A Matter of Trust Read online

  There were few customers at that time of morning. Wanda came out to give Nikki a hug. “Where’ve you been? I was starting to think you were mad at us.”

  “You know better than that.”

  Wanda looked at Max seated beside Nikki. “Hmmm, and does this good-looking man have anything to do with your absence?”

  Nikki laughed. “Well, I guess you caught me. Wanda this is Max. Max—Wanda.”

  Wanda smiled widely at Max. “Welcome to my place, Max.”

  Max nodded and smiled. Wanda didn’t seem to notice his lack of speech.

  Everyone ate and talked some more then Cat got up to play some tunes on the jukebox. She motioned toward the rest of the party. “Come on, guys.”

  Everyone groaned, made noises, but got up. Nikki glanced at Max. He shrugged and let her pull him up. Before long they were all dancing and laughing.

  A man entered the diner, staggering slightly. He ran into Nikki, almost knocking her down. Just as she gained her footing he grabbed her again, from behind.

  “Hey, baby, shake that thing on me.”

  “Not even in your dreams.” She tried to pull away but he held on.

  “Hey, ease up, buddy!” Ben started toward the man.

  “Fuck you.” The man snarled and moved his hand around to Nikki’s breast.

  She bucked back and rammedher head into his nose. He cursed as he let go of her and grabbed his nose with one hand.

  “You fucking bitch!” He made a move for her as he lowered his hand and saw the blood.

  Before anyone else could react, Max jumped in front of the man. The man struck out, hitting Max in the stomach. Max barely flinched. Nikki reached out for him but before she could get to him, his clenched fist met the underneath of the man’s chin. The blow lifted the man up and sent him stumbling backward, flailing.

  Wanda ran out of the kitchen. “Hey! What’s going on here?”

  The man, who had fallen back against one of the booths, staggered to his feet. “That bitch and her asshole friend attacked me, that’s what.”

  Wanda looked at Nikki who shook her head. “No way. Swear to god.”

  Everyone jumped in, making it impossible for Wanda to understand anything with everyone talking at once. Nikki noticed Max still staring with malice at the drunk man who was shouting about calling the police.

  Her alarm bells went off. She couldn’t let the police get Max’s name. She shouted for everyone to shut up.

  “Wanda, I swear it wasn’t our fault. That guy came in, grabbed me and wouldn’t let go. He was feeling me up, and when Max tried to stop him he hit Max.”

  Wanda looked at Ben. “Is that how it happened?”

  “Yeah, exactly.”

  Wanda threw her hands on her ample hips and turned on the drunk. “Get out of my diner.”

  “Fuck you, I ain’t going nowhere. It’s a free country. You can’t tell me where I can and can’t go.”

  “Like hell I can’t.” Wanda advanced on him. “This is my place and I won’t have troublemakers. Now either you get yourself out of here, or I’ll call the police and have you hauled out.”

  The man thrust out his chin then looked around at everyone staring at him and turned. “Fuck all you, assholes.”

  Everyone cheered when he left. Ben grabbed Wanda’s arm and lifted it up like a prizefighter. “Winner and still champ-een.”

  Wanda rolled her eyes but smiled as she pulled away from Ben. “I declare, you kids are gonna be the death of me one day.”

  Ben laid a resounding kiss on her cheek and she grinned. “Get on with yourself, Benjamin Marshall.”

  Ben turned and clapped his hand on Max’s shoulder. “You the man, Max! Whooo! Did you see that uppercut?”

  All the guys cheered. Max looked uncomfortable. Nikki took his hand. “Thank you.”

  He smiled uncertainly and she gave him a hug. “My hero.”

  When she pulled away, his smile was stronger.

  “Well, guys, I think I’ve had as much excitement as I can take for one night,” Tom said.

  “Yeah, me too,” Cat agreed. “You ready, sweetie?”

  “Sure.” Jimmi nodded and turned to Nikki. “Good to see you, Nik. You and Max drop by. We’ll smoke some chops and some herb and chill.”

