And After the Storm...

[MAXINE MCMANUS]

Maxi followed August down to his apartment, her eyes watching warily for either Sebastian or Prestine following. The Davenports...she would remember that name. If she ever heard that name again, she would be sure to run from it. As they walked toward August's door, she kept her arm around him, walking close to him. She never wanted to be separated from him again, not like that. She really had been terrified she would never see him again. Looking down at her hand, she knew she was going to have something to remind her of her captivity for a while. Her fingers were swollen and slightly discolored, a bruise forming beneath the skin. She wasn't sure how she had moved those fingers with ease just minutes before, but she chalked it up to adrenaline. Now, she could barely move them, the pain was so intense. Perhaps she had fractured them...she'd have to go to the doctor to be sure.

Her cheek still hurt to from where Sebastian had backhanded her. The blood was gone, but she was sure there would be a bruise. If it didn't disappear by next week, she was going to get a barrage of questions from her students. "Miss McManus, did you get into a fight?!" "Did you win?!" "What did the other person look like when you were done with them?!" She smiled a little at the thought. They would have respect for her for something that didn't even happen. At least now they might listen more if they thought she was tougher than she looked. Her hand now hung limply at her side, her cheek a little swollen, and her elbow still hurting from hitting Sebastian in the spine. She was battered and bruised, but not broken. And now she had her August back. She wouldn't be going home tonight, she knew that much, but that was okay with her.

When they were in August's apartment, she finally remembered what the hell she was wearing. Her eyes looked down to the red spandex that barely covered her half bear ass and her boobs were on the verge of spilling out of the dress. She blushed and crossed her arms to try and cover herself up. Nope, that just pushed her boobs together more. Maxi had never liked how big her breasts were, always thinking they were too big for her tiny frame. Now, she liked them even less. She chanced a look up at August, still flushed, and she looked uncertain. "Um...do you have something I can change into?" she asked almost shyly, giving him an uncomfortable smile. She looked ridiculous, and she was sure he thought the same. The sooner she could burn this stupid outfit, the better.

[AUGUST WITT]

It had been too long of a night. The sun would be up in a couple of short hours and August would have to trust Maxine to be okay on her own until he woke at sun down. He wanted her to sleep all day, not wanting to share her with another living soul. When they got into his home he locked the door. Sebastian wouldn't try to get in, and if he did he was in a world of hurt. As it was he was going to pay severely for what he'd done. August was thinking of all the things he would like to do to the man, but he knew it would be better in the councils hands. They could do worse than he himself could, plus his hands would be clean of it all.

"Um...do you have something I can change into?" Maxine asked sounding shy and giving him an uncomfortable smile. She'd been through a lot that evening but there was a dark side of him that relished her uneasiness. He stepped back and drank in the sight of her. August wasn't normally interested in girls dressed like this. Halloween rarely held any appeal to him, but since he knew Maxine it made it more delicious than normal.

He was quiet for a moment, almost wanting her to feel uncomfortable under his scrutiny. The storm in his eyes raged as they moved from her feet to her eyes. "I think I could find something." He said, his tone dark as he didn't make to move for his bedroom. "Strip." He commanded softly, standing back and waiting for do as he said. He knew she wouldn't fight him, not after what she'd done. "Everything." He reminded softly so she knew he wanted her completely naked for him.

When she had done as he asked he stepped towards her and took her hand delicately in his, brushing his lips over her knuckles before bringing her to his room, still completely clothed. He didn't bring her to the bed as expected, though. He brought her to his bathroom and when they arrived he let her hand go and turned the tub on, filling it with oils and soap. He wanted to scrub every inch of Davenport off of her. As the tub filled he turned back to her. "Are you hurt anywhere?" He asked, noticing earlier her face had seemed a little puffy, though he wasn;t sure if it was from being battered or crying.

