"I'll be better when this thing between you and Max is resolved," he said softly.
"Alex," she said with a warning tone.
"I know, I won't interfere," he paused, "too much.” He sighed. “I just have such high hopes for the two of you."
“You think I over-reacted,” Liz said.
“No,” Alex assured her. “I think what you saw really upset you, and with your past it’s understandable.”
Liz sighed. “I know you believe Max, but…”
“Liz,” he said concerned.
"I'm sorry Alex but if there is one thing I have learned," she paused, close to tears, and continued in almost a whisper, "not everything always works the way you want."
"You really love Max don't you?" Alex asked softly.
Liz shook her head, and wiped away a tear that slid down her cheek. "It doesn't matter," she whispered.
"Liz,” Alex said soothingly, “this will all work out. I promise you. It'll be okay."
"Thanks for saying that,” she said softly, “even if you don't really believe it."
"I do believe it,” he assured her. “Things seem bad now, but I know everything will work out for the best.”
When she didn’t answer, he continued. “You know I love you, right? And I just want you to be happy."
Liz nodded. “I know, and I love you too.”
She hung up the phone feeling a bit lighter in her heart, and looked up to see a deliveryman with more flowers.
Liz scanned her office with a touch of amusement. It was beginning to look like a florist shop.
She waited until the deliveryman left and her heart started to beat faster as she reached for the card.
Chrysanthemum -- hope amid darkness
It was great to spend time with you last night.
It gives me hope that we will be back together again soon.
I Love You,
Max
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Kyle dropped by Liz’s office that afternoon just as she was clearing up to leave. He indicated the flowers with a sweep of his hand. "I can see that Evans is still making a nuisance of himself."
Kyle’s comment about Max really annoyed Liz, but she chose to ignore it.
When she didn’t respond he continued. "Liz I'm glad I caught you before you left. I wanted to make sure you're holding up okay, and to see if you want to go to dinner with me."
Liz searched his face. He seemed so sincere, but lately she had started to wonder about him. He was so happy that she had broken up with Max, and that really bothered her. Not to mention the fact that he was always criticizing Max, and her decision to be with him. She had started to wish that she hadn’t told Kyle anything about Max.
She shook her head. "Thanks Kyle, but I don't think so."
He smiled. "Okay Liz, it can wait until another time,” he said with a shrug. “I just thought you might want to talk."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
That evening Max was waiting outside her house with a large bouquet of carnations.
“Hey Liz,” he rumbled, smiling as he approached her.
Liz felt her heart flip, and she couldn’t help the shy smile that lifted the corners of her mouth.
She found herself waiting for Max, and didn’t even try to stop him as he followed her inside.
He placed the flowers next to the others on the coffee table, and took a seat on the sofa. He watched her closely, smiling when she sat in a chair across the table from him.
He patted the sofa next to him. “Why don’t you come and sit over here?”
She shook her head. “I’m fine here.”
He nodded.
"So how was your day at work?" he started casually.
“Good,” she said. She looked down, trying not to smile. “Except my office is starting to look like a jungle.”
Max grinned.
They talked casually for about half-an-hour before he rose. “Will you come to dinner with me?”
She stood. "I'm not going to dinner with you."
He held out his hand as he stepped nearer. “Please Liz.”
She stepped back, staying out of his reach, shaking her head.
He surprised her by mumbling something about her letting him starve.
Again he took a step nearer, and again she stepped back. He seemed amused by her skittishness but didn't mention it. “Okay,” he relented. “But I’ll be back tomorrow.”
He held her eyes. “I love you.”
After he left, she congratulated herself on keeping her cool exterior in place, but it crumbled instantly when she read the card with the flowers.
Carnation
Red -- My heart aches for you
Striped -- I wish I could be with you
I Love You,
Max
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Thursday the flowers arrived at her office just before eleven. They were an unusual but beautiful concoction of white lilies and ivy and Liz felt her heart soften as she read the card.
Ivy -- Fidelity, Friendship
Lily -- White - It's heavenly to be with you
I only want to be with you.
How could I want anyone else?
I’m in heaven when I’m with you
I Love You,
Max
The phone rang a few minutes afterward and Liz was unprepared for the warm voice that greeted her.