  Nikki gave him a kiss then one to Cat who had just planted a big one on Max, leaving him looking stunned. “We’ll do it. See ya.”

  Everyone left but Ben and Bill. They took a seat at a table with Nikki and Max.

  “Okay, you mentioned you wanted to talk to me about something,” Ben said to Nikki.

  “Yeah, I wanted to find out how I could go about bypassing a security system to get into someone’s computer files.”

  “Christ on a crutch!” Bill got up. “More illegal activities. If you’ll excuse me. Ben, I’ll wait in the car.”

  “Hey!” Nikki called as Bill turned to leave. “Nice to see you!”

  Bill stopped. “Yeah, you too, Nik. And Max, it was a real pleasure meeting you. Just do me one favor. See if you can talk some sense into these two before they end up in prison.”

  Max smiled and shrugged.

  “Now, as I was saying…” Nikki started again as Bill left the diner.

  “Yeah, I heard you.” Ben leaned back and regarded her solemnly. “But you’re talking breaking and entering, Nik.”

  “Like that carries any more of a jail term than hacking?”

  “Touché,” he smiled. “Okay, what exactly are we talking about?”

  Nikki looked at Max. After a moment he nodded. Quickly Nikki told Ben what they wanted to do and why.

  Ben whistled and shook his head. “Man, you’ve really been given a bum rap, haven’t you, Max? Shit. This could be tricky. Let me give it some thought, and I’ll give you a call in a day or so.”

  “Okay, thanks.” Nikki didn’t feel she could ask for more. “Well, I guess we better hit the road, too.”

  Ben stood as Nikki and Max got up. Ben extended his hand to Max. “Hope to see you again soon, Max. Matter of fact, maybe we could get together some time without Nik.”

  Max smiled and nodded.

  Nikki walked around the table and hugged Ben tightly then gave him a soft kiss. “I love you.”

  Ben smiled and cupped her face in his hands, rubbing his nose against hers. “Same here. Be careful, okay?”

  “Always,” she grinned. “Max, you ready?”

  Max nodded without expression. She gave him a curious look. Maybe he was just tired. It was nearly four in the morning. He probably wasn’t used to being up so late.

  Max stared out of the side window on the drive home. He couldn’t face Nikki. Not after what had happened. How could he have been so blind, so stupid? Why didn’t he ever stop to think that someone as beautiful and special as Nikki would have someone in her life? Why did he ever think he could be that someone? He felt like such a fool. Suddenly the best night of his life had become the worst.

  When they reached the estate and got out of the car, she hurried to keep up with him as he made for the house.

  “Hold on!” She grabbed his arm. “What’s wrong?”

  He gestured it was nothing.

  “Are you sure?”

  He nodded. There was no way he’d tell her the truth. He wasn’t about to let her know how much of a fool he’d been, hoping that she had the kind of feelings a woman had for a man, for him.

  “Okay.” She backed off. “Thanks for going out with me. I really had a good time. And thanks for coming to my rescue with the drunk.”

  Max nodded and hurried away. Nikki watched him go, trying to figure out what had caused the dramatic change in his behavior. She had no idea.

  She went to her room and lay down, but wasn’t sleepy. On an impulse, she grabbed a towel and headed outside. It wasn’t dawn yet, so no one was moving about. She walked down to the pier, slipped off her jeans and shirt, and dove into the water.

  Nikki swam around, letting the events of the evening run through her mind. She was
disappointed things had ended as they had, and also puzzled. She thought they'd had a good time. Max had seemed happy and pretty much at ease. What had happened to change things?

  Swimming back to the pier, she climbed up. “Jeez!” She jumped and threw her hands over her breasts as she saw the shadowy figure. “Max?”

  He took a step toward her, trying not to pay attention to the fact that she was wearing only her underwear, covering her bare breasts with her hands.

  “God, you scared me!”

  Max didn’t know how to ask what he wanted to know. Nikki came close to him. “What’s wrong, Max?”

  I don’t know how to even begin, he hesitantly communicated to her.

  “Just tell me what’s wrong. Please.” She reached out to touch him.

