Chapter 25 - The Final Countdown

Emma woke up with a knot in her stomach. Today was the day of their final presentation and then her master’s degree would be officially over. She tried to attribute the unsettling feeling to the fact that she was nervous about the presentation, but it certainly wasn’t that. She was great at presenting, always had been. She knew it by heart at this point, and could probably recite it in her sleep.

Plus, she couldn’t deny that she and Max made a great team. When he had first suggested they should partner up together for the presentation, she had thought it would be a bad idea to mix work with romance. But then he reminded her they had gotten the only A in class when they worked on the Econ project first semester. In the end, she couldn’t imagine spending a whole week with someone she didn’t want to, and decided she’d much rather spend what little time they had left together with him.

It had worked out pretty nicely, actually. As they had a week to prepare for the presentation after their last class ended, Max ended up taking her to his family’s beach house in Marbella and they worked on their project from there. He had made sure no one else would be there, so they had the entire house to themselves. In the mornings they would wake up, have a leisurely breakfast overlooking the ocean, and then spent the afternoons working on their paper with occasional breaks at the beach. They would then cook a nice dinner together at night and spend the rest of the evenings between the sheets.

It had been simply perfect. She never imagined in a million years that an MBA final could be so fun and stress-free. It had easily been one of the best and most relaxing weeks of her life. Then again, nothing in her entire year in Spain had gone as planned or expected.

But now all that was over and they were back in Madrid. Max would be going back to his job in London in a few days and she still hadn’t decided what the hell she was going to do. He had been trying to convince her to go back with him over the last month, but she couldn’t make up her mind. She just didn’t know if it was right thing to do. But now that the day was just around the corner, she had this sinking feeling and was absolutely terrified of his departure. The presentation just made the whole thing seem so final.

The alarm clock on her phone sounded and she leaned over to turn it off on the night table. She had just started to check her messages when Max immediately reached for her and brought her back into his hard body. “It should be illegal for you to move away from me,” he mumbled in his sleep.

She still hadn’t gotten completely used to the fact that he wanted her near him at all times. He was always so affectionate and caring of her. Something Roy had never been.

She turned around in his arms and ducked her head into his chest. She sighed deeply, thinking this would be one of the last mornings to wake up with him like this. The thought immediately terrorized her. Maybe if she just went back to sleep, it would all go away.

Max trailed his fingers slowly down her back and then cupped her ass, like he routinely did in the mornings. After groaning in satisfaction, he said, “Morning, beautiful.”

He started kissing her shoulder and down her arm as he brushed her hair back and ran his fingers through it. It felt so good she didn’t even dare to stir and relished in the feeling instead.

“Baby, we should wake up. We have the presentation soon.”

She immediately shook her head. “Ugh. I don’t wanna go to school. Do we have to?” she complained.

Max chuckled. “It’s only the final presentation of our entire master’s degree that counts a shitload, but hey, no big deal.”

“Stupid MBA,” she replied. She threw the covers off of her and groggily got up to go to the bathroom. She had just turned on the knob to the sink to brush her teeth, when she felt Max behind her.

“Why are you being a grumpy cat?” he asked.

“Because,” she shrugged, her mood only getting more sour.

“Because what?”

“It’s the morning. Isn’t that reason enough?”

“Well, yeah. But besides that. What’s going on, babe?”

“Nothing. Just nervous about the presentation.”

Max laughed out loud. “I don’t believe that for a second.”

“Then don’t believe it.”

The next thing she knew, Max grabbed her by the waist and pinned her against the wall. “Talk to me, baby.”

“It’s getting late. We should go.”

“You didn’t seem to care about that a minute ago.”

“Well, you were right about it. Plus, I need more time to get ready today.”

Max sighed heavily. “Fine. Any other day, and I wouldn’t allow this. But as soon as we’re done, we’re coming back here and you’re telling me everything. And after that, I’m planning on making love to you all afternoon. Don’t even try to argue with me, I’m not taking no as an answer.”

Emma pouted for a second, but then managed to crack a grin. She really did like the idea of the second part. “You’re so hot when you order me around, Mr. Durant.”

He leaned in to kiss her neck and then whispered in her ear. “Wear something sexy for me, too. That’s also an order, Miss Blake,” he said before taking off and shutting the door behind him.

When they arrived to school 30 minutes later, Emma was surprised to see there was a small crowd of students waiting outside the presentation room. What was going on?

“Yo, Max!”

She turned around to see Tony approach them from behind.

“Looking good, dawg,” he said, gesturing first towards his fitted suit and then to Emma at his side.

“Hey, Tony. What’s going on out here?” Max asked.

“They runnin’ late. Like 40 minutes, bro.”

“Oh no, really? Typical,” Emma complained.

“Thanks for the heads up, man,” Max said. Turning to Emma he asked, “Want to grab a study room to prep in the meantime?”

“Um, sure,” she answered. “I guess we’ll see you later, Tony. Good luck in there.”

“Alrighty, then. Keep it real, guys.”

They went upstairs to find an empty room, and Emma went to sit by the computer after settling her stuff down. She began to take out her USB for the presentation. “You want to do one last run, then?”

Max idled by the door, peering down the hallway. He then shut it behind him, locking the door and drawing the blinds over the glass window. “Not really, that was just an excuse to get away. I just wanted some alone time with you before we go in there,” he grinned at her.

“Oh,” she managed to say, already having a clear idea where this was going.

He held out his hand for her, indicating to get up. Once she took it, he guided her towards the center of the room and gently pushed her against the whiteboard. “Have I told you how beautiful you look today?” he asked, tucking a lock of hair behind her ear.

She peered into his hazel eyes. “Um, I think so,” she answered shyly.

