Lori Foster

by Get Your Guy; Messing Around withMax Tempted - Little Miss Innocent; Annie

  Poleaxed, Max went speechless. It was true that Guy had asked him to come to work in the company, but he’d repeatedly refused. What could he contribute that his father and Guy hadn’t already given? Max would only be another warm body, and there were plenty of those to go around. He had nothing unique, nothing special that the company needed from him. In fact, he’d never felt needed there, and he refused to feel needed now just because Guy was marrying.

  “Actually,” he said, slightly annoyed, “it’s not that I have no interest in the company. It’s just that I already have a job.”

  “Doing what?”

  Max ignored her. His column was personal, and anonymous. And it took up very little of his time, so it wouldn’t be a good example anyway. “With each new development comes another. I’m no longer traveling, and I’m no longer looking for meaningless relationships.”

  She drew herself up. “I don’t think I like being referred to as meaningless.”

  “I didn’t mean…” Max knew if he lived to be a hundred, he’d never be this frustrated again. “Maddie, getting together just to notch bedposts would be meaningless.”

  “A relationship based on devastating sex would be very meaningful to me!”

  Exasperated, Max said, “So now I’m supposed to make the sex devastating when seconds ago you promised me I could just lie there?”

  She blinked in surprise, then shrugged. “So I lied. I was trying to convince you. Truth is, I want you mobile and participating.”

  “You want me to be devastating?”

  “Could you?”

  Max almost smiled at the sweet, polite way she asked that. Droll, now that he felt in better control, he said, “It’d be a tall order—not that I’m not up to it, you understand.”

  “I’m not sure what to understand! One minute you claim all this great prowess, and the next you’re running shy and saying you’re not interested in a sexy affair.”

  “To a man who’s had his fill of them,” Max explained with ruthless and entirely false candor, “it sounds boring.” She started to speak again, so he reiterated, “I-am-not-interested.”

  “I don’t believe you.”

  Stubbornness made her eyes darken to midnight blue. Max cursed because he found her expression oddly appealing. Would her eyes go that dark when she was in the throes of a climax? When he was buried deep inside her?

  Would she be this talkative, this argumentative, in bed? Or would she be sweetly submissive when he gave her the awesome sex she’d requested?

  Those thoughts caused him to overstep himself, to admit more than he’d intended. “Look, it’s not like I said I was becoming a monk or something. It’s just that I want to settle down, to find a wife—”

  She slapped her hand over his mouth. “That’s not funny!”

  Max pried her hand away, noticing how slim and cool her fingers felt in his. “Not funny, but true. I want a wife.”

  “Then why aren’t you married already? According to Annie, women throw themselves at you.”

  “I have very precise requirements.”

  “Oh.”

  She looked crestfallen, but he had no idea why. “I’m sorry to disappoint you, sweetheart. I really am.”

  He started to tell her she’d have no problem finding someone else to play with, but the words stuck in his craw. She shouldn’t be playing with anyone. She should be a man’s wife so she could share all that fire, all that caring, for a lifetime, not just for the duration of an affair.

  Maddie turned around and paced away. Max watched the slight sway and bounce of her rounded behind, the way her hips moved seductively, and called himself ten times a fool. The woman was delectable, no doubt about it.

  He also reread the decorative letters on her back. Freshly Plucked.

  Just what the hell did that mean?

  “If you want to get married,” she said, sounding strangled, “that’s fine with me. Hey, more power to you. But why not have fun until you’ve found your paragon to wed? Unless of course—” She didn’t turn to face him while she made her gibe “—I managed to scare you off?”

  She waited, not looking at him, and even though Max knew it was a tactic meant to make him relent, he couldn’t stand the challenge. She’d struck at the core of his manhood one time too many.

  It was past time he got control not only of his raging libido, but little Maddie Montgomery as well.

  CHAPTER THREE

  MAX CREPT UP behind her, determined to set her straight, to make her learn the error of taunting his testicularity, which he had in spades. Hell, he oozed testicularity, blast her—and the loyal followers of his column could swear to it.

