81 Sunday morning 3

It was few minutes before eight o'clock when Elizabeth stepped out on the main deck of Max's boat.

Max was still inside, getting his car keys and a wallet.

The weather was great. A light breeze from the ocean, a bright sun rising in the cloudless sky… it will be a perfect Sunday in June.

Elizabeth closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

When she exhaled, Max's arms sneaked around her from the back.

"I'm glad to see you smiling…", his husky voice rang close to her ear, giving her goosebumps.

Liz opened her eyes and craned her neck to look at Max. She was thinking how to respond and if any response is needed.

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A male voice came from the side: "I didn't know you bring girls here."

Liz felt that Max's body tensed behind her.

"I don't. I bring my girlfriend.", Max responded with hostility apparent in his voice.

Liz swallowed hard, did he just call her his… girlfriend? Nobody ever called her that. Well, Max did but it was a pretend-girlfriend, so she is not sure if that counts.

"Eh, a girlfriend?", the man could not hide his surprise.

Liz leaned slightly forward, to see from where is that voice coming. It's a shirtless young man, with a finely toned torso and a short dark brown hair, neatly styled to his right and few loose strands danced in the breeze. His elbows rested on the rail of the boat next to Max's and he was curiously observing Liz.

The man saw that Liz is looking at him and he waved while flashing a dazzling smile. "Hi there! I'm Tyler! And you are…?"

"None of your business.", Max answered before Liz could and pulled her to get off the boat.

Their destination is the parking lot, because they are heading home.

"Ah, Max!", Tyler protested. "I only wanted to know her name, not to steal her away… I will wait until you are done with her!", he ended with a shout.

Max ignored him. He held Liz's hand in his and walked in large strides, making Liz almost run after him.

"Who is that?", Liz asked when they entered Max's car.

Max understood that Liz is asking about Tyler. "No one important. Keep your distance from him."

Liz understood that other than Tyler being rude (his last comment), there is some history between Max and Tyler and that Max is not willing to share.

She stifled a laugh.

Max frowned. "What is funny?"

"A man like you warns me to keep my distance from another guy.", Liz responded dreamily while looking at the boats in the marina.

Max's frown deepened. He wanted to ask, what does she mean by 'a man like him'? Isn't he proving over and over again that he is treating Liz with respect? But he does not want to start that conversation, because it can go wrong in more than one way.

He started the car and drove away while thinking that he will need to work hard to improve his image in Elizabeth's eyes. Actually, Liz is aware of his image and she is also aware that he is treating her differently. What she said is the truth but that does not mean that he likes it. At the same time, it means that she knows about his playboy reputation and she still accepts him. That is a good thing, right?

Liz was blankly looking through the window while thinking about Max's behavior.

Elizabeth realized that when Max is too close, touching and hugging her, she is unable to think straight. But now there is some distance in-between them and her brain is working normally.

Why did he call her his girlfriend? It sounded… strange. She is not used to those things. And he is super-clingy. Is he going to insist on keeping her in the bed for half an hour every morning, or is that only on the weekend? Ah, if it's every day, that is three and a half hours a week, and she can do a lot of things in three and a half hours! Lazing in the bed for so long would be such a waste of time.

Liz held her breath and sank in her seat. Why did she assume that going forward she will sleep every night with Max?

Liz sighed while telling herself to loosen up or she will never have fun in her life.

Liz can't deny that she likes to spend time with Max, and he makes her feel safe and she does not mind when he holds her. His arms around her feel like a protective shield which will prevent any bad thing from reaching her. That is nice. And it does not matter if he says that she is his girlfriend or a friend or a neighbor. Those are just labels. As long as he does not interfere with her work, or does something she does not approve of, it's fine.

They stopped at one bakery and got breakfast for everyone, with an assumption that Mia and Brianna are there, and that Olivia will join as well.

Looking at the breakfast for five people (and few extra items), Max gave himself a silent thumbs up because he just secured himself a breakfast with Liz. That means he is not in any danger that she will send him into his apartment while she goes to spend time with her friends.

Ah, Brianna and Mia will leave today and then Elizabeth will be only his, starting with lunch!

Max's mind was spinning with all the possibilities. He does not plan to leave Liz's side, other than for work, of course. The more he sticks to her, the more she will relax around him. And the best part is the next weekend!

…

Max and Liz got into Elizabeth's apartment.

Olivia is still not there, and based on the absolute silence, it seems that Mia and Bri are sleeping.

Max placed bags with food from the bakery on the kitchen counter and went to make himself comfortable on the sofa in the living room while Liz started a big pot of coffee.

When the coffee is done, she will wake up Mia and Brianna so that they have time for a breakfast and a nice chat before they head to the airport.

Max expected Liz to sit by his side, but she just passed by. He grabbed her hand. "Where are you going?"

"To change clothes.", she responded.

They both showered on his boat and he got fresh clothes, but she is still wearing the ones from yesterday.

Max lifted his handsome eyebrow questionably. "You are leaving like that?"

Liz was not sure how to respond to this. "Uhm… To change clothes. I will be back in a minute."

Max's look told her that she is missing something. Important probably.

"What?", she asked.

"The one who leaves needs to kiss the one who stays.", Max said matter-of-factly.

"What?" Liz heard him, but she could not believe he said that.

Max pulled her toward him and in a second, Liz found herself lying on the sofa with Max on top of her.

He observed her face intently and licked his lips slowly before speaking: "As a dating expert… I am telling you that when you are the one who leaves, you need to kiss me. Even if you will be back in a minute. Don't you know that one minute without you is like an eternity?"

Liz's eyes widened for a second. She is not used to this sweet talk. But after a second she reminded herself that it's just a sweet talk. Liz wiggled under him. "You are heavy."

Liz yelped in surprise when Max flipped both of them and now she was on top of him.

She was happy that Max is not holding her tightly, so she pushed herself up into a seated position. But she realized her mistake when she felt his hands around her waist, holding her in place… and she is straddling him.

"Kiss, and then you can go." Max puckered his lips, indicating that is where he is expecting one.

Liz laughed seeing how childish his behavior is. Why is one kiss so important? He knows that she will kiss him on the cheek, right? "You are shameless."

"Mhm…", he hummed in confirmation with a sly smirk on his face which widened when he realized that Liz is coming down to kiss him.

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