I could eat pizza, Max said with a grin. Besides, its too hot to get dressed up and go out. Why dont we swing by your place, grab your suit and well take a swim?
The lake is really cold, Angela said.
Ive got a pool on the roof of my building. They dont allow kids, so no one ever uses it. Especially at night.
Max continued to amaze her. He knew exactly what she wanted and hed offered it to her. She couldnt think of anything more refreshing than a swim on a summer evening like this. And pizza would be the perfect meal. How do you do that?
Do what? he asked.
Know exactly the right thing to say. Did you take a class when you were younger? Or is there some secret handbook that they pass out to you guys?
I like pizza, he said. And swimming seemed like a good idea. Would you rather do something else? Just tell me what.
See, there you go again, Angela said. You make it so easy for me to like you.
Isnt that the point? Max asked. If I did stuff you didnt like, then you wouldnt want to go out with me.
No, no, Angela said, shaking her head. Its the way you do it. You make it sound like eating pizza with me is the only thing in the world you want to do.
It is, Max said. But if you dont want pizza, we can order Thai or Chinese. Theres a really good-
No! Angela cried. Its not about what we eat.
What is it about then?
If one of your buddies called you right now and told you there were some hot Swedish swimsuit models waiting for you at some bar and they were a sure thing, youd go, right? You blow me off to hang out with them, right?
No, Max said, frowning.
Youre lying, Angela accused. You would so go.
He twisted around in his seat to face her. I would not. Im spending time with you, because I choose to, Angie. I dont want to be with anyone else. Besides, I dont think there are many Swedish swimsuit models out there. Theyre too pale to tan. He turned the car on. Now, lets go get your swimsuit and then well decide about dinner. What do you like on your pizza?
This was exactly what she expected of him. With absolute ease, he could make her believe she was the most important woman in his life. That his entire world revolved around her. And that eating pizza next to a pool with her was better than dining at a gourmet restaurant with a movie star.
She knew the sexy devil was charming. But shed never realized just how insidious that charm could be. With every moment they spent together, she was more convinced Max wasnt the man with the profile on her site.
She wanted to throw her arms around his neck and kiss him until her lips were sore. She wanted to run her fingers through his hair and smooth her palms over his chest and discover the body beneath the clothes.
Was it so wrong to want him? Why not admit shed been taken in, just like all those other girls? Why not enjoy it while it lasted? Angela knew the risks of surrender, but right now, looking into his gorgeous eyes, the rewards far outweighed any risk to her heart.
THE UNDERWATER LIGHTS cast wavering shadows on the pool deck. Max sank below the surface then swam underwater to the opposite end, popping up in front of Angela. Bracing his hands on either side of her legs, he boosted himself up and kissed her before dropping back down into the water. Are you going to come in? he asked. Its really nice.
Im having more fun watching you, Angela re plied with a wicked grin. She swirled her feet around in the water in front of him and he grabbed her foot, kissing the arch. It would be much more fun if you didnt have those shorts on.
Im having more fun watching you, Angela re plied with a wicked grin. She swirled her feet around in the water in front of him and he grabbed her foot, kissing the arch. It would be much more fun if you didnt have those shorts on.
Max glanced up at her, his lips pressed against her ankle. What would be the point if you wont get in the water. I wont let you drown. I promise.
Im not worried about that, she said.
What are you worried about then? Ive already seen you wet and you look beautiful with your hair all stringy. Unless you dont want to get that suit wet.
She wore a pretty flowered two-piece that left just enough to the imagination. It was the first chance hed had to really appreciate the beauty of Angies body. She was fit, not thin, with curves in all the right places. Unlike a lot of the girls hed dated, she boasted no surgical enhancements. Her breasts, her nose and her lips were all completely natural.
Angie leaned back and stared up at the sky, kicking her feet in the water. This is so nice. Its like were not even in the city anymore. I cant believe people dont use this pool. Id be up here every night.
It would be more fun if it belonged exclusively to us, he said. I have a pool at my place in Florida.
Bigger than this one. He kicked off the side and swam toward her. With a hot tub. And a big, tall fence around it.
I have bathtub, Angela teased. I do laps every morning.
All right, Max said. That might have sounded a bit egotistical. Maybe I was hoping to impress you. In truth, he was thinking about how much fun it would be to take off his shorts and her suit and enjoy the feel of her body against his in the water. If they were in Florida, he wouldnt have to worry about anyone barging in on them. After swimming for a while, they could lie down on one of the comfortable chaises on the deck and continue what theyd started in the pool.
