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Once Upon a Lifetime – By Kazza Part
10
“Liz!” He called out as the front door slammed shut. Pushing his way passed through the crowd of guests in the hall, he reached the door and turned the knob. Pulling it open, he saw Liz climbing into a waiting taxi. “Liz, wait!” He yelled once again, descending down the steps two at a time in an attempt to catch her before the taxi drove off. He reached the car just as the taxi was about to pull away. Wrenching open the door, Max climbed inside and the taxi drove off. “What are you doing Max?” Liz questioned, trying to hide the tears that were escaping down her face. “I’m going after you Liz, what does it look like?” He replied, the moonlight streaming into the taxi catching the tears that were drenching her face and making it glisten. “Why?” “You don’t have to worry about me Max. I’m a big girl and I am just your secretary.” She replied sharply. Why does he have to make this even more difficult than it is already? I saw him dancing with her, end of story. Why can’t he just leave me to nurse my broken heart? Why does he have to rub salt into my wounds? She thought to herself. “But
you’re not just my secretary Liz, you’re my friend as well, remember?”
Max said, thinking back to their talk in his office a few days
previously. “I do though, I need to make sure you don’t get the wrong idea about that dance back there.” He replied. Inside her head, Liz got totally the wrong impression of what Max was saying to her. “I didn’t get the wrong idea honestly. I know it was just two friends dancing, I know that Max, nothing more. Don’t worry I won’t hold it against you on Monday.” She replied. Inside she felt like her heart was breaking into millions of tiny pieces. Had she got the wrong idea about the dance? To Liz had been the single most romantic event of her life, she really didn’t need him to brush it off as nothing special, trivialise the most perfect moment in her life. “God that would make me feel even worse than I do right now.” She thought, “How wrong could I have been about him?” Friends? Just friends? Was that all they were to him? Had the dance and “oh so nearly” kiss meant absolutely nothing to him? “Well ……… I wouldn’t say it was two friends dancing.” Max retorted indignantly. “But you just said we were friends?” Liz replied getting completely confused. “Where does he get off screwing with my head like this?” She thought angrily “What? We are friends, I wasn’t talking about us.” Max replied equally confused. “Then what were you talking about?” Liz asked, turning to face him for the first time since he got in the taxi. “I was talking about the dance with Sabrina back there, I know you saw it.” “Oh ……….. that. It’s ok, you don’t have to explain.” She replied, turning her head away from him slightly grateful he hadn’t meant their dance.. “But I want to.” He replied softly. “I didn’t want to dance with Sabrina, but Isabelle with all her worldly wisdom has been trying to set me up all night. She thought a dance would be all I’d need to fall for her. If it’s any consolation, I hated every moment of it. God I thought her hands would never stop roaming!” He replied smiling as Liz giggled quietly in spite herself. “So it would take more than a dance to fall for someone?” Liz asked shyly. In her head she knew what she hoped and prayed his answer would be. “Yeah, it would.” He said, pausing for a moment. “I’d have to have admired them for a while beforehand.” He replied, realising where Liz was leading. “Really?” She replied, hoping he was insinuating what she thought he was. “Yeah.” He whispered, pulling her close to him and kissing her forehead gently. Melting into his arms, Liz let her tense body relax and enjoy the embrace with the man of her dreams. They stayed huddled together for the remainder of the ten minute journey back to Liz’s house. Liz assumed he’d make sure she got home safely then head off in the taxi back to the party or on to his house. But when the taxi pulled up, he climbed out with her and paid the taxi before she had a chance. “Do you want to come in?” She offered tentatively. “Sure.” He replied as they walked up the steps to her front door. As she reached the door, she nervously jostled in her bag for the keys, causing them to spill out onto the stone floor below. Both bending down at the same time, they bashed heads in their attempts to salvage the keys. “Oww!” Liz cried out rubbing the painful spot on her forehead as they knelt down. “Oh Liz I’m sorry.” He exclaimed, taking her elbows in his hand and helping her back to her feet. “It’s ok, I’m pretty tough.” She replied, fumbling the key into the lock and trying to stop her hand from shaking so she could turn it. The step wasn’t particularly large, and