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by
Dgall
(Dgall28@aol.com)
Fran sat in the living room moodily flipping through a magazine. Thinking to herself, "Four years and I am no closer to being anything more than the nanny to him." The "him" being Maxwell Sheffield. Her boss, but he could be so much more if he just allowed himself to embrace the emotions that flowed between the two of them. Fran put the magazine on the coffee table and leaned back on the couch, closed her eyes and sighed. She was just dozing off when she was startled by a noise coming from the front door behind her. She turned her head just as Maxwell poked his head round the door.
"Miss Fine, what are you doing up this late?" Maxwell asked as he was laying his briefcase on the foyer table. He looked tired, Fran noticed immediately his eyes ringed with heavy circles. His latest production was proving to be a grueling task. Fran wanted to take him in an embrace and tell him that he needed to take better care of himself. However, she doubted if he would appreciate her sympathy so she didn’t offer it.
"I couldn’t sleep, she said lightly. I came downstairs to have a light nosh and read my new People magazine. Can I get you anything?" she asked.
Maxwell thought to himself, "yes Miss Fine there is plenty you could give me, but it wouldn’t be appropriate". He gave a curt nod of his head and told her that he could get himself anything he needed.
"Why won’t this man at least let me be his friend"? She thought to herself. Fran picked up her magazine and stood up. "Fine by me."
"Miss fine?" Maxwell stopped her when she went to storm past him. There was a faint look of puzzlement in his eyes; a hint of uncertainty in the look that he gave her as he drew her to a halt with a firm hand on her arm.
"What did I say?" He shook his head when she opened her mouth. "No, I can tell you are annoyed. I know you well enough by now to recognize the signs!"
Did he? And what else could he tell about her? Could he tell how confused she was about the way she felt and acted around him? Could he explain why she felt this way? Well, he was a damn sight more clever than she was if he could!
"I’, not annoyed, " she declared in a clipped tone. She stared down at his hand still holding her arm. "If you don’t mind…." "Oh, but I do mind very much. I want to know what is wrong and I want you to tell me." His hand slid up her arm. He might have been making sure that she couldn’t walk away but it felt more like a caress than anything else. Fran let a small gasp escape her lips. She was sure Mr. Sheffield had heard it just as clearly as she had.
"Miss Fine, I.…." He stopped when Niles suddenly appeared. Letting go of Fran he turned to Miles with a smile, which seemed slightly strained. "I heard voices, will either of you be needing anything before I head up to bed?" Niles asked. "No, old man we will be fine. You go back upstairs. We have everything under control here," answered Maxwell.
Niles turned back to the stairs with a look of uncertainty. He knew he had interrupted something, but wasn’t sure what. He could only hope that Mr. Sheffield had finally come to his senses and accepted the fact that Miss Fine was the best thing that had happened to his life in a very long time.
Maxwell turned towards Fran with a groan. He knew that there would be no more discussion tonight. "Well Miss Fine, I think of nothing better than a hot shower to ease the knots out of my spine." "Very well, Mr. Sheffield. You go on upstairs, I will take care of the lights down here."
Maxwell gave Fran one last look before turning towards the staircase. Fran sighed and started walking around turning off the lights. As she turned off the last light, plunging the living room into darkness one tear slowly rolled down her cheek. She stopped at the bottom of the stairs trying to stop the other tears threatened to cascade down her face.
Fran took a deep breath, not realizing that she had been standing in the same spot for close to 15 minutes. She slowly climbed up the stairs. It was eerily quite now in the Sheffield mansion, apart from the muted sound of water running in the bathroom. Fran peeked in the door of each of the Sheffield children. With her head held high she headed towards Mr. Sheffield’s room.
Fran had made a decision. He wanted to know what was bothering here, well, she would tell him. She was tired of this emotional roller coaster she had been riding. It was time to get off of it and back on solid ground. She made her way down the corridor wondering how to best approach this. She couldn’t just come out and ask Mr. Sheffield how he felt about her; she didn’t have the nerve. Suddenly, the idea of confronting him seemed less appealing than it had a few minutes ago. She was filled with doubt now. She might be simply making a bad situation worse!
