Chapter 16 #2
“Lila, Lila, Lila…” Leaning close to her ear, he whispers, “You’re a lot naughtier than you look. What else besides spicy books?”
The arm around her tightens, anchoring her in place, while his other hand slides across her lap and begins a slow ascent up her thigh.
The creeping motion sends a chill down her spine.
His fingers trace gentle circles over the fabric of her dress, teasing a soft gasp from her lips as she struggles to keep her composure.
“Um, I also like to bake from time to time… though I haven’t done much of that since moving here. Everything’s gotten so expensive.”
“I’ve heard eggs are practically a luxury item now,” he murmurs, his lips grazing her ear. The sensation makes her eyes squeeze shut, a shiver rippling through her as the feeling shifts from ticklish to something far more dangerous.
“And what’s your favorite thing to bake?” he asks, his voice low and teasing.
He loves watching her squirm.
The knitted black dress she’s wearing reaches down to her calves, modest in length, but offers little protection against the growing heat of his touch. His hand hasn’t crossed any lines yet, but its deliberate inching is making her nerves spike.
“Cakes… cookies… a little bit of everything.”
He pauses, his smirk brushing her temple. “Would you like to know anything about me?”
“What do you like to do for fun, Max?” she asks, forcing herself to keep her voice even.
“Reading, as previously stated. Sailing. Although it’s starting to get a little too cold for that right now,” he answers, his tone wistful.
She’s almost astonished by how composed he sounds despite the way his hand roams boldly. He squeezes her upper thigh, and his thumb brushes against her covered center, drawing a soft, frustrated mewl from her lips.
“Traveling,” he continues, as if nothing is out of the ordinary. “Especially to places where I can go diving.”
“Diving? Like, in the ocean?” she asks, her voice breathless, strained even to her own ears.
He leans down, his breath teasing the sensitive skin of her neck. “Yeah. Have you ever tried it?”
She tries to lean away, but his arm around her keeps her locked in place. Shaking her head, she answers softly, “No. I don’t know how to swim,” careful to keep the tremor in her voice from giving her away.
“I’ll teach you,” he assures her. “And you should bake me something. I’d love to try something from Lila’s Bakery.”
Maybe he’s already forgotten this could be their last time together, but she holds back from reminding him, not wanting to spoil the moment.
“Sure thing,” she replies softly.
To her relief, his wandering hand finally stills, resting lightly on her upper thigh.
Her head leans against his shoulder as the hard lines of the city slowly dissolve into a soft blur of towering trees and yellowing leaves.
The quiet hum of the car and the gentle rustle outside create a rare moment of calm.
He scrolls through emails on his phone, his focus distant, while the world outside drifts by in serene slow motion.
Eventually, they arrive at an impressive stone building perched atop a hill, overlooking the tranquil waters of a lake. Water cascades softly from elegant fountains, mingling with lush greenery that frames the winding driveway.
After stepping out of the car, Max watches as Lila takes in their surroundings. Her hazel eyes widen, sparkling with awe at the breathtaking scene before them. The catch of her breath and the slow, radiant smile spreading across her face captivate him, making the moment feel even more enchanting.
So cute, he thinks as he studies the awe shifting across her face.
As they enter the restaurant, she anticipates a bustling dining room filled with impeccably dressed patrons, silently hoping her outfit doesn’t appear too casual amid such elegance.
Instead, to her surprise, they are greeted by an intimate setting, empty save for themselves and a warmly welcoming host dressed entirely in black.
While Max confirms their reservation, she scans the sleek, modern establishment, taking in its luxurious décor and polished surfaces.
Soft, warm lighting heightens the air of sophistication that envelops them.
She has never experienced such elegance firsthand, having only glimpsed places like this in movies and pictures.
They are ushered into a spacious dining room adorned with impeccably set tables and guided to an intimate corner.
From their vantage point, they admire the lush greenery and the tranquil lake below, nestled just beneath the cliff’s edge.
The setting sun paints the sky in hues of soft yellow and deep pink, casting a mesmerizing glow over their surroundings.
“Did you… book out the whole place for just the two of us?” she asks.
“I’m not fond of being around people,” he says with a slight shrug, then quickly changes the subject. “How was your day?”
