“Do I at least get a hint this time about where we’re going?” Reese quizzed, wiggling down in her seat.
“I’m going to take you to someplace beautiful, sultry, and romantic,” Maxwell teased, planting a kiss on Reese’s forehead. “The stars will be our canopy, the hot night our blanket, ancient ruins that have withstood the test of time will be our beginning.”
“It doesn’t sound real,” she said wistfully, shutting her eyes and smiling at the images.
“It’s very real. I will tell you this. It’s across the water and we’ll be there in about an hour. Now just sit back and relax. I promise it’ll be worth the ride.”
On the short drive to the open-air trolley, Max stole furtive glances in Reese’s direction, intermittently holding her hand then bringing it gently to his lips. He knew there was no turning back now, he’d crossed the last line of his defense. He’d stated his intentions and she’d capitulated. Part of him still clung to the security of elusiveness. Yet the part that needed to be cared for—accepted—loved totally—fought the winning battle.
When she looked at him, as she was doing now, as if he were the only man in the world, all of his doubts and reservations blew away with the tropical breeze around them.
“I know it’s going to be wonderful, Max,” she whispered as if reading his thoughts. “It seems as if a part of me wanted what is sure to come the moment I saw you.” She moved over and rested her head on his shoulder. “I’m putting my trust, my heart on the line and in your hands. Trust me with yours.”
Maxwell looked down into her eyes that sparkled up at him with so much hope, so much faith. He smiled, gently kissed her lips and turned his attentions back to the road.
As promised, the drive to the trolley was short, accented by the beautiful scenery of San Diego’s countryside. Maxwell smoothly donned the role of tour guide, pointing out sites of interest. “That’s Horton Plaza to our right,” he indicated with a thrust of his chin. “Every store that’s worth its logo is in there… As a matter of fact…” He turned off the main highway, cut around traffic, and pulled into the plaza’s huge parking lot. “We have a stop to make before we get on the trolley,” Maxwell announced, bringing the Corvette to a squealing halt.
“Max. For heaven’s sake, what now?” Reese asked, giggling as he rounded the car and helped her out.
He pulled her long, lush body fully against him, briefly sampling the sweetness of her thoroughly kissed lips. “I don’t think you have everything you’re going to need in that little purse of yours,” he said in a husky undertone. Reese’s heartbeat accelerated when she witnessed the fire dance in his eyes.
“Is that right?” she countered, looking boldly up at him. “What did you have in mind?”
“Anything your heart desires, baby.” His fingers ran along her jawline, causing her to shiver with need. “Something soft, something sheer, something for the water, the nightlife, and then—nothing at all.” His mouth curved upward in a devilish grin.
Reese put her hand in his and smiled wickedly. “Let the shopping begin.”
They both laughed like two young lovers and headed off toward the stores.
Maxwell had insisted on paying for everything. Loaded down with shopping bags, straw hats, dark glasses, and an array of baseball caps, they stuffed their joint purchases in the trunk and sped off toward the trolley in downtown San Diego, laughing, kissing and holding hands all the way. By the time they arrived, parked and unloaded their packages, the last passenger was boarding. Racing like mad down the street, they hopped aboard and headed off toward the Mexican border only to hop a taxi into Tijuana. Reese was sure this was their final destination, until Maxwell announced that they needed a water taxi to cross the bay. Totally perplexed, Reese followed, this time not bothering to ask where they were going. It was apparent that Maxwell was a man of few words and many secrets. Whatever he wanted her to know he’d tell her, and the hell with anything else.
The water taxi pulled to a stop some fifteen minutes later. Maxwell stepped out and helped Reese to her feet. The bags followed. “We’re really here this time,” Maxwell grinned, seeing the look of skepticism on her face. “I swear,” he added, holding up his hand.
“That remains to be seen,” she answered, doubtful. Reese took the opportunity to look around and realized that she was actually on an island. “Can you please tell me where we are?”
Maxwell put his arm around her shoulder. “We’re on Coronado Island across the bay from Tijuana, Mexico.”
Reese blinked back her astonishment. When Maxwell Knight did something, it was no holds barred. She wondered what else he had up his short sleeves.
“When I said I was going to make our time together memorable, that’s exactly what I meant. Now, come on. We have to check in.”