Fran had just turned to go to her bedroom when she heard the creaking of a door being opened. She swung around as panic hit her; there at the open door of his bedroom stood Mr. Sheffield. He was dressed only in a towel, wrapped tightly around his narrow hips, and water dripped from his dark hair.
Her mouth went dry, as she stood there, unable to move. She watched the droplets slowly running down his muscular chest. She knew he was speaking to her but her mind could not form a rational thought.
"Miss Fine, was there something you wanted?" YOU! For one horrified second Fran wondered if she had said it out loud. However, a glance at Mr. Sheffield’s face reassured her that she hadn’t. She took a shallow breath and tried to quiet the noise her heart was making as it bounced around inside her.
"I…um…I just wanted to make sure everything was okay with you, that you hadn’t fallen asleep with the water still running, she hurriedly improvised. "But, I can see you are just fine, so I will go to my room now. Good night Mr. Sheffield."
"Wait, Miss Fine, I think we need to have that talk. Give me a chance to put on some clothes." Maxwell said with a hint of pleading in his voice. "Of course," she replied stiffly. "Would you like a cup of tea? I could make it while you are getting dressed."
That would be greatly appreciated. I don’t suppose there is a chance that Niles left me something to eat as well?" he asked. "I’ll see what I can find," she replied. "Thank you, Miss Fine." His smile was oddly tender as her looked at her for a moment before he turned back to enter his bedroom. Fran took another small breath and forced her shaky legs to carry her to the kitchen. She didn’t want to move, but she could hardly stand there like a love struck teenager waiting for Mr. Sheffield to return.
Her mind was whirling as she made her way to the kitchen. What was happening? Mr. Sheffield seemed different, his voice and his mannerisms, his demeanor had all seemed to change. What had happened in those few shot minutes he was in the shower?
Fran opened the refrigerator and surveyed the contents. There wasn’t anything left from dinner. She spied some eggs and fresh vegetables. She could make him an omelet.
Meanwhile, upstairs Maxwell was standing in his closet trying to decide what to put on, and trying to figure out just what he was going to say to Miss Fine when he met her downstairs. He knew that it was time to define their relationship, but just how did he want it to go? He felt that Miss Fine was getting tired of waiting around for him to make a commitment to her, but he still wasn’t sure if he was ready for that. "Damn, why can’t I just admit that I love her and want her in my life forever?" he shouted to the walls. "My heart is full of love, but my mind tells me this is wrong. But why?" After choosing a pair of sweat pants and a T-shirt he dressed. He decided that if he couldn’t commit completely with his heart, mind and soul than he wouldn’t commit at all.
Heading down the back stairs, Maxwell had made his mind up, he would tell her they could never be anything more than employer and employee.
Fran had combined the ingredients and had an omelet and fresh peach slices ready for him when he entered the kitchen. Maxwell stopped and looked at what she had prepared for him. Why did she always have to do something like this just when he had made his decision?
Maxwell sat at the kitchen table and started eating. Not saying anything. He needed a full stomach to get through what he knew was going to be an emotional turmoil. "This is very good, Miss Fine," Maxwell complemented her. "Thanks, Mr. Sheffield. Omelets are about the only thing I can cook." "You know, Mr. Sheffield, you shouldn’t go so long without eating, " Fran said with a hint of concern in her voice. Fran got up to refill their teacups.
As she sat back down Maxwell offered her a bite of the peaches. "Here have a bite – they are delicious." "Oh, no, they’re for you…" she began, then sighed when she saw him narrow his eyes at her. "Well, just a bite, then."
She leaned forward and opened her mouth, while Maxwell carefully slid the morsel of fruit between her lips. The peach was deliciously sweet and ripe. The juice trickled down her throat as she chewed. A little juice must have spilled off the spoon because she felt it run from the corner of her lips. She reached for a napkin to wipe it away.
"Let me!" There was a husky note in Maxwell’s voice as he reached across the table and wiped away the smear of juice with the tip of his finger. Fran’s heart began to thump when she saw him raise his hand to his own mouth and lick away the sweetness with his tongue. There was something so erotic about the thought of Mr. Sheffield tasting the juice, which had just been on her, lips just a moment before.