to have them both standing on it meant Max was standing very close to her. She could feel his hot breath tickling the back of her neck as he stood behind her, waiting for her to let them in. “Here, allow me.” He replied, placing his large hand over the top of her tiny fingers and turning the key for her. “Thanks.” She mumbled as she stepped inside her house. Ushering him into the lounge, Liz offered Max a seat. “I’m sorry it isn’t as plush as your place, but it’s enough for me.” She said, seeing Max survey her house. “No, no it’s really nice, a lot cosier than my place.” He replied smiling warmly. “A drink, can I get you a drink?” She offered, realising she’d lost her manners. “Erm sure, coffee would be great.” He replied, watching her bolt out the room towards the kitchen. Noting her jumpiness, Max made a mental note not to make any sudden movements around her, not wanting to give more fuel for her nerves. He didn’t know what he was doing at that moment. He knew coming into her house was like walking straight into temptation, but he just couldn’t resist. She had him captivated under the spell she had no idea she’d cast. It was wrong to chase her, he’d told himself so many times over the previous weeks that it couldn’t work, they were too different, they needed to keep a professional distance. But right there, sitting in her lounge, all reason flew quickly out the window. He knew what he wanted and he had to go and sought it out. Involuntarily he found his feet walking their way towards Liz. “So, how long have you been living here?” He asked, stepping into the kitchen. The flinch in her body indicated to him that he’d made her jump, and he inwardly scolded himself for doing the one thing he’d promised himself he wouldn’t. “Erm, about two years now.” She replied composing herself and pouring hot water into the coffee percolator. “You’ve made it look really pretty, very homely.” He replied moving closer to her. “Thanks.” She added quietly, realising he was once again very close to her body. “Your dress is really stunning Liz.” He said, realising he hadn’t gotten round to telling her earlier at the party “Thanks, not as amazing as Isabelle’s though. That dress she wore tonight was truly beautiful, and made her look even more dazzling than usual.” She replied still not facing him. “Yeah it was a nice dress, but didn’t leave a great deal to the imagination.” Max replied. Staring at her back, Max marvelled at the way the silky black material moulded itself around her curved hips. It took all the willpower he possessed not to touch the large area of bare skin across her back that the exquisite dress exposed. After a few seconds, his steely resolve melted somewhat and he reached out to place his hands gently above her hips. Closing her eyes, she involuntarily took in a deep breath and tilted her head backwards, causing it to lie against his shoulder. Such an open stance showed off her bare neck fully to him, and he couldn’t resist bending his head and lightly kissing the soft skin at the side of her neck. His hot lips on her cool skin made Liz bite down on her lip in an attempt to stifle the groan that was threatening to escape from her mouth. He’d barely touched her, yet Liz could feel her whole body burning up from the inside out. Taking her reaction to his feather light kiss as a good sign, Max moved his hands to her shoulders and slowly turned her round to face him. Her head was low as she attempted to hide the reaction his kiss had on her. Brushing the back of his hand against her cheek, he caressed her neck with his fingers before moving to her chin and lifting her head up so he could look in her eyes. The shy, reserved look was back in her eyes as he stared into her deep blue pools. “Is this ok Liz?” He whispered, not wanting to go any further if she didn’t want the same. At that moment Liz felt like someone had severed her vocal chords, she opened her mouth to reply, but no sound was emitted. Instead, she simply nodded her head to answer his question. Moving one hand to the back of her head and the other around her waist, he slowly bent his head, and lightly, ever so gently brushed his lips against hers. It was only the tiniest of touches, but for Liz she felt like she was going to faint. Her body felt so light and she felt certain that if he hadn’t had his arm around her waist she would have melted into a pool on the floor of her kitchen, just like hot wax dripping from a lit candle. Raising his head, he caught sight of her eyes, needing to see her reaction to his kiss. The sparkling joy he saw in her blue eyes indicated that she had enjoyed it. Taking this as a good sign once more, he pulled her even closer to his body and captured her lips once more. The kiss this time was more intense and more passionate