Roswell Fanatics

****

Liz’s POV

For the rest of the weekend, I’m bombarded with calls and visits from Alex, Noah, Isabel, Courtney and even Kyle.

Apparently, news about Max’s declaration has spread and they all want to know how I’m doing and what I’m going to do next.

I knew my friends cared but this is a little much.

“For the last time Kyle, I. don’t. know,” I tell him.

“Can’t you give me a little bit of a clue? You gonna get together or you staying single?.”

If I didn’t know any better, I’d think he was testing the waters with me, but after Alex, none of Max’s friends would, not that I’m interested…but I feel like playing with him.

“What? You interested in me or something Valenti?”.

“What?! No!- I mean, I wouldn’t mind- but you’re off limits Parker,” he replies. “You have a way of causing ball crushing pain on a guy’s heart and I’m not looking for that. Look, Max is a friend and I just want to know if I have to prepare to get him drunk out of his mind if you’re going to turn him down.”

“I wish I could tell you Kyle, but I can’t yet. Tell you what, whatever I decide, within say the first twelve hours of breaking the news to Max, you’ll be one of the people on my speed dial,” I tell him.

“Thanks. I’ll let you get back to figuring things out.”

“Thanks.”

“Liz?”.

“Yes?.”

“Not even one clue?.”

“Talk to you later Kyle.” I hang up with a smile on my face which doesn’t last long as anxiety and uncertainty pile in.

I want Max. I’ve always wanted to be with him. What made me so brave and honest before to tell him I was in love with him, was the fact that ultimately, I knew I couldn’t have him; he was with Tess and wasn’t in love with me. Now there’s a real possibility that we could work and I’m frantically looking for reasons to not take that first step.

So far, I have nothing.

I lift Xan up from his play area and settle with him on the sofa where, on the table in front of us, are four beautifully wrapped gifts. They’re the unopened gifts, along with white roses, Max sent when he was trying to win me back.

I know why I didn’t open them then, I was hurt over what had happened of course, but not opening his gifts was another way to keep my heart safe and his feelings for me at bay.

“Let’s see what your dad got for me huh Xan?.”

He babbles back with a half smile. I take it as a yes.

Balancing him safely in my arms, I pick up a gold wrapped package, let him play with it for a little while and then start to open it.

“I wonder what it is? Jewellery, chocolate?.”

The first one is a certificate for up to four people for three visits, all to be tabbed to Max Evans, to the Ice-Cream Factory; one of my favourite places to go and sample different ice-cream combinations.

The second is a set of simple pearl earrings and a simple silver chain with a pearl surrounded by a ring of encrusted diamonds. I saw it out once when we were shopping. I said I liked it when really I loved it but couldn’t afford it. I guess my attempt at flippancy didn’t work because he noticed. He noticed and bought them for me.

My fingers are trembling as I open the third one. I’m almost afraid to see what this is and how much it cost.

It isn’t expensive, but it has a power and a charm of its own. It’s an I.O.U I made Max write the one time I managed to pin him down and keep him down at wrestling.

“I hate you”, he laughed trying to break from my grasp.

“Uh uh. You love me,” I teased.

“No I don’t.”

“Yeah you do, in fact I think I know just the thing to mark the occasion I took Max Evans down.”

“What will it take for you to never mention it to the guys?” he asked.

“A simple I.O.U.” I grinned innocently.


I.O.U

Signed by Max Evans on the day he got pinned down by a petite girl a.ka. Liz Parker.

I, Max Evans, owe you Liz Parker, lots of love and affection, smiles and laughter and edited versions of my sordid sex life.


I had him copy it so we both each had a copy to mark that momentous occasion.

With the I.O.U is another note.

Liz, I kept the last part of this I.O.U, but I still owe you lots of love and affection, smiles and laughter. Please let me.

- Max

I almost can’t open the last one, but I’ve come this far. The last one is a framed picture. One half is a picture of Max and I at the Dementia premiere, smiling not at the cameras but at each other.
The other half is of a picture I took of us, with a bubble gum balloon covering the majority of our faces. I dared him to blow and bigger bubblegum balloon than me, I had my camera handy and when it flashed, both our balloons burst covering our faces with gum.

The two pictures in the same frame are like two sides of the coin of our life- more his than mine - the glamour and the normalcy. And I’m there for both.

I place them back on the table and study them wondering how much time and effort he spent selecting what to give me, until my vision blurs.

He really did love me then.

****

I haven’t heard from Max since my birthday. I heard nothing from him during the weekend and I’ve heard nothing form him so far today.

I gotta say, I’m relieved.

I don’t know what I’d say to him if he did. I love him but I’m cautious.
Where that leaves me, I don’t know.

My door bell rings. I’ve lulled myself into a sense of security so much so that of all people, his name doesn’t even enter my mind as a possibility of being behind the door.

“Max!”.

He stands there, hands in his pockets, looking so nervously handsome that I almost say the words dancing in my heart.

But I don’t.

“What are you doing here?,” I ask. My voice comes out as a high pitched squeak and I hate myself.

“I uh, missed Xan. I know this is usually when you put him to bed, so I was wondering if I could do it,” he replies.

Duh, of course he’d miss Xan. He’s given me space but he’s also my son’s father and needs to spend time with him.

“Of course. Yeah. Sure!”

I need to take a chill pill.

“Come on in.”

“Thanks.”

My mind as I follow behind him, is a complete blank. My heart’s screaming ‘he’s here!, he’s here!, he’s here!’. I basically want to jump his bones yet have no idea of what to say to him.

I don’t want to make this awkward for him after all he’s said to me, so I’ll just fall back on the friendship angle until he brings it up. If he doesn’t I’ll leave it.

My muscles relax, that’s a good plan.

****

The plan works out pretty well. We put Xan to bed, talk about our day, goof around like usual.
Except it’s not usual because the inside of my stomach tumbles when he smiles at me. I see love in the way he looks at me, I feel it in the little touches we exchange and it frightens me. I manage to hold it together until I show him to the door and we say our goodnights.

“Well goodnight then,” I tell him.

“Goodnight.”

Yet he doesn’t go. The door’s open yet he’s not going through it.
“Listen Max, no matter what’s going on with us, I don’t want you to feel like the only time you can visit Xan is at night.” I know he’s had a busy day, but on days he isn’t… “He’s your son, come see him whenever.”

His eyes darken to molten gold as he simply stares at me. I bite my bottom lip to keep from attaching it to his. Softly, I ache for him and because I do, I can stand.

“I love you.”

I can feel the colour draining from my cheeks, my muscles slacken - I’m sure my mouth is open- and my eyes are shocked into widening.

His lips curve up at my reaction and before I can breathe again, his lips softly yet firmly mate with mine until my lungs feel like they’re going to burst.
Then he pulls away, winks and steps through the door closing it behind him.

My lips throb in need for more of him, I can feel the imprint of his touch on the areas of my skin he caressed and massaged - top half only and not on the areas I needed the most.

He knew that the bastard!

I lean against the door for balance but eventually slid down to the floor and stay there until I get my breathing back to normal, stop my lips from wanting and my body from still feeling his presence.

After I’m back to normal, I go to sleep and dream of Max.

“I’m going to kiss you now, so after this, when you go to sleep tonight, you’ll think about me, think about what I can do to you.”

The cocky son of a bitch was right. When I’m awake and aware, I can control how much and what I think about him but in my dreams, I’m powerless to stop his invasion. I dream about what he can do to me, what that clever talented tongue, quick mischievous fingers and strong and powerful body can do to me.

In my dreams and the morning after, I ache. Not softly and gently but wildly, furiously and painfully I ache and it’s all for him.

****

Max’s POV

I ring her doorbell the next evening. This time, she opens the door not with unexpected surprise, but with suspicion. Which means last night did have a effect on her and so will tonight.
I didn’t think for a second that it would be easy for Liz to just accept my feelings and want us to be together. She knows I love her now, but she’s weary that she’ll get burned again. It saddens me that I’m the one who cultivated that sort of insecurity in her.

Together, I know we can be something that will heal, help and strengthen each other; enrich our lives in ways I certainly never thought I’d find. You don’t throw away something that precious, especially if there’s a chance. From the way Liz is avoiding meeting my eyes, I know that there’s a chance.

We go through the same routine as yesterday: play with Xan, put him to bed and spend time talking about everything apart from what really matters. We talk as I help her put a new duvet spread on her bed. Once that’s done, she heads over to her drawer with her back to me and begins to rummage for I’m guessing her night clothes.

“You can see yourself out,” she tells me without turning around.

“Okay.”

I walk to her bedroom door and close it. I lean against the wall and watch her shoulders relax, her whole body visibly loosens up. She obviously thinks I’m gone because she starts to strip.

Her skirt comes off first. I can deal with that. She’s wearing cute girl boxers and sure I want to grab her ass but I can keep my desire in check.
She takes off her sweater. I’m cool, I’m fine, I should go.
Next comes the blue vest top.

She’s in a black bra and black girl boxers, the rest is naked skin.

This is perverted, I should really get out.

I watch her finger push down one strap.
My control is spiralling. Her finger rests on the other strap, ready to push it down. If that happens, I will have no control over my actions.

“If you really want me to leave, I suggest you stop there.”

Startled by my voice, she whirls to face me. Big mistake; wide eyes, hair free and ruffled, black bra with one strap off hinting at a source of pleasure I‘ve only had for one night…she is very tempting.

“That is perverted,” she spits out viciously pushing up her strap.

I would be more apologetic if I didn’t see the spark of arousal that first instant she turned.

I don’t respond yet. I can’t. I’m enjoying looking at her. I haven’t seen her like this since the day we made love.

“This image of you, will keep me frustrated and satisfied all night. I want to get every detail.”

“Oh for…” cursing , she yanks on a pair of baggy pants and t-shirt.
She’s still very tempting. It’s a mistake for her to be pissed off, it’s really turning me on.

I’ve come to accept the fact that when it comes to Liz Parker, I am a sick man.

“You should have walked me to the door,” I tell her in a sing-song voice.

“Max.” Her tone is a plea to stop my assault, but I can’t, I won’t stop if I know there’s a chance.

“You’re scared that I’ll kiss you. That you’ll kiss me back and horror of horrors, I’ll tell you I love you and actually mean it.”

A wry smile shapes her mouth. “Cute.”

“I know you are but what am I?”, I retort playfully.

Her lips curve to a full smile inspite of herself. She crosses over to me and links our hands together. “You’re handsomely arrogant,” she replies.

Then still holding my hand, she leads me to the front door.

“Goodnight.”

“Don’t worry,” I tell her rubbing her knuckles, “I won’t kiss you. Goodnight Liz.” I let her hand go and make my way out of the door and into my car.

I sit there for ten minutes waiting her shock at my change of tactics out before dialling her cell.

“Hey.”

“I love you Liz.”

“Goodnight Max.” I can hear the smile in her voice before she hangs up.

That will take me through to tomorrow.

****
At exactly 1pm, I ring Liz’s doorbell.

Today is different not just because of the smart way I’m dressed or the luggage hanging off my shoulder and in my hands.
Today is different because when Liz opens the door, she doesn’t greet me as Max or seem surprised or suspicious at my presence on her doorstep. Instead, she leans lazily against the doorframe and studies me with mild amusement.

“Going somewhere Evans?” she asks.

My smile widens at her playful tone and use of my last name. It feels like coming home, another reason why today is different.

“Yeah, I’m going home,” I reply.

“To your parents? Are you visiting? Is everything alright with them?” she asks.

Her concern steadies my thundering pulse. “Not to my parents, not visiting and they’re okay as far as I know,” I reply.

“Okay then, you going out of town? Business trip?”.

“Nope.”

“You’re going back to your house.”

“Nope.”

“Okay Evans, I’ll bite, where is home?” she asks.

I’m thankful that I have my hands full, otherwise she’d see just how much I’m shaking.

“I’m looking at her.”

Confusion furrows her brows. “What?”

“No matter how well built or equipped, a house, as my parents say, doesn’t make a home. The people in it do. So in answer to your question, home is not the house you’re in right now, but you. You’re my home Liz.”

Timeless seconds of silence pass by along with a thousand prayers.
I’ve given her time and as much space as I could. I’ve made my choice, she has to make hers now.

She does, by slamming the door in my face.

Nice.

I slip off my shoulder bag and the rest of the luggage and make myself comfortable on her door step with no doubt, a foolish grin on my face.

She slammed the door in my face.
Choice made.
She loves me.

****

AN: Hey all next part is up. If all goes well part 25 should be up on saturday.

As to why Max thinks that Liz made her choice by slamming the door in his face. This is pretty much the reason:

Akashaa wrote:. An yeah how does he know shes loves him with the door slamming, well i guess if she really didnt she could have insulted him and told him he was arrogant to even turn up at her home

Okay, more dreamer fun...or frustation



PREVIOUSLY


“Okay Evans, I’ll bite, where is home?” she asks.

I’m thankful that I have my hands full, otherwise she’d see just how much I’m shaking.

“I’m looking at her.”

Confusion furrows her brows. “What?”

“No matter how well built or equipped, a house, as my parents say, doesn’t make a home. The people in it do. So in answer to your question, home is not the house you’re in right now, but you. You’re my home Liz.”

Timeless seconds of silence pass by along with a thousand prayers.
I’ve given her time and as much space as I could. I’ve made my choice, she has to make hers now.

She does, by slamming the door in my face.

Nice.

I slip off my shoulder bag and the rest of the luggage and make myself comfortable on her door step with no doubt, a foolish grin on my face.