  “Oh shit!” She quickly snatched up her shirt and draped it around her upper body. “Sorry. Please, will you talk to me?”

  Gathering his courage, Max communicated as best he could. Why didn’t you tell me you were in love with Ben?

  “What?” She looked at him in astonishment. “Hold on, back up. You think I’m in love with Ben? What gave you that idea?”

  Well, for starters you said so.

  “Me? What could I possibly have done to make you think that?”

  Max communicated the answer. She’d said it to Ben.

  “Oh, that!” She laughed in relief when she finally understood. “Well, yeah, I did say it. And I meant it. But as a friend. Not a lover.”

  Max was not convinced. But I saw you kiss him.

  Nikki was surprised. “Well, yeah I did. I always kiss him. Just like I do all my friends. But it was a friendly kiss, not an in-love kiss.”

  What’s the difference?

  Nikki didn’t know how to explain. She moved closer and reached up to kiss Max the same way she had kissed Ben.

  “Did that feel like an in-love kiss?”

  You tell me.

  Nikki saw the look in his eyes. She understood it. Hell, she even shared it. The question was how long could she deny it? What factors did she have to take into account to justify her feelings? Did love have to be based on intellectual or even emotional maturity? Was it important that his life had been so different from hers or that the future held obstacles that might prove insurmountable for them? Did any of that really matter or how she honestly felt the only thing that really mattered?

  The questions pounded at her mind.

  Max put his hand on the side of her face. I’m sorry.

  His touch was her final straw. For the first time in her life she couldn’t let her head make decisions for her heart. She couldn’t run from it anymore. Forgetting about her state of undress, she reached up to pull his face down.

  Their lips met softly at first. Max’s arms went around her,and her lips parted. Her tongue flicked at his lips. After a moment she felt them part.

  Hesitantly at first, then with growing boldness, Max gave in to the kiss. All of the suppressed longing and passion he’d held so tightly in check was released.

  Nikki’s hand moved over his shoulders and down his back, clutching and pulling him closer. He followed her lead, moving his hands down the smooth skin of her back until he felt the swell of firm flesh. He could go no further, even as much as he wanted to.

  She pulled back from the kiss and looked into his eyes. She could at last admit the truth to herself. What she felt for Max was not curiosity, pity, compassion, or friendship. It had nothing to do with who he was, or what his strengths and weaknesses were, anymore than it had to do with hers. As wrong as it might be or as hopeless, she did love him.

  I’ve wished for that since before I met you, he signed to her.

  “Before?” she teased gently, pushing away the sudden reminder of all the times she’d dreamed of and fantasized about him.

  He nodded and traced one finger along the side of her face before signing again. You’re so beautiful and I—

  “What?” she prompted when he stopped and looked away with a pained expression.

  “Max?” She took his face in both her hands and gently forced him to look at her. “You don’t have to be afraid with me. Please.”

  He shook his head and looked down for a moment, summoning his courage. I dream of you, he signed quickly, without looking up.

  She started, once more acutely reminded of her own dreams. He looked at her in surprise and she gave him an embarrassed smile. “I dream of you, Max. Even when I’m awake I dream of you.”

  I want you. So much I hurt. I want to kiss you and touch you and love you. But I want you to want me. Not the cripple or the poor rich man with the affliction, but for me—the man I am inside.

  “I do,” she breathed softly. “Oh god, Max, I do.”

  Then will you come with me?

  “Without question,” she replied and gave him her hand.

  He led her to the large sail boat moored at the end of the long pier. She followed him aboard and down below to the master cabin. Once inside, he closed the door, leaving them in darkness broken only by dim light from a porthole that sent a shaft of light across Nikki’s body.

  It took a few moments for his eyes to adjust. When they did, he saw Nikki standing there watching him, her shirt dangling from her hand, her body bare to the top of her lacy panties. It was enough to have surging to immediate erection.

  “Are you sure this is safe?” she whispered.

  He nodded. No one ever comes here and even if they did they won’t check the boat.

  “Okay, if you say so.”

