by Peggy Hunter
"Call me Max."
Bushy grey eyebrows rose over Geoffrey's wrinkle-framed brown eyes but he made no comment. “Would you like me to check on Ms. Thornton?"
Max knew what was keeping her. She was toying with him. She wasn't the first woman to pretend to resist him and she wouldn't be the last. It annoyed Max that Julie would play hard to get. He thought she was different, not into those stupid little games the society women he usually dated liked to play.
Max sighed as he reached for the handle of the limo door. “No, Geoffrey,” he said, “I'll go after Ms. Thornton.” As Max pushed the door open, he glanced at his watch. “Do me a favor, will you?"
"Of course, sir."
"Cancel the reservations at Chez Louise."
Geoffrey frowned. “That may not be necessary if Ms. Thornton—"
"Just cancel them,” Max barked as he got out of the limo. He was about to walk up the steps to the apartment building when guilt got the better of him. He turned back and tapped on the driver's side window. When Geoffrey rolled the window down, Max bowed his head. “That was rude, I'm sorry,” he said softly.
Geoffrey smiled. “Understood...” he hesitated and then added, “Max."
Max leaned against the limo, looking down at his driver. “It's this woman,” he confided. “She drives me crazy."
Geoffrey chuckled. “Women will do that."
"She's not like the others. There's something different about her."
Geoffrey leaned back against the plush leather seat and took his cap off. After he tossed it on the seat beside him, he wiped his brow. “I met a woman like that once,” he said. “I'd just come home from the Korean War. She drove me to the point of madness.” Geoffrey glanced ahead of him, memories reflecting in his old eyes.
"What did you do?” Max asked.
"I did what any red-blooded man would do,” Geoffrey replied. “I set about turning her life upside down."
Max chuckled. “So what became of her?"
Geoffrey grinned as he turned to look at Max. “We celebrated our fifty-second anniversary two months ago."
Damn! Max backed away from the limo. “That's not what's going on here,” he said. “I barely know the woman and even so, I never tie myself down to one woman. Everyone knows that."
Geoffrey grabbed his hat and made a point of dusting it off before he placed it back on his head. “You asked."
"Yeah,” Max replied. And I'm sorry I did. “I'll see what's keeping her."
Just as Max rounded the limo and approached the apartment building, the door opened and Julie appeared. Max couldn't take his eyes off her as she slowly walked down the steps to the sidewalk.
Dressed in a sleeveless red velvet dress, Julie looked absolutely stunning. The bodice of the dress was formfitting, skintight...there was no way she could be wearing a bra under it, because the lines would definitely show. Though the skirt was short, mid-thigh, it was full with the hem trimmed with white fleece. Julie sported a Santa hat, carefully placed to tip over the right side of her head. Knee-high patent leather boots with ridiculously high heels completed the outfit. A bright red winter coat was slung over one arm while the other clutched a small red beaded purse.
As Julie stopped at the bottom of the stairs, a frigid December breeze caught the wide flounce of her dress and drew it up, revealing lily-white thighs and bright red bikini panties. Her cheeks flushed as her hands pushed her skirt down. “I guess I should have put my coat on,” she said softly.
Max was mesmerized. For the first time in his life, he was speechless. She looked so damn beautiful...so damn...well, he couldn't come up with anything more than beautiful.
Suddenly he heard a soft voice in his head. Tell her she looks lovely.
"You look lovely,” he blurted out.
Tell her she looks cold. Offer to help her with her coat.
Max gazed at her. “It's cold,” he said. “Why aren't you wearing your coat?"
"I thought it would take away from the dress,” she replied.
Max moved forward, took the coat from her arm and wrapped it around her shoulders. “But it won't do to have you freeze to death."
"Thank you,” she said softly as she pulled the lapels of the coat under her chin.
The voice in his head continued. Escort her into the limo.
Max grabbed her elbow and pulled her toward the limo. “Get in."
Julie's light blue eyes darkened as she twisted out of his hold. “Excuse me?"
Dumb ass. Ask her nicely.
