Something to Believe in

PART 33

All too soon their holiday retreat came to a reluctant end.  To Max, it had been a total success though.  Not only had they spent quality time together, but Liz had also accepted his proposal.  In doing so, she had also opened up her very last secret to him, which signalled that she truly trusted him.  There was a clear relaxation in her manner, as if finally enjoying and accepting the emotions she felt for him and the love he showered her with openly.

The only thing that troubled Max thought was the fact Liz hadn’t told her family about him or their recent engagement.  Max was a traditionalist, and in his heart he knew he couldn’t truly plan or enjoy their wedding until he had asked Liz’s father for her hand in marriage.  It was old fashioned and he was sure Liz would say completely unnecessary since she was a grown woman with a mind of her own, but it was important to him.  He had to gain approval before going further, it was that simple.

Breaching the subject, however, was a delicate project.  He was sure Liz wouldn’t take too kindly to him pushing her into arranging a meeting with her parents.  But, if she had some issues with her parents he hoped he’d be able to help her, or at least understand if she refused to meet with them.

The moment presented itself a little over a week after their return from holiday.  Lying in Max’s arms after making love, they were discussing tentative wedding plans.  Although they both knew they wanted to make the commitment of marriage, a period of engagement was suitable for both parties. 

“Liz ….”  He started.

“Mmmm.”

“I was wondering …… we should go and see your parents.  You know, it would be better telling them in person about us than over the phone.” 

“Oh they won’t care.”  Liz replied casually, trying to close the subject before it began.

“Of course they will, their little girl’s gonna get married …… besides it would be nice to meet them before the wedding.”

“Oh I don’t know if they’ll be able to make it to the wedding.”  Liz announced somewhat cryptically. 

“But we haven’t even set a date, how can you say they won’t be able to make it?  This is your big day, I’m sure they’ll be there.”

“They’re really busy people Max ………..”

“I’m sure they are, but their daughter will only be getting married once.”  He said firmly.

“Look Max, I know you mean well and everything, but seeing them just isn’t a good idea …….”

“Why not Liz?  What are you afraid of?  What are you running from?”  He queried, tilting his head down so he could look at her.  It was clear by her evasiveness that something was troubling her, and he wanted to help any way he could.  If meeting her parents was a problem then he’d accept it, but details as to why was a necessity for his peace of mind.

“I’m not afraid of anything ………”

“Liz please, what ever it is I’m sure we can face it together.  You just have to talk to me.”  He pressed gently.

“Ok Max, you wanna know?  I’m scared to go home ok!”  She snapped somewhat, pulling away from his comforting embrace.

“Why?”  He queried, propping his upper body up on the pillow.

“Because ………… because I haven’t really been back to see them properly since I lost Kyle.”  She replied, somewhat shamefully.

“What?  You’ve not spent quality time with your own family in years?”  He queried, trying to keep the astonishment out of his voice.

“No I haven’t ok.”  She responded, pausing for a moment.  “I guess ….. I’ve been afraid to go home for any length of time.”

“Why?”

“Because I’m scared I’ll slip back into the person I used to be when it was my family home.  I was a very different person back then Max, I was naïve and very innocent in the way I viewed the world.  I thought nothing would be able to hurt me, and my parents helped to create that imaginary world for me.  They made me believe that my life would be perfect and I’d be just like them.  But I haven’t had a perfect life Max, I’ve had pain and heartache and only finding you has given me a chance a more good times.” 

“Liz you can’t hold your parents responsible for Kyle’s death.  I know that they protected you from realities of this world, but that is just natural for all parents.  Nobody wants their child to get hurt or experience pain, so you shield them from it for as long as possible.  Going back home won’t make you slip back into that innocent girl Liz, you’ve experienced too much for that.  But to rob yourself of your family’s love, that isn’t fair on you.”  He told her.

“Why now Max?  Why do you want to see my family?”  She queried.

“Because it would be nice to meet them before I take your hand away from your father’s at our wedding.  And I want to make sure we have your parents blessing.”

“That doesn’t matter to me.” 

“But it does to me Liz.”  He said, gently reaching out and stroking her cheek.  “I want everything to be perfect for us, I don’t want your family to resent me or shun you because of our marriage.  I want to do things right.  Please don’t deny me that.”  He pleaded with her, lifting her chin so he could look into her eyes so she would know how much it meant to him.

“This is really important to you isn’t it?”

“Yes it is.  I can’t explain why, it just is Liz.” 

“Ok, I’ll do it.  But only for you.”  She said, moving back into his waiting arms once more.  Gently kissing the top of her head, Max was grateful that she had finally caved to his wishes.  In his heart he also knew it was important to Liz to see her family again, maybe it would be another bridge she could mend on the way.

The flight from Los Angeles to San Francisco International Airport, two weeks later, was relatively uneventful.  As they touched down, however, Liz couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling consuming her body.  It had been such a long time since she’d been home, nearly a year, and seeing her parents and sister again scared her somewhat.  The surprise in Nancy’s voice when Liz had asked if she could visit was clearly evident to Liz when she’d made the phone call.  It had been a strained conversation, Nancy querying why her daughter was visiting, and Liz trying to act as if it was just a casual visit to her.

The one thing Liz omitted from Max, somewhat on purpose, was the fact her parents had no clue she wasn’t visiting alone.  She didn’t fancy a grilling from her mother on the phone, and had decided early on that just turning up with Max and making them deal with it was the best policy. 

