Maxie Duncan Box Set

by Webb, Melissa L.

  He looked at me for a moment, the sun glittering off his glasses. The expression in his eyes was unreadable. Who knew where his thoughts had taken him. Finally, he came to some conclusion and looked around the parking lot. “How are you getting there?”

  I flipped my hair out of my face and shrugged. “I’d thought I’d catch a cab.”

  He chuckled softly. “Even you can’t catch a cab here at this time of day, Max,” he said, walking farther into the parking lot. He glanced back over his shoulder. “I’ll give you a ride.”

  I stood there, indignant. Men! Why is it they all thought they knew what was best? “I don’t need a ride,” I called to him.

  “Yes, you do,” he called back, keying open the driver’s door on a little green Mazda. “You’ll try to flag down a cab, and when you can’t…you’ll walk.”

  He stood there, looking at me over the top of the car as I moved closer, a rebuttal on my lips.

  “This isn’t your hometown, Max,” he continued, “a move like that could be dangerous.” His eyes traveled up me, only stopping when they locked with mine. “Especially for someone like you.”

  My jaw dropped open in shock. Someone like me? Of all the egotistical, chauvinistic things to say. Obviously, I was just another dumb blonde, too stupid to keep herself out of trouble. “Like you know anything about me,” I spat at him.

  He sighed before answering. “I know enough,” he said, sliding into the driver’s seat. “Now…will you stop arguing with me and get in the car?” He leaned across the front seat and opened the passenger’s door for me.

  I stood there, glaring at the door like it was its fault. I was angry because he knew exactly what I would do. Who was he to think he had me all figured out? But still…a ride was better than trying to walk any distance in L.A.. Huffing, I headed to the car. Yeah, I was going to take his ride, but that didn’t mean I had to like it.

  Jensen smiled as I slid in, clearly thinking he had won the battle. Sure, let him think that. It gave me the upper hand. I grabbed the seat belt, trying to hook it. It went in, but didn’t click. I pushed it in a couple more times, but it refused to lock. Really? Did everything about this guy have to be a struggle?

  He glanced down at my poor seat belt skills, watching me struggle. “Sorry,” he muttered, reaching down to help. “That seat belt gives me trouble from time to time. You just have to jiggle it.”

  I started to say that’s what happens when you buy cheap cars, but the feel of his fingers brushing against mine as he locked the seat belt in place, froze the words on my lips. The tingles he sent through my body as our skin met was as light as butterfly wings. They caressed every inch of me with the might of a full-scale hurricane. I gasped, severing the contact as fast as I could.

  Jensen watched my hands move away from his with something close to disappointment in his eyes. “Sorry,” he muttered again, turning his attention back to the car, pulling out of the parking lot.

  We rode in silence, which was more than welcoming. But I was left alone with my thoughts and they were going places I really didn’t want to tread. The sensation a mere touch of Jensen’s hand brought was different than anything else I had ever encountered. Even with Ryan. It took a kiss from him to jump-start the sensation, and even then, it hadn’t been too pleasant in the beginning. That had been a full on lightning strike compared to Jensen’s cool breeze on a hot, muggy day caress. But what did these things means? And why had I never felt these sensations before?

  I glanced over at Jensen. He was keeping his eyes very firmly planted on the traffic in front of us. Breezes were much more soothing than lightning anyway. Was it possible I was making a mistake rushing into things with Ryan? Was this a sign there were better options, better choices I could be making? True, I was attracted to Jensen, I couldn’t deny that. But I had been attracted to the baggage handler at the airport, too. Or anyone of the endless guys who had hit on me since coming to California. That didn’t mean they were the ones I was supposed to be with.

  Ryan was something different. Something special. Lightning never strikes twice, they say, and maybe with good reason. Maybe it’s not supposed to. Sitting on that hill, Ryan’s arms firmly around me, I had let go of the pain that had chained itself so firmly around my heart. With his lips against mine, I had become free. Free to be anyone I wanted. Free to feel something without fear. I didn’t want that to end.

