Dream Man (Executive Women in Love Book 1) (9 page)

Regardless, Felicity had to interact with Max because of Sharpen.

But weren’t they way beyond a professional connection?

Maybe Max wanted another commitment-less fling? If she could even consider it a fling.

Max thought brunch at Boswell’s was interesting at best, yet troubling on many levels. While Felicity cleared up the possibility she might still be hung up on her ex-boyfriend, he still had doubts about getting involved with her.

Yet . . . he felt inexorably attracted to her.

As he held her hand, he noted Felicity’s questioning, even hungered expression. A look he recognized in many women, young and old, who wanted him.

Still, he couldn’t resist touching Felicity. Stealing kisses every chance he could get. His hands craved to feel her skin.

Max wanted to make the day last forever. After brunch, they took a long drive along the Pacific Coast Highway. The drive required precision driving especially with the new car. The combination of the ocean breezes and the speed gave him an opportunity to put the new car to the test. Maybe even impress his companion.

“Do you have a need to get home any time soon?” Max asked. “The dogs? Jenny?”

“No. Jenny planned to study at home today after the picnic. So she’ll hold the fort down. Why?”

Her hair blew in the wind shaping her face with dewy beauty. It drove him wild. “I thought it’d be nice to keep driving along the coast for the rest of the day. Maybe take in a long walk on the beach and then have an early dinner at Rosie’s on the Cape.”

“I don’t see why not.”

Relieved she agreed to the invite, he relaxed, knowing he’d have her company for the entire day.

Felicity didn’t want the date to end and she’d been thrilled Max wanted to extend it into evening.

The drive was long but peaceful. Felicity didn’t want to let Max’s hand go and she hungered for more of his passionate kisses.

They pulled off the road to an isolated beach. Max popped the trunk and took out a basket and a blanket.

He had this planned!

“I came prepared. Just in case. A little wine, cheese, and we can watch the sunset.” Max pinched her cheek.

Or lay in the sand.

The temperature dropped as the sun began to dip but the heat grew inside Felicity. She could melt right into Max as he wrapped her under his arm. The sun splayed dark orange hues of orange, blue, and purple along the horizon licking the ocean. Seabirds swooped to the water’s surface in search of dinner. Small finches ran up to the receding waves in search of morsels to snack on.

How could anything top this moment?

“Let’s sit over there for a while.” Max pointed to a dune close to the ocean’s edge.

“Sure.” Max could have suggested they do just about anything and in that moment Felicity would blissfully agree. The beach was barren except for the wildlife. Right then and there she’d come to a conclusion she feared would be inevitable. She was falling in love with Maxwell Marx! Yes, for years she thought she loved him, when she knew him only as a movie star. Now, being in his presence in this sheer intimacy, she knew there’d be no going back. She’d hold on for dear life. She hugged and cuddled on the blanket with him.

He turned her on her back and kissed her with a veracity she’d never experienced. His tongue twirled with hers, demanding more space, which she willingly gave. Max soon lay fully on top of her, his hardness pressed against her center. He felt so incredibly good.

Could this be happening now? Here?

Suddenly, as though he’d dug into a well of self-control, which Felicity didn’t think she had in herself, he pulled himself up and her with him curled right in his arm. “Whew. How about that glass of wine?”

“Um, why not?” Still shaky from their impromptu making-out she took a couple of deep breaths. “That sure caught me by surprise.”

Max busied himself with the corkscrew and the familiar and welcome
pop
sounded as he pulled the cork form the wine bottle. “Me, too. Sorry about that. I got lost in the moment.”

“No apology necessary. I was there with you.” She rubbed his cheek, and he took her hand and kissed it.

“Needless to say, I’ll have better control next time.”

Felicity wasn’t sure she wanted to him to keep the promise.

She accepted a glass of wine and enjoyed the oaky taste of the Chardonnay. Max took out a cutting board and cut some cheese and pepperoni.

“You thought of everything. How did you know I’d stay all day?”