As the taxi pulled into the driveway though, she quickly had second thoughts.  Her father still seemed to look at Liz as a little girl, how would he react when she announced Max was her fiancé?

“Ready?”  He queried softly, as the taxi pulled away.

“I guess so.”  She said reluctantly, as Max picked up their overnight bags.

“It’ll be ok Liz.  No matter what, I’ll always be here.”  He told her as they reached the front door.  For a moment Liz considered using the keys she had stashed away in her purse.  But, realising it had been a long time since her last visit, Liz aired on the side of caution just in case her parents weren’t as excited to see her as she hoped.

Opening the door, Max was greeted by an amazing sight.  The young girl in front of him was almost an exact carbon copy of his beautiful fiancée.  It was clear the girl was a few years younger than Liz, but she was definitely related and could almost be passed off as a twin in his eyes.

“Hi Calistia.”  Liz said, smiling at her sister in an attempt to make up for lost time.

“Hi.”  The young girl replied casually, her eyes firmly directed at her sister’s new friend.
”I’m Max.”  He said, extending a hand of welcome to her.

“I’m Cali, Liz’s sister.”  She responded, totally ignoring Liz.

“It’s very nice to meet you.”  Max replied, being polite as the young girl kept her eyes locked on his.

“You too.” Cali replied, smiling a warm smile and gently fluttering her eyelids in his direction.

“Ok, can we come in now?”  Liz queried, trying to break the trance her sister seemed to be in.

“Oh, yeah.”

Stepping inside the family home sent shivers down Liz’s spine and worry lines creased her normally relaxed brow.  It was clear very little had changed since her last visit.  The token vase of fresh flowers stood on the hallway table, the same pictures still decorated the walls and battered rugs on the wooden floors, it was all very surreal to Liz.

“You ok?”  Max whispered, noticing she seemed routed to the spot.

“I …….. guess so.”  She replied, sounding anything but composed.  No matter what she did, she couldn’t make her feet move further than the hallway.  A wave of nostalgia washed over Liz like a huge breaking wave.  Memories of when she had been younger, running through the open house barefoot without a care in the world.  They were times when she didn’t know hurt, or the pain of loosing someone she loved.  For a moment, she couldn’t help but wish she could recapture that innocence, that belief the world was a wonderful perfect place.

“Lizzie!”  A familiar voice called out, breaking her from the daze.

“Hi dad.”  She replied, smiling at her father.

“It’s so great to see you again!”  He said enthusiastically, throwing his arms around his eldest daughter.

“You too.”  She choked as he hugged her tightly.

“So how have you been?  How’s work?  Is it still as hectic as normal or have things quietened down now?  How long have you come back for?”  Jeff asked quickly, bombarding Liz with questions too quickly for her to answer.

“Give the poor girl some breathing space Jeff, can’t you see your smothering her.”  Nancy said as she stood in the entrance to the kitchen.

“Hi mum.”  Liz responded somewhat gratefully.

“Hi Liz, it’s nice to see you again.”  Nancy replied, an air of friction crackling silently above them that didn’t go unnoticed by Max.

“And this is Max.”  Calistia quickly announced, drawing alongside her sister’s friend and eagerly slipping a hand around Max’s arm.

“Oh, I didn’t realise you were brining a guest.  We haven’t got the spare room ready.”  Nancy commented, as they finally noticed Max standing beside their daughter.

“Max this is my father Jeff, mother Nancy, and you’ve already been introduced to my little sister Calistia.” 

“It’s Cali.”  The young girl corrected pointedly eyes narrowing in Liz’s direction.

“Hello sir.”  Max said dutifully, holding his hand out to shake the older man’s hand firmly.

“Hi.  So you’re a friend of Lizzie’s are you?”  Jeff queried, clearly eyeing the young man up.

“That’s right.”  Max responded, holding her father’s stare with comfortable ease.  He was used to mind games, it was Max’s forte, and he certainly wasn’t going to be outdone here.  Winning over Jeff Parker was like a mission to Max, and he wasn’t going to fail the first test by looking weak in the older man’s eyes.

“Well I’ll head up and fix the spare room for you Max.”  Nancy smiled, starting to walk across the hallway to the large staircase.

“That won’t be necessary mother.”  Liz informed.  “Max will be staying with me tonight.”  She added calmly.  It was the only point Liz was determined to stand strong on while back in her parents’ home.  She was more than old enough to choose to allow Max to share her bed, and if her parents didn’t like it then she was more than prepared to grab a room at the nearby guesthouse.  Her parents would never stand for her to be in town and not stay at the family home; their reputation in the village would be severely dented if she looked distant from them.

“I don’t think so Liz ……..”  Her father started, his stance suggesting he was no happy at all with her decision.

“I’m not a child dad, I am old enough to make my own choices.  Max will be staying with me tonight.”  Liz said defiantly.

“Not under my roof ………”  Jeff started, quite prepared to put his foot down.  Liz may be 25 years old, but in his eyes she was still a young girl.  He certainly didn’t want to have thoughts about Max sharing the same room let alone bed as his daughter.

“How about Liz and I put our stuff down and then you can catch up?”  Max suggested, trying to diffuse a potential argument.  It was clear to him now where Liz got her stubborn streak, and he was sure neither father nor daughter would be prepared to back down over this matter.

“Good idea.”  Liz replied seeing an easy way out of the situation, taking Max’s hand and quickly leading him up the staircase.