She slammed the door in my face.
Choice made.
She loves me.

****

Nice to meet you anyway - part 24b

Liz’s POV

I can’t believe I just slammed the door in his face, but I had to, if I didn’t…I can’t bear to think about that now.

I take deep slow calming breaths while my eyes dart around looking for an escape and finding none.

Wait. Wait for just one minute.

Max is out there with his luggage waiting for an answer from me. I can’t put it off any longer, I have to make a choice. In a way, I’ve already made it, I just have to walk out the steps.

“Okay Parker, setting aside what might or might not happen in the future, what do you want?” I ask myself.

The answer is instant, easy and scares the hell out of me, but I’m taking the risk.

****

Max’s POV

When I hear movement behind the door, I rise to my feet with my hands in my pockets so she doesn’t see them shaking. She may love me, that’s the only reason she would try to run, but that doesn’t mean that she’ll have me.

I stand there staring at the woman who has the power to strengthen or destroy me and just…wait.

When she stops biting on her bottom lip and opens her mouth to say something, my breathing is shallow enough to make me feel light-headed.

“Before we do this, I want you to know one thing…”

Did she just say what I think she said?

“…you ever cheat on me, I won’t ask for an explanation, I’ll just pack, take Xan and leave.”

Relief washes over me in waves. “I will never cheat on you Liz, you’re the only woman I want under me, around me, with me,” I tell her.

She nods with a half smile.

I make no move towards her, this has to be her choice completely.

“You should also know,” I begin, “that if you ever cheat on me-”

“I wouldn’t.”

“Well, if another Julian or Alex comes onto the scene, I’ll have to be arrested for assault and I’d have to leave you too,” I tell her honestly.

Another half smile and a few steps have her body brushing against mine. I’m sure being so close to me, she can hear my the drum-like pounding of my heart.

“There aren’t any more Julians’ or Alexs’ out there. And even if they were,” she circles my waist with her arms, “you’re the only man I want under me, around me, with me,” she grins.

“Cute.” I grin, wrapping my arms around her waist in return. “I love you Liz.”

She smiles and breaks away from out embrace to pick up some of my luggage. “Let’s get this stuff inside.”

I can’t say that I’m not disappointed that she didn’t say the words back. I know she feels them, it’s just hearing them from her, I’ll definitely know where I stand…but I won’t push her.

****

Liz’s POV

The luggage only made it a few feet into the house before Max and I dumped it for each other. I don’t quite know how it happened. One second I’m complimenting him on his light packing for someone with a lot of clothing and the next second, he’s all I can taste and feel.

Thank God we made it to the couch because I’m feeling pretty boneless right about now.

When I feel his hands under my top, burning their way upwards, I know that if they reach their destination, I won’t be able to think and there are a few things I need to say to him before we go that far again.

Convincing him however, is another matter.

“Max.”

Flaming Moses he has great hands! I’d forgotten just how good they can make me feel.

“Hmm.”

I gasp as he nips and sucks down the curve of my neck. I can’t help it, my fingers find their way into his hair and pull him closer.

“We need to stop.”

“Can’t. Want you so much.”

A white hot fist of desire punches through me as his lips return to mine and pull me back into a world of sensuous pleasure.

One more of these kisses and I’m a goner.

I place my hand firmly on his chest before those magical lips swoop in again. I make sure that his eyes are steady on mine before I speak. “I really need to talk to you.”

It’s fascinating to watch him slowly process my words through the sexual fog we created.

“Okay,” he says moving off me to give me room.

Sitting up, I pull my skirt down and fix my rumpled top. I look over at Max and can’t help but be a little proud of my handi-work. His hair is messed up and sticks up at all angles, his shirt is worse off than mine and he’s looking painfully aroused and flushed. I’m tempted to just leave the talk and take him to bed.

Almost like he knows what I’m thinking and how much I actually just want to talk, he shifts away from me slightly, though our fingers remain entwined.

I shift to face him as he patiently waits.

“When you said all those things to me on my birthday, I found them a lot hard to believe at first. Especially the idea that you loved me all this time,” I tell him.

“What about now?” he asks.

“Now, I know you love me and I accept it.”

I grin at the wide pleased smile that sweeps across his mouth. With him smiling at me like that, fuck space, I shift myself onto his lap where he is very welcoming.

I nervously play with our fingers as I talk. “You apologised for what you did to me. I now need to apologise for what I did to you. I’m sorry for leaving that morning after and making you feel like a cheap prostitute. I guess as well as wanting you and needing closure, I wanted to hurt you for hurting me.”

“You did,” he quietly tells me.

“I did.” I shift so that I can take his face in my hand. “And I’m sorry. I’m also sorry for lying to you about Xan when you came back into my life again. I was just being a coward.”

His fingers find mine again, he brings our joined hands to his lips. “All apologies accepted.”

I don’t know what I did to deserve him, but I’m not letting him go anytime soon.

“Of all the girls you’ve been with, it still surprises me that you chose to love me. I’m not sure when I’ll get used to that. And you probably know this by now, but I’m not perfect.”

“You really?”, he teases.

I plant a quick kiss on his lips. “Don’t be a smart ass. But really.
We do the friendship thing really well Max, but when deeper than platonic stuff happens between us, that blatant honesty and banter we enjoy in friendship gets left behind. I want it with us this time around…which is why I should warn you that I’m bound to screw up with us somewhere down the line, hurt your feelings, maybe act like a brat, a little jealousy thrown here and there, I can be a mess sometimes.”

It isn’t easy but I had to tell him. He needs to know exactly what he’s letting himself in for.

“Liz, you know I’m not perfect either,” he tells me.

“Yeah, but you’re so mature and so responsible now,” I tease.

His response to that is a long breath-stealing kiss. “Don’t be a smart ass,” he grins at me. “We’re in this together Parker, for better or worse.”

“You throw in ‘til death do us part and we are so over,” I joke.

“Maybe later,” he shrugs. “I love you Liz, the good and the bad, I’m with you.”

The tenderness with which he says those words coats my throat with thick emotion. “Ditto,” I respond. I have to clear my throat before I can speak again. “Can I say something else?”.

“Blatant honesty,” he reminds me.

“I feel like I haven’t pulled my weight in this whole bizarre relationship deal we have or had going.”

“How so?”.

“Well, granted we were on the outs at the time, but you sent me presents, went to lamaze classes with me, shopped with me, had me live with you and threw an incredible party for me-”

“All because I love you.”

“I know. I feel like I should give something back.”

He glances at his watch and then back at me, his mouth curves into a small grin. “Well, I have an hour and a half before my meeting…” he takes one of my fingers into his mouth and starts to suck on it. I’m surprised to feel myself go damp.

From Max sucking my finger? It’s definitely been a long time.

“…I can be late and you can start to give something back.”

Fighting back my desire have him suck more than my finger, I pull it out of his mouth.

“You’re easy to please.”

“Only when you’re doing the pleasing.”

His husky voice sends shivers down my spine.

Damn it where was I?…oh yeah…giving something back.

“I’m flattered, but I was thinking something harder.” His eye brow lifts.

Oh right. Maybe sitting on his lap wasn’t such a good idea.

“Um, no pun intended there…something like a date,” I finish.

“A date?.”

“Yeah. We’ve never really had a proper date. Let’s do something kind of right before we’re officially together. Let’s go on an official date. And since it’s supposed to be me giving back, I’ll sort it out.”

“A date’s not exactly hard work,” he comments.

He is kidding right?

“Hey, when was the last time you asked someone out and finished out a date for purposes other than one-night stands?” I ask.

He opens his mouth but nothing comes out.

“I thought so,” I respond smugly. “The whole date thing is very stressful,” I explain.
“I mean, there’s working yourself up to asking the person out; what if they say no or more nerve-wracking, what if they say yes? Then there’s the date itinerary: where to go, what you’ll wear, planning back up conversation topics if you run out of things to say. Then, if all goes well, there’s that walk or drive home; will you get a kiss goodnight or not? Will you be invited up for coffee or not? Do you make plans for another date?-”

“Whoa.”

“Yeah. As we’re reversing roles here, you can see why I have a lot of freaking out and planning to do,” I tell him.

“Apologies.”

“You’re forgiven.” I shift around so that I’m comfortably facing him. “So…um Max. I..um was wondering if you wanted to um, do something tomorrow night with me, us, together…like a date,” I ask playing the role.

“I’ll have to check my schedule,” he replies.

Oh really?

“Let’s see how I can help you with that.” I change positions now so that I’m straddling him and without a second’s hesitation, I grab a handful of his hair and direct his mouth to mine in a persuasive, viciously hot, maddening kiss that has me shamelessly grinding into him to relieve the ache building inside me.

Because this isn’t about me right now, I struggle back panting and still wanting, always wanting more.

I have to chuckle at the dazed look in his eyes and breathless movement of his chest.

“Tomorrow sounds good,” he manages.

“Great.” I shift round back to my previous position. “8 o’clock okay?.”

“Perfect.”

I can still feel heat coming off him in waves, I feel it in his tone of voice when he utters my name and I have to stop myself from yielding.

“I think you should be heading out to that meeting don’t you?” I ask hopping off his lap.

He looks at me blankly for a moment before recognition occurs. “Yeah, I guess.”

We make arrangements for tonight as we walk to the door.

“I’ll be home around six,” he tells me.

Suddenly shy, I stand on my tip-toes and kiss him chastely on the lips. “I’ll see you then.”

I watch him head to his car, watch him open the door. And then because I know I haven’t said it yet and that he needs to hear it, I call out to him.

“Max!”.

He looks up. “Yeah?.”

I take a breath. “I love you.”

Saying the words, hearing them come out of my own mouth, makes it real for both us I guess because instead of getting into the car, Max shuts the door and breaks into a run towards me.

I meet him halfway. We stand an arms length away, smiling hesitantly at each other.

“What did you say?” he asks me.

“I love you,” I reply.

In the next instant, his arms are around me, twirling me around before setting me back down. I only manage to take a breath before his mouth crashes hungrily against mine, a moan lodges in my throat as his tongue explores the recesses of my mouth, tugging at the need buried deep inside of me. Then before it breaks out and overflows, my mouth is free and Max’s forehead is pressed against mine.

“I really needed to hear that,” he tells me.

“I know,” I respond between oxygen collecting pants, “I really needed to say it.”

“Do I have to go?” he pouts.

I capture his lips in a vibrating kiss before letting him go. “I’ll be here when you get back.”

He reluctantly heads back to his car.

“Parker,” he calls.

“Yeah?.”

“I love you.”

My heart jumps as if it’s the first time he’s said those words.

“I love you too Evans.”

I like saying the words. I like hearing them from him, especially because I didn’t have a lot of hope that I would.

****

****

Max’s POV

Tonight, after we put Xan to bed, Liz doesn’t show me to the door, instead, she leads me to the living room where we’re going to talk some more. I sit comfortably on the couch but she doesn’t follow my lead. Instead, she stands there fidgeting.

“Everything okay?” I ask.

“Yes and no,” she replies.

“I’m confused.”

Confused and so desperate to be with her that it’s painful.

“Everything’s great that we’re together, but I’m a little scared about this because, I really don’t know what to do with you.”

I can think of a couple of things and all would include us naked, but I have a feeling that’s not what she’s talking about. I hold out my hand to her. She takes it and allows herself to be pulled down next to me.

“I’m a little scared too,” I tell her honestly. “This isn’t some trivial relationship, we both know that.”

Her head rested on my shoulder, I feel her nod her head. “That’s a lot of pressure there. I don’t know how to have a romantic relationship with you Max.”

“Hey.” I shift so that I’m looking down at her, “we don’t have to rush. It’s still you and me, Parker and Evans. We’re still the same. We’ve got a friendship to build our relationship on. We’ll take it slow.”

“Slow’s good…but not too slow.”

I lower my lips to hers, my body flushes hot when we make contact. “Definitely not,” I murmur as I nibble my way down to her throat. She tastes so sweet, so Liz. Hot need courses through me as our lips brutally mate, her hands sneak under my shirt charging every inch of skin she touches.

“Bedroom,” I mumble against her mouth.

“Nu uh,” she replies breaking away. “You’re on the sofa pal.”

It takes me a minute to get past her ravaged look and process what she just said.

“What?.”

Sofa? As in no sex tonight? Is she trying to kill me?

“Yeah,” she nods, standing up. “Sure we’ve modified the order of the dating rule book, but I’d still like to throw in a no bedroom activities until after our official date rule.”

Sheer restraint is what’s stopping me from dragging her to the floor and pounding into her here and now.

“I’ll behave, I just want to share your bed,” I tell her.

“No go buddy.”

“I’ve slept in your bed with you before,” I argue.

“Once and let me remind you that it was without my knowledge until morning when realising you were there, kicked you out.”

“You’re a hard woman, Parker.”

A hard sexy woman who‘s currently staring at the tent in my trousers which tells her just how much I want her.

She cocks an eyebrow. “And you’re a hard man, Max, pun intended. I’ll go get you some sleeping stuff.”

I watch after her wistfully. I can wait another day.

****

Liz’s POV

I should really make my presence known.

Make my presence known where you ask?

Well, after picking up sheets, a duvet and pillows for Max, I made my way back to the living room but didn’t make it in all the way.

Why?
Because I stumbled upon the gorgeously toned Max Evans, undressing and I’ve been here ever since.
His jacket’s off, his shoes, socks and trousers are gone too. And yes, I was there fore each removal.

I can’t help but lick my lips in anticipation as he peels his shirt off.

