"So you'll just date someone else then?" Sophie wanted to break away from him and jump into the river to drown her sorrows.

"I don't date." He paused. "I'll never love anyone the way I love her." He reached over and pinched he nipple. "I just f.u.c.k instead."

"Oh." She swallowed, ashamed at how good his hand made her feel.

"Yeah. I've had 10 a.s.sistants in the last year." He looked at her intently as he rolled her nipple between his fingers. "I'm a bad boy Sophie."

"I'm a bad girl." She lied, desperately hoping that she could somehow come out of this unscathed.

"No you're not." He looked out to the lake again. "But I think you need to see who I really am for you to finally leave me alone."

She gasped and pushed him away deeply hurt by his words. She walked away from him quickly and stood by Ella, who was drinking a beer with a smirk on her face.

"Hey, what were you and Max discussing so intently?"

"Just work stuff." Sophie paused. "So has Max ever had a serious girlfriend?"

"Huh?" Ella gulped back the beer she was drinking. "Strange question but yeah, he used to date this girl called Alexis. They have been on and off for years."

"Oh?" Sophie racked her brains to see if she could remember who Alexis was.

"Yeah. I think they were really serious ages ago, back before things went bad."

"Oh?"

"Yeah, that summer when he went to jail." Ella whispered, delving more secrets now she was drunk. "I think it had something to do with her. I'm not sure what though."

"Wait, was she the girl that used to have the house next door?" Sophie thought of a beautiful girl with long black hair who used to come over sometimes. "The one we used to call modern day Snow White?"

"Yup." Ella laughed. "Was she beautiful or what? If it's possible she is even more beautiful now."

"Oh." Sophie frowned. "So what happened?"

"I don't know." Ella whispered. "But a year or so ago, she came to the house and I heard her talking with Max in his study. She told him she forgave him and hoped they could put it behind them."

"Oh yeah? Put what behind them though?" Sophie felt anxious.

"I told you I don't really know." Ella frowned. "But Max told her he wasn't good for her. He said he regretted what happened more than life itself. He said that the best thing he could do for those he loved was to stay away."

"Wow." Sophie scratched her forehead, willing herself not to cry. "He must have really loved her."

"Yeah. I guess." Ella sighed. "Love is f.u.c.ked up."

"Yes, yes it is." So there she had it. Maxwell was in love with beautiful Alexis. She wondered what had happened to make him think that the best thing he could do for her was to stay away. If he had loved her she would have put up with anything just to be with him. "Why was Joseph touching your a.s.s Ella?" Sophie whispered to her friend, trying to get her mind off of Maxwell.

"What?" Ella looked at her in shock.

"Is something going on between you and Joseph?" Sophie tried to keep the judgment off of her face.

"I don't know what you are talking about." Ella got up and swayed over to the cooler to get another beer. "And I don't appreciate the insinuation either." She shouted back.

Sophie lay back and closed her eyes letting the sun beat down on her, hoping its rays would erase her mind from all of the information that had put in it that afternoon.

Chapter 9.

The rest of their vacation in Winterside was tense and awkward. Sophie and Ella laughed on the surface together but there was an obvious wedge between them. Ella went out most nights without inviting Sophie and they only really saw each other over lunch. They talked about superficial topics and neither one of them mentioned what had been said on the boat.

Sophie had instead focused on her work with Max. They hadn't made love since that day or talked about their conversation either. What hurt Sophie the most was that Maxwell had not even attempted to make a move on her. She lay in her bed every night, hopeful that she would hear a knock but it never came. The days were long and the work was hard but she found that she was beginning to understand the way that he worked and what he expected of her. He was also very kind towards her, so much so that she felt that there was hope for them to become friends again.

And as much as she felt sorrow for herself, she felt sorrow for him as well. What a wicked trick G.o.d had pulled on them to have her love him deeply and to have him love Alexis deeply. She wished every night that by some miracle he would forget Alexis and love her. But every day she woke up to a professional Maxwell and they went along with their everyday tasks without mentioning any of their personal feelings or dilemma's.

