Max ran his hand along her body, cupping her backside and pulling her up to lie on top of him. All that had changed. And not because she was beautiful, but because he had finally found a reason to see beyond mere physical beauty.
This stolen summer had changed him. Hed grown up, become an adult. And he was finally beginning to realize what life was all about. It wasnt about money or fame. It was about this-the small, perfect moments that he shared with Angela. The quiet conversations and long silences. The simple kisses and the passion that followed.
I am irresistible, Max said, searching for her mouth. His lips brushed against hers and he moved above her, his shaft growing harder between them. Admit it.
No, she said. I can resist. Just watch me.
Her wicked smile was an outright challenge to him. And though they were only teasing, Max suddenly needed her to acknowledge what was happening between them, the power that their attraction generated. Did she want him as much as he wanted her? How deep did her feelings run?
Their conversation at the penguin exhibit had given him a few clues. She wanted a relationship, something that would last, even though she hadnt come right out and said it. And wasnt that what was going on here? A relationship?
With all the other women in his life, he saw their time together in finite terms, with a beginning and an end. But he wasnt able to contemplate ending things with Angela. Though she hadnt been completely honest with him, her actions certainly werent enough to drive him away. In truth, he felt even more attracted to her knowing how vulnerable she felt about her past.
Still, there were two sides to every relationship. What would drive her away? Would it be his celebrity? The long periods apart? Her past? There were plenty of things on his side of the board that she might find unbearable.
Max pulled her into a long, deep kiss, doing his best to seduce her with his lips and tongue. Say it, he whispered. Tell me you need me.
I dont, she said, still teasing.
Max took her face between his hands and stared into her eyes. Tell me, he said.
She paused, clearly confused by the intensity of his request. Then she drew a ragged breath. I need you, she murmured.
Only me, he said.
Only you, she replied. Her smile widened. Unless you have someone else under the covers. Another man? Oh my, a threesome. I suppose I could spread the need around.
It was clear she wasnt about to engage in a serious conversation. And maybe it wasnt fair of him to press her. After all, theyd only known each other forty-eight hours. What did he expect?
I have something for you, Max said. In the envelope on by the lamp.
What is it?
Open it, he said.
Angela shook her head. We shouldnt be giving each other gifts. Its too soon.
Its not really a gift, Max said. Just open it.
She grabbed the envelope and slowly withdrew the airline ticket. Its a ticket, she said. Are you going somewhere?
I have to fly to Florida tomorrow and I was hoping youd come with me. We could spend the weekend there. I could show you the city, then we could relax and have some fun.
At first Max thought shed accept, but slowly her expression changed. We talked about this earlier. I-I cant.
Why not? Its just a couple days. I want to show you where I live.
I just cant, she said. She rolled off him, grabbing his T-shirt from the end of the bed and tugging it over her head. I-Im going to go get some orange juice. Do you want some?
Max pushed up on his elbow. Angela, wait.
Ill be right back, she said, forcing a smile.
He watched her walk out of the bedroom, then flopped back on the pillow. What was this all about? He thought shed enjoy a little vacation. Since he had to be in Florida for a few days, why not take her along? There was something else at work here.
When she returned, Angela sat down at the edge of the bed. Im sorry, she said. Its a lovelygift.
No, its not a gift. Jewelry is a gift. This is just me being selfish, Max said. I have to be away for a few days and I knew how much Id miss you. I thought if you came along, I wouldnt miss you so much. He reached out and touched her arm. Is that so bad?
She shook her head. Not really. Angela took a sip of the orange juice. But thats your other life. Down there, youre famous, you have girls and paparazzi trailing after you. I cant compete with that life. Its sobig. But here in Chicago, everything works.
Angela, I might have to go back to that life. Its my job. Whats going to happen then?
She shrugged. I dont know. Well deal with that when the time comes, I guess.
I want to know now, he said.
Weve known each other for-how long?
Forty-eight hours, he muttered.
She blinked in surprise. Really. Thats all? Ive had stomach viruses that have lasted longer than that. Ive had headaches that have lasted-
Max pressed a finger to her lips. I get it. But you forget, weve spent nearly all that time together. If you were dating some other guy, you might have had dates that lasted for five hours max.
Yeah, she said.
