Part of the Family

by Cristina Grenier

  Now he looked at her, his eyes dark and heavy with emotion. “I’m not saying I don’t want to sleep with you, Maxine, because I do. The way I feel right now, if you let me take you, I’d never let you out of my bed.”

  He reached for her hand and held it, spreading the fingers. “But I like you, too. You’re funny, you’re smart, and you’re passionate about helping others. You’re interesting. I want to spend time with you out of bed as much as in it. You’re different from the other women I’ve had.”

  Max heard the utter sincerity in his tone, and the wonder, as if he couldn’t quite believe what he was telling her. She turned her hand so that their palms touched, and closed her fingers around his.

  “Thank you for sharing that with me. I appreciate your honesty. So, what now?”

  He took her palm, looking into her eyes as he brought it to his lips and kissed it, letting his tongue rest in the center of it. Max remembered the last time he had done that, and how she had shut him down. She knew this was him asking permission.

  “Now I want to hold you in my arms and feel you breathe. I want to ask you how your week was. I want to invite you out dancing with me.”

  Max smiled. “My week was long and slightly miserable.” When he looked at her with a raised brow, she chuckled softly and said “Okay, more than slightly. I don’t dance. And I wouldn’t mind cuddling, if that’s what will make you happy right now.”

  She knew it was what would make her happy.

  Chapter 11: Sleepover

  The meeting was taking forever, and Ev had just about run out of patience. He had heard all that he needed to, and was satisfied they’d made the right decision to back this new band. He was ready to leave. It was Friday evening, and he was sure the weary-looking band members and their manager would be happy to get a weekend off before they started rehearsal for the tour they had just discussed. He knew where he wanted to be. Where he’d been every night since Wednesday, when he’d gone to Maxine’s home and found what he’d been missing.

  Three weeks was no time to know if what he was feeling was love, but it was long enough to know it was more than lust that drove him to her condo every night for a few stolen hours before he had to go home to read to his son. He’d be away for the next week on business, and he didn’t want to miss a minute of whatever time he managed to spend with her. A storm was brewing, and he’d need to get in and out really quickly if he wasn’t to find himself snowed in at her place. Not that that would be a bad thing. They’d spent much of each night together making out like teenagers, and he was all for continuing to do that, since he figured she wasn’t going to let him into her bed any time soon.

  And much to his surprise, he was okay with that. He didn’t mind that she was making him work for the ultimate joy with her. He knew, from past experience, that when she finally gave in to him, their lovemaking would be glorious. That’s how it had been with Dani, and somehow Ev had the feeling what was happening between him and Max was the same kind of thing. He welcomed it, because it meant he didn’t feel empty anymore. She was filling up his empty spaces with her warmth, her kindness, her passion.

  He brought his mind back to the meeting, which was just breaking up, and caught his secretary’s eye. Del grinned at him. She knew he had zoned out, but she was good at what she did, and his guests were none the wiser. Once they had all filed out, she walked round to where he stood and said,

  “I’ll have that all typed up and ready for your approval by Monday. I’m sure you have better things to do this weekend than review boring recording contracts.”

  She was teasing him. She had been the one to order the flowers to be delivered to Max, and she knew of his plans to take Max dancing.

  “Well, we all deserve to be warm this weekend, no?” he winked at her as he spoke, and added, “You can’t expect to hog all the fun for yourself.”

  Del laughed. “I agree, boss. You deserve a little bit, for being such a good boy and sticking to one woman for a change.” Then she sobered and added, “Seriously, it’s really good to see you happy again. I hope this works out for the two of you.”

  Ev thought about that as he cleared his desk. He was happy, though he hadn’t really thought much about it. And he didn’t want to jinx it now, so he tucked it away to think about at a later time. Right now he needed to call Maxine, find out what time she’d be home so he could take her dinner, and then they’d spend a little time together before he had to go home to his son. It was two weeks before Christmas. Would she go with him and Danny to the cabin for the holiday?