This is why I can’t share a bed with him tonight. It’s enough that I’ve told him I loved him, I need a break before actually having sex with him, which is exactly what would happen if he was sleeping beside me. Since we’ve cleared the air, there is absolutely no way I’d just lay next to him without taking full advantage of the fact that he’s mine.

I realise that watching him take off his clothes is a bit perverted, but hey, he watched me strip, fair’s fair. Which is why I can’t let him take off the boxers.

I clear my throat making my presence known and act as if I just walked in.

“Enjoy the show?” he asks with a wicked grin.

Busted.

“You know I was there?” I ask embarrassed.

He turns to me. My body flushes with need at the sight of his naked torso.

Damn, I need to hold it in.

“I could feel your eyes burning into me,” he replies.

“Right well, here are your sleeping things,” I dump them in his hands avoiding eye contact.

Need for release is brutally knowing at me, if I can make it to my bedroom, I’ll be fine.

“Liz.” The need in his tone calls out to mine and has me stop and turning back to face him.

Damn it.

“I need something,” I hear myself tell him.

Not knowing that he is in imminent danger from being seriously mauled, he covers the space between us.

“What do you need?.”

To go. To sleep. Away from here.

“I need.” I can’t think straight, he’s too close. “I need.”

He tilts my chin up so that our eyes meet. “What do you need?.”

He tucks a stray strand of hair behind my ear and with that small action, I snap.

I jump him, literally. I wrap my arms around his neck, my legs around his waist and attack his lips relentlessly.
Heat, his and mine mixed together is an explosive combination. His moans fuel my assault as my teeth graze the curve of his throat. We tumble back onto the couch and I can’t stop.

My senses are clouded by the taste of his tongue massaging mine. I shiver in reaction to the silent hum of passion I feel as our bodies rub against each other seeking relief.

I draw away when the ache and frustration that had built up subsides. “I’m good now.” I pat his cheek fondly before climbing off him. “Goodnight.”

He reacts quickly, pulling me back down to him. “Liz.” I arch into him when he grabs my butt. “I need you.”

“Ditto,” I respond. I capture his lips for a drugging kiss before breaking away. “But after our date,” I firmly inform him.

“You’re a tease Parker.”

Quirking an eyebrow, I slowly and purposefully grind into him, grinning as his eyes darken with a primal heat. “A tease is someone who works you up but has no intention of following through. I intend to follow through Max…” Nipping his lower lip, I climb off him again. “…just not tonight.”

****

Max’s POV

It’s never been like this with any one else before. I’ve never wanted anyone in every possible way, the way that I want Liz right now.

She’s a playful little minx, I’d forgotten that. Tonight, she’s certainly reminded me.

“In that case,” I respond, getting up, I follow her down the hall with images of what I can be doing to her right now assaulting my mind.

She stops and turns to me. “Where are you going?” she asks.

My initial response is a frustrated growl. I don’t think I’ve ever growled from sexual frustration before, but the girl gets me worked up and leaves me high and dry, then she wonders where I’m going?

“Cold shower,” I mutter before brushing past her.

I’m sure I hear her giggle before she disappears into her room.

I will definitely have to pay her back for this stunt.

AN: Hey all, next part is up.
Arianneleigh: welcome to the fic

And for all my regulars out there, this next part is definitely for you...cementing not in full yet, but we're getting there , so enjoy....


PREVIOUSLY

Max’s POV

It’s never been like this with any one else before. I’ve never wanted anyone in every possible way, the way that I want Liz right now.

She’s a playful little minx, I’d forgotten that. Tonight, she’s certainly reminded me.

“In that case,” I respond, getting up, I follow her down the hall with images of what I can be doing to her right now assaulting my mind.

She stops and turns to me. “Where are you going?” she asks.

My initial response is a frustrated growl. I don’t think I’ve ever growled from sexual frustration before, but the girl gets me worked up and leaves me high and dry, then she wonders where I’m going?

“Cold shower,” I mutter before brushing past her.

I’m sure I hear her giggle before she disappears into her room.

I will definitely have to pay her back for this stunt.


Nice to meet you anyway - part 25a

Max’s POV

Getting ready for the date is kind of awkward as we’re living in the same house. I could easily have got ready at my own home, but then I’d have missed out on all the fun.

We actually had a five minute debate on who should have the shower first.

“Well since usually, I, the girl asked by the guy, would have priority in the having the guy wait for her department and since our roles are reversed,” argued Liz, “ I’ll go first, so that I’ll be waiting to pick you up.”

“Liz, this switching roles thing-”

“I’m serious.” With her arms crossed and mind made up, she was definitely not one to argue with or piss off before our date.

“Fine,” I acquiesced, “but if you hand me a bouquet of flowers and tell me I’m beautiful, we’re switching back.”

“What if I get you a bouquet and call you handsome instead?”. She was dressed in shorts and a stringy clingy top when she asked that playful question. Xan is in Noah’s and Linda’s hands for the night, I could have had her there and then, but this date is important to her, so I hurried into the shower instead.

The deal is, she’ll pick me up at 8pm in the living room. Right now, I’m in Xan’s room, just putting the finishing touches to my outfit. I don’t know where we’re going, the only hint she gave as to what to wear was, dressy-cas. After dating Tess, I think I’ve got a handle on what means.

“Max, I’m headed to the living room, awaiting your arrival,” she sings out.

The only hint I get as to what she’s wearing is the sound of heels, but you could wear them with anything…or without…

I shake away the mental picture.

“Be right out!”, I call out.

I hastily finish buttoning up my shirt. She told me she liked it once, when she was rifling through my clothes room. Even though I’m not organising the date, even though I am in fact the date in this scenario and even though she already knows me, I want to impress her, make her smile and laugh and have a good time - which is why I don’t keep her waiting. I’m ready; a quick check on my outfit: black slacks, deep maroon shirt, black jacket. I look good.

****

And so does she. She looks better than good, she steals my breath away. Her hair is up again, like it was for her birthday, with loose tendrils spilling bewitchingly around her face. She’s wearing something that brings out her eyes and gloss on her lips that has me stuffing my hands in my pocket to keep from reaching out to her. She’s wearing a set of pearl earrings and delicate necklace …they look perfect on her and sort of familiar…

I follow the shape of the necklace down the v neck plunge of her thin strapped pink v-neck top and- oh dear God, I can see her nipples protruding against the fabric.

She’s not wearing a bra!

How am I going to make it through the night?

The skirt works in my favour as it dances just above her knees. If it was any shorter, Liz would have to give up hopes for us making it through the entire date. She tops off the outfit with delicate white strappy heels.

The over-all effect is jaw dropping, there is nothing overtly sexual about the outfit, but it hugs her in the right places, hints at what lays beneath and the choice of colour, pink and white creates a sense of alluring innocence that-

“Max.”

“Huh?”.

Did I just spend all that time thinking about what she’s wearing?

“This is the part where I’m supposed to say ‘you look handsome tonight’,” she teases.

Her smile is so magical.

“Oh thanks, umm…”

Get functioning Evans.

“…so do you- beautiful, I mean, really beautiful.”

Her eyes light up. “Thanks.”

I have no idea what she’s thinking behind those eyes, but if it’s the same as me, we’re not leaving this room.

“You’re in luck, no bouquet, just a compliment.” She crosses over to me, crosses over into my personal space and fingers the bottom of my shirt.

My stomach muscles tighten. I swallow hard when she lifts her eyes up to mine.

“I like the shirt.”

Her eyes are a darker shade of brown, not just brown, a kind of dark chocolate brown with specks of gold.

“I know,” I tell her.

Her lips curve into a small smile that draws me to her. I pause when our lips are within millimetres of meeting wanting her to make up the rest of the space between us.

“You get the compliment and a kiss.” Her lips near mine, but instead of reaching their assumed target, they quickly touch upon my cheek. She steps back with a quick grin. “Let’s go.”

****

I spend the time it takes for us to make it to her car getting myself under control.

True to her role, she opens the passenger door for me. Before I slip in, I turn to her. “Liz?.”

She really must know this, but I have to ask.

“Hmm?”.

“Are you trying to kill me?”, I ask.

Her eyes go wide with surprise. “What? No…,” her lips curve up, “…if I was, I’d do something like this…”
Before I can think, our bodies are pressed together, our mouths brutally search and enjoy each other. I feel like someone is sending charges from a live wire through me. Then all of a sudden it’s gone.

“…but I’m not.” She companionably pats my chest.

“Max!”.

I look around for the source of the voice and find her sitting in the driver’s seat looking up at me with a concerned expression which doesn’t quite reach the eyes. Those are dancing.

Damn, how long was I gone for?

“Are you okay?” she asks.

I slid into the seat next to her. “I’m going to pay you back Parker,” I warn her.

“Pay me back for what?” she asks all wide-eyed and innocent.

I can’t help but smile absolutely delighted with her.

****

Car conversation is definitely not awkward, we talk about Xan; he’s staying with Noah and Linda, he’s familiar with them, they’ve looked after him a couple of times, plus a school teacher and a paediatric doctor - we figure they’ll handle him, but still, we call anyway to check up on him and make sure everything’s fine. Then we argue about what music to play during the drive and generally forget that we’re on a date until we pull up to our destination.

“The Observatory?” I ask surprised.

“Come on,” she grins as if it’s no big deal.

The Observatory is an exclusive club and restaurant. I’ve never been to the restaurant section but I used to frequent the club part with Michael and the guys. If you’re not anyone famous or rich, you stand in line, so I’m guessing short notice reservations aren’t just arranged for anyone. I’m dumbfounded as Liz hands the keys to the valet and leads me down to the entrance.

The heavy set bouncer/security guard at the door verifies the reservation on his list before letting us through.

****

The Observatory Restaurant, is two floors of pure warm elegance. Softly and intimately lit, with tones of mahogany, browns, reds and greens, I can see why Liz chose it. The walls are decorated with beautiful paintings and photographs of famous and ordinary people.

The maitre de leads us upstairs to our table, which is in a private secluded area.

“There are probably a couple of people who know you or vice-versa, so I got us a private area. Hope you don’t mind,” she tells me once the maitre de leaves us to decide our drink of choice.

“No. Liz, this place is really exclusive, they don’t just let-”

“Lowly non-famous people like me in as opposed to the famous and talented Max Evans?” she interrupts.

“Well…”

She laughs pleasantly with a wave of her hand. “Don’t worry about it. You’re right. Maria, the girls and I have been here a few times,” she tells me as if that explains it all.

“Still, how did you swing this at such short notice?.”

She leans over the table conspiratorially. “I promised to do a favour for Rath, the owner.”

Before I can ask her what kind of favour, a tall, well dressed guy approaches our table. Completely ignoring me, his eyes are on Liz.

“Lizzie!”.

“Hey Rath.” She smiles and gets up to greet him. Not with a hand shake but with a heart felt hug.

I have to do a double take at the familiar body language they’re exchanging. Liz has never mentioned Rath.

“How are you?,” she asks him, “gorgeous as always I see.”

Is she flirting with him?

“Oh look at you,” he gushes taking a step back to study her. “You look amazing.”

I’m waiting for an introduction sometime soon- is she blushing?!

“How long has it been? Five months since you gave birth and none of this extensive gym, diet stuff?” he asks her.

“Nope,” she shakes her head proudly.

“Love it.”

He touches her stomach and runs his hands way too causally down her hips. If Liz wasn’t acting like it’s normal, this guy would be on the floor about now. But I’m giving him and her the benefit of the doubt.

“Very nice,” he adds.

“I take it you still want me?” she asks in a voice that’s all charm and tease.

I must be in some twilight zone thing or in some dream-like coma because this isn’t happening.

“Hell yes!, I can’t wait to get my hands you and- oh my God!”.

I think it’s a great testament to my powers of self-control that I don’t punch the guy senseless when he proceeds to grab my girlfriend’s breasts.

“Your tits are in great shape!”.

“Thanks,” Liz beams.

I really should be waking up anytime soon.

“Braless?” he asks.

“Uh huh.”

I’m not waking up.

I watch flabbergasted as he looks at her breasts with intensity. “Dollups of very tasty ice-cream,” is his final assessment.

Liz rolls her eyes and playfully smacks his arm. “Rath,” she turns to me.

Finally!

“…this is my date for tonight, Max Evans.”

****

Liz’s POV

“Pleasure to meet you.” Rath extends his hand and Max…looks like he wants to chop it off before he finally shakes it.

“Same to you,” he responds.

The handshake goes on a bit too long and from Rath’s confused and pained look and Max’s vengeful one, I don’t think it’s a good thing.

I am seriously considering stepping in when Rath’s pager goes off. “Business calls,” he explains. “Interesting meeting you Max.”

He turns to me. “Liz,” he kisses me on both cheeks, “in case I don’t see you tonight, have a good one. Call me, we’ll make plans and you can also tell me why your date wants to murder me,” he adds in a low voice.

“Sure,” I tell him.

I settle back into my seat and directly after, a bottle of house white and non-alcoholic wine are brought to our table.

“We didn’t order this,” I tell the waiter.

“Mr Elridge ordered it for you,” he explains.

That brings a smile to my face. “That was sweet of Rath don’t you think?” I ask Max.

“Yeah.”

Okay. One word answer and in a tone that could kill someone, what’s up with him?

I wait until we place our orders and are left by ourselves before speaking.

“Okay Evans, spill. What’s with the attitude?”.

“What kind of favour are you giving Rath?”. His tone is lethal ice that immediately has my brows furrowed.

