Vivian Arend - Turn It On

“What’s inside?” she asked. “Tickets? Coupons?”

“I’m not giving away any secrets. Pick one and let’s get started.”

She selected one from the pile, and he tucked the rest away, seating her before walking around to the driver’s side. Maxine took a deep breath and ordered herself to calm down. The chance to enjoy time with another adult who wasn’t family—especially one who made her tingle just being close to him—was going to be wonderful. The edge of arousal bubbling through her all afternoon had left her aching for his touch. His presence. This mischievous side was a treat she hadn’t expected.

The last date she’d been on with Mr. Wishy-Washy, she’d planned the whole thing, and then Jamie had arrived an hour late and messed it up. Max glanced at Ryan as he sat behind the wheel smiling at her.

“Are you going to open it?” he asked.

She slipped the card from inside and read out loud. “Chinatown.”

Ryan nodded and put the car in gear. “A wonderful choice. I knew you had exquisite taste.”

Max laughed at him and made herself comfortable. “I never realized you were this much of a goof. Chinese food for supper?”

“Appetizers only. I’ve planned a progressive dinner, and we’ll walk between courses.”

“Seriously, a progressive dinner? I haven’t done one of those since I was a teenager,” Maxine said.

He gasped. “What? It’s the best way to dine out. There’s no way I can chose one type of food. This way I get to indulge in all my favorites in one evening.”

Maxine stared out the window at the passing scenery, enjoying the cool evening air rushing past. “I didn’t picture you as the type who had trouble making decisions.”

Ryan didn’t respond immediately and she wondered if she’d offended him. “Thank you. I’m very good at making decisions when it comes to things like security systems, and personal safety.” His tone of voice lightened and he joked, “But picking a favorite food, that’s damn near impossible.”

He fell silent, and she watched the traffic go by outside and tried to relax. She snuck secretive glances at Ryan, admiring his rugged good looks, his firm control behind the wheel. The kisses they’d shared were scorchers, but they were still getting to know each other. He was very different from her ex—older, rougher—something wild and untamed showing in his eyes at times. The wildness made her heart race with desire, not fear. She’d dated before, only never with a man like Ryan, someone more mature and experienced. Jamie had been her first serious relationship, her first lover, although curiosity more than passion had encouraged that venture.

Ryan pulled into a parking spot and turned his full attention on her.

“All our stops for the rest of the night are within walking distance. Let me know when you’re getting tired.”

Chinese spring rolls and pork dumplings were followed by a bowl of Thai sweet and sour soup. They shared an enormous Greek salad then wandered across the street to an Italian restaurant to enjoy a slab of lasagna big enough for a family. In between courses they strolled, arm in arm along the boardwalk, the crash of the ocean and the wind blowing over the sea adding to the magic of the evening.

Ryan shared stories from his military background involving his travels to other countries. The gentler stories, Max was sure, as they were all about the children and the villages, the communities where he’d been stationed before resigning. He was fascinating to listen to, and she found herself staring at his animated face as he described the settings with great detail.

Three hours passed in a blur. Eventually they sat on a bench overlooking the ocean. As the lights sparkled on the water Maxine sighed, far more relaxed and content than she’d been in ages. Had she ever had an evening like this where none of the conversation involved extended family? He hadn’t monopolized the conversation, but when he asked about her, he asked about her, not the clan.

It was strange, unfamiliar and very, very nice.

“It’s been a wonderful evening, Ryan. Thank you so much.” One strong arm slipped around her and she snuggled in a little closer to the warmth of his body as the breezes cooled. Oh yes, this was very nice as well. She stared into the waves and wondered if she had the nerve to ask him inside when he dropped her off. Not for a cup of coffee, but for more of those dynamite kisses and wherever else it might lead. Her breasts felt heavy and she squeezed her legs together to stop the ache between them. She’d never had sex on a first date. The woodsy scent of his skin floated past and she took a deep breath. She’d never wanted to have sex on a first date before. Would he think she was too forward? Too easy? Indecision rocked her.

“You’ve got one more envelope to open.”

