Читать книгу The Complete Boardroom Collection - Джанис Мейнард, Yvonne Lindsay - Страница 45

Rachel sat down at her desk and opened the file she’d been working on before Max summoned her into his office. The numbers blurred on the page. She sat back and rubbed her eyes, then reached for her tall coffee with the three shots of espresso. Max was a bad influence on her in more ways than one.

What had possessed her to tell him about Aunt Jesse?

She owed him no explanations. The intimacy they’d developed was physical, not emotional. Yet, she couldn’t deny that sharing the story had lifted a little weight off her shoulders. Not much, but enough to help her get through the day. To clear her mind for how she would handle things with Brody. She simply had to find the twenty-five thousand she still owed him.

You could borrow the money from Max. If you asked, he’d help.

And have to explain to him about Brody and why she’d married him. As if his opinion of her wasn’t bad enough already, Max could add opportunist and user to her list of flaws. Besides, she didn’t want her ex-husband to come between them again. Although, at the rate she was screwing things up on her own, it wouldn’t matter what she told Max. Given the way their conversation had gone last night, he was probably done with her right now.

Rachel made notes on the file Max had asked her to look at and checked in with Devon to see if anything had come up. He was proving to be a great manager despite his reservations about taking on the responsibility. Maybe this meant she could take a long weekend for herself after everything was over. Four days with nothing to do and no worries sounded like heaven.

But was it reality? Since coming to work for Max, she’d been drifting in a fantasy world. The time for daydreams was over.

Right at eleven, Max’s conference call began with the general manager of their Williamsburg operations. While he was asking the questions she’d posed about their numbers, his second line lit up. Rachel answered the call. It was Andrea.

“How are things going?” Rachel winced in sympathy at the loud cries in the background.

“As well as can be expected with a baby who’s up all hours of the night with colic.”

“I hope things get better soon.”

“Me, too.”

“Max is on a conference call at the moment. Do you want me to have him call you?”

A long pause preceded Andrea’s response. “No. I’ll try him again later.”

Rachel picked up on the other woman’s change of tone. “Is something wrong?”

“Not wrong.” But something was up. Rachel could hear it in Andrea’s voice.

“Anything I can help you with?”

“Look, I don’t exactly know how he persuaded you to fill in for me, but you should probably find someone to take over on a permanent basis.”

“You’re not coming back?”

“Ned and I discussed it on and off since the middle of my pregnancy. Max is great, but he works such long hours.” Andrea tried for cheerful but her tone fell flat. “Now with Ben not sleeping, I’m even more exhausted than I was before he was born. We just think it would be better if I stayed home for his first year. Maybe longer if we decide to get pregnant again right away.”

“That makes sense to me.” Rachel’s mind raced. She needed to call Devon right away about possible candidates for a permanent position. “You have to make your family your priority.” If anyone understood that, she did.

Andrea’s laugh released some of her tension. When she spoke next, she sounded less like she was carrying fifty pounds of salt on her shoulders. “Thanks, Rachel. I hope Max hasn’t been too hard on you. I know what he’s like when things don’t go exactly to his plan.”

“Well, don’t worry about that anymore. You just concentrate on that baby of yours. He’s the important one.”

“Thanks.”

Rachel ended the call and dialed Devon, giving him the heads-up that they were now dealing with a permanent placement.

“What are you up to now?” a deep voice demanded from behind her.

Rachel glanced over her shoulder and spied Max standing in his doorway. Her pulse jumped as it always did when he was around. He had an annoying habit of sneaking up on her.

“I’ve got to go,” she said to Devon, and hung up. She glanced toward the phone and noticed his line was no longer lit up. “That was a short conference call.”

“After I used your notes to point out to them where their numbers still weren’t good enough, they decided to go back and reassess. We’re scheduled to talk this afternoon. Who was that on the phone?”

“Devon. Andrea called a few minutes ago. She’s not coming back. We’ve got three candidates for you to interview.”

His gaze swept her features, settled on her mouth for a moment longer than the rest, then reconnected with her eyes. “How fast can you get them here for interviews?”

“It would go faster if I could work from my office. I need access to my files. My notes. Those are at my office.”

“Then go.”

