Rated- MATURE/ADULT
Couplings- Max and Liz, possible CC later on.
Disclaimer- I own nothing Roswell, although if I did Jason Behr would be locked in my pleasure chamber as we speak.
Category- AU, no aliens and only a brief mention of Roswell.
Summary-Max is the older man that every girl dreams about, wealthy, mysterious and sexy as hell. Liz is the girl that dreams about a better life. Both have a lot of emotional baggage and one of them is harboring a dark secret that could threaten everything.
**Authors Note** This title is taken from a song by Carly Simon.
Chapter 1
“You’ve been following me, haven’t you?” He stopped and tilted his head to the side as he spoke. “Surely I’m not worthy of such trouble, especially for a pretty young woman such as yourself.”
She watched him turn slowly and smile. The smile was warm but didn’t reach his eyes. “I have been sir; you see you struck me odd back at the theater. There’s something different about you.”
He arched a dark eyebrow at her and took a couple of steps forward. “I struck you odd did I?” He looked her over and pursed his lips in thought. “What is it about me that was odd?”
“Well,” she began as she took a small step back. “for this neighborhood at this time of night I’d say you are severely over dressed. No one around here dresses like that.”
“Ah, so you intended to follow me then perhaps rob me?” She shook her head violently and watched him as he continued. “Perhaps you were going to use a weapon?” He clasped his hands in front of him and looked at her through lowered lashes. “Or could be you thought your beauty would be enough to distract me.” Once again he left his gaze wonder over her. Her hair was dark and long. Her eyes were soulful and deep. His gave lingered on her lips and on how she now chewed lightly on the bottom one.
“Hardly, I know I am no great beauty.” She sighed and shifted uneasily. “Well, I guess I’ll be on my way now. Have a pleasant night.”
“Wait!” He called out to her. “What is your name?”
“Forgive me, my name is Elizabeth Parker.” She turned at stared at the man in front of her. She wasn’t lying when she spoke of his wardrobe. He was dressed in a white button up long sleeved shirt and a pair of black dress slacks. The first thing she had noticed though when they exited the theatre side by side were his eyes and how they almost glowed.
“Well, Ms. Parker, how would you like to come with me and have a nice cup of coffee?” He waited for her response with a knowing grin.
“Um, alright. But first, what is your name?” She asked quietly as she walked toward him. He grinned lopsided at her.
“Maxwell Evans at your service.” He bowed and watched her amused reaction. “Please call me Max though. I know I’m old but the sir thing will give me a complex.”
“Yes, of course, Max.” She smiled and looped her arms through his as they headed down the dark New York street.
“You’re a very trusting person aren’t you?” He asked mildly surprised that she would let him touch her. “That’s not safe for a young woman in this city.”
“You seem like a nice person, should I be afraid of you?” She looked up at him with her big doe eyes and he shook his head.
“I’m one of the good guys.” They continued to walk until they came across a small all night diner. As they stepped into the light she became aware of how they must look together. She- a poor orphan dressed in rags and Max- an older man well dressed. If the looks they were getting from the patrons in the diner weren’t bad enough, the one she was getting from Max was. “Elizabeth how old are you?”
She looked around and tried to stop the feeling that she was being examined under a microscope. “I’ll be 18 on the 22nd of next month.” She explained as she fiddled with the napkin dispenser.
She was but a child he thought to himself. What on earth would a child as pretty as herself be doing wondering the streets passed Midnight? “What do your parents thing of their daughter being out so late?”
“Oh, my parents…” She sighed and looked up at him. “They’ve been dead since I was five.” He winced as soon as the words left her mouth.
“Please accept my deepest apologies for bringing up a painful subject.” He reached across the table and squeezed her hand gently. His skin was bronze and flawless and his fingers were long and elegant. This paled in comparison to her short stubby fingers and alabaster skin.
“Thank you.” She smiled and took a sip of the coffee that the waitress had just placed in front of her. “I want to know all about you. Like, how old you are and where you’re from. Oh, and what you do for a living.” He smiled and withdrew his hand.
