By the look on his face, I concluded that I had made a mistake in bringing him here. “Well, I don’t know about this place. You mean, the great Ashleigh Thomas eats here at this hole in the wall?”
Finally, by his grin, I realized he was mocking me. He looked like a mischievous little boy. “I’ll have you know, the likes of Ted Turner eat here,” I replied, acting as though I’d just been insulted.
“Ah, well, if Ted eats here, it must be good.” He laughed.
“Are you ready to go in, or are we going to sit here and hurl verbal bites instead of taking the real deal?” I tied my scarf back in place, stepped out into the elements, and ran to the porch. He easily caught up to me. Raising my hand to his face, I brushed his hair back into place.
He took it, kissing the palm and staring back seductively. “Thank you. You know, with that scarf on, you sort of look like Grace Kelly. And I mean that in a good way.” A naughty sort of smile brushed his lips. I could feel the heat rising in my cheeks, knowing what was going through his mind.
The rain was still beating down relentlessly when we arrived back at the house. As we pulled into the garage, my cell phone rang. Looking down, I noticed the call was from Lisa and mouthed her name to Max.
“Good afternoon Lisa. What’s up on this Friday afternoon? Better yet, could I call you back in a sec? I need to get Mummy’s dog into the house.”
“Of course, I’ll be waiting.” She replied, hesitation in her voice.
“Mummy’s dog?” Max repeated, trying to imitate my pitch. Laughing, he held open the front door.
“Well, I had to say something. I want to take her call, but I want to do so inside. If I’m not mistaken, my father has a recording device in the office. I want to have a record of this.” Making a beeline for the desk, I found the device and set it up. I looked at Max and sighed.
“Would you like a beer while you chat Ms. Lisa up?” He asked, smiling as he walked toward the kitchen.
“Yes, please. Here goes, let’s see what she has today.” I dialed her number. Lisa answered so quickly I barely heard the ring.
“Ashleigh?”
“Yes, it’s me. So, what’s up, Lisa?” I strained to listen for any background noises that might give me an idea where the young woman was.
“Where are you, Ashleigh?”
“I’m in New England, as I told you. Why?”
“I’m in Manhattan, and I still haven’t found Max. I figured he probably hangs out up here.”
“You’re where? Did you say Manhattan? What are you going to do if you do catch up with him, Lisa? What are you going to say?” Max placed a bottle in front of me and quietly sat in a leather chair placed near the windows. His look stern and intense.
“I don’t know yet. I thought perhaps we could meet and make a plan—”
I abruptly cut her off. “I don’t think so. I’ve got family obligations I’m attending to.” I shook my head and continued, “Lisa, you need to return to Atlanta today. This whole thing is simply ridiculous. We’ll talk on Monday.”
“No, I’m staying until Sunday.”
“Be forewarned, should you involve my company or my name in all this crap, there will be hell to pay. Do I make myself clear?”
“I’m sure he’s here, Ashleigh.”
I tried desperately to remain calm as I sat there. It must have dawned on Max just how upset this young woman had made me, and he inhaled as he tried to coax me to relax.
“Lisa, as your employer, I’m telling you to drop this silliness and go back to Atlanta.”
She disconnected without another word. I tried to call her back, but her phone went directly to voicemail.
Walking around the large living room, I finally sat next to Max. “This has to be the weirdest trip I’ve ever taken. But then, I’ve never had a crazy employee before!” I smiled at him as he extended his hand.
“Come on now, Ashleigh. That’s why I signed on to begin with—your crazy employees. Never a dull moment,” he teased, grinning broadly.
I reclined on his shoulder. “I’ve never been on a roller coaster like this, Max. And I apologize for getting you dragged in the middle. You are, after all, a client.”
“Well, you can’t keep me out of it since I’m her fixation, and I would like to think our,” he gestured back and forth between us, “relationship has moved beyond one of client and employer.”
“You know better. We’ve moved way beyond that.”