Reese was too awestruck to respond, so she put her faith in this man who had her head spinning.
Reese slowly spun around in the room they’d share together. Her heart filled with joy and wonder. It was straight out of the movies. High archways, in lieu of doors, led from one open-aired room to another. The whitewashed stucco walls, flower-filled balconies, huge four-poster bed, and hardwood floors made her sigh with delight. She felt as if she’d been transported to another time and place. Any minute she expected Clint Eastwood to step onto the scene. It was no wonder that Hotel del Coronado was deemed a historic site on the tiny island. From the balcony, she could see the large sand dunes covered with brilliant colored flowers and the slow-walking, hand-holding couples who strolled along the white, sandy beach and dusty roads. Vendors peddling their wares overflowed onto the street, against a backdrop of houses built into the mountainside.
Even though the hotel, built in the early 1900s, maintained its aesthetic look, it also boasted ultra-modern facilities. The bathroom was right out of Architectural Digest with gold-plated faucets, a Jacuzzi, his and her sinks, and a stall shower.
“This is absolutely fabulous, Max,” she murmured. She shook her head, at a loss for words. She looked up at him from beneath dark lashes. “You did all of this for me?”
“For us,” he corrected, crossing the room to meet her halfway. “Because no matter what happens between us Reese, we’ve started building memories. From the first moment we met.” His smile was slow and seductive as he tapped his index finger against her temple. He slid his arms around her slender waist and pulled her close. He lowered his head to drop a soft kiss on her lips. “And I have no intention of letting you forget any moment that we share.” He took a deep breath. “Since it’s still early, why don’t we take a quick tour before everyone pulls in their tents for siesta?”
Reese grinned. “Sounds perfect.” She held up a finger and spun away. “Let me just grab my hat,” she said, snatching up the wide-brimmed hat and setting it jauntily on her head. She slipped her dark glasses on and posed, pulling her glasses down to the bridge of her nose with one hand, and fisting the other on a jutting hip. “Ready when you are sailor,” she said in a Mae West affectation.
Together they wandered in and out of small, quaint shops, inhaled the beach-washed air, ate tacos and washed them down with margaritas. Maxwell haggled with each and every vendor, just for the fun of it, Reese realized—tickled by his un-Maxwell-Knight-like behavior. Here was a man who could be romantic, charming, fun, full of mischief, extravagance, and mystery all rolled up into one. What had she gotten herself into with this man who defied explanation? Away from the office, he was a completely different man. He wasn’t some impenetrable force. She looked up at his profile while he pointed out yet another place for them to traipse. If anything, she thought, he was a very vulnerable man who longed to share a part of himself with that special someone.
The blazing summer sun was at its highest point in the sky. When they reemerged from their room donned in bathing suits, it was still a balmy eighty degrees with the warm sea air blowing off of the beach.
Maxwell had challenged Reese to a race on Jet Skis, and of course Reese never backed down from a challenge—whether she knew how to Jet Ski or not! She figured she’d seen enough on television. So what could be so hard?
Drenched and waterlogged from the amount of water she’d ingested, Reese threw up the white flag and herself across the warm sand.
“You win,” she puffed, draping her arm across her eyes.
Maxwell stood over her chuckling. “Are you all right?” He laughed.
Reese removed her arm and squinted up at him. She sucked her teeth, rolled her eyes, and continued to suffer in silence.
Maxwell reached down and grabbed her arm, pulling her to her feet. “I have just the thing to make you feel better.”
“What now?” she grumbled, “deep-sea diving?”
Maxwell roared with laughter pulling her snugly against him. “There is fish involved. But we won’t have to get it ourselves.”
“Small blessings.
“Come on, let’s get changed into something more appropriate.”
“Where did you learn to Jet Ski?” Reese asked, toweling off her hair.
Maxwell crossed the room and opened the closet door in search of an outfit. “When I was about eighteen my father was stationed on one of the bases in Los Angeles. I spent tons of time on the beach that summer. I got better when I went to Nassau. It’s a favorite pastime over there.”
Reese wrapped her damp body and wet bathing suit in a towel and plopped down on the bed. “You’ve done so many wonderful things. Traveling around the world with your parents did have its merits.”
Maxwell shrugged. “I suppose. In terms of expanding my horizons,” he said sarcastically, “I guess it did. But family life was pretty null and void.”
