Saving This (The McCallans #5) (16 page)

He’d been softly drawing circles on her arm with his fingers, and along with every word he spoke, Anna was enjoying every second of his touch. But wow, she’d never heard him speak anything so openly about his family. The McCallans really were Hollywood royalty, and yes,
any
news about them was big news according to the media. She didn’t know Max had been planning a split from his father, but she could only imagine the apprehension he felt. She’d gone through the same thing with
her
dad, but the result was not as colossal as the news will be for a McCallan.

“So…you know more about me in thirty minutes than anyone else in the world except my family,” he added, almost regrettably. Or maybe she was reading into him too much and assumed he was disappointed in himself for sharing so much.

Anna sat up and faced him. “I told you you could trust me and I meant it, Max. I would never betray your privacy.”

He smiled but she couldn’t really decipher its meaning. Even if she did take his secrets and run to the press, she could only imagine what kind of damage he could do to her life in return. Not that she believed he would, but she could never do such a thing in the first place.

“You don’t believe me?” she finally asked when he didn’t respond.

She watched his tongue dash between his lips to wet them, and after studying his sexy mouth for several seconds, her eyes traveled up to his. He was watching her.

“I never said that,” he answered carefully.

She smiled a bit sardonically. “But you’re not confirming you trust me, either. It’s kind of the same thing.”

“No. It’s not, Anna. Not with me.”

He leaned over and kissed her. Gently at first, but the intensity built naturally. It was amazing how something so simple could make her forget her own name…

Chapter Eighteen

Explaining to someone that his levels of trust were somewhat warped was usually pointless. Max had never wasted the time because he’d never been in such a position in the first place.

Well, not since Olivia.

With a sigh he pulled away, deciding physical appreciation was not what he needed to be giving Anna right now.

He chose to attempt an explanation, even though he was unsure. The bottom line was that he had respect for Anna, and so far she’d given him nothing but that in return. He was also drifting into deeper territory with her, but that was a topic yet to be discussed or fully acted upon.

“I’ll say this,” he began, calculating his words sensibly. “I guarantee anything you’ve told me will never be repeated. At the same time, I actually do believe you offer me the same respect. Earlier I said I’ve been deceived, so yes, the worry is there just a tad bit. It might always be, I don’t know. But I feel you’re honest, Anna. And maybe that’s why I…” He swallowed, unable to control that little glitch in his deliverance. With a soft clearing of the throat, he took his hand and gently caressed the back of her neck with his fingertips. “Maybe that’s why I’m here. Because I feel comfortable with you. And believe me, that’s…” He turned his head away but sighed with disbelief. “That’s hard for me to admit to someone.”

“I feel comfortable with you too,” she replied instantly, causing him to look her in the eye again. The warm, chocolate brown drew him in, and when she studied him like that—like she could thoroughly read the sincerity in him without even trying—it made him feel completely exposed.

And, surprisingly, it didn’t make him panic.

He increased the pressure against her skin, kneading his fingers into the nape of her neck. Her eyes flitted to his lips another time, and that’s when he leaned down to kiss her again. He took in those gorgeous lips eagerly, not at all concerned with how smooth or calculated he was being. The passion was speaking from his chest and his body was only complying.

He laid her back onto the couch, carefully propping himself above her so his weight wasn’t too crushing. The soft moans from Anna’s lips infused him, her fingers in his hair encouraged him, and her center arching upward to meet his drove him crazy. It wasn’t the first time he imagined himself deep inside her, but this time he didn’t plan on holding back.

“I really want you right now, Anna,” he spoke softly in between devouring her mouth with his own. “Tell me to stop and I will.”

“I don’t want you to stop,” she gasped. “Please don’t stop.” Her hands moved down his back and gripped his ass, pushing him firmly against her to aid in her plea.

He didn’t plan on stopping…until there was a knock at the door. Max pulled his mouth off of Anna’s and she groaned.

“Dammit, I forgot about the pizza,” she exhaled.

Just as well, maybe it would give her some time to second-guess what was going on here. Max removed himself from the couch and offered a hand to help her up. Anna’s cheeks were flushed, and she straightened her clothes while giving him a sheepish smile.