[MAXINE MCMANUS]

Maxi squirmed under August's scrutinizing gaze. Her eyes wandered nervously, wondering if he was going to speak, but he just stood there staring. It only made her face flush more. Why was he enjoying this so much? "I think I could find something." Her eyes came back to him when he finally said this, his tone dark and his eyes piercing. He didn't move though, so she just stood there, hands behind her back, waiting. "Strip." She blushed more. "N-now?" she said uncertainly, but from look in his eyes, he was serious. With an uncertain look at him, she peeled the dress off and was working on the socks when he spoke again. "Everything." There were butterflies in her stomach. She should have been used to him seeing her body by now, but usually she was in a fit of lust with only one thing on her mind when he did. Right now, she was standing in his living room in full view, and it made her self-conscious.

One glance to the tall, wide windows, and she unhooked her bra slowly and let it fall to the floor before slipping her panties over her hips. Blushing and stark naked, she waiting for him to make his move. He came forward and took her good hand, kissing over her knuckles and making her smile a little. She felt her heart racing, and she wondered what was going to happen from here. Wasn't he mad at her? He guided her to his room and she thought he was going to have his way with her then, making her stomach clench in excitement. Instead, he took her to the bathroom, which she had to say she was grateful for. That brandy Sebastian had dumped on her was still in her hair and she couldn't wait to get it out.

As he filled the tub, she waited patiently, looking down at her hand again. Good thing she didn't absolutely have to use it until next Monday when she was back in class. Still, it hurt, and she couldn't help but fret over it a little. He turned back to her and she gave a smile as he walked towards her. "Are you hurt anywhere?" Her smile grew a little more, appreciating his concern. "Sebastian had me in a cage and he pushed the cage over at one point. I was holding on to the bars when it felt on the ground and crushed my fingers some," she said lifting her hand up for him to see her fingers swollen and slightly curled. "I can't really move them, but I think I'll be okay. Oh, and he slapped me...really hard, because I almost got away. I'll probably have a bruise." She indicated her left cheek as the one he slapped. "I'll live though. It's nothing all that serious." She gave a wider smile, hoping it would diffuse some of the anger he would inevitably feel about her being slapped around. That was just the way August was.

[AUGUST WITT]

August listened, his brows furrowed as she explained her treatment. He was rigid and not looking at her, afraid of doing or saying something he regretted. She knew what she'd done was stupid and there was no sense beating her down for it. She'd suffered quite enough at Sebastian's hands for not listening to him.

"There's little I can do for your face." He told her, stroking her cheek gently with his thumb, not wanting to inflame it anymore than it was. Despite how gently his fingers moved over her skin, he was obviously tense and angry still. Did she not see how very much she meant to him? That he had done everything he had to try and keep her safe? "But after you've bathed I'll patch your fingers up until you can have them seen tomorrow. Now, in the tub." His voice was low and firm with a fatherly undertone to it.

He helped her in and watched as she eased down into the hot water. He kneeled down and rolled his long sleeves up so he could bathe her without getting wet, making it clear he was intending to get in with her. "You reek of alcohol." He said softly as he soaped a cloth and ran it over her porcelain skin. She truly was a magnificent creature. "Lean back." He commanded, placing his hand on her back so he could help her dunk only her head in. When she was nice and wet he poured some shampoo into his hand and lathered it into her tendrils.

"I want you to sleep as late as you can tomorrow." He told her. "I'd rather you did nothing all day other than relax. When I get in we can see a doctor at the hospital and get anything you need together. You're to stay with me in the evenings until I've taken care of Sebastian." He was firm, not leaving it up for discussion. "And when the time comes I might need you to make a case against Sebastian to some people I know. His actions will not go unnoticed this time." He said softly his fingers working into her scalp, intent on cleaned every ounce of filth from it.

[MAXINE MCMANUS]

"There's little I can do for your face." Maxi smiled a little more at the way August's fingers brushed over her cheek. It hurt a little, but not much, and she didn't mind the pain. She was grateful for his gentle touch, even though she could see he was still tense and angry. It made her feel like she truly was special to him. But it reminded her of what he had said in Sebastian's apartment...that she was replaceable. Her chest ached for a beat, her smile fading a little. About that..."But after you've bathed I'll path your fingers up until you can have them seen tomorrow. Now, in the tub." She nodded, doing as he instructed, but what he said was still gnawing at her.

