Chapter 43 Bliss

Chapter 43 Bliss
Aellorah

“So, tell me more about your mom,” Max urged, his voice thick and rough. I knew he was feeling what I was—the overwhelming desire to feel our bare skin pressed against one another. “What is she like? What kind of person raised such a strong, beautiful daughter?” he asked.

“Honestly, I don’t really know what she’s like,” I replied sadly. “For the most part, I was raised by nannies. Momma was around sometimes, but she was never very maternal. I wonder if she had been more involved in my upbringing, if things might have been different.”

I sighed, tossing another handful of birdseed on the shoreline in front of us. “It’s crazy… We never talked about personal things in our family. She was always having Daddy take her to the hospital. I thought she had cancer, or some chronic illness they didn’t want me to know about. I never realized she was trying to protect me.”

Max’s expression shifted as he absorbed my words, a small frown of sympathy tugging at his mouth. He wrapped his arms around me, holding me close as I poured out the burdens that weighed on me.

“Baby, that’s not your guilt to carry,” he assured me, his deep voice a soothing balm. “Your momma did what she thought was best, I’m sure. Even if it wasn’t ideal, she attempted to shield you from the hellhole you grew up in.”

My mind whirled with a complex mix of emotions—anger toward my father and brothers for what they’d done to me, gratitude toward my mother for fighting in her own way, and an overwhelming love for the man holding me as I fell apart yet again.

“You’re strong, my little ballerina—stronger than you give yourself credit for,” Max murmured, pressing a tender kiss to my temple, soothing my inner turmoil. “And I’m here for you, every step of the way. We’ll unravel this twisted family dynamic together, uncover the truth, and make sure you get the happy ending you deserve.”

My eyes watered as I looked up at him. “As long as I have you, it will be a happy ending,” I agreed with a smile and a sniffle.

Max

As Aellorah leaned against me, my cock stiffened further, straining against the confines of my jeans. I bit back a groan, nuzzling her hair. The intimacy of the moment made it nearly impossible to maintain my composure.

“You know, I’ve been thinking… about us,” I said, my voice dropping into a husky whisper as I lifted her chin to meet my gaze. “About what happens after we expose your father’s dirty secrets and make sure you’re safe.”

“You mean when I become Mrs. Stonehall?” Aellorah asked teasingly, glancing down at the glittering ring on her finger. Her playful remark caught me off guard, a fresh wave of heat washing over me.

“Mrs. Stonehall, huh? I mused, voice dripping with seductive undertone, as I pressed closer to her. “I like the sound of that, Blackwood.”

My hands roamed possessively over her slender form, tracing the delicate curves of her body as I pulled her flush against me. I knew she could feel the hardness of my arousal pressing insistently against her hip. “But first… maybe we need to make a public declaration of our love,” I proposed, my lips hovering mere inches from hers. “Something that will leave no doubt about the kind of future we’re planning—together.”

My breath washed over her skin, and she shivered as I leaned closer. The air was charged with electric tension, the promise of forbidden delights hanging precariously in the balance between us. “What do you say, Mrs. soon-to-be-Stonehall? Want to give these ducks a show they won’t soon forget?” I asked in a purr.

Aellorah threw her head back and laughed, the sound warming my insides. “Absolutely not!” she replied, pressing a soft kiss to my cheek. “There are people around, you know?! And I don’t feel like giving your boys a free show.”

I chuckled, shaking my head. She was right, of course. As much as I wanted her, her body was for my eyes only. I could wait until I had her alone again…

Aellorah

Max laughed at my comment, glancing back at his friends as I reached for another handful of seeds. Sitting up, I held out my hand, letting a few brave ducks waddle forward and nibble directly from my palm.

My other hand slipped into my pocket, plucking out my phone and snapping a few pictures of the ducks eating out of my hand. Then I flipped the camera mode, leaning against Max’s shoulder and capturing a photo of us in our intimate bliss.

My hair was a tangle of wind-twisted waves, my cheeks tinged pink from the cold air. I looked a mess, but one thing was certain—I looked happy. The intimate moment captured in my photos—the affectionate position, our bodies entwined, the adoring look in Max’s emerald eyes—served as a poignant reminder of the depth of our connection.

“Careful, Blackwood,” Max teased against my ear, his voice husky as he wrapped his arms around me, pulling me into his lap. His own phone emerged, and he snapped a few photos of us, my cheek pressed to his, smile radiant. “You’re playing with fire, you know. Once these pictures are out, the whole campus will know exactly how you’ve stolen my heart.”

I laughed, looking at the photos. After my very public engagement, I’d be surprised if anyone on campus didn’t know yet. “You should post them,” I replied in a whisper. I’d publicly claimed Max; now it was his turn to do the same.

My gaze lingered on the photos, my chest swelling with pride and affection at the sight of us looking so content.

“I want the whole world to witness our love story unfolding,” Max told me. “In fact, I think it’s time we took our public displays of affection to the next level.” I narrowed my gaze at him as his eyes gleamed with mischief. We were not having sex in the park. “What do you say we crash the university’s charity gala tonight? Show everyone the real power couple at Harrow Wood…”