Something Wonderful (10 page)

Unable to move, I stood there as the heated feeling continued to linger. Why do I allow him to affect me that way? The sound of the toilet flushing got my feet moving and I headed toward the kitchen to get a glass of water.

“Someone got roses,” Matthew said excitedly, sauntering into the dining area. “Did Max send those?”

“They’re for me,” I replied quickly, then spit water out into the sink, coughing relentlessly. I didn’t know why I panicked, causing the water to go down the wrong way when he asked that question. It wasn’t as if he could read my mind.

“You okay there?” With one hand wrapped around my waist, the other patted my back lightly.

I was coughing so hard I thought I was going to throw up, but Matthew was sweet, helping me through it. Gripping the edge of the sink with both of my hands, I coughed even more.

“Here, drink some water.” Matthew handed me the glass of water I had set down on the counter when I started coughing.

Clearing my throat, I spoke, but the sound of my voice came out hoarse. “Thank you.”

“You’ll live,” he said, twisting his lips in amusement, letting out a slight chuckle.

“Yes.” I wiped the tears that fell from the corner of my eyes, and then I smiled. It was all I could do since I felt like an idiot.

Matthew leaned against the cabinet and gazed at me with intensity. I’d wished I could read the meaning behind it. His eyes seemed filled with yearning and pain. They were two totally different emotions and that baffled me immensely.

“It’s getting late and I should be leaving,” he mumbled, but he didn’t move a muscle. His eyes were set on me, making me feel like he was devouring me with his thoughts.

“Thanks for driving me home.” I didn’t know what to do. Do I leave the kitchen first because he wasn’t moving?

“He isn’t good enough for you,” Matthew muttered out of the blue.

What was he talking about? I tilted my head, furrowing my brows, silently asking for further explanation.

“You deserve bigger flowers, Becca. They’re too small,” he explained. Walking to the living room, he grabbed his suit jacket, and headed to the door while I followed behind. I was surprised and confused by his words. After he opened the door, he locked his eyes on mine looking somewhat sad. “I hope he brings your book boyfriend to shame and gives you everything you deserve. When I walk out this door, I want you to make sure you lock it, okay?”

All I could do was nod. His words tugged my heart, leaving me speechless. He thought I was seeing someone when I wasn’t. Should I have said something? Then the door closed, creating a cool draft. I couldn’t tell if it was due to his absence or the air that passed through from the hallway. I didn’t know why, but I stood there, soaking in his sweet words, trying to calm my beating heart—it always pounded too fast when he was around—and pondering the thought that he believed I was taken. I wondered if that was a good thing.

Just as I reached for the lock, the door swung opened, smacked my forehead, and I stumbled back several steps. Thinking it was Jenna, I looked up while rubbing my head. “Jenna…” but it wasn’t her. “Matthew? What are you doing back here?”

He didn’t respond, but his hand pushed mine away from my forehead. “Shit, Becca. Did I do that to you?”

Instead of responding, I asked him the same question again. “What are you doing here?”

“I told you to lock the door. Why didn’t you lock the door?” he demanded to know, checking my forehead for possible bruises, I assumed. “Sorry,” he said sincerely. What he did next made me lose myself into him. He embraced me tenderly and gently kissed my forehead. It was brief, but it meant something and I could feel that it meant something to him too, when I heard a soft sigh. In that moment, I felt utterly safe. In that moment, we connected at another level. In that moment, I had fallen a little bit deeper.

With another kiss on my forehead, he whispered, “Sweet dreams, Becca. And lock the door
now
.”

As soon as he left, I locked the door right away. I wasn’t about to have him barge through again; and sure enough, I heard the doorknob rattle. He was extremely protective, but I liked that he was…maybe a bit too much.

A
FTER PICKING UP MY
parents from the airport, I dropped them off at their hotel to get settled in, and I went back to work for a couple of hours before we would meet up again for dinner. I had offered to pick them up, but dad insisted they take a taxi since it was so close. He also said they were planning to rent a car the next day, but Max had already asked his driver to take care of their needs daily so the company’s driver was at their beck and call.

Max had made reservations at one of the finest restaurants in Los Angeles, and we had agreed that he would drive me there. Glancing over at Max while he focused on the road, I studied him. He looked so deliciously handsome in his dark gray suit; I was trying hard not to think of him naked.

We had talked about him meeting my parents, but he never mentioned how he felt about it. Maybe it’s different for men. I could recall how nervous I felt meeting
his
family, so I wondered if Max felt the same. He sure didn’t look it. Though I didn’t let him know, I was nervous enough for us both. There wasn’t a doubt that my parents would adore him, it was the other way around. Hopefully, Max would like them just as much.

My parents had never met anyone I was dating, since all my dates were after I was in college. I just hoped they wouldn’t ask too many unwanted questions, especially my mom. My dad was the quiet type, so at least I knew he wouldn’t be the one initiating the conversation.

Sitting tall, looking straight ahead with both hands on the steering wheel, Max looked all business and ready to attack the world. How I loved this side of him. It gave me the shivers; like no one could touch him and he could make anything happen.

“Don’t stare at me, Jenna,” Max said lightly. His lips curled playfully.

“I’m not staring, and how do you know?” I giggled. I wasn’t good at fibbing.

“Even though I’m looking straight ahead, I can feel your every move. That’s how in tune my body is with yours. I always know.”

“Oh.” It was all I could say as I took in his words, liking what he’d said.

