Along Came Mr. Right (19 page)

His cheek stinging, Max stepped back, out of her reach. “It’s over, Annalise. What you do now is up to you.” He turned and headed for the door.

“I’ll sue you.” She laughed, but it was a cold, angry sound.

“Then sue me.” He opened the door.

“You don’t love her. You can’t.”

Max silently shut the door. He loved Olivia more than anything else in this world. He needed to show her his love, not just say the words. There was power in action. Max drew out his cell phone and placed a call to the potential buyer of his app in New York as he made his way to his car.

A man’s voice came through on the other end. “I hope whoever this is knows that it’s Saturday. I don’t do business on Saturdays.”

Max ignored the man’s surly tone. “Mr. Curtis, this is Max Right. I’m sorry to disturb you on your weekend, but this is important. I need to change our meeting to Tuesday morning.”

“I’m in meetings all day Tuesday.”

Max stopped, straightened, and put everything on the line. “Change your schedule.”

“Who do you think you are?”

Max smiled. “I’m the man with the app you’re going to purchase because my product is the best. You can’t afford to let it get into your competitors’ hands.”

There was a slight pause before Mr. Curtis sighed. “Fine. My office at eleven thirty Tuesday. Don’t be late.”

“I’ll be there. Thank you, Mr. Curtis. You won’t regret this.”

“I hope not,” the man said before ending the call.

Max disconnected the call and blew out a nervous breath. One investor down, one to go. Annalise was wrong about love. That emotion was what drove him. He couldn’t remember a time when he’d felt such an insane need to prove himself or to secure the future for the only woman who mattered to him.

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

On Monday morning, Olivia walked to her office building and headed up the stairs, her purse in one hand, a tall double espresso in the other. This morning she’d need the kick start since she hadn’t slept well for the past several nights. Images of Max kept invading her dreams.

Olivia smothered a yawn and climbed the last few stairs. Krissy would no doubt have the office open and all her appointments set for the day. The beginning of the week was like that, between her clients, her staff, and the state government. She headed through the office door only to come to a halt. Annalise stood near the coatrack on the right, gazing at the photographs of children on the walls.

Annalise turned to face Olivia, and suddenly she wasn’t sleepy anymore. Krissy popped out from behind her desk. “I told Ms. Ellington she needed an appointment to see you—”

“It’s okay, Krissy.” Olivia took off her coat and carefully placed it on the rack. “Hold my calls. Annalise, would you like to join me in my office?” Olivia gestured toward her open door, then followed, grateful she’d decided to wear her red cap-toe pumps today. She’d needed the pick-me-up color to brighten her mood. Now she needed the power color to convey a message to her adversary—don’t mess with me.

Annalise entered the small office. Instead of taking a seat in one of the utilitarian chairs in the corner, she stood near the window, looking out over the city. “I’m sure you’re wondering why I’m here?”

“Not really.” Olivia closed the door. “Since I know you don’t usually support groups like the Tomorrow Foundation, there can only be one thing you want to talk about.”

Annalise raised a perfectly plucked brow. “Sensible of you to cut through all the pleasantries.”

“What do you want?” Olivia prompted.

“I’ve come to tell you to leave Max alone. He’s mine.”

Olivia felt a twinge of irritation. This conversation shouldn’t surprise her, and yet it did. “Max gets to decide who he wants to be with, not us. It’s up to us to decide whether we want to be with him.”

“There is no choice,” Annalise said sharply. “He’s already made up his mind, as have I. He’s marrying me on Saturday.”

Olivia pursed her lips. She knew Annalise was only trying to shake her up, make her feel insecure about what she had with Max. “Again, it’s up to him to choose whom he’d rather be with.”

Annalise tucked a nonexistent loose hair behind her ear, showing off her megacarat engagement ring.

Olivia bristled but remained silent. Annalise must have bought it herself.

“Max came to see me over the weekend—he told me he’s trying to break it off with you. But you keep making things difficult for him. It’s only pity he feels for you, nothing stronger.”

“We’re all grown-ups here. If Max wanted to talk to me, he would talk to me.” He hadn’t told her why he’d missed going to therapy with her and Paige. He’d been with Annalise instead.

“What did Max ever see in you?” Annalise asked, her tone biting. “Because I know you weren’t his match. I made certain of that.”

“Is that why you sabotaged his Matchmaker app—to make Max doubt himself and his invention?”