“You need to be reminded at least once every hour,” he replied, running his hand down her neck. “I fucking love this outfit. The green shirt does amazing things to your eyes. Did you wear it for me?”

“Yes, it’s the one you helped me pick out in New York.”

“Oh, I clearly remember when you modeled it for me in the dressing room,” he said trailing his fingers down the front buttons of her blouse. “I wanted to rip off your shirt, pull up your skirt, and take you right there,” he whispered.

Her breath hitched as he leaned forward to kiss her neck. “So, are you going to talk to me now?” he asked.

“Now?” she asked, her voice slightly shaking.

“Yes, now. We have at least 40 minutes, if not longer. Plenty of time,” he spoke suggestively. His hands were now roaming freely around her hips, pulling her close to him. “Tell me what’s wrong.”

She let out a sigh. “Isn’t it obvious? You’re leaving in two days, Max.”

As soon as the words left her mouth, he kissed her roughly, taking her breath away. His kiss was hard, demanding, unyielding. It seemed to tell her so many things at once.

When he finally broke the kiss, his eyes bore into hers. “Come with me.”

“I can’t, Max.”

“Why not?”

“I’ve already told you. I would just be following you to another country. I can’t do that again.” It was a conversation they had repeatedly over the last month. It was a broken record they were both painfully familiar with. It was becoming almost a game at this point.

“Such a stubborn girl. I thought I would’ve been able to change your mind by now.” His hand went up her stomach and started unbuttoning her shirt. “You leave me no choice but to show you what you’ll be missing.”

“Max,” her voice trailed off. There was no reason for her to even protest, so she closed her mouth and let him convince her.

He made quick work of her shirt, and before she knew it he was kissing her breasts and lifting up her skirt. Just like he had said he imagined doing in the dressing room in New York. But now they were in the middle of a study room at school, right before their big presentation. She was instantly turned on. It was exactly what she needed.

“Open,” he murmured, caressing her knees. She immediately obeyed and spread her legs wider. His hand trailed up her thigh and came into contact with her garter belt. “God, you’re so hot. I love when you wear this thing,” he breathed. His fingers played with the straps, before continuing to make their path upwards. He had just skimmed the side of her hips when his hand froze for a split second.

“Fuck, baby. You’re not wearing any panties,” he said excitedly.

“I thought it would be easier for when we got back home,” she grinned. That was exactly the reaction she was hoping for when she decided to go commando earlier.

“You naughty little thing.” He didn’t waste any more time, and delved a finger into her.

Emma instantly moaned and drew her head back onto the whiteboard. In her euphoria, she could hear voices traveling up from outside the room, and she wondered if they could hear them too. But she couldn’t bring herself to care about it, and eventually shut them out.

“So wet for me,” Max whispered into her ear as his fingers worked their magic on her. “Is this what you needed, Em?”

“Yes,” she hissed as her arms clung around his shoulders. She started feeling desperate and let out a whimper.

“Shh, sweetheart. Just relax. I’ll give it to you.”

With his free hand he grabbed her by the hip and pulled her harder against him, while his fingers continued to circle around her. She felt his erection press into her stomach, and she reached for him, unzipping his pants. She pulled them down in one swift motion, together with his boxers.

“I need more, Max,” she said as she grabbed him and started stroking him.

He groaned in appreciation and his eyes turned lustful. “You want me inside you, baby?”

“Oh, god,” she said nodding in approval.

He removed his fingers from her and grabbed her by the ass, pulling her up against him. He turned them around and set her down on the conference table, pulling her to the edge and wrapping her legs around him.

“How badly do you want it? Tell me, Emma.”

“Please. I need you, Max. You know I do.”

“Ah, baby. That’s all I needed to hear,” he said placing himself at her entrance. He reached for her face and inched inside her as he took her mouth, swallowing both of their groans.

He moved painfully slowly, despite of their setting and location, as if they had all the time in the world. It wasn’t just a quick fuck on a table, or the thrill of possibly getting caught. It was about them, their love, and how much they needed each other. She knew in that moment she wouldn’t just be following him to London. It could never be just that. They were so much more.

“Do you feel it, Em? Do you feel that?”

“I do. I feel everything. I love you, Max.”

“Don’t leave me then,” he pleaded.

The irony of that statement wasn’t lost on her. He was the one technically leaving her. But she knew what he meant.

“I love you so much. Don’t give up on me,” he continued. “Don’t give up on us. Please.”

She felt it build rapidly, almost out of nowhere, and couldn’t help the cry that escaped her when it hit her full force. Max covered her mouth, and duck his head into her neck, trying to stifle his own groan as she pulled him with her.

They were both still breathing hard, when he uncovered her mouth. “Sorry baby, but those sounds should only be for my ears.”

“You should blame yourself for that,” she grinned back at him. It was crazy how she wasn’t even the slightest bit embarrassed about it. Max had definitely brought out another side of her she hadn’t known existed.

Kissing her forehead, he slowly pulled out of her and helped her stand up. He adjusted himself quickly and zipped his pants back up before helping Emma button up her shirt.

“So is that a yes? You’ll come with me to London?” he asked hopefully.

“I still need to think about it. Maybe you can convince me some more later at home,” she said winking at him.

“God, what am I going to do with you?”

Emma just shrugged and laughed, as he checked his watch.

“Shit babe, we should go back downstairs.”

“Okay, let’s go. I think I’m ready now,” she teased.

“Glad I could be of service. I never should have left you leave the house in your state,” Max joked. “Let’s just stop by the bathroom first. As much as I love this freshly fucked look of yours, there’s no way in hell I’m sharing it with others,” he said possessively.

She swatted his shoulder. “Don’t worry. It’s all yours, tough guy.”

“Good. Now let’s go kick some major ass, partner.”