by Clarissa Yip
She ignored him. “What charity?”
Max grinned, and her heart did a flip. “It’s to raise money for victims of drunk driving and a few other things. I don’t remember. Keith Walkers’s mother heads the foundation. His twin sisters died in a drunk driving accident three years ago. I’m actually one of the sponsors for this event.”
Lia leaned back in her seat. She wished she could hate him for all the good deeds he’d done for the community. Their grandmothers constantly raved about how kind-hearted Max was in helping the less fortunate, even though he profited from making an undeveloped part of town look like a gold mine.
“And you need a date?” she asked, tapping her finger against her chin.
Max threw her a grin. “I could scrap this whole thing and just bring someone I know. Not like you can really find me anyone.”
Her eyes narrowed. She’d heard the challenge in his voice. “Nanna and Grams want you to bring a proper date to the party, so I’m sure that entails one to the charity event.”
He snorted. “Look, it’s bad enough that I’m here filling out this form.” He turned the screen to face her. “What does it matter if I have allergies or not? Or what my dream vacation is? Who came up with these stupid questions?”
Her throat tightened and she blew out a breath. “Just answer the questions to the best of your abilities.”
He chuckled. “Sweetheart, you have no idea what those are.”
Her fists clenched, then released. This was just Max. She’d show him. “I’ll find you a date to the charity.”
“Why does that sound so ominous?” He moved the screen back to position.
With as much innocence as she could feign, she smiled. “Who knows? Maybe you’ll find a proper date tomorrow—someone that Nanna and Grammy would approve for both the party and your charity thing.”
“What’s going on tomorrow?”
“The speed date luncheon.”
Max grimaced. “Speed date luncheon? Are you for real? Who actually goes on dates in the middle of a work day?”
She glared. “People who take my company seriously. Don’t tell me you’ve never picked up women during the day now that you’re making big bucks?”
“Money isn’t everything.”
She wished she could believe him. Men like him used his wealth to their advantage to draw weak women like her mother into their lair, before they broke hearts and moved on to the next victim. “Maybe it’s all your success that’s attracting the wrong type of women.”
“There’s nothing wrong with my success. I’ve worked hard to be where I am, and when I’ve accomplished what I want, maybe then I’d consider finding the right woman.”
She quelled the urge to scoff at his words. He’d never settle down. From what she’d seen at the construction site, he enjoyed his job a little too much, and he obviously still dated the same types of women—women like Lindsay Forks. “We’ll see.”
He growled as he focused back on the computer screen. “Is this thing going to tell me who I’m to meet right away?”
Lia smirked. “No, I have to run your reports through another program and see which candidates match your file. Then you’ll meet them this week. So, if you don’t meet—” she lifted her hands to quote “‘—the right woman’ then there’s always the social on Friday.”
His eyes narrowed, tension lining his jaw. “And this happens all this week?”
She stifled her amusement and cleared her throat. The least she could do was pretend to be professional, even though devious thoughts ruled her mind. She knew just who to hook him up with. “Yes. We only have two weeks until Nanna’s party. So if you don’t find anyone this week, we’d need next week to try again. The Regis Royal Hotel is—”
Max jerked out of his chair. “I’m not going.”
“Why not?”
He paced the carpet in front of her desk and shoved a hand through his hair. “I do business at that hotel all the time. They recognize me. Shoot. Nick Claremont owns that chain. If he finds out I was there for a blind date, do you know what would happen?”
She pressed her lips together to contain her laughter. “No, why don’t you tell me?”
He spun around and slammed his palms on the desk. “I’d be the laughing stock of the town.”
“No—” Lia leaned further back into her chair, her breath hitching at his close proximity. “Nobody’s going to laugh.”
Of course he would worry about his reputation. The successful playboy cared what others thought of him. The Grant elite, from what she’d learned, kept well to their own social group. And if word got out, how was the rich bachelor going to find his next victim?
“No one is going to laugh. And what makes you think Nanna and Grammy won’t tell their friends, who would tell their kids?”
Max froze.
She chuckled. She had him there.
He straightened, but kept his glare. “I’m not going.”
Lia took a deep breath. “Do you want me to talk to our grandmothers? It’s just a few luncheons and socials. It’ll be over before you know it.”
His lips thinned. “I am not going to a speed date luncheon.”
She crossed her arms. “You have to.”
“Dammit, Lia! This is stupid.”
“Stop being a baby and just get it over with. Two weeks. That’s it. Once you find a date to the party, then you can decide if you guys still want to see each other.” She had her doubts. She couldn’t imagine him settling down with anyone, despite what he’d said at the coffee house. The idea of Max getting married sent a pang to her heart.
He huffed and dropped into his seat. His hand covered the mouse again as he continued to fill out the questionnaire. “If it weren’t for our grandmothers, I swear I wouldn’t have stepped foot in your office and signed up for your dating service.”
“Matchmaking.”
“Whatever.”
Lia grinned. Victory. Max couldn’t win. She knew which strings to pull. Always had. “Plan on clearing your calendar the next two weeks.”
He grunted. “I’ll tell my secretary to work it out with you.”