She'd come back to New York by herself. Ella had decided that she was going to take a month to vacation in France and Italy by herself before she started her internship. Sophie supposed that was one of the perks of actually being a Van Harkel, you could do what you wanted when you wanted. Sophie sighed as she tried on her outfit for the next day, the skirt didn't zip up properly and the jacket felt tight on her. She figured she had gained some weight in Winterside but she hadn't realized it at the time.

She looked in her closet to see if she had any other suits to wear; even though she already knew the answer. She wanted to look smart on her first official day at work but it looked like she would have to wear her black pants with the elastic waist and an ugly white shirt she had gotten for Halloween a few years before when she went to a party as Tom Cruise from 'c.o.c.ktail'. She tried on the outfit and groaned, she looked like an old maid, not a 22-year-old girl. No wonder Maxwell didn't want to be with her. She collapsed on to the bed and cried. She let out all of her frustrations and pains and sobbed for a good twenty minutes before she jumped up and ran to the bathroom to puke.

She sat on the floor with her head in the stomach and she tried to think about what she had eaten the night before that might be responsible for making her sick. She'd only had a slice of pizza and some salad. She sat there and started retching again when she felt her body still with shock. She jumped up, flushed the toilet, washed her mouth out with some water and ran to her calendar. She felt panicked when she realized she had missed her period.

"Oh s.h.i.t, s.h.i.t, s.h.i.t." She ran to her room and grabbed her purse and ran to the elevator. She needed to go to the store to get a pregnancy test. She felt hot and cold flushes run through her body and she leaned against the wall. "Please G.o.d, no."

She bought 3 different types of tests and ran back to her apartment. She felt her patience running thin as no urine came and ran to the kitchen and drank 3 large gla.s.ses of water. "Please please please." She mumbled as she peed on the sticks. She felt like time had stood still as she waited and jumped up when her alarm went off indicating that the waiting period was over. She walked slowly to the bathroom to cheek, telling herself that everything was going to be okay. She looked at the first stick, and then the second and third and pressed her head against the mirror. She walked back to her bedroom slowly, unsure of the feelings running through her. Part of her was extremely scared and worried but another part of her was delighted. She sat on her bed and bit her lip, she wasn't sure what lay ahead but one thing she did know was that she was going to keep the baby growing inside of her.

Sophie arrived at work early the next morning. It was her first official day and she wanted to show everyone that she wasn't hired just because she was best friends with the bosses' sister. She was pleased with her appearance. She had been able to let out the skirt and decided to skip the jacket; she didn't think she had to be that formal anyways. It had been a week since she had seen Maxwell and she was eager to see his face. She also knew that he deserved to know about the baby. She was scared at what he would say. That maybe he would ask her to get an abortion or think she was a gold-digger after the family funds. She knew he would be angry and wouldn't understand. She didn't know how she was going to tell him that she had lied about being on the pill; who did that? She would think that she had tried to trap him.

The receptionist walked her to her desk outside of Maxwell's office and she sat there and waited for him to call her in.

"He's in there with someone right now dear." The elderly lady smiled at her. "But as soon as he's finished, you can go and walk right in."

"Thanks." Sophie smiled weakly at the lady and sat there playing around with some paperclips on the table. She tried to figure out what to say to him when she saw him, "Hey Maxwell, I haven't seen you in a week but guess what? I'm pregnant." Or maybe, "Maxwell I want you to know that I am having your baby but don't worry I can still be your a.s.sistant." She hit her hand against her head and sighed. There was going to be no easy way to tell him.

"So I'll see you tonight?" The door opened and Sophie saw the back of a lady coming out of his office. "I'll make reservations at Barbuzza for 8 yeah?" Her voice was high and whiny and somehow sounded familiar to Sophie.

Sophie heard a m.u.f.fled reply from Maxwell but couldn't understand him. "We can discuss everything else tonight Max. I think this is one dinner you don't want to miss." The lady stepped out and closed the door.

Sophie looked at her and gasped, the color draining from her face.

"h.e.l.lo dear Sophie?" The lady smiled coldly. "I understand it's your first day today?"

"Yes." Her voice was low and strained. "And you are?"

"You don't remember me?" The lady looked at her with narrowed eyes. "I'm Alexis, Maxwell's special friend."