“Give me a minute.” She took a deep breath before opening the door, just as Max stepped out of view so his presence wasn’t an issue. He didn’t want to risk a reaction from the pizza boy, and he certainly didn’t want the press in his business.

Anna shut the door and tossed the box on the coffee table. She looked at Max as he ran a hand through his hair, and whereas he figured their little makeout session had come to an end, she abandoned the food and came across the room toward him. Her eyes were drinking him in. The light in them reignited that spark in his chest, the one that travel straight down to his dick again.

When she slid her hands into his shirt and touched his skin, it burned through him like fire. She began to touch him in a way that was tender and compassionate, and in return, he connected with her that same way.

She pulled back slightly, her eyes studying him again. “What’s the matter?” Her voice was soft, concerned even, and then she waited for him to answer.

He deliberately took his time with a response. He could tell her now or he could wait and see how things progressed, but this new territory made him somewhat apprehensive either way.

“Do I make you nervous?” she asked, seeming surprised. She dropped her hands to her sides, as if to make him feel less pressured.

“No,” Max shook his head, reaching for her hands to hold them in his. “I just… I’m just thinking to myself, that’s all.”

“If it’s about me, then maybe you should share.”

He paused for a moment, silently cursing himself for being so transparent. “I’m pacing myself. I think. And I might be over thinking too many things, but I’d rather do that than not at all.”

She slowly nodded her head, as if to process his words. “Okay. So…you think we’re rushing things? I guess I thought because of that night up in Oregon… Well, I thought we were heading that direction again.”

“We were. We
are
,” he corrected.

Then he mentally slapped himself for the imperfect way he was handling this. He paused a bit longer, giving himself the time to regroup, to really analyze this situation for what it was. He studied Anna—from the intensity of her eyes to the way she was biting her lip, nervously waiting for him to expound.

His moment of uncertainty passed by just as quickly when he felt her sincerity was impossible to fake. All his life he was faced with characters and simulated situations…and apparently even the real ones had been hard to discern. And he’d been duped, and he’d also been the one duping, but all of that seemed exhausting anymore. He just didn’t want to fight with it any longer.

Max took himself back to their earlier conversation. He truly believed she was an honest person with good intentions. It was just the fact that he was finally letting someone back into his life again. It was a difficult step to take, no matter how much he tried to wrap his mind around it.

Finally it was Anna who smiled softly, and instead of making an issue about his sudden lack of suaveness, she just slid her arms around his waist and gave him a hug. A firm one, one that felt assuring no matter what it meant.

“If you have doubts about me, I completely understand,” she said. “Let’s take it slow.”

He hadn’t been in a “real” relationship with someone for five years. There had been women, but those women had been more so of the “friends with benefits” variety—women who were of similar status to himself and wanted the same amount of discretion and mutual respect.

“I think we’ve taken it slow enough,” he answered, brushing a thumb over her cheek. His hand settled against her neck as he waited for her agreement.

“Good,” she nodded. “Because I want you so bad right now—”

He tugged her forward and crashed his lips to hers, knowing that very second he’d wanted to bang this feisty little thing the moment he’d met her. That sexual tension had created ambitious goals he wanted to achieve with her in the bedroom.

And anywhere else he could have her.

They continued to kiss as Anna led him through the closest door until they stopped at her bed. She already had his jeans unbuttoned, and had he been given time to smile about that he would have, but she was already on her knees, sucking his dick.

She was an aggressive delight, but even with his hand on her head and his fingers threaded through her hair, he chose to play nice and not be too forceful in return. He felt animalistic, wanting to grip her hair tighter while he fucked the back of her throat, but he held off and let her take the lead.

She gave him just enough to leave him wanting more before she stood and began taking off her clothes. Her eyes were watching his the entire time, like she was challenging him to stare. Of course he was going to fucking watch. She slid her shirt off and he studied the curves of her breasts in a lacey bra. And when her shorts shimmied down, his eyes followed, soaking up the tanned skin and purple lace until he inadvertently licked his lips.