"Please,” Max said softly as he smiled. “Won't you join me in the limo?"
It wasn't until Julie looked at his chauffeur that Max realized he was standing nearby. Geoffrey offered a reassuring smile as he pushed past Max and opened the limo door.
Julie hesitated as she glanced at the chauffeur. “He really can be a dumb ass, can't he?"
Max's throat tightened as Geoffrey grinned widely. “He certainly has his moments, Miss Thornton."
"Glad I'm not the only one who thinks so,” she replied. She shot Max a withering glare before she crawled into the backseat of the limo.
Max sniffed indignantly as he followed Julie into the backseat. “Thanks for your help,” he said.
Geoffrey nodded politely. “No problem,” he said. As the door swung shut, Max was certain he'd heard the older man add, “Dumb ass."
* * * *
Julie wasn't sure getting into the limo with Max was the best decision she'd ever made. The chauffeur's reassuring smile eased her angst only for a moment. Once she crawled into the limo, she realized she was completely alone with Max. His musky scent filled her scenes the second he got in beside her.
Julie clutched her purse on her lap and looked out the tinted window on her side as the limo moved into traffic. She could feel Max's eyes on her.
Why in hell had she decided to wear the Santa's helper outfit? She'd purchased it a few years ago for a Halloween party in Pencil, her hometown. Rob took one look at her in it and demanded she change her clothes. After all, he had to maintain his reputation in the town.
So what had possessed Julie to wear the dress tonight?
"You look beautiful,” Max said softly. “That dress makes me wish it could be Christmas every day of the year."
Julie felt her body relax just a bit as she turned to look at him. “Really?"
Max nodded as he opened the bar. “Wine?"
When Julie nodded, she watched as he poured white wine into a crystal stemmed glass and handed it to her. “Thanks for the compliment,” she said as she accepted the glass.
"You have no idea just how much of a compliment it is,” he said as he put the bottle of wine away and filled a tumbler with ice. “I hate Christmas,” he said as he opened a bottle of scotch and splashed it into the glass. “In fact, I don't remember a time when I enjoyed it."
Julie's eyes widened as she watched Max take a long swallow from his glass. “You can't be serious,” she said. “Christmas is the most magical time of the year, especially for children."
"Not for me,” he said solemnly. “Even though my father left when I was young, he kept a firm hand in my life. He didn't want his children to believe in anything other than money. Santa didn't bring gifts, his money did."
"That stinks,” Julie replied. “Every kid has the right to believe in Santa Claus. What about your mother?"
Max's face clouded. He held his glass to his lips but didn't take a drink. It was almost as though he was frozen for a moment. Julie cocked her head to one side as she gazed at his profile. Handsome didn't begin to describe Maxwell Diamond. The words magnificent and stunning came to mind.
His tall muscular body loomed over Julie's five foot four inch height. Dark brown hair was swept back from his classically chiseled face. High cheekbones, a long, angular nose and firm jaw made Maxwell Diamond the most handsome of the Diamond brothers...and the most sought after.
Sure, his money helped to attract women from around the globe...but there was more to him than
the Diamond fortune. The tabloids labeled him the Imperfect Diamond. He looked good on the surface but upon further inspection, the imperfections appeared. And Max seemed to revel in his so-called imperfections. He hid nothing from the tabloids and they, in turn, loved to shred him to bits.
Why? Julie couldn't help but wonder. And, considering how he seemed to freeze at the mention of his mother, there was definitely a connection.
She gave herself a mental shake. Now wasn't the time to press. Besides, she couldn't let the mystery that was Maxwell Diamond cloud her judgment. Or, for that matter, take away from the reason she was with him tonight. “Is now a good time to review the mail room issues?” She set her glass aside and opened her purse. “Obviously, I didn't bring the folder but I made a few notes on paper—"
"No,” Max said as his hand shot out and closed her purse on her fingers. His once frozen expression thawed quicker than she could have imagined possible. “We can discuss the issues in the office on Monday.” His warm hand gently massaged hers. “Tonight, I want to get to know you better."
