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CHAPTER TWELVE

JAMIE WAS READY AND WAITING FOR MAX BY QUARter of six. She wore a simple black dress with spaghetti straps, matching heels, and carried a small purse. The see-through body suit beneath it, her purchase from Sinful Delights, was strapless and hugged her tightly. After her talk with Max she wondered why she was wearing it.

She was taking a big chance, and she knew it. She was risking a broken heart. Max Holt had made it plain he didn’t know what their future held; he had not promised her happily-ever-after. But he had a hold on her heart, and there wasn’t a damn thing she could do about it.

“How do I look?” she asked Fleas, who was napping in front of a kid’s TV show since she did not allow him to watch anything with sex or violence. He didn’t budge, didn’t bat an eye. Jamie knew he was pouting because she was going out. It didn’t take a genius of a dog to realize she didn’t wear her best black dress every day.

And Fleas was no genius.

“Okay, be that way,” she said, “but I deserve a night out once in a while. It’s not like I don’t try to take you with me everywhere I go. Lord, you even go to work with me.”

Still Fleas made no movement.

“And I was going to give you another bowl of ice cream before I left. That’s two in one day for you, pal.”

Fleas suddenly raised his head. He might not be a genius, but he had learned to recognize the words
ice cream
and
doughnuts
.

“I knew that would get your attention,” she said.

He thumped his tail and pulled himself into a standing position. Jamie watched him make his way into the kitchen where he sat down in front of the refrigerator and waited.

The doorbell rang. Jamie had been so busy trying to get a response from her dog that she hadn’t heard Max pull up. Her stomach did a series of tiny flip-flops as she opened the door. Max stood on the other side looking like something off a magazine cover in a dove-gray suit and blue shirt and tie.

Several seconds passed before either of them said anything.

Finally, Max spoke. “Are you wearing anything under that dress?”

Of all the questions he might have asked, Jamie had not expected that one. “Um, not much.”

“You know, Swifty,” he said, stepping inside, “we could always stay in and order takeout.”

“You look pretty good yourself, Holt.”

“If we don’t leave soon—”

“I just need a couple of minutes,” she said. “I promised Fleas he could have ice cream.”

“Of course.”

Max followed her into the kitchen where Jamie dipped out a healthy serving of butter pecan ice cream into Fleas’s bowl. The dog never took his eyes off her. Finally, she set it down before him. “There now. He’s had his dinner, and I let him out, so he should be okay until I get back.” Jamie grabbed her purse, and they started for the door.

“Aren’t you going to turn off the TV?” Max asked.

“No, he likes having it on while I’m gone. It helps with his separation anxiety.” Max shook his head sadly as they stepped outside. He took the keys from her and locked her door while Jamie waited, then he walked her to his car. She was nervous. This seriously smacked of a date, and she and Max weren’t in the habit of dating. What did it mean? Was she reading more into it than she should? Max was right. She did too much thinking. Couldn’t she for once allow herself the luxury of enjoying herself without all the what-ifs? Just for once?

Max helped her into the car and closed the door. He climbed in beside her.

Lord but he smelled good, she thought.

They were on their way in minutes. “It’s quiet in here,” Jamie said. “Where’s Muffin?”

“She’s not feeling well so I gave her the night off.”

“What do you mean she’s not feeling well? She’s a computer.”

He shook his head. “She’s been researching all this pregnancy stuff for Dee Dee so she’s suffering the same symptoms.”

“Tell me you’re kidding.” Not that Jamie should have been surprised. Muffin had gone through menopause when it seemed as if Dee Dee were suffering the symptoms and Muffin had researched it. “That is the craziest thing I’ve ever heard,” she added.

He smiled. “So is feeding your dog ice cream in front of the TV set. It’s a strange world in which we live, Swifty.”

Max reached over and took her hand. He raised it to his lips, and his gaze met hers. “Have I told you lately that you’re beautiful?”

Jamie felt her heart in her throat. Was it her imagination or did he seem different tonight? His eyes searched her face. What was he looking for? Did he suspect the depth of her feelings? She was the first to look away. “Thank you, Max,” she said at last.