  Maybe I was risking it all with Ryan, but I deserved to be happy. And Ryan made me very happy. I owed it to myself to see where it would lead. I needed to know if I was falling in love with Ryan Everheart.

  Traffic thickened as we neared the heart of Beverly Hills. Jensen took a deep breath and looked over at me as the cars in front of us came to a standstill. “So…you’re really going out with Ryan again?”

  I glanced over at him, surprised his thoughts had been mirroring so close to my own. I could only nod, afraid of what my voice might sound like at the sight of the hurt in his eyes. Darn it. Why was I feeling so guilty? I needed to get over this. I had Ryan. I had chosen him. Jensen was only a friend. Nothing more.

  “Don’t go out with him tonight, Maxie,” he said softly. “Please.”

  “What?” I asked him, dazed, completely thrown off by his forwardness.

  Shifting slightly in his seat, he kept his eyes on me. “I’ll take you anywhere you want to go. We can do whatever you want. Just…please, cancel your plans with him. Don’t see him tonight.”

  All I could do was stare at him. How dare he ask me to do that. My whole future was riding on tonight. I wasn’t going to give that up. “Why would I?” I asked, finally finding my voice. “Ryan likes me. He’s counting on me to come with him. I’m not going to cancel at the last minute. Besides…I want to be with him.”

  One of his eyes twitched, as if that was difficult to hear, but still, he pressed on, “His kind is all the same. He doesn’t care about people, just what he can use them for.”

  I eyed him carefully. Was he trying to make the point I thought he was? “What do you mean ‘his kind?’”

  He glanced away, eyes back on the traffic barely creeping forward in front of us. His jaw set in anger against whatever he wanted to say.

  I glanced at the people on the sidewalks around us. Shopping bags in hand, they headed blindly to their next destination. Little did they know World War III might very well start at this moment. “What kind?” I asked again, daring him not to answer me.

  His shoulders slumped in defeat. “You know, rich and famous,” he told me flatly.

  I knew it. People were all the same, no matter where I went. “Jensen, I’m rich. Just because a person isn’t struggling it doesn’t make them less than anybody else.”

  He turned and looked at me, guilt in his eyes. “I’m sorry, Max. That’s not what I meant.”

  “Oh, I know exactly what you meant,” I snapped. I pointed to the parking lot next to us. “Just pull over and let me out. We’re here anyway.”

  “Maxie,” he protested, but did as he was told.

  As soon as we stopped, I unhooked my seat belt and opened the door. Thank goodness it worked that time. I couldn’t be trapped one more minute with that man. They always said if you spent enough time with someone, their true colors would start to show. How could I have ever thought he was a nice guy? He was just a big jerk like every other small-minded idiot I had come across.

  As I slid out of the car, he reached for me, his fingers just short of stopping me. “Don’t go, Maxie. I’m sorry.”

  “Good bye, Jensen,” I said, slamming the door. Turning quickly away, I walked across the busy parking lot. I didn’t look back, not caring if he left already or was still there, watching me.

  I should have never thought I could be a regular person. Nobody would ever accept me as one. I was a porcelain princess, slumming at best. I needed to stay with my own kind. At least they understood me.

  Lifting my head high, I put on my best game face and entered one of the boutiques nearby. I had shoppin
g to do. A salon appointment to keep. I had a man to impress later that evening, and I didn’t need some silly boy messing it up.

  I ignored the small, empty feeling creeping into my chest as the store clerk greeted me with a smile. Retail therapy, here I come.

  Seventeen

  Sliding the long, dangling teardrop diamonds into my ears, I stepped back from the mirror to admire myself. The silky white material swished where it draped off me in layers of simple elegance. Soft curls framed my face, hanging loosely here and there from the half up-do Kisten had so expertly place on my head. My make up was fabulous and the glint of diamonds at my ears and throat only added to the glow I had around me.

  I had been absolutely right. I did look just like a Grecian Goddess brought to life. And I felt like one, too. I couldn’t help but giggle like a schoolgirl as I twirled again, watching in the mirror. My fairytale was in full swing, and my prince charming would be here any moment, ready to whisk me away to our happily-ever-after.

