Taste Of Temptation Ch 04

Once Thea was given a prescription for pain medication and discharged from the hospital, driving back to the apartment with her by his side, Max was just glad to finally be getting her home after the horrible ordeal she'd gone through. Reaching over, he took her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. But he noticed that Thea just stared down at their joined hands curiously, lifted her gaze and gave him an awkward little smile. Now he just hoped that soon she could remember what they had,

before

the accident that had robbed her of memory.

Since his brother Sam and sister-in-law Lori told him they'd be bringing his daughter Chloe home a little later, he knew he'd have a chance to get Thea settled without having to worry about taking care of his daughter, too.

Once they pulled up to the curb, Thea looked up at the daunting sight of the staircase that led up to his apartment, anxiously biting into her lip. Seeing where she was looking, Max told her, "No worries, Thea, I've got you." A moment later he was carefully lifting her out of the passenger seat and into his arms, and carrying her up the stairs, like she didn't weigh a thing.

Relieved she didn't have to try and navigate the stairs on her own, considering how much pain she was in, Thea decided it also felt nice to be in Max's arms, though she knew she shouldn't be too happy about it, considering she just worked for him. With her arm wound tightly around his neck, she asked, "I'm not too heavy for you, am I?" noticing how hard he was trying not to jostle her as he carefully worked his key into the lock and opened the door.

Smiling into her pretty blue eyes, tempted to kiss her, he somehow managed to hold back, telling her, "Of course not, you're as light as a feather."

And once he carried her inside, glancing around, he asked, "So, does this look familiar to you?"

Slowly taking it all in, she nodded. "Of course," she said, pointing ahead of them. "The kitchen's through there." And then she pointed off to the right. "And Chloe's room and your office are down that hallway and your bedroom and mine are around the corner, across from each other."

He blew out a breath. Unfortunately she was right about that last part, and they'd be sleeping in separate beds again, which he hated. Since he'd much rather have her close so he could keep an eye on her, especially on her first night home. But seeing as she'd lost the last seven days of her memory, after getting hit by a car, including the night he'd proposed to her, along with the fact that the two of them had finally connected, he knew he'd have to go slow and give her the time she needed to heal and not try to push her to remember. And hopefully with any luck it would all come back to her, and they'd be able to pick up right where they left off - planning their wedding and the future together they'd both been looking forward to.

Once he got her settled in her bed, he told her, "If you need anything for pain, I've got some over the counter stuff I could give you till I can get your prescription filled."

She carefully shook her head. "No, I think I'm okay for now."

Max nodded looking down at her swollen face. And although she was scratched up and bruised pretty badly, he still thought she was the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen, probably because he knew that she was as beautiful inside as out.

Finally he forced himself to stop staring and said, "I'll get Chloe's baby monitor, and put it on your night table, and then all you have to do is call and I'll come and help you with anything you need."

Giving him an uncomfortable little smile, she felt awful about him literally having to baby to her, especially considering that he'd hired

her

to take care of his daughter. So, heaving a sigh she looked up at him and told him, "Thank you for looking out for me, Max. I really appreciate it, and you've been very kind. But I've been thinking, maybe Alice is right and you should look for someone else to take care of Chloe, someone older she'd approve of, especially now that I've been hurt. And then she wouldn't be looking to make trouble for you anymore because of me. And I could go and stay at my cousin Oscar's place till I've recuperated. I'm sure he wouldn't mind, since he insisted I stay there when I was between jobs."

His eyes flew open wide, unable to believe his ears. How in the world could she be planning to leave them, when she could barely even walk? And even if she had lost her memory, surely she had to be feeling something for him, since his chest was aching just seeing her injured. "You know, Thea, I would have thought you'd have figured out by now that we consider you to be a lot more than just an employee. Chloe and I already think of you as family. So there's no way we'd want you to leave,

especially

now that you've been hurt. Believe me, I'm more than happy to take care of you, and all

you

have to worry about is getting better."

"But how can I take care of Chloe, when I can barely take care of myself? And you know how useless I'll feel lying here in bed knowing that you'll have to take care of us both?"