Right. Well, weve had the equivalent of He tried to do the math in his head. Nine times five was forty-five so-
Nine point six, she said. Im good in math, too.
All right. Weve been on the equivalent of 9.6 dates. Now, if you figure two dates a week, weve been dating for almost five weeks. Five weeks is not too early to take a trip together.
Its too early for me, she said.
Slowly, it became clear to Max what she was saying. You dont trust me, he said. Go ahead. Say it. You dont trust me.
I dont trust you, she said. And not because youre not a great guy. I dont trust you because I barely know you, Max. And I dont trust myself. I dont want to get hurt. I dont want to see the wonderful life you lead in Florida. I dont want to be reminded of the differences between us.
Differences? Damn it, theyd grown up in the same hometown, attended the same schools. Their parents were friends. If she were going to use that as an excuse, then hed have to call her on it. Or maybe that was the reason shed kept a few secrets from him. After dating starlets and pop stars, what could he possibly find interesting about a hometown girl?
Forty-eight hours, she repeated. Thats barely enough time to figure out how you like your coffee.
You know how I like my coffee, he said.
And it doesnt help that we spend most of our time in bed. I know a lot about your body and about how you like to be touched. But I dont know how you got that scar on your knee.
Bike accident when I was twelve, he said.
Or what you like to read, she added.
Mostly non-fiction. He sighed. All right. I get your point. So, lets get to know each other right now.
Im still not going to Florida with you, she said.
I know youre stubborn, Max said.
Cautious, she countered.
He bent close and kissed her. And your lips are incredibly soft.
Youre getting off track again, Angela warned.
Max cupped her breast in his hand. And that your body seems to fit perfectly against mine. As if it were made for my touch.
She sighed softly. Why dont we play a game? Ill ask you a question-any question-and you have to answer. We each get ten questions and two passes.
Passes?
We can refuse to answer twice. Ill start.
All right. Max sat up and crossed his legs in front of him, then pulled a pillow over his lap. Shoot.
How many women have you slept with?
He laughed. Really? You want to know? Im not sure I ever counted, but its not as many as youd think.
More than five hundred?
No, Max said. God, his reputation must be a lot worse than hed ever imagined. Where did you hear Id slept with five hundred women?
More than two hundred?
Absolutely not, he said.
More than one hundred?
Max shook his head. I dont think so. Ive had some long dry spells and Ive had some short-term relationships. Maybe ninety. He paused. Jeez, even that sounds like a lot. But its really not. If you figure ten on average a year. And thats since the beginning. A lot of what you hear in the press isnt true. If it were, Id be up in the thousands. How many questions was that for you-four?
No, just one.
Actually, it was four. One main question and three sub-questions.
With an astonished laugh, she reached out and slapped him on the chest. You dont play fair.
My turn, he said. Same question.
None, she replied.
None?
Thats question two according to your rules. And my answer is none.
Youve slept with me, so it has to be at least one.
Oh, but youre a man. You said same question. So I answered the same question-how many women have I had sex with.
He grabbed her and threw her down on the bed, stretching out on top of her. Oh, so this is the way its going to be. Youre going to trick me. I might as well give up right now. Youre much too clever, Angela Weatherby.
All right, all right, no more tricks.
For the next two hours, they talked, asking questions, laughing at answers, and learning more about each other than they needed to know. Max carefully avoided questions about her hometown and her high school and college education, waiting for her to volunteer that information herself. And though she had plenty of opportunity, she never once mentioned shed known him in the past.
When it came time to ask his last question, Max paused. I think Im going to save it, he said. For what?
For later. For when I really want to know something.
I can always pass on it.
No, you cant. Youve had your two passes, remember? Max pulled her into his arms and kissed her. Now, can we please just stop talking and start getting down to business?
She growled playfully, then grabbed his face and kissed him long and hard. Max, if kissing is your business, then I think Id like to invest.
6
ANGELA SAT AT HER DESK and stared at her computer screen. As hard as she tried, she couldnt seem to concentrate on work. Max had been gone for two whole days. Hed called a few times, but their phone conversations had been stilted and short, like two strangers trying to find something interesting to say to each other.
He hadnt been sure when he was going to get back and though shed been anxious to see him again, she didnt want to press him on the matter. Shed tried her very best not to want him too much, but the effort was taking a toll on her heart and her body.