Reaching for the Moon by ThePekingNoodle
---------------------------
Chapter Forty-Nine: Anyone for a Swim?
Our hero finds out that there's more than one way to cool down a cat…
Arnold was slightly confused by Max's behavior, but he wasn't about to protest as she pulled him along, off the terrace and into the gardens that backed the Cale Mansion. He was floating in a cloud of euphoria that she had even remembered him from the night before, much less seemed to want to spend time with him.
After a few minutes they came to a beautifully landscaped swimming pool that overlooked Elliott Bay. The pool was constructed so that it appeared to be set in a tropical grotto. Waterfalls spilled into it and lush vegetation surrounded it. Lounge chairs and tables were scattered about artistically. The water sparkled blue in the sun and the sound of the waterfalls was a soothing rush in the background. It was completely deserted.
Max smiled as she spotted a double lounge set well back in a shaded corner. Plump cushions beckoned invitingly. "Come on, let's go over there." She pulled Arnold along with her and when they reached the lounge she released his hand, kicked off her sandals, and dropped down on to it. Arnold stood and stared as Max reclined back on the lounge. Her lustrous dark hair was spread out around her head. Her position pulled her tank top tight across her bust and he gulped at what he saw in front of him.
"What are you waiting for? Aren't you ready for a rest?" Max said in a husky voice. She shifted her shoulders and wiggled into a more relaxed position. Her pink tongue came out and she circled it around her full lips. Arnold gulped. He cautiously sat down on the edge of the lounge next to Max.
Max smiled at him. Then she reached up and pulled his face down to hers. Arnold felt her lips on his and then her tongue was inside of his mouth. His head was spinning. He felt like he was flying, soaring over the earth. He felt the shock of the cold water as he landed in the swimming pool.
When he surfaced, Max's husband was standing at the edge of the pool looking like murder. Max was sitting on the lounge with her mouth open in surprise. Arnold wanted to get out of the pool but he was afraid of what would happen to him if he did.
Fortunately for him, his hostess' daughter, Kendra came hurrying on to the scene. She took in everything at a glance and walked over to Logan. "Logan. You need to let him out of the pool. Mom won't be very happy if he drowns at her party."
Logan turned to look down at Kendra. "I need to kill him, is what I need to do." He said calmly.
Kendra sighed. "Fine. Kill him later though, ok? After everyone else leaves. I won't stop you then. Please?"
Logan thought a moment then shrugged. "Get him out of my sight. And keep him out of it." He turned away and walked over to where Max was still sitting on the lounge, clearly dismissing Arnold.
"C'mon, get out of there and get out of here. Now." Kendra hissed at Arnold. He didn't wait to be told twice. In seconds he was out of the pool and being hustled away by Kendra, his shoes squelching with each step he took and water dripping from his sodden clothes. Despite it all he had a beatific smile on his face. Kendra just looked at him and shook her head as she led him away.
Max had dropped back onto the lounge and she looked at Logan with a smile on her face.
She patted the cushion next to her invitingly.
"Max, you can't be serious." Logan was furious with her. He knew full well that Arnold was an idiot and that Max had engineered the entire scene he had come upon.
"Nothing happened." Max pouted at him. "You were sleeping and I was…bored."
"I told you I'd take care of you. If you …needed…to you know, then you should have waited for me."
"I did wait. But then Arnold was there and he's kind of cute and…" She stopped aware that he didn't like her explanation. "I wasn't going to do anything with him anyway. I knew you'd come for me." Max undulated on the lounge shooting Logan a sexy look. "And you did." she finished triumphantly.
Logan felt his body reacting to her looks and her actions but he clamped down hard and maintained his control. He shrugged. "Guess you were right then."
"So come for me." She whispered seductively reaching up and grabbing his hand. She gave it a hard tug using her strength, and Logan found himself laying next to her on the lounge. Then, somehow he was flat on his back and Max was laying full length on top of him. She moved her body suggestively and he felt his own responding in kind.
"Max. Stop." He protested.
