The morning passed in a blur for Liz. She was so excited about being with Max that evening, she was walking on air. She’d decided to leave work early to give herself extra time to get ready, and was busily clearing up the last few items on her desk when Kyle strolled into her office.
"Hey Liz."
"Kyle," she greeted him warmly. "How have you been?"
"I'm fine but I’ve been worried about you," he said.
A confused look crossed her face. "Why are you worried about me?"
He approached her desk and spoke softly. "Look Liz, it's not really any of my business, but I know you have been seeing a lot of Evans and I just don't want you to get hurt."
"I don't mean physically," he said, shaking his head. He paused and ran his fingers through his hair in a frustrated gesture. "Liz, don't you know about Max’s reputation?"
"What are you talking about?" she asked with a shake of her head.
He leaned in closer, lowering his voice. "Max is known to be quite a playboy, a different woman every week.” Kyle sighed. “I just don't want you to end up being another notch on his... belt."
"Kyle I don't know where you heard that but it just isn't true,” Liz said confidently. “Alex has known him a long time and he told me all about Max. Alex would never let me get involved with someone like that."
"Well what if Alex doesn't know?” Kyle asked. “Maybe Evans has fooled him too."
Liz shook her head. "Kyle you are making something out of nothing. He is a rich, single man. It’s just a rumor."
Kyle nodded, looking down. "Maybe."
Liz didn't know what to say, he looked so strange.
He started pacing in front of her desk and she could see the frustration building in him. Suddenly he stopped and turned back to her his face returning to its usual friendly lines. "Liz, we're friends right?"
He continued without waiting for her answer. "Well friends should look out for each other, and when I hear things about Evans… Well, I just want you to be careful."
"I will be,” Liz said. “I am careful."
"Okay,” he said with a nod. “Just remember if you ever need a friend to talk to I'm here."
Liz smiled. "Thanks Kyle I really appreciate it."
"Hey I just had an idea," he said suddenly. "Why don't I take you to lunch tomorrow? We've both been so busy lately and we can catch up."
"Thanks,” Liz said with a smile, “but Maria and I are having lunch with Max tomorrow."
"Really," he said, his voice gruff.
An odd expression crossed his face so quickly that Liz thought she must have imagined it.
Kyle smiled. "That's nice. Where's Max taking you?"
"I’m not really sure,” Liz said. “It’s a new place downtown. He has a meeting in the morning and we are going to meet him outside his office at noon."
Kyle nodded slowly, his head going up once and back down. "Liz are you sure it's a good idea for you to see so much of him? I mean you just met the guy, you should take things slowly."
"We are," Liz reassured Kyle with a touch of annoyance. "You are worse than Alex with all of these questions."
"Maybe Alex has reservations about you being with Evans too," Kyle suggested.
Liz shook her head. "No, just the opposite. Alex is trying to push us together."
"Push you together?” he exclaimed. “Liz you shouldn't let anyone push you into anything you don't want to do."
"I don't," she protested, getting angry. "I'm my own person and I can make my own decisions. I don't let any man tell me what to do. I won't let Max or you or even Alex push me into anything. I'm perfectly capable of living my own life."
Immediately Kyle was apologetic. "I'm sorry Liz. I know you are capable. I didn't mean to insinuate you weren't, I just don't want you to get hurt."
Liz felt the anger drain out of her. "Thanks Kyle, I really do appreciate you looking out for me."
His little boy smile crossed his face. "Anytime," he said.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Max rang the bell at Liz's house promptly at seven and she excitedly opened the door. But she froze when she saw him, a gasp escaping her lips.
He was wearing a tuxedo that molded to his broad shoulders and arms so perfectly it had obviously been made for him. His white shirt was a startling contrast against his dark skin and seemed made his eyes glow. His hair was still damp from the shower and even though he had attempted to comb it back, a few rakish strands had escaped and fell against his forehead.
And while Liz was studying him, Max’s eyes unashamedly traveled over every inch of her. He took in her face and dress before skimming slowly down her legs. Finally his gaze moved back up, landing on the necklace he had given her. His face lit with a sensual smile that made Liz's stomach flip.
