Perfect Timing (6 page)

He hoped not. In his opinion she was a woman who should be happily married. All she had ever talked about during those six weeks when they weren't working on the project was getting married and having babies. At the time he had thought that she deserved a man who could give her everything she wanted. A man who was solid, tender, loving, and respectable. Everything that he wasn't. That stark, cold realization was one of the reasons he'd known he had to leave Savannah. Not only to pursue his dreams but to put as much distance between him and the one woman he'd always wanted and could not claim as his.

Finally closing the door behind him he entered the cabin. He took a tentative step toward her then stopped at what he considered was a safe distance between them. He couldn't allow what he'd felt upon opening the door and seeing her get next to him. However, as much as he wanted to deny the possibility, as much as he resented the fact, it seemed that fate had intervened and they were in trouble.

Deep trouble
.

He decided the best way to deal with it was to make her aware of that fact as well.

“We have a problem, Maxi,” he murmured finally.

M
axi's chest rose and fell with each labored breath as she met Christopher's unwavering gaze. Inwardly, she told herself that her attraction to him wasn't such a big deal. After all, she had lusted after him during her entire senior year of high school, probably even before then, but he'd never paid her any attention. However, what she couldn't dismiss was her sudden feeling of vulnerability. To be this attracted to a man you hadn't seen in over ten years couldn't be normal. And to make matters worse, she couldn't ever think of a time with Jason that he'd made her feel this tense to the point where she ached with an emptiness she hadn't known existed. As far as her encounter with Dr. Reginald Tanner, and any other men she'd dated since Jason's death, whatever attraction she'd felt for them didn't compare to the attraction she was feeling now for Christopher.

Several seconds ticked by before she realized she hadn't given Christopher a response to his statement. Wrinkling her brow, “What's the problem?” she asked in a voice that didn't even sound like her own.

Christopher paused before saying anything when he sensed her uneasiness and nervousness. For a quick moment he wondered if he had been wrong about her. Had she been putting on a front all those years when she'd acted like she hadn't been afraid of him? Had she believed all those stories that had circulated around school about him that had been more fiction than fact? Had she thought he'd been nothing but a shiftless thug like everyone else did? There was only one way to find out.

“According to the ship's director there aren't any more cabins. So it looks like you and I are it,” he responded in a clipped tone.

Maxi lifted her brow. “What do you mean we're
it?
”

“Just what I said. The ship can't correct their screw-up which means you and I will have to share the cabin.” He continued to watch her intently. “Unless you know of someone you can move in with for seven days.”

Maxi released a deep sigh as she wrapped her arms around her body, clasping her elbows. “Mya and Garrett. You remember them don't you?”

At his slow nod, she continued. “They have a suite and Mya indicated it's big enough for another person but I don't want to intrude on them. But then I don't want to intrude on you either.”

Christopher's eyes widened just a fraction. “You're concerned about intruding on me?”

“Of course. You evidently intended to spend time on this cruise alone, otherwise you would have gotten a cabinmate. The rates are certainly cheaper doing so.”

He narrowed his eyes at her. “And that's the only reason you wouldn't share a cabin with me because you think you'd be intruding?”

Maxi shrugged. “I'm not sure. Are you married?”

“No.”

“Engaged?”

“No.”

“Wanted by the police for any reason?”

Christopher lifted a brow. “No.”

“Okay, now I'm sure. My not wanting to intrude would be the only reason.”

Christopher shook his head, not sure whether to believe her or not. He decided not to. He took a step forward and grabbed her shoulders. “Tell me the truth,” he said, gritting the words through clenched teeth. “Admit the reason you wouldn't think of sharing this cabin with me is because you're afraid of me. After all, I was scum in school. What makes you think I'm any different now?”

Christopher felt a hard fist punch him in the gut, literally knocking the air out of him. He released Maxi immediately. “Why the hell did you do that for?” he barely got out through his lungs.

Maxi took a step forward and got all into his face. Her eyes flashed in anger. “Because you've never acted like an ass around me before, and I would appreciate if you didn't start acting like one now. The very idea that I'm afraid of you is ludicrous, Christopher Chandler.”

Christopher shook his head. This was a side of Maxi Chandler he'd never seen. Around him she'd always been sweet, meek, and mild. She certainly never went around punching guys in the stomach when they got her pissed off about something. “And why is it ludicrous?”

“Because it is.”

“Why?”

Instead of answering Maxi took a step back and gave them space. However, it was space Christopher didn't intend for them to have. He took a step forward and stood directly in front of her. “Why is it ludicrous, Maxi?”