Julie's body cooled in spite of the heat radiating from his touch on her hand. “You avoided me all week,” she said. “Now that I have your attention, I want to discuss the problems in the mail room."
Max set his drink down and moved across the seat. He pressed his side against her as his hand lifted hers. “I already told you all your demands will be met,” he said lazily before he pressed his lips to the back of her hand. “But go ahead anyway."
Julie tried to ignore his lips as she took a deep breath. “Okay,” she said, gasping when he turned her hand over and ran his tongue over the inside of her wrist. “Well, I guess the first thing we need to discuss is the poor lighting—"
"At this moment, a team of electricians is rewiring the mail room with strict orders to have it completed before Monday morning. They are installing a new track lighting system which will simulate daylight."
"Oh,” Julie replied. Max's lips left her wrist and began a slow, sensuous climb up her arm. His tongue slowly darted over the inside of her elbow. “Uhm, that's great,” she said, trying to stay focused on the issues at hand. “Then there's the restroom. The old toilets don't stop running and there's never enough—"
Max cut her off again. “A plumber installed new toilets this morning and I ordered a large supply of paper towels."
Before Julie could take a breath, Max added, “And the restrooms will have the same lighting as the mail room."
"Wow,” she said. “You certainly move fast."
Max chuckled against her elbow. “So they tell me.” When he rested a hand on her knee, she knew they were talking about different things entirely.
"What about our workload? We can't keep up with the amount of mail coming in."
"Human Resources has an order to hire two additional staff for the mail room.” That said, his hand slid up her knee and gently massaged the inside of her thigh. “Can we concentrate on something else now?"
Oh Lord, she wanted to. His lips had found their way to her throat and the touch of his hand on her inner thigh was driving her mad with need. But she had to cover all the bases. “There's still one more thing,” she said, barely able to keep herself in check.
"Hmm, yes, wages,” Max replied as his nose nuzzled her ear.
"We make barely over minimum wage."
"How does a four dollar an hour raise sound to you?"
Shocked, Julie pulled away in the hopes of looking into his eyes. When Max rested his rich brown eyes on her, she narrowed hers. “Are you serious?"
Max grinned. “Yes, I'm serious."
Julie wasn't convinced. “We're going to make four dollars an hour more? Just like that?"
Max nodded. “Retroactive to June 1st. I tried to go back to January but my father balked. Maybe Zack will approve it when he gets back."
Julie was stunned. She blinked, trying to process everything Max had just told her. Her mind reeled. “I can't believe it,” she said excitedly. “I mean, I hoped but I never dreamed you'd be able to come through for us."
"I'm glad you're pleased,” Max said as he leaned toward her again. “Now shut the hell up so I can kiss you."
As Max's mouth closed over hers, Julie's heart ached. He had no interest in the plight of the mail room workers at all. He wanted just one thing from her and was willing to go to great lengths to get it.
Max pulled his mouth off her lips. His rich brown eyes examined her closely. “What's wrong?” he asked.
Julie averted her gaze. “Nothing.” She couldn't tell him. After all, he'd moved mountains to help her coworkers.
"Then why did it feel like I was kissing a brick?"
Julie sighed. Her hands wrung together on her lap. “It's just that...” She couldn't find the words.
Max reached up and pulled the Santa hat off her head and set it aside. Julie closed her eyes as he ran his fingers through her hair and then, gently curved his hand on the side of her neck. “Tell me,” he said softly. “I want to know."
Julie took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “All right,” she said as she lifted her eyes to his. “Did you meet all the mail room workers’ demands because you want to get me into bed again?"
Max chuckled as his fingers trailed to her shoulder. “Again? As I recall, we didn't go to bed the first time."
"You know what I mean,” Julie said impatiently.
"Sure I know what you mean,” Max replied. “But we didn't go to bed."
"Okay,” Julie said. “We didn't go to bed. We had sex. How's that?"
Max shrugged. “Guess you could call it that."
Julie frowned. “Well, what the hell would you call it?"
"Simple.” Max grinned as his fingers pushed the strap of her dress aside and touched his lips to her shoulder. “You fucked me."