“You’re beautiful.” He felt a compliment was standard at that moment, but it was the truth. Anna had that athletic beach beauty glow going for her without trying too hard.

She only replied with a little smile, which he didn’t quite understand. Maybe she agreed, maybe she was questioning him, or maybe she didn’t care and was about to rip his clothes off.

Max slipped out of his own shirt and her smile widened. Her eyes were also animated as she watched him toss it to the side. Simultaneously, they stripped the rest of their clothes off and ended up on the bed, tongues tangled and hands gripping whatever. She’d left him hard as a rock, and all he really wanted to do was put that to use. He thought he’d need to make his way through the appropriate steps to pleasure her, but she was a bit assertive and basically demanded his cock inside of her or else.

  Damn straight he wanted to fuck her like crazy.

Chapter Nineteen

Max woke up to the sound of two voices. One belonged to Anna; the other was deeper, a man, and not familiar to him. He sat up in bed and paused to listen—not to eavesdrop, but to make sure everything was okay. The unfamiliar voice seemed angry.

He swung his legs to the floor and reached for his pants. After finding his shirt by the nightstand, Max slipped into it and carefully opened the door. Anna was standing near the couch, and the man facing her was significantly older. Neither of them even noticed him standing there.

“I don’t care if I hurt your
feelings
, Anna,” the man spoke in a low voice. “If hearing the truth is offensive to you, then you need to toughen up a bit. I didn’t raise you to be a sensitive little brat.”

“Oh, I know,
Dad
… You raised me to be a winner, right? So when are you going to realize that I’m happy with my life right now? My definition of success is not the same as yours. I don’t need to—”

“You don’t need to
what
?” he growled, cutting her off. “Don’t need to return to the Worlds in order to keep a name for yourself? You really think your little hobby with Kobe is comparable? Seriously, Anna. Grow the hell up!”

At this point, Max had an arm up, leaning against the doorframe, but he cleared his throat to let this guy know he was there. He never liked to deal with people if he didn’t have to—there was always a price to pay because of who he was—but there was no fucking way he was going to let this man talk to Anna that way. Father or not, Max had to intercede.

As soon as they heard him, both of them looked his way. Anna gave him an apologetic frown—whether it was because they’d woken him up or because she was embarrassed that he might have heard their argument, he wasn’t sure. But her father paused, staring across the room at him with instantaneous recognition.

And suddenly the guy’s entire mood changed. He smiled, gave a respectful little dip of the head, and said, “Well, hello.” He turned to Anna, eyebrows raised, maybe expecting an introduction.

But Anna didn’t bother, and instead, she opened the front door and said, “Bye, Dad. Hope your day improves.”

The man offered his silent disapproval at her behavior, but Max knew that look better than anyone. His own father didn’t even have to speak in order for him to be acquainted with how displeased he was.

As any controlling, arrogant human being would do, Anna’s father took it upon himself to make the introduction. He confidently strode across the room and held out his hand with a pleasant smile. “Alistair Evans.”

Max let a few seconds go by as he glanced down at the man’s outstretched hand to let him know he acknowledged the act. But he didn’t shake it. Instead, he gave a casual nod and answered, “Max McCallan.” Although he was aware this man knew his name, it was more about solidifying a point. The McCallans had clout and precedence no matter who they faced, and even though he never preferred to use his superiority to his advantage, sometimes he was glad he could.

Alistair cleared his throat, clearly surprised by the insult, but as he dropped his hand he replied, “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“That makes one of us,” Max answered.

Shock covered the man’s face in response. “Pardon me?” he asked, somewhat meekly because of his obvious disbelief. And there was a bit of panic there; he was rattled.

Max removed his arm from its position against the doorframe and casually slid his fingertips into his pockets. “With as delightful as your daughter is, one would assume she got it from her parents. I guess that’s a poor assumption on my part.”

After a brief pause, Alistair took a step back and glanced at Anna. Max glanced at her too, just to gauge her reaction. He didn’t want to upset her, but there was no way she deserved to be berated by her father in such a way. He felt she could handle it well, but maybe he couldn’t resist adding his endorsement.