“I’m just kidding, love.” Suddenly, he rose up off the sofa and began to pace the room, his face darkening as his mood suddenly changed.
Startled and confused, I asked, “What?”
He settled back down next to me, taking my hand. “There’s something I need to tell you before all this crap with Lisa blows up, or does whatever it’s going to do.”
“Tell me what, Max?” He squeezed my fingers, looking straight at me.
“Please believe me when I say I intended to tell you this earlier. I just didn’t know Lisa was going to go off on the crazy train, and I didn’t want to add to all of it.”
I eyed him warily for a few moments as it dawned on me what he was leading up to. “You’ve slept with her, haven’t you?” I moved my hand away, trying to decide how I felt.
“Yes, but before you get any more upset than I know you already must be, let me explain. Please.”
“I’m listening.”
“I went out with her three or four times, no more. Richard introduced us out in L.A., right before he died. But I couldn’t take her possessiveness…and I’m being kind. Ashleigh, please believe me, baby. I care far too deeply for you to let this come between us.”
I didn’t say anything for a few moments, as I carefully chose my words. Then I said, “Richard introduced you to her? Not that it surprises me. And you ended things? That explains a lot, actually. Why she jumped at the chance to move to Atlanta. Why she’s obsessed with you.” I palmed his cheek, rubbing his beard. “Thank you for being so honest with me.”
“I promise you, Ashleigh, I will always be honest with you.” He leaned over and kissed me delicately, our lips simply brushing. Then, he pressed harder, his tongue opening my mouth and consuming me as our tongues met and tangled.
Chapter Five
Over the course of our flight back to Atlanta on Sunday, Max seemed to notice I had become anxious about Lisa and what, if anything, to expect. To put my mind at ease, he phoned ahead to the security desk at his place. He told them he’d been out of town and was curious if he had had been any visitors. Sure enough, someone who fit Lisa’s description had come to the condo a couple of times and tried to convince them to allow her access to his unit. However, not being on his list of approved people, Lisa had been turned away.
I did the same as we drove toward my building. Fortunately, Lisa had not been so bold as to have gone there, and we breathed a sigh of relief.
Once securely inside my condo, we plotted a course of action. Since Max had kept his phone off, I convinced him to turn it back on and see whether she had tried to contact him.
Not surprisingly, Lisa had called him so many times his voicemail box was filled…and it didn’t take long for her to try again. Max picked up, recording the conversation. “Hello?” His voice was calm.
“Max? Is that you, baby? You haven’t been answering your cell the past couple of days.”
“I, uh, misplaced the damn thing.”
“Are you at home? I’d love to see you. I’ve been so worried about you.”
“I’m not scheduled to return until tomorrow evening.” I nodded my head to encourage him to continue.
“Well, tell me where you are, you naughty boy, so I can come be with you. You know you want me to.”
“I’ll be back tomorrow, Lisa.” I made a motion, indicating he needed to cut her off. “Look, I’m in the middle of something. I’ll see you at the office when I return, okay?”
She apparently became agitated by his tone and expletives followed. Max hit the end button, an
d she immediately called back. Since his voicemail was full, she couldn’t get any further. He turned the phone back off, so we didn’t have to listen to it ring.
“Jeez, baby, there’s definitely something wrong with this gal. I don’t have a good feeling about you going into the office tomorrow. She’s obviously in town, and if she’s this unstable, who knows what she’s capable of.”
I took in a deep breath. “Yes, but I’m more concerned about you. It’s not too late. Let me contact a guy I know—he’s a detective on one of the forces here. Maybe he can give us some advice.”
I rummaged through my planner until I found his card and dialed his number. He finally answered after about four rings, and I began to explain the circumstances. He offered to go visit Lisa with his partner and assess the situation.
I paced the living room for a few minutes. Max watched me as I passed in front of him. “Baby, there’s nothing you can do until he calls back. Cutting a path in the floor isn’t going to make him call any sooner. Why don’t we see what we can dig up to eat and get a glass of wine to calm your nerves?”
