Chapter 17

Max thought a moment, his brow furrowing slightly as he considered the possibilities. Then the frown was replaced by a faint smile as he found his answer.

"Here," he replied softly.

"No," she shook her head firmly, taking a step back from him, her heart thundering within her chest. Not here. No, she couldn’t lose control here…not like this, not like she knew she would.

But he quickly closed the physical distance between them. "Yes, Liz…here," he whispered, capturing her hand gently within his. "Right here...right now." He traced his thumb lightly across the back of her hand. "I know you’re ready to tell me the truth."

He covered her hand within both of his own, and she could feel an incredible heat envelop her, just as it always did whenever Max touched her. It began right between their hands and radiated outward like a giant rolling wave, gaining momentum throughout her entire body. Her face flushed and her eyes watered from the sweeping sensations that moved through her, and like the undertow below the ocean waves, their bond tugged her deeper into him. Oh, God, he was going to know everything now because she couldn’t resist this…what was coming. The pull was too powerful.

Max’s amber eyes met her own, widening with surprise…innocent wonder at what was beginning to unfold between them. She read the unspoken questions in his gaze, felt them as the bond unfurled. He had no idea what was happening…knew this wasn’t a flash, that this was uncharted territory.

Then the connection skittered and sparked, and like wildfire set to desert brush, the flame simply roared to life. She felt everything that was in Max’s heart at that moment, felt it ripple through her, touch her, as she spun deeper into him. Oh, and she felt him coming inside of her, too. He stepped even closer to her, and she heard a rushing noise all around them. She could no longer hear the thrumming sounds of the restaurant. There was only Max, and her senses were totally immersed in him. She reached a hand to his cheek, caressing it tenderly. He closed his eyes and she felt what her touch did to him. He was simply undone…by all of it.

"Liz?" His eyes fluttered open again, questioning.

"Hmm…" she sighed, feeling the soft stubble of his beard beneath her fingers. Every touch, every sensation was magnified.

"What is…this?" he murmured.



Marco stood at full attention in the center of Liz’s room. 4:05 pm. One minute left, he thought again.

A single minute that seemed to last an eternity. It had hung in the air for so long already, he thought he’d go mad with the waiting. All his senses were on edge, and he was ready to face whatever happened. Marco was certain of only one thing--he would not let his other self hurt Max or Liz in any way. He had come out on the other side of something today... a journey that had begun four years ago in fact. He smiled faintly to himself, knowing that he had won this siege, waged by some unseen force against his very soul. He had reclaimed himself in the course of the battle this day.

And now he was going to die.

That much Marco did know--but as strange as it might seem, he didn’t mind. He was proud to do so…. Proud to walk out his destiny, to be the only man he’d ever really been called to be.

He closed his eyes for the briefest moment. His last moment.

And thought of Liz. Her beautiful smile, her luxurious dark hair… and the way he’d felt whenever he was near her. The air around her had always been electrified for him… different than when she wasn’t with him. That feeling had intensified incredibly when he’d begun to feel her connection with Max, as he’d caught those brief glimpses of what the two of them shared. Their bond had simply begun to seep over to him somehow, and he’d had the tiniest glimmer of what it would have been like if Liz had loved him. And of what Max felt for her, how he worshipped her—now that was the hardest part of all.

In hindsight, Marco understood what had happened with their connection, how he had begun to pick it up, first in tiny shimmers, later in intense waves. Now he knew that because his chief gift was intuition, that it had combined tragically with his role as their protector. What had been meant as a good thing—that he should have been able to connect with them whenever they were in danger—had become something twisted and tormenting. He’d felt all their love, all their amazing passion for one another…and been left without a single recourse. Marco had been left standing outside, gazing in at something that he could never be part of, and could only yearn for in the deepest recesses of his heart and mind.

He opened his eyes again and his thoughts floated to Tess. That relationship had been a poor imitation of love, yet he’d felt something in her arms, those few times they’d been together. Perhaps if she hadn’t already lost herself so thoroughly…perhaps if things had been different. But things hadn’t been different…and she’d used him completely. It had never been love for her, even though somehow he’d felt a dim reflection of it in his own heart.
He shook the thought aside, clearing his mind.

4:06 pm. The time was at hand.

He felt a quake within him, and drew in a sharp breath. There was a shooting pain in his head, pounding now…demanding and incessant.

