Two Dates Max (2 page)

I shrugged and waved it away. “He hid it well. Declan should have told us they’d been drinking all day. That’s all.”

She still looked upset so I smiled back to ease her mind. Declan had been her on-again, off-again boyfriend the past five years. He was very abusive and I tried to talk her into leaving him at least once a week. Unfortunately, Elle didn’t have the best family and they loved him. They only reinforced all the horrible things he would say to her until she began to believe them as fact.

“Okay, so no more of Declan’s friends.”

“Right. And no more strays from the library either.”

We both laughed as we remembered one of my horrible dates from a few months back.

“So, if you want Max, how are you going to get him?”

I looked back over the nearly empty gym and immediately found him on a rowing machine. His strong arms flexed smoothly and my pulse leapt.

“I don’t know yet.”

“Hmm. Well, then we need to make a plan.”

She rounded the counter to find a pad of paper and pen, then took a seat in one of the rolling chairs. I followed but hopped onto the lower counter that served as our desk space. We were in a square enclosure at the front of the gym. Members walked in and scanned their cards at a small device on the top counter before entering the main part of the gym. Our job was basically to hand out towels and check in guests when the scanner refused to work properly.

“Okay,” Elle continued. “First, let’s go over what we know about him. He works at the grocery store a couple of blocks away, right?”

“Yeah, Hardy’s. He’s actually the store manager.”

“Really? Wow. So at least we know he’s got benefits.”

I gave a small laugh and nodded. “Yeah, so?”

“Well, that position means more career than job, you know? More stability.” I just shrugged and rolled my hand for her to continue. “Second, we know he’s not married.”

This time I laughed out loud, drawing attention from a couple of members. I waved and smiled until they waved back and turned away.

“Elle, that should be a given for any guy I consider. You know I don’t do…that.”

She laughed too and nodded with a gleam in her eye. “I know, girl. You’re one of the decent ones. Okay, so three…um, he’s healthy.”

We turned as one to find him and I immediately spotted him doing chin-ups. I sighed and Elle giggled.

“Oh yeah. Definitely healthy. On to number four.”

“He has rules about dating,” I grumbled.

“Mmhm, and from what I’ve heard he’s pretty strict about it. In fact, if I had to guess I’d say that’s why he keeps giving you the cold shoulder.”

My head snapped back around to face her as I raised a brow in question. “What do you mean?”

She put the pad and pen down and leaned forward as if preparing to divulge state secrets.

“Well, he’s already been out on two dates with you.”

“So?” I growled. “We had an awesome time. I was shocked when he didn’t ask me out again.”

She gave me a sympathetic smile and a pat on the knee. I barely restrained the ridiculous urge to kick her.

“From what Sara said, he was pretty upfront about his rule before they went out on their first date. He basically just wanted someone to hang out with a couple of times.”

“Yeah, but we both know what a whore she is. I doubt hanging out was all they did.”

She giggled and shook her head. “I never asked. But my point is, if he keeps putting you off there must be a reason. I think he realized what an awesome person you are and it scared him. Maybe he’s afraid he won’t be able to get enough of you.”

She sat back with a nod, looking supremely pleased at her reasoning. I smirked and shook my head.

“Elle, he didn’t even tell me about his stupid rule until after our second date. I was pissed and wouldn’t talk to him for a week. Remember when he kept bringing me breakfast? That’s why.”

“Well now, see? That just proves my point. He’s afraid to go out with you again because he already knows you’re a keeper.”

I shook my head again. “I’ve invited him over for a barbecue, to the movies and to happy hour. It’s not like I’ve proposed. Besides, as often as we see each other, holding on to my mad was quickly becoming awkward. We’re practically neighbors.”

She snorted and rolled her eyes. “Hon, for the serious commitment-phobes it doesn’t take much to scare them off.”

I opened my mouth to answer but was interrupted by a stream of colorful swimsuit-clad older ladies walking through the door.

“Oh great. The mermaids are here,” Elle mumbled under her breath.

I stifled a laugh and pasted on a smile as they headed our way.

* * * * *

A few minutes after I handed the last mermaid her towel, Max walked slowly past my counter toward the double glass doors leading outside. He had his gym bag slung over one arm and his own towel slung over the other. The part of me sick of his indifference wanted to throw a water bottle at his head to get a reaction, but I fought her down and turned to my computer screen instead. Really, it was getting kind of ridiculous and I wasn’t exactly desperate for a date. There was just something about him that drew me in. We really did seem to have a lot in common but if he couldn’t see that it might be time to move on.

As that depressing thought settled on my slumped shoulders, I swiveled in my chair away from the doors. There was no use constantly watching him if he really didn’t want anything to do with me.

“Megan…”

My pulse sped at the unexpected sound of my first name in his voice and I whipped around with my brows raised in question.

He stood leaning against the counter watching me with an unreadable expression.

“Yes?”

His gaze ran over me for a second as if he were trying to think of how to put his thoughts to words. Anger instantly ignited in my gut at what I was sure would be another rejection.

“What time are you grilling on Saturday?”

I gaped for a second and keeping shock from my voice was a physical effort. “Um…probably around six. It’ll be too hot before then.”

He nodded and ran a hand over his head while I barely dared to breathe.

“What should I bring?” he finally asked.

I couldn’t help the smile that spread across my face as I hopped out of my seat and stepped up to the counter.

“I’ve got the steaks covered and others are bringing sides. Unless there’s something you’re really good at cooking and you want to show off, then just BYOB.”

He shrugged and fished his car keys from the pocket of his gym shorts. Stealing glances at me but not quite meeting my gaze.

“I’m not much of a cook, but I can bring enough beer for everyone if you want.”