“I only wished.” He wiggled his eyebrows, and she felt a sharp flash of heat return to the pit of her belly.

Max fed Felicity a piece of cheese. She giggled and she swallowed it, tasting the sharp bite of feta. He fed her a piece of pepperoni. “Nice. Now we’ll wash it down with some delicious wine.” He took a sip and then opened her mouth, pouring his sip of wine into hers and finishing it off with a French kiss.

Now that’s unique.

After a few more go arounds of Felicity feeding Max and he in return they’d consumed the entire bottle of wine. The sun sunk into the water and the sky took on a darker hue of purple. “It’s going to be pitch dark before too long. Drink up. I want you to try the rib-eyes at Rosies,” Max whispered in her ear, flung his tongue inside it, and caused passion to flash up inside her again.

God this man knows exactly how to touch me! And drive me wild.

They’d finished off another glass of wine then packed up for the road. Max told her it’d be a short ride to the restaurant. Another back door entrance and a private table later, they cuddled in a booth.

Felicity didn’t know how she’d survive a day without this delicious man.

Max felt ashamed he’d let things get out of hand with Felicity on the beach. She was a true lady, and he needed to get his mind around how he felt about her before he took her to bed.

The management didn’t let him down at Rosie’s. Always warm and welcoming the Italian grill offered pasta and the best steaks in town. The quaint environment with its checkered table clothes, high-glossed wood floors, retro-styled wall coverings, and shelves stuffed with old-fashioned kitchen implements gave him the feeling of what it’d like to be in an Italian Mama’s kitchen. Max had a private table arranged with candles and fresh flowers.

He ordered another bottle of red. He felt guilty for plying Felicity with alcohol. But how could one resist paring a delicious red wine with Rosie’s famous rib-eye steaks? Besides, Felicity heartily consumed all of the tidbits he fed her on the beach, so she’d be drinking on a full stomach.

Max had no ulterior motives with respect to Felicity. Then again, he’d been careful not to mislead
any
woman. If a lady threw herself at him and made it clear that she could deal with no strings attached, it was all fair game. He’d been careful not to break too many hearts so far.

Except for Tracey, but that was a long, long time ago.

Max decided he wouldn’t repeat his father’s sins, so he managed to avoid intimate involvements.

Those memories needed to remain repressed where they’d been safely tucked away, deep into his psyche.

The ride home was as peaceful as it was going there. And Felicity was so cute, falling asleep on his shoulder.

Inside Felicity’s door, he wrapped her in his arms. She was soft, complying, and sexy in his arms. He longed to take her right there on her living room floor. He kissed her deeply and felt his stubborn hard-on coming. His hand wandered to her breast, at first accidentally, but she pulled even closer, seeming to enjoy his touch, and her nipple became hard against his fingertips.
Delectable
.
Maybe it’s not too early
. Maybe he should ask to take her to her bedroom.

A door inside the house creaked open. “Oh, you guys are back? I thought you’d be late.”

He quickly pulled himself away from Felicity. She glanced at him briefly with clear embarrassment, flushed with passion he knew they shared equally.

Ah, nothing like an interruption by little sis. Jenny walked in expertly on her crutches with her ever-present sidekick, Ben, following.

In an adorable shy-like manner, Felicity straightened her dress and attempted a casual reply. “Oh, hi, Jen.”

Max thought she was simply adorable the way she coolly handled the situation. Her actions caused his affections for her to swell. But exactly where those affections might take him worried him.

Felicity was utterly embarrassed at the untimely interruption by Jen and Ben. She had to remind herself she had a roommate. Still, she accepted the sting of disappointment of the untimely interruption with as much grace as possible.

Behind Jenny and Ben her dogs Chicky and Frisky bounced in the room demanding their greeting.

Felicity longed for more of Max’s touch. The interruption was probably for the best. She didn’t know how much longer she could resist him. When his hand slipped over her breast, she liked it, way too much.

Suddenly she felt tired as the wine buzz wore off. “Why don’t I make us some coffee? I have Starbucks.”