She used her good hand to get in, the other one held up, immobile. She crouched down into the water, looking to him to see if he was going to join her. Nope, he was rolling up his sleeves. It was strange, being the one taken care of. She always took care of other people. In her life, that was the role she chose for herself. It was odd letting others do it for her, but it was so endearing in August. He was her opposite, but he was taking on her role now. It made her feel warm, though that thought was still pulling at her insides. Could she even ask? "You reek of alcohol." She gave a quiet laugh. "Yeah, he dumped a glass of brandy on my head while I was in the cage because I wouldn't drink it," she explained. The cloth in his hand ran over her skin, and she smiled warmly. He was being so sweet. It was so unlike him. "Lean back." She did, letting him help her, watching him as she dunked her head into the water. It felt like the best bath she had ever taken.

When she sat back up again, he shampooed her hair, making her smile more to herself. He had done this before, but it was different this time. It wasn't laced with sexual overtones. He was just caring for her. He cared for her...her doubts were slipping away a little at a time. "I want you to sleep as late as you can tomorrow. I'd rather you did nothing all day other than relax. When I get in we can see a doctor at the hospital and get anything you need together. You're to stay with me in the evenings until I've taken care of Sebastian." She nodded, not looking to argue as her hand slid the cloth over her body. All of that sounded fine to her. She didn't want to be alone until this thing with Sebastian was sorted out. And being with August every night...that was a bonus. "And when the time comes I might need you to make a case against Sebastian to some people I know. His actions will not go unnoticed this time." Her eyes went to him as he continued to lather her hair, a little worried now. "You mean, I'll have to speak to the Council, right?" she said. Her eyes fell to the water again, her hand still running the cloth over her body. "Okay. I can do that."

That reminded her of his cousin, the pretty woman who had come to help them. "Will your cousin be involved in all of that?" she asked, curious. A smile came to her lips as she looked at him. "I didn't know you had any cousins. She seems nice." It was an off-handed comment, but she meant it. From what she had seen of the woman, she was nice. She had smiled at her and tried to help her. Aloof, perhaps, but nice. And she felt closer to him now for having met a member of August's family. Maybe it was just his cousin, but it was a personal side to him that she hadn't seen before. He had gone to his cousin for help to get her back. Maybe they were close? It didn't seem like it, not with the way they said goodbye, but he trusted her enough to help him. She couldn't be all that bad.

The shampoo was rinsed from her hair and she felt new again, like her old self. She wasn't get-me-the-fuck-out-of-here Maxi anymore, just regular Maxi. It was nice to get back to her old self, even if only a little, though she enjoyed August being his new self. She was still a little blown by how he was caring for her. He had said the word love..."Do you think my love for her is blind?" Maybe his love wasn't blind, but it was love. Was it love? She couldn't ask him; she couldn't be the first one to bring up the "L" word just between the two of them. She didn't want to frighten him. But she was still thinking about it. Her knees pulled up to her chest as she looked at him, just watching him take care of her. "I know you didn't mean what you said," she said suddenly but softly. "About being able to find another one like me. I know you didn't mean it." Her cheeks were turning pink and she was actually fighting back relieved tears. She smiled a little before looking away and at her knees. "I thought I should tell you that," she nearly whispered.

[AUGUST WITT]

"You mean, I'll have to speak to the Council, right?" He offered a harsh look. He could sit and pretend all day that he wasn't what he was, but they both knew she knew. He didn't like talking about it and it would never be up for discussion, but that didn't mean he could downright deny anything anymore. "Yes." He grumbled after a beat, rising her hair. "Okay. I can do that."

"Will your cousin be involved in all of that?" And August shook his head and shrugged at the same time. "I intend to not involve her if I can help it. She has a complicated past with the Davenports and I can't imagine she'll be thrilled with my decision to seek the council for his behavior." He knew Eponine would likely do as he asked, but he also knew she wouldn't be happy about it, either. She had a duty to the council and he would be abusing it by asking her to go against him in a trial.