than the previous one, making Liz liquefy into his strong arms once again. He was aware he’d totally overstepped the mark, but also knew there was no turning back now. Having Liz in his arms, kissing her, felt so right, so natural, like they’d been together forever. No matter how much willpower he possessed, it would only have been a matter of time before they had got together. “Wow.” Liz whispered as they eventually broke their clinch. “Yeah, something like that.” He replied, feeling his cheeks begin to flush. Realising the awkwardness of the moment, Liz turned back to the coffee percolator, and attempted to pick it up. As she did, her shaking hand was very visible, and no matter how she tried to calm herself, nothing helped. “Here, let me help.” He offered, persuading her to relinquish her tight grip so he could pour the coffee. Taking the cups out to the lounge, Liz proceeded to put some relaxing music on her stereo and then sat down beside him. Taking his hand to her cheek, he stroked it gently, taking in every centimetre of her beautiful face. Stilling his hand with her own, she boldly moved it to her lips, kissing the tip of his finger gently. Slowly, allowing his fingers to slip from her grasp, Max took a sip of his coffee to try and clear the hazy feeling in his head. Everything had happened so quickly that night, he desperately needed to regain his senses and rationalise his actions. “Liz.” He said, clearing his throat. “I’ve overstepped the mark tonight, and I’m sorry, I hope I haven’t offended you.” He added, taking her hand in his once more. “No, you certainly haven’t offended me, quite the opposite.” She replied. “Where do we go from here?” She added quietly. “I don’t know Liz, I really don’t know. All I know is from the moment I saw you I’ve done my best to keep away, apart from at work. No matter what I’ve done, my attraction to you has grown stronger each day. I can’t deny that I care very much for you Liz.” He replied honestly, stroking her hand. “I care for you too Max. You were so kind, so gentle when I needed you after what Robin did. You are so completely different to any other guy I’ve known.” She replied. “I think, if you don’t mind, that we should keep this quiet from the office at the moment. I don’t want to create gossip that could harm anything we might have.” He replied calmly, hoping she wouldn’t take his request the wrong way. In his mind, Max wanted to keep their potential relationship a secret so that it could give them time for their relationship to blossom without being under the intense scrutiny they would get at the office. “I agree, I know how gossipy Maria can be!” Liz joked. Her eyes danced as she giggled, making Max’s heart flutter with feelings for her. God could he be any more in love with her, he thought. Cupping her face with his hands, he moved in to kiss her again. The kiss was soft and sweet, but not invading. Although he wanted nothing more than to plunge his tongue into her soft, inviting mouth, the last thing he wanted to do was scare her away. No, taking things slowly would definitely be the way to go for them. Back at the party, Isabelle was totally shocked by Max’s sudden departure. He’d left Sabrina stranded in the middle of the dance floor, totally alone, and she was livid with him. Although Brad tried to calm her down, Isabelle just couldn’t accept that Max could have a good enough reason to just up and leave like he had. “I’m sure he had a good reason Is. Max is a big boy now, he doesn’t need babysitting by you.” Brad insisted, wanting to get back to enjoying the party. “No Brad, Max has better manners than to just leave a poor girl standing on the dance floor alone!” Isabelle snapped, trying to console Sabrina. “Really Isabelle, it’s ok.” She replied trying to sound fine. “No it isn’t, I really don’t know what came over Max. He’s never done something like that again, normally he’s the perfect gentleman.” Isabelle replied stroking the girl’s shoulders. “I’m sure Max didn’t mean to.” “Look, how about coming to our house tomorrow night for dinner, to make up for it.” Isabelle offered. “Oh that so kind Isabelle. Thank you so much.” She replied smiling. “Now can we get back to the party?” Brad insisted, throwing an angry stare at his girlfriend. “But I need to find out what’s wrong with Max, it could be important.” Isabelle replied. “Isabelle!” Brad snapped. “We are here for the party, I need to make some contacts for my next part, and I need you looking pretty beside me. Now will you please drop this about Max, he’s big enough and ugly enough to look after himself for gods sake.” Brad added with an angry tone to his voice. “Erm sure.” Isabelle replied backing down. She didn’t like it when Brad was angry, it didn’t happen that often, and normally she’d stand