Max helped her into the car and closed the door. He climbed in beside her.
Lord but he smelled good, she thought.
They were on their way in minutes. “It’s quiet in here,” Jamie said. “Where’s Muffin?”
“She’s not feeling well so I gave her the night off.”
“What do you mean she’s not feeling well? She’s a computer.”
He shook his head. “She’s been researching all this pregnancy stuff for Dee Dee so she’s suffering the same symptoms.”
“Tell me you’re kidding.” Not that Jamie should have been surprised. Muffin had gone through menopause when it seemed as if Dee Dee were suffering the symptoms and Muffin had researched it. “That is the craziest thing I’ve ever heard,” she added.
He smiled. “So is feeding your dog ice cream in front of the TV set. It’s a strange world in which we live, Swifty.”
Max reached over and took her hand. He raised it to his lips, and his gaze met hers. “Have I told you lately that you’re beautiful?”
Jamie felt her heart in her throat. Was it her imagination or did he seem different tonight? His eyes searched her face. What was he looking for? Did he suspect the depth of her feelings? She was the first to look away. “Thank you, Max,” she said at last.
It was almost as if they’d unconsciously agreed not to discuss Luanne Ritter’s murder and their investigation as Max drove through town. Instead, he filled her in on what was happening at Holt Industries. Jamie was amazed at what she heard. Not only was Max on the cutting edge of technological research, he was involved in biomedical research and pharmaceuticals, among other things. He had offices all over the world. She listened as he described where some of his research could actually lead. It seemed there was nothing the man wasn’t interested in exploring.
Jamie arched one brow when he took the road that led to the small airport.
“Where are we going?” she asked.
“I told you, it’s a surprise.”
Jamie’s jaw dropped clear to her collarbone when Max pulled up near the runway where a medium-sized jet waited with the words “Holt Industries” emblazoned on the sides. Lights were flashing, and airport personnel hurried about. Two pilots stood near the steps of the plane, each dressed in khaki slacks and navy blazers.
“Good evening, Mr. Holt,” one of them said as soon as Max pulled to a stop and stepped from the car.
Jamie’s door was immediately opened, and the other pilot helped her out. “It’s a beautiful night for flying,” he told her with a smile.
Max held out his elbow as Jamie, still gaping, took it and walked with him toward the jet. “We’ve filed the flight plan,” the older pilot said. “We’re ready to go. Out ETA at LaGuardia is eight-thirty.”
“LaGuardia?” Jamie asked as Max prodded her up the steps leading inside the luxury cabin. He nodded. “But that’s in New York City,” she said.
“I told you I wanted to take you someplace nice.”
Jamie stepped inside the cabin and found herself enveloped in luxury. The sizable sitting area was done in a rich tan, but there were touches of navy blue that set it off.
She turned and looked at Max as the pilots disappeared through a curtain in the cockpit. “I’ve never been on a jet like this.”
“It’s perfectly safe if that’s what you’re worried about. I’ll show you around if you like.”
They took a tour of the front area first, the lavatory, a small galley, and a built-in cabinet that held a stereo, DVD player, satellite phone, and whatever else Max might need in order to relax or conduct business during his flight. Finally, he led her to the back of the plane where a small but more than adequate bedroom was situated, complete with a lavatory that included a small tub.
“Holy mackerel,” Jamie said. “It’s got everything.”
“I specifically designed it so I could rest during international flights.” He studied the look on her face. “How about a glass of champagne?” he said. “I usually have a flight attendant on board when I travel on business, but I wanted us to be alone tonight.”
Jamie smiled. She felt like Cinderella. Someone had even thought to put out a plate of hors d’oeuvres. “Except for the pilots, of course,” she said.
Max nodded. “Yes, I’m afraid there was no getting around that, but they won’t bother us. Please—” He motioned toward one of the sofas. “Sit down and relax, and I’ll open the champagne.”
Jamie did as he asked, but it was all she could do to keep from gawking. The jet should come as no surprise, she reminded herself. Any man who drove a two-million-dollar car was bound to have a nice jet.
Lord, if Vera could see her now.
She jumped when she heard the champagne cork pop. A moment later, Max carried in an ice bucket holding a bottle; in his other hand were two flute glasses. He poured them each a glass and toasted her, just as one of the pilots told them to fasten their seat belts for takeoff.
“To you, Swifty. For bringing so many good things into my life.”
She didn’t want to think what that meant. “From the looks of it, you already have a lot of good stuff.” The plane started moving.
“A man can have all the material things he needs and still be lacking. You fill up that empty space.”
Jamie couldn’t have been more surprised. What did it mean? “That’s the nicest thing you’ve ever said to me, Max.” They touched glasses and took sips of their champagne.
“Maybe I should start saying more nice things,” Max said. “Seems we spend all our time chasing bad guys.”
“You may have something there, Holt. Feels like we’re always knee-deep in trouble.”
“Yeah, but you’ll have to admit we make a great team. The bad guys don’t stand a chance.”
She laughed. “Yeah, but we’ve had our share of close calls.”
“I like that you’re adventurous.”
“I haven’t had much of a choice since you came into my life.”