She was talking about his cousin being nice now, another topic August wasn't keen on discussing. His personal life was his personal life, and though she was technically part of that now, she belonged to a different branch than his family and he liked to keep the two separate. "She has her moments." He offered, making it clear he wasn't all that interested in talking about Eponine. August didn't mind talking about things on occasion, but he needed to be eased into those conversations where he offered a piece of himself, and tonight seemed full of those moments already. He simply wanted to enjoy her safe and sound, naked in his tub.

She was quiet for a moment and he relished in their silence, simply being with her, focusing on cleaning her up. He ran conditioner through her hair and then rinsed it before taking a fresh cloth and dampening it, rubbing in a facial cleanser. He brought the cloth to her face, wiping away the tears she'd spilled, the liquor, and trying to calm her aching skin from the forming bruise. "I know you didn't mean what you said," she said suddenly, her voice soft and he looked into her eyes for a moment before focusing on her face again, his brow creasing slightly. "About being able to find another one like me. I know you didn't mean it." Her cheeks brightened under the cloth as she spoke and then she was looking down at the knees drawn to her chest. "I thought I should tell you that," She finished in a whisper and he watched silently, stroking her cheeks clean with the cloth.

"I never doubted your ability to see the truth." He said truthfully. He said those things for Bastian to think she meant nothing, not Maxine. "Though I suppose It's nice to know you have no insecurities about... us." It wasn't easy to say and he had no intention of going further with his words. He pulled the cloth away and draped it over the side of the tub.

"Rinse your face." He told her, getting up and fetching a couple of fluffy white towels from an armoire in the bathroom. He draped the smaller towel over his shoulder and opened the larger one up, spreading his arms. "Up." He told her softly and waited for her to stand before wrapping her in the towel. He brought the other to her hair and ran it through the long red tendrils, drying it for her. "I wouldn't have come for you if you'd meant nothing." He told her his voice low and raspy. "I wouldn't have cared if he'd taken you, either. Most importantly, if you were so easily replaced, I wouldn't even bother being angry with you." he stopped, his gaze catching hers. "I'm furious at you for what you've put me through this evening, but I'm certain Sebastian's done an adequate job of punishing you." There was a dark glimmer in his eyes as he hooked her chin with his fingers, drawing her mouth close to hers. "I hate him for not allowing me the pleasure.." He breathed, kissing her lightly, "Though I wouldn't have gone quite as far as he had. I'm sadistic, but not quite as much so as he. Now let's find you something to wear."

[MAXINE MCMANUS]

"I never doubted your ability to see the truth. Though I suppose it's nice to know you have no insecurities about...us." Us. There was an "us." Maxi was so happy she could have cried, except that she really didn't know if she had anymore tears left in her. She just smiled wide at August, his hands gently using a cloth to wipe her face, completely satisfied with that little bit of hope he had given her. "Rinse your face." She did and felt the tears, the alcohol, and some of the abuse wash away with the water. When he came back, he had towels for her. "Up." She did as he asked and when he held the towel open, she gratefully stepped into it, letting him wrap the towel around her body. She smiled softly, her heart melting, and his hands used the other towel to start drying her hair.

"I wouldn't have come for you if you'd meant nothing. I wouldn't have cared if he'd taken you, either." She watched him as he said this, her heart throbbing. It was interesting to her to think that she had known when she was taken that she meant a lot more to him than he would probably admit, because she had never doubted that he would come for her. She only doubted if she would live long enough for him to see her again. "Most importantly, if you were so easily replaced, I wouldn't even bother being angry with you. I'm furious at you for what you've put me through this evening, but I'm certain Sebastian's done an adequate job of punishing you." Now her heart caught in her throat, seeing how angry he was in his eyes. She had put him through pain, and she felt awful for that. Her eyes were sad and apologetic as she looked at him, though she was glad that he wouldn't punish her further. Sebastian had definitely managed to teach her the error of her ways. His fingers pulled her chin closer to his mouth, and she felt her heart pounding in her throat where it was caught. "I hate him for not allowing me the pleasure..." Her eyes closed when he kissed her, hoping he might kiss all of her pain away. But he pulled away quickly, and she supposed she deserved that. "Though I wouldn't have gone quite as far as he had. I'm sadistic, but not quite as much so as he." Was he sadistic? She had never described him as such, and she definitely would describe him as such when compared to Sebastian. But she supposed it was true on a small scale. He did like to torture her, but it was never severe...