“What does it matter?”. I try out Maria’s tactic. “Yours is not to question but just to enjoy.”

“It matters when that guy gropes you in front of me, when he runs his hands all over you and fondles your breasts and you let him!”.

I’m confused for a moment, trying to work out what he’s thinking.
Then it hits me.

“You think I promised Rath a sexual favour?” I ask.

“What else am I supposed to think?”.

I’m fascinated by violence in his eyes. All over Rath?!

“Do you know anything about Rath?”, I ask.

“Just what I saw now and I’m not likin it.”

“Oh.” I can’t help but chuckle and that definitely doesn’t help his temper. “You were jealous?.”

“Beyond jealous,” he replies. “I wanted to kill the guy especially because you just let him touch you. That hurt.”

Oh. I sober up.

“Max,” I take his hands into mine. “Rath isn’t interested in my body that way. First off, he is very gay and secondly, he’s an artist. He’s a freelance fashion photographer, painter and potter. He co-owns this place with his sister Lonnie. This is more hers than his, he owns a store where he sells off his work. He’s been wanting to do something with me for a while and so far I refused,” I shrug, “I was a bit shy. Thought I’d sacrifice my shyness for a table booking.”

I’m relieved when he visibly relaxes.

“That touching,” I continue, “I’m a muse to him, he was just being an artist and the fondling? He didn’t fondle, just touched. He’s a friend Max, a really nice guy, who is interested in other guys.”

“He didn’t seem gay,” he grudgingly tells me.

“Not all gay men exhibit hyper femininity, you know that. I’m sorry you were hurt, I thought you knew who Rath was. He’s pretty famous,” I add

“I suddenly feel very foolish but I didn‘t like him touching you like that especially in front of me.”

If my heart could sigh, it would.

“I am sorry about that, I really thought you knew,” I tell him. “It was sweet that you were jealous.”

He blushing. It’s so cute.

“Yeah well.”

He is so sweet. I feel like taking his face between my hands and kissing him stupid, but I just squeeze his hands instead and while crossing my legs, brush against his.


Almost like a flick of a switch the atmosphere between us changes.

“Liz, I feel nervous about this, give the fact that we have a child together, that’s kind of weird isn’t it?”

“Since I’m not weird and I’m nervous too, that makes it strangely normal,” I answer.

“Strangely normal,” he tries it out. “I like that.”

“Yeah, me too.”

****

****

Dinner goes well after initial nerves. We pass on dessert because I’m taking us somewhere else for that.
When we leave, paparazzi cameras are there to say goodbye to us. In all the drama getting to where we are now, I forgot about what a romantic relationship with Max Evans included.

I drive us to our next destination where I suspect we’ll have less privacy, but this is the man I want to be with, everything else is just…not worth not having him.

“The Ice-cream Factory?” he asks.

I turn on the overhead light and flash him the certificate. “Dinner was on me and so could dessert, but I figured you’d appreciate my use of this for us more,” I tell him.

His dazed eyes meet mine. “You never mentioned opening them,” he comments quietly.

“I didn’t ‘til recently. Come on,” I unfasten my seatbelt and open my door, “lets go get crazy brain freeze sampling flavours.”

****

Max’s POV

I feel like a kid in Ice-Cream Factory. Scratch that, I feel like some of the other teenage couples in the booths around us; talking, making jokes, sampling each other’s ice-cream. Being with Liz makes me feel, light, reckless and free.


We have about an hour to ourselves before we’re approached by two girls who ask for my autograph. I dutifully sign under Liz’s amused gaze.

“Are like on a date?” one of them asks afterwards.

Liz’s laughter at the fish like movements of my mouth has me blushing.

“Yes,” she covers her hand over mine, “he’s on a date.”

Pride fills me to hear her say those words.

I’m Liz Parker’s date. How cool.

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, the girls head back to their table.

Liz leans over and pinches my cheeks. “You are so cute.”

“Cut it out,” I grin.

“It’s so weird that I’m in a serious thing with an actor, a famous actor who signs autographs for people,” she shakes her head as if mystified as to how that happened. “Weird.”

Because she’s smiling, I take it as a good weird, but still…

“Not weird,” I correct her, “strangely normal.”

“You think you’re so clever don’t you?” she asks leaning into me.

“Oh yes,” I follow her movements and kiss her once, twice, “I think I’m very clever.”

One more kiss and I’m lost in her until the sound of blood rushing in my ears and painful lack of air breaks us apart.

“How about we call Noah and check on Xan, have one more ice-cream and then we go?” she suggests.

I think at this stage, we need to prioritise.

“Call Noah, skip the ice-cream, then we go,” I amend.

“Okay.”

****

We set up a no touching or looking at each other rule for the drive home. We even stop talking, because, at least in my part, the sound of her voice is too much of a temptation. To me, it’s hours until we pull into her drive, but even at the door, Liz somehow manages to slip back into the date role.

“Since you’re staying here too, we should say our goodnights in the living room,” she tells me.

It takes me a few seconds to work out what her fascinating moving lips are saying.

“Okay.”

****

In the living room, we stand a distance from each other.

“So, I had a great time tonight Max.”

“Me too,” I tell her closing in on the space between us.

“Maybe we could do it again sometime.”

Does she realise how enchanting she looks in the soft light?

“That’d be good.”

“Good, I’ll…call you.” A kiss on the cheek as fleeting as a breeze, “Goodnight” and she’s gone.

“Liz,” I call out.

There is no way, I’m letting her walk out on me.

She pauses and turns.

“You want to hit the kitchen for some hot chocolate?” I ask.

“Sure,” she grins.

And with that I understand the fact that she was waiting for me to make the offer.

****

Minutes later, twin mugs of hot chocolate no longer hot, Liz sits on my lap, our lips attached to each other and hands exploring over and under clothing.

It’s all relatively tame until Liz changes tactics on me. She shifts from sitting to straddling me, her sensuous movements create friction between me and her sinuous and limber body. At the same time, her heated kisses stray from my mouth to my pulsating neckline.

“Liz-oh”. I think my eyes just rolled to the back of my head.

I don’t know what she’s doing to me with her teeth, but I don’t want her to stop anytime soon.

“We need to go to my bedroom, you won’t last here,” she murmurs as her lips skim my jaw line.

“You insulting my stamina Parker?”, I breathe out the words.

“Oh no.” Her sultry laugh entices my hands to exploring the bare flesh under her skirt. “I know first hand how strong your stamina is.”

“Then…”

We both bite back a moan when she nips my bottom lip and my fingers brush over her fabric covered nipples.

She sits back grinding deeper into me. “I guess I should come clean Max, I aim to seduce you tonight.”

The desire burning in her eyes, adds more fuel to mine. “I’m easy when it comes to you Liz,” I tell her.

“Not too easy I hope,” her fingers sneak into and past the waistline of my slacks, “because I plan to work you Evans,” I shudder under her touch and ache when she pulls, “plan to have my slow wicked way with you. If we start now, our legs won’t be strong enough to take us to my room.”

Sitting upright, taking back control, I hungrily ravage her lips, sink my teeth into her warm flesh and am on the verge of completely losing it, when I manage to pull back.

“Ah…you get to work me, but I don’t get to have my wicked way with you?”.

It must be a miracle that I can form a sentence with what she’s doing to me.

“Hmm,” taking a break from nibbling my earlobe, she leans back to look at me, “good point. How about, I have my way with you, then you have your way with me,” my gut tightens at the mischievous gleam in her eyes, “and then, we have our way with each other?.”

“It sounds…very democratic,” I reply.


She flashes me a bright smile. “I like to think so.”

Sliding off me in a torturously slow way, she offers her hand to me.

“Shall we?.”

I watch her for a moment, eyes brilliantly bright and heated, lips bruised and swollen, she pulsates with an energy that draws me to her, that claims me as hers and only hers and I’m blown away at how lucky I am.

“Indeed, we shall,” I reply.

****

She has the most beautiful hands, I think to myself as she slowly works open my shirt buttons.

I help her shrug it off me, tense as a strung up bow, I sand under her scorching gaze. My muscles quiver under her touch as she curiously explores my torso.

“You treat your body well, I like it.”

I gulp down empty air when her hot tongue swipes across my flesh. When she eases me to sit down onto the bed, I don’t protest. My eyes close of their own accord to keep control of the dangerous throbbing through my system to have her as she undresses me completely. Her job done well, she stands up to study her handiwork below the waist. “Why Mr Evans, looks like you’re happy to see me.”

“I’m always happy to see you,” I respond in a tight voice. “Liz.” I reach out to her. She dances away from my grasp.

“You’ll get your turn,” she playfully scolds.

I nearly explode when she unzips her skirt and tosses it aside to reveal a white lacy thong to match the strappy heels. She hesitates when taking off her top.

“What’s wrong?” I ask her.

“You haven’t seen me completely naked since before Xan.”

Moved by her insecurity, I smile tenderly at her. “Liz, you are beautiful to me. Let me see you.”

She does let me, but slowly, inch by inch. When she finally tosses her top away, my jaw drops. The pearls on her ears, the necklace nestled comfortably between her naked breasts, the white thong and shoes are an erotic contrast to her skin tone and the primal energy seeking mine in her eyes.

“Well?”. She steps between my legs and slides herself against me.

I let out a low agonised moan. “You’re killing me now.”

Her throaty laugh brushing against my jaw draws my breathing low. Covering her lips with mine, she takes me in slow drugging kisses that have me begging for her.

“Not yet.”

“Oh God,” I groan as she nimble, talented hands start to take me. She burns her way down my body with her heated tongue, works me slow and sweet with her hands until her mouth takes over. There’s a burning in my lungs as my vision blurs. Her mouth, her tongue…the control I’ve had so far rapidly slips away as she drives me to the edge.

“Liz-”

I gasp as a shock of cold air replaces her warm mouth.

“Let go Max.” The light smoke of her voice requests of me before her mouth, as dangerous as fire, pleasures me until all control is gone and I give her everything.

****

Just when my vision’s clearing, her lips fuse to mine. I can taste me in her and all at once, primal buried deep bursts through me. I rise with her legs wrapped around my hips and settle us on the bed with her under me. I break from the kiss long enough to tell her it’s my turn now.

****

Liz’s POV

My system shudders at the whip-lash orgasm sweeping through it as Max’s talented tongue feasts on my breasts.

Restraint, for both of us, is no longer an option.

Threading my fingers in his hair, I push him deeper. I want him to take all of me.

And he does.

He continues suckling my breasts, harder and faster until I can’t bear it any longer, I drag him up and crash his mouth to mine. A wave of pleasure hits us both as our bodies rub against each other, seeking that wild rush of release.

I moan in protest when he pulls away from me. “Max,” I beg.

Small kisses on my forehead and cheeks, are his response. “You’re so beautiful,” he murmurs.

The look in his eyes stops me from making some smart ass comment, instead a shiver of need runs through me as he trails the length of my body.

“I want to take my time with you.”

Fuck time.

“You’re killing me here Evans.”

His mouth curves in a half smile. He fingers the necklace. “Isn’t this the necklace I bought for you when?”.

This time, I manage a laugh. “I’ve been wearing it all night and this is when you notice?”.

Men.

“You wore it for me.” There’s a tenderness in his eyes that has makes talking difficult.

I trace the contours of his face. “I love you.”

The tenderness shifts, what replaces it captures my lips and has me finding and seeking but wanting more, much more.

“Max…” I curse as his husky chuckle tickles my throat.

“Easy Parker, this is a little payback for last night and tonight. Don’t think I forgot.”

I shamelessly strain against his open mouthed kisses, they run all over my body except the one place where I want them. His body slides back up and his mouth settle on mine once again.

I know he wants me as much as I want him, but he’s holding off.

“I need you now.”

He smirks at me, but I can see the toll it’s taking on him.

“I know,” he responds. Then he’s at it again, those slow kisses down my body, driving me insane.

“I hate you,” I pant out.

“You love me.”

“I-”. A spear of pleasure shots up, hot and vicious when his mouth finally settles on me. Under the workings of his tongue, for a few seconds there, I think I go blind and then I’m hot. So hot.

Drained and dazed, I don’t have the energy to lift my hand up to him as he rises back up to me.

“You okay?” he asks.

I nod.

Better than okay. Much better.

“Good.”

His groan merges with mine when I feel him slide a finger into me. “This time,” he murmurs, “I want to watch you go over.”

I struggle to keep my eyes open against his ministration but pretty soon, I’m lost in his touch and coming wonderfully close to flying and falling.

****

Max’s POV

I tremble under the touch of her racing, searching hands, but keep my eyes open and on her, watching her body arching into me as she climaxes.

She opens her eyes fogged with pleasure.

She’s all I’ll ever want.

Before I can say anything of the sort to her, she pulls me down and ravages my lips while her hands run along my length and our bodies seek desperately to relieve the clawing ache within.

She rolls us over and breaks away.

“What…” I watch her open one of her drawers and pull out a pack of condoms.

She can’t think that I slept with other people since her can she?

“I’m clean,” I quickly tell her. “There hasn’t been anyone else since you and even after you, I got a follow-up- and- I’m clean.”

“Since I already went down on you and swallowed, that’s good to know,” she responds, “but these are more for me than you. I haven’t got around to getting back on the pill and since my track record with the morning-after pill isn’t exactly stellar…”

Oh, okay, but…

“The pack’s new,” I comment.

“Yeah.”

How to go about this without sounding weird…

“Does this mean that you ran out of your previous pack?.”

