One day, he would be completely anonymous again. Max couldnt believe hed ever been fearful of the moment when no one recognized him. Now, all he longed for was a normal life again. Since hed been home, Max had quietly observed his three older siblings, all happily married with kids of their own, and wondered how theyd managed to find the key to the happiness.
They werent famous, Max mused. Most of his old high school and college buddies envied him. He had everything theyd ever dreamed of having. Hell, he played a game for a living, traveling all over the country. He had more money than hed ever need. And he was single. The womenwell, the supply of beautiful women never seemed to wane.
Max reached up and rubbed his shoulder. There were a few drawbacks. He was in a constant fight with his aging body. And though he was a little more than a year shy of thirty, his body was already beginning to feel a lot older.
One thing always made the aches and pains disappear. Sex. And there were probably five or six girls sitting at the bar right now he could charm into his bed. But the prospect of losing himself in the pleasures of a womans body didnt seem all that exciting right now. Lately, his sexual conquests had always been followed by a juicy story in the tabloids. He couldnt completely trust anyone anymore, outside of his own family.
And since hed returned, there hadnt been a single woman whod caught his eye. Instead, hed spent his time reviewing his business investments, rehabbing his shoulder and visiting with family. Its the injury, he thought to himself. The team doctor warned him he might experience some mild depression, that hed need to focus more intently on his rehab and his return in the second half of the season.
And since hed returned, there hadnt been a single woman whod caught his eye. Instead, hed spent his time reviewing his business investments, rehabbing his shoulder and visiting with family. Its the injury, he thought to himself. The team doctor warned him he might experience some mild depression, that hed need to focus more intently on his rehab and his return in the second half of the season.
Max sat down at the desk and pulled out his cell phone, scrolling through the list of missed calls. Even though he was off the media radar, women were still interested. Sophia, he murmured. An Italian model he met last month at a charity event. Christina. A flight attendant whod charmed him on his flight home from Tampa. Helena. An actress hed dated in New York during the off-season. Though a night in bed with a beautiful woman would certainly make him feel better, it just wasnt worth the hassle.
Max cursed softly and shut his phone, tossing it on the desk. What the hell was wrong with him? Making decisions about anything had become nearly impossible. He pushed to his feet and restlessly paced back and forth in the tiny office. Do something, he muttered to himself. Pick a lane and hit the Gas.
A soft knock sounded at the door and he looked up to see Dave peering inside. Sorry to disturb, but Greg Wilbern, our liquor salesman is here and hed really like to meet you. He brought his teenage son.
This guy gives us great-
Max held up his hand. Say no more. Ill tell him his son looks like a future major leaguer.
I wouldnt go that far. His son showed me how to reprogram our cash registers. I suspect he has a better chance working for Microsoft than in the major leagues.
Max followed Dave, closing the office door behind him. He glanced across the bar, scanning the crowd.
Suddenly, his breath caught in his throat. She was sitting with a friend, sipping a drink, her warm blond hair softly falling around her face. She looked up and their gazes met and Max had an overwhelming feeling of déjà vu.
He stood, fixed in one spot, staring at her. Theyd met before. Or maybe not. Yes, there had been a lot of women, but he remembered all of them-at least he thought he did. But, hed never forgotten a woman hed slept with.
Are you coming? Dave asked.
Yeah, just give me a sec, Max murmured. Ill be right over.
Had he ever touched heror kissed her? His fingers twitched as he tried to recall the feel of her skin, her hair. What was the scent of her perfume? He had an uncanny memory for smells, but he couldnt re call hers.
Max smiled and she returned it, tilting her head slightly. Whoever this woman was, he had to meet her. Maybe he did know her. Think, he murmured.
If he walked over and introduced himself and theyd already met, shed be insulted. But if he acted as if he knew her, then she might be put off. Best to be upfront. He took a step in her direction, finally picking a lane and hitting the Gas.
Max!
Max blinked and looked at his brother motioning him toward the bar. He glanced back and the connection was broken. A strange sensation came over him. It was déjà vu. This had happened once before.
When? Where had it been? He recalled the odd sense of loss hed felt at the time.
Frustrated, Max approached the bar. Dave made the introductions, then handed Max a baseball from the stock they kept handy. See that woman over there in the green dress? Send her a drink from me.
Champagne?
No, Max said, as he scribbled his name the ball.
Never mind. Thats too cheesy. He handed the boy the baseball, then shook the liquor salesmans hand.
