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Max quickly caught her up in his arms, turning her around as he pulled her head to his and kissed her with so much tenderness she had to fight tears wanting to fall.
“Thank you,” he said in-between kisses, making her heart melt. She’d be thanking him if she could get words past her throat. He quickly cleaned them both, then pulled her from the shower, wrapped her in a towel and carried her to his bed. They laid there for several hours, touching, kissing, and talking as if they were long lost lovers. She hoped it would never end.
“Did you hear that?” Max asked. She looked at him, puzzled. She hadn’t heard anything, but then again, her head was against his chest, listening to the rhythm of his heartbeat.
“No,” she replied.
“Get dressed, I think our chariot may be here,” he said as he quickly climbed from the bed. She took a few moments to watch his muscled backside flex as he bent to grab his pants. She was disappointed to see her view quickly covered. He slipped his shirt on, and that’s when she heard a sound. It was a rumbling noise, and she had a bad feeling he was correct.
She slowly climbed from the bed and got dressed. If they were being rescued, being caught naked would certainly be embarrassing. She walked to the living room, where Max was near the front door, straining to hear. There was a loud scraping sound, and it was confirmed that someone was there, digging them out.
“Let’s move to the center of the room just in case a window gets hit by mistake,” Max told her. They sat on the couch, both of them not speaking. They realized the real world was coming for them, their time in the cabin officially over.
Cassie knew when they reached the front door because there was a window next to it and for the first time in days, light streamed through it. She felt like crying. A few seconds later there was a knock and then the door opened.
A couple men in military uniforms walked in, looking around, then smiled as Max stood up.
“We’re glad you’re okay, Mr. Anderson. We apologize it took so long to get you out of here. Cordova had a sudden and unexpected snowfall that buried the entire town. They called us in to free the residents. It’s been a huge disaster,” the man said.
“We understand. We’re just glad you were able to find us,” Max replied. They walked to the front door and looked out, shocked at what they saw. There was a roadway carved with huge snow drifts, higher than the house on either side of it, with several military vehicles dotting its carved surface.
“Mr. Anderson, we don’t want to rush you, but we’re afraid this storm is not completely over. If you can gather your things as quickly as possible, we’ve got a runway cleared at the airport and you can safely fly out. You only have a small window,” the soldier said.
Cassie wanted to tell the man no, that they’d take their chances. After all, Max had a business meeting to attend still. Although, she supposed with the current situation the meeting was most likely postponed. They had far more important things to take care of in the small town than a new merger.
“Yes, of course. Give us ten minutes and we’ll be ready to leave,” Max said, immediately stepping back into the cabin and heading for his room. Cassie had no other choice but to follow his lead. She went to her room and quickly packed. As they met in the living room to do one final check around, she once again had to fight her tears from falling. It was time to get back to the real world.
They’d been back in Seattle for a week. Neither of them brought up their time in Alaska, but it was obvious to Cassie they were done being lovers. He wasn’t cold, or distant, almost the opposite, in fact. He had a tendency to touch her whenever he entered the same room, or passed her in the hall. He’d been busy with work, and she spent most of her time away from his office, talking to personnel and family members.
He no longer seemed to mind about the interview, which was great, but at the same time it was all coming to an end and she wouldn’t have an excuse to see him on a daily basis. Maybe, that was a good thing. If she got away from him, then her heart could start to heal.
“I was expecting you at the company party last night. Where did you disappear to?” Max asked her, as he cornered her in the break room. You didn’t have another engagement to get to, did you?” he asked casually. Her heart broke a little more. He was speaking to her as if she was nothing more than a friend he was curious about. She wished she did have a hot date, not that she thought he’d care, anyway.
“I’ve just been fighting a cold, so I went home to get some rest,” she lied. It was late and time for her to go the grocery store, then home. Her house was almost completely out of groceries and she hated shopping, but knew she needed to. She walked from the room, and gathered her coat and purse, with him following right on her heels.
“You’re leaving early, again. I thought we’d go over a few things,” he said.
“I have to do some shopping before the weekend,” she trailed off. Normally, she jumped at the opportunity to sit down one on one with him, but she needed the weekend to give herself some pep-talks. She pretty much had all she needed to write an excellent article, she may have to give up her last week, because she just didn’t know if she could take being around him without falling to pieces.
“I have some shopping to do, also. We can go together, and chat while we’re at it,” he said, as if he’d come up with the perfect solution. She was trying to get away from him, not have him follow her. She didn’t want ordinary, everyday things, like shopping, to be associated with him.
