Hide and Seek (3 page)

He'd probably turn into an ice statue before she wavered, but he wouldn't return to Aspen. Nope, he'd made up his mind, and he was a stubborn man at best. He refused to leave, refused to give up.

As he paced, the snow continued to dump from the sky. Maxim hated the weather in Colorado, but, for once, maybe the cold wasn't such a bad thing.

He plopped down in the snow, well aware of the fact that he didn't have on the ugly, puffy pants the ski shop had insisted he needed, or the coat. He rolled around, covering himself in wet, cold snow.

Elisa might have a heart of stone when it came to men, but not when it came to the human race. Always out to save the world, she wasn't a murderer by any stretch. He knew damn good and well the sweet woman wouldn't leave him out here to freeze to death, especially not soaking wet in what appeared to be a blizzard.

Lying down, he yanked off his hat and thrashed around in the snow. She could hate and deny him all she wanted, because damn it, he was going to make her feel sorry for him. Make her feel guilty. A couple more hours like this, and not only would she be opening the door, she'd be warming him up.

D
one
with crying, past being vulnerable, Elisa tossed a chunk of wood in the hearth, hugging herself as she enjoyed the heat radiating from the blazing fire. She
really
shouldn't feel sorry for Maxim. It was his fault he was freezing. His fault he was here in the first place. He hadn't dressed properly. Hadn't brought food. He didn't even know how to ski. How was she responsible for that? For the weather?

Oh no, she had no reason to feel guilty at all. Except here she was, warm, toasty, and he looked like he was turning into an Eskimo.

The sky had dumped snow on them for a good hour; it had quickly amounted to several inches. The weather station was calling it a nasty storm, predicting two feet of accumulation before the blizzard moved on in the morning.

Maxim should've listened to her and returned to Aspen. He would have, if he were smart. But he hadn't budged. Instead, he'd curled in a pathetic ball of red skin and shivers on her front porch. Occasionally he knocked, pleading that he couldn't ski in the snow, the dumbest thing she'd ever heard.

Maxim was determined to stay; she was just as determined to see him go. Unfortunately, for all his whining, he had more spine than her. He was winning their little battle of wills.

She couldn't ignore him any longer. Mind you, Maxim wouldn't succeed in getting in her panties, but she would let him inside the cabin, let him warm up and feed him. For the night. That was it.

Crossing the great room decorated in earthy tones and hideous animal heads her father had collected over the years, she walked to the front door and placed her hand on the gold knob.

Unprepared to open her home to him just yet, she drew a deep breath and commanded herself to get bitchy; she'd need all the resistance she could muster to withstand his advances. She knocked once on the closed door to get his attention and then hollered through the wood, “Did you dress like a fool on purpose?”

“The puf-puff-puffy coat the ski ra-ra-rental company gave me w-w-was hideous” was Maxim's pathetic response. “N-n-not to m-m-mention uncomfortable.”

He'd freeze to death rather than dress properly? For fashion? Yeah, she believed he was a changed man.
So grown up.
Her grip on the knob loosened. She should leave him out there just on principle.

“Maxim, not everything in life is about looking and feeling good, you know. One would think you'd have grown out of that juvenile idealism by now,” Elisa mocked. “You've got money. If you didn't like the store's options, why not go somewhere else? Buy something fashionable and comfortable and expensive, if you were going to be this persistent? I mean, the more cash you spend, the more impressive of a guy you are, right?”

“W-we
aren't
in college anymore, Elisa and for your information, I was in a rush, and don't think I'm so shallow that I wouldn't have worn the coat had I expected it to get this cold or thought that I'd be outside this long. I'm from Egypt, for Christ sakes. I didn't know what to expect. The weather really wasn't all that cold at first, so I left the extra clothing behind. When I started for your cabin, I was moving around and the sunshine actually made it a little warm.”

Elisa bit her lower lip. He was still a jackass, but he had a point. “Yes, Aspen is known for its warm sun. Doesn't make the air any less cold, though.”