“What about your stepmother? What did she do?”
“Tried unsuccessfully to make a life for me and my father.” He shook his head. “We were both so busy trying to get my father’s attention until we pretty much ignored each other. When she wasn’t redecorating one of the many homes we lived in, she was tending to our needs.” He sighed. “Looking back now, I realize how hard it must have been for her. Unfortunately, growing up I didn’t see and didn’t care. By the time I was old enough to ‘get it’ we were practically strangers. I had withdrawn into the solitary world of computers and she withdrew into her books, and volunteer organizations.”
“What about now?”
He shrugged again. “I call, she calls, we exchange cards on all the appropriate occasions.” He turned away, memories of his lonely childhood washing over him.
“What is your relationship with your father?”
“Humph.” He chuckled mirthlessly. “My father, big-time special forces agent… What can I say about James Knight? The bottom line is, he is a man who is dedicated to one thing and one thing alone, the United States government—no matter what the cost. He’s a hard-line military man with a military man mentality. There’s no room in his life for sentimentalities, second guessing, or anyone who doesn’t understand.”
Reese shook her head sadly. “I thought I always had it rough,” she commented wryly. “My aunt Celeste treated me as if I had the plague or something. I know she felt trapped with having to raise me. But I could never understand her resentment of me. She always treated me as if my existence was somehow responsible for my family’s death. As if by not remembering I was denigrating their memory. I would have thought that she would have loved me, if for no other reason than I was her sister’s daughter—the only connection left of her family.” Her voice broke. “But she never did.”
“So you retreated into a world of writing?” Maxwell interjected. “As I escaped into the world of computers.”
She nodded. “Yes. That and an insatiable desire to find answers, the truth in every story I wrote. Like that would somehow validate my life,” she continued in a wistful tone.
“What a pair we are,” he said, trying to make light of the situation.
Reese abruptly got up and came to stand in front of him. She looked up into his stern face. “I’d say we make a great pair. We’re survivors. We have strength of character. We know what it feels like to need to be cared about and wanting to give that caring in return tenfold.” She smoothed her hand across his cheek. “No matter what happens in this relationship, we’ll be richer for it. I just know that.”
Maxwell touched her lips lightly with his. “Is that your writer’s instinct talking again?”
“No,” she grinned. “Woman’s intuition.”
Reese had changed into the sea-green gauze dress that Maxwell had specifically chosen for her. He said it did enchanting things for her eyes and flawless chocolate-brown complexion. She’d twisted her hair atop her head, leaving wispy tendrils draping around her face and neck. Her only jewelry was gold studs and a single gold bangle that she wore on her left wrist.
Maxwell selected a soft cotton shirt of cinnamon with matching slacks, set off by a lizard belt and coordinating sandals, the earthy colors accenting his smooth bronze tones. Reese was shocked, yet pleasantly pleased to see a tiny, twinkling diamond stud in his left ear. Maxwell was full of surprises.
As they walked hand in hand toward the restaurant, Maxwell realized how light of spirit he felt. It had been so long since he’d just enjoyed without reservation—time spent with a woman for the pure pleasure of it. If he and Reese made love he was sure it would be wonderful. But even if they didn’t, these magical moments would always remain in his heart. What would life be like to have Reese Delaware in it every day?
The tangy aroma of Mexican food swirled around the restaurant. Fajitas sizzled and popped on table tops, the scent of green peppers, onions and steamed tomatoes were enough to make your mouth water. Sautéed and grilled fish permeated the air. And margaritas and tequilas flowed as readily as running water.
The tiny restaurant was filled to capacity. Every red and white checkered table was occupied with couples or groups reveling in the evening, tapping their hands and feet to the strumming of guitar players who serenaded the audience.
“This is marvelous,” Reese said, taking in the atmosphere. She turned her smiling gaze on Maxwell. Her eyes glowed with happiness.
“I’m glad you like it. The food here is fabulous.”
“Even if it wasn’t, I’d still have a great time.” She laughed. “Being an investigative journalist has its merits,” she admitted halfheartedly. “Unfortunately, when you travel, you’re so intent on getting a story you rarely have the time to forge relationships or enjoy the ambiance of the places you visit. This is like a trip to heaven. I’ll never forget it. And I want to thank you for it.”