"Now let's find you something to wear." Maxi nodded, though she had to admit she was a little disappointed. She thought he might...enjoy her...a little more when she was naked. But she had caused him much more heartache than she was sure he was used to this evening, so she deserved to be denied that satisfaction. Before he could pull away, though, she wrapped her arms around his shoulders and just hugged him. She didn't do that often. It the throws of passion or just after, she would hold him, but this was different. This was a gesture of comfort, not passion. "I'm sorry for what I put you through," she said in a voice just barely above a whisper. "I promise, I'll never do that to you again." When she pulled back from him just a little, she sealed her promise with a kiss. It was sweet, but it was passionate, letting him know just how grateful she was for his harrowing rescue and how much it meant to her.

When she pulled away from his lips, she smiled gently at him, her thumb momentarily playing in the dimple on his chin. She had noticed it before, of course, but it suddenly seemed so endearing. It was a cute little dimple. Her smile was sweet when she looked back up at him, and she was called back to the idea of clothes. "What do you have that will fit me?" she asked softly, genuinely curious. I mean, she couldn't wear his normal clothes...

[AUGUST WITT]

Before he could pull away, her arms wrapped around him and for a moment he simply stood there, but slowly he let his arms curl around her narrow waist, hugging her slender body to his. "I'm sorry for what I put you through," she said in a voice just barely above a whisper. "I promise, I'll never do that to you again." Her kiss was kind and gentle and he allowed his lips to move with hers. It was an odd sort of relationship he had with her. It was apparent he cared deeply, and on many levels one might consider them domestic partners. He had no interest in anyone else and he was rarely satiated by one round in bed with her. He could listen to her speak with interest and she could do the same. He enjoyed taking her out and felt protective, but he couldn't stand the thought of making things official. Somehow he saw it all as beneath him, which was absurd even in his mind, but to give himself to someone wholly by admitting it was just something he wasn't capable of just yet. He'd spent decades doing as he pleased and he wasn't ready to give that up, even though he already had.

"What do you have that will fit me?"

He chuckled. "Everything I have will fit you." He offered. "I'm wondering if you might have anything that can fit me, though." His brow raised slightly and he ushered her back into the bedroom, going into the closet. He fetched her a pair of silk boxers and a crisp white t-shirt. He lifted the boxers and showed her the hole. "Easy access." He teased boyishly, laying it onto the bed.

When he laid her clothing out he went back to her sliding the towel from her torso and dropping it onto the floor. His eyes wandered down, drinking her in again, this time with lust instead of scrutiny. He gently grabbed at her hand, the bad one. "Should we bandage this while you get dressed?" He asked. "Or maybe you shouldn't bother dressing yet. I have every intention of undressing you when I'm done anyway."

[MAXINE MCMANUS]

"Everything I have will fit you. I'm wondering if you might have anything that can fit me, though." Maxi giggled and followed August from the bathroom to his bedroom, meandering over to the bed as he fetched some clothes. She ran her fingers through her damp hair absent-mindedly, getting some of the tangles out. She definitely smelled much better now than she had a few minutes before. The smell of alcohol was off her, and it was no longer burning in her eyes. If she ever ran into Sebastian Davenport again, which she hoped would never happen, she was macing him in those creepy eyes of his. That would show him to fuck with her. The thought made her smile, strangely; she wasn't normally a vindictive person, but she had a score to settle with that asshole.