  Max smiled but remained frozen in place. Now that they were alone with a big bed just feet away, he felt unsure.

  “Shall I show you my dreams, Max?” she asked softly.

  Please.

  She dropped the shirt then peeled down her wet thong and stepped out of it.

  His eyes traveled the length of her as she slowly approached, taking in her full breasts and hairless sex. She unfastened his pants and lowered them down over his hips and thighs.

  Her hands were warm on his skin as they moved up the outside of his thighs then circled in, stroking up his chest and slowly back down. When she wrapped both hands around his erection his knees nearly buckled.

  “In my dreams you’re dominant and sure,” she whispered, stroking him slowly. “You know that I belong to you and am yours to do with what you want.”

  His hands moved to her shoulders, gripping her tightly, and she smiled up at him. “I am yours, Max.”

  Those words were the key. A door within the labyrinth of his prison opened and the scared and unsure prisoner disappeared. In his place was the man he once was. A man. A Ranger. Tough, strong and sure. Afraid of nothing. And hungry.

  Without thinking he pulled her to him for a kiss that was near brutal. His tongue plundered her mouth, one hand winding in her dark hair to pull her head back, forcing her to arch against him.

  She moaned, still gripping his erection with one hand while the other moved behind him, fingers digging into the flesh of his ass. His mouth moved to her neck, sucking and biting his way down to her breast.

  Nikki cried out but made no attempt to break free when his mouth closed on her nipple, tongue flicking the hardened nub. He took his time, enjoying the feel and taste of her, the small sounds she made in her throat and the way her fist around his erection was moving, making his testicles tingle and contract.

  When her sounds began to ring with a tint of pain, he abandoned her breast and kissed and bit his way down her body. His shift in position forced her to release her hold on his penis, but that didn’t matter. If she continued to stroke him any longer he’d come and he wasn’t near ready for that.

  Max guided her to the bed, urging her back on it, her legs hanging off the edge from the knees down. He bent forward, running his tongue around her navel then down. When he reached the top of her vagina he paused to look at her. Her eyes were hooded and her face flushed. Her dark hair spread out on the light covering of the bed like black silk. Her lean, supple body was da
mp and hot, trembling.

  He took hold of her legs and pushed them up into a bent knee position then spread them wide, baring her to his gaze. He lowered his head between her legs and at first touch of his tongue she arched against him.

  Max wanted to drive her out of her mind with desire, show her pleasure so intense that she’d never want another man after him. Her whimpers and moans called to the Dominant in him and need exploded inside him. He had to make her his, brand her with his passion so that she knew beyond all doubt that she belonged to him.

  He felt a vibration run through her and realized that she was about to come. She moaned and tilted her pelvis up, rocking sex against his mouth.

  She tasted sweet yet spicy, an intoxicating blend he could not get enough of. Her fingers wound into his hair, hanging on as her body started to tremble. He plunged his tongue in further.

  “Oh…oh…” she moaned and rocked against his mouth. “Max…ahhhh…” Her body arched up, at first rigid then trembling. Her arms moved up to grip the bedcovers behind her head as she writhed against him.

  At length her body relaxed. He climbed up on the bed, scooting her further toward the middle. As he sat back on his heels, she stretched like a cat and smiled sexily at him. “My turn,” she said in a husky whisper as she crawled up onto hands and knees and knelt down to take his erection into her mouth.

  The sight of her, ass up, going down on him, was enough to threaten his control. He gritted his teeth, struggling to keep from coming. It felt too good. He pushed her away, gently and she looked up at him.

  Don’t move, he signed to her and crawled behind her. She looked over her shoulder as he ran one hand over the swell of her ass and down to stroke her sex.

  “Hmmmm,” she murmured when his fingers penetrated her. “That feels good.”

  She was right about that. She was hot and wet, and the sight of his fingers stroking in and out of that velvety heat was enough to make him break out in a sweat.

  When she brought her forearms together on the bed in front of her and lay the side of her face down on them, raising her ass higher, his breath hitched in his throat. “Hmmm, yes,” she crooned, rocking against his fingers. “More, harder.”