Adam and Eva Read online

  Eva stared long at him. “I’m beginning to think you don’t know what love is, Adam Maxwell. That’s a real shame…for you,” she ended softly.

  Eva moved quickly past him and out onto the gallery. She took a deep breath of the cool night air, noting that the rain had stopped. Diane had made it to the sofa and was curled up in a childish ball fast asleep. Eva casually dropped the blue afghan from the back of the sofa over the sleeping form. Maxwell walked slowly over to stand and look down at his sleeping daughter. He carefully lifted her in his arms and carried her through the open French doors that led to Eva’s bedroom. While he put Diane on the bed, Eva let out a sigh of contentment, but one mixed curiously with alertness and wariness.

  They walked back into the other room and the gallery suddenly went dark as Maxwell turned out the light. Eva tried to see where he stood, but there was only a crescent moon that hadn’t risen high enough yet to allow her to. She turned and walked the length of the gallery, all the way to the end. The evening, for the most part, had been lighthearted and easy. But with it almost over and Diane asleep, a now familiar, threatening fear began to descend over Eva like a veil.

  She could feel Maxwell somewhere behind her, although he never made a sound on the carpeting. Eva stood silently near the railing to the gallery, looking out on the bay at night with the lights from anchored vessels like diamonds in the distance. Maxwell reached her, leaning against a support column.

  Maxwell’s hand came up to touch with warm fingers the back of her neck. Immediately Eva stiffened.

  “Easy…” Maxwell coaxed in a low, husky voice. Slowly Eva relaxed under the gentle massaging fingers. The slightly callused tips of his hand made sensuous little circles, and Eva was surprised at the gentleness. She was beginning to feel a soothing heat melt her limbs into soft pliancy.

  “The dinner was terrific,” Adam said in that comfortable low voice. “You’re a good cook. But then, I knew you would be.” There was the mocking tone now.

  “I suppose it fits the image you have of me,” Eva whispered ruefully, somewhat used to his ways by now. Her mind and senses continued to follow the large hand as the fingers slipped just inside the boat neckline of the sweater and began the massage of her shoulders. Maxwell didn’t answer her question.

  “Diane really likes you, you know that?”

  “I like her, too. She’s a nice friendly little girl.” Eva turned a little toward Maxwell, his hand remaining on her back. “But what you think of her is more important.”

  “I’m beginning to see that.”

  “I’m surprised you never noticed. It’s written all over her face.”

  There was the barest pressure on the back of Eva’s neck and shoulders as she found herself moving a step closer to Maxwell. And then another.

  “Maybe I wasn’t paying enough attention,” he said in low self-derision. “I guess I thought Diane came to visit because the divorce settlement said so. It was damned nice of the courts to allow me once-a-year rights to my own daughter,” he said, his voice gaining in anger. “She comes down once a year, and each year I feel as if I know her less and less…two weeks just doesn’t make it.”

  Eva felt gratified by the honest expression of feelings Maxwell had for his child. And she felt absurdly pleased that he now chose to talk honestly to her about them.

  “I know it’s hard. But she’s growing fast. You should talk to her, tell her as simply as you can how things are. She’ll understand, Maxwell.” Eva tried to see his eyes. “Your daughter loves you…”

  Eva found herself even closer to him, and Maxwell’s other hand came up to her shoulders. She was now standing right in front of him. “I swear, you must be a lawyer. If not then you should be. You argue a very convincing case.”

  His head was starting to bend toward her. Eva could hear his deep-chested breathing; she stood in anticipation.

  “I—I’m not arguing. And I only work in a law office…” Eva whispered. His lips were very near.

  “I was close…”

  “Common sense would have…Maxwell?”

  “Shh.”

  Their lips touched gently. Adam’s mouth rolled across Eva’s lips, moistening the curves with his tongue. His hands were slow but firm, gathering her close to his chest and thighs. A tingling began in her toes.

  Eva’s hands rose and were sandwiched between them spread over his chest. Under the palms she could feel his heartbeat. Maxwell pressed harder, and Eva opened her mouth giving him access.