It was almost as if they’d unconsciously agreed not to discuss Luanne Ritter’s murder and their investigation as Max drove through town. Instead, he filled her in on what was happening at Holt Industries. Jamie was amazed at what she heard. Not only was Max on the cutting edge of technological research, he was involved in biomedical research and pharmaceuticals, among other things. He had offices all over the world. She listened as he described where some of his research could actually lead. It seemed there was nothing the man wasn’t interested in exploring.

Jamie arched one brow when he took the road that led to the small airport.

“Where are we going?” she asked.

“I told you, it’s a surprise.”

Jamie’s jaw dropped clear to her collarbone when Max pulled up near the runway where a medium-sized jet waited with the words “Holt Industries” emblazoned on the sides. Lights were flashing, and airport personnel hurried about. Two pilots stood near the steps of the plane, each dressed in khaki slacks and navy blazers.

“Good evening, Mr. Holt,” one of them said as soon as Max pulled to a stop and stepped from the car.

Jamie’s door was immediately opened, and the other pilot helped her out. “It’s a beautiful night for flying,” he told her with a smile.

Max held out his elbow as Jamie, still gaping, took it and walked with him toward the jet. “We’ve filed the flight plan,” the older pilot said. “We’re ready to go. Out ETA at LaGuardia is eight-thirty.”

“LaGuardia?” Jamie asked as Max prodded her up the steps leading inside the luxury cabin. He nodded. “But that’s in New York City,” she said.

“I told you I wanted to take you someplace nice.”

Jamie stepped inside the cabin and found herself enveloped in luxury. The sizable sitting area was done in a rich tan, but there were touches of navy blue that set it off.

She turned and looked at Max as the pilots disappeared through a curtain in the cockpit. “I’ve never been on a jet like this.”

“It’s perfectly safe if that’s what you’re worried about. I’ll show you around if you like.”

They took a tour of the front area first, the lavatory, a small galley, and a built-in cabinet that held a stereo, DVD player, satellite phone, and whatever else Max might need in order to relax or conduct business during his flight. Finally, he led her to the back of the plane where a small but more than adequate bedroom was situated, complete with a lavatory that included a small tub.

“Holy mackerel,” Jamie said. “It’s got everything.”

“I specifically designed it so I could rest during international flights.” He studied the look on her face. “How about a glass of champagne?” he said. “I usually have a flight attendant on board when I travel on business, but I wanted us to be alone tonight.”

Jamie smiled. She felt like Cinderella. Someone had even thought to put out a plate of hors d’oeuvres. “Except for the pilots, of course,” she said.

Max nodded. “Yes, I’m afraid there was no getting around that, but they won’t bother us. Please—” He motioned toward one of the sofas. “Sit down and relax, and I’ll open the champagne.”

Jamie did as he asked, but it was all she could do to keep from gawking. The jet should come as no surprise, she reminded herself. Any man who drove a two-million-dollar car was bound to have a nice jet.

Lord, if Vera could see her now.

She jumped when she heard the champagne cork pop. A moment later, Max carried in an ice bucket holding a bottle; in his other hand were two flute glasses. He poured them each a glass and toasted her, just as one of the pilots told them to fasten their seat belts for takeoff.

“To you, Swifty. For bringing so many good things into my life.”

She didn’t want to think what that meant. “From the looks of it, you already have a lot of good stuff.” The plane started moving.

“A man can have all the material things he needs and still be lacking. You fill up that empty space.”

Jamie couldn’t have been more surprised. What did it mean? “That’s the nicest thing you’ve ever said to me, Max.” They touched glasses and took sips of their champagne.

“Maybe I should start saying more nice things,” Max said. “Seems we spend all our time chasing bad guys.”

“You may have something there, Holt. Feels like we’re always knee-deep in trouble.”

“Yeah, but you’ll have to admit we make a great team. The bad guys don’t stand a chance.”

She laughed. “Yeah, but we’ve had our share of close calls.”

“I like that you’re adventurous.”

“I haven’t had much of a choice since you came into my life.”

“True. But you’ll have to admit I’m not boring.”