And just like that it was over. His abrupt dismissal left her floundering in dumbfounded silence.

What was it about Max that turned her from a hardheaded business woman into a sentimental fool?

A lean, muscular body made to drive a woman mad in bed.

A personality that was one-third angry bear, one-third stubborn mule and one-third cuddly tiger.

But it was the way he looked at her as if she was the only woman he’d ever desired that turned her insides to mush. How could she help but fall under his spell?

It was a short three blocks back to the building that housed Lansing Employment Agency, and Rachel used the time to gather her scattered emotions into a nice neat ball. Sharp pains began in her stomach as she swallowed the desire to cry or shout out her unhappiness. Max was done with her. What had she expected? A tearful goodbye?

Devon was on the phone as she went past his office. Knowing he would be full of questions, she took a deep breath and tucked all emotion away.

“What are you doing here?” he asked from her doorway moments after she dropped into her executive chair. “Did you quit or did we get fired?”

“Neither.” After playing assistant for Max these last four weeks, she’d forgotten how wonderful it felt to be the one in charge. “Max wants to interview potential candidates as soon as possible. It’ll go faster if I’m here.”

“You’re on the verge of netting us another big commission and yet you don’t look happy.”

“Of course I’m happy.”

But to her intense dismay, tears filled her eyes. Devon stared at her in stunned silence, before rushing in and kneeling beside her chair.

“What happened? Was it Max? Did he upset you? Do you need me to go kick his ass?”

The thought of five-foot, nine-inch Devon kicking anyone’s ass, much less Max’s, made her chuckle. Shaking her head, she straightened her shoulders and shook off her melancholy.

“No. Nothing like that. I did something really stupid.”

“I don’t believe that for a second. You’re one of the most savvy businesswomen I’ve ever met.”

“I slept with Max.”

“Ah,” Devon said cautiously.

“What do you mean, ah?”

“I’m not surprised, that’s all. You said you’d known him before. So what happened?”

Telling Max about Aunt Jesse earlier today had caused a crack in her self-imposed isolation. She’d felt better, lighter, after sharing her struggles in the aftermath of her father’s death. Drawing on Max’s strength had helped make the memories less painful. No matter how much she isolated herself, she wasn’t alone. Telling Devon about Max could provide the same sense of relief.

“He and I met five years ago in Alabama.”

The whole story poured out of her. She explained about her affair with Max. She talked about her financial problems with Brody. She told Devon about keeping everything from Hailey and about her slashed tires. Max’s offer of help and her subsequent refusal.

“I understand everything,” Devon said. “Except the part where you won’t tell Max about the trouble your ex-husband is causing.”

Rachel dabbed at the tears that had overflowed onto her cheeks. “My being married to Brody is what caused Max to despise me the last time. I don’t want him involved in case Brody sets the loan shark on him.”

“So, all your problems stem from the fact that you’re trying to keep your sister and Max from worrying about you and pushing them away in the process.”

“That’s not fair.”

“But it’s what you’re doing.”

“So, what am I supposed to do? Explain to Hailey that I stayed married to Brody even though he was stealing from me to pay his gambling debts? That I was then so desperate to get free that I let myself agree to a ridiculous divorce agreement that compelled me to pay back the hundred thousand dollars it cost for her college education? And that I’m being harassed by Brody and whatever goon he owes money to?”

“For starters.”

“I can’t. I’ve spent my entire life protecting her. Don’t ask me to stop now.”

Devon shook his head. “She was a kid back when all the bad stuff happened. She’s an adult now. Tell her the truth and let her be someone you can lean on.”

“She’s getting married. She’s starting a fresh new life.” Rachel shook her head and dried her eyes. “I don’t want her to have to worry about the past.”

Devon blew out a breath. “I can see why Max got angry with you.”

Despite his neutral, slightly sad tone, Rachel felt as if she’d been slapped. “He wanted nothing from our relationship except sex.”

That was a cop-out. She didn’t really believe that’s all she and Max had. But it was more comfortable to cling to that notion than to open herself up to hope and end up getting hurt.

“He invited you to his parents’ anniversary party.”