Fran looked down at her tea, afraid that he would see how aroused she was starting to feel. The pulsing of her heart seemed to be spreading through her whole body, moving deeper and deeper inside her. So that she could feel it beat in other parts of her. She shifted uncomfortably when she felt the throbbing settle low in her stomach then felt it move lower still…
Fran raised her dazed eyes to Maxwell’s face while she struggled to get a grip on herself. The force of the sensations she was experiencing shocked her. She wasn’t totally inexperienced, neither was she naïve enough to believe that is was only men who felt this kind of physical desire. It was just shocking that she felt it now with such force. All he had done was wipe away a trickle of juice from her lips, for heaven’s sake. It was an effort to concentrate on the reason they were sitting here. Mr. Sheffield wanted to talk to her.
Fran looked into Mr. Sheffield’s eyes, "you wanted to talk to me about something?" she whispered. The air was charged with emotion.
Maxwell pushed back his chair and stood, Fran jumped, her heart beating wildly inside her when she saw the grim expression on his face. Was he angry with himself because he couldn’t detach himself from his emotions, as he wanted to do? Was he angry because she was the reason for is lack of control? She had no idea, as she rose to her feet. Fran knew that she had to make him see how wrong either of those reasons was!
"Mr. Sheffield, I –" she began; only to stop when he cut her off.
"I’m tired, I am sure you will understand if I end this night." He turned to leave but paused as Fran said, "I understand, Mr. Sheffield. Don’t worry about me," she gave a small laugh, wincing when she heard the shrill edge it held, the hurt, the pain. She gave him a tight little smile, her eyes skating over his face. She wasn’t strong enough to let herself really look at him because she knew what she would see.
Tears suddenly blurred her vision and she stumbled as her foot caught the table leg when she hurried towards the door. Maxwell caught hold of her arm to steady her; even then she couldn’t look at him. Consequently, she wasn’t prepared when he hauled her towards him with a muttered curse.
"You make me so mad Miss Fine! You make me feel things I swore I would never feel again." The words were bitten out, laced with anger and a whole lot of other things that brought her gaze straight to his face. She felt a quiver run through her, then another and another until she was trembling as she saw the desire which had darkened his eyes and set a rim of color along his cheekbones.
Maxwell?" she whispered, dry mouthed and shocked.
"Fran?" he mimicked her, smiling with a tenderness she could have never expected. Cupping her face between his big warm hands, he brushed away her tears with his thumbs then slowly and with exquisite gentleness kissed her.
Fran felt an explosion of heat and lights erupt inside her. She gasped in shock then gasped again in delight when Maxwell’s arms tightened while he drew her even closer and deepened the kiss. The hungry plundering of his tongue seemed t release her from the trace that had fallen over her.
She twisted her arms around his neck and returned the kiss with equal fervor, her tongue dancing into his mouth, teasing, tormenting, seducing his. It was just a kiss and yet there seemed to be so much more in it that she was afraid when he tried to end it.
She held him tightly, not wanting to let him go, not wanting to be back at square one, wondering and waiting. He suddenly stopped pulling away and pulled her closer instead; kissing her again and again, letting his mouth say everything he either couldn’t or wouldn’t say. His kiss was telling her that he wanted her, desired her and that was all she needed to hear. Rational words would come later.
When Maxwell’s hand slid down her body in that first seeking caress, she felt her heart stop from sheer pleasure. Yet when his fingers moved slowly upwards and found her aching breast, it started racing again. Fran could feel its heavy beat pulsing through her and knew that Maxwell had felt it too, but they were both too caught up in the magic they were creating together to worry about it.
His breath exhaled on a sigh when he felt her breasts pressing so eagerly into his palms. Then Fran herself sighed as well. She closed her eyes, letting her mind spin and twist like a kaleidoscope in ever-changing patterns and colors. There were simply too many sensations to absorb, to enjoy, to marvel at, and to think clearly.
"You know where this is leading, Fran, don’t you?" Maxwell’s voice was barely above a whisper because it would have demanded too much effort for him to speak any louder. Fran knew how he felt. Speaking seemed such a waste when there were so many other things to concentrate on. She just smiled at him, her eyes heavy with passion.
"Fran!" Her name on his lips sounded so wonderful, so right. When he swept her up into his arms she felt no qualms. She knew what was going to happen and it was what she wanted.
Maxwell carried her up the stairs and kicked open the door to his bedroom then set her gently on her feet. There was no light in the room apart from the glow from the moon filtering in the window, but it was bright enough to see by.