"Hello Liz," he purred.
"Max," she choked.
"Since you won't have dinner with me, how about I take you to lunch?" he suggested.
"No, I won't go to lunch with you," she denied instantly.
"Great!” he exclaimed. “I'll be there to get you in a few minutes."
"Max, no," Liz said quickly, but there was no response on the other end of the line.
"Max, don't you dare hang up," she said louder, but there was still no response.
"Max!"
"Yes Liz?" he asked sweetly.
"I'm not going to lunch with you, so don't come here."
He sighed. "Well it was worth a try. I'll see you tonight."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
That evening Max wasn’t waiting when Liz arrived home, and she had the strangest feeling of disappointment. But instantly she chided herself for being foolish. The sooner she was over him the better, and if he'd decided to give up on her it would make things that much easier.
But, a voice in the back of her mind argued that Max would come. He said he would see her after work, and he always did what he said.
She fidgeted around the house, absentmindedly arranging the flowers he had brought, trying to calm her loudly beating heart. But she kept glancing at the clock, wondering when he was going to come.
At six o'clock the doorbell rang and Liz's pulse raced, knowing it was Max. She opened the door to him as a slow sexy smile lit his face.
"Did you miss me?" he purred.
Liz’s heart leapt, and she couldn't help but smile back. Max was carrying more roses than she had ever seen, and a couple of bags of take-out Chinese.
He saw her glance toward the bags. "If you won't go out for a meal, the least I can do is bring one to you."
The situation was rapidly spinning out of her control and Liz desperately fought to regain the upper hand. "Max I'm not going to eat with you, so you can just take all of that and go home," she snapped, sounding more harsh than she meant to.
"Come on Liz,” he coaxed. “Would you deny a starving man a plate to eat his food on?” He sighed. “I didn't have any lunch you know.”
"No I didn't know," she said cautiously.
"Well when you wouldn't have lunch with me," he winked, "what was the point?"
"I... You..." she started and then gave up. She knew he was teasing her, trying to get a reaction and she wouldn't give him the satisfaction. "Come in and eat your food," she invited ungraciously, and felt bad immediately. "Let me take the bags from you."
He smiled and let her take them. "Thanks Liz."
She led him into the kitchen and he placed the roses in the middle of the table. Liz went to the cupboard and got out one plate, one set of utensils and one glass.
"What would you like to drink?" she asked as she placed his plate on the table.
"Water's fine,” he said with amusement, watching her move around the kitchen. “Why don't you get a plate for yourself? There's plenty here and I remembered you once said Kung Pao Chicken was your favorite.
He opened the container and waved it under his nose. "Mmmmm, it smells wonderful."
Liz eyed him warily. He certainly knew how to take advantage of a situation. The food did smell good and she was hungry. Without a word she turned, took out more dishes for herself and walked back to the table.
Max made no comment, he simply piled contents from several containers onto her plate. They ate in silence for a few minutes before he spoke, asking about her workday.
They chatted for the rest of the meal, discussing work and family, and without her being aware of it, Liz's protective aloofness gradually dissolved against Max’s casual friendliness. When they finished the meal she had even started to enjoy herself.
Max’s eyes roamed over her face. "See it's not so bad eating together."
Her defenses slammed back into place immediately, and with wide eyes she looked at him, knowing he wanted an admission of something deeper. Max wanted her to acknowledge they were good together, that they belonged together, and she felt the panic rise up in her again.
He was so smooth. He was able to get past her defenses so easily, even without her noticing.
It’s because you love him an inner voice chided.
Clamping down on her feelings for him, Liz vowed to be stronger. She couldn't let this happen again.
She stood and quickly packed up the leftovers, putting them in the bag. "Thanks for dinner," she said coolly, "but y-you have to leave n-now. I have things I need to do."
Max stood, shaking his head and smiling. "You're not going to get rid of me that easily today," he rumbled, coming purposefully toward her.
Liz backed away and walked around the other side of the table to stay away from him. "M-Max,” she said nervously, “I really do have things, that um, that I need to take care of." Holding the bag out to him, she stretched her arm as far as she was able, to keep the distance between them.
