Ahh. Felicity in a bathing suit. The pool area was empty of guests. The moon full and a cool air breezed through the foliage-enclosed area.
It was romantic. Despite himself, Max felt his body unwind and his mind relax. “Let’s do it.” He fired up the Jacuzzi to get it good and hot for their return.
Max helped her up and escorted her to her room. “Knock on the adjoining room when you’re dressed.”
When she knocked, Max automatically gazed at Felicity’s body. She’d put on a modest yet somewhat revealing dark-blue bikini, her ample breasts bulging above the top hemline and though he tried not to gawk, he peered at the curve of her hips, covered by a blue, see-through sarong tied around her narrow, tight waist above shapely legs.
He couldn’t help himself. He crushed her body against his and consumed her mouth.
Reason gripped him from the back of his mind, telling him to get control over himself. Had to. “Sorry, honey. You are irresistible and incredibly tantalizing.”
“Why are you apologizing? I’m not complaining.” She draped her arms around his neck and pulled him to her for more kisses.
He kissed her close-mouthed and said, “Come on, the bubbles are waiting.”
Max took her hand and led her behind him to the spa. Max helped Felicity in before climbing in behind her. The swirling waters circled them and he held her close. His hands had a mind of their own as they inadvertently, inescapably moved to her breasts, so soft, so tender. Max dipped his finger inside her bathing suit top and her nipples became erect against his touch. He rubbed the back of his index finger against her right nipple. Then her left. Ah, God! He hardened up like a soldier in salute. Felicity would feel it, he was sure.
Oh yeah, she’d felt it all right. Especially since she’d climbed onto his lap. His hand, again of its own volition, went directly to her inner thigh then inside her bathing suit bottom to her sweet spot. As his fingers traveled inside the soft lips of her essence, Felicity moaned in his ear, encouraging further caresses.
God help him, there would be no going back now.
“Humph!”
The sound of an annoyed throat-clearing came from behind them. He turned toward to source of the untimely interruption to discover a middle-aged man and woman at the edge of the spa.
Max wasn’t sure he’d been relieved or irritated with the couple’s arrival. He promptly placed Felicity safely in the seat next to him. He attempted to regain control over his body for the umpteenth time since he’d met this vixen of a woman.
The couple slipped into the Jacuzzi with them. He couldn’t exactly get out right then. Max withstood a few minutes of excruciating awkward conversation with the strangers and when it was safe Max politely excused himself and Felicity. They headed to their rooms.
“What an unfortunate interruption,” Felicity whispered in his ear while giggling and tugging close to his side. At her door, she fumbled with her room key. She led him into her room. Her eyes, mouth, and body invited him forward to her bed. She continued to tug at his arm and unhooked her bathing suit top. Too quickly. It slipped to the floor and then she went for the bottoms.
Oh God. He couldn’t. He shouldn’t. He promised himself he wouldn’t.
Max forced himself to glance away. “Not now, Felice. Please. We should wait.”
Silence.
He peeked up, afraid to see the expected dejection on her face. She’d wrapped the sarong around herself, which barely covered her glorious breasts.
And then he spotted her angry brow. An emotion he hadn’t observed in her very often.
“What do you mean?”
“I wanted to keep things the way they are. At least until I get back. Give us time to think.”
“Think about what, Max? Just what is it that we have to think about? We both want each other. Why are you pushing me away?” She moved close to him and put her hand to his cheek. “There’s nothing wrong with this. With us.”
Max put his hand over hers, removed it, and squeezed her palm gently. “No, it’s not that it’s wrong. But you deserve better.”
“Oh, don’t start telling me what I deserve. Again.” She raised her voice, her irritation clear. “I know what I deserve. And I know what I want. I’m a big girl, Max. Why won’t you open up? What’s really going on in New York?”
His amorous mood now extinguished, he could sense her frustration rising. Max felt his voice rising to match her volume. “What is your fixation with New York? There’s nothing in New York except a job. That’s it. I don’t think we’re on terms to question each other’s business, are we?” And he regretted the words as soon as they spilled out.
Shit.
Before he could back-pedal, she snapped, “Oh, and what are we? Friends? You come on all strong and heavy and then back off. Like you’re marred or something. Are you? Because there’s something you’re not telling me. I know it.”
“I’ll tell you what. Why don’t we sleep it off and talk more in the morning?” He knew he’d better get out of there. And fast. Passion, alcohol, and misunderstandings don’t mix. He stepped toward the adjoining door. “Really. We’ll have a good talk when we’re . . . more coherent.”
“I am coherent. I’m completely sober.” This said while she slightly lost her balance as the sarong slipped down, again exposing her tantalizing breasts. “I’m tired of this cat and mouse game!”
“I need to clear my head. We’ll talk in the morning.” With that, he opened the adjoining door, slipping through before he said anything else. He hoped she wouldn’t try to come in or knock. He knew he couldn’t contain himself.
Thankfully, she didn’t follow.
Max’s mind raced with emotions he never thought he’d have. He couldn’t remember if ever in his life he didn’t give in to a women who offered herself up to him. But he wouldn’t take advantage of Felicity. He wanted more for her.