Part of her longed to believe Devon’s optimistic take on her and Max. Spending time with him made her happier than she’d ever been. But he’d insisted from the start that he wasn’t with her for the long term. And his track record bore that out.

“He’s between women at the moment.”

Devon stared at her for a long time. “Or maybe he’s found the one he wants.”

“Or maybe,” she countered stubbornly, “he hasn’t. And he just likes to stick his nose in where it doesn’t belong.”

“You don’t really believe that’s all there is to it.”

“I can’t afford to believe anything different.” Despair was close to swallowing her unsteady composure.

“So, you’re going to push him away?”

Rachel picked up her pen and twirled it. “After what happened last night and today, I don’t think I’m going to have to.”

To her surprise and despite their rocky week, when Saturday night rolled around, Rachel found herself at Max’s side as they ascended the steps of his parents’ home in the western suburb of Houston, a gated community with wall-to-wall mansions. She had no clear idea how she had arrived at this moment. Sure, she’d given her grudging acceptance that morning in Gulf Shores so he’d stop torturing her body with seductive caresses that got her motor revved up, but took her nowhere.

But after their argument at her house and how disinterested he’d been about her leaving Case Consolidated Holdings …

She figured he was done with her.

Then late Wednesday night, he’d shown up at her office with the sea glass bracelet he’d bought her five years earlier. When she’d gone back to Mississippi, she’d left the bracelet behind because it was a talisman representing hope and joy. By returning to her marriage, she didn’t believe she deserved such a keepsake.

She couldn’t stop wondering why Max had kept the bracelet all these years. Did it mean he’d never stopped caring about her? What if it had no significance at all? Every question battered the armor surrounding her heart. Sleep came only after hours of tossing and turning. Her appetite had dropped off. She caught herself daydreaming at work while Devon worked harder than ever.

And Brody called her often to remind her how impatient he was.

Her life felt like it was spinning out of control and she wasn’t sure how much longer she could hang on.

“Stop fidgeting,” Max advised. He set his hand at the small of her back, his touch soothing. “You look fine.”

Rather than let him see how ragged her emotions were, Rachel retreated into sarcasm. “Fine?” She glazed the word with contempt. “What makes you think any woman wants to be told she looks fine?”

To her intense annoyance, his lips twitched. His relaxed mood made it hard to keep her glare in place. Why did the man have to make her so damned happy?

“You look gorgeous.”

Her harrumph resulted in a full-blown grin.

“I really shouldn’t be here,” she said for about the hundredth time. “This isn’t a business associate or a group of friends, this is your family.”

He’d never given her a satisfying answer about his true motive for badgering her to accompany him. In the end, she’d let him convince her to attend the party, but dug in her heels when he insisted she also be there for the family-only renewal of vows that had taken place earlier that afternoon at the church where his parents had originally been married.

“You’re here because I didn’t want to go through this alone.”

His explanation made perfect sense. She was a stand-in because he was between women. She knew better than to call them girlfriends. Max dated, but he didn’t get involved. Casual affairs were more his style.

So, what were they doing?

Since Wednesday, she’d gone home with him after work and spent the night at his house. They watched TV. They made dinner. They made love. Playing house. Getting to know each other better with each hour that passed. The chemistry wasn’t burning out the way he’d said it would. In fact, it was getting hotter by the day.

Nor was either of them trying to cool things off or slow things down.

Two months, she kept telling herself. That’s how long his relationships usually lasted according to the notes in Andrea’s computer. She wouldn’t think any further into the future than that.

A maid opened the front door as they approached. The grand, two-story foyer Max nudged her into was half the size of her house. She gaped like a girl from a small beach town. Meeting wealthy executives at their offices didn’t prepare her for the reality of what money could buy.

“Did you grow up here?” she asked, trying to imagine three energetic boys roughhousing around the expensive furniture and exquisite antiques.

“No. Mom and Dad downsized after they kicked the chicks out of the nest.”

Her breath rushed out. “Downsized?”

“This house only has four bedrooms.”

“Only.” Apparently, her answers were limited to two syllables.

“Come on. Let’s go congratulate the happy couple.” The mischief vanished from his eyes as he steered her deeper into the house.