She settles herself comfortably over me. “Is this your roundabout way of asking if I’ve had sex with anyone since you?.”

Busted.

“It’s none of my business,” I hastily dismiss it.

But then again…

“But since you brought it up…”, I trail off.

She stares at me for a beat and I wait for an answer.

“You’re right, it’s none of you business.”

My heart hurts at the idea that she’s slept with someone else, probably Julian, that guy was as fucking smooth as butter.

She leans over to kiss me and pretty soon, she’s under me.

I love to taste her, every inch of her petite frame is a delight to my senses.

“Max.”

“Hmm.”

“You’re the only guy I’ve had sex with.”

Relief floods me like an overflowing dam.

I move up to her ‘til my face hovers above hers. “I didn’t need to hear it”.

She smiles softly and knowingly at that. “Yes, you did.”

She touches me and all sense and rational thought flies out the window.

****

AN: Hey all next part is up. It's longer than usual, but I needed to deal with all this in this chapter before the next.

The Liz and Rath thing? I have no explanation to satisfy all corners for that, it just is what is. The characters just seem to write themselves now, lol, but their relationship is kind of different and true Liz should have been aware how Max would view it, but my only explanation is that she got caught up in the moment of seeing an old friend.

su-lyn wrote:This fic is so wonderful. Full of drama, angst but most of all it's all about falling in love, learning to love and respect one another and how to give and take.

Thanks a lot for that. I didn't plan on extending this fic so much, it was only supposed to be ten parts but it grew and has turned into this. I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone for your feedback and Smac for encouraging me to develop this fic into what it is now.
I should be saving this stuff for the end of this fic, but what the heck, lol

Alma
anonymousarfan
begonia9508
behrlyliz
BehrObsession
cherie
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Ellie
Emz80m
Erina258
flyawayraven
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Jason's Lover
kay_b
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Thanks for the feedback guys, enjoy...


PREVIOUSLY

“Max.”

“Hmm.”

“You’re the only guy I’ve had sex with.”

Relief floods me like an overflowing dam.

I move up to her ‘til my face hovers above hers. “I didn’t need to hear it”.

She smiles softly and knowingly at that. “Yes, you did.”

She touches me and all sense and rational thought flies out the window.

****

Nice to meet you anyway - part 25b

Max’s POV

Driven by a primal need to feel, to taste, to possess my mate, I attack her lips, consume every taste, every texture. Heated skin to heated skin, our bodies sigh against each other, then they scream as fervent hands explore; Her thong is ripped and tossed aside, fingers work into the skin of my back, imprinting passion that boils the blood.

Though my breath, my thoughts and sight are fogged with sex, I engage in razor sharp focusing when slipping on the condom. Our eyes connect and hold for a breathless moment; one last chance for objections. She arches her hips up, guides me into her and thus the moment passes.

She’s in me, with me and around me. I cannot begin to explain how I feel and when I look into the seemingly endless depth of emotions in her eyes, I know she feels the same and any hope of gentleness is viciously hurled aside in favour of heat. The hot, basic, primal desire and need to mark, to claim and consummate the unspoken promise.

She meets me for every thrust, hunger for hunger, we seek satiation in each other. Every desperate gasp from her, every cry of my name fuels the beast within. I want more. More and so does she because in my next breath, I find myself underneath her. To see her hovering over me, naked, beautiful, her whole body humming for me. In her next breath, she’s back under me.

****


Liz’s POV

I can’t explain this. Us. Why we’re like this. All I know is, I want him, need him like air. What flows in me, hums in my blood is savage want, desire, need for my mate and when he stops moving with me, I cry out in protest. The loss of the desperate passion is stark and has me starving for breath.

“Max.” I try to re-initiate movement but he holds my hips firmly in place with one hand, while the other cuffs my wrists above my head to stop me from pulling him to me. So here he is, in me, full and over me. He fills me completely, yet I’m starved for more, for the friction. The hot danger in his eyes only increases my need for it.

“Max,” I plead.

“Not yet.” His voice, dangerously warm rushes an erotic shiver through me, out of me and onto him. My eyes briefly widen and I gulp down desire when I feel him grow larger. I didn’t think that was possible.

Defenceless and oh so restless, I look up at him, pleading for him to just move. And he does, blissfully slowly he moves in me, with me, then stops.

I think right now, I’d have no qualms with killing him.

“Remember the Saturday I came over, the night after you and Xan left me?” he asks.

“You want to talk about that now?”, I ask in breathless disbelief.

Move please. One, two, three deep plunges to start with is all I need.

“After we put Xan to bed, you lifted your hair up. I saw the hickey Julian left on you.”

That helps me blink back the sexually frustrated haze.

“I had my hair down so you wouldn’t see it. I don’t know why I did that,” I tell him.

Maybe even then, a deeper part of me still hoped and knew that I owed him that much.

“I saw it anyway, here,” his hand traces the now vanished pattern of the hickey. I arch into it, wanting more of his touch.

“I wanted to kill him for putting his hands on you, for marking what wasn’t his.”
Lightening of some indiscernible emotion flashes in his eyes. All I can make
out is what it makes me feel: fearful and stupefying aroused.

“I wanted to kill him for that, because you’re mine.”

****



Max’s POV

Her eyes flash at that. She tries to break out of my grasp but I don’t let her. She’s surrendered on one front, but not this one, not yet.
She juts out her chin defiantly. “I’m not some testosterone trophy or some damned wild horse that needs to be named…”

Oh but you are like the wild horse, so much like one.

“…I belong to no one.”

Beneath the anger, the outrage, the challenge, I see pure and simple desire. I want that, I want all of that.

I graze my teeth against her throat, against the wild thick pulsating of her heart beat, across Julian’s now non-existent mark, I add mine before settling for more of her. Her sharp cries of pleasure draw my mouth to hers, my hands to her breasts.

“Mine,” I breathe before fusing our lips together again. Our mouths fight each other, our teeth rake, tongues duel in a brutal war for surrender, for acceptance. I’m mad for her and feast on her ‘til I can’t help but satisfy us both by shifting and thrusting into her; one, twice and then I pause.

“Max.”

She’s pissed off and aroused; a combination of violent beauty that has my body screaming to take her fierce and fast over the edge, but I hold back.

“Rath,” I begin.

She sighs in frustration. “We already talked about this.”

My hands caress her lean, lithe body. “Still, I didn’t like him touching you like that.” I drug myself with her lips. Fingers craving to touch, trace the outline of her ravaged mouth, the contours of her face.
I think of the relationships she’s had before, the layers she lets them through; Noah, Julian, Alex, Rath - only a select few have been granted deeper intimacy levels. I’ve surpassed them and am seeking access to more.
She knows that. Somewhere along the line of seduction, the rules changed.

“You’re mine”, I tell her.

Fire blazes.
Access denied.

I plunge in deep, her body bows off the bed, rises into mm, sending us both spiralling to the height of pleasure.
We work each other hard and fast, slow and desperate. Our moans merge together, vanishing within our fused mouths. When she clamps down on me, when she surrenders completely with a sharp intake of breath, only then do I let go and follow her.

When her eyes, dewy soft, flutter open, I see acceptance. “I’m yours.”

****

Liz’s POV

He shifts so as not to squash me, rolls us over until I’m laying on top of him, utterly spent. We lay motionless in silence while our mingled breathing frantically scrambles to re-establish its steady rhythm.

Sex with Max is good, more than good, it’s great, but this…this was something else. This was us intensely out of control, searching and finding and feeling him beneath me, I’m shocked to realise I still want more. Where that energy will come from, I don’t know because I’m pretty much dead weight right now.

With great effort, I raise my head up to him, only to find him staring down at me.

“You alive there?” he asks with a half smile and a smug yet concerned expression.

“Sex as weapon,” I crawl up and take my time tasting his lips. “You really are trying to kill me Evans.”

His mouth and skin must release some kind of energy boost pheromone because suddenly I find the strength to adjust my position and lower myself to his already hard member. We both moan in satisfaction at the feeling. I shift, adjusting the angle and slowly start to ride him.

“Are you trying to kill me Parker?” he groans.

“I just think we need to establish some fairness,” I gasp out as we pick up the pace.

“How so?”.

I close my hands over his, which are settled on either side of my hips to slow down our pace and keep a hold of my thoughts. “If I’m yours, then you need to be mine.”

A kind of female pride washes over me as I watch the levels of pleasure move across his beautiful features as I move above him. He opens his eyes and sits up suddenly cradling me with against him. He latches his mouth onto one of my breasts and I have no choice but to follow the tug of desire into him.

He takes my hand and places it on his chest, where his heart thunders. His eyes are fixed and locked onto mine. “I’m yours Liz Parker, all of me, every imperfect inch is yours.”

Breaking out into total reckless abandon, until he climaxes hard and fast, I follow him and I accept.

****

Sleep came suddenly but with obvious warning.
Arousal, cutting and insistent, draws me out of sleep without warning and with an unexpectedness that has me gasping for breath. In the darkness, my body recognises the shadow; his movements, the feel of him as his teeth rake and sink over my breasts, down my body.

I breathe out his name and with it, the delicious tremble of my system.

“I love you,” he tells me.
Before I can get my brain into gear for a reply, witty comeback, anything, his hot mouth on me, drives spears of pleasure up to me. His tongue hungrily, mercilessly plunders me, until every part of me is left humming in satisfied stimulation. My muscles are too relaxed to move and my mind, utterly baffled at this appetite and every ready response to it.

In the shadows, his head rests between my breasts, his body comfortably along mine.

“Max, why weren’t you asleep?”.

The stiffening of his muscles is fleetingly short but I feel it. I know he wasn’t asleep, while my exhausted system shut down, his was left on. His uncomfortable silence is answer as to why.

“Let’s talk,” I tell him.

****

Max’s POV

My back rests against her headboard, while her body rests comfortably curved into mine.

I haven’t said anything, but she knows. I didn’t sleep after she did, instead, I lay there and watched her sleep in awe of us and in fear of closing my eyes in case when I opened them again, she would be gone.

“Like last time. You thought I’d leave you like I did the last time.”

“That really messed me up Liz. I didn’t realise how much ‘til tonight,” I honestly admit.

Her fingers find mine and link together.

“Max, this isn’t- we’re not a one-time thing. When you go to sleep and wake up in the morning, I’ll be hear. Firstly, because I live here, I can’t sneak out of my own house to go somewhere else.” I can hear the smile in her voice, it tugs at my mouth, drawing a ghosted smile.

“And secondly,” she straddles me, a naked goddess drawn out in shadows, “there’s this pesky thing, I love you.”

My heart’s in my throat, its contents threatening to spill over as she gently traces the shape of my mouth with hers. Those traces turn to kisses with the mischievous claw of teeth and run down my chest.

Words are hard to formulate as she works me up for her, rolls on another condom and then sinks herself on top of me.

“I love you Max,” she tells me in a voice husky with emotion. She rocks, creating friction, re-igniting the spark. “Let me show you how much.”

****

Liz’s POV

I wake up, flat on my stomach, to the soft caress of fingers along my back. Where in the early hours of the morning, my system shutdown completely spent and worked out, in the later light of day, despite the faint aching, I’m not tired but energised. My system has recharged, my muscles are limber after a healthy workout.

“Morning.”

His fingers are replaced with the butterfly kisses of his mouth. “Morning.”

I shift onto my side to face him. He’s propped up on his elbow looking as good and blissfully used as I feel.

His neck, his chest!

I stare in disbelief at my teeth marks on him.

He catches my eye and draws me into the magic so that I miss his fingers sneaking under the sheets, to tease my breasts.

I lift a warning eyebrow even as my body reacts to him. “You wanna start that up and finish it, you’ll need to give a little time to recover.”

Heated amusement turns to concern. “Are you alright?”.

I’m momentarily distracted by the numerous condom wrappers on the bed, on my bedside table, probably on the floor too.

Wow. We did it that many times…huh.

“Liz.”

“Oh, um, I’m-”

The phone ringing cuts me off. Xan’s back this afternoon, if there was anything wrong, Noah would call my cell. I want this time, this morning with Max.

“Let the machine get it,” I tell him.

At the tone, Maria’s voice comes through loud and clear.

“Liz, I know you’re in there. Your car and someone else’s are in the drive.”

I close my eyes as Max chuckles.

“Go away Maria,” I pray quietly.

“I haven’t heard anything about the Max situation and it’s been a while. Don’t tell me you screwed it up- no wait, I’d know if you did- Look, you’re probably in the shower or something so I’m letting myself in with the spare key I never gave back.”

My smile vanishes, so does Max’s.

“Damn it.”

I hear keys jingle.

“Be right back.” I scramble out of bed, slipping into my robe and hightailing it to the door.

****

****

We meet up in the living room.

“Maria, what are you doing here?” I ask.

“I’m not due on set ‘til the afternoon. I thought I’d check up on you.”

“Oh,” I tighten my robe belt, “I’m good.”

“You’re a little flushed,” she notices.

“Uh.”

Max and I haven’t had a chance to talk about what we are now, what we’re going to do. I’m not sure what to tell her.

Her eyes narrow suspiciously. “Are those bruises on your neck.”

“Uh..”

Her eyes widen in disbelief. “Hickeys! Liz, who’s here?”.

“Hey Maria.”

I turn at the sound of his voice. He’s dressed in boxers and an open shirt that shows the marks on his chest. My marks.

Maria’s eyes shift from him to me and back again.

After several attempts at creating sound and words, she comes out with, “Um.”

What the hell, I’ll help her out. Grinning, I hold out my hand for him. He takes it. I guess that’s that then.