  It was beginning again. Like the other night. Some other woman had taken over and she was willingly in his arms again. What had happened to her? Why was this so easy…and right? Eva liked kissing him, liked the feel and move of his mouth on hers. How long had it been since anyone had kissed her this way…? Oh, Kevin! I’m sorry! The kiss seemed endless. Her knees weakened. She leaned into him for added support.

  Slowly Adam’s hands were stroking her back. On the third trip down they came up under the loose hem of her sweater. Her skin at first shivered, then warmed to the touch. Maxwell’s hands slid sensuously up the side of her torso, the thumbs riding her rib cage until finally he encountered the soft underside of her breasts.

  Eva’s reaction was slower in coming this time, Adam’s kiss much more studied and seductive. Their mouths separated and he kissed her cheek.

  “Max…” she breathed against his throat. She didn’t struggle at all, but Adam let some space separate their warm bodies and Eva adjusted her sweater.

  “This sounds familiar…” Maxwell murmured.

  “That’s because it is.” Eva’s voice was a whisper and unsteady.

  “Eva, I know you enjoyed it as much as I did,” he added with a touch of impatience.

  “That’s beside the point.” She pushed at his chest to create more space.

  “Then what is the point?” he asked in a low growl.

  Eva looked up at him, into his ruggedly handsome face. This could happen again. She had set a precedent for Adam holding and kissing her. But she knew that Maxwell was not a man to just let it stop with holding and kissing. She looked seriously into his face hoping that he could see her eyes and her confusion.

  “I don’t know you. I don’t understand you all the time…” Her voice was still low.

  “I’m not all that complicated,” he responded, rubbing her shoulders.

  “And I’m not even sure that I like you!” Eva also confessed.

  “Just as long as you’re not positive.” Eva heard the amusement in his voice. It made her a little angry that he might not be taking her seriously in this instance. He put his arms around her waist and pulled her back to his chest. Eva’s hands came to try and keep the space between them.

  “No…stay here,” he commanded in a deep voice. Eva relaxed the taut muscles in her arms. Finally when she became less stiff, he let out a deep sigh and lightly kissed her forehead. The gesture surprised her.

  “Look…there isn’t very much to know.”

  Eva frowned, lifting her shoulders helplessly. “It’s—it’s more than that.”

  “What more?”

  She looked straight ahead to the opening of his shirt. With a forefinger she pressed through the opening to gently brush through the curly chest hair; it was so soft. She thought frantically how to put it into words. How do you tell a man that you’re afraid of the way he makes you feel, because you’ve never felt that way before…not even with your husband. How do you tell him you think you find it exciting, but please not to go so fast…and not to hurt you. How does one tell a man like Adam Maxwell that you don’t want to be treated like Lavona Morris, casually…and easily dismissed from thought, one day to the next.

  Eva let out a shallow sigh. She was dismally aware right now of her inexperience. She had no clear idea how to deal with Adam in this situation.

  “What more? I—I don’t know…” she lied, hating the sudden coward in herself.

  “What is it you want from me then?” he asked a little coldly.

&nb
sp; Eva looked up at him again. “Respect. No judging. No ridicule. No indifference…that’s all.”

  “Have I been so hard on you?” he questioned.

  Had he been? Their eyes held for a long, breathless moment. Once more she turned a direct answer away. “I don’t know what you want from me either, Maxwell.”

  Adam drew in a long breath and groaned in a decidedly suggestive manner. His large hands roamed over her shoulders and down her back. Again his hands took liberties, working their way under her sweater, sliding over the skin and making her hold her breath as he pulled her against him. “I don’t think you want to know,” he whispered.

  Eva gasped. “You’re impossible! You’re the most conceited, arrogant person I’ve ever met!” she said with feeling.

  He chuckled dryly. “I’ve been called worse.” Adam grabbed her chin in his hand and lowered his head to kiss her once more, silencing the words and warming the coolness of her tone.

  Eva realized that Adam Maxwell held a tremendous power over her, though she wasn’t sure he knew it. As she went soft in his arm and ended a halfhearted struggle, she also knew she’d have to work overtime not to lose control with him completely. But without ever being fully conscious of it, she was kissing him back just as eagerly, responding naturally. And the other thought she did not allow herself was that if Adam ever pressed her further, she may not really want to stop him.