Reaching out, Fran pulled his T-shirt from the waistband of his sweat pants and her hands didn't tremble at all. She had no doubts about what she was doing. She wanted Maxwell to make love to her. She wanted it more than anything she had ever wanted in her whole life.
She slid the shirt off his body and then got distracted by the sight of his muscular chest. Leaning forward, she rained a shower of tiny kisses across his warm slick skin.
"Fran!"
His voice was raw with emotion but not with anything to indicate that he wanted her to stop her assault, so she carried on. Letting her lips travel where they chose, kissing, nipping, drinking in his taste and his warmth until suddenly she was trembling as hard as he was.
Maxwell caught hold of her shoulders and set her away from him. His eyes looked like pools of olive green water sparkling in the moonlight. "My turn!"
He took hold of the hem of her white cotton nightshirt and slowly drew it upwards, taking his time as he bared her body to his gaze. Fran shivered when she felt his eyes sweep over her. All she had on now was her panties and a lacy bra, which did little to conceal the fullness of her breasts. Maxwell soon dispensed with them.
"You are so beautiful, Fran. But then I knew you would be…" Maxwell dipped his head and a moan of pleasure escaped from her when his mouth found her breast. The gentleness of his tongue made her tremble with pleasure so hard that she would have fallen if Maxwell had not supported her. Her head fell back and her eyes closed as a wave of passion swept through her.
She loved Maxwell and Maxwell loved her. Standing there in his arms at that moment it was finally affirmed. She so much wanted to tell him all the emotions she was feeling but words didn’t seem important. She reached for his head and pulled him up to her placing her lips on his. She tried to convey in her kiss every emotion she was feeling. Maxwell matched her kiss with the same intensity.
Maxwell reluctantly broke the kiss. He stared into those beautiful brown eyes as he slowly moved her towards the bed.
"I love you…."
"I love you…."
They both spoke together then stopped and tried again. Fran laughed because she simply couldn’t contain her joy. "We sound like an echo" "Or two people who are meant to be together." Maxwell cupped her chin, as he looked deep into her eyes and what she saw in his was everything she could have wished for. " I love you, Francine Fine. I have fought these feelings for all too long. I hope it sounds as good to you as it does to me."
"It sounds fantastic!" Fran blinked back her tears. Laughing at her own foolishness, "I don’t know why I am crying. Maybe it’s because I am so happy and can’t believe this is really happening. I thin you should pinch me so that I know I am awake."
"Oh, I know a much better way than that…." Maxwell’s lips were tender and loving as they closed over hers. Slowly they sank onto the bed. Maxwell quickly removed his sweat pants. Light caresses soon turned to passionate ones. With moonlight streaming through the window the couple finally became one.
Fran lay with her head on Maxwell’s chest. Both are trying to recover their breath. Maxwell shook his head in mock dismay as he took hold of her hand. "I think I’ll have to marry you now. I would tarnish your honor if I didn’t."
Fran treated him to a haughty look but her heart was thumping as she took in what he’s said. "I hope you have reasons for wanting to marry me other than saving my honor."
"Oh, I have, I have!" Maxwell turned her on her back, trapping her under his body. "Want me to show you what they are?" He kissed her slowly and thoroughly, letting the weight of his body rest against hers so that she was left in little doubt about his feelings.
"Yes, I’d love ya to show me," Fran managed to speak.
Cupping her cheek with his hand, he looked into her eyes. "I love you Fran. I love who and what you are. I love they way you care for my children. I love the way you’ll fight for something you want or believe in. I love your stubbornness and determination as well as your tenderness and compassion.
"Oh Maxwell, I love you so much!" Fran whispered as she pressed a kiss into his palm, and feeling sensations that she never dreamed she would experience.
"And to think I was fool enough to hold you at arm’s length for so long!" Maxwell exclaimed. "However, I have seen the error of my ways and I am never going to be such an idiot again."
Fran smiled at him, and placed her arms around his neck. She whispered very softly in his ear, "I will never let you be such an idiot again, We will have such a wonderful live together."
With that said, Maxwell gathered Fran in his arms and they slowly drifted off t sleep. Each of them dreaming of just how wonderful that life would be.
The End
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