By Atonia Walpole
Part 3 of SUMMER (Skinner)
A rainstorm that afternoon put an end to plans for the pool and they ended up in the living room across from each other playing scrabble on the coffee table. Toni was having a hard time and was way behind. She couldn’t come up with anything but three and four letter words and Max was raking in all the points. She began watching his hand picking up a tile and flipping it around, casually laying his hand on the table.
“Max, you’re cheating!”
“Hum, no, not cheating.”
“Yes, you are! I saw you exchange a tile. I can’t believe this. I quit.”
“Then I guess I win.”
“No ,you don’t. You cheated. Winners don’t cheat.”
“Depends on how you play the game. You always play to win.”
“Winning isn’t everything, Max, and if you think you have to cheat to win, can’t do it on your own, then you don’t deserve a win, you don’t deserve anything. I don’t like this about you, Max.” She got up and went to her room.
He didn’t know why he’d done it. Surely he was better than that. He pushed the tiles back in the box and leaned against the chair. Nobody likes a loser. Nobody cares about you if you lose. What am I trying to win here…Toni? And I’ve lost her. He walked in the kitchen and opened a bottle of wine, carrying it out to the terrace in the rain. He sat under the umbrella and drank from the bottle.
Toni had been furious with him when she slammed her door. What a childish thing for him to do. She paced around her room trying to recall things about him. He’d had a bad childhood, his trips to his uncle’s his only respite. His uncle had loved him and been patient with him, knowing his shortcomings. Patience…oh, Max, you’d be so easy to love if you’d just cut the crap! She walked out on her balcony and saw him on the terrace.
“Max,” she called out, “would you come up, please?”
He ducked his head out from the umbrella. “Ah, sure.” Oh, bollocks! She was going to send him back. He knew she could do that. Didn’t even last a day Skinner. Bollocks! He drained the bottle before going in.
She opened her door and waited on him to appear. He seemed to be taking his time. She walked back over the balcony to see if he was still there…no, okay. Turning, she saw him in her doorway. His hair was dripping wet, glasses spotted with water, barefoot in a pair of shorts and a wet knit shirt.
“Toni, I just want to say I think you’re fantas…fantastic. I’m sorry.”
Oh, dear God, he was drunk. “Max…you’re dripping wet.” She went over to him and took his hand, leading him to her sofa. “I’ll get a towel. Just sit.”
“I know I’ve not been good…I don’t know how you go about it. I guess you do.”
“Go about what, Max?”
“Um, sendin’ me back to where I came from.”
It was that little lost boy look that touched her heart. She had no intention of sending him back and couldn’t possibly do it now. “I’m not sending you back, darling. I’d never do that. I’m getting a towel. Don’t move.”
What did she say? Don’t move?I have to be still to go back? Okay. He fell over on her sofa and passed out.
Toni dried him off and with some difficulty removed his wet shirt and slipped off his shorts. Hmm, does he not have any boxers? She hung his wet clothes on the side of her tub and found an afghan to cover him up. He was going to require a lot of love and attention. Oh, Max, you are gorgeous. She kissed him and left for her workroom.
She sat down and looked at the two framed pictures on her shelf, John the love of her life, and Jack, whom she would trust with her life and love. There were two empty frames waiting. Max…somehow they had to find a common ground.
Toni left the door open to her bedroom so she could hear him when he came to. She worked for two hours before she heard a crash. Running to her room she found he’d rolled off the sofa had banged into the coffee table.
“Max, are you okay? Max, honey, wake up!” She tried to pull him up to a sitting position but he was dead weight. She sat down on the floor and placed his head in her lap. “Maxamillian Skinner, wake up.” His eyes came open.
“Toni, I’m still here?” he mumbled, blinking his eyes.
“Well, of course you are, Max. How are you feeling?”
“Not so good. You’re upside down.”
“What were you drinking?”
“A large bottle of wine. Are you ever going to forgive me?” Slight grimace.
“I’m thinking about it. Can you get up?”
“Oh, shit!” He sat up and held his head.
“There’s nothing like a wine hangover, Max. I’ll get you some ice water.”
She went downstairs, getting a pitcher of ice water and a pack of crackers.
Max had pulled himself up to the sofa, noticing he was naked. I can’t believe I did this. What did I do? Stripped naked? Ah, shit, Skinner!
“Here you go. Drink some water.”
“What have I done to embarrass myself now?” He indicated the afghan wrapped around him.
“I did that, Max. You were dripping wet. Drink your water.”
“I think I love you,Toni.”