Max pulled himself out of the water and sat down next to her, pushing aside the fantasy. Youre very hard to impress.
Thats not true, she said.
What do you like about me, Angela?
She regarded him with a cool stare, her eyebrow arched. Max had never met a woman like her before. She certainly kept him on his toes. He wasnt sure from one moment to the next what she was thinking. But then, when she turned that smile on him, he could almost believe she was as captivated by him as he was by her. I like yourhair, she said, lowering her gaze in mock innocence. And you have a very nice body. And your voice. Thats nice, too.
Nice? He jumped back down into the pool, then pulled her along with him. She cried out in surprise, but he held tight, cradling her body against his. I told you the water was nice.
Its warm. Like bathwater, she said. Angela wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him, deliberately taking her time before drawing away. Her body rubbed against his provocatively and Max wondered if she knew what she was doing to him. I like your mouth, she said. And the way you kiss me.
Max growled softly as he pulled her into another kiss. Beneath the water, her skin felt like silk. He ran his palms from her shoulders to the small of her back, then drew her hips against his. What about the way I touch you? he asked.
I like that, too, she whispered. See, theres a lot about you that I appreciate.
Something had changed. The moment shed kissed him, he felt her grow pliant in his arms. A silent surrender. He slipped his hand between them to cup her breast, softly teasing at her nipple through the fabric of her suit. Angela watched him, and then to his surprise, she reached back and untied the top, letting it fall in front of her.
Max bit back a groan. It took every ounce of his will to resist. But shed given him an invitation to touch. How could he refuse? Sinking down further, he traced a line of kisses from her shoulder to her breast. And then, his mouth found her nipple, peaked from his caress.
Angela moaned, tipping her head back and furrowing her fingers through his hair. Max pulled her legs up around his waist as they bobbed in the water, his lips gently exploring the exposed flesh. But as he continued, Max knew they were reaching the point of no return.
He drew back and waited until she opened her eyes and looked at him. Are you hungry? We could go down and order the pizza.
Angela sent him a puzzled looked, the same one shed given him that first night when hed stopped mid-seduction. No. Lets stay up here a bit longer. Its so relaxing. She undid the back of her suit and tossed it on the deck, then closed her eyes and leaned back, holding her arms out until she floated in front of him, her hair fanning out around her. He moved his palm up her belly, then back again.
It was so easy to get caught up in his desire, Max mused. Though he tried to ignore his need to possess her, there were moments when he let himself imagine what they might share, what it would feel like to move inside her. Hed always followed his instincts, taking pleasure where it was offered without any regrets.
But what had seemed so casual with women he barely knew, took on much more meaning with Angela. He wanted her, not to satisfy his own needs, but so that he might know everything about her. The impulse to strip off the rest of their clothes was too intense to ignore.
She opened her eyes and he pulled her back into his arms. Im hungry, he murmured. We should go down.
Confused, Angela watched him for a moment, then reluctantly nodded. He slipped his hands around her waist and set her on the edge of the pool, then crawled out next to her. Straightening, Max helped her to her feet and collected the towels hed brought with him, wrapping one beneath Angies arms to hide her naked breasts.
They rode the elevator down three floors to his twenty-second floor apartment. When they opened the door, the chill from the air conditioning rushed out.
You should get out of that wet suit, he said softly, his gaze fixed on her mouth. Max rubbed her arms and her skin prickled beneath his touch. Ill get you something warmer to wear.
She stared at him, silently, as if she were waiting for something more than words. Here we are again, she said. With just a towel between us.
I dont-
The last time we were in your apartment, you were wearing it. She reached down and slipped out of the bottom to her suit, letting it drop to the floor before kicking it aside.
This was crazy, Max thought. They were both consenting adults. Why wait any longer? And she was right. All it would take was just a flick of his finger and the towel would be gone. He reached down, smoothing his hand over her shoulder. You really want to do this? I can wait.
Why are you waiting? she asked.
I dont want to mess this up, he said. But if you really want-
Angie nodded. Yes, I really want this. Do you?
Oh, God, yes, he said.
A moment later, the towel fell to the floor and she stood in front of him, naked. Max wasnt quite sure what to do first. He picked up the towel and rubbed it over her body. Hed never denied himself before, never even considered the consequences of indulging in recreational sex. But it was different now. He needed this to be right between them.