When August came back, he had a pair of silk boxers and a t-shirt for her to wear. That suited her just fine. They probably smelled like him, and she felt her heart squeeze a little at the thought. She loved the way he smelled. When he held them up and showed her the hole, her eyes got wide at first. "Easy access." She laughed a little blush coming to her face. The comment was one some of her students would make, and it made him so cute. "I see your game," she teased. Her laughter died away and her blush grew when he pulled off her towel, though. He dropped it to the floor, looking her over, except this time it was a familiar look in his eye that made her stomach flip. It was obvious he wanted her, and she felt her heart beginning to pound.

He grabbed her hand, making her wince a little even though he was gentle. "Should we bandage this while you get dressed? Or maybe you shouldn't bother dressing yet. I have every intention of undressing you when I'm done anyway." Her heart pounded harder, liking that promise. She didn't want to get dressed yet. She didn't even want to bandage her hand yet. All she wanted was him. But she was feeling a little playful now, having relaxed some, and she stepped closer to him, giving a cute little shrug. "It's gone this long without being bandaged," she said, not looking up at him as her good hand reached out and started playing at the buttons on his shirt. She unhooked one, her eyes coming up to him with a small, teasing smile on her face. "It could probably wait a little longer." Her voice was soft, her eyes lustful, and she let her fingers move to the next button, unhooking that one as well. She was close to him, just inches apart, and if he wanted her, all he had to do was reach out and grab her. If he would was entirely up to him.

[AUGUST WITT]

"It's gone this long without being bandaged," He watched silently as she began her slow seduction, unbuttoning his shirt. It was hard to keep self control, but he had to. "It could probably wait a little longer."

"It could." He agreed softly, willing his hands not to move up her smooth skin and nestle at the nape of her neck.. Oh, but did he want to. "Then again, so could this." He informed, running a hand to her groin and cupping it, feeling the heat radiate off of it. He pulled away before he could be too tempted. "Sit." He commanded more firmly as he pulled away, knowing this was the only way he would be able to punish her. Beating her wasn't his style, but withholding... now that was something he could do.

He went to the bathroom and searched around, finally coming back to her with a box of oval 8 finger splints. He sat beside her on the bed and pulled her hand towards him "This will be a little uncomfortable to put on, but they'll keep your fingers from bending and in all will help you feel better. You are to ice them tomorrow. In fact, when I've had my fill of you I plan on putting that hand on ice." He explained and pulled the splints out.

August delicately slid the splints on her fingers, one by one, trying to be gentle and slow as to hurt her as little as possible. "There." He said when he was finished. "That should be a little better. Nothing the doctor wouldn't do, unless of course there's a break, but I don't think there is. There would be far more swelling." He didn't claim to be a medical expert, but he'd picked up a thing or two over the years.

"Now.." He said, pushing the box away, "I believe you were in the process of undressing me?" He raised a brow at her, his eyes raging again, but this time not with anger. "I'm starting to wonder if you deserve the fine fucking I want to give you."

[MAXINE MCMANUS]

"It could." Maxi allowed her smile to grow a little. "Then again, so could this." She gasped as August's hand cupped her, biting her lip at the desire that flooded her then. He was such a tease. "Sit." With a sigh she did as he said, sitting on the bed. She knew she deserved it for opening the door, but she still pouted a little. She was safe now, right? Her eyes drifted out the window, looking at the cityscape while he rummaged in his bathroom for something. When he came back, he had a box of something in his hand. It was splints. Did he have everything? His preparedness made her smile. He took a seat beside her on the bed and she turned towards him a little, giving him her hand.