Out of everything she’d seen so far in the house, the only room that had changed over the years since she’d moved out was her own.  Previously it had been a bright yellow, happy haven throughout the years she’d grown up in the house.  Happy childhood memories had been encased in that room.  Days spent studying; nights spent gossiping to her friends on the phone about lads at school. 

But now, as she opened the door and stepped inside, the room looked alien to her.  It was painted in a cooling blue colour, with cream curtains and bedspread, with shaded blue throw cushions like splats of dye on the neutral coloured bed.  All her things had been packed away, and only a few china dolls gave any indication it had previously been Liz’s room. 

For a moment she stood in the middle of the large room and just stared, looking at everything that she used to be, and now the clear indication that happy, innocent Liz Parker was now gone completely, forever.

It was obvious just looking at Liz’s face that her room had changed considerably, and it pained her.  Despite her reluctance to come back to the family home for a visit, Max was sure she was hurt they’d changed the room so drastically without consulting her.  He knew Liz well enough to know that this wasn’t the same room she’d grown up in, it was too cold and clinical, she was a much warmer and happier person.

“It’s ok Liz.”  He said softly, pulling her into a comforting embrace.  Encouraged by him she rested the side of her head against his chest and he softly rested his chin on the top of her head.

“I don’t belong here anymore Max.”  She said sadly, tears quietly welling in her eyes as she vainly battled to keep control.

“Of course you do Liz, this is your parents house, the place where you grew up.  You’ll always belong here if you let yourself.”

“But I’ve moved on.  I’m not the little girl my father thinks I am, I’m not the ‘stay at home’ wife my mother expected me to be …… and I’m not the caring big sister Cali wanted.”  She replied  “I’m just so different to them, so much of a disappointment because I didn’t live up to who they expected me to be.”

“Then prove to them who you have become exceeds their greatest expectations they had for you.  You’re an amazingly successfully business woman Liz, your working portfolio speaks for itself, but you’re so much more than that too.  You’ve got inner strength and believe in abundance.  You’ve overcome you’re biggest challenge and you’re a better person for it.  Go and show them you’re still their Liz Parker who grew up here, but you’re also new and improve version now.”  He told her.  “Give them time though.  They haven’t seen you in a long while, they’re bound to be wary about why you’ve suddenly shown up.”  He added wisely.

Partly inside also, Max queried whether Liz’s parents would blame him somewhat for the change in their daughter.  He could sense Jeff was already suspicious of him, and Nancy hadn’t said a great deal either.  In fact, the only person who seemed to have accepted him unquestioningly was Cali.  Taking comfort in that, Max was grateful at least he’d won his future sister-in-law over. 

Dinner itself passed rather uneventfully.  Polite chitchat was exchanged with general questions directed both to Liz and Max.  It was clear to Liz, however, that her sister was already developing a liking to Max.  Calistia had quickly moved seats when she found Max wasn’t sitting beside her, and she did her utmost to occupy Max’s attention throughout the meal.  Her sickly sweet smile and naïve battering of the eyelids caused Liz to bite back a giggle more than once. 

Her sister had clearly grown up since Liz had left her as a brace wearing 10 year old.  It made part of Liz sad, that she had missed out on her little sister growing into a teenager.  Her attempts at seducing Max, however, were practically laughable.  Liz made a mental note to give her some tips in subtlety for boys more her own age.  Max, on the other hand, seemed to be completely oblivious to Cali’s seduction attempts.  He seemed to take it all in his stride, talking to the young girl, and listening intently when she spoke.  Liz felt renewed admiration for her fiancé, the way he handled a delicate situation with Cali was commendable.

“So Max, what do you do for a living?”  Jeff queried, as his wife dished out fresh fruit salad for desert.

“I have my own business, I’m a consultant specialising in business takeovers.”  Max replied, taking a dish from Nancy.

“Your own business huh, you must be pretty good then.”

“The business is doing well, and I have enough satisfied customers to indicate my services are acceptable.”  Max said modestly.  “But I have to say I’ve met my match in your daughter Mr Parker.” He added, glancing at Liz and throwing her a quick smile.

“Please, call me Jeff.  What do you mean you’ve met your match?”

“Well I’m normally able to breeze into a new project, take over and run it how I see fit.  But your daughter’s a very sprightly businesswoman Jeff.  She’s certainly given me a run for my money during the project we’ve worked on together.  You must be very proud of Liz.”

“Well yes of course we are.”  Jeff said quickly.  “But we’d be just as happy if Liz had a nice easy job and a loving husband to look after.  I mean we hardly see Liz because her job is so demanding, it’s not right for a woman to be tied to her office so much.”  He added, talking as if Liz wasn’t in the room.

“Dad ………”  She started, the warning in her voice very evident.  It was obvious to the astute Max that he’d clearly uncovered a deep running feud between father and daughter with his praise for Liz.

“I’m sure that’s fine for some women Jeff, but if Liz was merely a glorified housewife it would be a severe waste of her amazing talents.  I think staying at home is not your daughter’s style, she needs to be busy and feel needed, not sitting at home cooking dinners for a husband.”

“So you don’t think my daughter is good enough to be lavished to the extent that she doesn’t need to work anymore?”  Jeff queried, his eyes narrowing in the direction of his daughter’s friend.  To Jeff, he measured his daughter’s new friend on whether Liz could be kept in a life of luxury, rather than how knowledgeable or caring he was.

“That’s not what I mean.”  He stopped.  “I know Liz well enough to know she would go mad staying at home each day, Liz needs to work because she enjoys it.  If she wanted to marry a rich husband so she could stay at home all day and become a housewife then I know it would be no problem.”  Max informed, glancing at Liz once more.