“I’m sure you have far more important things to do, other than shop,” she said with what she hoped came out as a teasing smile, and not a pathetic one. When he used that smile on her, she wanted to fall at his feet. It was really difficult to keep her distance when the man used his charm. She could practically feel her toes curling, and her heartbeat was quickly accelerating. She’d never get over him if she couldn’t get control of her traitorous body.
“Nothing’s more important than working on your prize winning article,” he said with a twinkle in his eye. “Plus, it’s getting close to my Aunt’s birthday, so I need to look around for a present. If she’s not treated like a queen on her birthday, my Uncle will have a coronary,” he added with a laugh.
“You mustn’t bring down the wrath of your Uncle,” she said, not able to keep her own smile from appearing.
“I’m glad you understand.”
“I’m just going for groceries, so it wouldn’t be productive for you to come along,” she told him, walking toward the elevators.
“We can make a couple stops. You’ve been invited to the party, so you’ll want to pick up something, too. I can help you find the perfect item,” he told her, taking her arm in his. She had no choice but to come, other than throwing a tantrum.
“I don’t think I can make the party.”
“You don’t even know when it is,” he said with a knowing look on his face. He had her there. Unless she wanted to confess that it was killing her inside every moment they were together, she was trapped, and they both knew it.
“It’s a family thing…” she trailed off.
“Many friends are also invited. If there’s some reason you’d be uncomfortable around the family…”
“You have a great family,” she told him, honestly.
“Good, then it’s settled. I’ll pick you up,” he told her, keeping in step with her. She was starting to get irritated. He was always getting his way and it just wasn’t right. He needed people in his life who weren’t afraid to tell him no, and stick with it. She needed to be that person.
“I really do need to leave, now. I’ll see you on Monday,” she said firmly as she stepped out into the street. He stuck right with her. “Why are you still following me?” she finally huffed after several yards.
“We aren’t finished talking.”
“We can talk more on Monday,” she grumbled. He wasn’t easy to shake off.
“I suppose, but I was going to invite you to do something really great with me tomorrow,” he said evasively, which stopped her in her tracks. He had her curiosity peaked.
“What sort of something?” she reluctantly asked.
“You’ll just have to agree to come with me, then you’ll find out,” he told her with a wicked smile. He knew he had her curiosity peaked, but was it enough for her to once again cave into him. She was tempted to say no, but then she’d wonder the entire weekend what she was missing out on. She didn’t know what Max did on the weekends. He had many working weekends, but she knew this wasn’t one of them.
“Fine, you win, I’m curious,” she grumbled.
“Ah, those words are music to my ears,” he practically sang, making her almost regret her decision.
“Then I’ll see you tomorrow,” she said firmly. She wasn’t going shopping with him. She had to put her foot down at some point.
“Are you trying to avoid me, Cassie?” he asked as he crowded close to her. “Do I somehow scare you?”
Cassie’s stomach instantly tightened at his close proximity. If he bent down and kissed her, she knew she’d be lost, but at the same time, she couldn’t force herself to turn away from him.
“Not at all,” she finally got past her tight throat.
“Good to hear, I’ll see you tomorrow. Be ready by seven,” he said. He brushed her hair back, lingering on her neck. By his satisfied smile, she was sure he’d felt her rapidly beating pulse. Damn the man for his effect on her.
Cassie wasn’t happy as she climbed out of bed. Due to Max turning her inside out, she hadn’t slept more than a few hours, and her alarm went off much too early. She got up and ready by seven, with her doorbell ringing on time. She opened it, surprised by the stranger standing there. She really should check before opening her door. She’d just assumed it would be Max.
“Can I help you?” she asked a bit timidly.
“You’re Ms. McIntyre, right?” the man asked.
“Yes, and you are?”
“I’m a driver for Mr. Anderson. If you follow me, I’ll transport you,” he said, standing stiffly. She looked him up and down, and decided there was no way some stranger would know she’d made plans with Max the night before, so he had to be a real driver. She followed him down the stairs and climbed into the luxurious car. She could really get used to being chauffeured around.
They drove for about a half hour, then came to one of the older neighborhoods in the area. It was well maintained, but not a place she would’ve assumed Max would be hanging out in. She began to worry a bit. Then, the car pulled up at a house that was clearly under construction. The driver stepped out and held her door open. She climbed from the car, her brow puckered as she wondered why Max would have her brought there. It didn’t make any sense.
She heard someone call for more supplies and her head whipped around. That had sounded a lot like Max. Cassie’s mouth dropped open far enough she was sure bugs had a nice landing strip. There was Max, wearing a skin tight t-shirt, painted on jeans, and a hard hat. He took a rag and wiped his sweaty brow, and she about fell over.