To add insult to injury, Max made his way to Anna and stopped in front of her with his back to her father. He placed his hands against her upper arms, kissing her forehead, and quietly spoke so only she could hear him. “I hope you don’t have plans today because I’d like to occupy more of your time.”

She studied him for a second, her eyes turning from worry to intrigue as she slid her hands along his sides. “And I
really
want to be occupied.” She raised an eyebrow with insinuation, which made Max chuckle.

“Perfect.”

He kissed her on the cheek before heading for the bedroom again. Making eye contact with her father, Max gave him his own arrogant smile that had been well practiced over the years. He sat on the bed to put his shoes and socks on, leaving the door open to deliberately send another message.

Alistair was visibly uncomfortable with his lack of success at their encounter. But he walked to the front door and let himself out, not speaking another word to either of them.

Anna entered the bedroom and leaned a shoulder against the doorframe, her arms crossed over her chest and a smug smile on her face. “Very impressive, McCallan. Oscar-worthy.”

He scoffed but with amusement. “I wasn’t just imitating intolerance, Anna. He won’t be allowed to talk to you that way, I won’t put up with it.” He stood from the bed and took two steps her way. “I do apologize if I embarrassed you, though. That wasn’t my intention.”

She shook her head. “No. You saved me about thirty minutes of reliving my failures. So…thank you.
I’m
sorry you had to be here for that, though.”

“No.” He shook his head and placed a hand against her cheek, gently moving a thumb against her soft skin. “I’m actually glad I was. And I know you can handle him yourself, but I want you to know I’m on your side if you need me.”

With a sigh, she leaned forward and laid her head against his chest. “I appreciate it. But it goes both ways, okay?” Her arms tightened around him and she lifted her head upwards to kiss his neck. “Got it?”

They say there can sometimes be that one moment in your life when you realize something significant has changed. Max wrapped his arms around her, taking in her comforting scent and the warmth of her body against him, and he felt a tangible shift within himself. Whatever had happened, or however they’d progressed, it had reached a point where he couldn’t deny how much he wanted to be with her. She had influenced him in such a way that some of his resistance had softened, and the majority of his protective wall had crumbled.

The majority of it, but not all. There was also a certain amount of dread that hardened within his chest. A chunk of his security and peace of mind was at stake. And along with it, a myriad of images he imagined their future could result in if anything went wrong, including the headlines that coincided.

Just like the disaster with Olivia.

Her arms gave him another firm squeeze, bringing him out of his current state of ‘what ifs’. “Okay?” she asked.

She leaned back and studied him for a few seconds, but it seemed as if she could read him loud and clear right now. He wasn’t so good at masking his mood this morning. Hell, maybe he’d been sexed into submission. He wanted to laugh at that ridiculous thought, but he felt it was probably true and she was still waiting for an answer.

“You literally just tensed up,” Anna spoke softly. “Talk to me.” She stepped back, as if to give him space to think. She waited patiently, although worry was etched plainly on her face.

“This is hard for me,” Max answered truthfully. “Being with you isn’t difficult,” he corrected, motioning between the two of them. “But just…allowing this shift to happen.”

“What shift?”

He let almost a minute pass by as he used the busyness of grabbing his belongings from the dresser to his advantage. He slipped his wallet in his back pocket, dropped the keys into the front one and his phone into the other.

Looking at her again, he answered, “Anna…it’s just going to take me some time to adjust. I’m not used to being in a relationship. And before you question if it’s because of media and all of that shit…I couldn’t care less about myself, okay? My only concern is that I don’t want it to affect
you
negatively. See, it doesn’t matter what I do; the stories will come, good or bad. But it’s going to hurt me even more to see you being the target too. And you will be.”

Max paused, trying to decide if he needed to say more. He realized he truly
didn’t
care what the media said about him. All those years of trying to achieve a professional image had not been in vain—he was glad he had a good reputation amongst his celebrity peers and the producers and crews he worked with—but when it came to his personal endeavors these days, he felt they should take a front seat for once.

All he added was, “That’s putting
some
of my cards on the table. There’s more, so…just let me know where you stand. Okay? Whatever you’re thinking…I need to know.”