  The thought took him by surprise. He hadn’t been to the cabin in three years, nor had he felt the desire, until now. Danny had never been there outside the womb. Maybe Maxine was not just good for him but for his son as well. He’d call up to make sure the caretaker would have it ready, and even if Maxine refused his invitation, he’d take Danny and Jeff up for the holiday. It was time to take back his life.

  His phone rang as he was getting off the elevator in the parking garage.

  “Everett Morgan,” he answered, without checking to see who it was.

  “Hi Ev, I’m sorry to call so late, but I’m afraid we’re gonna have to call off tonight,” Max said.

  He unlocked his car with the key fob and started the engine, dumping his briefcase and coat on the passenger seat before answering.

  “Sorry. Just getting in the car. What happened?”

  “My car broke down on the way home. I have to have it towed. I’m just waiting for a cab to come…”

  “Where are you?”

  “My garage is on Fourth and Pleasant. Bucky’s Auto.”

  “I know where that is…it’s on my way home. I’ll come get you. Stay warm till I get there.”

  The snow was just beginning to fall when Ev got to the garage. He ran in to get Maxine and settled her in the warmth of his Range Rover. On the way, he realized his home was closer to the auto shop than hers was. He hoped she would like his new idea.

  “How would you like to spend the night at my place?” he asked as they moved off. “This is closer to my place than yours. But you don’t have to say yes if you don’t want to.”

  He hoped she’d say yes. He’d taken one look at her in the dark gray pant suit and wanted to strip it off her. They could always figure out things like clothes once he got her home. And maybe they could cuddle by the fire, after Danny went to sleep. If she came home with him.

  “Okay. I wouldn’t want you to be out driving around in this,” she said, looking out through the windshield with concern. “It’s coming down harder than I thought it would so early.”

  Ev only registered the first word of everything she had just said. He smiled at her and kept driving, willing himself not to speed up. The car was known to do well in adverse weather conditions, but he didn’t think Maxine would take too kindly to him letting his speed demon ways out in such weather, no matter how good of a driver he was. He was just glad she had agreed so readily. He drove up his long driveway, thumbing open the garage door so he could drive into the garage and shut off the engine before closing the door. Silence reigned in the car for a few moments and then he turned to look at his unexpected guest.

  “Welcome back,” he said. “Thank you for accepting. I didn’t want to spend three whole nights without seeing you.”

  “And now you’ll be stuck with me for at least one of them,” she said ruefully.

  “You know what the song says,” he quipped unbuckling his seatbelt. “I am happy to be stuck with you.”

  He sang the words quietly, and her eyes widened in surprise. “You play and you sing? What else are you hiding under the playboy exterior?”

  Wincing at the reminder of his bad boy days, he said, “That’s for me to know and you to find out.”

  She laughed and he reveled in the sound of it. He got out of the car and walked around to meet her as she got out on the other side. Taking her hands, he pulled her into him for a gentle kiss.

  “Hello,” he said. “How
are you?”

  She pressed her lips back onto his. “I’m better now, thank you.”

  They smiled at each other and he held her hand as he opened the door to the kitchen. The house was quiet, but Ev knew Jeff and Danny were probably in the living room.

  “Come on, let’s go say hi, and then I’ll show you to your room.”

  He drew her into the living room where Jeff was reading his Kindle and Danny was working on a coloring book, making a mess of it but having a fine time. Ev smiled. Jeff had bought him the book, and had refused to be reimbursed. “It was a dollar,” he’d said with a laugh. “I can afford that.”

  “Evening boys,” he said, and grinned when Danny jumped up and ran to him, his arms raised.

  “Daddy!”

  “Hey, buddy! Were you a good boy today?”

  The little boy looked at Jeff who nodded and smiled. “Yes. Good boy!”

  Ev chuckled. “I’m glad to hear it.” He kissed his son’s cheeks and then turned to Max. “Look whose come for a visit?”

  Danny turned his pretty baby eyes to her and said “Hi. Are you mad today?”