“Max and I are together now,” I tell her.

“Oh.”

He stands behind me, warms his arms around my waist.

“Oh! This is- about freakin’ time!- Oh my God!.”

“Breathe Maria,” Max gently reminds her.

“Okay”. I watch as she whips out her cell and dials a number.

“Who are you calling?” I ask.

“Kyle. Remember your phone-tree when you were pregnant with Xan?”.

I nod.

“Well, we have a phone-tree for big Max and Liz news. This is definitely news- Kyle hey listen, no joke, Cinderella and the Prince are a go.”

Codes, they have code words for us?

I watch her relay the information to Kyle, amused and mystified that our friends would go to such lengths.

When she hangs up on Kyle, she turns to us, eyes sun-bright with excitement.

“I’m so happy for you guys”.

Max steps aside as she launches herself at me and grabs me into a hard hug before dancing away to him.

“Okay, okay, I’ll leave you two back to it,” she says after the hugs. “Oh and Liz,” she pauses at the door, “ we will definitely have to have a girl talk scheduled soon.”

With a loud slam of the door, hurricane Deluca has left the building.

“So word’s out,” I begin.

“Yes,” he grins drawing me into his arms. He runs his hands down mine. “You’re really here.”

I capture his face between my hands. “I love you, you idiot.”

He grins. “You didn’t answer my question earlier, are you okay?”.

“I’m a little sore,” I reply. “Might need a day or so to recover. What do you do Evans, take a pill or something?”.

He kisses me softly. “The only drug I need is you.”

“Very smooth line Casanova.”

I lift an eyebrow when I feel him hard and at attention, brush up against me.

“It’s the truth.”

“Max.”

I’m wary of that twinkle in his eyes.

“My mouth won’t hurt you,” he murmurs before plundering mine.

“Want to see what else it can do?” he whispers against the curve of my neck.

Angling my head to give him more access, I give into my body’s needs. “I’m game.”

****

Max, Xan and I, have approximately a day to ourselves before being inundated with calls of congratulations from our friends, even our parents.
I move back in with Max. While I keep my bedroom, I spend all of my nights in his bed.

After moving back in with him, my notion of peace ends as our relationship gets caught up in a media storm. We have three weeks with each other before Max has to go on location to begin filming an action thriller with a lot of high profile names, so the media was after him anyway, but now that we’re back together, the gossip mills are on fire.

There are countless magazine spreads of us out together, with our friends, our with Xan. And not only that, they feel they have to dig up on the woman who looks to be a permanent fixture in Max Evans’ life and of course, my previous relationship with Julian comes to light.
We went to a lot of functions together when we first started dating and now, those pictures have been resurrected. I don’t know how Jules is handling it, but he hasn’t called me, so I’ve left it.

To top that off, there are questions about the ring on my right finger.

Are Max and I engaged?

“It’s none of their business,” I tell James, his publicist.

“I know that Liz, but we need to issue a statement about it.”

Max squeezes my hand gently to stop me from erupting.

“A statement about a ring I wear is worth alerting the media?”.


“You’re involved with a high profile actor,” James replies, “you’re linked to another high profile business man, any significant change with you alerts the showbiz media.”

“This is what I get for dating an actor,” I mutter.

Max draws me closer to him, “A high profile actor too.” His lips brush against my forehead in a gesture of comfort.

“Okay,” I sigh into him. “Okay. Um, obviously tell them Max and I aren’t engaged.”

“Yet,” he grins.

I roll my eyes. “We aren’t engaged and that the ring is a gift from a special friend.”

“There’ll be speculation on the friend, what kind of friend gives a ring like that?” asks James.

“Let them speculate,” I retort.

I don’t really care.

“That’s all we’re giving on this,” Max decisively tells him.

He nods accepting it. My input provided, I listen in, smile as Max absently rubs my arm as he and James talk shop.

Being in a relationship with Max, being in this deep, I need a new notion of peace. Peace within the chaos.

****

While Max prepares for his film, I sort out the other areas of my life.
First off, I clear things up with Rath; explain the reason why Max wanted to kill him. The reason Maria helped me come to on one of our girl talks.

“You expected Max not to be ticked off by a hottie coming up to you and touching you like that?” she asked incredulous.

“Rath isn’t just some random guy and besides there was nothing sexual there!”, I told her.

“Max didn’t know that and neither did Michael when he first met Rath,” she grinned.

“No way!”, I laughed, imagining Michael’s reaction to Rath.

“I realised like a split second before he got up to punch him. It’s exactly how I feel when girls rub up against him trying their luck.”

When I explain the situation to Rath, he gets it straight away.

“I’ll stick to compliments at first, let him get to know me and I’ll stay away from the breast area,” he tells me.

“Why am I the only one who didn’t see that right off?” I ask.

“Because you don’t see me that way and can’t imagine why anyone else would. You assume too much bambi.”

“Keep on with the name calling and see where that gets you,” I threaten.

“Okay, honey-doll, let’s set up the where and when”, he chuckles.

****

Shortly after talking to Rath, I get a call from Karen.

“Hey, I was just going to call you,” I tell her.

“Great minds huh?”, she quips warmly, “Listen, I told our editor, I’d tell you the news myself; Julian has rented me a place where you are, so that we can start up on our project.”

“Really? That was nice of him. When did he tell you?” I ask.

I’ve heard nothing from him since he left and now this?

“A few days ago. Thought I’d check out your schedule and see when I can fly out, on his jet might I add.”

“Wow, he’s really shelling out.”

“Too bad he’s stuck on you otherwise, I’d think he was trying to impress me.”

“Oh, umm.”

What to say to that.

“I’ll drop it,” she brushes it aside. “So when do you want me over?.”

We decide to start up two weeks after Max leaves. That’ll give me some time to settle before Karen gets here.

After that call, I sit cradling the phone, thinking about Julian.
Even after what’s happened between us, he went to some effort for me with Karen’s arrangements. I have to thank him for that.

Taking a breath, I dial his office number. His secretary picks up on the third ring.

“Hey, is um Mr Reed in at the moment?” I ask.

“Who may I ask is calling?”.

“Liz Parker. I’m a…friend of his.”

“Oh.”

I take it by her tone, she’s heard of me.

“Just a moment, I’ll put you through.”

In three breaths, Julian’s voice flows through the receiver.

“Parker.”

“Jules, how are you?”.

“About you? Not good.”

“I’m sorry.”

Silence. Not my favourite thing to have with Jules.

“You happy?” he asks.

“I am,” I reply honestly.

“You still wear the ring. I’ve taken an interest in showbiz magazines these past few weeks,” he answers before I ask. “I saw the ring. Right hand, just where I put it.”

“You asked me to wear it, so I did. I do.”

Two words he ultimately wanted me to say. Two words I ultimately never could say to him.

“Thanks.”

“I should be thanking you for making the arrangements for Karen,” I tell him.

“You have Xan, she was more flexible and was looking for a change of scene anyway. I may still be raw, but I care about you Liz.”

“I care about you too Jules.”

“I have to go. Meeting.”

“I forgot, you’re a very busy man, buying stuff and getting richer by the hour,” I tease.

“It’s good to hear your voice L.P.”

“You too, Jules.”

“I’ll,” he clears his throat, “Goodbye.”

I listen to the dial tone for a few minutes before putting the receiver back in its cradle. I wish I didn’t have to hurt him so much.

****

Maria’s POV

“Who’s playing Jessica again?” I hear Liz ask.

We’re all lounging in the back area of their house, catching up on life and chilling out.

Since Max and Liz got together, a weird energy has settled over our group. Nothing visibly has changed, it’s just a feeling that we all have, we’re suddenly so much more.

“Angelina,” Max replies absently from his conversation with Michael and Kyle.

“Jolie?” she asks.

“Is there anyone else?” Kyle asks.

I look on with interest as Liz turns back to the script for In Death with a furrowed brow.

“So this really racy scene you’re going to do. With kissing and the like, it’s with Angelina Jolie?” she asks.

As a veteran at this kind of thing, I can see where it’s going, so does Michael because we’ve been through it, but unfortunately for Max, he doesn’t.

“She does play my love interest,” he responds. Catching the look on her face, he gives her his attention. “It’s no big deal, so we kiss, so what? It’s just acting.”

“Oh?”. Her tone is light and casual.

Bad move buddy. By the way he smiles pleasantly, he doesn’t even realise he made a mistake.

Holding back a grin, I watch amused as Liz walks over to Alex.

“Hey.”

“Hey,” he responds and before he can finish his welcome smile, she kisses him soundly on the lips.

All jaws drop save from mine and Michael’s.

She’s good. Very good.

Job done with Alex, she moves on to Jesse and then Kyle who sits beside Max.

“You’re right,” she agrees in a tone of someone who having run an experiment, has verified the results. “It’s just a kiss, no big deal.”

Max’s eyes never leave her, his jaw works to say something as she strolls back to her lounge chair beside me, sits down and resumes reading the script.

When Max sets his jaw, his mouth, in a grim line, I know that they’ll be some sort of blow out after we leave. Before that though, I take the time to pass on some of my wisdom to my friend who has the fortunate misfortune of being practically married to an actor.

“Having issues about Max doing intimate scenes with drop dead gorgeous co-stars?” I ask when we’re in private.

“I never really thought about it before when we were friends because I didn’t think I’d end up here. But now I am and I’m thinking about those little reasons I had the no-dating-actors-rule for.
Stuff like this; how many relationships have broken up because the actor develops a yen for co-star, dumps his previous love interest, dates the current one for a year if that before that fizzles out and he falls for his new co-star?”.

“More times than we can think of right now,” I reply.

“I know Max loves me and I know he wouldn’t do that.”

“Do you?”.

“I do, but…there’s doubts. I don’t know how this happened, how the hell I landed Max. What is he doing with me?” she asks tiredly.

“You’re freaking out a little Liz, that’s fine. It’s natural and you’ll clear it up when you two talk, but for now, I just want to ask, when I do the sex scenes on the show, in the film I did last year, do you think I love Michael any less? Does it lessen what we have? Am I going to fall for one of the beautiful men I get to make out with? Would he dump me for a co-star?”.

I can see it working in her head.

“No. You’re not- he’s not- you guys are solid. Those scenes you do are just that…just acting.”

I nod. “They mean nothing, you know that. After making out with Chris on set, when David says cut, we joke around and are off somewhere to shoot the next scene.”

“Thanks, I needed to get it out, to hear that,” she smiles.

“ ‘Tis always a pleasure and now that we’re done with your crisis, let’s talk about mine. Four months until my wedding and I have yet to find the perfect cake.”

Michael and I have cleared our schedules for June. That’s our month; wedding, honeymoon, early married couple time. I can’t wait and it’s all the more perfect now that Liz and Max are together.

“What’s Andrea said?” she asks.

Andrea’s my brilliantly capable wedding planner.

“We’ve gone down the names on her list, tasted a lot of cakes, but nothing’s hit me yet.”

“What about Jason Kelly? He did Gwen’s wedding- a friend of mine. The cake tasted out of this world tasty, it was custom made. He’s a little eccentric, but talented in the kitchen,” Liz tells me.

“There’s a reason we are friends,” I grin. “Let’s chase him up.”

****

****

Liz’s POV

“Liz, if for any reason, you want to kiss me, any reason at all, I’m open.”

“See you later Kyle,” I laugh ushering him out of the door.

The instant I shut it, I find myself pinned to it.

“Max.” The words to follow die in my throat as his mouth brutally crashes onto mine, drawing out desire; sharp and jagged.

I gasp surprised and aroused when buttons from my shirt fly out directionless.

“What?”.

His eyes burn into me. “Mine.”

“You ripped my shirt,” I manage.

He responds by running his fingers under my skirt, under my pants and into my core.

“I’ll by you a new one.” He captures my mouth and just takes.

Pleasure spears through me, vicious and powerful as he plunges his fingers in me until I explode and sink limply into his arms.

“What was that?” I ask when I finally get my breath back.

He lifts me in his arms, carries me to the living room and sets me down on the sofa.

He sits respectfully next to me. “I love you Liz.”

“I love you too.”

“The kissing, I could see why it would bother you, but I want you to know that it’s not the way it is with you. It doesn’t mean anything, it’s not as steamy as it looks on screen.”

I know that, but after that orgasm, I let him continue.

“You can come out to filming and see for yourself if you want,” he offers.

“I’ll come out, to visit you. I admit, it bothers me, but I’ll deal with it because…” I shift ‘til I’m straddling him. He’s not the only one who can take. “…I know you’re mine.” I watch is eyes darken when I unzip his pants and reach for him.

“This is just a start up, we’re going all the way Evans,” I warn him.

“Xan,” he pants out.

“Is a good little boy and has a steady sleeping pattern. We’ve got about an hour,” I tell him as I slide down his body, “Let’s make it count.”

****

Max’s POV

This is the first time in a very long time that I’ve considered staying home, damn the role. There was never really anything, anyone to stay for, but now, I’ve got two big reasons to pull me home.

I love acting, it’s my passion and I love the whole process from start to finish, but I love my family too. It’s something I’ve got to learn to balance now, these two passions of mine.

My boarding call is announced again and I know I have to get going.

“I’ll miss you,” I tell her. I lay a kiss on Xan’s forehead. My little boy.

“We’ll talk on the phone and we’ll come visit sometime,” Liz tells me.

“Phone sex?”

“Not an option. Besides,” she leans in, whispers in my ear, “I like you in me for real.”

“You want me to get on that plane?”.

