Max was still asleep when I crawled out of bed the next morning. I had slept restlessly after a dream about Riley in which he was chasing me through the woods. The dream seemed so real that I was never able to let it go completely and achieve a deep sleep.
I slipped on a pair of shorts and a T-shirt, and went down to the kitchen to make some coffee. I stared out the window at the lake while the pot filled with water and reflected on the summer. My sabbatical was almost half over and I was making a lot of progress - not only on the book, but getting my head straightened out. If I continued at the same pace, I would have a completed novel and a healthy sex life by the time I left.
But then what? I was starting to understand the anxiety I was seeing in Max's eyes. Where were we going? I was no more a country girl then Max was a city guy. Was it just going to be a summer romance? Could I feel the same way about another man? Was Max really in love with me?
I turned the coffee on and went to the dining room table where my novel lay in piles designating done, edited, and to be edited. I sat staring at the piles plotting my approach for the day. I needed a clear head to write and it was feeling muddled from the dream. I heard the distant sound of a car coming down the long drive and looked out the front window. Tammy's blue sedan was pulling up in front of the cottage.
I looked up the stairs in a panic, wondering if I should wake Max. Maybe she would just realize he wasn't home and leave. I knew that she was hoping to rekindle things with him, and although I didn't want to encourage it, I didn't want to be the one to tell her I was sleeping with him.
It was paralysis through analysis as I watched her disappear around the corner of the house as she headed to Max's door. I waited by the table until a few moments passed and she appeared on the porch step. It was too late to go upstairs and wake Max. I walked to the door and opened it just as she was about to knock.
"Hi Tammy."
"Oh Hi," she said, pulling her hand back from the door. She stood awkwardly for a moment and looked beyond me into the house and then back at me. "I was just looking for Max."
"Come on in," I said, standing back and opening the door.
She walked in and looked around, and when she didn't see him, she looked back at me questioningly. "Is he here?"
"Um… actually, he's upstairs resting," I explained.
"Is he alright?" She looked concerned as I motioned her toward the couch. "I heard that he and Riley got into a big fight."
"Yes, they did," I said, setting down in the chair facing her. "He's okay. Just pretty sore."
"He called yesterday when I was gone and then I couldn't get a hold of him all night." She twisted her hands nervously as she continued. "I was so worried about him I had to come out and check. What happened?"
"Well…" I took a deep breath and tried to figure out where to start. "Riley didn't exactly bring me right home the other night."
"Oh?"
"He decided to take me on a little joy ride instead."
"What do you mean?"
I really didn't want to get into the details with her and searched for an explanation that would suffice.
"Well, he took me to this place where… so he could…"
"He didn't take her home like she asked him to," said Max, standing at the bottom of the stairs.
Tammy and I both jumped at the sound of his voice. He was dressed only in his shorts and she quickly scanned his body. The swelling over his eye had become more noticeable, but the bruise along his rib blended in with his tan.
"Oh Max," she said, standing and walking over to him. "I came by to see if you were alright."
"I'm fine," he said, matter of fact.
"Well, I just…" She looked at me, then back at Max, uncertain of how to continue. "I tried to return your call last night and when I couldn't find you, I got kind of worried."
He nodded his head, but didn't offer any explanation of his whereabouts. The moment was becoming more and more awkward, and I stood from the couch.
"Would either of you like some coffee?" I offered.
Max looked at me and smiled. "Sure. Thanks."
It was obvious that Tammy was trying to read Max and was coming up blank. She hesitated and smiled nervously. "Well, maybe just a cup. I don't want to wear out my welcome."
I went into the kitchen and pour three cups of coffee, placing them on a tray along with the cream and sugar. When I walked back into the living room, Tammy was sitting on the couch next to Max and pushing his hair back above his bruised eyebrow.
"Why on earth would you take on Riley Collins?"
I froze momentarily, feeling angry that she was touching him. Couldn't she see that he didn't want her? Before he could answer, I cleared my throat and headed toward them with the tray.
"Here's the coffee," I said, forcing a smile.
"Thanks Jamie." Max's voice was soft as he reached for a cup. He looked into my eyes and a thousand words came pouring from them. If only I could read them correctly. Did they say, "I'm sorry" or "I love you?" Maybe they saying, "How can I love you both?"
No. They weren't saying that. God, I hoped not anyway.
"Well, you know it's all over town that Riley's in jail because he almost killed you."
Max looked down at his lap and grinned, shaking his head slowly.
"That's why I had to come out and see for myself," she said, looking at me for confirmation.
I tried to get by with a smile and hoped that Max would explain what happened, but he seemed determine to keep it between us.
"I don't think that is why Riley is in jail," I added.
"Then why?" she asked, looking at me and then Max.
"He took a swing at Tom Moorehead," offered Max, taking a break from his coffee. "He showed up and tried to break up the fight."
"Oh…" Tammy sat quiet for a moment and tried to piece together the facts until she needed a few more pieces. "Why was Tom there… where did this happen?"
Max looked at me somewhat helplessly while he thought of his answer. He was just about to speak when the sheriff's car pulled up into the driveway and parked next to Tammy's.