In simple eye movements, he conveyed to her what he meant to ensure Liz hadn’t interpreted his intentions wrongly.  It wasn’t that Max felt Liz couldn’t stay at home all day looking after children and a husband, because if she did he’d be definitely willing to support them both with his more than adequate salary.  It was more that Max knew Liz so well that he understood she needed to work to stay alive.

Watching her fiancé defend her choice to work was an interesting sight for Liz.  Never before had she found someone who would stand up to her father and fight on her behalf.  Even Kyle hadn’t gone up against the infamous Jeff Parker, despite not always following his views on subjects.  But Max wasn’t afraid; Liz could see that.  He held her father’s stares with comforting ease; he was calming in his reasoning, not being prepared to back down for the sake of keeping peace.  It was clear that although Max had come for approval to their wedding, he wasn’t prepared to take it at any cost.  Standing up for Liz’s rights was clearly more important to Max than any word of acceptance from Jeff Parker.

Her love for Max grew even more as she glanced in his direction.  Stretching out a hand under the table, she carefully placed it on his knee and squeezed it gently.  It was a simple gesture, but one that showed him she appreciated his kind words and battling for her.  Slipping a free hand over hers, he cupped her fingers, letting her know he was right beside her no matter what.

Once all the food had been consumed, the ladies cleared away the plates, giving Max the perfect opportunity to talk to Liz’s father.  Adjourning to the living room, Jeff handed Max a tumbler of whiskey before the sat down.

”I have something to ask you Mr Parker.”  Max started; feeling calling him Jeff would be too informal at that moment.

“Ok.”  Jeff replied cautiously, feeling some important was about to unfold.

“I know you don’t know me very well, but I care very much for your daughter.  Liz and I are very close, and although we’ve had some rough times I know Liz is the person I want to be with for the rest of my life.”

“What are you saying?”

“I would like to ask you for your daughter’s hand in marriage Mr Parker.”  Max said calmly, turning to face his fiancée’s father to gauge his reaction.

“Really?”  Jeff stated, raising his eyebrows as he took a sip of the tart liquid.  “You are right, I don’t know you Max.  How can I be sure you will take good care of my daughter?”  He challenged.

“Because I love Liz with all my heart.  She is an amazing person Sir, more wonderful than I think you know.  She is so smart, caring and considerate, she is very special.  She’s made my life a better place, and I want to make her involvement permanent.”

“So this is why you came here is it?”

“I asked Liz if we could come here.  I wanted to do the right thing Sir; I wanted to ask your permission properly.  Liz and I could have just told you we were getting married and expected you to accept it.  But I don’t want to start off on the wrong foot.  I’ve been brought up correctly Mr Parker, my parents instilled manners in me at a very young age.  Seeking your approval to our marriage is important to me.”  Max informed him.

“So, has Liz told you about Kyle?”  Jeff enquired, wondering if it would scare him away if he didn’t know.

“Yes she has.”  Max replied.  “Your daughter has had a tough time, and I won’t lie and say things have been easy for us.  Liz is very strong willed, and yes for a long time she pushed me away.  But she means too much to me to just walk away from her.  I love her Mr Parker, and I can assure you I will protect her will my life.” 

“And what does Liz think of this?  From all I’ve heard since Kyle’s death she hasn’t wanted to get close to anyone, let alone marriage.  What makes you think she wants to marry you?”
”I am aware of Liz’s reluctance to get close to people, but I’ve managed to help her come out of her shell.  Liz has accepted my proposal and we do intend to get married in the very near future Mr Parker, but we would like your blessing first.”

“Can you talk Liz into giving up work?”  He asked bluntly.

“Why would I want to do that?”  Max queried pointedly.

“Because she is a young woman who shouldn’t need to worry her head with business matters, she should leave them to the men.  She’ll run herself into the ground before she’s forty if she doesn’t slow down.”

“I can’t and won’t talk Liz into quitting a job she loves so much.  If she chooses to then I will back her completely, but I will also support Liz if she chooses to continue working as she is.  I can tell you’ve never seen your daughter commanding a board meeting or ranting at competitors.  She is an awesome sight Mr Parker, and I am proud that she has challenged me so strongly on the project we worked on together.”

“And do you think you’ll be able to keep my daughter in the life she has been accustomed to?  She has expensive tastes you know.”

“Like I said earlier Mr Parker, I have a successful business and I am earning good money.  I can safely say Liz won’t want for anything while I’m around.”

“So how long have you been dating then?”

“A few months I guess, we’ve known each other longer though.”  Max replied, wondering what was going to come next from Jeff Parker. 

Despite the obvious Spanish Inquisition, Max knew Jeff’s heart was in the right place.  He may have a funny, slightly twisted way of showing it, but Max was sure Jeff just had his daughter’s best interests at heart.  He clearly didn’t want to see his daughter’s heart broken any more than Max did.

“Is she pregnant?”  Jeff queried bluntly, looking directly at Max with narrow piercing eyes, he wanted to make sure he got a truthful answer.  If his daughter was in trouble, and that was why this lad was proposing, Jeff wanted to know.

“What?”  Max stumbled; he hadn’t been expecting that.  “Erm, not that I am aware of, no sir.”  He added, recovering his composure somewhat.
”Well it was just a question, logical since you two seem in a hurry to tie the knot.”  Jeff said casually, grateful that Liz wasn’t in the sort of trouble he couldn’t help with.