Maxi's lips parted slightly on an indrawn breath, filled with apprehension. The tables had been turned. Now he was all in her face—eyeball to eyeball.

“Answer me and I want the truth,” he said, his eyes darkening just a fraction as he stared at her.

“Because,” Maxi snapped, reaching what she felt as her limit with him. “I know you would never hurt me or take advantage of me. So why should I be afraid of you?”

Christopher paused for a moment. Maxi's voice had been filled with such conviction that he became edgy with the notion that anyone thought they knew him that well, especially someone who hadn't seen him in ten years. “You don't know me, Maxi. For all you know I may not be the same person. I could be a rapist, an axe-murderer, a con-man, or a—”

“I asked if you were wanted by the police didn't I?” she asked, spitting mad as her brown eyes flared with mesmerizing intensity.

Christopher's jaw twitched in anger. Totally frustrated, he dragged his hand across his face. Did she actually believe he would have admitted to having a criminal record even if he had one? He then shook his head. “Are you this trusting with everyone?”

“Only with people I know,” she responded easily.

His eyes narrowed. “And you think you know me?”

Hers narrowed right back. “Yes.”

His gaze held hers. She was right. She did know him. Even after ten years she could still see beyond his outward appearance and look deep within, right into his very soul. That was something no one else had ever done or had ever tried doing. In their senior year of high school, she had discovered more about him than people who'd known him all his life, because she hadn't been judge, jury, and hangman. Instead she had offered him something no one else had—friendship. Whether she knew it or not, during the time they had spent working close together, she'd become the closest thing to a best friend he'd had before Gabe. And that was the main reason he'd left Savannah. He had wanted more than just her friendship and had known he hadn't deserved to even think of anything more.

“Ten years is a long time,” he finally said. “I could have changed, Maxi.”

She refused to buckle to the intensity of his stare. “You have changed, Christopher. Everyone changes with time. But with some things we remain the same. You haven't changed in the ways I believe count the most.”

“How can you be so sure?”

A part of Maxi was getting fed up with his line of questioning. Although she knew he wasn't the same person she had fallen hard for in their senior year of high school, like she'd told him, there were certain things about him that were the same. “For one reason, because of the way you handled me earlier, when I was sick. You could have been rude to me but you weren't. And I know the only reason you weren't was because even after ten years you still consider me a friend. Right?”

Christopher knew that he could tell her she was wrong and end her goody-goody-two-shoes beliefs about him then and there. But what good would that do when she
was
right? In fact she didn't know just how right she was. He would never, ever hurt one single strand of hair on Maxine Chandler's head and he wouldn't stand by and let someone else do it either.

“Right, Christopher?” Maxi repeated.

He crossed his arms over his chest and gazed down at her. “I'm not sure. Are you married?”

She lifted a brow. “No.”

“Engaged?”

He knew he had asked the wrong question when faint lines of pain appeared around her eyes and mouth. “Not anymore. Jason was killed by a drunk driver a week before our wedding,” she said softly.

He said nothing for a few moments because frankly he didn't know what to say. The man she had planned to marry had died a week before doing so. For that reason, and that reason alone he didn't really feel bad because a part of him was still possessive where Maxi was concerned. But then again, by losing the man she intended to marry evidently set her back with having the family she'd always wanted. And because he knew just how much having a husband and children meant to her, for that reason alone he was sorry for her loss. “I'm sorry. That must have been hard on you.”

“Yes, it was,” she said softly. “But it happened four years ago. Jason was a very special person. You would have liked him.”

Christopher shrugged. He doubted it but decided not to tell her that. He knew for a fact he would not have liked any man Maxi had loved enough to share her life with forever. “So, are you wanted by the police for any reason?” he asked.

Maxi blinked at the abrupt change back to their earlier topic of conversation. He was interrogating her like she had done him earlier. After concentrating on his question she thought about Ronald Swindel. “Yes, I'm wanted by the police but not the way you think.”

He lifted a dark brow. “Is there any other way?”

“Yes. Ronald Swindel, remember him? He's a police officer and for some reason he's envisioned the two of us having a future together,” she said smiling faintly.

Christopher frowned. “Don't tell me he's still sniffing behind you like he used to.”

“He never sniffed behind me.”

“Yes he did. Your face was too buried in books to notice.”

Maxi raised eyes heavenward. “But you noticed?”

“Damn right I noticed.”

Her brows drew together. “Why?”

“Because,” he said quietly as a smile tilted the corners of his mouth. “My face wasn't too buried in books not to notice.”

