Maria arrived just before eight thirty, early, as Liz expected. She brought with her a variety of prettily decorated hair clips and other accessories, two different sized curling irons, several kinds of brushes and a hair dryer.
"You know I have all of that stuff here," Liz said wryly, trying to hide her amusement.
"I know,” Maria threw over her shoulder as she passed Liz, “but I like to work with my own equipment.
Maria was eager to get down to business and pushed Liz into a chair. She tried several different hairstyles, including one Liz thought she must have seen on a rock video.
During the process Maria kept up a steady stream of small talk to take Liz's mind off of her nerves. She talked about her job, the family, the last movie she had seen, anything other than the current situation.
Finally they both agreed on a hairstyle, a simple twist that was held in place by a single long pin. Maria pulled down a few wispy tendrils to frame Liz’s face, and smiled at the result.
Liz was trying to appear calm, but Maria could tell she was jumpy. She continued to talk, pretending it was just a normal situation, but inside Maria was really excited. Liz hadn’t been nervous about anything in a long time, she hadn’t shown very much emotion at all in the last two years. But her carefully controlled demeanor was starting to slip and Maria hoped her sister was finally coming back to life.
Maria offered to help with the makeup too but Liz decided to tackle it on her own. Listening to Maria chatter away as she finished, she glanced at the clock. It was quarter to ten and she still hadn’t gotten dressed. Suddenly nervous, she quickly put on her clothes and began gathering the jewelry they had chosen. She was just smoothing her skirt when the doorbell rang. Again she glanced at the clock, noting Max's punctuality.
"I'll get it," Maria yelled as she bounced toward the door.
Liz finished fastening her earrings, took one last look in the mirror, grabbed her jacket and purse and headed toward the door. As she approached, she could hear voices; her sister's high-pitched laugh and a lower rumbling voice that loosed the butterflies in her stomach she had somehow been keeping at bay.
They were in the living room, and Liz stopped, taking a deep breath before entering.
The first thing she saw as she rounded the corner was Max, his large frame slung casually in one of the chairs facing the door. He stood as she entered the room, his eyes locking automatically with hers and she felt her stomach jump as she was drawn into the inviting amber pools.
As the seconds ticked by, the rest of the world dissolved into the background, leaving only herself and Max. At first she struggled to free herself but the radiating warmth surrounded and soothed her and she let herself relax and float on the gentle golden waves. It was like nothing she had ever experienced, wanting to get totally lost in another person, and she wondered vaguely what it meant.
She had anticipated being nervous or frightened when she saw him again, but all she felt was relief. The thought crossed her mind that whenever Max was near a sense of calm infused her.
But the moment was broken when Maria cleared her throat, forcing Liz's attention away from him. Liz glanced at Maria and blushed, embarrassed she had been caught staring.
Max walked toward her, his eyes skimming her from head to toe, taking in her appearance. "Liz, you look beautiful," he rumbled, a slight smile curving his mouth.
"Thank you," she replied breathlessly. Dropping her eyes she took in his casual tan slacks and royal blue sweater that seemed to make his eyes glow.
Maria piped up, "Well, you'd better get going. Max told me he has reservations for ten-thirty and you don't want to be late." She crossed to Liz and surprised her with an embrace, whispering into her ear, "You didn't tell me he was so gorgeous."
Caught off guard, Liz let out a laugh. "Yeah, I'll call you later."
"Nice to meet you Max," Maria said with an enthusiastic wave. "I hope I'll see you around again."
Max looked at Liz. "You can count on it."
As they walked out the door Liz got a close look at Max’s car for the first time; a retro-looking black Audi convertible. "Wow, that's a beautiful car!” she exclaimed. “I don't think I've ever seen anything like it."
He smiled, obviously pleased. "I just got it. I liked the lines on it too."
They walked to the passenger side where he opened the door for her and helped her inside. She watched him as he walked around the car, letting herself indulge. He was so incredibly handsome, she could happily look at him the rest of her life.
When he slid in beside her, she turned to him. "So, where are we going?"
He smiled widely, his eyes sparkling. "It's a surprise," he said mysteriously, as he started the car.
Liz had been slightly apprehensive about being alone with Max, but his easy humor and calm demeanor soon put her at ease. As they drove, Max asked about her job and family. She answered, eagerly telling him about her schooling and past jobs. Then they shared stories about Alex; Max's from college and Liz's from when they were children.
"We lived right up the block from each other and went to the same schools," Liz explained, "so we are more like siblings than cousins. And since my parents died Alex has been there for us all the time."
Max nodded. "Alex told me your parents died in a car accident about two years ago. I'm so sorry, Liz."
"Thanks,” Liz said softly. “It was a terrible time for me and Maria but with the family's help, especially that of Alex and my aunt Diane, we survived."