“Lovely.” She picked up her iPad once again and fiddled with the calendar.
“How come you don’t find yourself a date or something through your company?”
She stiffened. “It’s unprofessional to date clients.”
“You’re not over that ass, are you?”
Lia sighed. She waited for the anger to rise at the mention of her ex, but her insides turned numb. At times, she wished she could brush aside the betrayal of Steve’s wrongdoings, but she’d been glad to be given the chance to finally open her eyes. Too bad she couldn’t have taken the past five years back. When would she ever be able to hold a relationship without it messing up on her?
“Mind your own business,” she said.
“Seriously, why won’t you talk about it?”
She looked up. Max would be the last person she’d confide in. Plus it’d been his fault. Was she truly so undesirable that one kiss forced him into Lindsay Forks’s arms? If it hadn’t been for him, she wouldn’t have thought she loved Steve and left for the city to start a new life.
“He didn’t want to marry you?”
She glanced at the desk drawer. She should have burned the damn invitation when she’d gotten it. Her gaze leveled with his, but didn’t waver. Her insides tightened. “Are you done with your questionnaire?”
Max eyed her suspiciously. “Yeah, I’m done.”
She took the keyboard and mouse back, turning the screen so she could check his answers before finalizing the test. It wasn’t until she glanced up that she realized he stood next to her.
“Forget him,” he said softly.
His musky cologne teased her nose, smelling just as she’d remembered, and she drew a deep breath. He lifted his hand and stroked her chin, forcing her to look at him. The caress sent a jolt to her belly.
“Did he hurt you badly?” His thumb ran over her bottom lip
. A million thoughts ran through her mind, an inner voice screaming for her to move away, to push him back, but her eyes drifted shut as he leaned in. “Tell me.”
“Max,” she whispered. Heat stole over her, and her nipples tightened under her thin blouse.
“Am I done here?”
Her eyes shot open. Max stood up and stared down at her impassively. She crossed her arms over her chest and frowned, her lips pursing. “Yes.”
“Great.” Max strode to the door. “I’ll have my secretary call you to coordinate my schedule.”
She watched as he left, noting the shift of his muscles, the width of his broad shoulders under his suit, and most of all the tight hug of his slacks. She slumped in her seat.
What had just happened?
Chapter Four
“This is really stupid.” Max took a sip of his beer and eyed the crowd in the banquet room.
Next to him, Lia stifled a laugh. “Stop pouting. It’ll be over before you know it.”
He glanced at her from the corner of his eye. Today, she wore a pink blouse that molded perfectly to her round breasts, and a black skirt that accentuated her ass. Her lush black hair was piled messily on top of her head. He couldn’t help noticing how sexy she looked. The thoughts wouldn’t stop coming. Ever since he’d left her office yesterday—no, ever since he saw her at the construction site—she’d been on his mind day and night. Last night had been the first cold shower he’d taken in years.
He’d thought he’d gotten over this affliction. So what was wrong with him? Dread pulsed in his chest as he watched the five men gathered in one corner of the room, and the six women on the other side. He’d known the event would be a disaster from the moment he’d arrived. He could almost taste it.
“It’s going to be horrible, I know it.” Max downed the rest of his beer.
“No, it won’t. It’ll be fun, I swear.”
His gaze dropped to her pink lips. The rose color made them look delectable and glossy. Whatever had provoked him to touch her yesterday, he’d been out of his mind. Rage had struck him by surprise. Her bastard of an ex had hurt her, and Max had wanted nothing but to pull her into his arms, until he’d become aware of the sudden desire gripping his whole body—the same feeling he’d experienced during that one kiss years ago. He’d run out of the office. Images of her delicate features and slim figure had tormented him since. His hand still burned with the softness of her cheek and mouth.
When would he ever learn to keep away from Lia?
“How is this going to work?” he asked.
Lia pointed to the six tables in the center. “You’ll have a six-course lunch, and every ten minutes you’ll slide over a seat to the next lady.”
He groaned. The women in the corner cluttered together, giggling and throwing him glances every so often. “Then what?”
“Then you guys fill out more forms, and we pair you off on dates. And if the dates scheduled this week don’t work out, we have the Friday social to try again, until more speed date luncheons next week.”
He grumbled. It was going to be hell. Him, Max Sheraton, hooking up with a woman through a dating service. Think of your gram. You need to make her happy. His hand tightened around his glass. He would have refused to sign up, but then he’d have to face their displeasure. And knowing them, they would devise something more horrific and troublesome for him. They never gave up.
Max sighed. He recalled the conversation on the phone with his grandmother; the excitement in her voice had torn him to shreds. And he’d convinced her it had been his idea to join Lia’s matchmaking service. “Why would Grams and Nanna ask you to set me up?”
She shrugged. “You have poor taste in women, and they want great-grandkids.”
“It’s not like I’d be the one to have those kids. I don’t have the female parts, remember?”
Lia laughed. “I should hope not. Otherwise, I’d go tell the Daily Gazette that piece of information just to end your life.”
He snorted. “You would.”