Sitting down on the edge of the bed, Max reached out and carefully brushed back her long blonde hair, tucking it behind her ear, as he reminded her, "Remember, I've pretty much raised Chloe on my own since the day she was born with no help from her mother. And I often work from home, so it won't be any different now. So you can forget about going anywhere else, we want you here, Thea. And you know Chloe loves you to bits, and she'd be heartbroken if you were to leave." And so would he, considering the fact he was crazy about her, but just couldn't tell her - at least according to the doctor, who'd warned him to let her try and remember everything on her own, so he wouldn't upset her, or mess with her head.

But damn, the whole thing sucked. And now he was afraid that she'd also forgotten how she felt about him. So, risking frightening her, he pressed a chaste little kiss to her forehead and said, "Now rest, while I get you something to eat, okay?"

A little surprised that he'd kissed her, Thea slowly nodded her head, since she

did

remember them promising to keep their hands off each other after she'd burnt her thumb on a cookie sheet and they'd wound up nearly kissing each other silly. She knew one thing, as kind as he was, she'd have to remember that she was nothing but his employee, even if she wasn't much help to him now.

Max searched the kitchen until he found a can of mushroom soup, remembering how much she'd told him she liked mushrooms the night they'd had pizza, on that perfect weekend they'd shared - at least before her accident. He decided it would be something light she could eat with some toast, even though she'd told him on the drive home that she wasn't really hungry.

When he carried the tray in, Thea looked up at him and smiled, amazed at how thoughtful he was. "Thank you, Max. Maybe tomorrow I'll try and get up so you won't have to wait on me anymore."

He shook his head. "Not until you're feeling better, you're not. And it's just soup, Thea, not a five course meal. So, just enjoy it, okay?" He flashed her a smile, to soften his words, because he hated the thought of her hurting herself trying to lighten his load, when all he wanted was take care of her and see her get back on her feet.

When he sat on the edge of the bed to hand her the mug of soup, she noticed how bristly his jaw had gotten. Smiling into his gorgeous steel-blue eyes, she murmured, "Looks like someone could use a shave."

Once she'd accepted the mug, he ran his hand along his jaw, chuckled, and told her, "Probably could use a shower, too, since I haven't been home since your accident."

Looking him over, she wondered why he'd stayed at the hospital with her, and knew that not many employers would be so concerned. Impulsively reaching up and running her hand along the dark, sexy scruff on his jaw, she told him, "You know I used to shave my grandfather when he got too shaky to shave himself."

Smiling back into her eyes, he told her, "I know."

Wrinkling her brow, she tipped her head. "How on earth did you know that?"

He shrugged. "Guess you must have told me."

Lifting the mug of soup to her lips, she nodded. "Well, guess that's another thing I can't remember."

But he sure as hell remembered her telling him, on that amazing weekend they'd shared - before the accident - after they'd had some fun in the tub together and he'd agreed to let her shave him. It had to be the most sensual experience of his life to have her sitting on the counter naked, stroking his beard and carefully shaving his face. Though there was no way he could tell her about it, he knew he'd always remember how sexy she looked, and how good it felt to have her hands on him.

Finally, he heaved a shaky sigh. "Well, I think I'll get a shower and get rid of this scruff. And if you need any help in the bathroom, once my sister-in-law Lori comes back with Chloe, I'm sure she can help you out - unless you don't mind me giving you a hand?" He smiled when he said that, since he'd already had his hands on every last inch of her, though she didn't know it.

Pulling a face at first at the idea of him helping her in the bathroom, finally Thea looked up at him and flashed him a grin. "I think I'll wait for Lori. But thanks again for the soup, and for being so good to me, Max."

Pausing to look back at her in the doorway, he told her, "Hope you know there's nothing I wouldn't do for you, Thea. And whatever you need, I'm here for you, and always will be."

Noticing how serious he sounded, Thea wondered if things had changed between them since she'd been in the hospital. Though even before she'd been hurt, he'd definitely been the best employer she'd ever had, and she already considered him a friend. But for some reason he was looking at her differently now, like somehow she meant even more to him. Heaving a sigh, she pushed the idea aside, deciding it was only because she'd been injured, that she was reading more into than there was.