A vaporous form appeared just in front of where Marco stood--an apparition that quickly took shape as hazy edges became solid boundaries. And he found himself staring into the dark eyes of his other self.

God, those eyes. Was that what he’d really looked like just five hours ago? So lost, so cold…so very dead.

And his other self became more concrete, totally solid. The deathly eyes widened, the mouth opened…and then both of his selves collapsed simultaneously to the floor of Liz’s room.

The pain was unbelievable…his other self reached a hand out to him weakly, as Marco struggled for breath, gasping over and over in a desperate effort to fill his lungs. But he couldn’t seem to draw in any air at all.

"You…will not hurt them," Marco choked out, staring into those other black eyes. "I will not allow it."

His other self opened his mouth to speak…was about to say something, but before he could, he disappeared before Marco’s very eyes. He was completely gone, just as he had first appeared.

Marco crumpled to the floor, unable to breathe.

And yet he was still here.

His head hammered with excruciating pain. Why was he still here? Shouldn’t he have disappeared at the same moment?

His very last thought was a quiet, gentle answer.

Because you now had a greater will to live. A reason for being….

He did not.

Marco rested his cheek quietly against the floor, knowing he'd achieved his destiny. He had protected his king and queen... they were safe now.

And he was restored.

With that thought, and gasping desperately for air, Marco felt himself begin to fade away slowly...disappear completely.

Liz stepped nearer and slipped her arms around Max, pulling him close. She breathed in the scent of him, felt his heart beating wildly against her chest. Her own heart matched his beat for beat--both their pulses falling into a single rhythm as they became completely one.

Her mind spun with his endless questions, his confusion… his absolute release as they joined like this. He didn’t understand what was happening, didn’t care. Max pressed his lips against the top of Liz’s head, burying his face in her hair.

Another wave hit her, and she knew the unspeakable anguish he’d been carrying for the past week. Kyle in her bed…covers thrown over their bare bodies. Tinkling laughter. Shock. Betrayal. The sensation of her heart being torn from her chest…but it wasn’t her heart… it was his. Not just the past week…the past months. That day at the cave. Images of her running away, down the hill…him losing her forever. One question, echoing endlessly through his mind, over and over. Was it somehow his fault? Oh, God it felt like a knife in the very core of her being.

And just when the weight of his grief began to crush her, she touched the radiant spark of hope that had come alive within him during these past few moments. So warm, so golden…it was the promise of everything he held most dear. The faded embers of his love for her, his dreams-- fanned to life again, because he knew she hadn’t slept with Kyle. And his heart simply sang with it.

The brightest sunlight, rippling between them. Max’s breathing was erratic, his heart hammering against hers. He took her face in his hands, sending shivers across her flushed skin. She was absolutely on fire. He pressed his lips against hers, claiming her mouth with his own, and she could feel him shaking, slight tremors running through his whole body. It occurred to her that they were right in the back of the Crashdown—that her parents might walk in on them at any moment. Not that she cared.

That was her last coherent thought before she felt their souls touch.

She sensed him…a solid presence and it was the most beautiful thing she’d ever known. His lips stilled against hers and neither of them breathed for what felt like an eternity. Neither knew what to do, they were transfixed by the moment.

Slowly, Liz opened her eyes and saw that Max was watching her, sheer amazement dancing across his features. He pulled back and she realized for the first time that tears were streaming down her face. He reached a finger out and traced a damp path across her cheek.

"Oh, Liz," he whispered. "You…are even more beautiful than I imagined."

"Max, we’ve got to stop this…"

He leaned his forehead against hers. "Why?" he groaned.

"Because…" she took quick breaths, trying to steady her mind, her pulse. "Anyone could walk in…"

"That’s bad?" he asked helplessly, wiping her tears with his fingers.

"Yeah…" Liz laughed softly, trying desperately to steady her thoughts. "Upstairs…let’s go up…stairs."

"Okay," he murmured, pulling her against his chest tightly.

"Okay," she nodded in agreement. "Then…we’ve got to break this, Max."

He released her, but threaded his fingers through hers, not ready to let the moment go. She smiled up at him, slowly disentangling her fingers from his.

And everything became perfectly still and quiet between them, as the roar of their connection cooled. But it didn’t grieve her this time, not like with his future self. No, this time she felt a wonderful thrill humming all through her. Like Max had just done something really amazing to her…within her. In a way, he’d just made love to her, right there in the back of her parent’s restaurant, for all the world to see. She smiled giddily at the idea, and smoothed out her hair, trying to compose herself at least a bit.