"Yes,” Max agreed, “I can see Alex loves you a lot and he's fairly protective of you. He warned me I had better treat you well or I'd hear from him."
Liz laughed, thinking of Alex threatening the man beside her. Max was easily twice Alex's size. "Yeah, he's a good guy." She glanced out the window noticing they were leaving the city behind and she didn't recognize the road they were taking.
Liz's thoughts raced with the implications and she waited for the panic to start. Alone with a man she barely knew in an unfamiliar place she should be worried or even frightened, but she wasn't. She felt comfortable with Max. "I thought I'd be able to guess where we're going but I don't know this part of town."
"We're almost there," Max said with a smile.
He pulled the car onto a winding, tree-lined road and soon Liz saw a sign reading, Northrop Memorial Arboretum and Botanical Gardens. "Oh, I've heard about this place," she said, "but I didn't know where it was."
Max smiled. "My mother was an avid gardener and she used to bring me and my brother when we were kids. I haven't been here for years but something about you reminded me of it and I wanted you to see it."
Liz looked at him and smiled but didn’t speak, and he continued casually. "Most of the flowers outside are gone by now but the trees still have beautiful fall colors."
A white marble building with a large glass dome came into sight through the trees. As Max pulled into a parking space, he turned to Liz with a smile. "Thank you for coming with me today, Liz."
A shiver spiraled down her back at the way her name rolled off Max’s tongue, almost like a caress. The manners her mother drilled into her answered automatically, but her voice was almost a whisper. "Thank you for inviting me."
As they entered the building Liz was struck with the beauty of her surroundings. The interior was completely made of white marble, floor to ceiling. There were plants everywhere, growing from large basins on the ground and up the walls, and dangling from baskets hanging above their heads. Several small waterfalls emptied into a pond filled with fish, and the light admitted from the glass dome filtered down through the dense foliage illuminating everything like a fairyland.
Scattered among all of the natural beauty, tables were set up where people were dining. Liz turned to Max and realized he had been watching her reaction. Her face lit with a smile. "It's the most beautiful place I’ve ever seen."
Max returned her smile. “I’m glad you like it.”
He placed a hand on her back as they were led to their table away from the other people. The entire rear wall was made of glass and Liz could see all of the trees in their fall glory. The view was spectacular. "Oh, it's so beautiful! she exclaimed. “Look at all the colors."
When Max didn't respond, she looked at him and saw he was smiling at her with a bemused expression on his face. "Yes, it is beautiful," he said softly, his eyes never leaving hers.
She smiled shyly and dropped her gaze, feeling somewhat self-conscious at the implied compliment and concentrated on the menu.
They sat in companionable silence until the waiter came to take their order.
"So Max,” Liz started after the waiter left, “tell me more about your mother. You mentioned she enjoys gardening."
Max told her about his family, and at her prompting, his business. "I didn't like the data entry software that was available," he said. "There were too many quirks and not enough options. I wanted to make something that had many capabilities but was also easy to use. I got some venture capitol right out of college and luckily our product took off. Our latest version...," he trailed off, eyeing her warily, "but you don't want to hear about this."
"No, I really do," she encouraged, genuinely interested. "Please continue."
The meal passed quickly and Liz realized that she was relaxed and comfortable with Max. The apprehension she had felt earlier was just a distant memory, except when he would catch her gaze. Every time their eyes would lock, electricity shot through her body.
She was amazed that it kept happening. Liz thought if she was around Max, familiarity would make the sensations disappear but they were growing more powerful.
No other man had ever made her feel so much and she began to wonder what it would be like if Max kissed her. Would the tingling sensation flow through his lips and into hers when they kissed? She let her eyes fall to his lips as her speculations continued. They were full masculine lips and she could almost imagine them kissing her lips, her neck, her ...
"Liz?"
Her name on those beautiful lips forced her attention back to him, her eyes quickly meeting his. "I'm sorry. What did you say?" she asked, blushing furiously, being caught staring at his lips.
But if Max noticed he didn't mention it. "I asked if you would like to take a walk around the grounds."
"I, s-sure... that sounds great," she stammered managing a small smile.
Exiting the building, they proceeded down a path Max indicated. The day was warm as Maria had predicted and Liz was glad she'd left her jacket in the car. They walked, admiring the serenity and beauty of the gardens and even though most of the flowers were past blooming, some of the more hardy ones were refusing to give up.
As they walked, they spoke of the weather and their surroundings. Liz was glad she'd agreed to come, she couldn't remember a more pleasant day. They made their way slowly around the gardens, taking their time.
More than once when Liz turned to Max to ask him a question, she found him watching her. Max would simply smile, not ashamed of being caught.
Going slowly, they walked toward a bridge that crossed a stream, and Max motioned to a bench on the bank. They sat and he turned toward her, and before she had a chance to wonder what he was doing, he lifted a hand to her hair and released it from the pin that was holding it in place. She raised a hand too late to stop him and the shining mass fell around her shoulders.