She slowly nodded, still studying him intently. “I understand where you’re coming from. The good thing—if you can call it that—is I’ve been through all of those gossip circles, too. Probably not to the extent you have, no, but I understand your concern. I just have one thing to say about it, Max.”

It was his turn to nod while bracing himself to hear her concerns.

“I give zero fucks,” she shrugged.

Not expecting that at all, he paused in surprise and then laughed. Her eyebrows raised and she smiled, signifying that she was being serious and firmly stood by her words. Max nodded, realizing he shouldn’t have even questioned her resolve. She’d proven repeatedly that she was a tough-skinned, independent woman. As long as she was completely honest with him, he couldn’t ask anything more of her.

Chuckling, he said, “You go ahead and grab what you need and we’ll head out.” He pulled his phone out as he kissed her forehead. “I’m going to make a phone call and check on something quick, okay?”

She agreed as he left the room. Even with the bedroom door still open, he felt no reservations about making the call right in front of her. He’d explain in more detail on their drive anyway. But right now he dialed Cole and sat on the couch waiting for him to pick up.

“Yeah, man, what’s up?”

“Hey, you got a minute?” Max asked.

“Sure. Everything okay?”

“Yeah, everything is fine. I just want to meet up with you to go over some of the things I’ve mentioned.”

“Of course. Today is fine with me if you’re good with it.”

Max would have declined, but thought better of it. “Yeah, actually that sounds good. Can you meet me at the new house? Oh, and uh, could you see if Teague will come with you?”

Cole paused, obviously caught off guard. “Yeah, I can meet you there. But about your brother… Is this, uh, on his own accord or...?”

Max laughed. “Yeah, yeah, on his agreement. Jesus, that might make a good story, though.”

Cole laughed. “Well I mean I’m up for a challenge but…yeah, I’d rather not with him. So, uh, give me a few hours or so? I’ll let you know for sure.”

“Perfect.”

Max hung up the phone, just as Anna exited the bedroom with a small backpack hooked on one shoulder. She was sporting her classic beach bum look, as she liked to call it, but this time it was an O’Neill trucker hat he hadn’t seen. She looked cute as fuck, though. And he’d never get tired of seeing her legs in a pair of shorts, either.

“All good?” he asked while standing.

Her beautiful smile was response enough, but she also answered, “Yep, let’s roll.”

As they walked to his truck, Max spent a few minutes explaining where they were headed, who Cole was and why he was going to meet them—and at a house no one in the universe knew of
except
Cole. Not even his father knew of it. But having a separate place of his own for the past year had been Max’s only reprieve. He’d even considered just hanging there for the time Teague suggested he get a way for a bit, but he’d wanted his brother to be a part of his life and decided to be agreeable to his suggestion.

And he’d met Anna, which was the only reason he felt fate had worked some magic for him. Being completely out of his comfort zone had opened up a new door.

“So I am only one of two people who knows about this place?” Anna asked as Max drove up a private, unmarked driveway. It was a bit discreet between trees, which was perfect.

“Yeah, but I’m hoping my brother can, too.”

She smiled at him but took in the green scenery around them during the quarter-mile of driveway uphill. “I’m glad you two are trying to find a way through all of it. Family shit is tough. Mix that with a public life… Things get so messed up.”

Max nodded his agreement as they approached a wrought iron gate. He stopped at the call box to punch in the code and waited for the gate to swing forward. After veering a bit to the left, the house and guesthouse came into view. He reached past Anna and removed the second garage door remote, pressing the button as he smiled at her next to him.

She’d been watching him, her curiosity apparent. “This place is yours?” she asked, looking all around them from inside the truck.

Although Max sometimes called it a “cabin,” it was really a four-bedroom, four-bath home with an office and extra bonus room. But it was on one level, had one main TV room and kitchen, and a three-car garage. Compared to his mansion in Malibu, it was small; to the average person, it was a regular-sized house. It also had a three-bedroom guesthouse that was thirty yards separate from the main house. He knew he’d probably be using that soon enough for a security detail.