“Hey, Lia. You have a message from Mindy.” Her assistant appeared at her side and handed her a pink scrap of paper. Lia glanced at the message, her face paling and her lips pursing. His gaze darted over it, catching the words in town, before she quickly crumpled the note and stuck it into her pocket. The only Mindy he could recall was her best friend from the city.
“All right, let’s get this show on the road.” Lia slipped the clipboard under her arm and clapped her hands as she called everyone to take their seats.
Max walked to an empty chair and sat down across from a cute blonde. The woman gave him a small smile, keeping her hands folded in her lap, back straight. As Lia gave directions to the group, he forced himself to sit still.
He watched Lia at the front of the long line of tables. Her face was lit, eyes bright. He couldn’t help noticing how much she enjoyed her job. She took her work seriously, and her pleasure was obvious. But the one thought still niggled his mind. Her return couldn’t have been as simple as her ex cheating on her. And wouldn’t she be happy that her best friend was visiting? The issue had to have been bigger.
Lia was tough. She’d never put up with crap, and he couldn’t see her doing it now. He remembered Steve. The creep had no qualms about living off his girlfriend just so he’d be able to pursue his dream as a singer. Max had always hated the dirtbag, but he’d always hated every guy she’d dated.
“All right, ladies and gents. Let’s get started. Please introduce yourself to your dates,” Lia announced from the front of the room.
With an inward groan, Max straightened in his seat and held out his hand to the polished woman across from him. From her blond hair, twisted in a neat bun, to her gray suit, everything about her screamed banker. “Hi, my name is Max.”
His “date” lifted a pale hand and smiled, softening her features. “I’m Kelly.”
He relaxed, the unease slowly dissolving in his chest. “Nice to meet you.”
She nodded and picked up her napkin before neatly setting it on her lap. “Have you been to one of these before?”
“No. You?”
Kelly chuckled. “A few. But they’re not bad. Some of these are actually pretty fun, and you meet interesting people.”
Drawing in a deep breath, he picked up his water glass. “So what are we supposed to talk about?”
The woman’s smile widened and her teeth grazed her bottom lip. Interest shone from her eyes. “Anything you want.”
Slightly drawn to her warmth, Max leaned in closer as she laid a hand toward the center of the table. “Well, what do you do?”
But Kelly straightened in her seat. Cold confidence glowed from her blue eyes. “I’m the vice president at Caldwell Banker, and a member of Grant’s country club. I play tennis and golf, but I also enjoy reading and occasional chess games. I can tell you’re a businessman, so let’s just get down to the details. What do you do? How much do you make a year? And what are your plans for the future?”
He fell back in his seat and jerked his attention to the front of the room. His nemesis stood talking to her assistant, oblivious to the cold dread sinking into his bones. He drew his attention back to his date, whose eyebrows rose to her hairline, waiting for his answer.
It was going to be a long lunch. And he had Lia McEvil to blame for it.
…
Lia finally allowed herself to laugh. The incident had been too funny. She’d never forget Max’s horrified expressions and forced smiles. After the last bell had rung, everyone had handed in their forms and Max had stalked out of the banquet room like his ass was on fire.
As she gathered all the papers, she couldn’t stop chuckling. Maybe it was evil of her to group him with this batch of career-driven clients, but it wasn’t as if Max was serious about finding a date, anyway. If he hadn’t looked down at her business and kept telling her how stupid her career was, she wouldn’t have felt the need to get back at him. Plus, it served him right for brushing his girlfriends off as if they’d
meant nothing—just as he’d brushed her off five years ago.
She glanced at her watch. She had another half hour before the next speed date luncheon. Just as she set aside the stack of papers, a hand clamped around her upper arm and whirled her around. Her breath caught at the anger blazing in Max’s eyes.
“That was low, Lia,” Max said through gritted teeth, his fingers digging into her skin.
She pressed her palms against his chest and tried to push him away. He wouldn’t budge. His muscles tensed under her touch. “What are you talking about?”
“You know what I’m talking about. That luncheon was hell.”
The corners of her mouth twitched. “Max, it’s speed dating. Those women are wonderful and are just looking—”
“Don’t give me that crap. If you’re going to play those games, I want out. Now.”
“No. They’re people. If you get to know them, then—”
“No.” Max released her and ran a hand through his hair. “The first woman asked me straight out how much I had in my bank account. The second was already talking about kids she planned to have with me. The third wanted a more thorough background check with a medical exam if I wanted to date her again, and the last one was already planning our wedding for next week.”
Lia bit her lip. Mirth bubbled inside her.
“No way could those women have been generated from the questionnaire I filled out.” His blue gaze pinned her.
“They were.” Okay, they weren’t, but he didn’t have to know that. “They’re all tall, blond, and skinny. And they—”
His hands balled at his sides. “I am not going out with any of those women, or bringing them to the party. One of them even ran up and tried to kiss me. On the mouth!”
Lia frowned. She’d missed that one, and she knew which woman it was, too. “Sorry. I’ll fix your form and make sure your date tomorrow night will be with someone good. I promise. We’ll do it the old-fashioned way and it could be a blind date.”
“Look, I’m willing to forfeit my time to appease our grandmothers, but I am not going to play your games.”