True Connections (6 page)

Chapter Seven

Max rang the doorbell. Like an adolescent schoolboy on his first date, his palms sweated. Tugging his bowtie, he drew in a deep breath. He’d been afraid she’d refuse him. Nothing was ever predictable with Lia.

The change in their relationship gave him hope, even though she believed he was just going along with this “pact.” Instead of her usual snippy self, the soft woman he’d glimpsed the other night stole his heart. At the social, he’d seen the guys checking her out, watching her every move, and he’d been ready to drag a few of them outside. But when she’d kissed him back in the middle of the dance floor, every rude thought he’d held against his own sex disappeared.

He lifted his hand to ring the doorbell again, but the door opened and Lia smiled, emerald eyes glittering at him. His heart flipped as his gaze trailed over her. She’d dressed in an elegant black halter gown that outlined every curve, and left nothing to his imagination. Heat tore through him, inducing the caveman need to just throw her over his shoulder, carry her into the bedroom, and make love to her.

“You look beautiful.”

She patted her hair and exhaled a loud breath. “Just hope I don’t trip in my shoes.”

He glanced down at the hem of her long gown. Sparkling black sandals with three-inch heels peeked out from under the material. A rhinestone-studded strap ran across her toes and ankles. He swallowed hard at an image of Lia, naked except for the shoes. “You ready to go?”

She nodded as she picked up her jacket from the chair. He took her coat from her and held it out. Her long lashes lowered seductively as she turned to slide her arms in. The bare expanse of her back showed off her milky white skin. The cut of the gown dipped low, and his groin throbbed. Instinctively, he pressed a kiss to her neck. Lia gasped softly but leaned into him as he closed her coat around her.

He drew in a deep breath, loving the way she smelled—floral yet with a hint of strawberry. “Don’t think I want to share you tonight.”

He hadn’t realized he’d said the words aloud until Lia laughed and said, “Then don’t. Besides, the more we’re together, the better it’ll look for the both of us.”

With that, she drew the door open and walked down the hall. He followed, excitement strumming through his body, but he couldn’t stop the disappointment beating in his chest—she thought he’d asked her to the event for their grandmothers’ sakes.

Once in the elevator, he focused on the numbers, only aware of the delectable woman next to him. His hands itched to touch her, feel her bare skin against his palms, but he shoved them into his pockets.

Lia glanced at him from the corner of her eye with a mischievous smile. “So, how long does this charity event last?”

He gulped.
Too long.
“A few hours. Sometimes it can go well into the night if people want to stay.”

“Oh.” Lia shrugged as the elevator doors opened, and he led her to the entrance of the apartment building, where a black limousine sat on the curb. “We could have just driven ourselves.”

He frowned. “I don’t like driving to these functions. This is convenient.”

Lia pursed her lips. Displeasure darkened her face but she got into the back when the driver opened the door. Settling in the leather seat, he watched as she studied the length of the car.

“Your dates must love all this luxury. I’ve never been in a limo before. Except for that one time Mindy…” Sadness flickered in her eyes. She turned to the window as the driver drew the car into the street. “That one time Mindy and I had a girls’ night out on town with a whole bunch of our friends.”

“You never did tell me what happened in the city. Or why you’re truly upset that both her and that jackass are in town.” His grandmother believed she’d broken the engagement off and moved back to town because of her business, but surely there was more to the story. Nothing was ever simple when it came to Lia.

She stiffened but drew her gaze from the window to his face. “We don’t get along anymore.”

Before she could protest, he picked her off her seat and set her on his lap. Lia gasped and wrapped her arms around his neck.

“That’s what you probably tell everyone. What’s the truth?”

She glared.

“Just tell me. I’m not going to judge you.”

Her glare deepened. “Oh, please. You think everything is stupid just like my business and—”

He covered her lips with his own for the barest second.

She stared at him with a bewildered expression.

“I don’t think your business is stupid. I can see the benefits of it and how your
matchmaking
agency has made a difference for your clients. They’re good people that sign up for your company. I see that. And there’s nothing wrong with them wanting to find their significant other…” He paused. His five-year plan to success didn’t seem so important anymore. His hopes, his dreams to conquer the world didn’t matter. He had everything he wanted in his arms. The truth formed a lump in his throat.