Max casually took the bag from her and set it on the table. And before she could move away from him, his hand snaked out, wrapping around her waist and pulling her against him.
"No Max,” she pleaded breathlessly. “Don't do this."
"Oh yes Liz," he said softly, smiling as his arms tightened around her.
So slowly he lowered his head, and Liz couldn’t help her gaze flicking between his lips and eyes. Her heart raced, knowing he was going to kiss her, and she couldn’t seem to move. She wanted desperately to feel his lips against hers, but she dreaded it at the same time. She was so close to surrendering to him, and if he kissed her, she didn’t know if she could fight any more.
She struggled and he pressed her more tightly to him. Her panicked eyes met his, but where she expected to see triumph, she only saw tenderness.
Then he claimed her lips.
The sensation of his mouth on hers was exquisite, warm and soft. He kissed her gently, grazing her lips with his, coaxing a response.
Wanting to keep up the resistance, she tried to push him away. But one of his hands tangled in her hair, and the other roamed over her back, his touch drugging her into submission. Slowly she relaxed, melting into him, and after a moment she began to return his kisses.
There was nothing else she had ever experienced that compared to kissing Max. He had a way of making everything melt into the background, until they were the only ones on Earth, and nothing else mattered. He made her feel so safe and loved, but also beautiful and sexy at the same time. It was all-consuming.
His lips feathered over hers, nibbling, sucking, demanding more.
Her hands slid around his neck to bring him closer, and she opened her mouth, inviting him in.
Max deepened the kiss immediately, taking advantage of what she was offering him. He dipped his tongue into her mouth, stroking her tongue, making her shiver in reaction.
Somewhere in the back of her mind, she knew it was insane, but sanity had no place in the sensations Max was causing in her. She felt as if she was floating, and the only thing keeping her anchored to the earth were Max's arms around her.
His lips left hers and she mumbled a brief protest until she felt his hand pulling her head back so he had better access to her neck. Touching his lips to her throat, he took his time, covering every inch of her skin. Shivers racked her body, and she clutched at his shoulders to keep her knees from collapsing.
"Liz, I love you so much," he groaned near her ear.
"Max, oh Max," she gasped as he licked and nipped a sensitive spot near her ear.
"Tell me you love me,” he rumbled. “I need to hear it."
It took a minute for his words to penetrate the sensual fog that encased her brain, but when they did she began to struggle fiercely. "No. NO! Let me go."
"Liz please," he urged, loosening his hold, but keeping her wrapped in his arms.
"No," she denied, shaking her head. She refused to look at him and pressed her hands to his chest. "T-This was a mistake. I-I shouldn't have let you do t-that."
"Don't say that," he whispered fiercely. “Don't ever say that.”
He placed his lips on her forehead. "We are not a mistake.” His thumb anchored under her chin and tilted her head up. “We belong together."
"No," she said shakily. She shook her head refusing to meet his eyes. Her resolve was fading quickly and she started to tremble. "I c-can't." The words sounded hollow and meaningless even to her own ears.
"Liz we are so good together, and we love each,” he argued softly. “A lot of things in life involve risk. This, us, is worth some risk.”
His lips pressed to her forehead again. “I swear to you that nothing happened on Saturday. I am not involved with anyone else, and I don't want to be. I love you."
She wanted to believe him so badly, and his words were lulling her, soothing her. "I d-don't k-know," she stammered, looking up to meet his eyes at last. "I-I'm so confused, so s-scared."
"I know you're scared,” he said with a gentle smile. “And I'm scared too, but I’m not scared of loving you, or being with you. I am scared of losing you." His hand caressed her cheek. "I’m scared to death that you’ll slip away from me, and I’ll never see you again.”
“Just give us a chance,” he urged softly. “Give me a chance to prove to you that you can trust me."
Liz trembled in reaction. He didn’t know what he was asking of her. Alex had told him some of her past, but she was sure that he hadn’t told Max everything.
She cautiously searched his eyes, looking for any hint of deception, but all she saw was tenderness and love. Max was so gentle with her, so sweet and patient. He was so different than Sean in every way.
As she studied him, Max’s eyes held hers steadily. His warm gaze was filled with love and longing, and an invitation to lose herself in him.