With Max’s arm around her waist, Rachel floated through the large, perfectly decorated rooms in a haze of anxiety and awe. Her nervousness was tempered by a couple things. First, the beige silk cocktail dress she’d splurged on might have come off the rack of her favorite consignment store, but it was a designer original and she needed that boost of confidence as they passed by women wearing thousands of dollars worth of gowns and jewelry. Second, most of the furniture had been upholstered in tones of cream, beige and gold. That meant she could sit down and virtually disappear.

“There’s Mom. Let me introduce you.”

She hung back as Max leaned forward and kissed his mother on the cheek. Dressed in a beaded cream gown with diamonds at her ears, wrist and around her neck, Susan Case looked every inch a wealthy socialite, but the smile she beamed at her son looked warm and genuine enough to put Rachel at ease.

“Mom, this is Rachel Lansing. Rachel, my mother, Susan.”

Rachel stretched her lips into a smile, hoping her nerves didn’t show, and shook the soft hand Susan Case offered. “It’s really nice to meet you,” she said. “Max talks about you a lot.”

“Have you two been dating long?”

“Oh, we’re not dating,” Rachel insisted in a rush. “I own an employment placement service. I’m helping him find an assistant to replace Andrea.”

“I see.” But it was obvious she didn’t.

Rachel didn’t miss the curious glance Susan sent winging toward her son. Beside her, Max radiated displeasure. Well, what did he expect? That she was going to explain the complicated arrangement between them when she wasn’t exactly sure how to define it herself?

“How is the hunt for a new assistant going?”

“He’s turning out to be a difficult man to please.” She shot Max a warning look to shut down whatever protest he was about to make.

“Is he, now,” Susan murmured wryly. “Well, I’m sure you’ll figure out how to make him happy.”

Rachel flushed at the subtext of Susan’s remark and wished a sinkhole would develop beneath her feet. Before she mustered a response, a tall man with dove-gray eyes stepped into the trio’s circle and wrapped a possessive arm around Susan.

“Good evening.” Brandon Case extended his free hand to Rachel. “My son is lucky to have such a lovely companion this evening.”

Rachel smiled at Brandon Case as she shook his hand, unable to stop herself from basking in the man’s charm. At her side, Max stiffened slightly.

“Congratulations on your thirty-fifth anniversary,” she said. Max’s tension heightened her own anxiety and the next words that came out of her mouth, she wished back immediately. “What’s your secret?”

Susan dipped her head in acknowledgement. “To a long marriage?” She gazed up at her husband. A gentle smile curved her lips. She was obviously very much in love with the man she’d married. “I think you need to be able to forgive each other and laugh together.”

Such simplicity took Rachel’s breath away. Was that really all there was to it? She thought about her own marriage. She and Brody had failed at both. She couldn’t recall a single time when they’d laughed together. In the beginning, they’d gotten along, but it had never been joyful the way it was with Max.

A slight indent had developed between Max’s brows at his mother’s words. “And that’s it? All the pain just magically melts away? Trust is restored with a chuckle?”

Rachel put her free hand on Max’s arm and squeezed in sympathy. She’d been so busy thinking about herself this week, she hadn’t considered how hard this renewal of vows and anniversary celebration would be on Max. He’d never gotten over his father’s infidelity. And now she saw that he was also angry with his mother for staying with a man who’d betrayed her.

“Of course not,” Brandon retorted, his gray eyes hard as they rested on his son. “What I did to your mother wasn’t forgiven overnight. It took years before she began to trust me again. And now that she does, I would never do anything else to hurt her.”

“Max, this is a party,” his mother said, her voice showing no signs of stress. “My anniversary party. Please behave.”

As the tableau played out before her, Rachel had a hard time swallowing past the lump in her throat. Seeing Max’s expression darken and knowing why he was so upset made her realize she’d been a fool to wonder if the passion they shared might lead to something more.

If twenty years had passed without him forgiving his parents their shortcomings, she’d been a fool to hope he would ever forgive her.

Laughter and forgiveness.

His mother was kidding herself. For years she’d turned a blind eye to her husband’s second life with the woman he couldn’t bring himself to live without. She should have included sacrifice in the mix of ingredients that kept a marriage going. Because, in his opinion, if she hadn’t sacrificed her pride, her self-confidence, and her peace of mind, she would have divorced Brandon a long time ago. Instead, her husband had violated her trust with his infidelity and yet she’d stayed.