Ill just go talk to her. Do I look all right? Hows my breath? Shit, I shouldnt have had onions on that burger.
What is wrong with you? Since when do you worry about your appearance? Dave looked over his shoulder. That girl? Shes not your type.
Whats my type? Max asked.
Theres a ten sitting at the end of the bar. Fake hair, fake boobs, fake nails. Shes your type.
Shut up, Dave.
Max walked away from his brother and circled the bar slowly. Keeping his gaze fixed on her. Since the connection between them had been broken, shed gone back to chatting with her girlfriend, a petite dark-haired woman with trendy glasses perched on her nose.
When he finally reached them, Max slipped into a spot next to her at the bar. But the patrons standing around her thought hed come to socialize with them, wanting to shake his hand and pose for pictures. When the celebrity posturing was finally finished, he turned back to her.
Hi, he said. Max waited for her to respond and began to think that she hadnt heard him, but then she slowly turned and faced him. She was even more beautiful up close. She had the greenest eyes hed ever seen. And her shoulder-length hair, the color of honey, smelled like peaches.
Hello, she said.
Do I know you?
She paused, then smiled quizzically. I dont know. Do you?
Max frowned. Im not sure. I cant believe I would have forgotten you if wed met before. He held out his hand. Im Max. And forget what I just said. It sounded really lame.
Angela, she said, resting her hand in his. She had beautiful fingers, long and slender, tipped with pretty red polish. No, Max thought. Hed never had those hands on his body. Though they might have met, theyd never been intimate. And this is my friend, Celia. Ceci.
Max reached around to Ceci and shook her hand.
Hello, Ceci. Its nice to meet you. He turned back to Angela. Can I buy you two a drink?
Angela held up her margarita. I have a drink. But thanks anyway.
And I have to go, Ceci said. I-I have to drive my mother-I mean, my brother to-shopping.
I have to take my mother grocery shopping. Shes completely out ofbananas. She forced a smile as she slid off her barstool. Sorry, I forgot.
Stay, Angela whispered, grabbing her hand.
How will you get home?
Ill grab a cab, Ceci said. You just enjoy your drink. She picked up her purse, then gave Max a clever grin. It was nice meeting you, Max. She likes her margaritas unblended, no salt. And she cant hold her liquor, so make the next one a virgin, all right?
Max watched as Ceci hurried to the door. In any other instance, he would have been glad to have Angela all to himself. But he felt strangely nervous. What the hell was that all about? Max Morgan never got nervous around women.
2
ANGELA TOOK A QUICK SIP of her drink. This was not part of the plan. Ceci wasnt supposed to leave the moment Max noticed her. They were supposed to stay together until Angela felt comfortable. Theyd even worked out a series of signs and a plan to escape to the ladies room to regroup if things got too complicated.
And they were already way too complicated. Her heart was slamming against the inside of her chest and she couldnt seem to catch her breath. And as she tried to calm herself, she felt light-headed and unable to think. Oh, God, she was having amoment.
No, this wasnt supposed to happen! Angela knew exactly what Max Morgan was-a smooth operator. And yet she was allowing herself to be overwhelmed by his obvious magnetism. Get a grip, she scolded silently. Youre a grown woman with a job to do. This is no time for silly fantasies.
But if she couldnt even think of something clever to say, how would she keep him interested long enough to get all her questions answered? What if he decided to move on to someone else after just a few short minutes? Shed be left sitting alone at the bar feeling like a fool, humiliated in public.
But if she couldnt even think of something clever to say, how would she keep him interested long enough to get all her questions answered? What if he decided to move on to someone else after just a few short minutes? Shed be left sitting alone at the bar feeling like a fool, humiliated in public.
But then, maybe that would be for the best. If he dumped her for someone prettier, it would only prove her point-Max Morgan was a class-A jerk.
So, Max said. Do you come here often?
Angela swallowed hard. How many times had she heard that line? He was supposed to be an expert at seduction and that was the best he could come up with? You really need to work on your pick-up lines.
The words were out of her mouth before she had a chance to think. Oh, hell, shed just insulted him. And given him an excuse to move on to the redhead at the end of the bar.
At first, he seemed a bit taken aback by her comment. But then Max laughed and slid onto the stool vacated by Ceci. He thought she was teasing him. She could use that to her advantage. Keep him off balance. He was obviously used to having women agree with everything he said. Shed do the opposite. Reverse psychology.