He continued to stroke her cheek with his thumb, a gentle caress that made her feel cherished.
Max couldn’t possibly be maintaining a lie all this time. Could he?
Maybe she was mistaken.
Finally her resistance crumbled, and she released a deep sigh. "I-I need some time..."
His grip tightened on her briefly, and a huge smile lit his face. "Oh Liz, I'll give you all the time you want. We can go back and start over if you want. Just let me see you, be with you."
He pressed a kiss to her forehead, before meeting hers eyes again. "Tomorrow, I have to see you tomorrow,” he demanded softly. “Have dinner with me."
She smiled shyly at his enthusiasm. "You said you would give me some time."
"Just dinner," he urged with an understanding smile.
She hesitated for a moment. "I... umm... okay Max," she agreed. "I'll have dinner with you."
He cupped her face between his hands, meeting her eyes. “I love you Liz,” he said softly, “and I swear you won’t regret this.”
He stroked her hair. “I don’t want to go, but I don’t want to move too fast either. Can I just hold you for few minutes?”
Liz nodded.
He wrapped his arms around her and she snuggled into his chest, resting her head over his heart. It felt so right being in his arms, she never wanted to leave.
He didn’t seem to want to let her go either. He kissed her temple and then the top of her head. “I love you so much,” he rumbled.
Liz took a deep breath. “I love you too.”
“Liz,” he growled. He kissed her again quickly. “Say it again,” he whispered.
Her smile widened. She felt like she could breathe again. “I love you Max.”
He kissed her again. “I love hearing you say it.”
“Me too,” she admitted.
His lips touched one cheek and then the other before settling on her lips. He kissed her so sweetly, Liz swore she could actually feel his love for her.
The kiss deepened naturally, Liz opening to him without his urging. She felt so good and so relieved, and started kissing him like she had been dying to do; letting herself melt against him.
Max must have felt the change in her, and he crushed her to him. He kissed her hungrily, devouring her mouth as if he couldn’t get enough. He thrust his tongue into her mouth, demanding a response, and she gave it eagerly.
Suddenly she felt as if she couldn’t get close enough to him and grasped at his neck, holding him to her. She returned his kisses, dueling with his tongue, stroking into his mouth. She could feel his erection pressing into her, and reveled in the fact that he wanted her.
His hand slid under her shirt in back, the warmth of his skin on hers was like fire, and the electrical currents being generated by his mouth raced through her until she thought she would combust. She shivered with pure desire. She wanted him.
Max growled into her mouth, but he started to pull back. And Liz moaned a protest as his lips left hers.
He rested his forehead against hers, breathing hard. “I’d better go,” he whispered. “It’s too fast.”
She nodded jerkily. She wanted to beg him to stay, but something still held her back.
He pulled back slightly to look into her eyes. "I'll come tomorrow and pick you up at six."
She nodded with a small smile, feeling lighter in the heart for the first time that week. "Okay."
Max smiled, stroking her cheek. “Okay.”
His eyes roamed over her face. “I’m going to go.”
He touched her hair, and his hand slid down her arm as he took a step back. He took her hand, bringing it to his lips. “Goodnight Liz.”
She smiled. “Goodnight.”
He kept her hand, and pulled her with him to the door. “I really am leaving,” he said with a grin.
Liz nodded.
She reached up to touch his face, and Max groaned. He cupped her head and kissed her again, lingering on her lips before pulling back.
“I’ll see you tomorrow,” he rumbled.
“Tomorrow,” Liz agreed.
He kissed the top of her head, and finally released her to open the door. He backed out, holding her gaze, but he suddenly reversed direction and came back to her.
His lips met hers briefly. “I love you Liz,” he breathed.
“I love you Max,” she said with a grin.
This time he really did leave. Liz felt a rush of disappointment, but at least she knew she’d be with him again soon.
She watched him out the window until he drove away, and then practically skipped to the table, eager to see the card with the roses he’d brought.
Rose
Pink -- Perfect Happiness, Please believe me
White and Red Roses Together -- Unity
Assorted Color Roses Together -- You're Everything To Me
With you I am perfectly happy
because we are united by our love.
I don't want or need anything else.
You are everything to me.