“You don’t know what you think right now, Max,” she smiled and handed him a cracker then picked up the wet towel to take to her bathroom. The tub was full of water and candles were lit. You don’t know what you are doing! How can I sit in this tub with another man after John. The water rippled sending up a pleasant scent. She breathed it in. It was Max’s scent.
“Max, come in here!” she called.
Max got up, still holding the afghan around his middle. His eyes met hers after he saw the tub. “Are you sure?”
“Yes, I’m sure.” She pulled her top over her head and unbuttoned her shorts. “You’re meant to get in first,” she said, looking up at him.
“Ooh, yes, of course.”
She settled against him. His body felt so much like John’s and she closed her eyes, breathing in his scent. She smiled. He wasn’t going to just hold her. It was going to be okay. Max…
Max didn’t know why he deserved this. She should have sent him back but she didn’t. Her body was so soft and smooth, her breasts just the right size. She fit against him just right. If she would give him a chance…he would win her.
“Toni,” he said against her ear, ”how long are we going to sit in the tub?”
“Until you feel better, Max.”
“Can’t you tell, can’t you feel?”
“I feel you against me. I’m talking about your head, honey.”
“I think it’s going to burst open if I don’t get you in the bed soon.”
She turned her head and smiled at him. “Slow down, relax, I’m not going anywhere.” He kissed her ,tugging at her lips, first the top then the bottom. She closed her eyes. He was so like John. Somewhere in her mind she knew he was John, he was Jack. These were characters created by the same man. Why wouldn’t they be similar and yet they were so different. She let his kiss take her, probing her mouth with his tongue. She gently closed her teeth, catching the tip and watching his eyes come open. They wouldn’t be in the tub much longer.
They had been together for a week and Max was restless. He really needed something to do but was at a loss to entertain himself. Toni finally gave up her writing to play with him. They swam in the pool, played on the beach, played tennis and he let her win, surprising himself. In the garage he found a Harley and Toni rode with him, showing him the paths and roads she and John had found with his snowmobile. He found a dirt road where he could really open up the bike and ride. He now knew just how far he could push her before she exploded on him and tried his best not to go there.
Toni felt her patience had paid off. He was fun, he was loving, and he made her laugh sometimes at his own expense. He required a lot of her time but she was learning a great deal about him. He was all about winning and was not above cheating to win. He was very intelligent and knowledgeable about many things. He was also conflicted, part of him ‘the suit’ and part of him the man in shorts and sweaty tank top. She knew he was trying to win her. What that meant to him she had no idea. His charm had already won her heart but she was careful not to let him know.
Max sat with his back against the large rock on the slope down to the beach. They had brought their blanket from the sand when the wind got too strong and moved between the large rocks. Toni was lying on her stomach about to drift off to sleep.
“Toni, what do I have to do to win you?”
“Am I a prize, Max?”
“You are to me. You’ve put up with a lot from me and I’m truly sorry. “
“What if you did something spectacular, out of this world and I declared you a winner? What would you do then? She rolled over, propped on her elbow.
He ignored her question. “I feel I’m limited here. I can’t take you out, wine and dine you, take you dancing, to a concert, to a museum…we’re more like housemates. When I screw up I can’t buy you anything or even send you flowers.”
“We could do the wine, dine and dance part right here, Max. We can order up most anything I think. I could meet you there wherever we decide there is. You want to date me, don’t you?” Now she understood. He wanted to romance her, woo her in his own way.
“Do you think so?” he smiled. “Okay, can I order it up as a surprise or do you have to do it?”
“I don’t know. Try something. Order an apple.” He tried but nothing happened. Please, let him have an apple. “Try again, Max.”
“I’d like an apple, please.” An apple appeared on the blanket.
House, please, let Max order dinner, drinks, dancing, music, whatever he wants for tonight. He will do nothing to harm me.
“I think you can order up a romantic evening if you’d like.”
“Did you have something to do with the apple?”
“Yes, I told the house to let you have it. I don’t know what kind of power I have here. I think I am protected by the house. No harm can come to me here. I would never abuse it and ask for something silly. Interesting, though, now I know only I can make a request. But you can order up whatever you’d like for tonight.”
“This is a very strange place, Toni. You should be careful here.”
“Why? I know what it is now. I feel safe and loved and ready for an evening when you decide what to do.”
“Okay, what do I do, how do I go about this?”
“Um, I’d just walk around and decide what you want where and just tell the house. Sounds crazy but it works.” Max stared at her a minute and got up, walking back up the hill. Toni didn’t want to see where he went so she lay back down on her stomach. This is very sweet of Max.