Her hair was up, allowing a few tendrils to curl down her neck, and her only jewelry was the necklace and matching earrings Max had given her. She was wearing the black dress with the plunging back Maria had helped her choose. Max hadn’t seen the back yet, and she had a secretive smile on her lips as she anticipated his reaction.
He placed a kiss on her cheek, whispering in her ear, "Liz, you are so beautiful."
A shiver of pleasure rushed through her at the compliment, and as he stepped back she finally found her voice. "Thank you,” she said softly. “You look great too Max." She smiled shyly and felt the start of a blush but continued to meet his gaze.
His eyes quickly darted to her lips and away. He was standing so close that she could smell his soap and light cologne, and feel the heat from his body. She told herself all she had to do was take the one step forward, stand on tiptoe, and kiss him. But Max was looking at her with an inscrutable expression, and before she had time to act on her thoughts his voice broke into the moment.
"We should get going if we want to make it on time," he said softly.
Liz did blush then, wondering if he could tell what she had been thinking. "Yeah,” she agreed, “let's go."
She was disappointed he hadn't kissed her but she reasoned maybe he didn’t want to ruin her lipstick.
With a sigh, she settled her wrap around her shoulders covering the exposed skin of her back. It had come as a total surprise to her, but she realized she wanted Max to see her as a sexy woman That was why she had worn the black dress. It was for Max.
She allowed him to precede her out of the house, and then turned to lock the door. Purposefully she let the wrap slide down one shoulder as she took her time with the keys.
Max’s quick intake of breath sent a surge of satisfaction through her. She smiled as his arms slid around her waist from behind, pulling her into his solid body. He was so close that she could feel his breath on her neck as he spoke.
"Liz, that dress should be illegal."
She tried to laugh but it turned into a gasp as his lips grazed the back of her neck. Liz froze as his chest pressed against her back, and she tried to anticipate his next move. She could feel Max’s heartbeat quicken, and the heat of his body burned into her skin. Her hands moved down to cover his, where they still rested around her waist. His breath tickled her neck a moment before his lips lightly touched her skin.
Max pressed his head against hers, nuzzling her neck and deeply inhaling her scent. “Liz,” he rumbled.
A shiver of pure desire ripped through her along with a realization. She wanted him. Oh how she wanted him!
Suddenly Max took a deep breath and stepped back, putting some space between them. “We’d better go,” he said softly.
She nodded silently, still reeling from her discovery.
Max kept an arm around her waist as they walked to the car. They stopped at the door, but he didn’t release her as Liz expected. His free hand cupped her naked shoulder, his thumb tracing small circles over her exposed skin. Slowly he smoothed down her arm and then back up as he pressed another kiss to the back of her neck.
He nuzzled a path down her neck to her shoulder, placing a kiss there too. Another shiver of desire racked her body, and Max’s hands tightened on her. His whole body stilled, but she could feel the tension and energy vibrating through him.
She held her breath, waiting for his next action. Her heart pounded in her chest and her skin burned where Max was touching her.
Suddenly he reached around and opened the door, helping her into the car.
Liz watched Max as he walked around the car, already missing his arms around her. She felt bereft without him, and wondered if it was only her imagination that made it seem like it had taken a supreme effort of will on Max’s part to put her away from him.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Liz was still couldn’t guess what they were doing that night even as they pulled into the driveway of one of the city's nicest hotels. Max offered her his arm as he handed the car keys to the valet, but she hesitated in taking it and looked at Max with one delicate eyebrow raised.
He laughed. "Well I guess I can't keep it a secret any longer. You'll find out in a minute anyway. It is a fund raiser for the Pops Orchestra."
Liz was surprised. "I didn't know you were a fan," she said as she wrapped her hand around his proffered arm.
"Well, maybe not a fan," he conceded with a knowing smile. "But after dinner they only play slow dance music." He covered her hand with his, drawing her gaze to him. "I’ve wanted an excuse to hold you in my arms for an entire evening, and one just dropped into my lap, so to speak."