“I’m 30 years old and I’m an art collector. I’m from all over really. I’m just in town looking at some perspective paintings.” He sighed. “Not much to tell. I travel a lot.”
“I’ve always wanted to travel. I’ve been living on my own since I was Fourteen and aside from just graduating from High School I work in a Florist Shop. I’m trying to save up enough money to go to college. I have good grades but it still costs a lot of money.” Money was something she had very little of. She wore the simplest of clothing. A white t-shirt with lettering that had long since faded almost completely away and a pair of well worn blue jeans. Her hair hung loosely around her face; a face that wore no makeup.
“Where do you live?” He asked as he rotated the coffee cup over and over.
She blushed and looked down. “A tiny hole in the wall about five blocks from here.”
“There’s no reason to be ashamed. You have not had anyone to look over you. In my opinion you’re a very bright and intelligent young woman.” She looked up at him with bright eyes.
“Thank you Max.” She started nibbling on her bottom lip again. “Are you married or have a girlfriend?”
“Not at the moment.” He frowned slightly and raised his hand signaling for the check. “Come, I’ll walk you home.”
“Oh no, you really don’t have to.” She dug in the pocket of her jeans and pulled out some mangled money. “I can get a cab.” She said as she placed a couple of the dollars on the table in front of her. He grabbed her hand and shook his head.
“My treat, I insist.” He smiled as she took the money back. “I would really like to walk with you. It’s a lovely night and quite honestly I would worry about you making it home safely.”
She nodded and chuckled softly. “I bet you think I’m a basket case. First I’m at a low budget theater that’s showing a sappy romance and then I stalk you and end up making you buy me coffee.”
“Not at all, I think we’re a lot alike actually, we’re both very lonely souls.” He smiled and took her hand as they exited the diner.
The walk home was made in comfortable silence until they neared her apartment. “I would invite you in, but I’m sure you’ve better things to do with your time.” She closed her eyes and frowned. “Not like I could offer you anything to drink, unless you’d like a glass of water or milk?”
“No, I’m fine thank you. I’ll be leaving tomorrow. I’ll be going out of the country for awhile. Is there anyway I could perhaps contact you?” He noticed that she had stopped in front of a rather shabby looking building.
“I don’t have a telephone or anything. If you’d like to wait for a minute I can give you my home and work address.” He nodded and waited at her front door while she jotted the information down on a piece of paper.
“I had a nice time with you tonight Elizabeth Parker.” He took her hand and brought the back of it to his lips giving it a gentle kiss.
“Same here Max Evans,” She blushed and swallowed hard. “But please, call me Liz.” He nodded and stepped down onto the sidewalk.
“Until we meet again Liz Parker.” She watched him walk off and only after he was out of her sight did she shut the door.
She sighed and laid her head against the cool hard wood. “Until then Max Evans.” She whispered into the night.
Chapter 2
The weeks soon turned to a month and Liz hadn’t heard anything from the mysterious Max Evans. For the first few weeks she had found herself practically running home from work and checking her mail. The only things waiting in her mailbox though were bills. Her life had almost returned to normal by her birthday. She had even started working double shifts at the Florists. Tomorrow she would be 18 years old. She would finally be considered an adult. She could vote, buy cigarettes and get into clubs well, in theory anyway. She had no desire to do any of those things. Her only wish was that this year she wouldn’t be alone.
“Package of an Elizabeth Parker.” The voice of the Fed-Ex driver broke her from her thoughts.
“Oh, I’m Elizabeth Parker.” Liz put down the broom she had been using and stepped toward the messenger.
“Here you are.” He handed her the small package and held out his clipboard for her to sign. “Line Forty Three please.” She nodded and signed her name.
“Thank you.” He walked out of the shop leaving a bewildered Liz in his wake.
She sat the package down on the counter and looked at it oddly. “Oh!” she jumped as the box started ringing. She tore into it and removed from the box a small cell phone. She cautiously brought it to her ear. “Hello?”