Lia blinked. “You didn’t say ‘dating service.’”

He grinned. “I just like messing with you.”

A smile teased her lips. “Don’t think just because you kissed me, it would—”

He kissed her again. This time when he drew away, she followed him and turned in his arms, pressing her breasts to his chest. He groaned as his hand slid under her coat.

“Max.”

The sound of his name rolling of her lips sent a thrill to his groin, but he caught the insecurity in her tone. He leaned back to look into her face. “What is it?”

“Are you going to pull a Lindsay Forks after tonight?”

He frowned. “What?”

Lia gave a deep sigh. “The first time you kissed me, you pushed me away. Then we went back to the party and you were making out with Lindsay Forks. Remember?”

He studied her closely, sensing the importance in his answer. Pain flickered in her eyes before it disappeared. She’d mentioned the woman’s name before and the only Lindsay that came to mind was his ex-girlfriend, whom he hadn’t seen since the night of the party where he’d kissed Lia the first time. “She was drunk. And I wasn’t watching where I was going when she cornered me in the hallway.”

“Didn’t look like it.” She traced a button on his shirt.

He chuckled, shaking his head. “Did it bother you?”

“No, why would it?”

“Lia…” He saw through her tactic. Her pride kept her from him more than anything else.

She threw her hands up. “Yes, it bothered me. I hated you. I hated that you gave me the best kiss ever and then went straight into her arms like it meant nothing.”

Joy expanded in his chest. He wasn’t the only one doing the pining. If she could remember that, he had hope. Cupping her cheek, he drew her to face him. “I went to your house to ask you out the next day, but you were packing your bags to run off with Steve, and you threw me out.”

“I didn’t throw you out.” She pursed her lips. “I was angry. At my mother. But you—wait a minute.” She leaned back, tense. “You were going to ask me out?”

He smiled, trying to gauge the emotions in her eyes. Shock and caution shone in her expression. He tucked a strand of loose hair behind her ear and repeated the same words she’d spoken last night, after denying her fault for giving him the black eye. “You know, I don’t remember really.”

Her eyes narrowed. “How can you not remem—?”

With a laugh, he kissed her. After a second of struggling, Lia relaxed and twined her arms around his neck. He cradled her against him, touching her and memorizing the contours of her body. Sliding his fingers down her neck to her breast, he growled when he touched her hardened nipple. And she wasn’t wearing a bra. He pinched the hard nub lightly. Lia nibbled on his lower lip, before tangling her tongue with his. She tugged at the hair at his nape and moaned. He loved her softness, loved the feel of her against him.

He glided his palm over her stomach and then her lap, easing the material of her dress upward. His fingers grazed her inner thigh, until he found her center. Teasing her, he moved the patch of lace aside and stroked her slit. He toyed with her clit, circling it before pushing a finger into her tight sheath. Lia let out moan, shifting on his lap, each motion rubbing her hip against his cock. Her heat wrapped around his finger as her arousal scented the air. The need to taste her filled him. With one smooth movement, he set her on the seat and settled between her legs.

She looked at him in confusion as he reached under and drew her black lace panties down her legs. “Max?”

“Let me take care of you.”

She shook her head and started to reach for him, but he pressed a kiss to her ankle. The rhinestones of her shoes blinked at him. He realized she had freckles gracing the delicate skin above her knee. Trailing his lips up her calf to her thigh, he drew her to the edge of the seat and nuzzled the curls, then slid his tongue across her cleft, parting the delicate folds.

Her hips shot up as he suckled on her clit. His tongue danced around the bundle of nerves, stroking, teasing, tasting. Lia latched onto his hair, adjusting him to where she needed him. Her body tensed under his touch, and she finally cried out at her release. With a swipe of his tongue, he drew one last shiver from her before she went limp. He wanted nothing more than to bury himself in her, but the look of bliss on her face gave him satisfaction—almost as much satisfaction as if he’d achieved his own release.

He slid her panties back in place and readjusted her dress before settling back in his seat and drawing her back onto his lap. She curled against him with a soft sigh.

