As Liz was leaving her room she heard Max and Alex coming up the stairs, laughing. She wasn’t ready to face Alex’s knowing looks, and pressed her ear to the door waiting for them to go into their rooms.
Alex called to Max, "Mom, said dinner will be ready in about an hour so we have plenty of time to get cleaned up."
"Is there anything I can do to help?" Max asked.
"There is no way Mom would let a guest help with the dinner," Alex said, dismissing Max's offer.
Then he lowered his voice and Liz could barely catch what he was saying. "The only reason Mom's letting Liz help is because she wants to pump her for information."
"Alex," Max said, and Liz thought she heard a warning tone in his voice.
But Alex was oblivious and continued. "I mean, you won't tell me anything so I have to get my information from someone."
"Alex, this isn't like that for me," Max said.
"Okay Max," Alex said with a laugh. "I didn't mean anything by it. I was just teasing you a little."
"Liz would not appreciate being teased," Max said, in a flat even tone.
"Max, are you kidding me?" Alex asked incredulously. "I'm the last person who would do anything to hurt her."
Max sighed, "I know. I guess she just brings out my protective streak."
"I'm glad to hear it," Alex said as he clapped Max on the back. “Liz deserves a little TLC. By the way, did I mention what I would do to you if you break her heart?"
"Frequently," Max said.
Liz barely heard their doors close because her heart was beating so rapidly. Max felt protective toward her and it seemed as if he genuinely cared. She was so excited but quickly pushed the feelings aside. Why did it make her happy that he seemed to care for her? There could never be anything between them, and she felt annoyed with herself for the moment of weakness.
Sure they had spent some enjoyable time together, and shared a few kisses, but there was nothing between them. There couldn't be, she wouldn't allow it.
She waited a few minutes more until she could no longer hear any sounds and then silently went down the stairs and into the kitchen where Diane was waiting for her.
Diane immediately put Liz to work cutting vegetables for the salad, while she worked on the main dish. Liz was ready for a barrage of questions about the afternoon but Diane brought up the subject so casually Liz had to smile.
"So how was the lake?” Diane asked. “Alex tells me it's beautiful but I haven't had a chance to get there yet."
"It's beautiful," Liz agreed, playing along. "The water is so clear you can see right to the bottom."
"And this was a nice day to go for a walk," Diane prompted. "A little on the cool side but not too much."
"Yes, it was a nice day," Liz said with a smile, pretending to concentrate on her chopping.
"And was there enough food for both of you?"
Liz nodded. "Yes there was plenty of food and it was wonderful as usual. Thank you."
"And how did Max like the lake?" Diane asked casually.
Liz laughed as she looked up for the first time. "I wondered when you would finally mention him."
Her aunt looked at her and joined her laughter. "I didn't want you to think I was pouncing on you first thing, but since you came back holding hands and obviously ravished, I've been dying to find out what happened."
"Ravished?" Liz asked incredulously. "Who even says ravished? I was not, as you so delicately put it, ravished."
"But he kissed you," Diane said, warming to her topic, her eyes dancing.
"Yes, we kissed," Liz confirmed.
Diane smiled. "And how was it? It must have been good if you came back holding hands."
Liz felt the familiar blush spread across her cheeks. "Yes, it was good," she said unable to meet Diane's gaze.
"So maybe it wasn't such a bad thing that Alex invited Max up here?"
"No, it wasn't," Liz agreed happily, "but if you mention one word to Alex, I'll deny everything."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The remainder of the afternoon and evening passed pleasantly as the four of them gathered in the living room. The conversation was casual and mostly consisted of catching up and plans for the reunion.
Alex didn't mention anything about the trip to the lake, as Liz had feared, and she wondered if Diane had warned him against it.
They had a late dinner and the conversation continued with some of the more colorful family stories.
A few times during the evening Liz sensed Max's gaze on her and turned to meet his eyes. The looks he directed toward her sent warm shivers along her spine and she had a hard time concentrating on the conversation.
Liz had lectured herself sternly about keeping Max at arms length but there was something about him that continued to fascinate her. And when she thought Max's attention was focused on Alex and the story he was telling, Liz took the opportunity to study Max. She traced his face with her eyes; starting with his brow which was partially covered by a few wisps of dark hair. Then she continued down along the edge of his jaw, that was starting to show a shadow, and finally rested on his lips.
She shivered with reaction recalling the events of the afternoon by the lake, the sensation of Max’s lips and hands on her. Even now when she thought about his kisses she could feel the electricity starting through her. She still didn't understand how he could make her feel hot and cold at the same time.