She’d stayed because she loved him.

And she’d taught Max a valuable lesson about trust, marriage and love. He wouldn’t make his mother’s mistakes. He wouldn’t trust. He wouldn’t marry. He wouldn’t love.

The first two he could control. It was the last that worried him.

Coming here tonight with Rachel brought home his own weakness. He’d grown preoccupied with a woman who behaved like his father, keeping secrets, sharing only the surface of her life, not the emotions that drove her actions. How could he trust her? What hidden bombs lurked beneath her composed exterior, waiting to detonate at the worst possible time?

A couple weeks ago he’d wagered an extremely valuable car that he wouldn’t marry. Falling in love had been the furthest thing from his mind. But that’s before Rachel had brought up all the unresolved issues between them. Telling himself that it was nothing more than passion that needed to run its course was a speech he was having a harder and harder time selling. What he felt for her ran deeper than desire. It had sunk its claws into his soul.

He couldn’t control his fierce need for her. Just like his father couldn’t control whatever had made him stay married to one woman and love another for more than twelve years. Max had become just like his father. He’d grown up despising Brandon because he’d let his emotional need for Nathan’s mother damage his marriage, and in Max’s eyes, destroyed his credibility and his character.

Her hand slipped into his to draw him along to the buffet. The simple contact tugged his pulse into a sprint.

Being with Rachel made a mockery of his principles. Yet the idea of walking away was sheer agony. He’d believed the only solution would be to purge his need for her. And the only way he knew to do that was to keep her in his bed until he grew tired of her.

Who was he kidding? He grew more attached to her every day.

On their way to the backyard where a dining tent had been set up to accommodate the guests, they were intercepted by a dateless Jason.

“I don’t believe we’ve met.” Max’s best friend took Rachel’s hand and bent forward to smile into her eyes. “I’m Jason Sterling, and you are way too gorgeous to waste your time on my friend here.”

Max stiffened at his friend’s flirtatious manner. They’d competed over women a time or two, but once either staked his claim, the other immediately backed off. A growl started building in Max’s chest as Jason’s gaze dropped from Rachel’s face to scope out the rest of her.

“Rachel Lansing,” she said. “I know your father. How are he and Claire doing?”

“They’re doing great, thanks to you. My father’s never been happier.” Jason’s keen eyes surveyed them. “Are you two dating?” A vile grin curved his lips as he looked to Max for confirmation.

“Something like that.” Max stared down his friend, warning Jason to keep further comments to himself, and slid his hand into the small of Rachel’s back.

Jason looked positively delighted. “How long has this been going on?”

“We’re just old friends,” Rachel said, offering her own version of their relationship.

“Are you, now?” Jason looked entirely too pleased with himself as he turned to Max. “I got an offer on my ‘69 Corvette yesterday. Looks like I should take it. I have a feeling there’s a new car in my near future.”

The taunt infuriated Max. “I’ve got room in my garage for the ‘Vette. Maybe I’ll take it off your hands.”

Jason just laughed and turned his charm back on Rachel. “Will you sit next to me at dinner?”

“She’s with me,” Max growled.

“I thought you two were just old friends.”

Max stepped between Rachel and Jason, bumping his best friend in the process. “You’re supposed to bring a date to events like this, not poach someone else’s.” It wasn’t until he’d settled Rachel at the table and taken his place beside her that his annoyance with Jason dulled to a nagging irritation.

Snarling like a guard dog was not the usual way he kept other men from sniffing around his dates. On the other hand, he wasn’t sure he’d ever cared enough to warn anyone off before.

Rachel’s hand settled on his thigh. His attention jerked in her direction.

Her eyes were soft with questions. “What was that about?”

“It was just Jason being Jason.” For some reason he didn’t want to explain about the bet.

“Why did you tell him we were just old friends?”

“I guess it’s a little bit of a stretch.” Her lips thinned as she pressed them together. “Why did you give him the impression we’re dating?”

“Aren’t we?”

