“I’m so sorry,” Max chuckled. “You know, you don’t have to get almost naked to get my attention. You already have that, and a lot more.” His muscles were now flexed, supporting his weight on his elbows. “I promise I didn’t see anything. I mean…I’m sure there is much to see, but I didn’t see what you thought I saw, or might have seen.” He sounded really nervous. “Okay…so what I will do is…um….” He glanced around the room, seemingly looking for something.

“Max…can you just pick me up? Or maybe you can close your eyes.” The truth was, my muscles felt so weak from his close proximity that I had lost control of my body.

“Well, if you’re giving me a choice….” He didn’t finish. He helped me up with my body still pressed against his. The towel on my head loosened, and my wet hair tickled down my back, producing a different kind of shivers. “Then I’ll do it this way.”

What was the matter with me? I could’ve pulled up the robe myself, but I couldn’t move. I was enjoying his hands on my naked back, and the delicious seductive heat that blistered through every inch of me. Max didn’t seem to want to move either. He stood there, holding me, when he could’ve let go. Instead, his feather light touch smoothly glided down my spine and created more dangerous tingles. He kept on going and took hold of my robe that stopped at my waist.

“You drive me crazy. What am I going to do with you?” he whispered, hardly audible, but I heard. I also heard a low groan that sounded way too sexy to my ears.

Feeling that soft cotton rubbing against my skin, I could tell he was fidgeting with it, most likely contemplating whether to drop it or pull it up for me. As much as I wanted him to let go of it and let it pool around my feet, I was glad he didn’t, because my self-control was completely gone at that point. Gingerly, the robe went over my shoulders, and he even fastened it for me.

Still standing there body to body, he spoke without looking at me. “So…like I said.” He cleared his throat. “You may step on your robe and trip. We’d better get ready. I’ll move first.”

When he turned to reach for his computer, a cold empty space took his place. Standing there, breathless, I was immobile for I don’t know how long, until Max brought me out of it.

“Jenna….”

I turned. He was outside of my room, so I followed his voice…across from where I stood, still in my bedroom, him in his. He was topless, with a bath towel around his bottom half. Oh dear Lord! I had imagined what his chest would look like underneath his sweater or T-shirt on many occasions, and he did not disappoint. With ripped muscles along the curve of his arms and six-pack abs that sizzled, he made my dreams come alive.

“Just to let you know, you agreed to go on a date with me.”

“What? I don’t remember. Was it when I was not myself? ‘Cause that doesn’t count.”

“Everything counts, babe.” That was the third time he’d called me that. My heart did a pleasant flip, and I wasn’t sure if I liked that feeling. “We’ll talk about it later.”

“There’s nothing to discuss.”

Then I heard the water running from his side of the room. “What are you doing?”

“I’m going to take a shower.”

“I thought you already took one.”

“Babe, after what just happened, I need another one, and a lot colder this time.”

Chapter 19

Stretching and yawning, I woke up in my own bed. It felt good to be back home and see the sun again, except…I was back to reality, something that was both good and bad. Arriving late last night, Becky had already gone to bed. A part of me felt guilty for not replying to all her texts, but I knew she would understand. Then there was Luke. Not that Max and I were an item, but what I had experienced with him in New York was something I’d never felt with Luke.

Knowing this was one decision I couldn’t just decide in bed, I thought perhaps when I saw Luke again, my feelings may be stronger, since I hadn’t seen him for at least ten days. A part of me also felt guilty for texting him back only twice. Hearing footsteps sound, I knew Becky was awake. Jolting out of bed, I could not wait to see her.

Tiptoeing to the kitchen as quietly as I could, I observed her fidgeting with the coffeemaker before I could find the right time to make my move. Silently waiting…silent giggling inwardly…wait for it…wait…now.

“Becky!” I said out loud, draping my arms around her from behind.

She jerked back and panted. “Shit, Jenna. You nearly gave me a heat attack.” She squeezed me tightly, then let go and placed her hand over her heart. “I knew you came home last night, but for sure I thought you would still be sound asleep. What the…? Don’t ever do that again.”

“Sorry,” I pouted.

“Don’t pout. You look too darn cute. It makes me actually forgive you,” she smiled then frowned. “So…how was New York? Was it everything you hoped it would be?” Placing her mug under the coffeemaker, she opened the refrigerator and took out a container of eggs.

Leaning against the counter, I thought about how I would tell her everything that happened in New York, and I mean…EVERYTHING. “So, the show was fantastic.”

Becky poured the oil in the small frying pan. “That’s great.” She looked up at me. “I’m listening, okay.” She smiled. “I’m just starving. Want some eggs?”