hair. He slipped his shoes off and stepped out of his trousers eager to feel her again. He pulled her towards his highly aroused body taking up where he had left off whispering tender words against her skin while she had brought her hands up behind her head to run her fingers through his hair.

When Fran felt his desire against her behind through his tight boxers, she couldn't stand it any longer. She turned towards him finding her own passionate gaze mirrored in the deep green of his eyes.

"Max.please make love to me now" she choked.

With hungrily sparkling eyes he lifted her up easily and carried her to the bed where they finished undressing each other. Both were almost drunken with desire and the fundamental need to become one. Both sighed deeply as he entered her world, never taking their eyes from each other's.

Maxwell had always imagined her to be passionate but he was quite overwhelmed by her abandon and demanding responsiveness. She managed to bring out a side of him that seemed to have been forgotten for far too long. It had always been wonderful with Sarah, but Fran was a completely different person and she owned a different soul now mingling with his own. The way she clung to him, the way her body fit his, the way she seemed to return every little gesture tenfold and all the little sounds she gave as he made love to her, made him feel like a marvellous lover and he wanted to do anything to please her the way she was pleasing him.

'Oh god! He is a marvellous lover.' Fran was wondering how a man could be so strong and passionate but so loving and tender at the same time. She could only think of for how long she had wanted to feel him this way. She almost couldn't believe it was prim and proper Maxwell Sheffield making love to her this way, when she realized that this was the first time she experienced love at all, an experience she had been longing for all her life. And now it was fulfilled by the man she loved so deeply. She almost dragged him closer, wanting to feel more and more of this man, loving the contractions of his muscles under her fingers, the feel of his hands and lips, which seemed to be everywhere on her body.

Their kisses were deep and sensuous as their bodies moved harmonically with one another until they couldn't tell which one was whose. They felt like sharing one body and one soul and their way was leading them to the common goal of ultimate fulfilment. Their eyes locked and both felt the passion rise to a point of no return. Maxwell studied Fran's face at the very verge of complete consummation. He saw her eyelids begin to flutter as he sent her to a place she'd never been before. As she felt the wave overthrow her she arched her body at the bitter-sweet pain, whispering his name over and over again and Maxwell finally joined her in complete spiritual and physical consummation.

After their heartbeats had slowed down, they were still lying tightly clutched to each other as their eyes locked once more. After some moments of silence Fran spoke.

"Max.I lo..."

"Shhsh!" he steadied her lips with his fingertips. "Please. Let me say it first".

He looked at her then he took a deep breath and held it for a second before he exhaled shaking his head barely noticeable at the same time brushing away one of her tendrils.

"I love you, Fran. With all my heart and soul. I love you so much it almost makes my heart burst with joy."

He could see tears form in her beautiful eyes and she answered in a voice hoarse with emotion.

"Oh Max. I love you back just the same." She shook her head slightly as if she still couldn't believe what had happened. "Today I have learnt that I haven't known love until I met you."

They kissed tenderly with all the love they felt. It wasn't a deep kiss but it told them all they needed to know. It told them that their love would never have to be kept secret again, that they would never need to hide from each other again and that they were finally free to live up to everything they felt for each other.

When they parted Fran looked into his eyes.

"You know, you were right. That was how it's supposed to be" she looked at him with loving eyes.

"Yes, it was, darling." He paused for a moment. Then he smiled and went on "I liked what you showed me in the office, tough."

"Uuuh, Mr Sheffield! Wanna play nasty, 'ey?" she teased and then both laughed hugging each other tightly.

Then Maxwell looked into her eyes seriously. "Fran, I'll never let you go."

"No, honey. I will never let you go" Fran answered with a mischievous grin as she wrapped her legs around his hips and thighs moving her body seductively against his.

"Miss.F I N E!!!" he answered, very slowly accentuating both words while he raised an eyebrow in mock annoyance.

Then he smiled and cupped her face holding it still. He kissed her and they started to share the experience of making love to each other once more.

Later both of them were exhausted but content in the other one's arms enjoying the peaceful and relaxed atmosphere. The candles had burnt down and the small glow of the dying fire was the only source of light in the room. As Maxwell's embrace loosened a little, Fran lifted her head carefully from his chest to find him passed out for the night. She studied his relaxed face for a while before she happily snuggled against him with a deep sigh of content. This was indeed how it was supposed to be.

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