“I don’t think so.” She settled her napkin on her lap. “The term seems too tame for what we’re doing.”

And wasn’t she right about that. He remembered how she’d looked this morning in his robe, the dark blue terrycloth contrasting with her pale skin and matching the midnight blue of her eyes. With her hair soaked from her shower, she’d let him pull her close then shook herself like a dog after a swim. He’d retaliated by dumping her onto the mattress and making her all sweaty again. Then, he’d joined her for her second shower of the morning.

Desire seared him, hot and consuming. He laid his arm across the back of her chair and leaned close. When she glanced his way, he captured her gaze and gave her a glimpse of his hunger. To his intense satisfaction, her lips parted and her cheeks flushed.

With the amount of time they’d spent together in the last week, his body shouldn’t be clamoring to ditch the party and take her home, but her touch set off a chain reaction inside him. Two things kept him in place. His mom would kill him if he left, and he was eager to take Rachel in his arms on the dance floor.

He covered her hand with his. Their fingers meshed. His emotions settled. The temperature of his desire dipped from raging boil to slow simmer.

On the opposite side of the table Jason watched him through narrowed eyes. Max knew what his friend was thinking, but he was dead wrong. As Sebastian stood to deliver the first toast, Max let his gaze roam around the tent. All the usual suspects had been invited. Immediate family, extended family and friends. About two hundred people in all. Including his illegitimate half brother, Nathan, who sat two tables over with his very pregnant wife, Emma.

For a moment, Max fought irritation. Nathan’s presence shone a spotlight on Brandon’s infidelity and made a mockery out of celebrating thirty-five years of marriage. Max had never understood how his mother had allowed her husband to bring Nathan into her home after his mother died. Sure, it was the decent thing to do and his mother was kind and generous, but it had to have killed her to explain to all her friends about the twelve-year-old boy with Brandon’s gray eyes. Yet to the best of Max’s recollection, he’d never heard a cross word between his parents on the subject. He’d never know if his mother had forgiven her husband, or if she’d just decided to bear the humiliation for the sake of her marriage.

He and Sebastian hadn’t followed her example of tolerance toward Brandon and their half brother. Even now, twenty years later, Max couldn’t come to peace with his father or Nathan. The anger and resentment bubbled far below the surface like a dormant volcano.

And caught up in all those negative emotions were his feelings for Rachel. He couldn’t completely let go of the way she’d deceived him all those years ago. Nor could he turn a blind eye to the secrets he knew she kept from him now.

The secrets that were bound to tear them apart.

“What are you doing out here?”

Max looked up from the steering wheel of the ‘71 Cuda and spied Rachel standing in the doorway that led from the garage into his back hallway. They’d returned from the party fifteen minutes ago and while she’d disappeared into the bathroom to change clothes and brush her teeth, he’d retreated to the one place in the house that had the most soothing effect on him.

“I’m enjoying my latest purchase.”

Rachel stepped into the garage, her three-inch heels giving her long legs a positively sinful appearance. She wore the red and black baby-doll nightie Hailey had packed for the trip to Gulf Shores. That weekend, his appetite hadn’t afforded her the chance to wear it. He recalled her opinion about the futility of wearing the thing. That he would have it off her in ten seconds.

“Wouldn’t you enjoy it more if you took it for a drive?” She stopped near the front of the car and bent down to slide her palms up the hood. The black lace edging her neckline gaped, baring her round breasts. Beneath his intent regard, her nipples puckered against the gown’s thin fabric.

The combination of muscle car and half-dressed Rachel was irresistible. He was instantly hard.

“Feel like going for a ride?” He got out of the car and prowled toward her.

She plucked a condom from inside her bodice and held it up. “Maybe later.”

He put his arms around her, hands riding the sexy curve of her butt to the nightgown’s hem. “How about now?”

He loved the flow of the material over her warm curves and the contrast between the scratchy lace and her silky skin. But he adored the heat between her thighs even more. And the low moan of longing that rumbled through her as he dipped his fingers into the moisture awaiting him there.

She pressed hot kisses to his neck as her fingers dipped inside the elastic waistband of his underwear and slid them down his thighs. He kicked free of the material, groaning his appreciation as her hands rolled the condom on his hot shaft.