He decided not to add that during that time his face was too busy watching her. Unfortunately, he hadn't been the only one. Ronald Swindel had been watching her too. One day they both caught the other watching. Each had read the other's thoughts and they'd been arch-enemies since. Ronald Swindel had gotten royally pissed when he'd been the one assigned to work closely with Maxi on the science project.

“So, are you going to be my cabinmate for a week?” he asked, dismissing Ronald Swindel from his mind.

She crossed her arms over her chest. “I'll think about it.”

“You may not have a choice.”

“There's always Mya and Garrett.”

“Three's a crowd.”

Maxi tipped her head to one side and look at him. “Why the change of heart? I got the distinct impression that you wanted to spend time on this cruise alone.”

Christopher shrugged. He'd had that distinct impression himself. “You need a place to stay and I'm willing to make a sacrifice. For old times' sake.”

“Fine. Great. You do whatever you want for old times' sake,” she said poking him in the chest. “But you owe me an explanation about one thing that has bothered me for the last ten years.”

Christopher picked up on the fact that Maxi's anger was brewing again. He took a step back just in case she got the urge to get violent once more. “What?”

“You left town without telling me goodbye. I deserved better.”

Christopher's heart gave two hard knocks against his ribs. That had been the very reason he had left without telling her goodbye. Because he'd known she had deserved better, too, and that meant anyone other than him. Damn it, she should have been able to figure out that the reason he had left was because he had cared for her more than he should have. All it took was one look at her expression to know she evidently had not figured it out.

He dipped his hands in his pockets not knowing what he could tell her and decided now was not the time to tell her the truth. “I had my reasons for doing things that way, Maxi.”

After a few tense, silent moments she asked. “Is that all you're going to say about it?”

The hurt he heard in her voice got through to him. It was real and for the second time that day he'd been thrown for a loop. He took a deep intake of breath, feeling the need for another drink. “Yes, that's all I'm going to say about it.”

He took her hand in his. “Let's drop it and go get something to drink.”

G
arrett Rivers drew in a deep fortifying breath as he stood over the bed and gazed down at his wife. After they had eaten dinner in their cabin, Mya had slipped into a sexy white lacy gown. Now she was in bed waiting for him and the sight of her pulled everything male about him to the forefront. Her breasts, firm and full, were veiled by embroidered lace. She was reclining on her back and the gown she wore had slits on both sides, exposing the smooth length of her long legs.

He removed his robe and slipped into bed beside her, drawing her into his arms. “Just me and you, baby, for seven days.”

Mya chuckled softly as she was encompassed in her husband's warm embrace. Their sons were with their paternal grandparents and had plenty of cousins to keep them company. Like Garrett she was grateful for this time alone, just the two of them. The last six months had been hectic ones. It seemed one football season had barely ended before it was time to start training for another. And then her job with Monahan Investments had kept her pretty much on the go.

“I think we should make the most of our time alone, don't you?” she asked seconds before leaning over and joining her mouth to his. He allowed her time to do things her way before seizing control. His lips became aggressive and took over, becoming hot, hungry, demanding.

Mya's body tingled in every place and blood rushed fast and rapidly through her veins, making her emotions whirl. Even after a lengthy courtship and the longevity of their marriage, Garrett could still make her want him with a need that went beyond anything rational. It was downright crazy. Whenever she was in his arms she enjoyed every single minute of the excruciating madness. He had the ability to give her the ultimate in sexual pleasure. He had a way of making her feel loved, wanted, and sexy.

She protested softy when his lips left hers to nibble at her earlobe before searing a path down her neck and shoulders. The touch of his mouth on her skin sent a shiver through every part of her body.

“Dinner was great,” he whispered huskily as a smile hovered at the corners of his lips. He began removing her gown. “But now I want dessert.”

Instant heat pooled in Mya's lower body and tempestuous steam simmered through her mind when Garrett began branding her entire body with his kisses. The pit of her stomach clenched with mindless, desire-driven passion and the toes of her feet actually curled from such demanding, sensuous assault. The flame that her husband could effortlessly ignite within her roared to blazing intensity. This is what she wanted. This is what she needed. This mind-blowing closeness, this hauntingly beautiful form of intimacy she had always been able to share with the man who had complete ownership of her heart.

All thoughts scattered to the wind when their bodies joined as one, the way their lives had been for what seemed like forever. Garrett established their pace, first fast, then slow, then fast again, repeating the process, feeding their need and fanning the fires blazing within them. Faster. Deeper. Harder.

