Page 2 of Maximum Risk (The Andrades 3)
Max held out his hand. “A pleasure.” And it was, so much more than he wanted it to be. The soft touch of her hand in his had him wondering how soft the rest of her body was.
“Nice to meet you. Maddy has told me a lot about you,” Tara said breathlessly. The spark in her eyes confirmed she also felt the sizzle from their touch.
“And yet you still came,” he shot her a smooth smile.
Tara removed her hand from his and stepped back. “As she said, we had plans, and I’ve never been to Rhode Island. This is a beautiful island. So peaceful. Considering a summer home?”
Since his plans for the area were not a secret, he saw no reason not to tell her. “Resort complex. The depth of the ocean floor on this side of the island would allow even the large cruise ships to dock.”
“Cruise ships? Wouldn’t that completely change the island?” Tara looked at the grand staircase just outside the door. “Wait, you’re planning to knock this beautiful house down?”
“Neither has value to me as they are, so yes and yes.”
“No value? I bet the people who live here don’t feel that way. I can only imagine how the owners of this house feel about your plans for it. This must have been an amazing gathering place for their family.”
Max hated how her comment made him think of another time, another island—family that would never be the same. “My resort will bring jobs, and you’d be surprised how quickly people become less nostalgic about belongings when offered a good price for them.”
Maddy turned to look at the large marble foyer. “Have you considered keeping it for yourself, Max? It really is a grand home.”
“I don’t need a house. I have hotels all over the world. I’m never short of a place to sleep.”
Maddy pursed her lips and looked him over critically. “That’s no way to live.”
Losing patience with the direction of this conversation, Max said, “I really should get back to—”
Madison held up one hand and took out her phone. “I just got a message from Richard. I’m going to step in the other room for a minute to call him.” When neither Max nor Tara answered her, she said, “Okay, so I’ll be right next door if you need me.”
She conveniently left Max alone with Tara. Madison had never been known for her subtlety. Max leaned in and said, “I know why you’re here.”
Tara’s head shot back, and she searched his eyes. “You do?”
Max kept his voice low. “I should warn you, though. I don’t do relationships.”
She cocked her head to one side. “I’m sorry?”
“Luke told me about Madison’s matchmaking bet. I’m flattered you flew up here to meet me, but for the sake of clarity: I’m not interested in anything more than a few hours at a hotel. But if you’re okay with that, I’m free tonight.”
“Wow,” Tara said, her voice thick with sarcasm, “that’s quite an ego.”
He shrugged. “A lot of drama can be avoided by being blunt from the beginning. If you stay, it’s your decision, and you know the score. If you don’t, that’s also your decision. There are plenty of other options for both of us.”
“Should I tell you now I didn’t come here as part of a matchmaking bet, or should I let you keep talking?” She put a hand on one hip, which pulled her dress even tighter across her breasts, something Max tried to ignore but couldn’t. His heart thudded in his chest even as he forced his face and voice to remain calm. He fought the urge to dig a hand into the hair at the nape of her neck and pull her face to his. He leaned forward again until his lips hovered over hers. “There’s no need to be embarrassed about it. I’m interested.”
Her other hand went to her hip, and she pursed her lips in a beautiful act of irritation. “I’m not. Tell me, do women actually sleep with you after you spout this shit to them?”
Max frowned. Her question took him completely off guard and he answered honestly: “Many, yes.”
Humor lit Tara’s eyes. She laughed as she spoke. “You have really bad taste in women.”
Madison returned before Max had a chance to respond to Tara. “Sorry about that. Richard wanted to know if we’d be home in time for dinner. I told him we were just up here for lunch. Will you be able to join us, Max?”
Max looked at Tara for a long moment. He didn’t like being a source of amusement for her any more than he liked how easily she’d dismissed the idea of sleeping with him. Although he didn’t flaunt his dating practices in the papers as Nick had always done, Max had never found it difficult to find companionship. He was young, good-looking, rich, and from a prominent family. Add his cocky attitude, and normally women all but threw themselves at him. It wasn’t something he bragged about, but until now it was something he’d taken for granted.
Tara looked far from impressed, and that intrigued Max. Was it an act or did she actually not find him attractive? He wanted—no, needed—to know. He decided to spend more time with Tara, but not with Madison around. He looked down at this watch. “I can’t. I have a working lunch planned. Perhaps another day?” He directed his question subtly at Tara, who shook her head and smiled.
Madison missed the exchange and said, “I’d like that. Are you seriously considering not attending Gio’s wedding?”
“I said I would go, but only on my terms.”
“Which are?” Maddy asked.
“Not as a groomsman. I need to get in and get out as I please.”
Tara watched the exchange and added dryly, “You have some serious commitment issues.”
Max parried, “And you’re overly generous with opinions no one asked you for.”
Tara raised her hands in mock apology, “Sorry, didn’t mean to judge. It just fit in so well with everything else you’re afraid of.”
“You know nothing about me,” Max growled.
Tara shrugged with frustrating indifference. “You’re right.”
Madison stayed surprisingly quiet during the exchange.
“I live my life the way I want to, not because I’m afraid of anyone or anything.”
Looking irritatingly amused, Tara threw up her hands again. “You don’t have to prove anything to me. We’ll probably never meet again.”
The idea of not seeing Tara again was unacceptable to Max, but he wasn’t about to admit it. Not there. Not in front of Madison. “Exactly.”
Madison picked up her coat from the linen-covered back of one of the chairs. She gave Max a kiss on one cheek then finished buttoning her coat. “We’ve interrupted your work long enough. Come on, Tara. Let’s go to lunch.”
Tara put on her coat and held out her hand to shake Max’s. “This was interesting, Max Andrade.”
Max took her hand in his, once again shaken by the jolt the simple touch from her could send through him. He leaned down to speak softly in her ear. “We will meet again, Tara. Will you be as outspoken without my cousin?”
Tara raised one hand, gave him a pat on the cheek, and whispered, “I will if you’re still being an ass.” Then she turned and followed Madison out of the house.
Max stood in the middle of the foyer staring at the door Tara had walked through. He had dinner plans that evening with a model he’d met the week before during a transatlantic flight. They’d already slept together once, and she seemed eager enough to repeat the experience. She didn’t have a problem with his need to keep things casual. She knew not to expect to sleep over. No drama. Which made her a much more practical choice than Tara would ever be.
And inexplicably less exciting.
He called and canceled his date for that night.
Fuck practical.
He had to find a way to see Tara again.