"No. You know you don't really want me to," she whispered as her tongue swept around his ear. Her hips moved on his. Logan groaned at the feeling.
"Max, this is not the time or place. Get control." He tried once again.
"I have control, Logan." Her hand began to slip down between their bodies.
Making a supreme effort, Logan rolled her off of him and captured her hands over her head. Max didn't resist. She just lay there smiling up at him. "You want to play games? I'm game. You're the master and I'm your love slave. Just tell me what you want…" She wiggled suggestively once again and Logan had to force himself to tear his eyes away. Max smiled smugly.
Logan thought a moment. "Close your eyes."
Max giggled and complied. Logan released her hands and scooped her up into his arms. Max started to open her eyes. "Keep them closed. I have a surprise for you." Max felt him start to walk.
"When can I open them?" she whispered huskily, enjoying the feel of Logan's arms around her and his chest hard against her.
"Oh right about now would be good." There was laughter in Logan's voice.
Max opened her eyes at the same time that Logan opened his arms and let her go. As she dropped through the air she twisted and grabbed at his wrists. Both of them landed in the pool with a tremendous splash.
Max surfaced, spitting out water and pushing her hair out of her eyes. Logan was facing her, treading water and grinning.
"Why you…you…" she spluttered.
"Just thought you needed a bit of a cool down." He teased.
Max couldn't help it. The sight of Logan in his Dockers and polo shirt, treading water in the swimming pool was too funny. She burst into laughter. Logan joined in with her.
"I gotta admit, you sure know how to turn down the heat," she admitted.
"You ready to get out of here and go get some dry clothes?" He asked her.
Max looked down at herself. "Might be a good idea."
Logan pulled himself out of the pool and reached in to help Max out. He took a deep breath when she emerged from the water and he saw what it had done to her white silk tank top. She might as well have been naked from the waist up.
"Wait here." He left her sitting on the edge of the pool as he went over to a large bin concealed under some bushes. He flipped it open and pulled out a large fluffy beach towel. When he got back to Max, he pulled her to her feet and carefully draped the towel around her shoulders, letting it hang down in front. He stepped back and surveyed his work and nodded.
Holding out his hand to her he smiled, "Shall we?"
Max took the offered hand and let him lead her back toward the house. As they got closer she stopped. "Logan, is there any way we can get in without passing the terrace?"
Logan looked down at her and shook his head. "Nope." He appeared supremely unconcerned at the prospect.
"So what do we do?"
"Follow my lead."
Max looked at him but shrugged her shoulders. Hand in hand they soon reached the terrace. Heads turned as they appeared, soaking wet. Conversation buzzed. Logan ignored it all, smiling and greeting those he knew as they walked by. Max smiled serenely as she followed along beside him.
They were almost in the house when Logan's hand tightened on Max's. She looked up to see his Aunt Margo blocking their path. Margo looked them both up and down.
Logan simply stood there waiting and Max followed his lead.
"Logan, what is the meaning of this?" Margo hissed.
"I think it's pretty clear. We had a slight accident at the pool. Max slipped in and I had to jump in and pull her out." He shrugged in unconcern.
"Don't you mean I had to pull you out?" Max asked sweetly.
"Was that it, sweetheart?" Logan asked her. "Sorry, I slipped in and Max had to pull me out. You know you really should do something about the tile on the pool terrace. It's a hazard. Someone could drown if they were alone there," he said blandly.
Margo was seething but she was also aware of the interested ears listening to every word.
"Yes well, I'm glad to see that no one did drown today. You two had better run along and get into some dry clothing before you catch your death." She turned to one of her society friends, clearly dismissing Max and Logan from her attention. "Children today. Simply impossible. What can one do…"
Max and Logan made good their escape. As soon as they reached the safety of the house they looked at each other and dissolved into laughter. Then, hand in hand they proceeded to make their way across the marble floored hallway and up the stairs to their room, their progress marked by the sound of squelching footsteps and puddles of water.
End of Chapter Forty-Nine…TBC…