She laughs and it’s magical. “Go make a movie, Max.”

I open my mouth but the question doesn’t come out. What I have is so precious; her and Xan. These past few weeks have been incredible and I’m so scared that she’ll have changed her mind when I come back. That she won’t want me anymore.

“Max,” with her free hand, she finds mine and squeezes it. “I’ll be here, we’ll be here when you get back.”

“I love you.”

She’s getting used to hearing me say it.

“I love you too.”

My heart swells at that. I guess I’m getting used to hearing her say it too.


****

AN: Hey all, thanks for all the feedback.

NorafanofMaxandLiz: welcome to the fic

I'm way behind schedule but RL got into the way as usual. This part is extra long to make up for it.

Also, I've set up a poll for you guys to vote which of my fics you'd like to see updated next. The top two will be updated after I finish this fic. Here's a link to my author's page for a summary of all my fics: viewtopic.php?p=281851#281851.

The fics are:


The Promise - CC Dreamer
You've Got To Be Kidding Me - AU Dreamer
The Good One - AU Dreamer
It Only Hurts When I Breathe - UC Maria/Zan bit of Max
Changes - UC/CC couples

Not to say that this fic is coming to an end about now, I've got a few more parts to go. Enjoy

Oh and added a banner for this fic too

x willow

*****





PREVIOUSLY

“Phone sex?”

“Not an option. Besides,” she leans in, whispers in my ear, “I like you in me for real.”

“You want me to get on that plane?”.

She laughs and it’s magical. “Go make a movie, Max.”

I open my mouth but the question doesn’t come out. What I have is so precious; her and Xan. These past few weeks have been incredible and I’m so scared that she’ll have changed her mind when I come back. That she won’t want me anymore.

“Max,” with her free hand, she finds mine and squeezes it. “I’ll be here, we’ll be here when you get back.”

“I love you.”

She’s getting used to hearing me say it.

“I love you too.”

My heart swells at that. I guess I’m getting used to hearing her say it too.


****


Nice to meet you anyway - part 26a

Liz’s POV

“I love you Xan,” his voice coos over the speaker phone. “Daddy loves you.”

Xan babbles back as if in reply. I think he looks forward to these goodnight calls as much as I do.

“You’re such a sap, Max” I tease.

“Damn proud of it too.” I can hear the smile in his voice.

He says goodnight to Xan before I take him off speaker phone and cradle the cordless to my ear as I place Xan to bed.

“How was he today?” he asks.

“His usual self,” I reply grinning, “I’m not making another Xan video for you Max.” He asked me to do it once, just tape Xan…being Xan, so he could watch it when he missed him. I guess I understand that, I can just watch Xan do nothing at all as if doing nothing was the most interesting thing on the planet.

“I know,” he sulks. “You miss me?”.

Feeling a little playful, I ignore his question.

“Saw the hot, steamy pics of you and your co-star today,” I begin.

****

Max’s POV

I panic slightly at her tone. Damn the paparazzi.

“Liz, that was just a scene from the shoot. It wasn’t real,” I explain.

“I know, I was just teasing,” she responds happily.

I inwardly sigh with relief.

“My sides are aching from laughter”, I respond dryly.

We go over what I did today and what she did. I love this checking in thing we do.

“Kyle and Isabel came over this evening. It was really weird, they cooked for me and shooed me off to relax while they took care of Xan.”

“That’s weird.”

It’s not the fact of what they did, it was who did it. Kyle and Isabel don’t just suddenly come up with an idea like this.

“Are you okay?” I ask. Maybe she’s overdoing it and she’s really tired or something, but then Maria would call and tell me, unless Liz told her not to so as not to worry him.

“I’m fine,” she tells me. “I don’t know what brought that on. And the strangest thing is that they’re also going on date with each other.”

“What the heck is going on over there?” I ask.

Aside from their natural flirtations, Kyle and Isabel as far as I know have never expressed interest for each other. But I of all people should know that feelings can change.

“I don’t know. I think Maria knows something about it though. Whatever it is, I’m sure she’ll break eventually and tell me.”.

“I’ll see what I can dig up from Michael,” I add. “Liz, it’s been five days and I miss you a lot. That’s really pathetic isn’t it?”.

“Well, we’ll be pathetic together because I feel the same way.”

It makes me feel better to hear her say that. To know that we’re on the same wavelength.

“Perfect match,” I tell her.

“After a turbulent road.”

“Hmm,” my mind’s drifting to other things. “What are you wearing?”.

“My top and shorts.”

I picture those short little shorts and braless clingy strappy tops she likes to wear around the house and can’t help but groan.

“Hair up or down?” I ask.

****

Liz’s POV

“I know where this is going buddy and I’m cutting you off,” I tell him.

“Liz,” I can almost see him pout. “I just want to imagine you…so I can imagine what I’d do to you and tell you.”

I roll my eyes.

“In exchange you’d imagine me and tell me what you’d like to do with me,” he finishes.

“Aka phone sex,” I respond dryly.

“Liz-”

“Max…” It’s confession time, besides, it’s not like he can see me blushing. “I dream about you. Vivid, sexual dreams about you which leave me frustrated and in desperate need of you when I wake up to find you not there. Phone sex isn’t going to fulfil me, I want to taste you, to touch to, to work you up under my hands and ride you hard for a couple of hours.”

“You know how hard you’ve just made me?” he asks, his voice husky and low.

“Do you know how flustered it’s made me?” I counter. “But that’s fine, you can just jerk off.”

“But I’ll still need you, in the flesh.”

I smile at that. Max Evans wants me.

“Glad you see my point,” I respond.

“I cold be there in a couple of hours you know,” he begins.

The idea’s very tempting, but we have to be able to do this.

“Max, be a big boy and stay out of the nest for a while.”

“When are you visiting me?” he asks.

“When I get around to it,” I playfully reply.

“Liz.”

“It’ll be a surprise,” I tell him.

“Guess what?”.

“What?.”

“I love you.”

I grin at that. “I love you too.”

I hang up the phone smiling. After Xan goes to sleep, I crawl into our bed and Max’s scent lulls me to sleep.

****

I love Rath’s beachside studio. It’s one of those open plan living spaces, he’s given himself space for the studio area; white walls, lights and other backdrop scenarios he’s set up for me. Then he has a cosy, relaxed living room area, kitchen, bathroom and office. He doesn’t live here, he’s just made it more relaxed for his shoots and for people who come along. That’s worked well for me because I’ve brought Ava and Xan. It’s not that I couldn’t let Ava baby-sit him at home, it’s just that he’s been a bit cranky the past two days and I wanted to swing by the doctor just to make sure it wasn’t anything too serious.

After we got checked out, I gave him his teething medication and now he’s a whole lot calmer, so I thought I’d bring him along. I could spend time with him during my breaks because this shoot is a ‘majority-of-the-day’ thing.

“Liz.” Rath pulls me aside after Xan and Ava are settled in.

My stomach twists at the apprehensive look on his face. “What?”.

“I need a favour.”

“Which would be?”.

“Instead of posing for me and my art, I was wondering if you could do it in a more formal, professional capacity,” he explains.

That means nothing to me.

“Cut the official speak, Rath. What do you want exactly?”.

“Viencenzia are releasing a book of some of their pieces for the spring/summer season. They hired me to shoot the photos with whichever people I saw fit. You know my style, I use the well known and not so well known. You are just what I need for this section; sweet like chocolate. I want you to be one of my models.”

What?

“I’d pay you of course like the others.”

I blink blankly at him several times. “You want me to model Viencenzia clothes for you?”.

“Yes.”

What?

“Are you sure? Me?”, I ask.

“I wouldn’t be asking if I wasn’t. I’ve got all the clothes, Sheryl’s coming over in a bit to do your makeup- I arranged it being optimistic about your decision,” he explains.

“I don’t know Rath. This is really professional type stuff. I don’t want to mess it up for you.”

“You won’t. You’re more used to the camera than the average Joe and I want you to just relax, be natural and have fun with it. Forget about the value of the clothes you’re modelling.”

I struggle to find words. To say no. I’m not really that bothered, if it doesn’t work out, we can just ditch the photos.

“Okay, why not?” I shrug.

“Really?”.

I nod. Surprised laughter erupts from me when Rath picks me up and twirls me in his arms. “You are going to look fab. Let’s get to work.”

****

Work, involves getting me to wear different absolutely stunning outfits. Subtly teasing business suits, skirts, dresses. They all have that fun, funky, sexy Viencenzia style.

We got out onto the beach for the lemon yellow sundress hot. The wind blows my hair as well as the dress as I play around with the sea water for one of his action shots. It really is fun because Rath and I make it fun. It’s like we’re a couple of friends fooling around with a camera, except, I’m in outrageously expensive clothes. The most of which is the couture number that is our finale. It’s a creamy white corset dress with ribbons at the back to tie me in. It kind of reminds me of a princess. It nips me at the waist but then flows loosely down in a silky material to my feet. Rath directs my movements for a while but then tells me to feel free and do what I want, so I do. I just dance around to the music we play in the back ground in the style I see fit for the dress, then I do random poses. Then Rath turns on the fan completely surprising me, but I work with that too.

When we’re done, Rath lets me look at the stills and I have to say that they’re pretty good. More than that, in some of them, I look really stunning. I pick out my favourite ones which he promises to have done up for me. I refuse to let him pay me though.

“Why not Lizzie?” he asks.

“This was fun for me. I don’t care that it’s for some big fashion institution, that doesn’t change the fact that I owed you one. Now I’ve paid up.”

I am the pillar of determination when it comes to my decision, so finally Rath accepts.

“Consider it fulfilled then.”

****

“What did you do today?” Max asks.

We call each other just to say goodnight now, when there’s no major news, but tonight our conversation is longer.
I tell him about the photo shoot with Rath and about Xan.

“He’s teething already?” he asks.

“It’s the normal age Max,” I tell him. “I really feel for him thought. He’s just chewing on anything he can get his hands on. He looks so adorable though.”

“I wish I was there,” he admits wistfully.

“You will be. How as shooting today?”.

“The usual; got shot at, chased around, high speed car chases, bombs exploding”.

“All the rush and adrenaline a man needs in the somewhat more controlled arena of film making,” I quip.

“Basically. Hey, when those pictures come out, send a copy to me.”

I grin, flattered that he’d ask. “I’m not even going to ask why.”

“Because you’re beautiful. And because,” his voice losers and turns husky with the promise of sex as he describes in detail what other uses the pictures of me might have.

I lick my lips wistfully. “Max, when I get my hands on you, I’ll-”

He jumps at that. “You’ll what?”.

I hold myself back. “You’ll just have to wait and see won’t you?”.

“I need you.”

Can my smile get any wider?

“Deal with it.”

“You wait till I get my hands on you,” he warns.

“I’m so scared,” I laugh.

“Cute. Just you wait.”

“What?” I push. “What would you do to me Max?”.

“You’ll have to wait and see won’t you?”.

I purse my lips in a rueful smile. Okay I deserved that, I’m really looking forward to seeing him again.

****

Half an hour ago, Rath called to check if I was home. He’s coming over with some news.

I open the door and let him in, still having no idea what news he’d have for me that would warrant a social call.

He looks around as I lead him to the kitchen where I was in the midst of making a sandwich for myself.

“Nice digs,” he approves.

“I’ll tell Max you said that,” I respond.

“Yeah. He’s okay with me right? No more wanting to kill me?”.

I can’t help but be amused by the anxious expression on his face. “He’s fine with you.”

“So he says. He hasn’t met me a second time yet. It took Michael a while to get used to me. I’ll give him the same amount of time.”

“I’m sure he’ll appreciate that. Making a sandwich, want one?” I ask.

“Nah, I’m okay thanks. Could do with a drink.”

I point in the direction of the fridge. “Fridge over there, help yourself.”

“Such the hostess,” he tuts.

I shrug. “Hey, you have legs and arms, use ‘em.” I sit down and get ready to eat my delicious sandwich. “What’s the news?”.

He opens up a can of diet coke. “First off.” He slips a folder out of his tres chic bag and hands it to me. “Here are your prints. I doubled them up for your main squeeze.”

I inspect them in awe. “I can’t believe that’s me. It’s so weird.”

“You look gorgeous. If I didn’t swing the other way, you would be on my list.”

“Thanks the best compliment coming from you, I’m flattered.”

“I’m not the only one who thinks so. The guys at Viencenzia saw these, loved them. Especially that last one we took and…drum freaking roll please…they want you to be the face of the new Viencenzia fragrance, Alter-ego.”

I stare at his excited eyes stupidly for a moment.

“Rewind and repeat please,” I demand.

He comes round to my chair and places his hands on my shoulders.

“Viencenzia wants you to represent Alter-ego. Their rep’s going to give you a call at around 1ish to talk it over. I told them to hold off because I thought I’d give you a chance to deal with the shock.”

“Wh-wh-why? Why me?” I manage.

I’m not ugly, but I’m not exactly supermodel stunning.

“That’s a question to ask Mark Stevens when he rings you up. All I got was, they like your various looks, ‘down to earth sweetness to mysterious enchantress’ to be precise. So what do you think?”.

Something is buzzing in my ears, I can’t quite process stuff fast enough. “Right now, I can’t believe it. I just did those shots as a favour to you- for deal, whatever. I didn’t expect that. I’m not really that kind of girl. It’s not what I do.”

“I think you’d be great.”

“Rath.”

“Hear the guy out. Then make up your mind okay?”.

I guess it wouldn’t hurt.

“Okay. What exactly would being the face of Alter-ego involve?” I ask.