“Hello, Liz.” The voice was deep and smooth as honey. Max. She recognized it right away and her heart jumped for joy. “I’m glad you got my present. This way I’ll be able to keep in touch with you easier. I’m not much for letters.” He chuckled into the receiver.
Liz’s heart was racing. He had bought her a cell phone so he could talk to her. “I don’t know what to say.”
“Thank you works for me.” He could tell by the sound of her voice that she was overwhelmed. “I have another surprise coming for you too, but it won’t be here till tomorrow. That is your birthday is it not?”
“Mmmhmm.” She nodded, her mind still trying to process the evens that were transpiring. “Thank you Max.”
“You’re welcome. Now, bright and early tomorrow morning expect another package. This one considerably more quiet.” He explained. “You’re at work now no doubt so I’ll let you get back to whatever it is that you do.” Your cell phone is programmed with my cell number so if you get lonely just give me a call.”
“Max…” She trailed off trying to find the right words. “Max, I can’t accept this.”
“Nonsense, it’s my gift to you. Completely paid for until your next birthday-now, no more arguments.” He cleared his throat. “You know, respect your elders and such.”
“You’re not that old.” She replied automatically. In truth he didn’t look his age. Thirty wasn’t really that old, but his face and skin didn’t make him look like a man of thirty. He looked more like Twenty-Four or Twenty-Five.
“I’m old enough to know better.” He replied quietly. “I’ll talk to you later Liz, goodbye.”
“Goodbye Max.” She pulled the phone away from her ear and pressed the End Call button. Her own cell phone and she didn’t even know the number. That didn’t really matter though because no one had ever done anything like this for her before. She hurried with her closing duties and ran home. Tomorrow Max had told her she would have yet another surprise. She was so excited and yet so confused. Why was he doing this for her?
The whole time during her shower she thought about Max and what his motives might be. After drying off and changing into her pajamas she crawled into bed. She stared at the cell phone that sat on her bedside table. She couldn’t sleep and she knew she wouldn’t be able to until she at least got some kind of answer. Deciding that it was now or never she picked up the cell and scrolled through the options till she came to the phone book. There, the first and only entry was listed as, “Max’s Cell.” She took a deep breath and pressed the Call button. It rang twice before a groggy voice answered. “Hmm, yes?”
“Max?” Liz asked hopeful as she sat up in bed. She drew her knees up to her chest and sighed deeply. “I’m sorry to wake you.”
“No worries dear, what can I do for you?” Liz could hear the bed sheets rustle around him as he too sat up. She could picture him sitting here in his bed. The sheets would be black silk along with his boxers. She could feel the blush creep into her cheeks and she sighed deeply. “Liz, are you alright?”
“What? Oh!” She blushed deeply and sighed. “Yes, I’m fine, I was just curious.” She twirled a strand of hair around her pinky. “I was curious about why you’re doing all of this for me. You don’t know me Max. I may not be the person you think I am. I could be some horrible monster who’s using you.”
“If that’s the case you’d be no different than some others in my life.” He cleared his throat. “I’m sorry, that was uncalled for. Liz, I’m helping you because you struck a cord in me. You’re so smart and funny and yet you are all alone. I have a feeling with the proper guidance and counsel you would be able to accomplish a lot in the world.”
Liz closed her eyes and took a deep breath. “No one has ever had that amount of faith in me before. I don’t even think I have that much faith in me.” She laid back and snuggled under the covers. “I’m not just some charity case to you am I?”
Max could tell that even this small woman had her pride and he couldn’t help but smile. “I don’t do charity Liz Parker. If you want to think of yourself as something well, think of yourself as my project.”
“Hmm, a project?” She asked and then yawned.
“Yes, now do us both a favor and hang up. Your package should be arriving in approximately 5 hours.” Liz looked at the clock and saw that it read 1 in the morning. She could hear Max rustling with the covers. She tried to fight off the image of her earlier fantasy.