“I have to admit, I was being a bit selfish when I came up with this brilliant scheme.” He grinned. “I needed to get away, probably just as much as you did. And—” he reached across the table and clasped her hand in his “—I wanted to spend some time with you, away from the office, away from the things that have shaped us into what the world sees. I wanted to find out what kind of woman you were, not how good you were at your job.”
“And?” she probed gently, her heart racing.
“So far, pretty lady,” he said roughly, stroking his finger along her nose, “things are looking damned good.”
After dinner, they strolled along the white sandy beach, letting the warm, lapping waves rush across their bare feet. A crescent moon hung at that old precarious angle, illuminating the picture-perfect sky to a backdrop of countless, twinkling stars.
Reese’s ankle-length dress blew sensuously around her long bare legs, molding the near-sheer dress to her voluptuous body. Maxwell was totally taken with her unadulterated beauty. She was a vision to behold and for now, she was his.
“Let’s go upstairs,” Maxwell said, in an urgent whisper, turning her to face him.
Reese’s eyes swam across his face, taking in the hunger in his eyes, feeling the heat fan out from his body and surround her. She felt the hardness of him pulse with need against the juncture of her thighs and she felt suddenly weak and powerful in the same breath.
She reached up and cupped his face in her hand. “Yes,” she whispered with the same fervid urgency. “Yes.”
Reese stood facing him, the romantically haunting moonlight, streaming in from the arched window, cast an ethereal glow around their silhouettes.
Maxwell stepped closer to her, his hand grazed each of her shoulders, trailing down her smooth arms until he captured her hands. “You tell me when to stop,” he said, shuddering at the thought that she might resist his ardent advances.
“Never,” she whispered in response.
He eased his caress back up her arms until he reached her shoulders. Slowly, he eased the straps down until the dress was only held up by the tips of her rounded breasts. He moved closer and tilted her face up to his with the tip of his finger.
The meeting of their lips was languescent, tentative, coming together for the very first time on this awakening new level of awareness in their budding relationship. The fire between them began as a single, tiny flame fanned by the gusty wind of their longing for each other, building to a roaring inferno as their bodies melded one onto the other, discovering the textures, contours, swells and valleys of one another.
Soft and groaning murmurs both whispered and cried out spoke of their need to be filled and cocooned. Bare and beautiful to each other under the moonlit night, they came together as man and woman.
Pillowed on the downy softness of their mating bed, Reese clung to Maxwell, raising her hips to meet and allow for his entry into her soul.
Maxwell’s vise-like fingers held her steady. “No,” he moaned, “slow, take me slow, just a little bit at a time,” he uttered hot in her ear. Reese acquiesced, succumbing to his erotic command.
His descent was painstakingly deliberate, filling her by infinitesimal degrees until she swore she would scream from the denial of total fulfillment. And then, he was there, all of him—filling, lengthening, and expanding the walls of her dewy cavern. He released her then, giving her full access to him, allowing her to meet his ebbs and flows with undulations of her own.
Together they found a new beginning, alerting nature to their arrival with each beat of their hearts. Heat surrounded and engulfed them and they played upon each other, fanning and intermittently cooling the flames at their leisure—because they would take their time, knowing that this first time between them could never be recaptured. “Make it last” was their signature song and the words in their hearts as they reached for the pinnacle of completion, allowing the sweet splendor of their ardor to transport them beyond the spectrum of any world they’d ever known.
Reese gave all of herself to him as she had with no other man. She totally opened to him like a budding bloom flourishing under the ministrations of his tender nurturing. He was so right, she realized through the haze of her passion. She was his now and for as long as time allowed. He put his brand on her as surely as if burned into her heart with a searing iron.
Maxwell released the final embers of his doubts as they poured from him, flowing outward to be washed away, absorbed, and shared by this woman who had metamorphosed his world. Her tender fingers danced and caressed his body. Her lips played a sultry tune against his mouth. Her body became one with his, and he knew that the final explosion that they jointly shared could never be matched by another. His heart ached with joy and surrender when the last drop of his mortality was withdrawn and unified with hers.
“You are a wondrous gift, Reese,” Maxwell murmured against her neck as he held her tightly against his body. “I’ll always treasure this time we’ve had together.”
