True Connections (3 page)

“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.”

“Okay.”

He lunged forward and his arms circled her. “Lia, I’m serious. You know I will always outdo you.”

She pushed at his chest again. “
Please
. I have a business to run. Why would I mess with my clients? Why would I sabotage my own business?”

He eyed her warily.

“That’s true.” His hands fell to her waist and cupped her hips. Heat radiated through her skirt under his touch. His gaze dropped to her lips. Her breath caught, and exhilaration rushed through her. The feel of him made her breathless. Warm. Hot. So natural to just rise up on her toes and press her lips against his…

“Max.” Her lips parted and her response died as he leaned in. A tingle ran down her spine. She tried to recall all the moments he’d angered her, the times he’d pulled a prank and she’d held a grudge, but her mind remained blank, aware only of his pecs under her fingertips. His musky cologne filled her senses. She couldn’t bring herself to move away. Her nipples tightened, and warmth coiled in her stomach.

The slightest brush of his lips drew a moan from her throat. She slid her hand around his nape as he tugged her closer. He deepened the kiss, and she tasted chocolate, probably from the decadent cake that had been served. His tongue mated with hers and she pressed up against him, loving the hard feel of his chest. She nipped at his mouth. He let out a soft groan.

“Stop,” she murmured. If the warning was for her or him, she didn’t know. His palm slid over her stomach to cup her breast. She swallowed a cry as his mouth trailed along her jaw to her neck, and she held on to him tighter. His thumb circled her nipple. Wondrous sensations speared through her body.
Oh, God. It’s been so long…

“Lia.” Max grazed his teeth against the sensitive spot behind her ear. She wanted to melt into him. Her fingers threaded through his hair. She wanted more. Much more.

“Oh, I’m sorry.” The female voice broke them apart.

Lia jumped and jerked her attention to the door, quickly smoothing her hair and righting her blouse. She wanted to sink into the floor. Leave town. Anything but stand here and smile at the petite brunette at the entrance. “Hi, Trina. You’re early.”

The woman’s gaze circled the room. “Sorry. I usually show up early for appointments.”

“It’s okay. Um…” Lia frantically looked around, ignoring Max, who watched her with amusement. “You can go out to the bar and get a drink or something. I’ll call you in when more people arrive.”

Trina stood still, eyeing Max. “Are you here for the luncheon?”

He took a step forward. “No, actually. I sat through the last one.”

She held out a hand. “I’m Trina.”

Clasping the woman’s fingers, he gave her a bright smile. “I’m Max. Nice to meet you.”

She returned the smile with a flip of her long hair over her shoulders, and Lia frowned. The woman was too cute and would be Max’s type if only she weren’t dark-haired. “Max is leaving.”

Trina pouted. “That’s a shame. I would have loved to get to know you better.”

He chuckled. “Maybe we’ll have the chance to.”

Lia resisted the urge to roll her eyes. She’d seen Max in action before, and she could tell he was laying on the charm. And he didn’t even have to do much. Just smile.
Damn him
. Wedging herself between the two, she smiled at Trina. “I’ll call you when the room is ready.”

Trina flicked an irritated glance Lia’s way and reluctantly headed to the door. “Okay. Nice meeting you, Max.”

Lia waited until her client disappeared before she turned on him, settling her hands on her hips and glaring. “What do you think you’re doing?”

He crossed his arms. “What do you mean?”

She waved at the entrance. “She’s not compatible with you.”

His eyebrow arched, and he gave her a pointed look. “I’d say she’s more my type than the other women I had lunch with.”

Her nails dug into her palms. Maybe she’d gone overboard, but did he seriously have to show interest in another right after he’d kissed her? Again?
Déjà vu
poked at her, and her heart hardened. “No. You’re only going to meet women who are compatible with you. So no way you’re going to hook up with Trina.”

He glanced at the door, then back to her. “I have to be attracted to the woman, don’t I? And she has to be the type our grams approve of, right?”

“Yes, and Trina isn’t it.” She swallowed hard, hating the tightness in her chest. A familiar pang of jealousy swirled in her chest. “I’ll have your secretary give you the information tomorrow for your date.”

“Fine.” His gaze caressed her from head to toe. Warmth washed over her. He walked around her to the door. “You might want to touch up your lipstick. Wouldn’t want your clients to think I had my way with you in here before the next luncheon.”

Glaring at his retreating back, Lia brought her fingers to her mouth.
Shake it off, McEvers.
She needed to do her job, and nothing was going to bring her down. Not even this disastrous attraction to Max. She had more pressing things to worry about.