Her mouth was open and awaiting his kiss as he lifted her off her feet, savoring the damp slide of her hot, sweet center against his belly. Gently, he placed her on the car’s hood, past caring what damage he might do to the very expensive collectible. He only gave himself a second to enjoy the sight of Rachel splayed across the yellow hood, but the mental snapshot was unforgettable.

The elastic band kept the bodice snug against her chest and allowed the rest of the material to billow around the top of her thighs. However, the nightie was so short that when he’d set her on the car, the fabric rode up, exposing her concave belly and the thatch of dark blond curls at the juncture of her thighs. Nothing looked as gorgeous as she did at the moment.

He stepped between her legs and gathered her butt in his hands. Fastening his mouth on her, barely hearing her gasp past the roar in his ears, he feasted on her. She tasted incredible. Mewling sounds erupted from her parted lips as her fingers clutched his shoulders. He laved her with his tongue, penetrating deep while she writhed within his grasp. He drove her toward orgasm without mercy, ignoring her incomprehensible protests. Maybe later he would give her a turn at him. Right now, he wanted to put his mark on her body and soul.

When she was close to the edge, he slipped two fingers inside her and watched her explode. She screamed his name. Her nails bit into his shoulders as her back arched and her heels found purchase on the bumper. Shudder after shudder pummeled her body, wringing every single sensation possible out of her. Only when she went completely limp did he cease his erotic assault and kiss his way up her body.

Sliding his hands under the elastic beneath her breasts, he rode the material up over her head. She blinked and stared at him, dazzled.

“No fair,” she complained. “I was going to do that for you.”

“Later,” he promised, riding the curve of her breast with his lips.

“It’ll have to be much later,” she agreed, sifting her fingers though his hair. “Because I can’t move at the moment.”

“That’s okay. You just lie back and let me do all the work.” He opened his mouth over her nipple, swirling his tongue around and flicking it over the sensitive tip. Her body jerked as he grazed his teeth against her flesh.

“Whatever you say.” She closed her eyes. A half smile curved her lips. She looked the picture of utter contentment.

His heart turned over. It was happening to him all over again. He was falling beneath her spell. Her palms glided along his biceps as he nudged against her entrance. She was so slick, he almost drove straight in. But a week of intense lovemaking had taken the sharp edge off his driving need. He intended to savor every inch of their joining. To take his time enjoying the tight sheath that seemed made just for him.

And to watch her expression as he did so.

For it seemed the only time she truly dropped her guard and let him in was when he was buried inside her. That’s when she couldn’t fight what she needed or hide her thoughts.

He eased forward, delighting in the play of happy emotions across her features. When he was fully embedded, she surrendered a smile of sheer delight and opened her eyes. Plummeting into their blue depth, Max sank past her doubts and fears to her true heart. Jewel bright, her joy welcomed him. Pure and fierce it connected him to her.

“Again,” she coaxed, cradling his face between her hands. “I love the feel of you sliding inside me.”

He was happy to oblige her. She crooned her delight as he completed another long slow thrust. It was then that she wrapped her legs around his hips and began moving with him. He increased his rhythm. Pleasure built in slow waves as he took his time and gave her more of exactly what she liked.

And when he came, the pressure, swelling low in his back, exploded through him like a concussion bomb. The waves of pleasure caught Rachel and pulled her into bliss along with him. He lowered his head and touched his lips to hers, fusing their mouths together in a kiss of tender passion.

“Best ride of my life,” he murmured against her neck as his heart labored and his lungs pumped.

Her nails grazed along his back to the base of his spine. “Better than racing around the track at a hundred twenty miles an hour?”

“Much, much better.”

With his body mostly recovered, he gathered her in his arms and carried her back to bed. Once there, she snuggled at his side, her head on his shoulder, hand on his chest. Peace swept over him. He liked falling asleep next to this woman. Sleepovers were something he usually frowned on. They suggested a level of intimacy he avoided with all the women he dated.

Rachel was different. She knew they had no future. Only the present. They weren’t dating. They were lovers. Lovers without expectations. She understood and accepted the limits of their relationship.

Because after much soul-searching tonight, he’d decided it was all he could offer her.