"Oh, yes. Sorry I forgot." Sophie stood up and smiled and held out her hand.

"Sure." Alexis ignored her outstretched hand. "I wouldn't get too comfortable here Sophie. I don't think you'll be in this position too long."

"Oh?"

"I don't really like you. Never did." She laughed. "And I think I can convince Maxwell to let you go."

"I see." Sophie stared at the lady unsure of why she hated her so. She also didn't understand what Maxwell saw in her. Yes, she was beautiful but she was like an ice queen.

Alexis leaned in close to Sophie and whispered. "I'd watch your back Sophie. You don't want to see Max back in jail do you?"

"What?" Sophie looked at her in shock. "What..."

At that moment, Maxwell opened the door and walked out. "Sophie." He smiled brightly at her until he noticed Alexis right next to her. "You're late." He frowned. "I'll see you later Alexis."

"Yes dear." She looked back at him and smiled sweetly before walking away.

"In the office." Max barked at Sophie and she stood there in confusion.

"I'm not late Max." She spoke angrily to him, upset that he had spoken to her that way in front of Alexis.

"Look I'm doing you a favor here Sophie. My life would be a lot easier if I didn't hire you."

"I'm not trying to put you out Max. In fact, I can leave right now if you want." She spun around and walked to the door and he chased after her.

"Stop." He barked. He reached around her and closed the door and locked it before pushing her against it and reaching down to crush his lips to hers. She kissed him back pa.s.sionately and violently, letting all of her emotions and worries come out in the kiss. He unb.u.t.toned her shirt quickly and pushed her the cups of her bra down so that her b.r.e.a.s.t.s were hanging out. He reached down and took one of her b.r.e.a.s.t.s in his mouth and suckled on her nipple as he pushed her skirt up with his hands.

She reached over and undid his shirt and pulled it off of him so that he stood there bare-chested. He groaned and ripped her shirt off and threw it on the ground next to his before unclasping her bra. He pushed her against him so that her b.r.e.a.s.t.s were crushed against his chest. He reached under her skirt and pulled her panties off and pulled her skirt up to her waist.

"f.u.c.k it." He growled and pulled her skirt off as well so that she was standing there naked asides from her heels. She reached over and pulled his pants down and caressed his p.e.n.i.s until it was hard. He lifted her up against the wall and muttered into her ears. "Put your legs around my waist."

She obeyed and wrapped her legs around him and was rewarded by his hard c.o.c.k pushing deep into her. She groaned as he f.u.c.ked her; their bodies gyrating together so that her b.r.e.a.s.t.s bounced against his chest. He lifted her over to the black leather couch in his office and pulled out of her. She sat there looking up at him and he pushed her down onto the couch.

"Spread your legs." He commanded before using his hands to open them wide. She felt his breath on her p.u.s.s.y seconds before she felt his tongue invade her. She buckled under the pressure of his lips as they sucked on her c.l.i.t and she felt herself c.u.m into his mouth as he lapped up her juices. "Good." He grinned at her before flipping her over onto all fours. He then came up behind her and slid himself into her once more, she felt her p.u.s.s.y lips welcome him home and they clung on to his c.o.c.k as he slid in and out of her.

"There is something delicious about f.u.c.king a wet p.u.s.s.y that I can't resist." He muttered before slamming into her a few more times and then coming. He turned her over and collapsed onto the couch next to her. She cradled him in her arms and they smiled at each other. His head was resting on her breast and she felt a rush of pleasure run through her and she hoped that she was going to give birth to a boy so that she could always be reminded of his glorious wonderful angelic face. He reached over and suckled on her breast and she rubbed his head feeling satiated and complete. This is where she was meant to be: with this man, in this moment forever.

"I told myself I wouldn't do this." He muttered as he pulled himself away from her. "You are a witch Sophie."

"No. I'm not." She smiled at him sweetly and decided that this was the perfect time to tell him the news. "I need to tell you something Maxwell."

"Yeah?" He looked at her sideways as he caressed her b.r.e.a.s.t.s with his tongue.

"Yeah. It's kinda important."

"Ok." She felt his hand slip down to her p.u.s.s.y and he rubbed on her c.l.i.t.