She was sure she’d finished them. “Ryan, I couldn’t eat another bite if I tried. The cheesecake was fabulous but a few spoonfuls more than I should have enjoyed.”

He laughed and handed her one last slim paper. She slipped it open. “Porch swing.” She twisted in his arms. “What kind of food is that?”

Ryan tugged her to her feet. “It’s another location. I made an amazing discovery this afternoon when I checked outside your house.” His smile melted her defenses and heated her body. “There’s a bottle of wine waiting for us to enjoy as well.”

Maxine’s heartbeat increased in tempo. Maybe she wouldn’t have to say anything at all. If she only had the nerve to let herself do what she really wanted to do. She glanced into his dark eyes. Oh yeah, he was something she’d like to do, she was sure of it.

He slowly removed the cork from the wine, using the time to breathe deeply and calm his overactive body and mind. Spending the whole evening in Maxine’s presence triggered the desire to do much more than simply sit on the giant porch swing and share a glass of wine as they admired the view of the lake. Ryan was pretty sure the wine would taste far better if he got to lap it off her skin, especially the warm scoop of her belly. And lower.

The dinner invitation had been an impulse. He’d puzzled over it as he walked away from her earlier. Yeah, she was hot enough to ignite a missile, but the timing sucked. Maybe after they’d finished working for each other, maybe after shit settled with his brother, he’d arrange to meet on a nonprofessional basis. But with her taste still in his mouth, the look in her big eyes egging him on, he’d spoken without thinking.

He’d considered the situation the whole drive to the nursing home before coming to a decision. Fine. They’d go out, have a simple meal together. He’d drop her off at the end of the evening and that would be all—at least for now.

Sometime during the visit with his brother, he’d changed his mind. There in the small room, with a relative he barely knew, the message of the past months smashed into him with the weight of an anvil. Life was short. There was no reason for him not to reach out and clasp hold of something special.

Maxine Turner was something very special.

She sat curled up in the corner of the swing leaning on a pillow. She had her long legs tucked under her while she focused on the lake. Her rich auburn hair draped over her shoulders and her eyes sparkled. His body tightened and he longed to stroke her skin to see if it was as soft as it looked. After handing her a glass of wine, he settled in the opposite corner to admire her better.

“The view is spectacular, isn’t it?” Max spoke quietly.

He sat mesmerized by the sight of her. The arousal pounding through his blood shouted for him to hurry up, while his instincts warned him to move with caution. They both fell silent, sipping their wine and staring at the dark lake reflecting twinkling lights from a distant house.

“When I was little I always wanted to sleep on the swing. We’d come for family dinners, and there would be major chaos, with the cousins and aunts and uncles everywhere. I’d get tired of the noise after a bit and come here and curl up with a book. In my imagination I was on a pirate ship and this was my hammock, but no matter how much I begged at the end of the evening, Mom and Dad always insisted it was time to come home and sleep in my proper bed.”

She played with a curl as she spoke, seeming not very much older than the child she would have been all those years ago. She took a deep breath, and his gaze was riveted by the sight of one open button too many, the curve of her breast visible under the light fabric of her blouse. He was suddenly very aware she was no child, and his body tightened with desire.

He put his wine glass away and took hers from her fingers. She stared at him, puzzled, until he reached for her and pulled her into his arms. He cradled her, nestling her body into his and adjusting until they were half-reclining, half-leaning on each other. Her head rested against his chest, the warmth of her body sizzling into him but he kept his touch gentle. The swing swayed and she sighed, a long, low sound of pleasure. Her body relaxed against his and he stroked her arm slowly until her breathing settled as well.

Small noises in the air created a lullaby. The wind stirred the trees, leaves rustling, branches rubbing on each other. The sound of cars and the city faded to nothing, and the quiet of the country surrounded them. They lay quietly and Ryan realized it was a long time since he’d known peace like this.

Maxine stirred in his arms, rolling to face him. Her eyes were bright and she snuggled closer, her torso melting into his as she wrapped her arms around his neck and drew their mouths together.