Maximum Risk Read Online Free PDF Page B

answered without checking the number. “Yes, he’s still here.”
    “Who is still there?”
    Although Tara had only heard his voice once before, she instantly recognized it. “Max. Sorry, I thought you were someone else. I’d love to talk to you, but I was just about to hop into the shower.”
    “Alone?”
    “That’s none of your business.”
    “Are you seeing anyone?”
    Even though her bathroom door was closed, she wrapped a towel around herself. “I’m not having this conversation with you, Max. I’m sorry you got the wrong impression of me when I went up there, but by now I hope you see it was not what you thought.”
    He sighed. “It wasn’t my intention to offend you that day.”
    “Is that an apology?”
    “Would you go to dinner with me if it were?”
    His question sent a shiver down her bare back. The idea of seeing him again was exciting in a way Tara found difficult to rationalize away. “No. But it would be a nice gesture.”
    “Is that what you look for in a man, Tara? Nice? How disappointing.” His voice was a warm caress. “We could be good together.”
    Tara’s breathing became shallow as she tried to deny the pleasure she felt at the knowledge he was still interested in her. “For a few hours,” Tara added with forced sarcasm and tightened the towel around her. Wake up, Tara. He’s everything you don’t need. “I’m not judging your lifestyle, Max. If you’re happy, then I’m happy for you. But I’m not interested in the little you have to offer, so thank you for the call, but no thank you on the dinner.”
    She hung up while she was still strong enough to do so. What is wrong with me? Have I been without sex for so long that I’ll find anyone exciting?
    I don’t want to meet him at a hotel, taste every inch of him.
    Even though I’m probably the only woman in New York not having sex, I don’t need him to show me why all those other women didn’t turn him down. Oh, my God, what am I thinking? He’s Maddy’s cousin. She asked me to stay away from him.
    I’m sure that includes getting naked with him.
    Don’t forget he’s just like Brigitte.
    I will not be his leftover.
     
    ***
     
    What little I have to offer? What does that mean?
    What don’t I have to offer a woman? I’m young. I’m successful. Women tell me I’m good-looking. No, he wasn’t the “settle down, raise a family, live to mow the lawn every Saturday” type, but that didn’t mean he had nothing to offer.
    Max thought back to the women he’d been with during the past few years. Sure, not all of them were pleased when they parted ways, but they didn’t hate him, either. There was nothing wrong with enjoying some time with another person on a temporary basis. In fact, going into a relationship with a clear understanding of its lack of permanency took the drama out of the eventual breakup.
    Tara wasn’t an innocent.
    In fact, this could all be a game designed to pique his interest. It wouldn’t be the first time a woman had chosen to play hard to get with him. However, she was holding out with an unusual amount of fortitude. The women who played it cool as part of the dating game normally understood it was also important to give him some encouragement, or he’d lose interest.
    Tara didn’t seem to care.
    Which meant she either wasn’t attracted to him or she had played this game before. Either way the result was the same. She definitely had his attention. Getting her into his bed had become a challenge so enticing he could think of little else.
    He decided to test her. He would offer her an opportunity no woman he knew would turn down. If she agreed, he’d have her in his bed by Monday. If she refused . . .
    She wouldn’t.
    Max walked out onto the balcony of his penthouse suite in his Caribbean resort and inhaled deeply, feeling more excited about this than he’d been about anything in a long time. There was a slim possibility she’d say no. Then what? Give up? That wasn’t his nature. He