“You’re right.”
I dug around in the kitchen, finding some cheese and bread, and began readying everything for grilled cheese while Max opened a bottle of Cabernet and poured us both some. I gulped it down as I plated the sandwiches. Max poured me another before reaching over and kissing me in an attempt to comfort my frazzled nerves.
“Come on, let’s eat in the living room.”
Finally, the detective called back. They had gone to Lisa’s and had conversed with her, stating she had appeared agitated when they first arrived. Upon hearing Max’s name, her demeanor had changed at once. She had turned sweet, trying to trick them into telling her where he was. They had convinced her that he merely wanted to make sure she was okay.
By the end of my conversation, we decided that tomorrow one of them would stay with Max and escort him to his place so that he could pick up a few things while the other would accompany me to my office.
“See, I told you everything would be fine, love. It’s getting late. How about we head for bed? There’s nothing more we can do tonight.”
“You’ll get no argument from me. I’m exhausted from all of this mess.”
Falling into bed, Max showed me the attention only he could give. He covered my mouth with his and what started out as a simple kiss became almost an act of possession, as he explored the inside with a thoroughness I’d never experienced. After caressing his way down my body, he settled between my thighs. I shuddered from the heat building within my body. Our eyes locked in a lustful gaze as he slowly bent to my sex.
His tongue lapped at the slick, swollen folds, while he spread them wider with his thumbs. I pleaded with him, but he ignored my cries, and instead continued circling around my clit. He knew exactly where and how to touch me.
Still ignoring me, he paused to position my legs over his shoulders before burying his face between my thighs and resuming his sensual torture. This man doesn’t just arouse me, he gives me something deeper. A connection I desperately need.
My body tensed, coming to the edge of where I knew I couldn’t stop. Still, he kept up his ministrations until I couldn’t go back. Pleasure overcame me, and I screamed his name. This climax will never end.
And still, he kept going as I felt it start again.
“Max, I can’t stop coming.”
He ignored me once more, flicking his tongue around my throbbing clit. “I’m not done yet, my love. Come for me again.”
“Oh God, Max…”
He sucked my sensitive nub as he pressed his fingers deep inside me, causing another orgasm to tear through me.
Lifting his head to gaze at me, he groaned, “Come for me, baby. You can do it.” Again, he lowered, resuming the erotic presses of his fingers and flicks of his tongue, showing no mercy at all.
Knowing the firestorm he had built, he teased my clit continually, in spite of my pleas, until once again he brought me back to the edge. I could only groan and buck under him.
“Come on baby, let it go.” And as I did, a brutal wave of ecstasy overtook me, and I screamed as I traveled somewhere erotic.
Finally, he pulled away, kissing me everywhere. “That’s my girl.” However, instead of letting me relax in the glow of my deep satisfaction, he turned me over, positioned himself behind, and grabbed my hips. “Are you ready for me to fuck you?”
I was unable to gather the strength to answer as he began to fill me. He did it slowly, so that I felt every inch.
“Baby,” he moaned as he pushed farther.
I pressed myself back against him, wanting more. I tried not to move, but couldn’t stay still as he worked inside. He growled from deep within his throat as he tightened his grip, plunging himself in the rest of the way, causing me to cry out. He nuzzled me tenderly on the back of the neck as he began one frenzied thrust after another.
“Ashleigh, I need to fuck you, baby. God, I’ve never needed a woman like I need you.”
He wrapped an arm around me and began caressing my nipple. “Take everything I give you, my love,” his voice rumbled, his accent more pronounced.
I intuitively knew he wasn’t just talking about his cock. Those words were the last thing I heard before he pinched my sensitive nub and had the two of us riding into ecstasy once more. He hollered my name, releasing his seed deep within me.