  Adam drew back. Eva suddenly lamented her inability to see his face in the dark, to see his eyes. She wondered if he was at all as rattled as she was. “Ummm…your mouth is still very soft,” he murmured, resting his hands on her waist, “and your kiss is getting better.”

  “Kevin never complained,” Eva said dreamily, without thinking. Of course Kevin’s kisses had not been so thoroughly consuming. Maxwell was very quiet for a time. Then he released her completely and leaned against the pillar, crossing his arms. Eva felt his distinct withdrawal away from her. Not only physically, but emotionally as well. She was puzzled.

  “You must have had a good marriage to talk so easily about him now.”

  “We did,” Eva softly confirmed, although she made no mention of the off-and-on guilt she felt in allowing another man to touch her so intimately.

  “Well, I can’t say the same,” Maxwell whispered roughly. He pushed away from the pillar and moved around Eva to brace his hands on the low railing. She could just see the bunching of tensed muscles in his upper arms. He was all tight again.

  “Max?” Eva called, the shortened name slipping out unnoticed. She barely touched a hand to his shoulder. “Do—do you want to talk about it?”

  “No!” he responded, and Eva drew back at once. “You were right about one thing. You were luckier. My wife and I…well, it just didn’t work.”

  “That’s not altogether true,” Eva whispered. “You have Diane between you. There must have been some feeling there.”

  Maxwell’s head turned in her direction, and slowly he stood to his full height. His light eyes pierced the dark to see her, and Eva was sure they’d both communicated some basic thought and feeling to each other. He began moving toward her, and Eva’s heart began to pound, wondering what he had in mind as he reached out for her.

  There was a rustling in the dark and then Diane’s sleepy voice, “Daddy?”

  The magic spell starting to take hold of Maxwell and Eva was gone.

  “Daddy,” Diane called again.

  “I’m right here, Diane,” Maxwell said, but still looking at Eva. It was she who turned away first, and slowly walked over to where Diane was untwisting herself from the crocheted afghan.

  “Well…good morning!” Eva teased, smiling as the little girl stood in the bedroom doorway rubbing her eyes.

  “It’s not morning,” Diane said with just a touch of uncertainty in her voice.

  “No, it’s not,” her father agreed, coming forward to face her. “But it will be if we don’t get home.”

  “Ahhhhh! Do we have to? We just got here…I was having a good time!” Diane fussed.

  Eva laughed at that.

  “How would you know? You fell asleep!” Maxwell said caustically.

  “I’m glad you had a good time,” Eva inserted, “but I think your father is right.”

  Diane pouted.

  “Diane…” her father said in warning. Diane thought for a fast second, seeing the hard set to her father’s face.

  “Okay,” she said, making the right decision.

  “Maybe you’ll come again,” Eva suggested, but knew in her heart it was more for Maxwell’s sake than Diane’s that she said so. As if sensing the flow of her thoughts, Maxwell looked pointedly at her.

  “Maybe,” he said, his expression unreadable.

  “Goodnight, Eva,” Diane said, and surprised everyone when she came over to Eva and reached to kiss her cheek. “Thank you for dinner. It was good…even the bananas!”

  Eva smiled at her. “I’m glad you enjoyed it. Goodnight, dear.”

  Diane began heading down the stairs to the waiting Jeep. Maxwell faced Eva and put his hands in his pants pockets. Eva just looked at him, waiting for him to speak. She was suddenly remembering the first time they’d stood together on the gallery discussing Diane and had ended up in each other’s arms kissing with abandon. Eva blinked rapidly and looked down at her sandaled feet.

  “You know Carnival starts next week,” Maxwell said.

  “I know. It sounds as if it’s going to be quite an event,” Eva commented.

  “The people here love a chance to play music and get together to share food.” Eva nodded. Maxwell continued. “You might enjoy it. There’s music playing Thursday night down in Cruz Bay…”

  Eva took a deep breath and stopped him. “I—I know. I’m planning on going.”

  Maxwell frowned. “Alone?”

  Again she looked down at the green carpeting. “No…I’m going with someone.”

  “I didn’t know you knew people here,” Maxwell said skeptically.