"Yes." She moaned and wiggled against him. "I'm pregnant." She spurted it out.

She felt him freeze and left his mouth from her breast. He looked at her in shock. "What?"

"I'm pregnant." She gasped it out as he slid two fingers into her. "Please don't do that, I can't think."

"You can't think?" He looked at her harshly and continued fingering her. "What do you mean you are pregnant?" He got up and removed his fingers from her, instead rubbing the tip of his c.o.c.k up and down her slit.

"Maxwell please stop." She pleaded with him as she felt another o.r.g.a.s.m build up.

"Who are you pregnant for?" He stared at her intently, slipping the tip of him into her slowly and then withdrawing it.

"You." She groaned, aching to feel him fully inside of him.

He stared at her with a murderous look in his eyes and slid the length of his c.o.c.k in and out of her slowly. She grabbed his a.s.s to get him to move faster but he withdrew from her and rubbed his c.o.c.k on her c.l.i.t a few more times before getting up and walking away from her. He silently walked over to get his clothes and he got dressed as she sat there on the couch. He walked back to his desk and sat down and stared at her still laying on the couch.

His next words were low and contained his anger. "What do you mean me? I thought you told me you were on the pill?"

"I'm sorry." She sat up and covered her b.r.e.a.s.t.s with her hands suddenly ashamed and embarra.s.sed.

"I cannot believe this Sophie." He put his face into his hands. "I knew f.u.c.king you was a mistake."

Sophie cringed at his words and wiped away a tear that had formed in the corner of her eye. "I'm sorry Max."

He slammed the desk with his fist. "You should be f.u.c.king sorry. You have just complicated my life far more than I need at this point."

Sophie looked down at the floor scared; she had never seen him so angry before.

"I cannot believe this has happened. Not know that Alexis has come back into my life." He sighed and looked at her angrily. "Do you know what you have done?"

Sophie nodded her head overwhelmed by the guilt in her heart. She was costing the man she loved the love of his life. "I'm sorry but I'm keeping the baby." She bit her lip and rubbed her stomach.

He looked at her and all of a sudden his features softened. He got up and picked up her clothes and walked over to her. He lifted her off of the couch and redressed her. She looked into his eyes and saw an emotion she had never seen before reflected there.

"I told you I was a wolf Sophie." He sighed. "I just don't think you listened."

"What are we going to do?" She looked at him fearfully.

"We're going to make sure you don't get eaten." He frowned at her and walked back to his desk. "We're going to make sure that nature doesn't have its way."

Chapter 10.

Sophie decided to go to the movies after work to think. They always made her feel calmer, even horror movies. She thought that it was because the best memories she had of her parents were related to movies. She could remember watching 'Mary Poppins' and dancing around singing A Spoonful of Sugar with her dad. He would throw her up into the air and then sneak her a candy behind her mother's back. She would nibble at the candy and suck it slowly, savoring the sweetness in her mouth as she continued to watch the movie. She had developed a love of pigeons from the movie and whenever she walked around Times Square, she would always try to take some bird seeds so that she could feed the birds. It was something that she was sure her father would do with her if he were still alive. As Sophie studied the movie listings she sighed, there was nothing that she wanted to sit through, nothing that would take her mind off Maxwell and his dinner with Alexis.

She knew that this was going to be a long lonely night for her. She'd had some hope when she had gone into the office that morning that she had a chance. But as soon as she had seen Alexis she had known. The love of Maxwell's life was back and she wasn't going to be taking his rejection so easily. No matter what he had to say. Sophie felt a twinge of guilt in her heart, didn't loving someone mean letting them go? Maybe she had ruined Maxwell's life by getting pregnant. Maybe his one chance at happiness was forever gone because she had lied. She didn't blame him for being upset-he had asked and she had lied. She was a bad person, an evil person. She didn't deserve happiness. Not after what she had done. But she knew she didn't regret it, she would always have a piece of Maxwell now. It didn't matter if he never wanted to see her again she would still have the baby. And she knew deep in her heart that Maxwell wouldn't desert his own baby. He wasn't made like that. No, he would take care of his baby, even if he didn't want to see her. She was confident of that.