“Sure,” Max said.

Jenny and Ben joined in the coffee drinking and they became a foursome. Ben gushed over Max. Max took it all in good humor as they had pleasant conversation about Hollywood business.

Felicity’s mind wandered. She longed to be in Max’s arms. But could she trust herself with more of his delicious kissing?

Chapter 9

With Chicky and Frisky tucked in bed, Ben gone home, and Jenny in her room, that left just Felicity and Max. Alone. On the couch. They cuddled before the fire. Well, maybe not, but it might as well have been as far as Felicity was concerned because a furnace burned inside her. She felt hot. All over. Panting for more of his sensual kisses. He didn’t disappoint as he trailed kisses down her neck.

She needed him to stop.

She didn’t want him to.

A little conscience angel tapped on her shoulder reminding her it was indeed too soon for this. But, what the hell? You only live once, right?

He didn’t ask to take her to the bedroom.
Should I?

No, whispered the angel.

Felicity dug deep into her well of willpower and although it took every ounce she had, she stopped him dead in his tracks as he untied the strings of her sundress. She reluctantly withdrew from his amazing kissing, adjusted her dress, and said, “Hey, I’ve got to get my beauty sleep. Monday morning is already here.”

Max checked his gold Rolex. “Ah, yeah, one thirty. How time flies when you’re having fun.” He caressed her cheek with the back of his hand and pulled her up to stand with him. He took her in a full-bodied embrace and she felt like warm chocolate melting on an ice cream cone. And, damn, the cone sure enticed her.

Felicity headed to the kitchen to wash the coffee mugs. Max followed her and hugged her from behind. Passion stirred and she guided him to the couch. She wanted his company, just a little more. She kissed him, less heatedly, and hugged him.

Felicity meant to only be casual and flirty when she said, “So, why aren’t you the settle-down type? Or is it another fabrication of the press?”

Max took on a somber cast. “No, actually, it’s no fabrication.” He withdrew from the embrace and gazed deep into her eyes.
That haunted distance again.
Millions of emotions must have been swirling behind those darks eyes. What could the possible source be?

Felicity’s heart sank.
This thing between us may never go anywhere.

“I’m afraid, Felicity, I will only hurt you.”

She knew he’d say that.
Crap!
Why did she have to bring the subject up?

“That’s why I think we better stop things before they get too far.”

Felicity took his hands. “I only meant to tease you. Your life is your own. I’m way too busy for any involvement—”

“Don’t lie to yourself, Felicity.” Max absentmindedly drew circles on the top of her right hand. “You deserve a solid man. Someone who’s capable of giving you more.”

Wherever is THIS coming from?
“What do you mean? We work together. And, we went out on a couple of dates. No biggie.”

“You shouldn’t undersell yourself. Or sell out to someone like me.” Max let go of her hand and rubbed his hands through his thick inky-black hair, obviously distressed.

Where had this come from?

“Hey, you’re the one who asked
me
out.”

“I did. I take total responsibility.” He signed, visibly disappointed with himself. “I have a troubled past, Felicity. One of which I can’t talk about but I can tell you
it
is the primary cause as to why I don’t get . . . involved with anyone. My past has held me back and I don’t want to drag you in it.”

He stood and turned toward the door.

Felicity stopped him and pulled him to rejoin her on the couch. He followed. She urged, “There’s no sense in running away from it. It happened in the past—it’s gone. You can’t change it. And maybe it’ll help to talk it out.”

“It’s a long story.” Max glanced at his wristwatch again. “And it’s much too late to get into now.”

Felicity shook his arm. “How about giving me the short version?” She’d wanted to encourage him to open up but didn’t want to be too pushy.

Max pursed his lips as though considering it. “You
are
persistent.” He sighed. “Okay, it has to do with my immediate family. I haven’t spoken to them since the day I turned my back on the Outer Banks over fifteen years ago. In brief, my father left my mother and two siblings behind when I was a teen. Since then my mother had to support us and she did a real fine job of it.” Sarcasm laced his words.