Guilt suffused her. Was she judging him too harshly? Maxim wasn't an outdoorsy man. While he was an American, his parents had raised, or rather, pampered him in Egypt, a much warmer climate. That didn't make him less of a man…or a slimeball, tracking her down like he had. But the fact that he'd braved the freezing wild and put on skis when he never slid his feet in a pair before, all for her, was more than masculine. It was remarkable. And sexy.
And stupid,
the rational part of her brain reminded her.

“Y-y-yeah, well, my take on things has changed. I didn't expect the shade from the pine trees would be so ch-chilling. I didn't expect it to snow. And I never imagined…”

She heard a scuffle as he stood and the sound of his hand resting on the outdoor knob. Elisa clenched the cold metal, imagining a connection between the two of them. “Never imagined what?”

“That you'd be this difficult.”

“I must admit, you've impressed me, Maxim.” She smiled. “You're going to an awful lot of trouble to screw me. It won't work…but your efforts are commendable. I never saw it coming, not from you.”

“That's because you have the wrong idea about me.” His teeth-chattering dissolved, and his voice lowered, became smoother, more seductive. Elisa immediately felt the change in herself. She could easily fall for his charm, if she let herself.

That couldn't happen!

Fortifying the rock wall around her heart, she turned her tone to ice. “I doubt that.”

“I didn't come here to fuck you, Elisa. I came here because I still feel—because I want you. Because I always have. And from what I've seen from you today, you feel the same way about me.”

Sure, she'd thought he was hot, back in college.
In college.
She'd also thought he was an asshole.

“Oh, Maxim, you always knew how to talk to a female,” she said with contempt, rolling her eyes.

“Elisa, I saw you crying. I know you're hurting. Stop playing this hard-ass role and be real, sweetie,” he drawled, his voice rich with persuasion and his foreign accent. “Let me comfort you. We'll talk. Nothing more.”

Damn, she could fall, so hard, so fast. But she wouldn't.

“Oh, you're good.”

“I'm not playing you, Elisa. I'm s-s-serious. Come on, it's cold and I want to speak to you face-to-face.”

“Suddenly Mr. Sexpot has turned into Mr. Sappy? I don't buy it.”

He jiggled the knob in response and she seized it in her grasp.

“F-fine. M-m-mock me. Believe what you want. Christ, I must have lost my mind.” His hand dropped from the door, his voice fading as he walked away, going into a fit of cursing she could barely hear. She pressed her ear against the door and listened. “Shit! Damn it! I go through all this freaking crap, and for what? Why? FUCK! Okay, get it together, Maxim. Ughh…!” Several moments passed, followed by, “Not interested. Damn. She's obviously not interested. S-shit, it's cold. I should get home.”

His self-flagellation made her half smile, half agonize. Did she actually
want
him to stay? Crud! She was crazy too!

A minute or two stretched on and she worried he was leaving. Suddenly, he yelled, his scream echoing off the mountainside. “Fine! I'll just sit out here and freeze.”

She chuckled, almost glad he was sticking it out. Almost believing he did want more than to screw her.

“You know I won't let you freeze,” she hollered, her fingers toying with the lock.

“I'm still out here,” he grunted, footsteps bringing his voice closer.

“I'm still thinking.”

“Well, how long does it take?”

“I didn't exactly expect you to show up and interrupt me in the middle of…” The thought of him watching her as she fucked herself with that damned dildo made her face blaze. Just as quickly, visions of his hands commanding the piece of rubber flitted though her mind, instantly heating her loins. Her cunt quickened, desire gushing forth.

Again, his hand rested on the knob. “Is that why I'm still out here? You're embarrassed?”

“Wouldn't you be?”

“Elisa, I think you are so beautiful. Watching you was beautiful. I want to see more, I want to hold you—”

She swallowed, knowing he was so close. Much more sweet-talking and she'd melt into a pitiful, pathetic puddle, she'd let him in, let him fuck her, let herself be hurt. “Here we go again. Sap. Sap. Sap.”

“Would you stop that? Damn.” He wriggled the knob. “Just let me in and I'll prove myself.”