"I can’t wait for you to explain what just happened." He met her gaze again, suddenly almost shy with her. "Because I have the feeling you understand it a lot better than I do."

"Upstairs." Liz smiled up at him. "Some place more private."


Max sat on the bottom step to Liz’s apartment, running his hand absently through his hair. Liz had asked him to give her five minutes alone, and he certainly hadn’t needed an explanation for that. Not after what had just happened between them. For that matter, he needed a few moments to sort through the huge avalanche of emotions that he’d just experienced.

One thing was absolutely certain. Liz had not slept with Kyle. But something else had definitely happened to her, something that had changed her profoundly. Irreversibly. And though he didn’t understand how, he felt certain that it was all somehow related to…himself. All through their connection, he’d felt it… there was someone else, but that person didn’t upset him, or frighten him.


Liz bounded up the stairs, her heart simply soaring within her. At that moment, she didn’t care that Max was going to know everything. There had to be some way they could work things out together without it being the end of the world.

She thought of Future Max and what he’d asked of her. He had been desperate, driven, and maybe the plan they’d concocted together hadn’t been the best. Well, that much is obvious, she corrected herself. And what would Future Max have thought about the secret she’d kept from him, especially now that she’d just revealed it to her Max downstairs.

She hadn’t been sure until today, had only had her suspicions, but now she knew beyond any doubt—the two of them hadn’t broken the connection in time that night. He had imparted their bond to her permanently then, and in all probability she had just passed it on to Max downstairs. The notion thrilled her to the core of her being.

She reached the landing, and fumbled for her apartment key, noticing the wedding band slip a bit on her finger. Future Liz had apparently been a tiny bit heavier, because the ring was always sliding around on her finger. Now there’s something to look forward to in my thirties, she thought with a wry laugh. She turned the key in the lock and thought that she couldn’t wait to show Max the ring…the inscription.

Liz stepped into the apartment humming happily, thinking about all the things she wanted to tell Max. She dropped her books on the sofa, contemplating all their many months apart, and how much had remained unspoken, how much there was to share now. She warmed at the very notion of it.

She stepped into her room and was struck by the oddest sensation—it felt like someone had just been there. She looked around quickly, her brow furrowing. She didn’t see anyone, but felt a chill pass over her skin. Only the curtain fluttered softly in the breeze of her window—otherwise the room was completely still. All the crazy events of the past week must be getting to her, because now she was letting her imagination run wild.

She shrugged lightly to herself, dismissing the notion and stepped quickly into the bathroom. One glance in the mirror and she was sorry she’d looked—she had dark circles under her eyes. She wanted to look beautiful, not haggard, but all the sleepless nights in the past week had taken their toll. Quickly, she reached for her compact and used a bit of powder to hide the dark lines underneath her eyes.

"You don’t need that," Max said softly. Suddenly, he was standing in her bathroom doorway, just gazing at her. So much love radiated from his eyes.

"You don’t think so?" she asked tentatively, glancing away from him, suddenly feeling very shy. Slowly she closed the compact, and dropped it in her makeup bag without looking at him.

"You’re absolutely beautiful the way you are, Liz." His voice was husky and deep, full of all the passion she’d just glimpsed in his eyes.

He took a cautious step toward her, and captured her hand within his own. She felt her cheeks begin to burn under his steady gaze, as their eyes slowly met. She drew in a quick breath when she saw the naked hunger in Max’s eyes.

Then suddenly she remembered standing right in this very spot, with his other self…of how he’d allowed her to glimpse their connection. Of how he’d transferred it to her permanently.

Maybe it was that memory, or maybe it was the simple fact of Max taking her hand within his own, but the connection skittered crazily for a moment between them. Wildfire shot across her arms and her skin as she stared into his amazing amber eyes. Like twin golden pools, she longed to swim in them, wanted to lose herself forever in them.

Then in one swift movement Max was kissing her. Not gentle this time…roughly, hungrily. His mouth pressed against her own, demanding all of her, and the world spun away beneath her. Liz had to steady herself by holding onto him. She reached her arms up around his neck, pulling him tightly against her, her fingers threading their way through his soft hair. He moaned ever so slightly, as they both pressed closer, wanting more.

And then the connection rolled over them like a giant, crashing tidal wave, and came completely alive. She felt him all over her, upon her… within her. Small electric shivers shot across her skin, her face…every place where he was touching her. Places where he wasn’t. Oh, this was quickly becoming much more than what they’d shared downstairs, and he’d all but made love to her with a mere kiss then.