Julie gasped and pushed him away. “I f—” She couldn't say the word. “I did not!"
Max's head fell back as he laughed heartily. He moved a few inches away from her and rested against the seat. “You can't even say it."
"I don't want to say it!” Julie said angrily. “And besides, you were the one...” her voice trailed off again.
Max reached for his drink and took a long sip. “I was the one who...what?” he prodded, knowing how uncomfortable she was.
"You did it to me,” she said. “Not the other way around."
"By it, you mean fuck, right? I fucked you."
"Yes, that's what I mean.” Julie folded her arms over her chest and stared out the window.
Max filled the glasses again and held one out to Julie. When she didn't take it, he took her hand and wrapped her fingers around the glass. “Take a drink,” he said. “It'll calm your nerves.” When she didn't reply, he continued. “All right, let's just agree that we fucked each other."
Julie shivered. “Ugh, I hate that word. It's so vulgar."
"There's nothing vulgar about the word. It's how some people use it that can make it vulgar. I happen to think it's a very sexy word."
Julie snorted. “You would."
Max sighed. “I'm sorry,” he said. “I shouldn't have started the argument. Please don't be angry at me anymore."
Julie took a sip from her glass. “It's okay,” she said finally. She turned to look at him. “You never answered my question.” And right about now, Julie wasn't so sure she wanted an answer.
"No."
"No, what?"
"No, I didn't meet the demands in an effort to f—” he hesitated and then went on, “have sex with you again."
"Really?” Could she believe him?
"Look,” he said, “for years I've been loafing around Diamond Industries as little as possible. When my father made me VP, he fully expected I'd simply be a figurehead, not actually do anything or make any decisions. After all, I'm the no-good, layabout who would never amount to anything."
Julie watched Max's brown eyes fill with intensity. Resentment peppered his words as he continued. “Maybe it's time I contributed som
ething to this business. Maybe it's time to make my mark.” He tipped his glass to his mouth and drained it. When he placed the glass down, he looked at Julie. “Maybe it's time I show the old bastard that I'm every bit as capable as my brother."
Julie's heart hammered in her chest, her body ached with the need for his touch.
"Did that answer your question?” Max asked as he reached forward to refill his glass.
Julie leapt forward and grabbed his hand. “Yes,” she said breathlessly. “Kiss me."
Just as Max pulled her into his arms, the phone buzzed. “Damn,” Max said as he reached to answer. “We're at the restaurant."
"I'm not hungry."
Max hesitated with his hand on the phone. “My place?"
Julie nodded, relief coursing through her veins.
Chapter 6
The drive to Max's condo seemed endless. The moment they stepped inside, he took Julie into his arms and covered her lips with his. He wasn't sure when he'd ever wanted a woman more than he wanted Julie at that moment. And judging by the way she kissed him back, she was feeling the same.
Max's mouth didn't lift from hers as he walked her backwards into the condo.
Julie tore her mouth from his. “Shouldn't we at least turn some lights on?” she asked breathlessly.
"Naw,” Max said as her legs hit the edge of the leather sofa and he pushed her down. She squealed and giggled as he followed her down. “I'd rather feel my way,” he said as he went to his knees in front of her.
Julie's giggles turned to a soft moan as his hands ran from her legs, up her torso and settled on her breasts. Her nipples pebbled beneath the velvet dress, making Max desperate to touch her hot flesh. As one hand continued to kneed, the other went to the back of her dress to find the zipper. The tiny tab slipped from his anxious fingers twice before he hooked his hand inside the back of her dress and began to pull.
"No, wait. Don't tear it.” She pushed on his chest until he sat back on his knees. She stood up and reached behind her back. The lights from the street below cast a soft glow over Julie as the dress slid over her shoulders to the floor at her feet. Max licked his lips in anticipation as he gazed up at her tiny waist. She wore a bright red lacy bra and matching bikini panties. With another flick of her fingers, the bra fell away, revealing her firm ripe breasts. When she would have stepped out of her panties, he brushed her hands away and curled his fingers into the waistband and slowly moved them down.