up to him, but this wasn’t the time or the place to start an argument. An hour and a half later, Max and Liz were dozing quietly on her sofa. She looked so peaceful lying in his arms, and Max remembered the last time he’d held her like this. She’d been so scared after the nightmare reliving her attack, he’d held her so tightly that night, not ever wanting to let her go. The following morning he’d thought he’d never hold her that close again, and here she was encased in his embrace once more. Stirring, some of her raven hair fell across her sleeping face. Lifting his hand, Max picked up the rouge pieces of hair and moved them back behind her ear. He didn’t want to wake her, but knew he couldn’t and shouldn’t stay the night. Isabelle was going to be miffed enough at the way he’d dashed off from the party and if he didn’t come home, well she’d probably not speak to him ever again. Scooping her up in his arms, Max carefully carried Liz up to her room, trying desperately not to wake her up. Laying her gently down on her bed, Liz stirred before drifting back to sleep again. Removing her shoes, Max paused for a moment to consider whether he should remove her dress. Deciding caution was the better part of valour, Max pulled the duvet over her sleeping form allowing her to rest in her amazing dress. Scribing a quick note and leaving it by her bed, Max disappeared downstairs and out on to the cool New York street. Haling a taxi, he jumped in and daydreamed about Liz all the way home. Part
11
As the sun streamed through her uncurtained window, Liz felt herself drift out of the most amazing dream. She’d dreamt that she’d gone to the most wonderful party at a huge house the night before. She’d met Max there and they’d shared the most beautifully romantic dance under the moonlight in a deserted garden. Then, at the end of the night he’d taken her home and they’d shared their first passionate kiss. Rubbing her eyes and sighing that the dream was over, she took in a deep breath, then noticed her duvet had slipped down to reveal she was wearing the dress from her dream. Shaking her head, she turned her eyes to her bedside table to check the time on her alarm clock. It was then that she saw the folded piece of paper in front of the clock. Picking it up, she flipped it once between her fingers before opening it up. Liz, you looked so beautiful and peaceful sleeping last night I just didn’t have the heart to wake you. Will call you today, I promise. Love Max xxx “Oh my god, it wasn’t a dream!” She screamed at the top of her voice, bolting upright in her bed. “Oh my god, oh my god!” She repeated over and over before flumping back down on her bed. She felt totally exhausted, it had been gone 1.00am when they came home from the party, and she wasn’t sure of the time when she had eventually fallen asleep. She guessed she’d drifted off while lying on the sofa in his arms, and Max had probably carried her upstairs, other than that she’d sleep walked her way ‘cause she didn’t remember getting into bed. Her heart was pounding so hard she thought it was going to jump right up her throat and out her mouth. She felt hot, cold, hot, cold, just at the thought of the kisses they had shared the previous evening. Trying to take deep even breaths to control her racing heartbeat, Liz couldn’t help but replay the dance they had shared under the veil of darkness in her mind. “Wow, that was mind blowing, the most awesome encounter I have every experienced.” She said to herself. “Ok, so I haven’t experienced much like that before, but hey who’s counting!” She giggled to herself. The giggling hysteria she felt inside was pushing it’s way to the top, biting her lip she tried desperately to regain control of her emotions and calm herself. “Ok, it was just a dance, just a hug, just a kiss.” She said trying to keep her voice calm and even. “Or several!” She added collapsing into nervous giggles once again. “Oh god I’m gone Tabby, there is totally, absolutely no hope for me!” She said as her cat jumped onto the bed and stared at her. As he laid sleeping peacefully in his own dream world, Max was suddenly aware of a pair of hands shaking his shoulders. Slowly waking up, he rubbed his hands over his eyes, and half opened them to find Isabelle staring directly at him. “Isabelle.” He mumbled groggily. Waking him up like this was definitely not the way to go. “What the hell happened to you last night?” She yelled loudly. “Hey, hey, not so loud, some of us are still asleep!” He complained, trying to close his eyes again. “No way Max! I want some answers.” She added shaking him again. “For gods sake Isabelle, I’m trying to sleep!” He groaned “I can see that, but I’m going to keep shaking you until you answer me.” “Ok, ok Is, I get the message.” He replied, admitting