Truth or Dare

Maxwell dives deep under the water, letting the his body cool off quickly. God, he needed that! He has to be stronger to keep those boundaries intact. He is a gentleman for all sakes! What will Miss Fine think of him this way? He seems more like a horney teenager than a fourty-something responsible father.

He jumps right into the wave that rolls towards him, feeling the salty water putting pressure on his head. It feels good fighting the forces of nature. If he could fight these waves he would be able to fight himself as well. From now on he would act like a sane human being who is just spending a wonderful weekend with a fun friend. After all Miss Fine is a fun friend. She is witty, joyful, sweet, everything he needs for having some genuine fun. Without all kinds of complications they will just have a great time and back home he can sort out his true feelings.

Another wave comes and Maxwell dives fanatically in it again, trying to wash his mind from all impure thts hts he has been having in the past hour.

Fran watches him from her seat. He is like a little puppy diving around in the waves. She is amazed at the different side of Maxwell Sheffield she comes to know here. Rubbing her in with sun lotion was an incredible experience. She can still feel his hands on her skin. But watching him having fun equally warmed her. Taking him away from his desk, his suits, his obligations make him young again. She finally sees the boy he had been before his adulthood crossed his path. She wishes she had known that guy back then and would have been able to shelter him from harm. The pain she sometimes sees in his eyes strike here. Despite all his money she does not envy his past.

Soaking wet Maxwell returns to the beach chair. Fran watches him walking towards her in his sexy tight trunks. The water is shimmering on his tanned skin in the sun. His wet curly hair is pushed back from his face. He looks absolutely gorgeous. How could she, a simple Jewish girl from Queens be so lucky to end up in this incredible city with this equally incredible man? She vows herself to enjoy it to the fullest, regarding it as her little present in life.

Maxwell takes a towel to dry his hair but lets his wet body rest back in the chair. “Shouldn’t you be using any sun cream?” Fran asks looking at the bright sun. “You are British after all. Not known for being able to stand much sunlight.”

He looks to his side and gives her a big smile. “I will put some cream on a littleer wer when I am all dried up. In case you haven’t noticed I am not a red haired, milky skin Brit so I think I’ll manage.” He doesn’t feel like telling her the actual truth. He is scared of her wanting to rub him in. He won’t survive the feeling of her hands on him. He needs to stay sane and keep this a friendly day on the beach.

“Isn’t the view lovely” he starts his friendly conversation. “Look at the mountains sticking out of the water. Have you ever seen anything like this?”.

“Yeah, it’s amazing” Fran replies watching the scenery. “The sky colours beautifully as well. It’s really a marvellous city” she sighs.

They keep on their friendly talk about the city and its differences with New York. Every 5 minutes they get distracted by people trying to sell food or goods on teacheach.

“It’s just like Central Park” Fran states. “I already feel at home here”.

Maxwell laughs a little. “I have never seen them sell sun cream in Central Park, Miss Fine.”

Fran cocks her eyebrow “talking t sut sun cream. Isn’t it time to protect your skin already? The sun is so strong here.” She looks down at his body, she wouldn’t mind rubbing it one bit.

Maxwell curses to himself. Why did he have to bring up that bloody sun cream? He quickly looks around for a way out.

“I actually just wanted to take a swim. Miss Fine” he replies. “The waves are a lot of fun you know. You should try it.”

Fran looks at the children playing in the water, being tossed around be ste strong waves. The thought of having a little fun in there is pretty appealing.

To Maxwell surprise Fran jumps nd pnd pulls him out of his chair “Whatta ya waiting for mista?” She runs off to the water, leaving him somewhat dazzled behind.

Maxwell looks at their stuff and is a little reluctant to leave everything behind. With a raised hand he calls Fernando. He tries to make clear that he wants him to guard his stuff. Fernando directly understands and takes their bag with him behhis his little shelter. ‘I watch, you swim with lady bonita” he says with a big smile. Maxwell thanks him and walks towards the sea where Fran is already half in the water.

He cautiously walks up to her as she proceeds to let her body get adjusted to the salty sea. Just one step to go and he is right behind her. With a flat hand Maxwell splashes a handful of water on her back. “Aaaaaargh” Fran screams as she angrily turns around finding a giggling Maxwell. A devilish grin spreads across her face as she places a flat hand just above the water. “Oh No, Miss Fine” Maxwell says as he dives forward, gliding under the water, grabbing her feet. Before Fran realises what happens she feels something tugging at her. Then she falls flat on her back in the cool water.

“You are so gonna regret it” with those words Fran rises from the water and runs towards Maxwell. At that moment a wave hits her from behind and knocks her over again. Maxwell can’t stop laughing as she comes up again. “I am not yet regretting it, Miss Fine” he is still a foot away from her “Not at all”.

