Chapter 27 - Eventually, Someday

Emma and Max made their way to the shower after what took place. She still couldn’t quite describe what had just happened between them. No one said anything for a while until Max finally spoke up.

“Yeah, I definitely think we should shower and press reset. Don’t you?” he said a bit awkwardly.

Emma was still taken aback from his previous persona. “Yeah, I was going to say even before, you kinda stink a bit.”

That broke the tension, and they both laughed.

Lucky for her, the shower was something out of a 5-star hotel. The floors heated up and so did the towels, and the shower was more of a spa. There were two shower heads, one that rains down from the ceiling and another that was detachable. There was also a place to sit if needed inside the shower. Max had a very nice collection of shampoos and lotions, just the right amount and enough to get all the dirty off of them.

“Wow, you weren’t kidding about your shower, Max.”

“I told you. I knew you of all people would like it,” Max replied.

“Well, I think we already lost our clothes along the way. After you, my lady?” Max joked, trying to keep things a bit light.

They started to shower and hold each other, and just bask in their own existence. Emma was both thankful and relieved, realizing they were finally together after what seemed to be an eternity apart.

“Max? Can I ask you something? What was all of that?” Emma conjured up the will to speak up.

“I don’t know, Em. I’ve just been through a lot and the whole dominating thing, it’s not like an S&M thing or fetish I regularly have. I guess I just felt a bit shackled and being told fuck you by the universe. I had a lot of inner turmoil boiling up and it had to materialize somehow. Did I hurt you?” he asked, with an extremely worried expression on his face.

“Hmm...shackled. I know the feeling,” Emma said sarcastically.

“Poor choice of words, sorry. But really, are you okay?” Max interjected.

“Yeah, it was a bit crazy, but I kind of liked you in control like that. Maybe not every day, but definitely interesting. I am a bit sore, but nothing out of the ordinary.”

Max looked over at her appreciatively, staring at her body covered in soap bubbles. The glint in his hazel eyes and his sexy attitude was too much to handle and it gave her a jolt.

Emma looked him up and down with the same thought process and started rubbing soap on his chest and lathering circles around him.

“Em, I would take everything back from before. If you hadn’t shown up today, I would have gone back to Madrid to find you and...and I’m yours. You’re in charge from now on, okay?”

“Oh, so now I’m in charge. Well, does that make you my sexy boy toy then? Can I put a muzzle or collar on you now?” Emma laughed, making light of the kitchen encounter.

“Hmm. No I’m not sure about that, but I’m definitely yours. Although, I do like the sex slave part.”

“I said sexy boy toy. It means I have you on speed dial. Like, during your client meetings or if I want a falafel during the day. I can just speed dial you and voila.”

“Hmm…I like the sound of that.” Max circled around Emma and placed her against the wall, giving her a deep kiss.

“Maximiliano, I thought we were on a shower break. What’s going on?”

“With you in this shower? This is the power you have over me, Em.”

Max sat down on the bench and had Emma straddle him with her hands against the wall behind him. He started kissing her neck and shoulder, trailing down to her breasts.

“Max, what are you going to do to me this time?”

“Like I said, I’m yours. Why don’t you take the lead, sexy?”

Emma hesitated for a moment. “I know this is going to sound lame, but can we just...stay like this for a while?”

“It’s not lame at all, baby. I’ve missed you. I want to hold you as much as I want to make love to you. We have plenty of time for both...that is, if you’re really staying.”

“I’m staying, Max. Haven’t you figured that out yet?”

“You haven’t convinced me entirely. Actually, did you bring your coffee mug?”

“Coffee mug?”

“Yeah, you know the one with the elephant and turkeys on it?”

“Yes, I brought it. Why?”

A huge smile covered his face, and he ran his fingers adoringly through her hair.

“What does that have to do with anything?” Emma asked confused.

“Just that it means that now I know you’re staying...for good. That it’s for real. I know the mug means a lot to you. It’s strange that I’ve never asked you before, but it was your mom’s, right?”