  “Well…I don’t, really,” Eva said a little weakly.

  “Then whom are you going with?” Although his deep voice held genuine curiosity, there was also an underlying tone that sent a chill through Eva. It was almost censuring.

  “I met someone on St. Thomas several days ago.”

  Maxwell did stiffen and straighten now. But Eva was starting to feel put upon and indignant. Who was he anyway to question what she did?

  “You mean you picked up someone?” he said sarcastically, and it somehow washed away all the comfortable atmosphere that had existed between them all evening.

  “I don’t do things like that,” Eva said stiffly with a frown.

  “Oh? Then he picked you up?”

  Eva knew Adam was doing this deliberately. She let out a controlling breath. She wasn’t going to let Adam manipulate her.

  “He’s a local cabdriver. He was very nice and helped me with my luggage when I first came and wasn’t sure where to go. And the other day on St. Thomas when I lost…”

  “You don’t have to explain to me,” Adam said indifferently, half turning away.

  Eva watched him with amazement. “You’re right! You don’t rate an explanation!” Eva stood straight and crossing her arms over her small chest, glared at him. “Goodnight, Maxwell!”

  Adam tensed his jaw, letting his mouth tighten. He quirked a brow, letting his eyes sweep over her rather insolently. He never said another word as he turned and caught up to his daughter waiting below.

  Eva, who had never been given to cursing, tightly clenched her teeth and muttered “Bastard!” with a good deal of satisfaction under her breath. And then she almost immediately felt let down. She would have liked, above all things, to have gone to the festivities with Maxwell.

  Chapter Six

  Eva’s anger was just enough to last one full day, and it kept her away from Hawksnest and the possibility of seeing Adam Maxwell. By the end of the second day, it had burned itself out, but she remained home nonetheless.

>   Milly Decker stopped by to see how she was doing in the hillside house and stayed most of the afternoon to visit. That evening Eva drove into Cruz Bay for a lone dinner at one of the small, open-air, unpretentious restaurants and stayed to watch the feature film, which began at eight o’clock. It was about a hijacked New York City subway train. Eva thought the story, at worst, absurd, but it was entertaining and kept her from thinking of other things.

  Twice during the evening local men made attempts to gain her attention, but she was unresponsive and aloof, remembering how Maxwell had accused her of picking up Deacon Butler in St. Thomas. It annoyed her to some degree that she would restrict her responses based on what Maxwell thought, even though she doubted that the men were just merely being friendly. She certainly was not of a mind to be anything more. So she ignored them.

  When the movie was over, Eva followed the small crowd of people out of the restaurant. Some walked to nearby residences, while others headed for their cars or taxi services. It was as the crowd was thinning that she noticed Adam Maxwell. Eva immediately looked to see if Lavona was with him but could only pick out the small child frame of Diane walking next to her father.

  Eva had not seen them enter the restaurant and wasn’t really sure they’d even seen the movie, but she wasn’t prepared to face Maxwell yet. Eva slowed her steps to a stroll and moved in the shadows of the palm trees until Adam and Diane had climbed into their Jeep and headed out of town.

  The next day she played her radio very low and sat curled on the sofa of the gallery reading. A number of times there was a car on the road below her. She’d stiffen momentarily, half expecting one of the cars to be Adam’s. But it never was. So the following day when she was prepared for more of the same solitude, she was truly surprised when a car did stop below and there was the sound of footsteps climbing toward her.

  Eva was seated at the circular counter space drinking iced tea and writing a letter when Maxwell reached the gallery. She turned her head at his approach and then was on her feet in total wonder. Maxwell stood before her in a pair of white drawstring pants of a lightweight cotton and a royal-blue tank shirt with white piping around the sleeves and neck. The whole length of his muscular arms was exposed, as well as a band of his stomach, visible below the hem of his shirt. They stood for a moment silently watching each other, Eva now self-conscious in the black halter swimsuit she wore under a pair of very brief white shorts. Her round feminine curves were shown off to their best advantage in the black suit, and the brevity of the shorts made her legs seem longer than they were. She’d not bothered curling her hair since her first few days on the island, and the short haircut was now layered straight and flat, pixie fashion, down her forehead and the sides of her face.