Max and Anna: A Harmless Short by Melissa Schroeder Read Free Book Online

Max and Anna
    L ight Hawaiian trade winds were shifting through the open-air hotel bar as the woman who called herself Gennifer slid onto a stool. It was was moderately busy for a hotel bar in the middle of the day, especially one in Hawaii.
    Gennifer slid a blonde curl back over her shoulder and smiled at the bartender who approached her. He was at least five years younger than she was. When she smiled at him, he blinked, then a slow, sweet smile curved his lips.
    Too young, she thought. But he definitely fit the part. He was in excellent shape, from the way the light cotton fabric stretched across his shoulders. From his skin tone and his facial features, Gennifer could tell he had some Hawaiian in him
    “Afternoon, what’s your poison?”
    Lord she loved that Hawaiian accent.
    “Good afternoon,” she said. “A strawberry margarita—heavy on the margarita.”
    He winked. “You got it.”
    “How long have you been on the island?” he asked.
    “Just got in late last night.”
    “Long flight?”
    She nodded. “Everything’s a long flight to Hawaii, but definitely worth it.”
    When he was done with the blender, he poured the concoction into a glass then set it in front of her.
    “I detect some Georgia in your voice.”
    She nodded. “Born and bred. And thank you.”
    “Will there be anything else?”
    He offered her a smile that promised more than drinks. And, at one time, she would have taken him up on it. Young, virile, he had light green eyes that stood out against his bronze skin. But…she didn’t need or want another man.
    She shook her head and sipped her drink. As he worked his way down the bar, she watched him, handling locals and tourists with the ease. In Honolulu, she was sure it was something that gained him a lot of good tips. And, she thought as she took another sip, he could mix a mean margarita, heavy on the tequila, thank God.
    Gennifer looked in the mirror behind the bar and studied the crowd of sunburned tourists decked out in their new Hawaiian outfits, and that’s when she saw him. Her stomach clenched, her nerves stretched. He was right on time as he always was. She couldn’t remember if he’d ever been late. The man was probably born on time with minimum fuss.
    He was gorgeous of course. That was another thing that hadn’t changed. Thick blond hair, strong jaw, that linebacker body. His black Hawaiian shirt sported one embellishment—a palm tree on the top right corner. It made her grin. Butch—as she was thinking of him at the moment—would never wear something with a busy pattern. It didn’t fit his stuffy style. The khaki, loose-fitting pants were ruthlessly ironed, not a crease to be found.
    He would always stand out in any crowd, especially to her.
    Their gazes locked in the mirror. As serious as he was, there was always a hint of devilment within his deep chocolate eyes. She had recognized it years ago. His hair might be perfectly styled, his suit without a wrinkle, but there was always a wicked gleam in the depths of his gaze. Her breath tangled in her throat.
    As he made his way through the bar, he never took his attention from her in the mirror. A shiver slipped down to the base of her spine. Heat vibrated through her, shimmering in her blood, racing along her skin. Gennifer had to suppress a quiver as he continued walking toward her. Now he didn’t look much like Butch, but more like a o
    He kept his attention on her, ignoring the patrons in general, even snubbing one or two women who approached him.
    The shiver grew, heat slicing through her veins, her body warming the closer her got. His dominant personality should have been a turn off. It had been with other men, but with him, well…it just got her hotter. Even in the humid Hawaiian air, her nipples tightened against the cotton fabric of her red dress.
    By the time he reached her side, she was breathless, although she did her best to hide it. She sipped her drink then glanced over at him. The knowing smile