After Max had cleaned himself up, and splashed on a little of the cologne that she'd told him she liked, he went back to check in on Thea. And he was glad to see that she'd eaten. Then she smiled at him and said, "Guess what?" When he waited, she laughed and said, "I think we forgot Mr. Wiggles in your car."

Rolling his eyes, he couldn't believe it happened again. Chloe forgetting her favorite plush bunny in his brother's van was how the whole thing started, when Thea went to retrieve it and got hit by a taxi. "

I'll

go get it this time," he told her.

"Just be careful out there," she warned him.

"Yeah, no kidding," he agreed, shaking his head.

No sooner had he found the bunny in the back seat of his car when his brother and sister-in-law pulled up with his daughter in the back of their van. As soon as they stopped, Max pulled open the door, kissed Chloe on the forehead, and lifted her out of her car seat. "You back again?" he teased her, giving her a hug.

"Yep," she said, nodding her head. "And now I'm going to see Thea."

All of them went inside together to see the patient, following behind a very determined Chloe. But Max poked his head into her room first and asked, "You up for some company?"

And before she could even answer, Chloe, raced around him into the room, anxious to see Thea with her own eyes. But she stopped in her tracks the moment she saw how banged up and bruised she was. "Oh, Thea," she said, with her bottom lip trembling. "You got hurt bad, didn't you?"

To try and assure her that she was okay, Thea held her arms open for her to join her on the bed. And Max quickly warned his daughter, "Hey, take it easy on her, Chloe, remember, she's still pretty sore."

Chloe nodded that she understood as she careful tucked into Thea's side. Looking up at her, she told her, "I'm so sorry you got hurt. And I'm sorry I forgot Mr. Wiggles in the car, too."

Thea kissed the top of her head, and reassured her, "It was just an accident, sweetie, and it was nobody's fault. And I'll be back to myself before you know it."

Pulling back and looking excitedly up at her face, Chloe said, "But till you're better, I can help you. You just ask me, and whatever you want, I'll do it for you."

Thea smiled into Max's eyes as he stood in the doorway watching them, amazed at what a huge heart she had for a three year old. A lot like her father, she was so full of compassion, it made her heart clench in her chest.

But as Thea looked up into Max's eyes, she felt something shift in the way he was looking at her - wondering if it was longing, or simply gratitude that she'd grown so close to his daughter. All she knew was it was stirring something in her that she knew darn well shouldn't be stirring.

Finally, Max said, "Okay, Chloe, I think Aunt Lori might like to have a visit with Thea now, too. So why don't you come and tell me all about your weekend and all the animals you saw at the zoo. And maybe we could have some milk cookies in the kitchen."

Once they'd left, as Lori approached the bed holding a pretty arrangement of pink and mauve flowers, Thea knew she must look a wreck by the way she was wincing as she looked her over. "How are you, Thea, not in too much pain I hope?" Lori asked, as she set the little arrangement on the bedside table.

Thea surprised when she laughed, and admitted, "To be honest, I've been better."

"Well, I'd be happy to help you with anything you need while I'm here."

"Actually, a trip to the washroom might be nice, but I'm not sure I can walk that far."

Just then, Max walked back in with a cup of tea and some cookies for her, and caught the last of what she was saying, and without even having to be asked, he pulled back the covers, slid his arms under her legs and another behind her back and gently lifted her out of bed, reminding her, "Just call me if you need to get up. And remember, you are

not

to try to get up on your own." She nodded, feeling an odd little thrill go through her that he seemed to be taking such an interest in her, and of course it felt great to be held in his arms.

Once he got her into the washroom, he left them alone and Lori helped her to use the toilet and was even kind enough to help her with a quick wash. So by the time she got back in bed - with Max's help of course, she felt a lot more comfortable.

After pressing another kiss to her forehead, he pointed to the baby monitor and told her, "Call me if you need me for

anything

, okay?"

Nodding, Thea smiled into his eyes and said, "Thank you, Max, I will."