“I changed a few things. I’d hardly call it sabotage.”

A realization hit Olivia suddenly. “Then what would you call it, Ms. Pickles?”

Annalise laughed. “Figured that out, did you?”

Olivia shook her head in disbelief. “Is there anything you won’t do to keep Max by your side?”

Annalise looked at her, hard. “You have no idea who you’re messing with.”

Olivia bit back a retort. “We have nothing to discuss,” she said with a shrug. “What Max wants will be revealed in due time.”

Annalise flipped open her purse and withdrew an envelope, handing it to Olivia. “If you won’t be reasonable, then perhaps this will change your mind.”

What was the crazy chick trying to accomplish now? Show her explicit pictures of her with Max? Despite her flippant thoughts, Olivia’s fingers shook as she opened the envelope and withdrew the photo inside. It was a picture of Paige, holding a shiny silver cosmetic mirror just inside the doorway of the Millers’ house. Olivia felt the blood drain from her face. “What are you doing?”

“Paige stole that from me. She took it from my purse when I was visiting the Millers’ house last week. This photo is proof of that.” Annalise’s voice was suddenly calm, confident.

“There were other people around. They can vouch for Paige’s innocence.”

Annalise’s smile hardened. “Paige was alone at the time. Only she and I were in the front room.”

Olivia frowned. “Who took this picture then? You? I hardly think that will hold up in court.”

“I hired a detective who captured that picture of the little thief with my property. The evidence is damning.”

Olivia’s brain was spinning as she stared at the image. The picture was definitely taken at the Millers’ house. But when? Who else was there? And why did Paige look as if she was showing the mirror to someone else, instead of studying it like a treasure she’d plucked from Annalise’s purse?

“This photo proves nothing,” Olivia countered. “You could have handed the mirror to her and taken a picture.”

“Then why did Max return it to me this weekend?” Annalise gave Olivia a smug smile. “I believe it was because he knew what happened and was trying to keep his precious orphan out of juvenile hall.”

“You leave Paige out of this.” Olivia stalked up to Annalise until only a thin space separated them. “This is between you and me and Max.”

A flicker of fear crossed Annalise’s face. “Not anymore, unless you’d like to negotiate.”

With a growl of frustration, Olivia ripped the picture in half and tossed it over her shoulder.

“I have more,” Annalise said, taking a step back.

Olivia released another unladylike growl. “No wonder Max had such a hard time breaking his engagement to you. What are you holding over his head?”

Annalise batted her eyes innocently. “I’m not coercing him in any way.”

“You’re insane.”

“Better insanely in love than cold and alone.” The heiress narrowed her eyes. “What’s it going to be? Max or Paige?”

Anger left a sour taste in Olivia’s mouth. “Don’t you have an ounce of compassion? I can’t believe you would ruin a child’s life simply to get what you want.”

“I’m compassionate, when I want to be. Now, I really can’t waste another minute of my time here with you.” Annalise moved toward the door. “Am I on my way to the police station to report a crime, or am I getting back to my wedding plans?”

“You’re bluffing.”

A sly smile pulled up the corner of Annalise’s mouth. “Are you willing to take that risk with the freedom of a child at stake?”

Anger darkened Olivia’s vision. “You’re pathetic. If you want Max so badly, take him. Just leave Paige alone.”

Annalise’s eyes held amusement. “It’s all I ever wanted.” She opened the door. “Stay away from Max or you’ll regret it.” With those words, she left the room. A moment later the outer door closed.

Tears stung Olivia’s eyes, and an icy coldness descended over her. Grief welled in her throat. She would have done anything to protect any child in her care. For Paige she’d given up everything.

“What happened?” Krissy asked, racing through the door. She stopped at the sight of Olivia’s pale face. Her gaze dropped to the torn picture of Paige. An entire array of emotions danced across Krissy’s face, emotions that echoed inside Olivia—betrayal, anger, fear, and the pain of loss.

“Max and I are over,” she whispered in a voice that sounded so unlike her own. They were over forever. Annalise had seen to that.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

Max could hardly contain his excitement when he knocked on Olivia’s door after work Monday afternoon. He’d managed to convince both potential buyers of the Matchmaker app that they should meet him in New York on Tuesday. He’d give his presentation to each man separately, listen to their offers, and decide which was the most advantageous for him and Olivia to start their life together.