What was this going to become?

She couldn’t stop it, didn’t want to. She wanted more of him inside of her… all of him, beyond this connection where their minds and souls were joining, entwining.

She wanted Max to make love to her. Right here, right now.

In fact, she wanted him to make love to her right in her bathroom. Now that wouldn’t do at all.

But before she could say a word, he pulled his mouth away from hers, and she saw his gentle smile.

"Not here, sweetheart." He stroked his hand slowly across her hair, planting warm kisses across her face, then her ear… her neck. His wet mouth lingered against her throat for a long, amazing moment, and she heard him draw a ragged breath in.

I’m drinking you in, my love.

Oh, God. How could she stand up under this assault?

I’m making love to you in a different way…do you feel me?

Yes…oh, Max.

You never made love with Kyle. She felt him smile against her cheek, as he planted the warmest kisses along her jawline.

No.

You are only mine.

Of course…more kisses along her throat, as he lingered there. Glowing hickey, she thought quickly.

I liked the glowing hickeys, he laughed softly.

Hmm…was all she could think in response.

"Give me one," he whispered against her mouth, as he began kissing her again, his soft lips crushing against her own.

I can’t.

I bet you can. And with that she pulled her mouth away from his, and began nibbling his ear, trailing feverish kisses across his neck. Oh, God she was going to faint…. The connection was so rich now…like amazing desert sunlight reflecting off the sand, the rocks. Their breathing was ragged, unstoppable. This was unstoppable.

But then something happened. She’d felt him inside of her, but it deepened…she felt his soul actually intertwine with her own, join somehow.

Oh, God, Max…she cried out to him across the connection, gasping as her lips stilled against his cheek. His hands were finding their way underneath the back of her shirt now, but they stilled against her…so warm against her bare skin. The two of them pulled slightly apart, and simply stared into each others eyes.

What had just happened? Neither could breathe, say a word. They had joined somehow. And Liz was terrified beyond belief.

"Shh…" he whispered softly, stroking her hair away from her face. "Don’t be afraid of me. I would never hurt you." He rested his forehead gently against hers.

I know that, Max. You know I know that.

And he pulled her against his warm chest…oh so warm. And she felt more safe than she could ever recall feeling, with his heart beating strongly against her like that. Joined with him…one. She closed her eyes and felt his soft tee-shirt against her cheek. He planted tender kisses on the top of her head.

I’m making love to you right now, he whispered across their connection.

I know.

And their souls knit together more tightly, drew more sharply together. She wasn’t even sure how she knew it, but she could simply feel his soul and her own joining, threading together permanently.

Something else had just happened…something more than with his future self, more than downstairs.

She drew her breath in sharply, and buried her face in his shirt.

Tears began streaming uncontrollably down her face. She couldn’t have stopped them if she’d tried.

"I want to make love to you physically, Liz," he whispered against the top of her head. "I want to take this further."

She gazed up into his eyes. "Will you let me?" he breathed. "Do you want it as much as I do?" All she could do was nod helplessly, and then he took her hand in his, their fingers threading tenderly together.

"My parents are in Santa Fe until tonight," she said huskily.

Good to know, she heard across the connection, as he raised an eyebrow with a seductive smile. He lead her into her bedroom, and she felt his deep, incredible contentment.

I’ve never been this happy before, Liz. Not once in my life.

Me, neither…

But as soon as she’d thought the words, she felt a sudden anxiety shoot through her mind.

"What?" he asked, looking back to her as they reached her bed.

"Don’t you want to know…about Kyle? About why I lied to you?" She wiped the tears away from her eyes.

He stared at her for a long moment, his brows knitting together slightly, and she felt their connection tighten…constrict just a bit. It was like he was drawing her closer to him…and she felt the briefest pain shoot across the connection from him, then it quickly faded.

"Not now…." He shook his head. "I think I have an idea of what happened," he whispered, drawing her hand to his chest.

But she wasn’t prepared for what he did next. He traced his finger lightly across her ring. Her wedding ring.

"I know it has something to do with this," he said, his voice incredibly soft.

And she felt the tears begin again as he pulled her against him.

"I’ve hurt you enough already, Liz…now just let me love you. Let me heal you," he breathed, guiding her gently to the bed.

Liz closed her eyes because there was nothing that she wanted more than just that.