They watched the passing streetlights in silence. No words were needed. He contented himself to just holding her, waiting for his own desire to subside.

“I left the city because I wanted a new start.” She drew in a deep breath. “Mindy was my best friend…until I caught her in bed with Steve.”

Anger broke his good mood. “That piece of—”

Lia clamped her hand over his mouth. “Let it go. I’m okay. I’m just not ready to face them yet. Mindy has been calling me but I’ve been dodging her.”

He took a hold of her fingers and pressed a kiss to her knuckles. “I swear I better not see that guy or I’m going to—”

“What? We could probably just send our grandmothers after him. They’re far more dangerous than we are.”

He eased up and laughed before resting his forehead against hers. “You know I’m not going to let you go after tonight, right?”

Lia curled a hand around his nape and nibbled on his lower lip. “You talk too much.”

…

Lia couldn’t help the awe she felt as Max charmed the crowd. His charisma and confidence drew people to him. She was on her best behavior even when other women flirted with him, though she wanted nothing more than to tell them all to back off.

Anticipation and excitement made her wish they could leave already. The fact that he’d admitted to wanting to ask her out after the first time they’d kissed had soothed some of the hurt she’d carried for years, but what did it really mean for him now? He played at pretending to
like
her for their grandmothers’ sake a little too well—but could he deny the true attraction between them? She wanted this time with him more than anything, before their pact ended and her life returned to focusing on work.

“Are you bored?” His breath brushed against her ear, and she swallowed hard at the slight tremor that ran down her spine. He slid an arm around her waist as she looked up at him and shook her head. His gaze dropped to her mouth. “We don’t have to stay here the whole evening.”

She ran her tongue across her bottom lip. A warmth spread through her, reminding her what he’d done to her in the limo. Her skin still tingled from his touch. “What are you suggesting, Mr. Sheraton?”

Max drew her close to his side. “Let’s stay for a bit longer, then ditch this place. I think we’ve been here long enough.”

Sam Hawkins, one of the guys Max had introduced her to earlier, approached them with a grin. “Stop hogging your date. Didn’t you know it’s taboo to fawn over a woman in public?”

Max looked at his friend and laughed, hugging her even tighter to his side. “Guess it’s time to dance then.” He led her toward the dance floor. Once they found an empty spot on the hardwood floor, he slid his arms around her. “I love holding you.”

“I like it when you do.” She liked it too much.

He nuzzled her ear. “We can go back to your place after.”

A flush rose to her cheeks. “What did you have in mind?”

He shot her a grin. “Well, I’ve been wanting to take this dress off of you since you opened your door.”

“Really?”

“There’s this freckle on your thigh, right above your knee, that I want a closer look at. Are they all over?”

Desire roiled in her belly and she moved in closer. His eyes darkened and her breath hitched. “You’re really good at this seduction stuff.”

“Only with you.” His smile melted her insides.

She wanted to hate his suaveness, but she couldn’t stop herself from falling under his spell. Yet before she could respond…she heard a voice she’d dreaded for months.

“Excuse me, may I cut in?”

Lia glanced to the man behind Max. Her insides turned numb. The walls around her heart forged upward, locking it away. “Steve.”

Her ex smiled at Max, who openly glared. Steve’s blond hair shone under the ballroom lights, dimples deepened in his cheeks, and his head angled high. She couldn’t remember why she’d been attracted to him.
Because you couldn’t have Max, silly.
In a tuxedo like all the other men in the room, he looked small standing next to her date. She settled a hand on Max’s chest and nodded at Max. His muscles tightened under her palm, and fury blazed from his eyes. The grim set of his lips told her he wasn’t happy to see Steve. Neither was she.

“I’ll be fine,” she said.

“You sure?”

Lia nodded. She wasn’t ready for this encounter, but knowing Max was by her side gave her courage. Admitting the truth to him in the car had lifted a weight off her shoulders. It had been seven months since she’d seen her ex-fiancé. But what the hell was he doing here, of all places?

“It’s just a dance.” Steve crossed his arms over his tux as if challenging Max, who met his stare with the same fierceness.