“We’re in a hurry, as you put it, because we’re in love.  There is no ulterior motive to getting married, no secret children or steamy affairs.”  Max clarified.

“And Liz is happy with this?”

“Yes.”
”And you’ll promise never to hurt her in any way?”
”I will do everything in my power to ensure Liz doesn’t experience hurt again.”

“Then I guess there’s nothing I can do.  You’ve made it clear you and Liz are determined to get married regardless on what I say.”  Jeff started.  “So, ok, I’ll grant you my blessing to marry my daughter.  But know this Max Evans, I’ll be watching you; don’t do anything to waiver my trust in you.”  He added firmly.

“I won’t sir.”  Max said, unable to hide the beaming smile that spread quickly across his face.

The next hurdle had been crossed, Liz had accepted his proposal, and now her father had given him their blessing.  At that moment, Max wasn’t sure if life could get any better.

PART 34 - NC-17

“Well I think that went well.”  Max said, as they retired to her room that night.

“Yeah, my dad seemed to take the news well.  I guess your negotiating skills in the boardroom came in handy huh?  So how far did you have to go?  Bargaining?  Reasoning?  Bribery?”  Liz queried, half joking and half serious. 

She didn’t want him to know, but she’d been dying to be a fly on the wall as Max withstood her father’s barrage.  She was sure Jeff had given him a roasting, and watching Max in full flight always gave her an immense buzz, heating her body with sexual charges.  Watching Max tear strips off perspective enemies was the perfect aphrodisiac.  

“Ahh now that would be telling Ms Parker, and you of all people should know a craftsman never reveals the scars of battle.”  He replied seductively, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her body flush with his.

“Well you’ve clearly won him round, and that deserves my praise.”  She responded, looking at his tantalising lips only inches away from hers.

“Yeah, you’re dad was a breeze.  Not sure about your mum though, she still seems a little wary of me.”

“Ah that’s not you Max, the tension you feel is directed all at me.”  Liz countered.

“How so?”

“Well let’s just say my mother and I have not been the best of friends for quite some time.”  Liz said ruefully.
”Wanna tell me about it?”  Max asked, fully prepared to drop the matter if she didn’t want to.

“Ok, well my mother met my father at university where she was studying to be a lawyer.  In her words she was planning to become qualified and then change the world for the better.”
”What happened?”
”Me actually.”  Liz said simply.  “Basically just before the end of their second year she fell pregnant.  She had me because I guess it was the proper thing to do back then, even though she didn’t want kids.  Terminating an unwanted pregnancy 26 years ago wasn’t as easy as it is now.  Also my father has always wanted children so I guess he wouldn’t have wanted my mother not to have me.  Instead she dropped out of Uni, had me and married my father, starting their new life together.”

“Ok, so she had you … that still doesn’t really explain why she resents you.”

“Well that’s easy, I have everything she never did.”

“Ok, you’re gonna have to explain that to me.”  Max said, needing clarification.

“Well she was planning a huge, world changing career, but never got it.  I, on the other hand, had a successful stint at Uni, walked away with top grades straight into a high-powered job.  To my mother, I haven’t had to work for anything; instead all my success has been placed in my lap.  Coupled with the fact I have everything she ever wanted and desired before I came along.  I guess you can’t really blame her for holding a grudge.”

“Of course you can!”  Max cried.  “God Liz you’ve hardly had it easy any step of the way to your success.  But just because you have what she didn’t is no right for her to hold it against you.  You’re her daughter for goodness sake.”

“I’ve long since given up seeking her approval and forgiveness.  Really Max, it doesn’t bother me one bit.”  She reassured him.

The look in her eyes indicated to him that her words were sound.  Clearly whatever her mother had inflicted over the years had long since been buried by Liz.  Just one more reason to admire her strength and resilience.

“Well that explains your mother I guess.”  He said, pausing for a moment.  “Since you know your family, how about explaining your kid sister to me.  I thought we were getting on famously over dinner, but then suddenly she went all silence.  She’s hardly said a word to me since I finished with your father.  Do you think I did something wrong?  Did I offend her or treat her like a kid too much?”  Max queried, worried he may have said something wrong. 

He was used to women, Isabelle and his mother had warmed him in the ways of the female sex.  But younger girls, young teenagers at the start of adulthood, well they were a mystery to Max now.  Since he’d grown up from that stage he’d lost the touch he used to possess with youngsters and teenagers.

“Oh come on Max, please don’t tell me you don’t know why my sister turned on you like she did?”  Liz said, raising her eyebrows as she stepped away slightly to see his true reaction.

“What?  I don’t?”  He responded sincerely, his brow furrowing.  Obviously he’d missed something, not an every day occurrence for Max since reading people was what he did best.

“Oh Please!  You can read anyone like an open book, always knowing what’s going on in people’s heads; it’s part of your armour.  And you’re telling me you don’t know what’s up with Cali?”

“No, really Liz, I haven’t a clue what’s going on with her.  If you know then tell me, please.”  He pleaded, needing to know what he’d done wrong.

“It’s so obvious, Cali was flirting with you!”

“What?”  He retorted at the ridiculous assumption on Liz’s part.  There’s no way he would have missed a come on, even from an inexperienced young girl.  Or would he?  Were his senses so completely out of whack since he’d started dating Liz? 

”Read the signs oh masterful one.  The way she kept taking hold of your arm and how she kept calling herself Cali to sound more grown up.  The way she tilted her head and batted cute little puppy dog eyes in your direction.  It was so obvious Max I can’t believe you didn’t see it!”  Liz exasperated.