“That’s cool. There’ll only be eight of us if everyone shows.”

He nodded and stepped back from the counter. “All right. I’ll see you then.”

I laughed and shook my head. “You know you’ll see me all week.”

He finally looked me in the eye and grinned before walking through the doors. I damn near fainted. Maybe there was hope after all.

* * * * *

Tuesday morning I led the spinning class because Elle had called in sick. She’d sounded as if she’d been crying all night and I mentally calculated the amount of money in my savings, wondering if it was enough to put a hit out on Declan. Since I not only had no clue how to actually hire a killer, but seriously doubted two hundred and fifty-three dollars was enough, I scrapped that idea and went on with my day. I usually worked the midafternoon-to-evening shift during the week but always covered for Elle. We’d known each other since high school and she was the closest thing I had to a sister.

Max arrived a little earlier than his usual three o’clock with a scowl on his face. It was a look to scare people off but I’d seen it before and it didn’t deter me. I leaned on the desk as he punched in his code.

“Hey, Sean. Here a little early today, huh?”

One thick brow lifted in surprise but the scowl remained. I batted my eyelashes playfully in an attempt to make him smile, but he just rolled his eyes.

“I left work early,” he growled.

“Oh? Everything okay in the world of retail?”

He looked conflicted, as if he couldn’t decide on whether to actually talk to me or not. I didn’t know why every conversation had to be a battle with him, but we were finally making progress and I wasn’t willing to give it up.

“Yeah. No… I don’t know. I’m just a little stressed out right now.”

My smile melted into genuine concern and I placed a hand on the fist he held clenched against the countertop. He looked down at my hand but didn’t pull away.

“You know, there usually isn’t anyone in the hot tub at this hour. Why don’t you lay off the weights today and go relax?”

When his gaze returned to mine there was genuine surprise. He unclenched his fist and turned his hand up, twining our fingers for one heart-stopping moment.

“That’s a great idea. Thanks, Megan.”

I smiled and slipped my hand from his to grab a towel. The loss of his skin against mine was like a slap but it was worth it to see appreciation in his gaze. He took the towel with a nod of thanks and walked away. My heart started beating again and I remembered to breathe. Something was weighing heavily on his mind and I wanted to know how to make it go away. A glance at the clock showed ten minutes until my replacement arrived. I usually left the gym right after working an early shift to go to the bookstore. I could spend hours there and usually more money than was wise, but it’s my only vice. This time I decided to stay and take a dip in the hot tub. After all, I needed some downtime too.

Twenty minutes later I peeked around the corner of the wall separating the women’s locker room from the coed pool area. The hot tub was on the other end of the room, so Sean would see me coming. I adjusted the straps on my one-piece black bathing suit, wishing for the millionth time I had Elle’s body. I naturally kept in shape being an employee of the gym, but I’d always been athletic. Years of softball, volleyball and soccer had given me a teenage boy’s figure rather than a voluptuous woman’s. There wasn’t a damn thing I could do about it without surgery so I tried hard not to care.

Sean had his back to me, lounging in the hot tub with the jets on high. His eyes were closed and my bare feet made almost no sound. We were alone, though there were two men in the pool swimming laps. I entered the water slowly so my body could acclimate to the higher temperature. It was divine. I didn’t normally take time to enjoy most of the gym’s perks, but this was one time I just couldn’t stay away.

I must have splashed or gasped or something to announce my presence, because when I looked up from taking the final step into the water Sean’s intense blue gaze was on me. I froze and smiled weakly, my nerves going into overdrive at joining him uninvited. Was I being too bold after barely getting him to agree on the barbecue? He remained silent with a blank look on his face as I took a seat opposite him, a full leg’s length away. I’d piled my dark-brown hair into a haphazard knot at the top of my head. It’s so thin, I usually can’t get it to stay in a neat braid. I silently prayed it didn’t look too messy.

“Mmmm, this feels great, huh? Definitely relaxing,” I said.

He didn’t reply and I fought to keep my natural smile in place. I made a show of looking around, as if seeing the pool area for the first time. I didn’t come in here often, so it wasn’t completely for show. Sean didn’t say a word or move a muscle.

An eternity later, in reality only about seven minutes, the two men in the pool left. Sean and I were completely alone, but I didn’t expect to stay that way in the middle of the afternoon. I lounged back against the hot tub and clasped my hands behind my head, closing my eyes. I was actually relaxing and enjoying the solitude when something brushed my foot. I opened one eye to see Sean standing and my pulse leapt. I wanted to jump up and grab him but decided looking that desperate was uncalled for. If he wanted to leave, fine.

I let my lid drop back down and he brushed against my calf. I’m on the short side, so I didn’t understand how my legs could possibly be in his way. However, if Sean wanted to touch my bare skin I was all for it. Even after that thought, his rough hands on my upper thighs jerked me fully upright. My eyes flew open and were filled with his lightly furred chest. I looked up to see him well within my personal space and slowly inching closer. My breath caught in my lungs and I watched in fascination as his gaze zeroed in on my lips and stayed there. He was going to kiss me and I was going to let him.

All rational thought disappeared the moment his lips touched mine. I didn’t give a damn about being in a public place, where I worked and could potentially be seen by my boss. I wrapped my arms around Sean’s neck and pulled him in tight, afraid to let go when I finally had him where I needed him. He didn’t seem to want to escape as he explored my mouth with his expert tongue. His taste, mint and coffee, filled my senses and I moaned in delight.

His hands had moved to my hips and he tightened his grip to pin me in place. I wasn’t going anywhere, but his forcefulness ratcheted up my arousal and I wrapped my legs around his hips. He finally pulled back but didn’t try to move away. I caught my breath and looked up into his eyes.