Page 9 of Angel of Light (Lords of The Commission: New York #5)

“This is the perfect opportunity to end it all. We could say I didn’t survive the blast.”

“It’s been a month, Alison. Vincenzo knows pretty well how you’re doing.”

“Ugh… And these are the all-illuminated mafiosi minds we have running this country’s underground! I’m guessing you all failed at Criminal Strategy 101.” How could they not have seen an opportunity in this?

“We were a little busy being worried about you.”

“Keeping me safe only to hand me over to him ,” I angrily replied.

“That was not my choice to make, Alison. I’ve asked you several times to reconsider.”

“I will. I’ll call him right now and end it all. Give me a lifeline. Give me a fucking safety net, and I will.” He shook his head, his lips squeezed together in a stressed, thin line. “What’s holding you back? Give me the real reason.”

“Alison!” He said in a steady, low tone, advisory for caution.

“What? It’s a question. We have an ongoing game, don’t we?” Max exhaled, his eyes opened wide in what seemed to be a warning.

“I don’t want to play today.”

“What is it, Maxy Max? Ran out of questions to ask me? I don’t think there was a safeguard option to opt out in our extensive ground rules. But it’s okay, I’ll rephrase. This is a one-time exception, though.”

In a quick swig, I drank the rest of my rum and poured his. He would be needing it for what I had planned. I was expecting roadblocks along the way. That was just who he was. I needed to back him toward the precipice slowly before shoving him over the edge.

Closing the distance between us, I raised my hands, resting them on his warm chest, sliding up until I reached his black tie. I let my eyes find his and kept them locked breathing in all the sudden intensity that had taken up the small space between us.

Right there, I felt the urge to kiss him, but tonight was about setting him free of the guilt I saw in his eyes in that hospital room. Giving him an outlet for his frustration and hoping he would come around for seconds.

No! I wouldn’t leave it to fate. I’d make sure he came back for more.

“What are you doing?”

“Freeing you of at least some of your constrictions.” I loosened the knot and placed the tie on the counter, returning to unbutton his shirt. I only got the two top buttons he allowed me before he held my wrists in his hands, canceling any further advances.

But my tongue was free, and my words were sharp.

“So I can’t touch you. Still tied to the redhead?”

“You know the answer to that.” Maybe I did, but I still raised an eyebrow, waiting for a straight answer. “No.” He finally conceded. A tug of relief pulled on my heart upon hearing him say it.

“Why? Why did you end it?” I pushed him, cornering him against the counter, my wrists still trapped in his hands. “That’s my rephrase. And no lies, Max. No half-truths.”

“Because.” I waited for more, still, that’s all he wanted to give.

Push, Alison.

“Fuck, Max. Can you give me a fucking straight answer?”

“Don’t swear, Alison!” His hands gripped my wrists tighter, making him pull me further into his chest, our faces nothing but a breath away.

There . Finally, the minuscule crack I was looking for.

Another push.

“Or what?” I dared. There was a new rush of exhilaration running through me. The shallow threat under his warning was all the enticement I needed to press further.

I watched as his jaw twitched in rhythmic pulses. The clear image of Max reining in his true colors. I wanted him to lose the grip on his rudder, sink this fucking ship into the pit of the hell he never allowed to break loose.

“Why. The fuck. Did. You end it?” I paused with every word, inching my lips closer to his, throwing in the cuss and the attack at his honor for good measure. “You are not sticking to our agreement.”

“It was a business agreement. Besides, I hated every minute of that kiss because it wasn’t you. Happy?” He practically roared the truth as if I had held a gun to his head and forced him to it. I ignored his rhetorical questions, continuing with mine.

“Did you call out my name when you fucked her?” He looked at me puzzled, as if he didn’t know what I was talking about.

“How’s Victor?” He countered instead, trying to push me back with the question, our bodies still pressed together, but it didn’t affect me the slightest bit.

Victor had been visiting me regularly, staying for hours and returning home late at night, but he was nothing more than a friend. Our boundaries were clear and well-defined for both of us.

“Single. As he’s always been. Why? Were you expecting another show soon?”

“Don’t push it.” Don’t mind if I do.

“I believe you still owe me a punishment from that night.” Shove.

“Fuck, Alison.”

“I’d love that, Max,” I confessed without hesitation. Maybe momentary shock weakened Max’s grip since I managed to skim a hand through his, followed by the other. “But, today… It's payback day. I called you here to even the score.”

Taking two steps away from him, I tugged on the hem of my extra-large shirt and pulled it over my head, tossing it to the floor. I stood in place, silent, waiting for Max to take in the image before him.

“I owe you an orgasm.” I clarified, “From three years ago?”

There was still resistance in his eyes. Still the same battle raging in his mind between right and wrong.

I closed the gap again, hooked my fingers on his belt, and slowly kneeled before him, the bulge in his pants sitting right in front of my face. I couldn’t wait to see what awaited me beneath. We’d had our intimate moments, but I’d never gotten around to actually seeing him. Tasting him.

Fuck, I’m wet already!

“You’re injured…” Max tried to debate, but his excuses were coming out soft and unconvincing.

“Not for this.”

“I’ll hurt you.”

“And I’ll like it. I trust you, Max.”

My eyes roamed up his body, settling on his blue irises that were set aflame. I couldn’t help my tongue from skimming across my lips, the greed of my hunger leaving a wet trail across them.

I saw the exact moment he lost that battle, his hand hooking under my hair at the nape of my neck, grabbing a handful in search of his lost control.

“A full mouth doesn’t sass or swear, if I remember correctly.”

“Don’t do this,” Max whispered, not sure if to me or himself. He couldn’t hold up his sword anymore. He was pleading for me to fight his battle for him. But I was raging my own – against a dull life without love, against the walls he thought could protect me from a dire fate.

We all die someday. Might as well do it after living and not before.

I pulled on the leather, unfastening his belt, leaving no doubt that this was going to happen. I was on my knees, and yet I have never felt power like this in my life.

“You tasted my cum on your fingers, Max. It’s only fair that I get to taste yours in return.”