defeat. “Look give me five minutes to wake up properly and then I’ll answer your questions. Ok?” He added “Five minutes, no longer!” She snapped, before vacating his room. Once his door was safely shut, Max let out a loud groan. Being grilled by his sister first thing on a Saturday morning after having very little sleep was not his favourite pass time. In fact, it was normally something he would avoid at all costs, but he had a feeling Isabelle wasn’t going to be brushed off easily. Slowly emerging from his warm, comfortable bed, Max grabbed a t-shirt that was draped over his chair and pulled it over his head. Foraging for a pair of sweat pants, he pulled them on also before catching a glance of himself in the mirror. Wow, he certainly looked rough! Smoothing down the spikes in his hair, Max splashed some cold water over his face before reaching for this toothbrush. If he had to face Isabelle’s grilling, he knew he’d have to have his wits about him, otherwise he’d divulge information to her that he really didn’t want his sister to know just yet. “Max! I’m waiting!” Isabelle hollered from the kitchen. “Ok, god Isabelle can’t you wait?” He complained sauntering out of his room. “No, some things are way too important to wait for. Like why the hell did you leave your date in the middle of the dance floor and bolt out of a party with hardly a goodbye?” She yelled. “Right, let’s have some ground rules here first. Now I will answer some of your questions, but you *have* to stop yelling at me like I’m a five year old. You are my sister Isabelle, not my mother remember!” “Start talking then.” She replied attempting to calm the tone of her voice. “Thank you. Now let’s get something straight, Sabrina was not my ‘date’, I hardly know her at all. Ok so I was wrong to leave her like I did, but I had my reasons Isabelle, reasons that I’m not prepared to divulge to you right now. Yes I left the party early, but I said to you when I agreed to go that I would probably not stay to the end. It is not a crime to leave a party early.”
“Hump!
So why did you leave like that?” “Yes, but that’s because I don’t intent to see her again.” He insisted. “Why not Max? She’s really nice once you get to know her. I should know, I had to comfort her when you did your disappearing act.” Isabelle replied indignantly. “I’m sure she is nice Isabelle, just not my type.” “Well too bad, I’ve invited her over for dinner tonight along with Brad, and you’re gonna make it up to her for running out like you did.” Isabelle replied sharply. “You did what!” Max yelled. “Hey, I thought there was to be no yelling?” “That was before you told me you’d invited someone we hardly know over for a cosy foursome!” He retorted. “Oh
for gods sake Max, it’s only dinner! It
will help you to get to know Sabrina more, see the real her.” “Get over it Max! Dinner is happening whether you like it or not. She’ll be here just after 7.00pm, so you’d better be ready.” Isabelle replied, starting to walk away. “And if I’m not?” He snapped. “You will be Max!” She insisted before disappearing out of earshot. Once his sister had disappeared to her room, Max let out a huge sign and gently banged his head a couple of times against the kitchen wall. He had planned to ask Liz out for dinner that evening, he really wanted to see her, but that plan was now well and truly ruined. “God, I could have had a sister who kept herself to herself, but no I have to have a sister to makes it her own personal mission to set me up with any and every woman possible!” He winged to himself. “Right, I’m going out to get the food for tonight, remember Max, you’d better be here!” She warned before leaving the apartment. Grabbing the phone that was beside him on the counter top, Max headed back to his room to find his wallet. He’d taken it upon himself to copy down Liz’s telephone number before leaving her the previous night, and he really hoped he hadn’t presumed too much. Without giving himself time to hesitate, he punched in the number and waited for it to ring. After four rings, the phone on the other end was picked up. “Hello?” “Liz? It’s Max.” He said hesitantly. “Max hi, how are you?” She asked, her voice almost melting down the phone to him. “Good, and you?” “Yeah,
