116 Don't leave my side

On the beach, Zack stood up and gave Liz her phone to check the photos he took. That was Max's cue to approach them.

Max didn't want to go there before they finished because he does not want to appear like a jealous boyfriend. Of course, he does not like that two young men are close to Liz, especially when she is wearing only a bikini, but they were obviously respectful, and he knows that Liz will not flirt with random guys even if she is facing the sexiest man alive.

As soon as Max was out of the earshot, Hunter turned to McKenzie.

\"Zi, don't push your luck.\"

\"Did I say something wrong?\", she asked innocently.

\"You don't know Max. When he falls for someone, he is a goner and he is not a man who will tolerate a third wheel.\", Hunter warned McKenzie.

\"What does that mean?\"

Hunter was getting irritated that McKenzie is feigning ignorance. But he still decided to lay it out in the open, like this she will run out of excuses how she was not aware of the consequences.

\"It means that no matter what Elizabeth does, Max will not stop looking her way. And if you try to get between the two of them, he will remove you.\" Hunter also has a question of his own: \"Why did you order dinner to their room last night?\"

Hunter saw that McKenzie stared at him, silently asking him how he knows about it. He shook his head in disapproval and went to join Mia, hoping that McKenzie got the message.

McKenzie balled her hands into fists. She was humiliated! First, Max ignored her by not saying a word to her and now Hunter told her that Max will remove her? Well, other than introducing Elizabeth and the small chat next to the bonfire, Max treated her like she does not exist.

McKenzie clenched her teeth while thinking how normally Max would talk to her and ask her what she is up to… Hmph! It's all that girlfriend's fault!

What's up with that warning from Hunter? Yeah, right… like Max will do something to her? Was that supposed to be intimidating?

McKenzie frowned while wondering, how did Hunter find out about that call? McKenzie knows that it was childish and done in the moment of jealousy, but she could not stand the idea of Max and Liz getting all lovey-dovey so she ordered a room service for them because that will interrupt them. Did they investigate to see who placed the order? Who has the time to investigate a wrongly placed order?

\"Zi, are we going up?\", Oliver's voice pulled McKenzie from her thoughts.

\"In a minute.\", she responded grumpily while observing Max's handsome back as he moved away from her.

On the beach…

Liz saw Max approaching and her lips curled up subconsciously. There is that magnetic gaze, enchanting smile and confidence which is breathtaking. The more she looks at him, the more handsome he is. She is happy that she got a good look at his toned torso earlier. If she didn't, she would be gaping at him now. Or maybe she is gaping… maybe.

She will not deny that Max-freaking-Anderson is super-hot. The fact that he is wearing only swimming trunks is adding extra umami to the already delicious man.

With every step Max takes closer to her, Liz feels like there is less oxygen in the vicinity. Is she going to pass out? She forced herself to look away, because she was dizzy.

Liz saw that Zack is about to leave. \"Zack, can you take another photo, pleeeeaaaase?\"

\"Sure.\", Zack responded. He is already there, it will be weird if he refuses.

\"Great!\" Liz grabbed Max's hand excitedly. \"Me and my boyfriend.\"

Liz's declaration of Max as her boyfriend made Max's heart jump in joy. It never gets old. He was in such a good mood that he didn't object no matter what pose Zack requested.

Zack snapped few photos of Max and Liz and then few of Mia and Hunter.

\"Zack is a famous photographer.\", Liz told Max when Max commented how the photos are great. Well, he finds them great because his girlfriend (aka Elizabeth) is on them. Everything related to her is great.

Zack cleared his throat awkwardly. \"Not really famous. I just started.\"

\"Everyone starts somewhere.\", Zack's friend chimed in. \"He scored his first big shoot for a fashion magazine. That is why we are here, otherwise we would never be able to afford this place…\"

They found out that Zack's chatty friend is his assistant, Lenny. Lenny is actually Zack's friend from high school, and he tagged along because Zack can't afford a real assistant. Lenny agreed to come with Zack and help out for a free stay at this resort (because photographer gets to bring one assistant). They had a photoshoot early that morning, and another one is scheduled for the afternoon. Few minutes later, they were sitting on the sand and talking like good friends and Zack ended up with Quentin's phone number.