“Um, it was okay. I worked on this painting I started a while ago, but I’m having a hard time deciding where to take it next.”
“You paint?”
“A little here and there, just to keep from getting rusty,” she admits as a server approaches and pours them wine.
“That’s nice. Do you have a picture of it?”
She stiffens momentarily, and he notices.
The only paintings she has photos of are the ones she obsessively created of Jake.
She doubts showing those on a date would go over well.
Doing her best to appear nonchalant, she answers, “I don’t usually take pictures of my paintings.
But maybe I should start. I’ve been thinking about selling some online.
” She takes a small sip of her wine. “How about you? How was your day?”
“Busy,” he replies, his tone suddenly cold.
“Oh.”
An awkward silence settles between them.
This isn’t good.
She racks her brain for something—anything—to say.
“What’s your favorite place to go diving?” she asks, taking another quick sip of wine to ease the tension.
“Raja Ampat for corals, and the Galápagos for larger marine life—whale sharks, different rays, sea turtles… There are also penguins.”
“You swam with penguins?” Her eyes light up with genuine interest. “That sounds pretty magical. But the ocean seems kind of scary.”
“It can be, with the ever-changing waves and currents,” he says, smiling thoughtfully.
“But there’s also a surreal calm. It’s beautiful and vibrant beneath the surface.
Coral reefs are full of life. You’ve got to see them at least once before they all get bleached.
” He looks at her with a twinkle in his eyes.
“At certain times of day, when the sunlight filters just right through the crystal-clear water, the underwater world takes on an ethereal glow.”
“I’d be scared of the sharks,” she says after a moment’s thought. His description of the ocean had been unexpectedly poetic. She imagines herself floating in the middle of it on an inner tube and frowns. The thought of doing it willingly makes her uneasy.
“I’d say people are scarier than sharks, Lila. Besides, sharks tend to leave humans alone. They don’t associate us with food,” he explains.
“Are you saying I could be scarier than a shark?” she asks with a smirk.
“You’re absolutely terrifying,” he teases, a radiant grin spreading across his handsome face.
“Max Cooper. Diver of deep seas and defender of sharks,” she muses aloud with a laugh. “Sounds cool, but also a little dorky.”
The tension between them dissolves as she watches him chuckle. Hearing Max speak so passionately about diving and sharks makes him seem… less super-villain-y.
“Well, as long as you like it,” he says with a small smile. “Though I don’t think most guys would want the woman they’re interested in to think they’re dorky.”
“Take it or leave it,” she teases, though her heart skips a beat at his offhand confession.
17
“So, your grandmother isn’t too fond of you being here,” Max says, his tone carrying a hint of amusement as he leans casually against the elevator wall.
Chewing a piece of gum, he glances sideways at Lila with a twinkle in his eyes.
He’s learned some details about her from Gunther, but it’s nice to hear them straight from her.
“No. She’s always been overly protective. I knew she wouldn’t have let me go and would’ve thrown a fit. So, for a whole week, I started packing my things little by little in secret. And then I just left…”
Then, with a remorseful expression, she adds, “I basically ran away without telling her. I didn’t answer her calls until I was fully settled a couple of weeks later.
I knew that if I picked up even once, she might have talked me into packing everything up and going back.
She called me, like, a gazillion times.”
“A gazillion!” he repeats, amused, and she feels a twinge of embarrassment at how juvenile it sounds when echoed back to her.
“Well, I’m glad you took the risk and came here,” he says, flashing her that boyish smile that never fails to make her blush and set her heart racing.
Despite the awkward start, Max proved himself a charming conversationalist. As they dined, the conversation flowed more smoothly, especially after the first course had arrived.
Still, looking at him now, Lila can’t shake the feeling that it all feels somewhat superficial.
Max remained highly guarded throughout dinner, offering only the barest glimpses into his personal life.
His answers to her questions were vague, almost evasive, and he seemed far more intent on steering the conversation back toward her, probing about her childhood and her current living arrangement with Claire.
She figures the idea of sharing a cramped apartment with a roommate, of growing up dirt poor, probably intrigues him because he’s never had to live anything close to that reality.
The elevator ride takes longer than expected, though that shouldn’t surprise her, considering they’re headed all the way up.