He chuckles at my discomfort. “Really Lizzie, know it or not, you’re hot property; being involved with Max. The press are in love with your will-they-won’t-they-get-hitched relationship. You’re a talented writer, are part of a popular t.v. show, no-one knows a lot about you ‘cause you don’t do interviews and stuff. And can I just say, the shots I took- you were amazing.”

I blush embarrassed. “Get out.”

“Look at the pictures and tell me you don’t know it,” he challenges.

I look at them and grin.

“That’s what I thought,” he smiles smugly.

We talk about the offer some more, then about what he’s up to and the crazy preparations involved in Michael and Maria’s wedding. Their wedding is three months away, so preparations are turning up a notch.

****

Mark Stevens comes across as an intelligent, confident man who knows his stuff. He answers each of my questions - of which there are many - about why they picked me, what my involvement with them would involve, payment, contracts, everything.
By the end of the call, I have a lot of information and need time to process it. He gives me his cell, office and private lines to get in touch with him at any time.

I think about it for a while, then confer with Maria, Isabel and Noah. They all think I should do it and are excited more me.

I’m excited for me, but I’m also scared. This is something I’ve never done before and to do it for a high profile name…I wouldn’t want to screw it up…but it would also be fun and an interesting experience.

The fact that it’s something I’ve never done should be incentive enough. Bottom line is, they wanted a known but not too well known face and I somehow met their criteria.
Someone wants to pay me loads of money to wear expensive clothes, pose for a camera and act in a commercial. I’m more of a behind the scenes girl, at least I started about that way. Then I made friends with actors and ended up in front of the camera with them. Now that I’m dating and in love with a famous actor, am friends with a well respected photographer, it looks like I’m going to be in the limelight for a while.

I don’t tell Max about it. If it works out, I want him to be surprised.
The next day, I call Maria first off to tell her not to say a word to Max and she sorts me out with her agent and lawyer Christy Dawes and Derek Cross, to help me out with the deal. After swearing the others who know about it to secrecy, the next afternoon, Christy, Derek and I, head out to the meeting.

****

****

At the meeting, Carmella Viencenzia herself meets us there as well as Mark Stevens. The Alter-ego project is his baby; he’s heading the campaign for it, he’s the boss to an extent. A very attractive boss at that.

The first thing we get done is for me to try out their product. It comes in two different scents, in different colours; apples green and deep red. Both of which are initially subtle, fruity and fresh, then it changes into something romantically sensual or vice versa. I love it and the bottles they come in. They give me a few free. I love these perks.

We go over the whole thing again, just to make sure we’re all on the right page. Then we do a few test shots on camera and film. Carmella, Mark and the creative director, Vince, all like that they see and want me definitely to sign the deal. I like them, I like the scent, I want to do this.

Carmella has to go to another meeting, so she leaves us, Christy and Derek want to go through one final check of the contract before I sign the deal. This leaves me and Mark alone. We talk about business and then drift to social talk.

“So you’re dating Max Evans,” he begins.

I can detect the curiosity in his tone and have to work hard to stop myself from rolling my eyes in amusement.

“Yeah.”

“That must be something.”

“Yeah. It’s great,” I respond.

“I really liked the prints Rath took of you.”

He’s staring at me. Like really staring and I have no idea where to look.

“Thanks. That’s why you wanted me right?” I joke.

He blinks and then smiles at me. “Of course, yes.”

He’s back to normal. For a moment there it got weird. He looked at me the way I’ve seen fans looks at Max. There’s no real reason for him to look at me like that.

“And can I just say that you are more beautiful in person. You have this girl-next-door but could be a vixen look about you,” he continues.

I’m guessing I have to get used to handling compliments like that but for now I use my usual style.

“You’ve already got me interested Mark, you can ease up on the flattery.”

He blinks twice then gets my humour and laughs. “Right. Of course. Unless, I’m just stating my opinion. You’re not quite what I expected.”

His blue eyes rake over me in a way that leaves me puzzled. I guess he’s just checking out his investment, I’m not sure how these people work.

“Is that good?”, I ask.

“Very good.”

I’m not quite sure what to make of him yet, but he seems nice enough. Two hours later, I am contracted to Viencenzia for their new Alter-ego fragrance. We start shooting the ads both print and television next week.

This is so unreal.

****

The next week, between prepping for the shoot and Karen’s arrival, I’m very busy. When she arrives, I pick her up and drive her up to her new pad which comes, to our surprise, with a spiffy looking car, so she can drive herself around.

Julian really went about and beyond for this. I haven’t talked to him since that last call. Since then, our communication has been with our editor, as it should be. I’ll let him call me when he’s ready.

Karen and I spend a day and a bit catching up and getting used to each other. It happens really fast, she’s one of those friends I have who you can just pick up where you left off with.

“Serious Liz, I gotta hand it to you, you’ve done pretty well. Landed yourself, not that you need it of course, a rich handsome actor who’s crazy in love with you. You have an adorable son, your career’s great- it’s all great.”

I smile. “Yeah, it is. Took a while to get here though.”

“We should write about you and Max,” she says suddenly.

I think she may be losing her mind. “Don’t even.”

“Not autobiographical or anything, just a few bits- you know, use your experience and all.”

“Maybe, we’ll see what we can come up with.”

I break off from our conversation to answer my cell. It’s Christy confirming transportation for the shoot at the end of the week. After hanging up, I tell Karen about it.

“Want to tag along?” I ask. “I figure I need some for of entourage, Rath and Courtney are coming along, you can get to meet them.”

“Sure.”

“Great. Now, what are your thoughts on our book?” I ask.

We spend the rest of the week bouncing ideas off each other. We take a break for the shoot, a tour of the city, dinners with friends where we do throw around some interesting ideas, by the end of it all, we’re making good headway.

****

The shoot goes brilliantly. Having my friend with me was great support, so was the fact that Rath was friend with the photographer and he was pretty cool, so that was one less thing to worry about.

I was nervous at first but then eventually lost myself in the outfits I wore. I was glad that we started with the photo-shoot first because by the time we moved onto filming, I was no longer Liz Parker, but whoever the outfit needed me to be. I totally got into the alter-ego thing. It was a tiring day, but I had a good time with it. It was something I’d never done and not likely to do again, so I made the most of it.

****

Informally we have: Bad-ass, complicated girl falls for good boy in high school, the date but he abruptly breaks up with her. She’s a tormented soul; has nightmares of child abuse and her first love breaking up with her. She eventually becomes an assassin, one of her targets is her first love who now is a school teacher. She captures him, tortures him but can’t quite kill him. She finds out that he was an agent before, saves his life and try to figure out what kind of conspiracy is going on.

That’s our general plot overview after two weeks. Our editor loved the our pitch, so we’re going ahead with it. I’m pretty excited about it, it’s hard work though, we’ve got a lot of research to do, but between us both, we should have something pretty good in the end.

****

I take a break for the weekend to pay Max a surprise visit with Xan and Ava. We’ve talked on the phone, but it’s not the same. I miss him, it’s insane how much and it’s something I’ll have to get used to. James made all the arrangements for us, some of the cast know about the surprise, so they’re prepared for and welcoming when we visit their weekend filming.

One of the director’s assistants meets us and introduces us around. I meet Angelina who is spending her break time with her son. Up close and personal, the woman is gorgeous and I have to tell her so. She’s also really nice. We bond over our kids and talk about Max.

“He is such a pleasure to work with,” she tells me.

“I’m sure he’ll say the same about you”.

A person comes up to her with a message and she excuses herself.

She glances at me over her shoulder before she leaves. “He’s madly in love with you. Talks about you and Xan all the time, pictures and everything.”

Not that I needed that reassurance, but it doesn’t hurt to have it. “Thanks. It was nice to meet you.”

“I’m sure I’ll see you around. We should do dinner.”

“Sure,” I agree.

I don’t know how that would work arrangement wise but if it happens, I’m up for it.

Rachel McAdams, one of the actress in the film shows me to Max’s trailer.

“He’s got three hours free. Last I heard, he was taking a nap,” she tells me. “Door’s open though.”

I thank her and go in. Max is asleep on a single bed in t-shirt and shorts. My heart thuds against my chest at the sight of him. I take a chair and sit with Xan opposite him and just watch him sleep.

I don’t know how long I watch him, or if it’s my intense stare or Xan’s baby noises or a combination of both that rouse him from sleep.

His eyes open, he doesn’t jerk up in surprise, he just lays there. “Am I dreaming?”

“If this is all you dream about Evans, then we’re definitely going to have to spice up your imagination,” I reply.

He grins, a slow half smile that melts my insides. He sits up, with the grin still on his face. I stand and cross the room and stand in front of him. My breath catches in my throat when he gets up and toys with my hair in that familiar way I’m fond of.

He looks at me as if I’m the most magnificent thing he’s ever seen. “You’re here.” His tone is almost reverent.

I love this man.

****

Max’s POV

She’s here. They’re here. It’s not a dream.
I hungrily study her face; those twinkling brown eyes, the sweeping contours of her face, those wonderful lips.

“Thought it was about time we paid you a visit,” she grins.

I nod and making sure to give Xan, who’s between us, space to breathe, I taste her sweet lips. She opens up for me and I taste home.

Every doubt, everything paranoid worry I’ve had about her changing her mind, flows away. This is Liz. This is the woman I love and one who loves me back.

We break away when Xan squirms, wanting to make his presence known.

“I think someone wants a little attention,” Liz comments.

“I can only oblige,” I respond taking him from her. “Hey little man,” I greet him. He babbles back as if in response. I study him with wonder. Our son.

“He’s grown since I last saw him,” I notice.

“Grown a little more hair too,” Liz says affectionately ruffling his hair.

I nod, fascinated by my son as he grabs a dummy around his neck and chews on it. “How’s the teething going?”.

“He still gets cranky sometimes. It’s a nightmare when he’s put somewhere with lots of handy things he can try out in his mouth.”

“You’re just a little curious aren’t you?” I say to him.

“I’ll let you two catch up,” she tells me. “I’ll go check on Ava. She’s around here with James somewhere.”

“You brought Ava?”

“I figured Xan would need a babysitter while we caught up,” she winks before disappearing behind the door.

I stare at it for a moment dazed by her before turning back to Xan.

****

I spend time with my family in my trailer before taking them out onto the set. Liz has said that she’s already met a few people, but I want to show her off. I want everyone to know she’s mine. That they’re mine. I want to walk with her and Xan, in the sun and just enjoy them.

After that, Xan seems a bit tired, so Liz hands him over to Ava so we can spend a little time alone.

****

My palms are sweaty and not because of the heat, as we enter my trailer - as if this is the first time I’ve been alone with her.

“So,” she turns to me, “We’ve got about an hour before you have to start preparing to go back you there. What do you want to do?”.

“Hold on a sec.” I grab a piece of paper and marker to write a message.

“Disturb me and die. Succinct,” she muses.

“I think so,” I grin. I tape the message to the door of my trailer before stepping back in, lock the door and turn down all the blinds.

“I seem to remember a threat about what you’d do to me once you got your hands on me.” She has her hand on her hip and angles her head challengingly. “I’m still not shaking or quivering.”

Grinning, I jerk her close. “Oh you will be, but not from fear.” Our lips fuse together and I’m lost in her. Lost in her taste, her scent, her touch. I break off before I start tearing her clothes off.

“You quivering, shaking yet?” I ask

****

Liz’s POV

If he had continued I would be.

“Try harder,” I pant back.

“Okay.”

I expect him to kiss me again, to ravage me. I’m aching for him, but instead, he decides to torture me.

He slowly, tenderly undresses me, rewarding me with a probing kiss after each article of clothing is removed.

“Max,” I breath out in erotic frustration. I’m half naked, I need him to touch me and he’s taking it slow.

I’m about to tug off my jeans when his hands brush mine away.

“Not yet. I want to use up every second of this hour enjoying you.” He kneels down and slowly frees me from my denim and rewards me with trailing kisses along the inside of my thighs.

A sweet shudder runs through me.

“If I’m not mistaken, that was you shaking and quivering,” he murmurs against my hot skin.

“Shut up,” I tell him breathlessly.

I don’t know how my knees support me as he takes off my underwear. I wait for him to end the torture but he doesn’t, instead, he stands back up and just stares at me with drunk eyes.

Drunk on me. I don’t know when I’ll get used to knowing that I can put that look in Max Evan’s eyes. When starts toying with my hair, I raise an eyebrow.

“What are you doing?” I ask.

He steps closer until my naked body is pressed against his clothed one, but even through clothes, I can feel him hard for me. I lick my lips in anticipation.

“What are you doing Max?” I ask again.

He draws his eyes away from my hair and back to me. “Playing with your curls.”

“My curls?”.

He smirks when my eyes grow wide as he slips, one then two fingers in me.

“Get your mind in the gutter Parker,” he tells me before covering my mouth with is to quieten my sounds.

****

Max’s POV

I don’t think I’ll ever grow tired of this wanting of her, having her and wanting her some more. I watch as I take her over the edge with my fingers alone. My beautiful Liz.
I support her until she’s steady again. I know she’s steady when she starts kissing my neck.

“You are way too clothed,” she mumbles. “Take them off and fast.”

I oblige and whip off my clothes at record speed.

I hiss when he body sparks against mine.

“I’m not going slow,” she tells me.

I hold her tightly against me when she bites down on my neck. Her lips crash against mine and mate in a brutal clash of desire.

“Fast is good for me,” I whisper as he tongue snakes down my body.

****