“But I don’t mind,” he said while his thumb tenderly and seductively stroked mine. The touch was so innocent, loving, yet so sensual, it made me want him at that very moment, as I could already feel his hands on my body. When we reached our destination, Max pulled into valet parking. After getting out of the car, he held my hand and led me to the entrance.

Since we were ten minutes early, we sat in the waiting area near the front. He didn’t want to seem rude and sit at our table first, especially since this was a first meeting.

When I spotted my parents walking through the door, I stood up and Max did the same.

“Mom…Dad,” I greeted. I hugged Mom first then Dad, then turned to Max. “This is Max.”

“It’s such a pleasure to meet you, Max,” Mom said, shaking his hand. She was smiling from ear to ear. “I’ve heard so much about you, I feel like I already know you.”

Then it was Dad’s turn. “Hello, Max,” he said shaking his hand.

“How was your trip?” Max asked.

“Just fine,” Mom smiled. “Thank you for asking.”

“Good,” Max said and raised his hand to get the hostess’s attention.

My nerves had settled quickly when our dinner talk proved to be nothing but laughter and great conversation. I could tell Mom wanted to ask him more questions than needed, but Max was a good sport, trying to let her see that he was the right person for me in a very subtle way.

“Max, do you like children?” Mom asked, clearing her throat, knowing I would get mad at her for asking such a question at their first meeting. Frowning, I gave her the evil eye. Too bad she wasn’t sitting across from me, or I would have nudged her with my foot. Trying to calm my nerves back down again, knowing Mom was rolling on with her questions, I took a sip of my water.

“Children? What are those?” Max blurted.

Oh my God! He did not say that. I almost spit out my drink. Thankfully, I was able to swallow before he said anything else, but my hand slipped just as I placed my cup down, and I spilled my water. My reflexes kicked in, but it was too late. It happened so fast, some spilled on Max’s pants. He didn’t realize it was even happening, until he heard the glass slam on the table, and by that time, he couldn’t have stopped the water flow unless he was Superman.

“Jenna?” My mom squealed.

“I’m so sorry.” I looked at Max as I held my napkin, ready to help and ignoring my mom. I was so embarrassed, I didn’t know whether to touch him or just let it be. He was already standing, wiping himself off. Luckily, the cloth napkin was across his lap, so the water just barely soaked through his pants. It would dry by the time we went home.

When he saw Mom’s smile fade, he sat back down and spoke again. “I was just kidding, Mrs. Mefferd. I love children. They bring pride and joy to families. I want a minivan full of them.”

Mom giggled and gave a sigh of relief. Looking at me with glassy eyes she said, “I wish I had more, but I had a hard time conceiving, so Jenna is my miracle.”

“Mine, too,” Max agreed, looking at me with loving eyes.

It wasn’t so much what Max said, but the fact that he said such sweet words in front of my parents that made me adore him even more.

“Max, your driver is wonderful,” Dad muttered, breaking our conversation. Thank goodness he did. I didn’t know how long Mom would gush about me. “We appreciate your gesture, but we can rent a car. We’re staying for several more days.”

“There are a lot of one-way streets in downtown LA and it can get confusing. Please enjoy your trip with one less thing to worry about.”

“It’s very generous of you,” Mom added. “We don’t know how to thank you.”

“You gave me Jenna,” Max smiled. “It’s more than I can ask for.”

Mom’s eyes twinkled against the candlelight. Her facial expression showed how much she liked his response.

Our conversation was minimal when our dinner came. Mom raved how moist her salmon was and Dad raved about how delicious and tender his steak was. We enjoyed our meal as we continued our small talk.

Max raised his glass of wine, gesturing to toast. “To our first meeting and many more.”

Mom and Dad looked surprised. I guess they hadn’t expected that either. It was a nice gesture. After the toast, Mom only took a sip of her wine. Max didn’t know she was allergic to alcohol like me. Enjoying the taste, I drank a little bit more than I should have. Before long, I had to excuse myself to go to the restroom. Not wanting to leave Max alone with my parents for too long, I hurried as fast as I could. I was afraid of them grilling him with a bunch of questions they wouldn’t ask in front of me.

When I came back, their conversation stopped, like they were keeping a secret from me, but I didn’t think twice about it. After all, there was nothing to hide since I had already told Max not to talk about my time in the hospital. My parents were on a cruise at the time and I didn’t want them to know the hospital visit was due to Max and I having a misunderstanding. It would not leave a good impression of Max, especially when they hadn’t yet had a chance to get to know him.

After dinner, Max ordered dessert—Crème Brûlée and chocolate mousse cake. Dad had tried to pay for dinner, but Max had already given the server his credit card before I had returned to the table. He was very thoughtful that way.

After dessert, we exited the restaurant. Max had already called his driver to come to the front to pick up my parents, instead of them having to walk through the parking lot.

Jeff, Max’s driver, stepped out of the limo and opened the rear door for my parents. Mom gave Max a hug first, then me. “He’s a keeper,” she whispered. “Don’t let this one get away.”

Pulling away from her hug, I smiled, hoping Max hadn’t heard. Dad gave me a hug next after shaking Max’s hand. “He has great teeth, kiddo. That says a lot about a person,” he chuckled. Since Dad was a dentist, that was his way of letting me know he approved of Max. After the goodbyes were complete, my parents entered the car.

“Drive safe, Jeff,” Max ordered.

“Yes, sir,” Jeff confirmed with a nod.

“Thanks, Jeff,” I said.

Jeff rolled down the passenger’s window, since the heavily tinted window was difficult to see through. After we set the date for our next meeting, I waved as the car took off. I was happy that our first meeting went well and my parents had a great time with Max. It couldn’t have been any better.