“I didn’t.”  He replied meekly, mentally kicking himself for not seeing what had been right in front of his eyes.

Yeap, dating Liz had obviously seriously dented his womanising skills, spotting a potential ‘hit on’ was normally second nature to him, but obviously not any more.

“So, that answers your question of why Cali went silent on you.  She obviously wanted to win you over for herself, and you completely shattered that plan in spectacular fashion when you announce we’re getting married!”  Liz grinned wickedly. 

Despite the fact she loved her sister, sibling rivalry still ran strong between them.  Their age gap didn’t matter, and neither did the fact Liz knew in her heart Cali wouldn’t have stood a chance with Max.  The fact that she’d got one over on her little sister had a surprisingly warm feeling.  It was much better than any admission from Cali that she approved of Max, Liz knew her little sister liked her new fiancé.

“I guess I was blinded by her innocence.”  Max responded ruefully, making a mental note to never get sucked in by a young girl again. 

“Just remember she may be young, but she’s not that innocent.  She’s a sixteen-year-old girl just finding out the wonder of boys, but she’s not above flirting or seduction even if it is naïve advances.”  Liz said with a flash of warning in her voice.

“Don’t worry babe, you’ve got no competition there I can assure you.”  He said, stretching out a hand and pulling her into his body once more.  “I’ve only got eyes for one spitfire round here.”  He added, before descending on her inviting moist lips.

His affectionate name for his fiancée was swallowed up in the embrace with emphatic ease.  Wrapping his arms around her back, he allowed one hand to travel up towards her inviting silk hair, the other drifting down to rest over her soft backside.  The melding of his mouth to hers silenced a soft sigh omitted from Liz, their lips caressing in only the way two lovers could.  The parting of her lips gave silent acceptance of his inevitable invasion.  Taking the opportunity, he allowed his tongue to explore the intimate parts of the warm crevices of her delicate mouth.  Touching, feeling and experiencing the softness and warmth of her insides.

Tilting her head back slightly, she allowed him further access, revelling in the sensations flooding her body with lightening speed.  The giddy feeling that always took over when Max touched her was slowly becoming easier to control, but it still amazed Liz how her body could go from sane thoughts to incoherent mumblings in such a short space of time. 

Hot little hands slipping into the waistband of his jeans and releasing his shirt to the cooling breeze of the room suddenly brought Max back to his senses.  Here he was, a guest in her parents house, them sleeping barely a room a way and he was seducing their daughter with his wicked ways.  What the hell was he thinking of?  He’d barely won her father’s trust and he could shatter it just as quickly if Jeff happened to hear them or, worse still, walk in or.

The sudden pulling away of his body and quick loss of the warm heat radiating from his chest shook Liz back to reality.  A pained expression was decorated over his face, a shocked and mightily surprised one matched on hers.  Furrowing her brow, Liz tried to reason why he’d pulled away from her; he’d never done it before.

“Max?”  She finally said, breaking the thick silence that had descended in the room.

“We can’t do this Liz.”  He responded, sitting down on the edge of the bed and shoving a shaky hand through his chestnut hair.  Dragging in a deep lungful of air he tried desperately to calm his racing heart and raging hormones.

“Which part, can’t marry me or can’t make love to me?”  She queried curtly, her pride experiencing the full force of the battering it was taking at that moment.  Being knocked back by Max Evans was definitely not something she was used to experiencing.  Normally he’d run to the ends of the earth just to hold her hand or kiss her lips.  What had changed?

“Liz this has nothing to do with marrying you.”  He said, needing her to know it wasn’t about her …. it was him. 

“I can’t make love to you Liz, not with your parents only a few feet away.  Hell they don’t even know I’m gonna share your bed!  The only way your father backed down is because he thinks I’m sleeping on your couch.”  He gestured towards the sofa overloaded with a pillow and quilt. 

“Max, ok, let’s get real here.”  Liz started, walking over to the bed and sitting down next to him.  “My dad’s not stupid ok.  Yes he said you can stay here on the couch, but he can’t seriously think you’re not going to end up with me in your arms by tomorrow morning.” 

“Liz …..”  He started.

“No Max.  This is my house, my room and in here what I say goes.”  She informed, sounding just like she did in a boardroom.  Forceful, strong and not ready for any nonsense.

“Liz ….”

“Please Max.  My parents may mean well, but I am more than old enough to look after myself and take any rap that might come my way if my dad catches us.”  She said, his wary expression indicating she hadn’t won him over just yet.  “Oh come on Max, where’s your sense of adventure!”  She cried jumping up from beside him.

“Liz please, I have adventure!”  He grumbled.  “I’m just not adventurous with the parental patrol on guard right outside the door!  I’m too old to be dodging death stares and lectures from an overprotective father who hasn’t accepted his daughter has grown up yet.”  He responded wearily, rubbing his eyes with his palms and trying to regain his composure.

“Well then, I guess I’ll just have to test your resolve then.”  Liz replied huskily, a wickedly seductive glint decorating her sparkling brown eyes.  She hadn’t planned this, and if she had Liz was sure she’d of talked herself out of it.  Putting on a show, being centre stage, wasn’t her forte unless it involved a boardroom, several executives and a high powered project.  But she needed Max in the worst way, and if this was the only means to break his resolve then so be it.

“Oh Liz, please don’t even try …………”  He started, determined to ward her off, but was quickly cut short by her actions.  Staring, open-mouthed, he watched Liz from the distance of the bed as she began her plan.