Staring at Max's retreating back, Lori sat on the edge of her bed and told her in a hushed voice, "Poor Max was so upset when you got hurt that Sam and I were actually worried about him driving to the hospital. When he called to let us know what had happened, he didn't even sound like himself, he was so frantic. And you know Max is usually so in control. I think he was terrified he was going to lose you, especially since it took you so long to wake up."

Though Thea was a little confused by what she was trying to tell her, not sure how to respond, she shrugged and said, "Well, I'm still here."

Lori gave her a smile. "Yes, and I'm sure Max is very relieved that you are. All of us are, actually. You gave us quite a scare. And Chloe was worried sick about you, too."

Thea liked all of Max's family, and decided he was lucky to have them. And felt honored that they seemed to care about her, too. But she had to admit she'd grown especially fond of little Chloe and of course her handsome father.

Tired after the long day she'd had, Thea dozed off the moment Lori pressed a kiss to her forehead and left. But she couldn't believe how vivid the dreams were she was having the moment she started to drift off. And amazingly all of them involved Max. In one especially nice dream they were dancing and holding each other close, and seemed to be surrounded by people laughing and having fun, but Max couldn't tear his eyes off her, like they were the only two people there. And coming on morning, in another even more vivid dream they were kissing, and she could almost feel the warmth of his lips on hers and actually hugged the other pillow to her chest, hating to the idea of letting him go.

She awoke in a sweat with her heart pounding - looking around the room wondering if she was alone - which of course she was. And when she went to turn onto her side to get more comfortable, she let out a yelp, forgetting how much it still hurt to try and turn herself in bed.

Suddenly the door flew open and Max was staring down at her, and she could just make out the worried look on his face from the light he'd put on in the hallway. "Are you okay?" he asked her.

Seeing that he was just in a pair of clingy black boxers, her gaze trailed over him from the top of his head, over his muscled darkly matted chest, down over his six-pack coming to rest on his substantial package. And just the sight of him, barely dressed, had every inch of her tingling. Finally remembering he was waiting for her answer, and hoping he couldn't see that she was blushing, she forced herself to lift her gaze and said, "Sorry, I tried to roll over and forgot how much it would hurt."

"Do you want something for pain, then? I got your medication."

She shook her head. "No. I'll just have to try to remember not to move around too much and I'll be okay. I don't really like taking anything unless I have to."

Max came closer and gently rubbed his hand over her foot. "Do you need anything else?"

Tempted to say,

Yes

,

I need

you. H

eaving a sigh, all she said was, "No, thank you, I'm fine. And I'm sorry I woke you."

Max just shook his head, since he'd been barely sleeping thinking about her, so he'd heard her the second she yelped. He dropped his head, and surprised her when he placed a tender little kiss to the top of her foot and told her, "No worries, as long as you're okay."

Once he'd gone back across the hallway to his own room, since he'd gotten her all tingly again with that little kiss, squeezing her eyes shut Thea tried hard to get back to her dream. It had been so arousing, especially after seeing him like that - nearly naked in just his boxers - she could actually feel the most delectable warmth beginning to pool between her thighs. But how could anyone blame a girl for getting aroused, when she had a boss who looked that hot.

Staring up at the ceiling in his room, Max hated that they were sleeping apart again, especially knowing how good it had felt to have her wrapped in his arms for those two incredible nights. Even though she was hurt, all he wanted was to be by her side, feeling her warmth and letting her know he was there for her. Now he just hoped her memory would come back soon, especially before she did something crazy like actually leaving them to go back to her cousin's place.

The next morning, with no one to help her but Max, Thea was just happy she had him to help her into the bathroom. And once she was done, he was waiting patiently for her outside. Smiling as he lifted her into his arms to carry her back to bed, without even thinking, touched by his attentiveness, she pressed a little kiss to his cheek and said, "Thank you, Max."

Once he had her settled back in bed, surprised, he actually touched his hand to his cheek where he could still feel the warmth of her lips. Relieved beyond belief that she'd kissed him, he was hoping like hell that she was starting to feel something for him again.

Later, when Max brought Thea her breakfast, he found her on her side facing away from the door, struggling to smooth some prescription ointment over the bruises and scrapes on her thighs and backside. And he could see she was having a hard time spreading it around with the way she was wincing.