Liz felt heat rising up into her cheeks as she blushed under Max's gaze. "Max, you are the worst," she said trying to keep a light note in her voice, but electricity was already coursing through her at the thought of dancing in his arms.
"Does that mean you'll dance with me?" he asked with an innocent expression.
"We'll see," she said, keeping her tone cool, "if you behave yourself."
They entered the ballroom where the orchestra was already set up and took their seats for dinner. Liz noticed in the program that the meal was to be followed by a short presentation and then dancing; the selection of music ranging from jazz, to big-band, to instrumentals of old rat-pack favorites.
Liz chose to keep her wrap in case it got cold in the room, she told herself. But she also had visions of tantalizing Max with glimpses of what it covered or revealed.
During dinner Liz worked up her courage. She planned to ‘accidentally’ let the wrap slide down her shoulders, exposing the smooth skin of her back.
With a shiver of anticipation she remembered Max’s reaction to her dress outside her house; touching and kissing her, his body pressed to hers. He had made her feel beautiful and cherished, sexy, and she wanted to recapture that feeling even if it was for only a moment.
When she was sure Max’s attention was engaged elsewhere, conversing with the people around him, Liz would sneak looks at him. She was sitting closer to the podium than he, and she knew Max would have an excellent view.
As the presentation began, she turned slightly away from Max, pretending to listen to the speaker. After a few moments she slowly let the wrap slide off her shoulders, revealing her upper back.
At first nothing happened and she wondered if Max was paying attention. But she didn’t want to be obvious and avoided looking at him. Instead she pretended to focus her attention on the speaker. But the presentation was interesting and the speaker was funny, punctuating his delivery with jokes and anecdotes. Soon she got caught up in the speech, completely forgetting her plan.
Liz laughed at a joke and turned to Max to share the humor, but there was no laughter in his eyes. His gaze was smoldering, almost predatory and it knocked the breath from her lungs. The laughter died instantly on her lips as she found herself captured in his burning, amber gaze.
He leaned into her and when his lips were almost touching her neck, he whispered loud enough for only her to hear. "Liz, you are driving me crazy with that dress."
Her first instinct was to deny it, but the intensity of his gaze quickly drove the words from her head. Having gotten herself into the situation, she wasn’t sure what to do. She had wanted Max to notice her and he had, but her plan hadn’t really progressed beyond that.
Self-consciously she started to pull the wrap up around her shoulders, but was stopped by Max's warm hand on her back. A shiver tore through her at his touch and the wrap slipped from her grasp.
His fingers slowly wandered across her shoulder blades and then circled around, his thumb tracing her spine up to her neck. His gaze held hers as his free hand captured hers and brought it to his lips, pressing a kiss to her knuckles. Liz barely suppressed a gasp as his lips met her skin and she felt electricity shoot up her arm.
A cough from one of the men seated across from them tore her away from Max's gaze. He took his hand away from her back but kept her hand within his own. Liz glanced around at the others seated at the table wondering if they had witnessed what had transpired between Max and herself, but to her surprise no one seemed to be paying any attention to them.
Liz looked back at the speaker and tried to concentrate on what he was saying. It might have been possible if Max wasn't touching her.
His thumb traced over the back of her hand so softly that it was like a butterfly's wing brushing her skin. At first she thought it wasn't intentional until he reversed direction and stroked the other way, back and forth with his thumb, bringing her heart rate up with every caress.
She tried to focus all of her energy into listening to the speaker, but Max kept forcing her attention back to him. The pressure of his touch increased, and she could feel the heat of his eyes boring into her, demanding she look at him.
Her gaze was drawn to him and she shivered with the intensity she saw there. Golden light radiated from his eyes willing her to submit, to lose herself in him. She struggled for a moment but his warmth gentled and soothed her, and she let herself slip into the calming pool of his gaze.
The room and everyone in it drifted into the background and Liz was only aware of herself and Max. They were the only ones who existed in the moment, the only things that mattered. Gradually she became aware of soft music winding its way into their world, and when Max stood she rose with him.