Gasping for breath, before her world shattered into a zillion passionate pieces, Mya reached up and bracketed Garrett's face with her hands and stared deep into his eyes as he pumped his body into hers, the turgid length of him sensuously stroking her with relentless passion.

She whispered, “I love you,” just moments before his strong, masculine body plunged deeper into hers, triggering every part of her into a delicious erogenous spin and sending her body, as well as his own, into a shattering climax that both of them wanted, needed, and treasured.

 

Mya listened to the sound of her husband's even, peaceful breathing and with a deep satiated sigh, she snuggled her body closer to his. Even in sleep his arm reached out and wrapped around her, bringing her closer.

She smiled upon remembering the first time she had met Garrett. She was in the ninth grade and his family had moved to Savannah from New York. The memory of that day was still so clear in her mind.

She had just walked out of her English class and had accidentally bumped into him. She'd been so embarrassed and to make matters worse he was with Elizabeth Standish, the prettiest and most popular girl at school. She'd known immediately that he was the guy all the girls had been whispering about lately. The good-looking, well-built brother with a northern accent and who could play really good football. After mumbling her apology about being so clumsy she had quickly walked off. But later when school ended that day he had approached her at her locker.

“Hi, Mya,” he said as he leaned against the locker next to hers. “You dropped this earlier.”

She nodded and took the writing pad he was handing to her, wondering how he knew her name. “Thanks for returning it. My homework assignment for Ms. Bishop is in here. She can be a real pain if you don't turn in your homework.”

“Really?” he asked smiling. “Then it's a good thing I ran into you today. I'm in Mrs. Bishop's third period class and English isn't my best subject. Maybe the two of us can get together and study after school sometime, whenever I don't have football practice.” After a brief few moments he asked. “Do your parents let guys come over to visit you…to study?”

Mya's eyes blinked with surprise at what he was suggesting. “You want to come over to my house to study with me?”

“Yes. I would like to get to know you better.”

She didn't say anything for a moment as she tried to give her frenzied mind time to catch up with her racing heart. “But what about Elizabeth Standish? I saw the two of you together today.”

“Elizabeth has been nice enough to show me around since I got here.”

Mya tried covering her chuckle with a cough wondering if he really believed that. Word was out around school that Elizabeth had dibs on him.

“So what about it, Mya? Will your parents allow me to come over and visit you?”

She shrugged. “I don't know. No guy has ever asked to come visit me before. My parents are deceased and I live with my grandmother. She probably wouldn't mind it if it were for us to study together. I'm only fifteen so she wouldn't let you come see me for any other reason.”

He nodded. “Okay. Then, I'll ask your grandmother if I can come visit you so we can study together.”

And he'd done just that. That day he had walked her home from school and made it a point to meet her grandmother. Gramma Twila had been impressed with him the moment she'd met him, saying he was such a mannerable young man and gave him permission to come back and visit, but only when she was home.

That day began a courtship that carried them from junior high school, through senior high, and right on through college. They had celebrated the excitement of his first football game and winning touchdown, and had celebrated him achieving his dream when he'd signed up to play pro ball. He had kept the promise he'd made to her grandmother to always be good to her, take care of her and make her happy.

Everything about their marriage was good, both in and out of bed. They had two beautiful sons and she loved her husband as much today as she did the day she had married him. But a part of her felt a thin, slender thread was beginning to unravel. She knew he would not be happy with the news of her promotion since it meant more time away from home.

Mya sighed deeply, not wanting to think about that now. She was determined that they have their seven days of glorious bliss, and then when they returned to Dallas she would tell him. She leaned over and brushed her lips against Garrett's. She would let him sleep a while longer before waking him up to get dressed for the welcoming reception. She looked forward to seeing all her old friends again…especially Maxi.

This cruise would be the perfect time for her and Maxi to have a long talk and finally get to the root of the problem that had existed between them for quite a while. It was a bone of contention they had tiptoed around for years. A chasm had widened their relationship ever since the time they had left to attend separate colleges, causing a rift in their special friendship. It was time for them to sit down and talk about it. Although they had seen each other occasionally over the years whenever she had come to Savannah to visit her grandmother or Garrett's parents, things hadn't been the same, although they'd both tried pretending that they were. They had skirted around the issue for close to ten years. Now it was time to bring it out in the open and deal with it like two mature women and not two overwrought, emotional teenagers. More than anything she wanted to recapture that special friendship, that unique closeness and bond they had shared from day one when they had both been seven years old. And she believed it could be done. They had too much history together not to try. More than anything she wanted her best friend back.