“Yeah. It was her favorite. She used it all the time. I don’t know why, but it’s one of the few things that I always kept from her,” she responded, her eyes suddenly getting teary.

“Baby, I’m so sorry. I know you miss her,” he said leaning in to kiss her again.

“No, it’s fine. I’m just surprised you noticed. I don’t use it that often, afraid that I’m going to break it or something. I’ll only use it if I’m having a particular bad day.”

“When I went to get you from Roy’s apartment...I guess your apartment too, back then,” he said wincing, “you were so confused and out of it. I had already packed up all your stuff, but that was the one thing you went back for. When I saw you holding it, I just knew.”

She nodded in agreement. “Not my finest moment. I barely remembered that...until you mentioned it now.”

“We’ll keep it safe here, okay sweetheart? I promise I’ll do anything in my power so you won’t have to use it. I want to make you happy, Em.”

Her heart constricted in her chest at his sweet words. “You already make me so happy, Max. Just so you know, I also brought the packet of stars you gave me. That was the only other thing I went back for that day.”

He looked at her stunned. “Really? That was what was in the small white box? I thought it was jewelry or something.”

“Yeah, I kept it there to be safe. It was the best gift I ever received, so of course I would bring it with me. I fell in love with you that day,” she admitted.

Max’s expression softened and he looked deeply into her eyes. “I love you so much, Emma. I loved you then and every single day afterwards.”

She placed her hand over his beating heart and leaned in closer to kiss him. “I love you, Max,” she whispered in awe.

“Em? Thank you for taking a chance on me. I know it was difficult for you to come here, but we’ll get you settled in. Coincidentally, looks like my schedule just cleared up for the next two weeks, so I can take you around, maybe start looking for a job if you want...and if you get sick of me you can always hang out with Mia and her friends.”

“How did your schedule just clear up? Because of me?”

“Well, indirectly. My boss forced me on a two week vacation today. Non-paid.”

Emma’s eyes went wide. “What did you do, Max?”

“I was a mess, Em. I wasn’t myself. I didn’t realize how bad it was until you showed up. You kind of saved me, sweetheart,” he confessed.

“Crazy boy. I guess you saved me first, so now we’re even,” she said kissing him on the cheek. “Oh, and I think I may have my job situation figured out...sort of.”

“Really? How so?”

“Remember one of the interviews I had in New York...that the company’s headquarters are here? Turns out they wanted to hire me, but I told them I was moving to London and...looks like they still want to offer me a job here instead.”

“Emma! That’s really amazing. Guess that New York trip really worked out in the end, huh? Even if I screwed it up for you massively.”

“You didn’t screw it up for me. The stars just seemed to align and everything happened at once. Besides, I still need to figure out the whole visa situation so I’m not sure how that’ll work out.”

“Don’t worry about the visa. You seem to have everything figured out already, but just say the word and I can help you out with that. Change your status to permanent resident and all,” he winked. “Speaking of which, one more thing.”

“What’s that?” she asked confused.

“You told the doorman you were my wife?” he asked incredulously.

“Well, yeah. I thought it would be best if I…”

“Do you want to be?” he interrupted.

“Wh-what?” she stumbled over her words.

“Do you want to be my wife?” he asked point-blank and very seriously, his hazel eyes piercing into hers.

Emma just sat there, looking at him in stupefaction. Was he really asking her?

When she didn’t say anything for a solid minute, Max added, “I mean eventually...someday, of course,” he clarified.

“Max! What are you saying? Are you asking me to marry you?”

“I mean I may or may not have gone ring shopping, with the help of Leo and Mia. And I may or may not have told your brother about it. It’s not a big deal or anything,” he shrugged.

“You did...what?”

“Just know that it’s there...for whenever you want it. I know you technically just moved in so...no rush, okay?”

“I want it, Max,” she let out with emotion. “I mean eventually...someday, of course,” she repeated, trying to maintain the nonchalant attitude even though she felt like bursting at the seams.

“And actually, let me tell you one more story,” he beamed at her excitedly. “Did I ever tell you that I’m a Count?”

~FIN~