“So um, Max, what are you wearing?” She said with humor. Of all the things that could have come out of her mouth he never once envisioned that. Without missing a beat he replied back.
“Nothing.” His voice was deep and husky and it sent shivers throughout her body. “Goodnight and sweet dreams Elizabeth.” She heard the phone click off in her ear and she bit her bottom lip hard. That last comment was sure to give her some kind of dream, right?
What were her exact feelings for her mysterious friend? Any woman with a pulse could see that he was attractive. It wasn’t just looks though with him. It was his whole being, he just radiated strength, sex and intrigue. On more than one occasion Liz found herself remembering that night when they went to get coffee and with how one pointed look she could feel what no other had ever made her feel. She laid there in the bed with her eyes closed for awhile just thinking about her life before she finally fell asleep.
“I’m coming, I’m coming!” Liz darted out of bed and threw her bathrobe over her half naked body. She ran to the door and threw it open with a scowl. “It’s too early.” She stopped and stared in surprise at the man standing before her.
“Are you Elizabeth Parker?” Liz could hardly believe her eyes. In front of her was a man holding a vase of at least two dozen white and red roses. He held them and an envelope out to her. “Sign here please.” He pointed toward the clipboard and she signed her name.
“Who?” Then she remembered Max told her bright and early. Well, it didn’t get much brighter or earlier than this.
“Thank you Ma’am, have a nice day.” The delivery man walked back to his truck and Liz shut the door behind her. She carried the flowers to her small and scarred living room table.
After arranging the flowers in a way that made her happy she sat down on the couch. The plaid material had seen better days in the 70’s perhaps, but it was all she had and at the moment she was too excited and awe struck to care. She flipped the slim package over and ripped the seal off. As she blew into the envelope she was able to spy a single white piece of paper and another smaller square. “What the…?” She trailed off as she slid the contents into her waiting palm.
The paper shook in her hand as she stared at it. If she chose to do so she would be meeting Max at his vacation home in Vail, Colorado. The flight from JFK Airport left at 7:00am tomorrow and would deposit her at Eagle Co. Airport by 11:00am. Inside the small package was also a note with her name on it. She hesitated only briefly before opening it. Inside was a credit card, platinum no less, with her name on it. The letter was simple; she could only guess that the writing belonged to Max. In neat bold strokes he told her to "Go Wild," and "Pamper yourself". She shook her head and looked at the card. She was torn because she WANTED to go out and pamper herself. She wanted to go wild and get a makeover, a manicure and clothes. On the other hand she didn't know what he wanted out of her. As she was about to pull out her cell phone it started ringing. 'How does he do it?' she
thought to herself before answering.
"Has it arrived?" He asked her. The amusement in his voice was evident.
"Yes, it has but I can't just pick up and leave my job with only 24 hours notice." She sighed deeply, "This is all just too much Max."
"Liz, please indulge me. I don't have anyone else to spend it on. What's the use of having money if you can't share it?" Max desperately wanted to see her again but this time in his own element.
"I know that Max, but I'm a stranger. I don't want you to feel like you have to buy my friendship or me." She stared at the card in her hand and trailed her fingers across the gold letters that spelled her name.
"I don't. I travel a lot. I've already explained to you how lonely I get. I figure I could perhaps pay you this summer to be my traveling companion. By summers end you should have enough money to go to college." He had put a lot of thought into this. "I can honestly say that I will make you earn your money. I'm considerably moody and sometimes even downright bratty." He grinned and cleared this throat. "There will however be dull auctions and banquets that I will have to attend that I would be in need of a beautiful young woman to accompany me."
"I don't know what to say." She was for the first time in her life, speechless.
"Say yes please. I know we barely know one another, hell, you probably think I'm some creepy old man but I really enjoy talking with you." He sounded very saddened by the thought.
"First things first, you are not old and most certainly not creepy." He took a deep breath and chuckled as that left her mouth. "Now, what kind of credit limit are we looking at here?"
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