"This will be a little uncomfortable to put on, but they'll keep your fingers from bending and in all will help you feel better. You are to ice them tomorrow. In fact, when I've had my fill of you, I plan on putting that hand on ice." She nodded, preparing for the pain she knew would come, telling herself there would be plenty of pleasure afterward. Maybe. As he moved her fingers into the splints, she winced and grimaced, biting her lip so she wouldn't whimper. It hurt, but he was as gentle as possible. "There." She let her hand drop, inspecting the splints. He did a good job. "That should be a little better. Nothing the doctor wouldn't do, unless of course there's a break, but I don't there is. There would be far more swelling." She nodded agreement, sure they weren't broken. There hadn't been enough force to break them. Still, they did hurt, and there was a painful heat throbbing through them now. It would go away soon, she hoped.

"Now..." He pushed the box away, and she looked up at him, smiling wickedly. "I believe you were in the process of undressing me?" She giggled, the look in his eyes making her heart flutter. "I'm starting to wonder if you deserve the fine fucking I want to give you." She gave a little pout, her good hand reaching out to pull on his buttons again. She did so slowly, looking at him with her big eyes. "I probably don't," she conceded with a little sigh. Her hand finished undoing his buttons and moved to undoing his belt. "But I could earn it." The suggestion was soft and hopeful and she let that kittenish smile creep back onto her lips. "How could I earn it, Mr. Witt?" she inquired, her hand undoing the button of his pants. Maxi was willing and eager to please.

[AUGUST WITT]

"I probably don't," His gaze was intent as she continued to undo his shirt buttons. He watched with needy, hungry eyes. She knew how to get him going, and knew exactly which buttons to push to get him to come around and do what she wanted. "But I could earn it."

"Hmm.." That sounded like a good idea... The devilish smirk on her lips made him starve for her more than he already was. "How could I earn it, Mr. Witt?" She asked, undoing the button to his pants. "Oh, I'm sure we could figure something out." He said slowly.

---

"Mine," she whispered to him after he'd said the very same four letter word to her. August didn't like her to openly claim him, but he didn't fight it. He was, like it or not, hers. He held her close, relishing in the way she snuggled against him on the bed. She felt so right there in his arms, and he wanted her nowhere else. In a way he was almost glad for the excuse to have her all to himself. It meant she wasn't out with that idiot Dawson or anyone else!

His hand slid down her side and then back up, feeling the curved of her perfect body. "I'm going to take pity on you." He said softly, a ghost of a smile creasing his lips. "I won't torment you or another go. Or maybe it's the opposite.. The ever insatiable Miss McManus will have to let one go suffice this evening." He taunted, the smile broadening. "You need your rest. The suns going to come up in an hour or so and I want to make sure you're asleep." His fingers stopped at her waist, running his hand around to her rear, resting it there. "Shut your eyes now." He ordered gently, kissing her again.

[MAXINE MCMANUS]

Maxi smiled, feeling sleepy as August's hand moved over her side, running along the curves. It felt so good just to lay there with him, especially after everything that had happened that evening. "I'm going to take pity on you." She gave him a confused look as she watched a shadow of a smile come over his lips. "I won't torment you for another go. Or maybe it's the opposite...The ever insatiable Miss McManus will have to let one go suffice this evening." Maxi giggled before pouting her lip cutely. "Boo," she said softly before giving a big smile. "You need your rest. The sun's going to come up in an hour or so and I want to make sure you're asleep." Her smile turned warm finding his worry about her so sweet. His hand came around to her backside, but it was both sensual and sweet. He was admiring her body and she found it heart warming.

"Shut your eyes now." He kissed her, and she returned it softly, finding his command to be somewhat paternal. How old was he? Quite possibly old enough to be her father, but who knew? Maybe she would ask him...tomorrow. Tonight, she just wanted to lay there in silence with him. She curled into him, nuzzling her head so it rested against his cheek, her fingers running up and down his back slowly. "You make me really happy, August," she said softly, her fingers slowing as she grew more and more tired. She was exhausted; mentally, physically, and emotionally exhausted. Making love to August took what little strength she had left in her, and now she lay limp against him, his warmth every comfort she needed.

It didn't take long for her breathing to slow and her fingers to still themselves on his skin. Maxi hadn't slept that deep in years, and it was a sleep so deep there were no dreams, just silence and darkness. She was dead to the world because she felt safe right there with August.