He led her a few steps, his eyes never leaving hers. Max kept her hand in his, clasped between them, while his other hand rested at the small of her back. He was so close she could feel the warmth of his body seeping into her, soothing and enticing at the same time.
Glancing up to meet his eyes she gave him a small smile as she placed her hand on his shoulder and moved even closer. He sighed and dipped his head resting his cheek against hers and Liz closed her eyes and breathed in the intoxicating scent of him.
They swayed together to the music, enjoying the closeness. Max’s hand slid up to her exposed back and a shiver went through her as he touched her bare skin. He slowly traced the edge of the dress where it met her back until he reached her neck. His hand lingered on the sensitive skin there, his thumb stroking, causing her pulse to jump in time with his caresses.
He placed a soft kiss on her ear and she felt her stomach start to tremble, anticipating his lips on her. But Max pulled back a couple of inches and she realized the song had ended.
Quickly looking around, Liz was surprised to see they were not the only one's dancing. They were standing in a room full of other couples, but Max was the only thing that could hold her attention.
His arm was still wrapped around her and he held her hand over his heart. She could feel the strong, steady beat through his clothes and looked up to meet his face. He was smiling gently at her and she realized he was waiting for the next song. As the music started he leaned forward to press a kiss to her forehead and then swept her into the rhythm of the dance.
Liz followed his lead, placing herself completely in his hands. She had never felt so close to anyone, so safe, so comfortable. She wanted to tell Max, but part of her was afraid of breaking the beautiful spell that held them.
They danced to every song and Liz was so wrapped up in Max, his gaze and his caresses, that she didn't notice the time slipping away. All she knew was Max. He completely filled her thoughts and her senses. His body against hers was so warm, and it felt so right being in his arms, she didn't want it to end.
She was so consumed with his presence that she almost missed the announcement for the final song of the evening. It was Moonlight Serenade, one of her favorite songs, and she had always wanted to dance to it.
Glancing around the room, Liz noticed more than half of the people had already left. The clock on the wall showed almost midnight and she wondered where the time had gone. There was only one more song, one more chance to be held in Max's embrace, one more chance to feel his presence.
As the music started, she used the time to memorize everything about him; the way his body fit against hers, his unique masculine scent, the pressure of his hand against her back. The dance wouldn’t last forever but her memory of it would.
It was like a dream come true, dancing to the slow, smooth melody in Max’s arms. By far it was the most wonderful, romantic thing anyone had ever done for her.
The music finally ended and they stood together on the dance floor. Neither of them wanted to lose the moment and Liz met Max's gaze and held it. His eyes were soft, warm and welcoming, and Liz wanted to lose herself in them forever.
The sound of the band packing up to leave broke the magic, and Max kept his hand around her waist, holding her close as they walked back to their table.
The room was emptying quickly, everyone heading to the door at the same time, but as they reached the table Max spoke. "Why don't we sit for a few minutes and let some of the people leave?"
Liz nodded, eager for the chance to extend the evening for any reason.
An older lady approached them and gently placed her hand on Max's shoulder. "You and your wife dance beautifully together," she said with a wink. “It's always wonderful to see people who are obviously so much in love.”
Liz was taken by surprise and didn't know what to say. She started to correct the woman's mistake when Max answered for them.
"Thank you," he replied with a warm smile, draping his arm across the back of Liz's chair. "My wife and I just love to dance."
As the lady disappeared into the crowd Liz turned to Max. "Why didn't you tell her she was mistaken?"
His eyes smoldered as he captured her gaze. "Was she wrong?"
Liz attempted to keep the atmosphere light. "Of course she was,” she said with a nervous laugh. “We aren't married."
"No, we're not," he said solemnly.
His hand cupped the side of her face, and he studied her intently for a moment. "I told you we would take things slowly, and I meant that,” he said softly. “But I want you to know, I love you Liz."
His simple words slammed into her chest knocking the breath from her lungs, and thoughts raced through her head at light speed.
Her first impulse was to run. She should get away from him and the situation. She had been hurt in the past and Max was no different.