“True. But you’ll have to admit I’m not boring.”
“I’d settle for boring once in a while. I’m allergic to bullets.”
“I guess I like a challenge now and then.”
“Now and then, Max? You would never be happy living a normal life.”
“What do you consider normal?”
A house surrounded by a picket fence came to mind, but Jamie suspected the thought would scare him to death. It would smack of settling down, and she doubted Max would ever be satisfied with such an existence. “Maybe there’s no such thing as normal after all,” she said after a moment.
“You know what I think?” Max said. “I think you need to be challenged, too. And you know what else? I want to kiss you.” He took her glass and set it on the coffee table in front of the sofa.
She didn’t protest as he placed his hand beneath her chin and lifted her head slightly before gently touching his lips to hers. Jamie found herself leaning into the kiss, and she welcomed it when he took her in his arms and held her close. He kissed her temple and her eyelids and pressed his lips against the hollow of her throat before capturing her lips once more.
Jamie clung to him, loving the taste and smell and feel of the man who held her. She reached up and curled her hands around his neck. The kiss deepened, and Max slipped his tongue past her lips, exploring the inside of her mouth, tasting her thoroughly. Jamie boldly met his tongue with hers. She felt him draw a quick breath of excitement.
Max gathered her up in his arms and stood, tugging off her heels as he went. Jamie knew where they were headed, knew she wanted Max Holt as much as he wanted her.
It had been that way from the beginning. Their gazes locked as Max carried her into the bedroom. He dipped his head forward and kissed her again. Just like in the movies, she thought. Once again, lips parted, tongues mingled. Jamie could feel her insides growing as soft as warm butter. For once she didn’t think about what tomorrow or the next day might bring.
She was willing to take a chance.
She felt the bed sink beneath her as Max gently laid her on the mattress. He turned long enough to close the door and lock it, and then he began removing his clothes. He draped them over a chair. He never once took his eyes off her face.
He was naked and already aroused when he joined her. He raised her up slightly, just long enough to unzip her dress, which he draped over his own clothes. “Oh, Jesus,” he said, staring at the filmy black body suit. “I’m going to buy stock in the company that makes those things.”
Once again, he was beside her, kissing her, running his hands over her body. Using his tongue, he teased her nipples through the fabric of the body suit.
“Oh, Swifty.” He smoothed one hand over her hip, her belly, then slid one finger along the lace edge of the body suit, slowly, leisurely.
Jamie moaned and arched against him. She reached for him, but he smiled. “We’re in no hurry, sweetheart. Just lie back and enjoy.”
Jamie closed her eyes as he pulled the wispy fabric from her body and kissed his way down, pausing only briefly between her thighs before touching her with his tongue. She cried out softly. He flicked his tongue lightly over her before parting her with his fingers and tasting her fully. Jamie’s breath caught at the back of her throat.
When she could no longer stand it, Max entered her, and it was all she could do to keep from crying out.
Max paused for a moment as if he needed time to get himself under control. “Damn” was all he could say in a shaky voice.
They began to move together, slowly at first, but each thrust from Max’s body brought them closer to the edge. Jamie could feel the intensity building with sweet anticipation, even as Max’s brow beaded with sweat, and he gritted his teeth in an obvious attempt to restrain himself.
Jamie was the first to feel the burst of pleasure, a pleasure so intense that she called out to Max who immediately joined her in the last frenzied moments.
They clung to each other long afterward, waiting for their heartbeats to slow, waiting for the fog of passion to lift. Jamie snuggled against Max, knowing as long as she lived she would never want another man the way she did the one beside her.
“Max?”
He pulled her close. “Yeah?”
She wanted to tell him how she felt, confess her love, but fear alone prevented it. “I’ve never felt this way before,” she said instead. There, she’d said it.
He kissed her forehead. “I knew we’d be good together, Swifty. I knew it the first time I saw you.”
It was probably the closest she was going to get to what she’d wanted; an admission of love, but Jamie said nothing. Instead, she made to get up.
Max tightened his grip on her. “Where do you think you’re going?”
“I saw a small tub in the bathroom. I thought—”
He interrupted her with a kiss. “There’s plenty of time for that.” He pulled her face close to his for another kiss.
Lord, she was a goner.
JAMIE WAS TOUCHING UP HER MAKEUP WHEN MAX reentered the bedroom and told her they needed to prepare for landing. She followed him into the sitting room, fastened her seat belt, and waited until the plane touched down and came to a halt, and the captain gave them the okay to move about the cabin.
Max checked his wristwatch and ushered her off the jet into a waiting limo. Jamie had never felt so pampered. The driver immediately whisked them away.
“I’ve never been to New York City,” she said.
“You live in one of the prettiest towns I’ve ever seen,” he said. “Why would you want to leave it?” Max hit a button, and a window slid up, separating them from the driver. He grinned and pulled Jamie onto his lap. “It’s only half an hour from here to the restaurant,” he whispered. “I’m putting you in charge.”
Jamie shivered when his tongue made contact with her ear. “In charge of what?” she asked.
“Not letting us get carried away back here.”