“I’d settle for boring once in a while. I’m allergic to bullets.”

“I guess I like a challenge now and then.”

“Now and then, Max? You would never be happy living a normal life.”

“What do you consider normal?”

A house surrounded by a picket fence came to mind, but Jamie suspected the thought would scare him to death. It would smack of settling down, and she doubted Max would ever be satisfied with such an existence. “Maybe there’s no such thing as normal after all,” she said after a moment.

“You know what I think?” Max said. “I think you need to be challenged, too. And you know what else? I want to kiss you.” He took her glass and set it on the coffee table in front of the sofa.

She didn’t protest as he placed his hand beneath her chin and lifted her head slightly before gently touching his lips to hers. Jamie found herself leaning into the kiss, and she welcomed it when he took her in his arms and held her close. He kissed her temple and her eyelids and pressed his lips against the hollow of her throat before capturing her lips once more.

Jamie clung to him, loving the taste and smell and feel of the man who held her. She reached up and curled her hands around his neck. The kiss deepened, and Max slipped his tongue past her lips, exploring the inside of her mouth, tasting her thoroughly. Jamie boldly met his tongue with hers. She felt him draw a quick breath of excitement.

Max gathered her up in his arms and stood, tugging off her heels as he went. Jamie knew where they were headed, knew she wanted Max Holt as much as he wanted her.

It had been that way from the beginning. Their gazes locked as Max carried her into the bedroom. He dipped his head forward and kissed her again. Just like in the movies, she thought. Once again, lips parted, tongues mingled. Jamie could feel her insides growing as soft as warm butter. For once she didn’t think about what tomorrow or the next day might bring.

She was willing to take a chance.

She felt the bed sink beneath her as Max gently laid her on the mattress. He turned long enough to close the door and lock it, and then he began removing his clothes. He draped them over a chair. He never once took his eyes off her face.

He was naked and already aroused when he joined her. He raised her up slightly, just long enough to unzip her dress, which he draped over his own clothes. “Oh, Jesus,” he said, staring at the filmy black body suit. “I’m going to buy stock in the company that makes those things.”

Once again, he was beside her, kissing her, running his hands over her body. Using his tongue, he teased her nipples through the fabric of the body suit.

“Oh, Swifty.” He smoothed one hand over her hip, her belly, then slid one finger along the lace edge of the body suit, slowly, leisurely.

Jamie moaned and arched against him. She reached for him, but he smiled. “We’re in no hurry, sweetheart. Just lie back and enjoy.”

Jamie closed her eyes as he pulled the wispy fabric from her body and kissed his way down, pausing only briefly between her thighs before touching her with his tongue. She cried out softly. He flicked his tongue lightly over her before parting her with his fingers and tasting her fully. Jamie’s breath caught at the back of her throat.

When she could no longer stand it, Max entered her, and it was all she could do to keep from crying out.

Max paused for a moment as if he needed time to get himself under control. “Damn” was all he could say in a shaky voice.

They began to move together, slowly at first, but each thrust from Max’s body brought them closer to the edge. Jamie could feel the intensity building with sweet anticipation, even as Max’s brow beaded with sweat, and he gritted his teeth in an obvious attempt to restrain himself.

Jamie was the first to feel the burst of pleasure, a pleasure so intense that she called out to Max who immediately joined her in the last frenzied moments.

They clung to each other long afterward, waiting for their heartbeats to slow, waiting for the fog of passion to lift. Jamie snuggled against Max, knowing as long as she lived she would never want another man the way she did the one beside her.

“Max?”

He pulled her close. “Yeah?”

She wanted to tell him how she felt, confess her love, but fear alone prevented it. “I’ve never felt this way before,” she said instead. There, she’d said it.

He kissed her forehead. “I knew we’d be good together, Swifty. I knew it the first time I saw you.”

It was probably the closest she was going to get to what she’d wanted; an admission of love, but Jamie said nothing. Instead, she made to get up.

Max tightened his grip on her. “Where do you think you’re going?”

“I saw a small tub in the bathroom. I thought—”

He interrupted her with a kiss. “There’s plenty of time for that.” He pulled her face close to his for another kiss.