  She was still unaware of his approach when Max whispered near her ear, “You could hardly scare me off when you kiss like a nervous schoolgirl.”

  Maddie gasped, her shoulders stiffening.

  It was his own form of attack, and though he’d only known her a few short hours, he already knew she had pride and gumption—which was why she was determined to win with him. Her fiancé had wounded her, and she wanted to reassure herself the only way she knew how.

  It was a contradiction of sorts, but he was glad she’d chosen him rather than some other man. The thing to do now was to reel her in for more than a quick tussle.

  “I never claimed to be overly experienced,” she stated, then asked worriedly, “Was I really that bad?”

  “You showed no subtlety, sweetheart. No finesse.” Determined to hide the tenderness he felt, Max added, “I felt mauled.”

  She started to turn to face him, but Max caught her shoulders and held her still. “Don’t berate me. You claimed I was running scared, but you know that’s not true. In fact, I’d say you’re the overly nervous one, given the awkward, rushed way you jumped my bones.”

  “They’re such nice bones, Max, I couldn’t resist.”

  With comments like that, she was the one who was hard to resist!

  Hesitation lacing her voice, she said, “I promise I’ll control myself in the future.”

  Max didn’t really want her to control herself. No, he wanted to get to know her better, to talk to her—and then she could jump his bones.

  He needed to find a way to make her feel as intrigued as he did. He needed her to want more from him than just his sexual techniques—stellar as he knew those to be.

  Close to her ear, he whispered, “I’m not afraid of any woman putting her hands on me. That’s not it at all. In fact, I already told you the reason—lack of interest in a brief fling.” He could feel her tension, her excitement, vibrating all along his nerve endings.

  He stroked her arm. “But now I feel challenged to set you straight on your assumptions.”

  He heard her swallow. Good. “Should I demonstrate my lack of reserve, Maddie?”

  Expecting outrage at his taunt, she surprised him by saying, “Yes.”

  Laughing softly at her wholehearted agreement, anticipating his little lesson more than he should have, Max bent to press his mouth to the side of her throat in a barely there kiss. He was starting to realize that Maddie would always manage to take him by surprise. It wasn’t an unpleasant realization.

  “Always go slow,” Max whispered. “It helps to heighten the expectation.”

  He kissed her again, this time letting his tongue slip over her madly racing pulse. Her need to reassert herself, to prove her appeal, was mixed with the sweetest vulnerability he’d ever witnessed. She was audacious but caring, honest and earthy. Her skin was warm and getting warmer by the second, and she tasted nice.

  Maddie braced her hands, fingers spread wide, on the wall in front of her. Max saw that she was trembling and more than anything he wanted to simply hug her, to tell her that there was no real rush. But he gave her just a little of what she’d asked for instead. With any luck, she’d realize on her own that a little more time would only make things better.

  He skimmed her ear, his tongue briefly touching just inside, teasing. He heard her breath catch.

 
; “You put your tongue in my ear!”

  Max hesitated. “Yes.”

  Her sigh was long and heartfelt. “That was…nice. I hadn’t realized…”

  Shaking his head at her ex-fiancé’s apparent stupidity, Max licked her ear again. Goose bumps raised on her skin. “A smart man always knows to take his time. The more frenzied stuff,” he breathed, “can come later.”

  “More frenzied stuff?”

  Her voice was hopeful. Max peeked at her face and saw that her eyes were squeezed shut. He smiled, and loosened her right hand from the wall. Lacing his fingers with hers, he brought her hand up to his mouth. “Sexual tension should build and build, and yes, it often ends up frenzied. Didn’t you and your fiancé…?”

  “Ex-fiancé. Yes, we did, but it wasn’t frenzied. More like…” She searched for a word, then settled on, “Mundane.” Her voice was low, breathy. “I guess I liked it okay.”

  Max vowed she wouldn’t be left in his bed liking it okay.

  Her hand tightened on his. “The thing is, Annie swears to me—”

  “Forget about my sister and whatever harebrained things she told you. Annie likely has even less experience than you.” Under his breath, Max muttered, “Or at least she did before Guy succumbed.”

