By the time they reached the lake, the conversation had become surprisingly relaxed, at least to the casual observer. But Angela was in the midst of an internal crisis. She found herself completely charmed by Max Morgan. He was sweet and funny and smart. And when he smiled at her, she felt as if she might just melt into a big puddle of goo on his leather seat.
No, Angela thought to herself. Max Morgan was supposed to be the enemy. And all this charm was expected from a smooth operator. Of course, he would try to weaken her defenses, to turn himself into the perfect guy. He knew exactly how to read the signs.
And if she werent careful, shed fall for it, hook, line and sinker.
Max found a place to park, then helped her out of the car. It was dark on the beach, but the city was alive with light behind them. He held onto her arm as she kicked off her shoes and stepped into the sand. Then he laced his fingers through hers and they walked toward the water.
I never come to the beach, she said. I just drive by. She closed her eyes and drew a deep breath. It doesnt smell like the city.
I have a place on the water in Florida, he said.
And a place on a small lake in Wisconsin. And my apartment here in Chicago overlooks the lake. Im a water guy, I guess. Where do you live?
I have a flat in Wicker Park. This guy was seriously out of her league, Angela thought to herself.
He had at least three homes, maybe even more. She lived in a tiny, one-bedroom flat with leaky pipes and a noisy radiator.
When they reached the waters edge, Max slipped out of his shoes and socks and rolled up his pant legs, then waded in. Cold, he said, wincing. I cant believe I used to swim in this.
Its always cold, Angela said, backing away from his invitation to join him. He ran out and grabbed her, pulling her along until her toes touched the water too.
No! she cried, trying to twist out of his grasp.
But he pulled her closer until she was caught in his embrace. He stared down into her eyes, then bent closer and kissed her.
Angela tried to remain calm, hoping to remember every little detail of the kiss. It was sweet and simple and filled with a delicious anticipation. She parted her lips and he took the invitation to tease at her tongue. Hed obviously had a lot of experience kissing women and it had paid off. When he finally drew away, she felt as if her legs were about to buckle beneath her.
Ive been thinking about doing that ever since we left the bar, he murmured, smoothing his hand through her hair. His gaze scanned her features and he smiled. I dont know what it is. I feel like we know each other. Is that strange?
Yes, Angela said. The one word was all she could manage for the moment. Oh, it was wonderful kissing him. And though shed tried to maintain her defenses, it was all it took to make her realize that she was totally and utterly at his mercy.
He pulled her back into his arms and kissed her again, this time more playfully. So, what are we going to do for our next date?
What?
Where are we going to go? You probably have to work tomorrow, but Im free tomorrow night. We can go to dinner or take in a concert. I havent been to the aquarium for years.
Angela wasnt sure what to say. This was so unexpected. Although, maybe hed do the same thing all the other smooth operators did-promise to call her tomorrow to firm up their plans and then never call. I-I dont know. Id have to check my-
He placed a finger over her lips. No. Were going to plan it now. Ill pick you up at six.
Angela took a deep breath. She wasnt sure she wanted to believe what he was saying. Shed have more than just this night to get to know Max. All the questions spinning around in her head didnt have to be asked tonight. Tonight, she could just enjoy herself. Six, she said in a shaky voice. Sounds good.
THEY SAT ON THE SAND for two hours, talking, joking, laughing. Max couldnt remember the last time hed been so completely fascinated by a woman. What was it about Angela that he found so sexy? Had he passed her on the street or seen her at a party, he might have considered her ordinary.
But for the first time, he found himself looking a bit deeper. She was a study in contrasts. One moment she was confident and outspoken and the next, shy and nervous. She didnt play games, but she did enjoy poking at his ego every so often. And though she wasnt the kind of woman he usually found himself attracted to, he was beginning to think she was the most beautiful woman hed ever met.
This is going to be a great summer, Max said.
Will you have the entire summer off? Angie asked.
If rehab goes well, I should be on my way back to the club by September. Maybe August. But Im thinking I need time, not just to heal physically, but to figure out a few things.
Like what? Angie asked, turning to face him.
He grabbed her legs and pulled them over his, drawing her close to kiss her. The impulse to seduce her was overwhelming. He wanted to explore her body, to learn what made her shudder with desire. There was something between them that hed never experienced before. Yet, he didnt want her to be just another notch on his bedpost.