Prove himself? Yeah right.

She was the one that needed to do the proving. Creamy need trickled down her inner thigh and she clenched her vaginal muscles. Talk about insane! How could she even be considering letting him in? If he touched her, she could never withstand his advances.

So much for being a bitch. In control.

One asshole was all she needed to make a fool of her in a lifetime and Derrick had filled that role. To the hilt. Yet, she wasn't one hundred percent sure Maxim was lying. Maybe he had come here for her and not just sex.
Maybe.

Or maybe he was a damn good talker.

Yeah, but who crossed halfway around the globe just to get fucked?

Not Maxim, that was for sure. Yet, he had. For her.

If a guy could get to her this easily, she was hopeless. Lizzy was so right. She needed to stop letting men control her desires. She needed to be in charge of her body. Her yearnings. She needed to be powerful, not only over her physical cravings, but over him. Over men in general. Reclaim her self-confidence, her shattered feminine power.

If she could do that, if she could be the stronger, more dominate partner, then surely no one, even the likes of Maxim, could hurt her.

She wasn't letting him in because she couldn't help herself. No, absolutely not. He was here, they might as well reminisce. She was strong enough to handle that.
That's
the way it should be.

She straightened her spine; standing taller made her feel bigger. “You really want me to believe you came here for more than sexual gratification?”

“Yes,” he reiterated, trapping himself.

She smiled with satisfaction. “Then you can prove it.”

“How?”

“You can come in, but don't touch me. One advance and I'll kick you out into the snow so fast you won't know what hit you.”

To her surprise, he laughed. “Open the door.”

“Swear it,” she demanded.

“I swear.”

Mentally fortifying herself, Elisa unlocked the door and stepped back.

H
ere
goes nothing
. Gingerly holding the door open, Elisa invited Maxim inside, feeling as if she were welcoming the devil himself into her home. “Remember, don't try anything.”

I can do this. I'm in control, not Maxim,
she promised herself.

Standing, Maxim brushed the snow from his clothes and granted her a lopsided, cocky smile. He shuddered, stomping the ice from his boots. “Thank God you've come to your senses.”

His intense eyes devoured her and heat rose to her cheeks. Clutching the door, she thought about slamming it in his face.

How could she do this? How on earth could she be at ease around him after he'd caught her masturbating? She couldn't even look him in the eye.

“Yes, I
have
come to my senses,” she replied, mentally reminding herself that if she wanted to be strong, she should start by being confident. “The last thing I need is a dead, frozen Mr. Cox on my front porch. The paparazzi would have a field day with me. Again.”

“Ouch.” He stepped inside, looking around before his eyes once again settled on her, making her feel exposed and raw. “I'm surprised—but damn glad—to find you have electricity this far out. Running water too?”

“Of course. My father paid a pretty penny to ensure this cabin was comfortable, but secluded, which was exactly why I chose to come here. I wanted to be
alone
.”

“Yet you're allowing me to come in.”

“You haven't exactly given me a choice, now have you?” She crossed her arms. “Now that you're here, and refusing to leave, it was either let you freeze or let you in.”

Their eyes connected, and he stared so deeply into hers that she swore she could see something beyond the cockiness and sexual prowess he was known for. Haunting emotion. A hunger.

As if knowing he'd revealed too much, he ripped his gaze away, striding further into her temporary home.

“You must be cold.” She followed behind him. “I'll stoke the fire. You need to take those wet clothes off.”

“Here?” he chuckled. “In a rush to get to the goods, baby?”

“Yes,” she joked. “Let's go. Now.”

“Now?” he growled in a low voice. “In front of you?”

“Yes.” She strived to keep her words even, to play it cool. “Don't so much as leave a sock on.”
Good grief!
Had she really just said that? “But don't you dare think about touching me. Remember your promise.”

“That's no fun.”

“When have I ever been fun?”

“I don't know. I always thought you could be entertaining.”

“Yeah, when you were making fun of me.”

He looked taken aback. “What? I didn't—”

“Sure you did. When your eyes weren't roaming.” Her tone dripped with sarcasm. “Come with me. I'll get you a robe.”