  “She’s read a lot of books,” Maddie pointed out.

  “And has been suggesting them to you?”

  “Yes, but I like the idea of firsthand experience much better.”

  I just bet you do, Max thought, then got started on his instruction again. “Never neglect the less obvious places.”

  “Okay, right.” She looked at him over her shoulder. “What less obvious places?”

  Biting back a chuckle, Max cuddled her closer to his body. He drifted his free hand up to cup just below the soft weight of her left breast. “Everyone knows that women’s breasts are sensitive, right?”

  “Yes.”

  Max could feel her heartbeat thumping, knew she was nervous because despite her bravado, she wasn’t accustomed to throwing herself at men. If her fiancé hadn’t done her wrong, she wouldn’t be here now.

  Slowly, tantalizingly, he coasted his fingers down to her belly. “And here.” Damn, she felt wonderful. Soft and firm and her musky female scent was beginning to get to him. Her hair, still slightly damp, felt cool and silky against his jaw. Max was aware of her stomach muscles clenching, of her suspended breathing.

  “And lower?” she rasped hopefully, bringing him out of his fog of sexual need.

  “Definitely lower.” His voice was too rough, too affected by her nearness. “But that comes much, much later.” Like in a week or more, he thought, if he could last that long! “There are other places to visit first, places that can really excite, too.”

  “But not like lower.” She tried to sound insistent and even went so far as to squirm against him.

  She sorely tested his resolve. But Max could hear Cleo snoring in the background, which helped to keep his purpose at the forefront of his mind. Cleo needed a stable home, and Maddie seemed perfect to assist in that. She was the only woman he’d ever met who’d understood the dog right off. She’d make a perfect mother for Cleo.

  Max wanted to move slowly enough that Maddie would insist on seeing him again. And again, until she got over her determination to be footloose and fancy-free. Until she was ready to go one further and really get to know him.

  Max smiled. “Let me show you something.” He lifted her arm and slowly kissed her wrist, deliberately leaving it damp from his tongue.

  “Okay,” she gasped, “that’s great. But—”

  Before she could continue, he kissed her palm, gently stroking with the very tip of his tongue, again leaving her heated skin damp, letting his warm breath fan the spot.

  She gave a humming response.

  He wanted to show her how nice going slow could be, but he didn’t want to get overly intimate doing it. Cautiously, deliciously, Max sucked her middle finger into his mouth.

  Maddie nearly jumped out of his arms. “Oh my.”

  He wrapped his tongue around her finger and tugged. Kissing her, experiencing her unrehearsed response, was a distinct joy. He wanted more, of her body, her time. Her affection for his dog.

  And he always got what he wanted, one way or another.

  Shifting restlessly, Maddie pressed her bottom into his growing erection. “Max,” she breathed.

  Realizing he’d gone a little too far, that she’d been more susceptible to his brief seduction than he’d expected, Max released her and stepped back. He had to catch her so she wouldn’t fall.

  Stumbling around, Maddie faced him. “You have read the book,” she accused. Her eyes were heavy, her face flushed. “You know exactly what you’re doing.”

  Max caught her gaze and held it. “I don’t need to read the damn book.”

  She didn’t look convinced. “Whatever. It doesn’t matter to me, as long as you agree to a fling with me.”

  One side of his mouth kicked up into a regretful grin. She was so persistent and so entertaining. And so sweet. He wanted to say yes. “I already explained that I can’t.”

  Shoulders stiff, lips tight, she said, “You’re a tease, Max Sawyers!” Her face flushed darkly and her eyes glittered. “They surely have a name for men like you.”

  “Yeah,” Max said. “It’s ‘experienced.’” He refused to take all the blame when she’d more or less dared him. And besides, it had only been her finger he kissed, not all the places where he really wanted to put his mouth.

  His heart kick-started with that thought.

  While Max watched, that calculating look came into her eyes and they narrowed, the blue getting brighter, hotter. She was so easy to read.