"Liz? Earth to Liz."
Her name finally brought her out of her reverie and she glanced around, knowing all eyes were directed at her. Struggling furiously not to blush, she tried to act cool as if she hadn't just been caught by everyone staring at Max's lips. She took a sip of water, willing herself to stay calm and turned to Alex. "I'm sorry Alex. What were you saying?"
"I was just asking if you remembered Mr. Johnson who used to live next to us," Alex said with a grin. "I ran into him the other day."
Liz nodded, encouraging him to go on with the story. As he continued, she made a conscious effort to stay focused on Alex. She could feel Max's burning gaze on her from time to time but she made sure not to look at him for the rest of the meal, concentrating all of her attention on Alex and Diane.
As dinner ended Liz quickly got up to clear the table, and with an armful of dishes escaped into the safety of the kitchen. She needed to be away from Max’s intensity to get her bearings again. Taking a deep breath to calm herself, she started stacking the dishes in the dishwasher.
After a moment she heard someone else come in. She assumed it was Diane and turned with a question already on her lips. "Do you have the last of the dishes or..." her words trailed off when she saw it was Max instead.
He smiled. "I told Diane and Alex we would clean up since they made lunch for us. Is that okay?"
"Yeah," Liz acknowledged softly.
"There are more dishes. I'll get the rest of them," Max volunteered, as he put the ones he was holding on the counter.
Liz was nervous to be alone in the same room with him, but she reasoned that the faster she finished the cleanup, the faster she could get away from him. She began looking through the cupboards for containers to put the leftovers in, but not knowing where anything was kept she was still searching when Max returned.
Careful to keep her back to him, she could hear the dishes clanking and knew he'd taken over the task of loading the dishwasher. Finally she found containers on one of the top shelves and stood up on tiptoe. But she still couldn’t reach and was just cursing her lack of stature when she felt Max come up behind her.
"Allow me," he murmured softly.
Max's solid body momentarily pressed against her back as he easily took some containers from the shelf and handed them to her. Her body tingled where he had made contact and she turned slowly to face him. She gasped as her eyes met and were held by his, and once again she found herself overwhelming drawn to him. Liz struggled to free gaze and finally succeeded by looking down at the dishes in her hands.
"Thanks," she managed, her voice almost a whisper, and turned back to the counter before she succumbed to him.
Aware that Max's eyes were on her, she concentrated on using slow, deliberate actions to transfer the food into the plastic containers, to avoid spilling everything on the floor. Finally she heard the dishes clinking behind her and realized Max was finishing with the dishwasher. With a sigh of relief she placed everything in the fridge and then wiped down the counters.
She had just finished when she realized the kitchen had become quiet some time ago. Slowly turning she found Max standing just a few feet away, his gaze burning into her. Immediately she could see that something different in him; something that drew her to him and demanded she not look away.
Her breath quickened and her heart pounded in her chest. Silently he crossed to her, took her hand and led her unresisting out the back door.
As soon as they were out of the house, Max pulled her to him and lowered his mouth to hers. Liz felt the familiar rush of sensations as their lips touched and she leaned into him with a sigh. He kissed her hard and she returned his kisses enthusiastically.
She wrapped her arms around his neck, standing on tiptoe to get even closer.
His hand found the back of her head and he leaned her back as his lips trailed kisses down her chin to her neck. She gasped when he touched the sensitive skin there.
"Liz," he growled into her neck.
The timber of his voice sent shivers through her and he pulled her closer, continuing to kiss her as if he were trying to taste every part of her throat. Her knees felt rubbery and vaguely she wondered if she could stand without Max supporting her. She tightened her arms around him to steady herself not wanting it to end.
"Max," she gasped when he found a particularly sensitive spot on her neck. He lingered there with soft, warm kisses causing electricity to shoot through her and then his lips were on hers again.
He nibbled at her lips, silently asking her to open to him, and Liz eagerly complied. His tongue slid into her mouth and stroked hers, coaxing her to return his caress.
Tentatively she touched her tongue to his and Max growled into her mouth. A shiver of desire ripped through Liz to know she could cause such a reaction in him.
Just as she felt as if she would drown in the warm waves that Max’s kisses were sending through her, he gradually began to pull back.
As he broke the kiss, he leaned into her, touching his forehead to hers. Max suddenly smiled. "There's no way you could describe that as nice," he rasped teasingly.