Reese’s heart tripped with an unspoken fear. “You sound as if this will be the first and last time,” she said, adjusting her body to withstand his weight.
He breathed a heavy sigh. “It may be. No one knows what tomorrow will bring. I can’t make you any promises Reese. I haven’t reached that point yet. I thought you understood that.” His eyes roamed over her face before he pressed his lips to her mouth.
She felt a constriction in her heart that radiated outward to her limbs, immobilizing her. “Memories,” she whispered. “We’re building memories.” She placed her hands around his face. “But what if I want more, Max? What then? Will you deny me what we both know is inevitable?”
“If it is to be Reese, then it will. And nothing in heaven or on earth will stop it. But for now, let’s just enjoy what we have without strings, without promises of some rose-colored future. I know what I feel for you is more potent than anything I’ve ever experienced with any woman. There’s no doubt in my mind about that. But before I can be all the things that you need—that you deserve—I have to be right with myself. And now I know that I’m not. Will I ever be? Only time will tell. It’s up to you to decide if you want to be a part of the process.”
Reese swallowed down her hurt and eased out from beneath him. Pushing her hair away from her face she sat on the edge of the bed, pressing her palms down into the mattress. “What did she do to you Max?” she asked softly.
Maxwell turned over to lie on his back. He stared sightlessly up at the ceiling, slipping his hands beneath his head. “Everything and nothing.”
“Victoria is part of the reason why you’ve erected this emotional wall, Maxwell. Isn’t it about time you took it down? Talk to me, please.” She angled her body to face him.
Maxwell shut his eyes as the painful, humiliating images replayed. Reese was sure he’d elected not to respond when suddenly, he began to speak in slow, halting tones.
Reese felt every nuance of his hurt as he poured out the story of him and Victoria Davenport from the moment they’d met until the day he walked in on her and her boss.
“I guess I could have dealt with her infidelity if only it would have ended there.” He shook his head. “But her betrayal went even farther. All along, I trusted her like a fool in love. I shared every detail of my new design for an internet program. The next thing I knew, every newspaper in the English-speaking world was heralding the Air Force’s latest technological computer innovation, which of course, was using my methodology. Somehow they got wind of our relationship as well as my work, and of course the general consensus was that I was trying to gain information from a government worker to augment my own work. Victoria never said a word to the contrary. And what could have been a crowning glory in my career, became hers.” He laughed a harsh, self-deprecating laugh. “Victoria Davenport became an instant superstar and I was the one who ‘attempted’ to ride on her coattails. It took years for me to regain any sense of respect in the industry.”
“Max.” She reached out to him and he pushed her hand away.
“I don’t need you to feel sorry for me, or impart words of solace and wisdom.” He turned his face away. “All I want is for you to understand me, Reese. Understand my reservations, my unwillingness to open up—even to you,” he added turning to face her. “I’ve dealt with losses all of my life—part of my heritage, my stature, my ability to totally commit to someone. I don’t intend to lose everything ever again.” He closed his eyes. “If that means shutting down and only depending on—me—the one person I can trust, then so be it.”
“In other words, you intend to live the rest of your life in this self-imposed vacuum—only taking in what you need for the moment and not letting anything out? You don’t strike me as the type of man that would capitulate to circumstances beyond his control.” She lay beside him and turned on her side. “I don’t care what you say, Maxwell Knight. I was here with you when our worlds collided. That wasn’t just good sex and you know it. That’s what’s scaring the hell out of you. I don’t give up easily. My life is a testament to that. Now that I’ve found you, I have no intentions of letting you shut me out.” She leaned down and placed a solid kiss on his parted lips. “So get used to it. I can understand your reluctance. I can even accept it. But only for now. I’m in for the long haul. And you’ll find a way to deal with it.”
A slow smile of relief washed over his face. Her words were exactly what he needed to hear. He needed to know that she would accept him with his shortcomings and his doubts no matter what. “Is that right, Ms. Delaware?” he taunted, pulling her atop him. “Well how about if we start with trying to get our worlds to collide again…”
“I think that’s a perfect beginning,” she answered, raising her hips to welcome him back.
“Looks like they’re in for the night sir,” the agent said, speaking into his car phone.
Keep your eyes and ears open,” came the response. “And keep me posted.”