“Fast metabolism,” she explained still put back by his observation.
“This is my exit.” Max pointed at the sign.
Janet let him lead her up and into the hills above Hollywood. Soon the houses started to spread out and the driveways grew longer. He guided her to a gate where hedges kept anyone from the street from seeing in.
“This is your house?”
“No, this is my gate.”
Janet stopped at the voice box and rolled down her window. “There are no numbers.”
“No, there isn’t.” Max leaned over her body, his face mere inches from hers. “Excuse me.” He reached out and pressed one of the buttons on the call box. No one answered. Instead, a small door opened and a laser type camera emerged.
She sat back and watched the laser scan his eye. Done, a British voice came over the intercom. “Welcome home, Mr. Ritter.”
Janet gawked at him. How could she not? He was so damn close. Before Max settled back into the passenger seat he nudged closer and deliberately sniffed her hair. His eyes closed briefly as if savoring the smell.
She squeezed her legs together in an attempt to block out the tingling between her thighs.
A metallic hum of the automatic gate opening broke the spell. “Shall we?” she asked.
****
She knew he wasn’t homeless, but this was ridiculous. He had a butler. Who has a butler? His house was huge! Thirty-foot ceilings, massive archways and marble columns made up the entryway and hall. Artwork the size of her car covered the immense walls of what had to be a formal living room.
James, the butler, helped her out of her sweater and offered her coffee when Max went off to get dressed. She accepted the coffee, but instead of sitting to drink it, she wandered around Mr. Naked Man’s home.
Could this really be his house? If it was, then why the hell was he naked on the streets if he lived like this?
Was he into drugs? Suddenly nervous, Janet put her coffee cup down. She noticed cameras, or what she knew were cameras, hidden by small black disks on the walls and ceiling. Was he spying on her now?
****
Max glanced over at the bank of monitors on the wall. He watched her pace his home. Her hands skimmed over several pricy pieces of art. He could see her breath quicken.
He slipped into a casual sweater, but decided against a shave. From the expression on Miss O’Brien’s face, she was ready to bolt. He ran a hand through his hair and grabbed the remote controlling the surveillance equipment. After pressing a button, the wall of monitors disappeared.
He yanked his keys off the dresser and shoved his wallet in his pocket before heading out the door.
“You ready?” He bounced down the stairs. She had already headed for the door.
“Why is it locked?” She tossed an accusing look his way.
“It’s locked?”
“Yeah, it is.” She tugged on the door.
Max strode over to the control panel by its side and started punching buttons. “I have a new security system. Damn things too complicated.”
She stood back, her trembling hand slipped into her purse. “New security system?” she asked.
“Yeah, someone robbed me a few months ago, my insurance agency suggested this.” He continued with the buttons he knew weren’t connected with the lock on the door. “Shit,” he exclaimed when he tested the door himself. “James?” he hollered.
“Sir?”
“Can you get me the phone, the door’s jammed again.”
The butler returned moments later, a cordless in his hand. Max smiled down at Janet who seemed to ease up. He dialed his brother’s number.
“Holy shit, Max is that you?”
“Hey Rich, the door is locking itself again.”
Richard, knowing Max only called him Rich when he wasn’t at liberty to talk candidly, picked up on his cue and starting to ask yes and no questions. “Are you all right?”
“Yes, I tried that.” Max rolled his eyes in Janet’s direction.
“What the hell happened last night?”
“If I could tell you that, I wouldn’t be standing here instead of taking a pretty lady out for breakfast.”
Richard started to laugh. “Man you work fast. Who is she?”
“Ah huh.”
“Oops, all right I get it, you can’t talk. Did you find Gorman?”
“Yes.”
“Did he see you?”
“I think so.”
“Shit, did you save the victim?”
Max noticed Janet check her watch. “Kind of, listen I really need to get this door working properly. I want you to get over here and fix it. I can’t be locked in my own house.”
“All right I’m on my way. How long will you be gone?”
“A couple of hours? That’s not good enough, I need to leave now.” Max punched another series of numbers and a green light went on. He turned the knob and opened the door. “Okay, that worked, but I still want you to get over here and fix this damn thing.”
Max hung up, handed the phone over to James and lifted his arm to Janet. “Ready?”
****
They drove his car, one of them anyway. It seemed Janet wasn’t the only one who liked fast cars. She actually balked at his suggestion that he drive until he opened the garage door and showed her the Ferrari.
Something about the rumble of the engine churned up her blood. She walked over to it and caressed the fiberglass as if it were the skin of a lover. “Nice.”
“I’m glad you approve.”
She eased into the passenger seat and spread her hands on the Italian leather. “So where are you taking me?”
“Are you up for a drive?” He turned the key in the ignition, the engine roared to life. The purr was positively erotic.
“Yeah.”
“Good.”
He pulled out of his driveway and headed west.
****
Traffic was light, and the road up the coast clear. Max watched her out of the corner of his eye. The grin she wore spoke volumes on how she reacted to the drive.
It wasn’t often he used his Ferrari to turn a woman’s head, but he knew it was the weapon of choice for this one. He had to keep her close or Gorman would have her for dinner. At least that’s what he told himself. The more time he spent with her, however, the more intrigued he became.
The scent she gave off drove him mad. Earlier when he leaned into her to open his gate, he nearly lost it. He could hardly wait to see how she would taste.
He maneuvered around the curve a little fast, as she had earlier. He watched her cross her legs and wondered if her body hummed. He felt himself stiffen with the thought. She closed her eyes and leaned her head back. She moved her hips in the seat.