the same.” “That would be really great.” She replied happily. “Great, I’ll pick you up in about, 2 hours?” He asked. “Perfect, I’ll see you then.” She replied before putting the phone down and letting out a loud squeal of excitement. Right on time, just before 12.30pm, Max pulled up outside Liz’s house in his black Porsche Convertible. His car was his pride and joy, his one power toy that indicated he had money and a respectable job. It was the only true luxury he’d allowed himself to buy, and he got a buzz every time he slipped into the driving seat. Hesitating for a moment, Max composed himself before climbing out the car and heading up to Liz’s front door. Liz had seen his car pull up outside from her lounge window and was waiting at the other side of the door for him to ring the bell. Not wanting to seem too eager, she counted to ten under her breath before reaching for the catch on the door. “Hi.” She said shyly. “Hi.” He replied just as bashfully. “Right, erm, I’ll just, erm, grab my jacket.” She stumbled, reaching for the garment that was on a peg by the door. “Great, let’s go then.” Max replied, as Liz shut and locked her front door. “So,
where are you taking me then?” She
asked, as Max opened the door to his car for her. “This car is amazing.” Liz added as she buckled her seatbelt. “Yeah, it’s pretty special. It’s my one luxury and I love it. My parents weren’t particularly pleased when I bought it though, I think they thought I might wrap it round a tree or something, but I think I’ve won them over now.” “So, you’re a bit of a boy racer are you?” Liz teased. “Mmm, I wouldn’t quite call myself a boy racer, but this baby certainly goes fast if you put your foot down!” Max replied, glancing at Liz and seeing her bopping away to some music on the radio. Smiling at her carefreeness, he turned back to the road and concentrated on driving to the bistro. Their lunch was a great success; they talked almost non-stop about a variety of subjects, work, the party and Max’s family, amongst other things. “I want to be honest with you Liz, I really wanted to take you out for a meal tonight instead of this, but Isabelle is being her normal interfering self.” “Why?
What’s she done?” “Mind, why should I?” Liz replied, trying not to look hurt. She knew she was being silly, she didn’t own him, they’d shared a dance, a few kisses and now lunch, it didn’t exactly constitute having a full blown relationship with him. “I really am sorry Liz. I tried to get out of it, but you know Isabelle when she gets an idea in her mind, even I can dissuade her!” He said, seeing the uncertainty in Liz’s face. “No really, it’s ok, I do understand.” She replied trying to clear her mind and look like she meant what she was saying. “I wish it was you coming tonight and not Sabrina.” He said quietly, placing his hand on top of hers which was resting on the table. “Thanks.” She replied shyly, subconsciously wishing she was going as well. The feeling of jealously wasn’t something Liz was used to, not really having felt it before, but a huge pang shot through her body as she stared back at Max. The thought of him sharing a potentially intimate dinner with a single girl and another couple was horrible. She knew she could trust Max, he was a gentleman after all, but that didn’t stop the envy she felt inside. She wished she could be there beside him that night, or somehow mark him as her territory to ward off unwelcome advances. Max dropped Liz back off at home around 4.00pm that afternoon. After the meal they’d taken a walk along the shops, gazing in a couple of the windows but not actually buying anything. He was reluctant to let her go when they reached her front door, wishing he could stay all evening, but he knew the wraith of Isabelle wasn’t worth it. “I really am sorry about tonight.” “Max, that’s like the tenth time you’ve said that to me. It’s ok, I totally understand.” Liz replied trying to calm his fears. “We’ll
go out tomorrow?” “That I get to choose where we go and what we do.” Liz replied, her eyes dancing with potential excitement. “Ok.
I’ll warn you though, I’m not very good at sports!” “Yeah.” Was all she managed to force out from her mouth, before watching him head back to his sports car. Once she had floated inside the house, Liz started to think about what she and Max could do the following day. She didn’t know Max that well, but she hoped he’d really like what she was preparing. Driving back home, the wind whipped around his dark brown hair. He’d just experienced a wonderful afternoon with Liz, he felt he’d really got to know a lot more about Liz the person and not just Liz the secretary. A feeling of dread descended upon him though, as he thought about what lied ahead of him that night. The thought of spending all evening with Sabrina and his sister’s attempts at matchmaking was enough to make his skin crawl. “God if the way she threw herself at me last night is anything to go by, I’ll have to keep my guard up tonight!” He joked, as he turned on to the freeway. In an attempt to get the evening over as quickly as possible, Max put his foot down and made the car go a bit faster. Subconsciously he wished something would crop up so that he could get out of what Isabelle had prepared.
TBC ........................!
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