Just the thought of forever in her arms sent his heart racing. There were so many things he wanted to say to her. The door swung open. “Hiya, Olivia.” His smile died when she didn’t smile back.

“You shouldn’t be here.” She turned and walked back into her condominium without inviting him in.

She was probably preoccupied. Max followed her into the kitchen and leaned against the counter. “I have great news.”

Olivia didn’t say anything as she stared down at her feet.

He stared at her, feeling slightly confused. She’d been distant since their balloon ride, but she had to know everything would be all right very soon. “Am I missing something here?” He read concern on her face. “Did something happen?”

“You should ask your fiancée.” Her voice trembled just a bit.

“She’s not my fiancée.” He moved closer. “Olivia, please tell me what’s wrong.”

She gave him a tight-lipped smile. “Your fiancée came to see me at the office today.”

“What did she want?” Max asked with hesitation.

“To slay a sacrificial lamb.” Olivia stepped closer, until less than a foot separated them. She looked so serious and so scared. “I don’t know how to say this nicely, so I’m simply going to say it. We’re through.” Olivia’s lashes lowered, screening her eyes. She drew a slow, even breath. He sensed her drawing back.

A flutter of apprehension tightened his stomach. “A week ago you told me you loved me. Today we’re through? What changed?” He looked at her for a long moment, searching her face—a face that had been etched in his mind for the past few weeks. A face now shuttered against him. “What did Annalise say to you?”

Olivia moved to the living room and picked two pieces of paper up from the coffee table. She returned to the kitchen and tossed the two ripped pieces on the counter. “She threatened to turn Paige over to the police for stealing her mirror unless I broke things off with you.”

He lifted the two halves up and slid them together. The image of Paige stared back at him. “Paige didn’t steal this. Annalise dropped her purse. I was there, I saw . . .”

“What did you see?” Olivia asked.

“I didn’t see her drop her purse, but I believe Paige when she says that’s what happened.”

“So it’s Annalise’s word against Paige’s,” Olivia groaned.

“I brought the mirror back to Annalise. I told her I wanted to end whatever this craziness is between us.”

Olivia threw up her hands. “It is crazy. That’s just it. The woman is insane. She’s the one who sent me all those pictures of the two of you together, and now she’s threatening to hurt Paige if I don’t cooperate.”

“Olivia.” Max reached for her.

She stepped back. “No, Max. The minute you touch me, I’ll melt like I always do. That can’t happen, not ever again. She said she hired a detective to take that picture of Paige. Who knows who is watching us now?”

He gave her a soft smile. “We’re on the fourteenth floor.”

“She has her ways.”

Olivia looked so fragile, so broken. “What can I say to change your mind?”

She looked up, met his gaze. Her eyes sparked anew. “Nothing. This is all too crazy. You and Annalise are engaged, and I’m caught in the middle of a lie.” Olivia’s voice trembled. “Only it doesn’t feel like a lie anymore.”

He stepped closer to Olivia until he could feel the warmth of her breath on his neck. He didn’t reach for her, didn’t touch her in any way, even though he wanted to. He could feel the heat between them. His own temperature spiked as his gaze snagged on her lower lip. “She believed in me at a time when no one else did. I owe her, but she doesn’t
own
me. I’m my own man and I know what I want.”

“What’s that?”

“You, Olivia. I want only you.” He looked into her eyes, hoped she could see all the things he didn’t say as he bent his head and kissed her.

Not wanting to overwhelm her, he waited for her to respond as she always did with that insatiable spark of passion and longing.

She kissed him back, tentatively at first, as if she hadn’t quite made up her mind whether to let her passion free or not. But when he parted her lips and surged inside, her body relaxed into his and she met him stroke for stroke.

Max pulled her closer and deepened the kiss, wanting her to feel what she did to him, what they were together. She’d always been liquid fire to his searing desire, except he could feel her holding back. The flames licked, stoked, tempted, but her fiery passion was controlled, contained. She participated, but she didn’t try to set him afire, to take them both to that place where time and space no longer existed for either of them.

A heartbeat later, she pulled back. “We can’t do this.” She pressed the back of her fingers against her lips as if to put up a barrier between them.

Max wanted to argue, to pull her back into his arms and kiss her senseless. Instead, he fought for control. Trying to force himself and his opinions on her would get them nowhere. “I came here to tell you that I was able to move up my meetings with my potential buyers, and found a way to have both meetings on Tuesday.”