A
short while later, Maxim was wrapped in a warm, terry cloth robe that was entirely too small on him, and standing before the fire. The heat seared his chilled skin and his shaking calmed.

He'd never been so cold. Nor had he ever acted so crazy.

And he'd done some insane shit.

He knelt on the stone base of the hearth. Pulling back the screen, he picked up a log and laid it on top of the glowing embers. The movement caused the short robe to pull up, leaving his ass hanging out. Uselessly, he attempted to tug the fabric back in place, then gave up. He held out his hands, practically placing them in the fire in an attempt to ward of the chills possessing his body.

“Maxim?” Elisa walked from the kitchen holding a steaming cup.

Crap!
Quickly, he scrambled to sit flat on his butt. He didn't need to expose himself to her so she could get the wrong idea. Again.

“Feeling better?” She handed him the cup and he wrapped his hands around it. He stared at the bag floating in the amber liquid. Tea. Not coffee, but good enough.

“Come sit next to me.”

Casting him a hesitant look, she parked herself on the couch.

“Oh, come on. I don't have cooties,” he chuckled. But it wasn't funny. The woman was so indifferent to him, Maxim was certain the trip out here had been a waste. “You aren't going to make me shout across the room, are you?”

“Yes.” Her voice was unnecessarily cool.

“Elisa.” He tilted his head to the side, staring at her, analyzing her. “Please.”

Finally, a smile…small, doubtful, but a smile all the same.

“When you put it that way.” She blew out a frustrated puff of air. “But no funny business.”

Standing, she moved to the bearskin rug laid out in front of the fireplace and sat cross-legged. “They say if the storm slows down, it could snow all through the night. Nearly two feet before it's all over.”

“Mmmm…” He nodded. “I've no idea how I'm going to get out of here.”

“I guess I'm stuck with you.”

Maxim set the cup down and took her left hand in his. So soft, so small.

She tried to jerk free, but he held tight. “I won't bite.”

“I'm not so sure about that,” she ground out. “I said no funny business.”

She was shaking, clearly scared of him. Or angry. He couldn't believe it. Didn't like it. He turned her hand to the side, torn inside as he took in the sight of the scar that maimed her beautiful skin. The scar that he'd created.

Damn his libido. His immaturity.

Fake tits.

“I'm sorry.” He leaned down and softly kissed the old injury. He closed his eyes, relishing the fact that she was no longer pulling away. “I know I said it before, but I want you to know I really mean it. I was a dumb kid.”

Something flashed in her eyes. Shock? Satisfaction?

“Okay,” she responded quietly. “I won't argue with that.”

He kissed her scar again, lingering this time. His tongue flicked out, tasting her. If only he could erase the pain of the past with his mouth, as children often believed injuries could be healed. But he couldn't.

He looked at her and she smiled, revealing pearly white teeth. Retrieving her quivering hand, she gazed up at him, and it took all his willpower not to kiss her senseless despite her dumb rule. “Stupid as I was, I sensed something wonderful in you.”

Elisa raised a brow, looking doubtful. “Despite the absolute dork I was.”

“My turn not to argue.”

“Hey!” She play-slapped him, just like she had so many times while in the lab. Back then, she couldn't seem to keep her hands to herself. “Should have shot you when I had the chance.”

“Yep, guess you should have. Glad you didn't though.”

She grinned. Suddenly, the tension filling the air disappeared. Her laughter was playful, lighthearted. Dizzying.

She shook her head. “I really oughta beat some sense into you.”

“I'd deserve it.” Hell, he'd take her hands on him any way he could get them.

“I can't believe you just said I'm a dork! Don't you know a man should never agree with a lady when she puts herself down?”

“I should know that, given my experience with women.”

“Yeah.” Awkward silence took over. Her lips turned down in seriousness as she studied him. “I don't get you, Maxim. It's been a long, long time, and out of the blue you show up here, professing to want me.”