He didn’t know if he’d be the one who could give it to her.
Chapter 11
Felicity lay in her bed, in a room separated by a flimsy door, with the cause of her unsated desire on the other side. Max had insulted and frustrated her. Yet she knew the dissatisfaction would pass after a good night’s sleep and then she’d awake with a new perspective on Max.
She popped two homeopathic serotonin pills she always carried in her travel bag. Still sleep evaded her.
Why would Max go out of his way to set up this romantic weekend if he didn’t want her? He obviously cared for her.
Maybe Max had emotional wounds deeper than he admitted to. Maybe his heart had gotten broken one too many times. Perhaps he wasn’t done with this Tracey girl.
She wanted to be there for him, flush out the pain with him, but she realized it was too soon for him to trust her.
Or too late.
Felicity knew she, too, needed to continue work on her own emotions. She’d probably never fully gotten over the loss of her parents. That and the fact that she’d lost a good chunk of her childhood with the responsibility of rearing Jenny and then Brad’s deceit. It all added up.
Yet she’d willingly put her neck out there for Max.
Felicity wanted marriage and a family with the right guy. Why couldn’t it be Max? She knew at her age, most of her peers, like Margo, wanted to be out clubbing, dating freely, and exploring their sexuality. Why couldn’t she be carefree like Margo?
She could re-strategize another way to get this wonderful, sensitive, caring, and extremely sexy man to be hers.
The suspicion that Max had an unresolved affair in New York continued to replay in her mind. Why else would he be so evasive or postpone having Executive Women interview the restaurateur Charlotte Winter? He knew as well as she did a feature on the Winter restaurant empire would be perfect subject matter for the show.
Felicity finally fell asleep an
d dreamed of Max. Sexually satisfying dreams. She awoke having had an orgasm while making love to Max. The dream was so realistic. It’d been as though they had been together in her bed. Yet glancing at the empty pillow next to hers she realized it didn’t happen.
Would she ever make love with Maxwell Marx? No, it seemed to be an impossible, unattainable dream.
Margo was right all along. Now was the time for Felicity to live it up. To date and be free.
The sun beamed through the blinds and the persistent singing of a mockingbird awoke Max. It was only seven-o’clock. Too early to wake Felice.
Ah, Felice. Sweet beautiful sexy Felice. How he longed to take her in his arms, right now, and tell her he could be everything she wanted. He knew she’d had a hard life. He wished he could have erased her bad memories.
Max couldn’t bear to add any further hurt to her life.
Max took a cold shower and dressed. He packed his few things and put his luggage in the car. He then headed to the inn’s lobby to get breakfast. He made a tray of coffee, Felicity’s favorite English breakfast tea, mixed fruit, warm croissants, and headed to her room. Max put his ear to the door and heard movement. Good, she’s up. He tapped on the door.
She answered, ever her bright smiling self. Thankfully, she didn’t appear to be in a sour mood from the events of the previous night.
“Good morning.” Felicity reached up to kiss him full on the lips.
She still wanted him!
“Good morning. I arrived bearing gifts.” He lifted the tray he’d arranged.
She smiled and opened the door wider to let him in. “So nice of you.”
They ate their breakfast on her terrace in a peaceful quiet.
When they’d finished eating Max checked his watch. “It’s time to check out.” He glanced at Felicity, checking to see any sign of disappointment. “I hope you had a nice weekend.”
“I enjoy your company, Max. The entire weekend couldn’t have been any better.” She took his hand. The warmth of her touch got him going again but he relaxed.
The ride home was uneventful. The weekend proved she had to be the one for him. Yet he was no less fearful at the prospect.
He kissed her at the door. “Thank you for coming with me this weekend. We had a wonderful time.”
“Thank you so much. I appreciate all you’ve done.”
“For you, anything.” He wanted to touch her, kiss her again, but couldn’t bring himself to do so.
Felicity cast her gaze down. Max couldn’t read her expression. When she glanced to him, she showed only her winning smile. “You take care of yourself. I’ll be in touch about the show via email.”
She closed the door.
Max knew what he had to do. For once and for all, he’d face the very thing, which had kept him from his own happiness. Then, he would be ready for Felicity.
After Felicity shut the door behind her, she leaned against it, closed her eyes, and tried like hell to fight the tears. Why on earth did she have to be sad after the fabulous weekend she just had with Max?
“Did you have a good time?” Jenny popped her head into the living room and crutched her way toward her. She must have detected Felicity’s sadness because her face reflected concern.
Chicky and Frisky followed behind and gave Felicity their big greeting, jumping and licking her. It’d been a good thing because the dogs stopped Felicity from sobbing and from having to reveal to Jenny, and maybe herself, that her heart was breaking into pieces.
“It was great. Absolutely wonderful.” Felicity knew she couldn’t sound too convincing. “Max thought of everything and is quite gallant.”
“Gallant. That means you didn’t do the nasty.”
“None of your business.” Felicity took her luggage in her room. “Listen, I’m going to unpack and lie down. I—I was up late last night.” She closed her bedroom door behind her. She needed to be alone. To think. To get her head together.