  Sort of.

  “I believe you’re more than up to it.”

  Max bowed his head, a man accepting female accolades. “Of course.” Now all he needed was for her to agree to his terms.

  “And it’s obvious you’re not immune to me as a woman.” Her gaze dropped to his lap, a look that was nearly tactile and as hot as a live flame. “I mean, I don’t think you’re carrying a roll of dimes in your pocket, are you?”

  Forget his terms! Max’s growl of outrage sounded in the room. “A roll of dimes?”

  She shrugged.

  “More like a flashlight!”

  “Size, I assume,” she said with a sniff, “is in the eye of the beholder.”

  “And you haven’t beheld a damn thing yet, so don’t go calling a man’s business ‘small.’” With a low growl, Max considered showing her just how impressive his… No, bad thought. He was struggling to resist her, not give in to her.

  Maddie stared at him hard, knowing she’d almost won. “Small, large, it doesn’t matter when you continue to refuse my very nice offer.”

  It was a nice offer, Max conceded, and just a few months ago he’d have accepted without hesitation. “Why such a rush, Maddie?” he asked, buying himself time to think.

  That endearing vulnerability flashed into her gaze again before she squelched it with a come-hither look. “I’m twenty-six. I’ve been good all my life and now all I’ve got to show for it is a broken engagement that I’d rather forget and a lot of time on my hands.”

  “So why pick me?” Max hoped to hear something complimentary, something meaningful.

  He was doomed to disappointment.

  “I know all about you! Annie has told me so much. Ever since I met her, I’ve been enthralled with the stories about you. You’re everything I’m not.”

  That surprised him. “Like what?”

  “Exciting, experienced, daring. I’ve lived my whole life being a Goody Two-Shoes, and in my profession, that isn’t really a plus. Evidently it wasn’t a plus in my personal life, either.”

  “Your broken engagement,” Max said gently, “is a blessing, I’d say.”

  “And I agree! But now that I’m free, it only makes sense to gain my own experiences. As you suggested, I’ll have a better perspective for the job, and
I’ll have fun, too.” She lowered her lashes, her look now timid when she added, “Besides, I sort of feel like I know you, because of Annie. Being with you feels…safe.”

  Max suddenly realized he was taking the wrong tact with Maddie. She was reacting on the rebound, doing what she could to counteract the embarrassing feather episode. Her haste was probably due in part to the fact that she might chicken out if she didn’t rush through things.

  Perhaps Maddie would forget about the brief part of the fling if he showed her how sexually satisfying a real relationship would be.

  That idea appealed a whole lot more than walking away did. He didn’t want to walk away; he did want to make love to her.

  Why not? Maddie suited his criteria. She did her best to nurture his dog, she wanted lots of sex, and she was cute to boot.

  He’d be holding up his promise to Cleo, and satisfying himself in the bargain. What more could a guy ask for?

  He needed more time to consider the possibility of roping Maddie into marriage, but he had a gut feeling that once she was roped, she’d be incredibly loyal and giving. And she’d love Cleo. Maybe she’d even learn to love him.

  That thought was far too heavy for his peace of mind, so Max decided to just enjoy dinner, and see what happened. For sure, Maddie wouldn’t bore him.

  Then his gaze again drifted to Maddie’s breasts, and he got blessedly distracted. “You know, I’m just dying for you to tell me what all these suggestive slogans mean. In Full Bloom, Freshly Plucked. And earlier, your shirt said I Give Good Peach.”

  Since Max was already thinking in possessive terms, jealousy nudged him and he asked darkly, “Do you want to have an affair with me, or are you hoping to turn on the entire male population?”

  MADDIE ATTEMPTED to calm the mad gallop of her heartbeat. But it wasn’t easy because Max was staring at her breasts and even though he sounded unaccountably annoyed, his rough voice stroked over her sensitized nerve endings like a slow kiss.

  The way he’d touched her… Her finger would never feel the same. Even now, she realized she was holding it out apart from the rest of her hand. It was still damp, still tingling.