“I know. It's weird.” He picked up his tea, taking a sip of the minty herbal blend. The warm, soothing liquid poured down his throat as he debated what to say. Even he didn't fully understand
why
he was here. His growing lack of interest in the opposite sex had been bad enough, but after seeing that tabloid, something in him had flipped. “Let's just say I'm bored with life. Regretting certain decisions.”

“So you came to me?”

Maxim shrugged. “I always feel differently when I'm around you.”

“Differently?”

“I can't explain it.” How could he, when he didn't understand it himself? All he knew was that he could no longer face a future filled with meaningless flings and parties. It seemed they just didn't do it for him anymore.

Whoa. Wait a sec. A
future
? What was going on in that head of his? He didn't come after Elisa to create some sort of future. He didn't intend to have a future with any woman.

He just needed a break from his normal lifestyle.

“My God. Maxim, it almost sounds like you're going to say you're in love with me.” Elisa swallowed deeply. “But of course not. That's ridiculous.”

Love?

“No!” He leapt to his feet and started pacing. “NO. Of course not.”

“Then you are here for sex.”

“Yes,” he spat out without thinking. “No. I mean…crap. What am I saying? I thought maybe…maybe you could give me a second chance on that date I blew.”

He'd be lucky if she didn't boot him back into the snow.

For a second, she looked pissed again. “Why?”

“Just to see. You know…” He stopped pacing and knelt down next to her. Taking her chin in his hand, he looked her in the eye. “I don't care about the sex, okay, Elisa?”

“No.”

“No?”

N
o?
What was she saying?

Elisa hesitated, not sure how to answer, not even positive what she'd meant. When Maxim had kissed her hand, he'd done her in. He hadn't been here an hour, but all of the old feelings she'd had for him had come rushing back. The desire. The interest. The way she tingled when they touched.

The way she wanted to smack some damn sense into him.

What now? Did she take her “no” back? Pretend she'd made a mistake?

Or stick with her initial, gut reaction?

What
did
she want from Maxim?

She'd promised herself she'd be strong, bitchy even, and strong, bitchy women didn't run. They faced their weaknesses. Smashed them down.

Even when their weaknesses were currently wearing a robe half his size and they didn't know how to cross their legs.

God, he had a big dick.

Maxim's fingers moved along her jaw, making her shiver with white hot need. “No, Elisa?”

Oh yeah, her flame had been relit. Fire sparked between them, combustible. After seeing that cock, her dildo seemed like a joke.

Elisa nodded slowly. “No.”

“What do you mean, no? You want to have sex with me?”

Yeah, she wanted him. And why shouldn't she have him?

Wasn't it weaker to avoid men, to avoid her feelings, to run and hide away? Screw those sex toys. She needed to learn to control her feelings, to control men. Most importantly, to control
them
without letting them control
her
.

What better victim to practice on?

She pulled his hand away, moving onto her knees. Her chest brushed against his and sensations shot through her nipples. She exhaled deeply and squeezed her eyes shut.

Her interest in him was too piqued to turn back now. She wanted, needed, to know what Maxim had to offer. What she'd missed out on all those years ago.

“I meant
no
, no sex between us, but I do want you to touch me, pleasure me,
just
me.” She felt as if someone else was speaking the words, feeling incapable of following through with them, but knowing it was do or die; play or be played. “Make me climax. Any way I ask for it.”

“Pleasure you?” His face lit up as he reached around her and seized her ass, squeezing as he pulled her tight against him. “Happily.”

A nervous shudder shook her. She was so in over her head, but she refused to sink. Not this time. Not with this man. Not again.

Nope, this time she wasn't the fool.

He was.

She grabbed his hands and yanked them from her ass. Rising to her feet, she stood and looked down at him. “But if you really, truly want to prove yourself to me, then you give me orgasms without having any yourself. You cannot fuck me. You cannot attempt to relieve yourself. You obey my rules, or—”

“What?” The look on his face said it all. “Rules? Are you kidding?”

“Absolutely not. Men are pigs. Selfish, greedy, betraying swine, and I'm through with them. Think you can convince me otherwise?”