“Whatever,” Jenny called through the door. Felicity heard the whimpering of the dogs as Jenny said, “Come on, guys, let Mama brood over her boyfriend.”
Boyfriend. Right. Max hadn’t even said he’d call her. Or made any promises about getting together when he returned.
In the week following Max’s departure, Felicity didn’t have time to think let alone be melancholy. She immersed herself in work and juggling the two jobs.
Toward the end of the week, Felicity’s car battery failed. It’d been high time to car shop. Felicity deserved and could afford a new one. She decided to splurge and finally get her dream car. A white Lexus.
The old trick of keeping oneself busy to get Felicity’s mind off Max seemed to be working.
Brad had texted again. Felicity agreed to meet him to get it over with.
The Starbucks on Sunset Boulevard was bustling with activity on a Sunday afternoon. Felicity walked in and found Brad sitting at a corner table with two drinks. He stood as soon as he caught her eye.
Brad looked good in the sky-blue oxford shirt, which she’d bought him last Christmas. It brought out his bright blue eyes. She’d often asked him to wear that particular shade of blue and for a moment the hard feelings she had for him softened.
Fact was, he looked too damned good. Like he’d been hitting the gym more.
She couldn’t help the momentary flutter of butterflies in her stomach and reminded herself they were meeting about her books. Her books only.
Brad reached out to hug her then leaned in for the direct lip lock, however Felicity turned her cheek to receive his kiss there. “It’s nice to see you. Thanks for letting me know about the books.”
“Sure.” Brad motioned for her to take her seat. “I ordered your favorite English breakfast tea with agave sweetener.”
“Thanks.” Felicity noted his anxious look and didn’t trust what he’d been up to for one second.
“I’ve got the books in the car. Found them in the attic when I was searching for the summer screens. They filled two large boxes. I’d be happy to follow you to your place and help you unload them.” He sipped his coffee and winced. “Jeez, it’s still too hot.
“No, it’s quite all right. I can handle it.” A moment of silence passed and Felicity was anxious to fill in the space with small talk. “So how’s work? Trading slow season, I take it?”
“Too slow, but we’re managing. With third quarter approaching it will pick up.”
She remembered all too well the late nights he worked as a stockbroker. Or, in retrospect, the late nights he spent with whomever.
“How’s your new show about the women executives going?”
She brightened at the prospect to talk about her favorite subject. “Fantastic. The network loves the program and signed for a second season.”
“With you at the helm I couldn’t see it going any other way.” Brad took off the lid to his coffee and blew, tentatively sipping.
Felicity wondered how long she could last with this ridiculous banter. Despite his charming behavior and handsome features, she could trust Brad about as far as she could throw him. Once a cheat, always a cheat. So any further discussion would be a waste of time.
“Felice, I wanted to meet you in person. I need to tell you during the past six months I’ve had a lot of time to think about how badly I’ve botched things up for us. The thing with Janet was meaningless and it ended soon after you’d left. There’s been no one else since . . .”
Yeah, right. Like there weren’t others before Janet. Brad was a pure womanizer if ever there was one. Felicity felt bad for the next girlfriend to come along.
“. . . and I’ve wanted to tell you how very sorry I am. I’ve even gone for some counseling, Felice. It wasn’t easy for me to admit I needed help. But I did and I’m getting it. Slowly I’m identifying the issues I had and how th
ey affected our relationship. It dates to the divorce of my parents and my lack of trust.”
This was a hard revelation, for any man, especially an egotist like Brad. It had to take a lot of gumption for him to admit he needed counseling and to follow through with it. “Brad, I’m glad you did that for yourself. You don’t owe me an explanation—”
“Yes I do. You didn’t deserve the way I treated you, and Jenny certainly didn’t need to witness it. I’ve set a terrible example for her. I’d be so grateful if you’d give me a chance to show you I can make it work this time.”
Oh boy. He had to be kidding. She had finally been able to close that door and he slipped in to open it again! “I’m glad you’re on the right path.” Felicity sipped her tea, grateful for its tepid temperature. The sooner she finished it the sooner she would be on her way. “However, we can’t return to what we had.”
Brad leaned forward and took her hand. His touch gave her an involuntary sexual jolt. Their sex life was the one area that had worked well for them. “I know you feel what we have, Felice. It’s still there. Give me a chance to make it up to you. We can start slow. Maybe meet here once a week. In time you can learn to trust me again.”
Felicity shook her head and withdrew her hand. “Not a chance. It took a while to get over us, but I am now. I have no intention of re-entering a relationship with you again.”
“Are you seeing anyone? Tell me. Because, it would explain things.”
Still the egomaniac. Of course he would think she’d fall right into his lap. He hadn’t changed at all. Probably lying about the counseling to get her sympathy. “Who I see is of no concern to you. I’m sorry, Brad. Please don’t pursue this anymore.” Felicity stood up, drink in hand. “I need to go. Thanks for the tea.”
Dream Man (Executive Women in Love Book 1) Page 14