\"Tell him that Max gave you the number.\"

Max usually does not give Quentin's number, but Zack took their photos and he is a nice guy. When Max saw Liz's bright smile and she introduced him as her boyfriend, Max decided to help the guy out.

Zack was on cloud nine. If he can score a contract with Quentin's publishing company, that would be a dream come true. He enthusiastically shook Max's hand. \"Thanks! I don't know how to repay you for this!\"

\"This will only allow you to talk to Quentin and show him your work. The rest is up to you.\", Max told Zack not to get overexcited.

They all said their goodbyes and Max and Liz went to keep their things in the locker.

\"That was nice of you.\", Liz told Max, when she saw that Max texted Quentin, telling him to expect a call from a promising fashion photographer named Zack.

Max smiled smugly, happy that he got praised by Elizabeth.

\"I'm glad you approve, my lady. Ready?\", Max asked while pointing at the ladder which leads to the top of the cliff.

Liz blinked and felt chills in her limbs.

Max touched Liz's chin so that she looks at him. \"We don't have to do this. But if you want to do it, I will not leave your side.\"

Liz took a deep breath. And another. And another… and she was dizzy from all the added oxygen.

Max saw that Liz is not looking good. \"We can do it later.\", he offered.

Liz realized that she is panicking. But if she pulls back now she will probably not do it, and she will regret it because she came here to have fun and giving up is not fun.

\"No, no… now. I want to do it now.\" Liz grabbed Max's hand in hers. \"And Max… Don't leave my side.\"

Max looked into her dark eyes which were anxious and relying on him and he fell for her more. If he could, he would freeze the moment and preserve it forever because the two of them on the beach, holding hands, and Liz counting on him is… perfect.

Max inched closer and gave her a light kiss on the lips.

\"I will not leave your side.\", he confirmed. In his mind he added: '…I will stay with you forever.'

Liz looked into his deep blue eyes which stirred with emotions and asked: \"Why does everything you say sound like a promise?\"

Max smiled and kissed her again, and again, and again. His hands moved around her waist and hers snaked behind his neck and the two of them kissed like there is no one else on that beach. Her legs shook when he deepened the kiss, and he held her tighter, telling her with his firm embrace that he will not let go.

Mia and Hunter kept their things in the locker and joined Ashton, Jake, Derek and Mike who were waiting for them at the bottom of the ladder.

Hunter gestured that they can head up.

\"Aren't we waiting for Liz and Max?\", Mia asked. She does not care about Oliver, Lewis and McKenzie.

\"They know where to go.\", Hunter responded.

Hunter saw Max and Liz kissing and he has no intention of interrupting them. At the same time, he does not want to wait either. It can take a while.

Mia was confused. Why did they wait for each other if they will split up now? Her sight fell on Liz and Max kissing further down the beach, and she smiled.

\"Give me your phone!\", she demanded from Hunter.

Hunter got his phone from the pocket of his swimming trunks. \"Where is yours?\"

Mia rolled her eyes. \"In the locker. My phone might be waterproof, but I don't have any pockets to keep it.\" She gestured toward two pieces of her bikini.

Mia snapped a photo of Liz and Max and giggled while sending it to Liz. Mia is confident that Liz will find it interesting to see herself from a different perspective. Liz looks like a love-smitten teenager, and she is probably not aware of it.

\"Let's go.\", Hunter told Mia when he got his phone back. \"I'm not used to watching. The longer we stay here, the more I want to press you down on this sand.\", he said with a mischievous grin.

Mia gave him a 'you-would-not-dare' look before asking. \"Where is McKenzie?\"

\"She went up first with Oliver and Lewis.\", Hunter responded. \"I warned her to stay away from Max and Liz.\"

\"Will she listen?\"

Hunter shrugged, indicating that he is not confident. \"I hope so.\"

---

If you are not reading this at 'W e b n o v e l . c o m', then the content you're reading is stolen! Please support the author by reading this novel from the original source.