Seductive fingers slowly moulded over the tiny buttons of her burgundy red top.  Slipping the pearly white fastenings through the holes one at a time, each one slowly exposing more and more of her creamy soft flesh that lay beneath.  Finally removing the last confinements, Liz gently let the woollen material slip down her arms before allowing it to fall into a pool on the floor by her feet.

“Liz …..”  His breath hitched, his eyes raking over her bare stomach and the bust she hid under a black silk bra.  A twang of breaking resolve sounded out loud in his head, ringing in his ears as his blood heated up just by a simple look of her perfect body.  Digging his fingers deep into the palm of his hand, he clenched his jaw tight.  She was killing him, and she knew it!

Her warm hands moved slowly upwards, wrapping around her neck as she rolled it and exposed it’s glory to him, making him want to jump up and seize her flesh and run his hands through her velvet soft hair.  Running her hands downward again she kneaded her breasts through the silk black bra, allowing soft gasps to escape past her lips to add effect to her show. 

Still, using stealth strength, he remained routed to the bed, determined to remain in control.  Composure was his middle name … she wasn’t going to get to him.  Digging his finger nails in further, he felt pain from his hand as he almost drew blood.  He’d hoped it would take his mind off of Liz’s impromptu strip, but he was wrong, the pain barely even registered on his brain’s radar.

Realising a little more seduction was necessary, Liz closed her eyes to half mast and lightly ran her hands down her neck, across her bust and stomach until she reached the waistband of her jeans.  Hooking a finger under the waistband, she ran it over her stomach, all the while pretending he wasn’t in the room.  It was her plan, her thought that he wouldn’t be able to resist her if he believed she was having fun on her own.

Wrapping fingers around her shiny jeans button, Liz quickly popped it open before gently, ever so slowly pulling down the golden zip holding her trousers up.  The sound reverberated around the room; each moment of the zip being moved further down broke away part of his resolve.  The look on his face was simply drool worthy; she was sure any moment now his tongue might just slip out from between his clenched lips like a panting dog. 

She was killing him, and he knew it.  His breath was now running in short, laboured hitches, that was when he actually remembered his body’s need to breath.  Warmth that had started before he’d come to his senses was now a raging fire deep in the pit of his stomach.  His skin felt prickly to touch, a bead of sweat from the self-control he was exerting slipped down his face.  The tightness in his groin got infinitely worse as he watched her little hands slip inside her jeans and slowly start to edge them down her long, shapely legs. 

Rubbing the palms of her hands back up each leg, she reached the top of her panties before pausing for a moment.  Looking at him directly, she sucked in a breath before slipping two fingers underneath the silky material.  His eyes practically popped out on the floor in front of her, and for a moment she wondered if he might just have a heart attack if she kept going.  But she’d found the courage to get this far; she wasn’t about to stop now. 

He was dying, of that Max was sure, the slow torture killing him with pain of his own desire for the beauty in the room.  Watching Liz caress her own sweet body was too much for him, it should be his hands claiming her a voice screamed out.

“Oh to hell with resolve!”  A rasping voice suddenly whispered fervently, jumping to his feet and covering the distance between them.

His large hands roughly slipping around her bare midriff suddenly brought Liz back down to earth, her plan had worked!  Seizing her lips in a burning hot kiss, Max wrapped his arms around her waist and swiftly picked her up to carry her over to the large, inviting bed.  Laying her down, he placed hands on her wrists before taking her lips once more.  Force was evident this time, biting and sucking at her lips as if he couldn’t get enough.

“What happened to that self control Mr Evans?”  Liz chuckled as his lips inflicted skimming kisses across her neck and shoulder blades.  Seeing her laid out along the large bed, he growled a deep sound in his throat as he stared back at her nearly naked body.

“Don’t ever do that again!”  He responded hoarsely, a flash of warning and desire filling his whiskey coloured eyes.  “Not if you want to ever get up from this bed that is.”  He added playfully as he quickly shed his shirt and undid the belt holding up his jeans.

Mmm, the thought of spending forever in bed with Max Evans had its endearing qualities, she couldn’t help but think.  Loving him was like heaven to Liz, like nothing she’d ever experienced before.  As his hands deftly unhooked the clasp to her bra, she wondered if this is how it would always be for them.  Would he always find her hot and sexy, would a simple stare from her always manage to make him loose control?  Feeling his large hands kneed her bare breast while his lips nipped at her jaw line, Liz knew he’d always have the same affect on her no matter what.  His piercing eyes, sexy smile and toned body would always be able to send her mind spiralling out of control and her body melting to mush instantly.

Reaching down she quickly undid his jeans buttons and encouraged him to shed his remaining garments.  Running her hands along his back she traced out the imprints of his rippling muscles, as if committing them forever to her memory.

His hands kneaded and moulded her body, touching her breasts and running his large palms across her stomach then back up to her neck.  Dipping his head he kissed and nipped with his teeth at her jaw line and shoulder blades, covering every inch of her up body in primeval loving.  There was little in his touch that signified patience, warmth and loving, but she knew it was there.  This was a different Max to the one who had shared her body before though, and it intrigued her to know there was a man behind his reverent self control.

The roughness in his touch was because of her, Liz knew that.  She’d wound him up with her teasing, so much so she was sure he would have snapped if he hadn’t given in.  That or overheated, which ever had come first. 