“You’re talking to the wrong person, pal,” she whispered as she snuggled against him and raised her lips to his for a kiss.
EMILIE’S WAS AN INTIMATE FRENCH RESTAURANT with tiny white lights attached to a dark ceiling that gave one the feeling of dining beneath the stars. After sharing an appetizer of pâté de foie gras and wafers, Max and Jamie ordered filet mignon with a béarnaise sauce that Jamie claimed was to die for. Max teased her unmercifully as Jamie ordered chocolate pecan pie for dessert, but it was obvious he enjoyed watching her while he sipped his coffee.
“You remind me of a little girl sometimes,” he said, when she caught him staring. “I don’t think you ever had the chance to be a little girl when you were growing up.”
A slight shadow crossed Jamie’s face. “It often feels like I grew up too fast, but my dad and I had some pretty good times together.”
Max smiled. “Tell me.”
Jamie looked wistful. “He took me to Charleston from time to time, and we would eat at nice restaurants and visit the art gallery or the museum. I would wear my prettiest dress. My dad was the best. I don’t remember a time he scolded me, except when I wanted to leave college and work full-time at the newspaper. He wouldn’t hear of it.”
“I’m glad you have so many good memories of him,” Max said.
“Vera said he spoiled me shamelessly, and I guess he did.”
“Why do you suppose he never remarried?”
Jamie’s eyes clouded. “I don’t think he ever got over my mother leaving him. He kept her clothes for the longest time. Vera finally made him give them to the Salvation Army.”
“He never dated?”
“No. And it wasn’t because he didn’t have the opportunity. My father was a handsome man. Would you like to see a picture?” Jamie didn’t wait for a response; she was already reaching into her purse for her wallet. She flipped it open to the image of a dark-haired man and handed it to Max.
“I can see the resemblance,” Max said. He returned the picture. “You must’ve loved him very much.”
Jamie nodded. “I was devastated when he died.”
“Why do you suppose Vera never married?” Max asked, changing the subject.
“Vera was in love with my father, Max,” she said simply.
“I guess I’ve always assumed as much,” he said.
“She’s never admitted it to me, but I knew.”
“I wonder why she never told him.”
“Vera’s a proud woman. She would never have made her feelings known because he spent his life grieving the loss of my mother.”
“Do you miss her?” Max asked.
“How can you miss someone you never knew?” Jamie pondered the question. “There were times, of course, when I wanted a mother. I envied the girls at school whose moms helped with parties or participated in school outings. Not that Vera didn’t help out,” she added quickly, “but it wasn’t the same.”
“I’m sorry, Jamie.”
“Don’t be. I had all the love and attention a kid could have possibly wanted. I just hope—” She paused and blushed.
Max waited. “What do you hope?”
Jamie met his gaze. “I just hope, if and when I have children, that I’m a better mother.”
He smiled. “You’ll be a fantastic mother, Jamie.”
“I don’t know,” she said. “I’ve already spoiled Fleas something awful, and he’s a dog.”
Max laughed, and the two continued conversing for more than an hour before he signaled for the bill. Once he’d paid, he looked at Jamie. “Now, tell me. Is there anything in particular you’d like to see while we’re in New York?”
It didn’t take long for her to answer. “Times Square.”
“You got it, Swifty.”
The limo was waiting when they left the restaurant. Jamie stared out the window, awed by the skyscrapers that disappeared into the night sky. “I can’t believe all the people,” she said, noting the crowded sidewalks. When Times Square came into view, Max had the driver open the sunroof of the limo so Jamie could peer out
.
“It looks just like it does on TV,” she said, feeling a surge of excitement as she gazed in delight, much like a child on Christmas morning. They spent an hour riding through the streets before Max told the limo driver to stop at Sardi’s where they had coffee.
When it was time to head back to the airport, Jamie turned to Max. “Thank you,” she said.
Max smiled at her enthusiasm. “It was my pleasure. I’d like to bring you back during the day so you can see Central Park. I would love to take you to other places, say, Paris and Rome and Hong Kong, just to see them through your eyes.”
“Don’t you enjoy them?”
“Most of my travel is business related.”
“Max, this is me you’re talking to. I’m sure you’ve had your share of lovely companions.”
“Does that bother you?”
It did, but she wouldn’t admit it. “It’s none of my business.” Still, she wondered how many women he’d taken with him on his private jet.
“There are different types of relationships, Jamie. Some are more meaningful than others.”
She paused and met his gaze. Her heart thumped wildly in her chest. “Yeah?”
“Some are nothing more than two people providing, as you say, companionship. Both people are mature enough to know up front that it isn’t likely to last. Then there are those worth hanging on to.”
Jamie stared back at him for so long she was sure her eyes had crossed. What the devil was the man trying to say? “You know what your problem is, Max?”
“Uh-oh.”
“You don’t know what you want.”
“Or maybe it’s that I want something so badly, and I don’t know where it will lead,” he said ruefully. “Ever thought of that?”
Was he referring to them? she wondered. “Are you scared? That’s hard to believe.”
“I’m human.”
Jamie saw the vulnerability in his eyes. “People take risks when they fall in love,” she said softly.
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