Her eyes filled with pride. “That’s wonderful, Max. I’m so very happy for you. Your app has helped and will help a lot of people in the future. What’s not for them to like?”

“The price tag is always a possibility.”

The hint of a smile came to her lips. “You’re great with numbers. You’ll be fine.”

“I’ll only be fine with you in my life. Let me sell the Matchmaker app. Let me take care of things permanently with Annalise. Then we’ll only be for each other. I’ll get down on my knees and beg you to give me another chance, if that’s what it takes.”

“This isn’t easy for me, Max. We’re living a lie. What we have together isn’t real.” Not anger but pain reverberated in her tone. “Good night,” she said as she turned away, heading for her bedroom.

He stood there until he heard her door shut and the lock click. He drew a deep breath when he would have much rather released a growl of frustration. At least he knew the price of his very soul: $1 million. If Annalise thought she could have carte blanche over his life because of her investment, then she was wrong. When he returned home on Wednesday, he’d set everything right, and with any luck have the money to repurchase what he’d never sold in the first place.

Monday night, Annalise woke up in a sweat. She lay in the darkness, trying to control her breathing. What had she done? She wasn’t the angry, manipulative person she’d been to both Olivia and Max this week. Tears stung the backs of her eyes.

Be honest with yourself.

Her own thoughts betrayed her. Okay, so she’d always been a bit manipulative to others in her life. With a cry of frustration, Annalise tossed back the covers and jumped out of bed. She turned on the light, closing her eyes against the bright light. She drew a slow, deep breath. It did nothing to stave off the pain.

She opened her eyes to stare across the room. Her gaze came to rest on her empty bed. All she’d wanted was a little affection from someone who cared about her.

Does Max love you?

No, not in the way she wanted him to. The tears she’d been fighting fell unchecked down her cheeks. There was someone who did love her. She saw the anguish in his eyes every day in the rearview mirror while he drove her around—as she planned her wedding to a man who wasn’t the father of her baby.

With a sigh of disgust, Annalise walked to her window and pushed back the curtains. The water of Puget Sound was cloaked in the silvery sheen of moonlight. The man never should have tried to comfort her that night.

Stop blaming others for your mistakes.

The fresh-faced sixteen-year-old’s words came back to Annalise. She leaned against the window, allowing the coolness of the glass to seep into her skin, chilling her to the core. Her throat burned, her chest tightened as the tears continued to stream down her cheeks.

Giving herself over to tears, she cried for her father and mother, who ignored her. She cried for herself, for the anguish she’d suffered being raised by people who really didn’t care about her, only the money her father could provide. She cried for the fear and uncertainty of her future. Life would be more difficult now that she was pregnant, now that
she
was no longer the child.

After what felt like hours, Annalise drew a shattered breath, once again finding her resolve. Her tears slowed, then stopped. She stared into the darkness, feeling more alone than she ever had before. What was she going to do about the mess she’d made with Max? She was certain she could force him to marry her, even though she knew his heart belonged to someone else.

She might not be alone after they were married, but her life wouldn’t have love. Max wouldn’t love her. He would fulfill a duty. He would accept responsibility. But that was it. His heart would always belong to Olivia.

If you want to change your life, it’s up to you and no one else.

Annalise startled at the memory of Paige’s advice. The girl had experienced more pain in her short sixteen years than Annalise ever had. Guilt twisted Annalise’s stomach. And she would have added to that pain without a second thought in order to get what she wanted.

Annalise wiped the tears from her face with the back of her hand and glanced at the clock. Eleven thirty. Maybe it was time to take Paige’s advice.

Annalise pushed away from the window, grabbed her bathrobe, then headed for the lobby below. She wanted to change. The question of the hour was . . . could she?

Only one way to find out. She had to talk to Jimmy . . . perhaps he’d let her call him James. She groaned silently to herself. What did it matter what his name was? He was the father of her child and the man who loved her probably more than she deserved to be loved.

She pressed the elevator button. When it arrived, she entered and took it to the garage where Jimmy would be waiting near her Rolls-Royce like he always did until he got off work at midnight.

Through the yellow fluorescent lights, she could see him leaning against the car, looking more handsome than a chauffeur had a right to. As soon as she stepped into the light, his gaze moved to hers.

“Do you need something, Ms. Ellington?” he asked. His voice sent a warm tingle down her spine.

I need you to kiss me.

“Can we talk?”