  I was in a daydream, wrapped in a fantasy, contained in a wish-come-true. I had to be, because this was almost too good to be true.

  I took a deep breath to center myself, calming the nerves racing through me, and then grabbed my handbag. Ryan’s limo would be here any second and I didn’t plan on keeping him waiting. I wanted to meet him in the lobby. Too many bad things could happen if I let him come to my door. Like angry roommates and jealous guys-next-door. No, the sooner I got him away from here, the better.

  I smiled at myself in the mirror, checking one last time for any embarrassing flaw in my look. Satisfied, I hurried from the room. Entering the living room, I glanced over at the couch as I did. Van was there, legs pulled up under her, her nose in a book.

  I looked away, praying she was too involved to notice me. We still hadn’t spoken yet; and I didn’t feel like starting another argument right then. I know she had said sorry in the note, but I was still going out with Ryan and I knew that was a sore spot that wouldn’t go away so soon. As quietly as I could in my wedges, I tiptoed across the room.

  “Wow, Max. That dress looks great on you.”

  Great. No such luck. It looked like I wasn’t going to get out of the apartment that easily. I turned to face her, a friendly smile on my lips. “Thanks. Ryan has great taste, doesn’t he?” I stated, regretting the words the minute they left my mouth. Nothing like rubbing in the spoils of war.

  She leaned forward, setting the book on the coffee table. “Yeah,” she said with a shrug. “I wouldn’t expect any less from someone like him.”

  I started to say something about the “someone like him” remark, and then stopped myself. There was no point. Her mind was set. Another night of arguing wasn’t going to change that.

  “I’m sorry,” Van said suddenly.

  I glanced at her, surprised that she would offer a second apology.

  “I am,” she continued, “I don’t want you to think I’m jealous about Ryan. Because I’m not. That’s not what this is about at all. It’s just…you deserve better than him.”

  Better than Ryan Everheart? Was that even possible?

  “But,” she hurried on when she sensed I was about to say something. “You have every right to make your own decisions. None of us can do that for you.” She looked at me with sincerity. “From now on, I will stay out of your personal life, no matter how much I want to interfere.”

  I nodded slowly. That was more like it. I was a grown woman. I could make my own choices in life. I was just glad Van could let go. I’d hate to lose her friendship over this. “Thanks. That means a lot.”

  She nodded and stood up from the couch. “Just keep one thing in mind. Ryan’s not like us. He will never be like us.”

  I let out a sigh. Here we go again. She wasn’t ready to let it go after all. “Van…”

  “You need to decide if this is really where you want your life to head. Are you really ready to accept everything that comes with dating him?”

  “What is that supposed to mean?” I asked, confused as I ever was lately.

  “Talk to Ryan. Ask him to tell you all his dirty little secrets,” she said. “You’re strong enough to handle him. You just need to believe you are.”

  I smiled, not sure how else to respond to that. “Um, okay. Thanks.” I glanced over at the clock. “I better hurry. I don’t want to make us late.”

  Van nodded solemnly. “Have a good time, Maxie. If…you need anything, call.”

  “Okay,” I muttered and quickly swept out the door. I needed to get away from Van and the worried look in her eyes.

  I used the elevator, nervously descending to the lobby. For one brief moment, as the elevator stopped at the bottom, I almost pushed the top floor button, the feeling of panic overwhelming me. I took a deep breath trying to calm my weary nerves. This was a big night for me. Anybody in my shoes would be absolutely terrified. How could I not be?

  But my nerves didn’t settle as I stepped out of the elevator. The fear thickened in me with every step. I tried to laugh it off. Van had gotten to me with her doom and gloom. That was all it was. It made sense, but why did I suddenly feel like I was a vestal virgin instead of a Greek Goddess? And that I was headed to my own sacrifice?

  Eighteen

  Smiling happily to myself, I snuggled against Ryan as we silently watched the lights of the Hotel DenMark’s floors slowly change. Once again, I felt tipsy in Ryan’s presence. The fear which had been crawling through me as I left the apartment had disappeared the moment I looked into his eyes.