Now it is Fran who dives in the water towards her boss. Maxwell is just a fraction too late and feels Fran’s hands on his ankles. It is easy for Maxwell to remain standing up, but when another waves comes unexpectedly, he too goes down. The strong wave surprises Fran as well and in order to not hit the hard bottom she holds on to Maxwell. The water washes over both of them before they reach up for air. Fran is still clinging to him. “Are we even now?” Maxwell says as he looks down on Fran in his arms. She puts a hand on his chest and moves her face up to his. “No, not yet.” Their mouths are only inches apart now. Their bodies are halfway in the water and both their faces are dripping wet. Fran feels the drips from Maxwell’s hair and face on hers. She moves her hands up to his hair and buries them into his wet curls. Maxwell can’t resist putting his arms around her waist. For an instant they look at each other.

Maxwell is fighting his urge.had had promised himself to keep it friendly and professional from now on. But she is so close and … oh my God, she is lovely. Her hair is curly from the water and sticks to the sides of her face and shoulders. The sun makes the water drips on her body shimmer. It feels like his nerve system breaks down. He can’t move. He can only look at the woman who slowly moves her hands through his hair. He wants to push her away yet he wants to kiss her, touch her and make her his own. Instead of doing either he does nothing, he just stares at her.

Fran moves her face close to his while still stroking his hair. She sees him gazing at her. He looks so vulnerable here in the water. Barely naked and wet. Her eyes travel from his face to his neck and his upper chest. She notices his chest heaving with breath. It strikes her. He is nervous and scared. Even here, far away from their lives, in another world, he is scared of what is happening to him. He is scared for the outcome of his actions, he is scared of losing his so treasured control. Fran wants to comfort him, not scare him. She traces one hand along the side of his face, cradling his head in her hand.

Maxwell is still numb. He feels Fran caressing his face. He closes his eyes and opens them again as Fran’s hand lays still against his cheek. He watches her reaching up. He feels that familiar mixture of fear and excitement crawl up again. “M … Miss…Fine..” he softly says. Not knowing if he wants to tell her to stop or to continue.

Fran puts her finger to his mouth. “Trust me” she whispers. With those words she slowly moves her lips towards his to kiss him with a soft and sweet kiss. She can taste the salt on his lips. She then draws away a little, looking expectantly at him.

She gives him control now. Maxwell stares at her. How can he do anything else than return the favour? It isn’t a choice, it’s a need. He slowly bends his head and presses her body a bit closer to him. Her bare skin feels so good against his. He moves one hand up to her neck while the other stays on her lower back, keeping her close. With the softest motion he puts his lips to her face, covering her mouth. He lets them softly glide over hers before removing them agaHis His forehead rests against hers, letting their noses touch.

Fran smiles while feeling him so close. She cups his face with both hands now. “Mr. Sheffield..” she starts almost breathing his name. “You know it’s inevitable”.

With her last words Maxwell pulls his forehead back, away from her again to study her eyes. He parts his lips to speak. “I know”. With that he digs his fingers deeper in the skin of her neck and draws her face closer. He is just about to taste how salty she has become when a sudden wave surprises them. Maxwell tumbles backwards and draws Fran with him. He is too late with closing his mouth and accidentally takes in a big gulp of salty seawater. When the wave dies down, Maxwell comes up heavily coughing.

Fran quickly reaches over to him and pats him on the back to help him getting the water out of his lungs. After a few coughs he regains his normal breathing again. “Come on, let’s get out of the water”. She takes him by the hand and leads them back to their chairs again. Damn, the moment was gone again.

Theay oay on the beach a little longer chatting and watching people walking by. It’s a pleasurable day. Maxwell feels at ease. He is glad that wave had surprised them the moment it did. He was just about to cross that traitorous line again and he did not know how he would have talked it straight again. He can curse at himself for not being able to keep things ‘normal’ between them for just an hour. Every innocent gesturmehomehow turns into something more. If it were just an occasional lip lock he could handle it. But it was every touch, every smile and every word between them that lead to something it shouldn’t lead He He had to be strong. But why? The last question keeps dangling in his mind.

Fran is frustrated that once again a moment was interrupted. It seems to be the story of their lives. Every time they came close, something prevented them from coming too close. Maybe they just weren’t meant to be. Fran sighs again. How could they not be meant to be if every chance they got, they clung together like magnets? She couldn’t help being drawn to him, wanting to touch him every occasion possible and feeling the need to taste him over and over again.

After a while the sun starts setting and the air gets cooler. Fran and Maxwell pay for their seats and go back to their hotel.