"It's a regular party today," I said sarcastically. I stood and walked to the door. If I was going to meet with Riley, it was going to be outside, not in my house. Max stood and quickly followed behind me. It wasn't until we were down off the porch and standing in front of Officer Moorehead and the disheveled and handcuffed Riley that I realized he was holding my hand.
"Mornin' Jamie," said Officer Moorehead, smiling. "Max," he added.
Max nodded at Tom, but stared angrily at Riley, who was standing awkwardly and shifting his weight from side to side.
"Riley here wanted to apologize to you in person for his behavior the other night." He turned and looked at Riley. "Go ahead, Riley."
It was evident that Riley wasn't used to being wrong, let alone forced into apologizing. He refused to make eye contact with Max, but looked at me and smiled.
"Look Jamie, I guess I misunderstood what you wanted the other night…"
I couldn't believe my ears. Was he actually pretending that it was merely a misunderstanding?
"Excuse me?" I interrupted.
"I thought when you were kissing me back and stuff that you were wanting more…"
Even as my mind refused to believe what I was hearing, I felt the tears well up in my eyes.
"How dare you, Riley!" I yelled. "Don't give me that bullshit! What part of 'Stop it and take me home' confused you?"
In my anger, I had let go of Max's hand and taken a step toward Riley. I had a half a mind to slap him across the face. He grinned, knowing that he had gotten my goat, and started to take a step forward.
"Jamie look, you can't tell me your panties were all wet because you were having a bad time…"
As I raised my hand back to slap him, Max caught it and brought it down slowly to my side as he stepped in between Riley and I. He glared into Riley's face as he spoke to Officer Moorehead.
"Tom, I think you better either unhandcuff this son of a bitch so I beat the shit out of him fair and square or get him the hell off this property."
Riley looked cocky as if he hoped for another fight. The officer sighed and pulled his baton out of his belt.
"As much as I would like to that, Max, I'm afraid I can't. You see Riley here is still under arrest for attempting to assault on an officer, and believe it or not, I have to actually protect his ass." Riley looked confused as he was backed up toward the car. "Looks like you're going back to jail."
"What are you talking about?" yelled Riley, as he was pushed into the back seat of the car. "You said all I had to do was apologize to her!"
Officer Moorhead slammed the door, muffling Riley's protests from within. Tears were streaming down my face and Max pulled me into his arms and held me as the officer walked back over to us.
"I'm really sorry, Jamie. I thought he was sincere about apologizing."
"Just don't bring him back out here again," I said, wiping the tears from my face. "I really don't care what happens to him at this point."
"No problem, Jamie," he agreed. "If you need anything, or change your mind about pressing charges, just give me a call."
I hated the fact that I was feeling so emotional, but once the tears started, I couldn't stop them. I just wanted to run and get away from everyone. I turned and ran back into the house, passing Tammy, who had stood on the porch step and watched the whole thing. At least now she would have all the pieces for her puzzle.
Slamming the door behind me, I ran up to the bedroom and threw myself on the bed that had brought so much pleasure the night before. I sobbed into my pillow in self-pity. How could Riley have said those things? How could he actually stand there in front of all those people and pretend that I wanted him to touch me? What if Max believed him?
The door opened slowly, and Max came in and sat on the bed next to me and gently caressed my back. His tenderness only encouraged my tears.
"Jamie, it's okay."
I shook my head and he pulled on my arm for me to sit up. I pulled away and turned my head into the pillow.
"No, it's not."
"Honey, please…" he begged. "Don't let him hurt you like this."
His endearing term shocked me back into the moment and I smiled into the pillow. Maybe he did still want me. I sat up and wiped my face as he pulled me into his arms.
"He's just an asshole," continued Max.
"But everyone will believe him… even you!"
"No they won't, and I sure as hell don't."
"I just feel…" I started to sob harder, and he held me tight. When the emotions subsided, I continued. "I just feel soiled, like before, like I'm spoiled goods."
"Jamie, stop it," insisted Max. "What those guys did have nothing to do with you. Only you can decide how you feel inside. You're as pure as they come."
"I don't know," I said, wiping my face.
"The only thing spoiled about you is expecting me to bring you coffee every morning." We both laughed at his attempt at humor as he gave me a gentle squeeze.
"You mean you still want me?"
I looked up into his eyes and searched for the truth. He smiled and shook his head as he gently cupped my face.
"I've never wanted anything more in my life."
"Oh Max, I want you so…"
The rest of the sentence was lost as his lips found mine. Laying me back on the bed, he began a slow demonstration of his desire by kissing every square inch of my body. When he started to take off my clothing, I protested.
"Wait, what about Tammy?"
"What about her?" asked Max, unzipping my shorts.
"Is she still downstairs?"
"No, she left." He pulled my jeans off as he continued. "I don't think she'll be back."
"Why?"
Taking his clothes off and crawling naked over my body, he looked down into my eyes.
"She said it was evident that I was in love with you."
"Really?" He kissed my neck and nibbled at my ears. "Why is it that she can see it better than me?"
"I guess I'll just have to show you again." He kissed my lips and moved down until he was sucking on my nipple.
"And again…" He moved to the other nipple and bit it teasingly, and then kissed my midriff, and continued moving slowly down my body.
"And again."
©Copyright 1997 - 1998 Angela Preston. These stories may not be reprinted in any form without written permission.