So was he changing his mind? Who could blame him? She was probably sending mixed signals. Heck, she felt as if she was a mixed signal right now.
Oh, how her body craved his touch. She desperately wanted to feel his hardness inside of her. But not right here, in some…upscale motel. It just didn’t feel right. And she hadn’t seen him in over a month—at least not outside her private fantasies and online.
Maxine went over by the bed to sit down.
“It’s okay, Maxine. I’m not going to lie to you. I’ve wanted you the moment I laid eyes on you at the wedding. But I’m not a creep. I’m a gentleman—despite what you might have read about me in the tabloids.”
Maxine couldn’t help but break out into a smile. It was the way he said it. Charming. Humorous. Was he mocking himself? She always thought it attractive when a man could make light of his troubles. Good for Lucas.
She didn’t know if she could have such strength with people saying all sorts of stuff about her and just keeping a cool head about it as if it meant nothing. But such was the life of a celebrity, wasn’t it? Or at least someone in the public eye from time to time.
Speaking of public eye, Lucas was truly a man who could bring a whole lot of media attention. And there he was, in her motel room. Oh, heavens. Maxine could just see the headlines if anyone found out.
She swallowed hard. That would be disastrous. The last thing she needed.
“I know,” she said quietly, “I didn’t think you were a creep.” A charming gentleman and sex god, yes. A creep, no. Far from it. She was just terrified of the situation right now. Terrified of letting herself get to close to him only to find out that he didn’t want a long-term relationship. He was almost thirty and according to what she’d read or learned about him, he’d never really had a steady girlfriend. At least not since adulthood.
“I think, I’d better get changed,” she murmured softly. She didn’t know why she hadn’t thought of it sooner. There she was naked under a bathrobe and inches from the hottest man she’d ever laid eyes on. It was no wonder something almost happened between them.
“If you need to get ready for bed-”
“Oh, no. I’m not tired at all. I can’t sleep,” she spewed out quickly. Then she caught herself, feeling sheepish. Gosh, did she just come off as…desperate?
“I mean, I’m just going to change into some clothes. You know, street clothes.”
He grinned, a sexy boyish grin that dimpled his cheek and oh, she wanted to melt. “Should I leave?” he asked quietly, looking into her eyes. He stood erect with his head slightly tilted and his hands shoved in the pockets of his dress pants.
“Oh, no!” she said almost too quickly for her liking. She covered her face with both hands and giggled. “I mean, I’ll go and change in the bathroom.”
Moments later, Maxine emerged from the bathroom dressed in a black pair of leggings with a long fitted designer t-shirt. She wore her black soft leather sandals and grabbed her knitted cardigan from the chair. It was summer but the nights could be a little on the cool side with the breeze.
“You look stunning,” Lucas murmured, his look of approval warmed her heart.
“In this?” she growled. “You’ve got to be kidding.” Maxine cocked a brow.
“Now why wouldn’t you think you’re stunning?” Lucas smiled. “You see, you don’t even have to try.”
“I just thought you’d be more into super models. I’ve seen your girlfriends, you know,” she teased.
“Where? In the tabloids? That I've probably never even met?” Lucas grinned as he arched a brow.
Okay. He had her there. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to judge,” she flushed.
“Don’t be. Come, I’m taking you away from here.”
“Where to? I…I’ve already paid for my room.”
Lucas glanced around the compact room. “Do you really want to stay here?”
Maxine frowned. “Hey, listen, I may not have as much money as some people but a place like this isn’t half bad for someone who needs a roof over her head for the night.” She folded her arms across the chest. “Besides, I’m not going to just go to your place.”