Max wasn’t sure about this and felt a little foolish walking around the grounds. He sat down in the rose garden on a bench and really thought about what he would like, a romantic setting for two. It took him a while to work out the details but he thought he had it and feeling really silly, turned and told the house what he wanted at dusk.
He ran back down the slope. “Okay, Toni, I’ve placed an order. I hope it works.”
Toni sat up and smiled. “I hope so, too, if not it’s tuna sandwiches in the kitchen.”
“Um, it’s upscale. Hope you don’t mind.”
“I wouldn’t have expected anything else from you, Max. What time is our date?”
“At dusk,” he smiled
Part 4:
Toni soaked in her fragrant tub. She hadn’t seen Max since they came in and she’d gone to her room. She was flattered that he wanted to do something like this…a first since she’d been at the house. She'd found a really pretty white silk sundress in her wardrobe, the fabric strewn about with tiny fern leaves. It was made off the shoulder and fit her perfectly, floating when she turned. Sling back heels and earrings; should she put her hair up or wear it down? A jeweled comb on one side…yes. She fussed over her appearance, adding a little make up and a touch of rosewater on her wrists. She wondered what Max would wear. She hadn’t seen him in much besides shorts since he’d come.
Max was just getting in the shower. He had been so worried nothing would happen. He spent most of the afternoon watching from the terrace to see if the house was going to come through. Amazing to watch things just appear out of thin air. The stage was set. Now it was up to him.
He dressed with care, combed his hair and straightened shoulders. He was confident, polished and in control of himself. He walked out of his room and knocked on her door.
They both stared at each other, unable to speak for a moment.
“You look ravishing, Toni,” he smiled.
Toni was still looking him over. He was dressed in a dark suit, white shirt, opened part way down the front. He’d combed his hair back. He was beautiful. “My handsome escort,” she murmured and tilted her head, smiling.
He offered his arm and escorted her through the dining room, out the French doors, down the garden path through the archway where a fountain had appeared. Beyond the fountain was a white tent. The sides of a soft white fabric billowed out in the breeze. The floor was tiled and the inside of the tent held tiny white lights that lined the top. A table for two was set with white linens and china and the silver gleamed in the candlelight. Large urns of white roses indicated the entrance and as they entered, jazz began to play. There was a dance floor to one side and a long buffet near the table with silver covered dishes and a bottle of champagne cooled by their table.
“Max…Max…I can’t believe this! Oh, Max, it’s the most beautiful thing! You…this is you.”
“This is for you, Toni. I’m glad you’re pleased.”
“More than pleased! Oh, Max…where did…how did you come up with this?”
“I’d seen a painting in the Tate with billowing curtains and it just came from that. Would you like a glass of champagne?” He uncorked the bottle expertly and handed her a flute.
“I almost want to cry, Max. This is so very special.”
Max clipped a white rose and stuck it in the comb that held back her hair on one side. “It’s for a very special lady,” he said and kissed her softly on the lips.
Toni was simply blown away by him and what he had done for her. She hadn’t expected anything like this. She felt her eyes sting and blinked. She watched him move over to the covered dishes, checking to make sure everything was right. This was the unknown, the man in control. She’d seen the petulant child in him, the pompous ass he could be, the sexy lover and now this. He was a man of many parts. When he came back to her and took her hand, leading her to the table, his blue green eyes were soft and she knew she was lost.
They finished their meal of beef tenderloin, haricot verts, new potatoes in butter and rosemary, flakey rolls with herbed butter. She kept meeting his eyes over the table as they ate. He wasn’t very talkative tonight. His eyes said it all.
He took her out on the dance floor for quite a while, ending with a slow sultry tune that brought her close in his arms. The base seemed to beat with her pulse, his scent played with her senses, she was drowning in his eyes.
“You have me under a spell tonight, Max.”
“I hope to keep you there, Toni, surround you with it, fold you in it. Do you know what it is?” he asked against her ear.
“Seduction?” she offered.
“That comes later,” he smiled. “This is what I feel for you.”
Toni closed her eyes. How did this happen again? You didn’t know about this side of him did you, Jack?
The house was busy in Max’s room. There would have to be candles, fresh sheets, white roses in a crystal vase with French jazz softly playing in the background. Put away the clothes he’d tossed about, neaten the bathroom. Pleased with itself, it settled down to await the lovers. She would appreciate all the special touches.
They had another glass of champagne before Toni remembered. “Max, I’d like a picture of this tonight. It’s such a special event.”