  I was feeling better than I’d ever felt before. Lighter, like all the weight had been lifted of my shoulders. It was amazing the way he could make me feel. Then again, this night in itself had been amazing.

  I still could feel the rush of walking the red carpet on Ryan’s arm. I could still feel the eyes that followed me with awe. It was empowering, all that longing from the crowds. The feeling they would give anything to be me right then. I could feel all of that energy flowing over me and it had made me feel like a god.

  I glanced up at the man next to me as the elevator arrived at our destination. So this was what it was like to be with Ryan Everheart. If this was one of the things that came with dating him, I could definitely learn to live with it.

  He smiled at me, warm and intriguing, as the doors of the elevator opened. He offered his hand and I gladly took it, slipping my fingers in between his. I suppressed a slight shiver at the coolness of his touch. But I wasn’t too worried. I could probably come up with ways of warming him up.

  I mentally giggled. He hadn’t even gotten us in the room yet and I was already thinking those thoughts. I wasn’t that kind of girl. Sure, I flirted a lot, but that’s usually as far as it went. I was a serous-relationship girl. Not a one-night stand. What was I doing there?

  Ryan smiled again as he slid the key in the lock, his blue eyes twinkling in mischief.

  Oh, yeah. That’s what I was thinking!

  Pushing the door open, he pulled me inside, letting the door shut with a loud thump behind us. There we were, alone, and I giggled again before I could stop myself.

  He let go of my hand and walked through the suite towards the wet bar in back. “Would you care for a drink?” he asked, his voice as smooth as silk.

  I knew I shouldn’t, my head was already mush, but I asked for one anyway. Oh, well. I was young and we only lived once.

  “Please, make yourself comfortable,” he said, gesturing to the plush leather couches occupying the floor.

  I sat down, leaning back into the opulence around me. Yeah, this was the good life. I didn’t know why I had tried to convince myself that I didn’t deserve it. This was everything I wanted, everything I needed.

  I sat there, listening to ice clink into a glass and closed my eyes. I felt a heavy warmth throughout my whole body, spreading out like massaging fingers, relaxing me instantly. Once again, I wondered what was up with me. I never felt this way unless I’ve had a little too much to drink. And I hadn’t had anything h
arder than a diet soda all evening. I had wanted to remember this night.

  I glanced up at Ryan as he sat down on the couch next to me. I smiled as the warmth intensified at his closeness. I was drunk on him. It was his mere presence that was affecting me. Was this what swooning felt like?

  “Here you go,” he said, placing a cold glass in my hands.

  I stared down at it. The pink-tinted liquid sloshed the ice around the glass. I watched it, trying to remember what I had requested from him. “What is this?” I asked finally.

  He looked over at me with a smile. “It’s something fruity,” he told me. “I thought all girls liked fruity drinks.”

  I nodded, taking a sip. It was fabulous. Strawberries and cream with warmth that slipped all the way down my throat. Wow, I could drink it like Kool-aid if I wasn’t careful. I took another sip and set it on the glass coffee table in front of me. “I really enjoyed your movie tonight.”

  He sat his own glass down next to mine. “Really? I wasn’t too sure about it. Then again, I’m not my biggest fan. Every time I see myself on the screen, I cringe,” he admitted sheepishly.

  Who knew an actor could be so modest. “I love everything you’re in. I’ve been a big fan ever since your first movie,” I told him, a little sheepishly myself.

  “Thank you,” he said, running his thumb down my cheek. “And I might add, I haven’t known you very long, but I’ve become a big fan of yours.”

  I felt a blush creep into my cheeks. Ryan certainly knew how to charm a woman. “Really?” I asked. It was all I could do to keep the word from coming out like a squeak.

  “Oh, yes,” he murmured, shortening the almost non-existent distance between us even more. “You’re very special, Maxie Duncan. Even if you don’t realize it.” His thumb traced the curve of my jaw. “No one has honestly ever made me feel the way you do. I feel so alive, so much more than I’ve ever been when I’m with you.”