He sounded bitter. He obviously had a lot of unresolved pain.

“You’re not telling me everything. Come on. If you want to heal, you have to face it.”

“My mother chose to support us through dishonorable means. She refused my help and told me to mind my own business or get out. Finding out about her destroyed me. Something broke inside of me. My faith in all women, at least at the time. I intended to marry my sweetheart but finding out about my mother crushed my spirit. I turned my back on all of them, my family, and my girl.”

He glanced at Felicity but had a distant look in his eyes. He seemed like a stranger.

She had so many questions. What could his mother have done that was so dishonorable? Why did he leave his fiancé over it?

She knew Max wasn’t going into any further depth on the topic. At least not that night. He slapped his thighs in frustration and stood again. He pulled her to stand in front of him placing his hands on her shoulders and crouching down his over six foot height to her barely over five feet so they were eye-to-eye. “I never took a moment to look behind me. My own family. I refused all of their attempts to contact me. You see, I am my father. A deserter. The worst fear I have is that I’ll give you hope, a person who’s as beautiful inside as outside, and then destroy you like I did Tracey. Because when I get too close, I’ll want to escape.” He pulled away and walked to the door.

Felicity numbly followed.

“I fear it’s in my genetic make-up. I’m destined to be like my father. I’m sorry.” He held his hand up in apparent defeat. “Please forgive me. It’s late and I’d hate to end the lovely day we spent together on a sour note.” He kissed her, chastely on the cheek. “Forget I said anything.” He let himself out.

What the hell just happened?
What did he mean by “forget what he said”? Forget that he revealed his past or forget the events they shared for the past two days. Willpower failing, stubborn tears welled in Felicity’s eyes. Why did she attract
another
problematic man?

She locked the door, ran to her room, and let out heart-wrenching sobs while burying her head deep in her pillow to muffle the sound. She sure didn’t want to disturb Jenny. Or face her questions.

Max was a deserter. A drifter. Felicity’s fears of abandonment fled to the surface.

This is
the reason he’s Hollywood’s most notable bachelor.

He’d been too selfish to face his own fears
.

Just when she thought she had a chance with a decent guy he had to go and mess things up. She wished she’d never gotten involved.

However, Felicity was already in too deep.

Max left Felicity’s house with a mixture of relief and regret. He drove the long way home so he could think. The purr of his new Porsche comforted him, and concentrating on the road gave him something to distract his mind as it whirled with conflicting thoughts.

He’d been relieved Felicity had put the brakes on their almost-sexual encounter. He was about ready to carry her into her bedroom. It took everything in his power to control his bodily reaction and be respectful. Something he hadn’t had to worry about in his usual dating life.

Accustomed to women throwing themselves at him, he rarely held back or deprived himself of carnal pleasure. He’d purposely avoided emotional entanglements, so far. Felicity threatened to change that.

And for sweet Felicity Burgess, he’d withstood more than one steel rock hard-on. But his racing heart had more to do with his confession than anything else.

Dammit! Why didn’t I keep my mouth shut? For God’s sakes.

Yet she deserved to know.

He’d have to face his demons. Or lose his chance with Felicity altogether.

If he hadn’t already.

Leaving Felicity in a confused state made him slightly sad. It’d be difficult to leave things unsettled between them before he went on his upcoming trip. Before his travels he intended to make it up to her. Somehow. If she’d let him.

And dammit to hell, maybe he needed to take the trip he should have taken a long time ago. If he tacked it onto the New York deal, maybe he could settle things, once and for all.

At home Max clicked away on his laptop searching for fun things to do with Felicity before he left for New York. He wanted to give her something to remember him by. He’d found a comedy club, live jazz band, and decided on a drive to San Diego for the last weekend. Max would have to insist on getting separate rooms. He’d keep them busy with things to do and keep them away from the sexual inevitability. Making love to her would happen, eventually, but he’d make sure it’d happen only when the time was right.

Felicity deserved all of him or none of him. He wouldn’t compromise her until he was ready.