"I've wanted to do that all day," he admitted softly, lightly brushing his fingers through the silky strands. "Your hair is so beautiful and I just had to see if it was as soft as I imagined."
A shiver ripped through Liz as she dared to meet his gaze. Instantly her eyes locked and were held by his, and she felt herself being drawn to him. Slowly he mover closer, lowering his head toward hers as his thumb brushed her cheek.
Max was going to kiss her, she realized. Her heart pounded and her breath caught, anticipating the feeling of his lips.
But he stopped a few inches away, then pulled back and looked toward the stream.
Liz’s brow wrinkled in confusion. Perhaps she had misinterpreted his actions but she’d been so sure he'd was going to kiss her. She even admitted to herself that she was disappointed he’d stopped.
Max suddenly stood, offering her a hand. "I should get you home now. It's getting a little late."
Liz took his hand and he helped her to her feet but quickly released her. They walked silently back to the car, the easy companionship of earlier, gone. Liz felt a tension in the air and wondered what had happened.
The drive back to her house was nearly silent. Max seemed to have withdrawn into himself, lost in thought. He answered Liz's questions briefly when she attempted to restart the conversation but didn't actively participate as he'd done before.
Liz struggled to figure out when the afternoon had gone wrong. They had been getting along well and she had really started to feel comfortable around him. Max had surprised her when he loosed her hair but she hadn’t been afraid of him. She'd even wanted him to kiss her and then he pulled back.
Men, she thought to herself, glancing at his handsome profile, who knows what they're thinking.
But it was better this way, a voice in the back of her mind argued. Max had obviously changed his mind about wanting to see her again and it was for the best. If she had continued to see him, Max would have challenged her carefully controlled life and that was not what she needed.
When Max pulled the car into her driveway, Liz had still not been able to puzzle out the events of the afternoon. Not sure what to expect, she turned toward him as he shut off the motor.
"Liz," he rumbled softly, his eyes locking with hers, "thank you for coming out with me today. I had a great time."
Liz smiled. "I think that was supposed to be my line," she said, trying to lighten the mood. "Thank you for taking me there. I've never been anywhere so beautiful."
Max reached out and took her hand. "Would you have dinner with me on Friday?"
Liz felt her heart jump. He did want to see her again!
But then she remembered her date with Kyle. "I'm sorry, I would like to, but I already have plans on Friday."
Max lifted her hand to his lips and gently kissed it, his eyes never leaving hers. A small gasp escaped her as his lips contacted her skin, sending a jolt of electricity up her arm.
"Another time then," he said softly.
"Sure," she squeaked, withdrawing her hand and willing herself back under control.
She’d had a nice day, but she was relieved that it was over. Everything was still under her control. She could easily return to her carefully ordered life.
As she turned to open the door she was aware Max was getting out of the car too. He is walking you to the door, she said to herself, and you know what happens at doors after dates. She had to put a stop to this now.
Liz nervously let herself out of the car and concentrated on not falling on her face as she made her way to the house, knowing Max was just behind her. Her keys ready, she quickly unlocked the door and pushed it open before turning to face him. "Thanks again for a lovely afternoon," she said crisply, hoping it sounded like the dismissal she intended. "Goodbye Max."
He smiled at her tone, and took a step closer.
Her eyes widened, knowing he was going to kiss her, and she realized with surprise that she still wanted him to. Unable to move, she breathlessly watched as he raised his hand to her face. Gently he brushed the backs of his fingers across her cheek, the warmth of his skin causing a jolt to shoot through her.
"Goodbye Liz," he rasped.
Liz felt another shiver run through her body at the way her name rolled off his lips, soft and sensual. With a smile Max turned and walked to his car. She stood motionless, watching him, struggling to break free of the trance he had wrapped her in.
As he lowered himself into the car, he waved, and she was finally able to move. She blushed furiously, and dove through the door, quickly closing it behind her.
Once inside Liz let herself relax against the door, releasing her breath only after hearing his car drive away. She felt just like she had after her first date, nervous but excited, and once again asked herself what was it about Max that could make her feel so much. Certainly she wasn't in high school anymore and assumed those kinds of feelings were something she'd left behind with her naivety.
Liz felt as if she had been captured in a spell all day and now that she was alone, it was just starting to wear off.
Why had she told him she would go to dinner with him another time? He made her feel things she didn't want to feel. He had been wearing down her barriers all day and she had even wanted him to kiss her. What on earth had she been thinking?
Well it's obvious, she argued with herself, she hadn't been thinking at all. It wouldn't be a good idea to see Max again and if he asked her out she had to be firm with her refusal. Shivering, she remembered the pull of his eyes and knew without a doubt he would ask her out again.