But his words kept pushing to the front of her thoughts.
I love you Liz.
The words started to take root in her heart and she felt it expanding with joy and hope. Maybe Max was different. Maybe it was worth the chance. And in that moment she realized what she’d been feeling for Max was love. She loved Max.
When Liz didn't respond, Max leaned back putting space between them and continued. "I didn't mean to scare you, and I won't push,” he said softly. “I just want you to know where I stand in all of this."
Liz shook her head and put her hand on his arm. "No Max, you don't understand," she explained as a smile lit her face. "I didn't know what I felt myself until you just put it into words.” She held his eyes. “I love you too."
He hesitated for only a moment and then she was in his arms. He crushed against him as if he couldn’t get close enough, and she pressed herself into him, burying her head in his chest. She felt his lips press against the top of her head and she wrapped her arms around him.
"Oh Liz, I love you so much,” he whispered fiercely. “I've been dying to tell you but I thought I would scare you. I was afraid you would push me away if you knew the truth."
"Max, you're probably right," she agreed softly. "I was scared of you, of the situation, of my feelings and yours." She felt his body stiffen against her and she tightened her grip around him. "It's hard for me to trust, but I trust you and I'm trying very hard to overcome my fears."
"Liz,” he said softly, “you don't have to do this alone. I'm here for you anytime you need me. I want to help you and I'll do anything I can."
"I know you will," she said with a sigh. She released her grip on him and placed her hands on his chest pushing gently, trying to back out of his embrace. But Max wouldn't release her and finally she looked up to meet his eyes.
"Liz, I can feel you withdrawing from me already, putting the barriers back between us." He reached up to cup her face. "Please let me in, let me help you."
His thumb gently caressed her cheek. She could hear the tenderness and concern in his voice and she wanted to share her fears with him so much, the need was almost crushing. She opened her mouth but the words wouldn't come.
The evening had just been too overwhelming. She loved him. It was a revelation to herself that she was still trying to come to terms with, and the implications were unfathomable.
How could this have happened? she asked herself. How could she have allowed anyone to get this close to her, especially a man like Max? He was everything she had warned herself to stay away from, but she was with him, loving him.
She needed time away from him to think about everything. When she was away from him, her head would clear and she could remember all of the reasons why she shouldn't be involved with him, reasons to protect herself. But when she was with him, the fears and doubts receded, and that scared her more than almost anything else.
How was it possible for Max to have this kind of an effect on her? she asked herself again. The emotions were starting to overwhelm her and she felt the beginning of tears in her eyes. She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself.
Max could see the emotions flashing across her face and his mouth set in a grim line. "Liz," he said softly, demanding her full attention. He lifted her chin and forced her to meet his eyes. "I know this is hard for you, and I meant what I said before, I won't push you. You will tell me when you're ready, I just want you to know I'll be here when you are."
A faint smile lifted her mouth causing a single tear to slide down her cheek. He gently wiped it away with his thumb.
"Thank you, Max," she whispered.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
They drove home in silence, Liz glancing furtively at him from time to time trying to sort out her thoughts. She somehow expected him to be different now that she knew she loved him. He held power over her and she thought he would appear more threatening, but he was still just Max.
And now that he had confessed his feelings for her, Liz could almost feel his love surrounding her. But instead of feeling trapped as she expected, she felt safe, protected, and cherished.
He stopped the car in front of her house and turned to her, and for the first time since she had known him, Max appeared uncertain. "Liz will you still come with me tomorrow?" he asked softly.
Her confidence was bolstered by his hesitation, and she nodded. "Yeah."
His relief was obvious. "Great,” he said with a smile. “I just have to get the meeting out of the way and then I'm all yours."
She smiled. Now that she’d pushed past her fear and agreed to see him, she felt like a huge weight had been lifted from her shoulders.
He leaned in and kissed her softly on the lips and pulled her into his embrace. "I love you Liz," he whispered into her ear.
"I love you too Max," she said with a sigh.
He kissed her cheek. "I'll never get tired of hearing you say it."