Normally he was so loving, caring and reserved when they made love, like he was treating her with kid gloves.  As if he saw her as a china doll, or perhaps he felt she deserved to be loved tenderly.  But this time she could sense a difference.  It was like he’d tamed the animal inside all the times they’d made love, only now allowing it a free reign for once.

Slipping his fingers either side of her hips, he forcefully removed her remaining piece of clothing before dropping the scrap of black silk to the floor.  Her body was free and open to him then, and she was dying for his touch.  For a moment he leant back slightly on his heels, part in admiration for her beauty and part because of a need to regain control on his body.  His emotions were running away with him, but he didn’t want to hurt her, he couldn’t maul her like a savage even if his desire wanted him to.

Feeling her soft fingers encase around his heat very nearly snapped that control though.  Caressing him in a slow, tortured pace, he was sure she knew she was driving him insane.  Stroke after stroke she took him closer to the brink, nearly breaking his control in the process.

Deciding she needed just a little of her own medicine, he followed her suit, dancing his fingers down her stomach towards the route of her very desire.  Feeling the soft pads of his fingers lightly brushing over her sensitive area, Liz pushed her head backwards in to the pillow and instinctively arched her body towards him.  She craved his touch, her body burning for his fingers to caress her heat.  He mirrored her slow rhythm, tracing tiny circles over her passion charged body. 

As his fingers ventured further, finding her warm pooled heat, the slow tortured pace she was inflicting on him soon became a thing of the past.  Her mind was a blur as he stroked her heat, his fingers weaving their magic with ease.  He took her higher, right to the verge, before removing his fingers to allow them to dance over her thighs.  Starting all over again after what seemed like an age to her, he continued the torture once more. 

This time though, as he kept up the laborious pace, she took him further in an effort to finally shatter the small remainder of his control.  In mock frenzy they both took each other to the brink, before slowly things down only to start all over again.  They were taunting and teasing each other, both writhing in agony and ecstasy all at the same time.  

Finally, when he could take no more of the torment, he roughly pushed away her eager hands, before rising up on his strong forearms to loom over her tiny frame.  Holding her chocolate eyes firmly with a predatory stare of his own, he lowered himself, swiftly taking her body, joining them as one with practiced ease.

A suck of breath and sexy growl was omitted from her as he gently pulled out before forcefully plunging deep inside.  Neither were in any mood for slow, laborious paces, desire was too high for teasing games.

The heat in the already warm room got even hotter as they melded as one, both striving towards the end result.  Passion drove them onwards, the pace upping further as they both headed rapidly towards fulfilment.

Dipping his head, he roughly claimed her lips once more, plundering them with force and passion.  Blindly a voice cried he should slow down, take things slower to savour and ensure she was still with him.  But control was a thing of the past for Max.  Her impromptu teasing had pushed him to the brink, culminating in his body’s urgent need for a powerful and fulfilling release.

She was right with him though, matching his deep, commanding thrusts pace for pace, showing no signs of pain in his heat charged force.  In fact, her face showed nothing but ecstasy and enjoyment, the same which he assumed was mirrored in his own features had he been able to see.

She could feel the heat in her body pooling in her stomach, racing her on towards completion.  Her legs instinctively wrapped around his waist, taking him further, deeper inside.  With each movement, each rocking of his perfect hips, he took her a step closer, nearer to the ultimate goal.  His head was thrown backwards; eyes that were normally glued to her during lovemaking were staring into oblivion.  For once she wasn’t the centre of his attention, and it was gratifying to know she could turn his mind to something else, even if it was for a very short time.  He was human after all; he did have his own needs at the route of his heart like most. 

“Oh god.”  She exclaimed breathlessly as her release started to take control.  Dropping his head he sealed his lips over hers, determined to make sure no sound would be omitted from either of them.  He was too far gone to calm or relax, but his previous fears on her father still rang out in a dark distant part of his brain.

Spinning heads, heat charged bodies and passion in abundance.  Reaching the top, they both blindly fell over the edge into the molten hot pool of oblivion.  An explosion of passion, wave after wave of spine tingling, head spinning feelings washed over them both like an unrelenting tide wave of emotion.  Cries of fulfilment and contentment were swallowed up in their kiss, but both knew they’d been there despite the lack of vocation. 

Finally exhausted, Max collapsed on top of her, the energy to roll onto his side escaping him at first.  He could feel her heaving chest beneath him, her racing heart matching his beat for beat.  His back glistened with hot sweat, but he barely noticed, feeling anything at all was out of his reach at that moment.

Eventually, after what seemed like an eternity, a small amount of strength returned to his now cooling body.  Slipping his hands under her naked frame, Max turned them over so that he lay on his back with Liz sprawled adorably across his bare chest. 

“God what did you do to me?”  He whispered hoarsely, shocked by his thorough lack of control.

“I don’t know, but I’ll have to do it more often.”  She smiled against his chest.”
”I didn’t …… hurt you did I?”  He queried hesitantly.

“Not like you would have done if you hadn’t given in to my demands.” She responded, alleviating his fears.  “Relax Max, I’m a grown woman not a porcelain doll.”

“God what did I do to deserve you?”  He asked, kissing the top of her head with the last of his strength.

“Ditto.”  She murmured before slowly slipping into a deep, relaxing sleep.

Her hand lying lazily over the top of his heart, Max finally gave into his body’s urgent requirement for sleep.  Bending his head he lightly kissed her forehead before allowing the wash of dreams cascade over him.

He was in love, his woman in his arms, his life perfect, he was definitely in heaven, Max thought just before he slipped into his relaxing slumbers.

TBC ............................?

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