“Wish your camera here.”
“Oh, ha, yes! I can, can’t I.” It appeared on the table and she took pictures of the tent, of Max and he of her. He took one of them together.
“You have swept me off my feet tonight, Max. I’m not sure I want to come back down.”
“The night is not over yet, Toni. It’s time for the seduction to commence,” he grinned, taking her in his arms.
“I’ll make it easy for you, Max. I’m half way there now.”
He put his arm around her waist and walked her under the archway, through the garden and into the house. The lighting had dimmed to a soft glow, the air scented with jasmine. They stopped on the landing for a kiss then he led her into his bedroom.
He made love to her, kissing her lips until they were red, teasing her body until she cried out for him. Max Skinner was in love and before the night was over he’d won his prize. She lay in his arms and slept through the night.
Before she became fully conscious the next morning Toni knew she was with Max. hHs scent filled her, surrounded her and warmed her. She snuggled closer to him and he responded, still asleep with his hand on her bottom.
They began an intense love affair that carried them through the summer. They made love in the cabana by the pool, in the gazebo by the pond, on the beach and nightly in his bed. They were both aware time was not standing still and by mid-August they were looking at the end.
Toni had arranged a barbeque in the back yard. Chinese lanterns graced the now covered terrace and down the slope toward the beach. Max grilled steaks and she prepared a salad and baked potatoes. Knowing how well he danced, she requested some rock music, old and new.
“Umm, it smells good out here, Max,” Toni observed as she brought out the salad.
“I hope it tastes as good, Toni. I’ve never done this, you know.”
“I am convinced you can do anything, Max. You want to turn them now.” She put her arms around his waist leaning her head on his back.
Toni was all too aware of the two weeks they had left together. She was trying to mentally prepare herself for his leaving. Max would not talk to her about it.
It was late and the blue-eyed soul of the Righteous Brothers brought them into each other's arms. She locked her eyes with his as he slowly moved her around, his arms going about her waist and hers around his neck.
“I don’t want this to end, Toni,” he whispered.
“Neither do I, Max, but we can’t change it.”
“Isn’t there something you can do? You control the house, you know.”
“I don’t really. I can’t change nature, darling, and I can’t stop time.”
“It’s like waiting for an execution! I can’t stand this, Toni! I don’t think I can do this.”
“What are you talking about, Max? We don’t have a choice. It’s going to end. It has to.”
“Maybe…I don’t want to wake up with you one morning and just disappear. I’ll do it my own way. If I have to walk out of your life, I’ll at least do it with some style.” He managed a weak smile and pulled her closer to him.
Toni had no idea what he was talking about and felt tears sting her eyes. “I love you so much, Max.”
“I love you, too, Toni. Let’s go walk on the beach.” He led her down the slope following the lanterns.
A week later he asked her to order up a nice picnic lunch. They would be taking the bike out. He showered and dressed in loose white cotton slacks and a blue knit shirt then found her in the kitchen packing a bottle of wine.
“Nice touch. What have you got there? Bread and cheese, fruit, pate…very nice. Toni, are you ready?”
They rode out past the horse paddocks and stables to a pretty spot he’d found earlier on his rides. A narrow river ran over rocks on its way to the sea and by its side on a mossy bank they made their picnic. She fed him grapes and he fed her cheese. It was a very pleasant afternoon. They made love on the blanket before packing up the remains of their day. A cool breeze came up, sending chill bumps up her arms and he said it was time to get her back.
He pulled the bike up to the front of the house and took her in his arms. Toni had an inkling of what was coming before they left the river bank and had tried to prepare herself.
“I’m going to go now, Toni,” he said and bit his bottom lip. “Don’t forget our summer love.”
“I could never forget you, Max,” and she parted her lips for his kiss.
Max mounted his bike and rode off toward the dirt road.
Toni stood where he’d left her until the sound of his bike disappeared. She felt numb and turned to walk into the house, closing the door behind her as leaves began to blow across the walk.
The house felt her sadness and prepared her a tub of warm herb-scented water. Toni walked upstairs to her room, undressed, and lay back in her tub letting the tears wash her face. Later she got out and pulled on her robe. She tried Max’s door and found it would not open. The house had known he was leaving.
Toni went down to the kitchen and made a pot of coffee. Taking her cup to her bedroom, she pulled out her selection for fall and sat alone in the dark, watching the movie.
ON TO FALL
BACK TO SUMMER, PART 1
BACK TO SPRING, PART 1
BACK TO WINTER
BACK TO BEGINNINGS
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