  Max laughed, and Ev’s heart lifted. It would take a while for Danny to forget the fish wife comment, but he was glad Max was taking it in stride.

  “I’m just tired today,” she said.

  “Wanna color with me? Jeff says it rel…rela…makes him not tired.”

  Everyone laughed at that, and Max nodded. “Sure. Show me where you want me.”

  “Hey buddy, can you wait till I show Maxine her room? We’ll come right back, okay?”

  “Okay.”

  Ev took her hand, noting the sly grin that creased Jeff’s cheeks as he did. He hid his own smile and walked with her to the guest room which was closest to his bedroom. Opening the door, he led her in.

  “It’s a pretty room, Ev. Thank you.” She smiled at him and he wanted to kiss her again instead of taking her back out to play with his son.

  “Dani designed it. It hasn’t got much use since she died.” He waited for the usual pain. Nothing happened. He smiled. “I’m glad you like it. You can leave your things here,” he added, and helped her off with her suit jacket.

  He watched her sit on the end of the bed and pull her pumps off her feet. She wore stockings, and he immediately imagined stripping her to her garter belts and stockings. He didn’t even know if she wore that stuff, but it was too much stimulation for his excited brain. He turned away and walked to the door, waiting for her to follow him.

  “Would you like a pair of socks? The floors might be a little cold,” he told her.

  “No, I’m good,” she said. “I’ll let you know of I need them later.” Then she approached him and reached up to kiss his cheek. “Thanks for having me, for figuring out a way for us to spend time together.”

  “Any time,” he said, and took her hand.

  He couldn’t chance kissing her here, so close to a bed. He walked her by his bedroom, letting her have a brief look in, and then led her back out to the living room.

  “I had meant to order dinner for us, but I think we’re gonna have to fend for ourselves tonight. What would you all like to eat?”

  “Danny was asking for hotdog today when I took him to the park,” Jeff told him. “Some of his play pals had brought a picnic lunch. I told him he would have to ask when he got home. I’ll eat whatever.”

  “And how about you, Maxine?”

  “I don’t know. Can I come see what’s available?”

  “Sure.” The more time he got to spend with her, the better. “Danny, I’ll be right back, okay?”

  “Okay.” The little boy kept coloring without raising his head.

  Ev led the way into his kitchen and opened the freezer door. “Take a look. See anything you like?”

  She poked around for a bit while he tried hard to keep his eyes above her waist. Then she turned back to him and said, “Do you have canned chili? What about chili dogs? I could go for that.”

  He hunted around in the pantry until he found what she wanted and they worked together to make plain hotdogs for Danny and chili dogs for the adults. She grated the cheese when it was done, while he poured juice for his son and popped open three beers for the adults.

  “I have another idea,” she said. “Since it sounds like Danny wanted to have a picnic today, why don’t we make him one in the living room? I’ll even vacuum after, so there are no crumbs left behind.”

  How had he managed to snag himself a woman like Maxine Cousins? He blinked to wick away the prick of tears. None of the other women he had played with had cared a whit about Danny. None of them asked about him. None of them had shown even a remote interest in him. Maxine had done more in this one evening to show him who she really was than almost any of the others.

  “Do you have a picnic tablecloth? We can spread it over the coffee table.”

  He nodded, still too overcome to speak, and found the red checked picnic tablecloth. Then he hunted out some paper napkins to match it, and they took everything out to the living room. Danny’s coloring book and crayons were transferred to the couch behind him and they set up the impromptu picnic.

  “What a great idea!” Jeff said with a smile. “Come sit by me, Danny,” he told the little boy and opened his arms for the child to come and sit by him.

  Dinner was a rousing success. Danny ate his one hotdog, finished his juice and asked for something more.

  “Would you like one of the ice pops I bought at the park today?” Jeff asked. When Danny nodded enthusiastically, he looked at Ev, who nodded his agreement.

  While he went to get the treat, Ev looked over at Maxine, polishing off her second chili dog.