Like life, he said. Ive been living in an alternate reality. I see my brothers and sisters and their families and theyre happy. Really happy, not just artificially happy.
How can you be artificially happy? she asked.
You know. When you buy a new car and you think youre happy, and maybe you are for a day or so. But then you realize its just a car.
Angela leaned against him, the warmth from her body seeping into his. So what makes you really happy?
Kissing you does it for me, he said.
Then do it, she said.
This time, he put aside the gentle, sweet kisses theyd shared. Max wanted her to know exactly how he felt about her. His lips found hers and he slowly lowered her into the sand, stretching out beside her.
His hand smoothed over her arms and then lower, to her hip. As she drew her leg up, her skirt fell away and he touched the silky length of her calf. It was so easy to get lost in the feel and taste of her. At first, he didnt notice the wind picking up, swirling the sand around him.
And then, a moment later, the clouds opened and it began to rain. Max rolled to his side and looked up at the sky. Nature had decided to mess with his perfect date. But to his surprise, Angela didnt seem to care. Instead, she sat up, turned her face to the sky and laughed.
The downpour had already drenched her hair and her dress, and droplet clung to her lashes. She opened her mouth to catch the rain with her tongue and Max could only watch her. Any other woman would be racing for cover, hoping to preserve her carefully tended appearance. But that obviously hadnt occurred to Angela.
Thunder rumbled in the distance and when lightning flashed, Max leapt to his feet and grabbed her hand. Come on. Lets get out of here before we get zapped.
As they ran to the car, pedestrians were rushing for cover. He unlocked the door and pulled it open, then helped her inside. When he finally slipped in behind the wheel, she was raking her fingers through her dripping hair. Im getting your car all wet, she said. And my dress is covered with sand.
Dont worry. He pulled out into traffic and headed north on Lakeshore Drive. My condo is just on the other side of the zoo, he said. Well stop there, get dried off and then decide what we want to do with the rest of the night. He glanced over at the clock in the dashboard and was surprised to see that it was past midnight. Or, I could drop you back at your car, he added. You probably have to be up early for work tomorrow.
I really wouldnt mind getting dry, she said.
Good, Max thought to himself. He didnt want the night to end, either. Not yet. Not until he was absolutely sure she wanted him as much as he wanted her.
Minutes later, he pulled into the underground garage of his Lincoln Park high rise. As they rode the elevator up, he pressed her back against the wall and kissed her again, his fingers tangling in her damp hair. This has been the most amazing night, he whispered.
She stared up at him, a strange look in her eyes. Didnt she believe him? Hell, that was all he needed. The first time he found a woman he was truly interested in and she thought he was playing her. So how could he prove he wasnt, Max wondered. He could forget about luring her into his bed. That would be a good start.
Your lips taste like rain, he murmured. When the elevator doors opened, he took her hand and walked with her to the door of his apartment. He pushed the key into the lock, then stepped aside to let her enter.
The apartment was dark, rain glittering on the wide wall of windows overlooking the lake.
He wanted to draw her into his arms again, now that they were completely alone, and find out just how deep their attraction for each other went. Instead, he flipped on the lights. The bathroom is just down that hall, Max said. There are towels in the cabinet and Ill find you some dry clothes.
He watched as she walked away from him, her wet dress clinging to her slender body. Somehow, he knew the night wasnt over. It was just beginning.
Max hurried to his bedroom and rummaged through his clothes for something to give her.
He found a team sweatshirt and some warm-up pants, then grabbed a pair of socks from the clean laundry.
When he knocked softly on the bathroom door, Angie opened it a crack and he held the clothes out.
Its the best I can do, he said. Theyre warm and theyre dry.
Is it all right if I take a quick shower? she asked. Im covered with sand.
No problem, he said. Im just going to make us something to eat. Are you hungry?
Yeah, she said with a winsome smile. That would be great. She took the clothes and shut the door. He glanced at his watch. He had about ten minutes tops to shower, get dressed and cook something. Max headed to the galley kitchen and to his relief, found a container of gourmet mac and cheese hed bought at Whole Foods. He popped it into the oven and headed for the guest bathroom.
As he stepped beneath the hot water, his mind wandered down the hall, to the woman who was showering in his bathroom. With any other woman, he wouldnt have thought twice about joining her there. And with any other woman, he knew hed have been welcome. But he didnt want to move too fast with Angela. He was having trouble reading her signals and a single mistake might win it all.