I closed my eyes as he rolled us onto our sides on the mattress, spooning me against his damp, heaving chest. Kissing the back of my neck and nuzzling my ear as his breath slowed, he whispered, “I’m falling in love with you, Ashleigh Thomas.”
Wriggling closer against him, not wanting anything between us, I replied, “I love you too, Max.” That was the last thing either of us remembered until the following morning.
* * * *
Lee, the detective friend of mine, arrived with a colleague of his, Ben. After making introductions and offers of coffee, the four of us sat down to discuss the game plan. Lee planned to stay with Max since Lisa had already seen him, and Ben would escort me to work and see what played out with Lisa. Ben could become whoever I wanted, to throw off Lisa and the rest of the staff.
It was business as usual upon our arrival. Misty handed me all the messages from calls that had come in that morning. She asked if we wanted coffee and headed to the kitchen. Ben and I went into my office. Once Misty arrived with our mugs, I asked her who was already in. David and Will were in their respective offices. No Lisa, however, and no call from her.
I asked everyone into my office for a brief meeting.
Pondering how to proceed, I welcomed everyone. When it came to Ben, I introduced him as a business associate.
Then taking a deep breath, I began. “Okay, I’m going to assume all of you know that Lisa suggested some unfounded things about Mr. Frazier. I don’t know where she got her information, or if this came from anywhere outside of her overactive imagination. So, that being said, we all need to be on the same page. Comments anyone?”
“I don’t believe a word of it. I think she’s a little off the mark, if you know what I mean,” David injected. Everyone nodded their heads in agreement.
“Okay, I will take care of this issue. Misty, I need you to call the building and have the locks changed and have them deactivate Lisa’s parking pass.”
“Yes, ma’am.” She pushed to her feet. Probably assuming that as the receptionist this was all she was privy to.
“Stay Misty, I want you to be included in what I’m about to announce.” The young woman sat back down and nervously looked around the room. “Good. Mr. Frazier and I have some important news to share with all of you. It’s a really, really big deal, one which will be huge not only for him, but also for us. I wish I could tell you more, but I’m going to leave that honor to Max, as it’s his career that changes. I need for all of you to be here early tomorrow so that he can make the announcement.”
“Anything you need from us on this end?” David asked, c
uriously.
“No, not yet, just keep doing what you do. Doesn’t Max have guest appearances on some of the morning shows next week in New York, David?”
“Yes, ma’am, he does. I’ll get you the itinerary. Do you want me to accompany him?”
“No, I’ll go with him this time. With this situation with Lisa, I’d rather have you here at the office to oversee things. Thanks guys. I appreciate all of you, especially right now.”
The three stood and left the office. I looked over at Ben for his reaction. “I think you covered all your bases, Ms. Thomas. The only thing I would have suggested is that one of the men is always here with your receptionist, and that the door is kept locked at all times, at least for now. Do you have any other employees?”
“No, just the three.”
David brought the schedule for Max’s Manhattan media blitz. “Thanks, David. I really appreciate this. Also, I may have someone to assist you with your workload. Let me get this mess with Lisa taken care of first.”
“Sounds great. Right now, I can handle everything, and if I need anything—when she’s not tied up—Misty usually helps out.” He turned to leave.
“Excellent. She’s a bright young woman. If you think you can hold down the fort, I’m going to go work from home. I need to prepare for this trip as well as our meeting tomorrow.”
Ben escorted me back to my condo after he made sure the staff was settled. As I entered the front door, Max was waiting with Lee. From the scowl on his face, I knew something was wrong. One thing I had learned about Max—those gorgeous, chocolate brown eyes turned to dark pools when he was upset or angry.
“Okay, what’s the matter?” I asked, laying my briefcase and purse down on the floor.
“Someone not only keyed my Ferrari, they splashed white paint on it,” Max grimly informed me.
“Good news though, his building does have security cameras in the parking deck, so hopefully, whoever did this will be on them. Max requested they check them,” Lee interjected.
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