  “How was dinner?” he asked.

  “Yummy,” she said with a grin, licking her fingers. “Thank you!”

  “No, thank you. This was a great idea!”

  “I try. So, may I have another beer as a reward?”

  Ev paused, and looked at her. He had been iffy about giving her the first one to begin with, because he remembered how she said she got when she had too much to drink. A second beer might tip her closer to that edge. Would he mind if she was loosey-goosey with him, like she’d said? Definitely not, but he didn’t want to be the reason she lost control, either.

  “Are you sure?” he asked, hesitating.

  “I’m sure. I’ll just go to bed after. It’ll be fine. Two beers won’t do too much to me.”

  He went to get her a second, and grabbed himself one as well. Jeff had come back in with Danny happily sucking on an ice pop. They all, except for Jeff, settled down on the floor and Jeff tuned the television to a channel showing old comedies.

  “Danny likes to watch this with me,” he said. “He gets a kick out of Andy Griffith and The Golden Girls.”

  Ev felt a warmth spreading through him that he had never felt before. He looked at the others sitting around his coffee table and it felt like a family. What he had always wanted with Dani was now happening with a woman he hadn’t known a month ago. How was this even possible? He turned his gaze to Maxine’s face. She was laughing at something Dorothy had just said to her mother, and her dimples lit up her cheeks. She must have felt his eyes on her because she looked over at him, and a knowing smile curved her lips.

  God, he was in so much damn trouble! How was he going to survive having her this close to him and not take her all the way to paradise with him? He returned her smile helplessly, and when she looked back to the television, he swallowed and rose to his feet. He needed to keep himself occupied. He began to clear away the dinner things, and when she protested, he said,

  “No, it’s better this way. It’ll be easier to clean later.”

  He came back in when M*A*S*H was on, and he tried to concentrate on the humor, on BJ and Hawkeye and Klinger, but all he could see was Maxine holding her belly as she laughed at the silliness, or wiping her eyes when the young soldier died on the operating table. She was so vibrant he wished he could bottle her essence. He’d make a mint
selling it. But he knew he would never sell it. If he could, he would keep it all for himself. She was turning him into a selfish man, wanting nothing more than to keep her all to himself.

  Ev kept checking his watch, and was happy when Danny’s bath time rolled around. In another hour, they’d be free of company, and he could snuggle with her, lay soft kisses in her hair, and listen to her breathe. Jeff finally took Danny for his bath and he slid around to where she sat, her legs stretched out, watching Hogan’s Heroes.

  “You like this stuff, don’t you?” he asked, smiling indulgently at her.

  “I do. I don’t spend a lot of time relaxing, but when I have the chance, old shows like this and Britcoms are my thing.”

  He eyed her in surprise. “So, Are You Being Served? Yes, Minister? Fawlty Towers?”

  She grinned. “Not the last one. I fail to see what’s funny in it. I know, I’m in a minority of one, but that’s me, take me or leave me.”

  Ev pulled her right up next to him, and only the knowledge that Jeff could walk back in at any moment stopped him from pulling her over to straddle his thighs. Instead, he dropped a kiss to the top of her head and whispered,

  “I’ll always take you, Minx. Always.”

  She turned her head up to look at him and he captured her mouth in a hot kiss. She was hungry for him, as much as he was for her. Her hands cupped the back of his head as she pulled him down to her, and she moaned when he released her lips to lick up her jaw to her ear where he added,

  “And if you’ll let me, I’ll take you all the way.”

  “Ev!” Her response was hoarse sounding of need and arousal.

  He returned his lips to her waiting mouth and sucked on her lower lip, nipping her sharply there before plunging in to take control of the kiss. She wrapped her arms around him, and he hauled her closer still, until she was lying across his lap. Nothing in that moment existed for Ev outside of Maxine’s lips and tongue, or the feel of her breasts mashed up against his chest, of her soft arms encircling his neck, of her hot breaths against his mouth.