Felicity was nothing like his Tracey. What he had with Tracey, well, it’d been merely puppy love. Still, she didn’t deserve for Max to turn his back on her. Like his father did to his poor mother. His mother then had to fend for Max and his siblings in the worse way possible by turning tricks for members of high society. She’d serviced straight, gay, bi-sexual, and did all kinds of kinky and bizarre activities. Money certainly doesn’t preclude depravity. When Max had found out how his mother supported them, despite his pleas for her to stop and his vow to take on as breadwinner, she asked him to get out.

He got out all right.

Yet the realization that Felicity could be in his life, if she’d have him, was motivation enough to put the demons to rest.

Given Felicity’s fierce independence and the probable realization that Max may not be good for her, she may not even want to give him a chance.

Felicity asked for nothing of him. Not even with the move to her new apartment. Everything she earned she did so by herself. Unlike most of the wannabe actresses and models he’d met and helped along the way.

That was it. She didn’t need him.

Yet Max feared he needed her.

The next two days following her Sunday date with Max, Felicity immersed herself with her two jobs. She tried like hell to push thoughts of Max out of her mind. To no avail. Felicity pondered on her time with Max. She daydreamed and wondered if she should make the next call.

Felicity feared she would be another proverbial notch in his belt. She’d join the long line of women he had at his beck and call.

Could she be paranoid?

He had gone out of his way to be a gentleman.

But why hadn’t he called yet?

On Wednesday morning, Felicity was at
Applaud
! Later that day Margo was due in at
Sharpen
for her in-studio interview. Max had said he wanted to be there for it. She thought of calling him.

But before she made that fatal error, her cell phone vibrated in her back pocket.
Max!
His ears must have been ringing. “Hello, there,” Felicity said in the best ‘sexy girl’ voice she could muster over her excitement.
Shoot.
She should have been cool.

“Hello to you. Miss me yet?”

Wow.
Yet she’d been afraid they were over. Felicity did her happy dance while a few members of her crew gave her a double-take.

“Are you busy?”

“Always. But I have a couple of minutes.”
Until someone screams for me.

“Good. Well, I hope you didn’t think I was ignoring you. I wanted to ask if it was all right for me to skip the interview with Margo today. I’m going to be tied up on the
Jack Forth
set and I don’t think I can make it.”

Felicity’s heart dropped. She’d looked forward to seeing him. But now his voice seemed clipped and impersonal. Sadness filled her being. Maybe they
were
over.

“I thought you wanted to be there.”

“I did. But we can review the video and edit it, afterwards, right?”

“Sure.”

“I’ve been busy putting together an itinerary.”

His rich baritone voice sent chills straight down her spine. “For what?”

“For us, silly. I want to have some quality time with you before I leave for New York. I’ve been doing a lot of planning, and I wanted to know if you’re game for a fun-packed weekend. There’s a jazz festival . . .”
She had to wait until the weekend?
“. . . and an obscure comedy off the beaten path but booked with SNL alumni.”

Okay.
She could pretend the conversation they had at the end of their last date didn’t take place just as well as he could. “Sounds good.”

“I could drop by Sharpen later tonight, if that’s okay with you.”

Struggling to maintain an even-keeled voice, she said,
“You might catch the tail end of Margo’s interview. She’s not due to arrive until six. I can never be sure with her crazy schedule.”

“When you’re through we’ll pick a bistro and chill. How does that sound?”

We!
Felicity sighed with pleasure. “I’ll see you tonight then.”

She knew she was playing with fire and she didn’t care.

Margo ran into Sharpen at a quarter-past six. “Am I too late?”

Felicity chuckled at the sight of her friend. Her snarled black curls and smeared mascara would require a full makeover. “I know it’s raining but you are in dire need of the makeup department.”

Felicity guided her to the appropriate studio.

While the makeup artist, Julie, worked on her, Margo used the time to ask about Max.

“Oh, things are fine,” Felicity said, attempting to be nonchalant.

“No they’re not.”