Something More (AU, M/L, ADULT) COMPLETE, A/N, 9/1

[Heavenli24]

Hey guys, thanks for the feedback and your comments :

kittens - Perhaps Liz got so wrapped up in the worry over the situation that she wasn't thinking clearly enough to actually go out and take a test? As for Max, his reaction was pretty much instinctive - the arrangement was for a good time - something like pregnancy probably never crossed his mind, which is why his immediate thought was to just dismiss the possibility.

clueless - Thanks . Yes, Max's reaction was heartless and mean, but maybe the news was such a shock that he didn't think before he acted.

Evansgurl01 - Thanks for the FB . I guess it's easy to try to hate Max right now - we don't know much about him at all, but he has the rest of the story to attempt to redeem himself .

Alex Balex - . Yes, he was a jerk - but was it just a bad reaction, or will he continue to act that way? You'll have to keep reading to find out .

behrlyliz - Thanks .

sprayadhesive - The answer to the pregnancy question is coming up, so you won't have to wait much longer to find out .

trulov - I'm sorry Max made you ill , although I hope you got some nice fluffy dreamer reassurance from the other fic afterwards
. Let's just hope Max will realise the error of his ways soon.

Pheobe04 - Yep, definitely not Kyle, although if I hadn't stated that the fic was M/L, it would have been fun to surprise everyone with someone else! I'm not going to say too much about Max's character right now, but the story's not over yet, so he still has time to set things right .

Behrsgirl1230 - A yay and a boo all in the same sentence !

believer_evans - At the moment, Max Evans is a mystery even to Liz - Does he secretly like her? Or is he just a heartless bastard? Who knows right now!

Ms. Anonymous - You know, at the beginning of the fic I did promise an Interlude between every part, which is still true - so what could possibly happen in them? I'll let you read on to find out .

LoveIsForever - Yeah, Max is a jerk right now, but will he see the error of his ways? Let's hope so.

Earth2Mama - Granted, both Max and Liz should have considered the ramifications of their little arrangement, but since it didn't even cross their minds, can Max really be blamed for trying to take the easy way out? Perhaps he was in shock.

behrluv32 - Max could just be in shock and that may be the reason for his behaviour. As for Liz expecting more - they both knew that this was 'no strings attached', so I think she's more upset about the fact that Max won't even face up to his responsibilities than wanting more from him relationship-wise .

extingman - I did mention in the Prologue that there would be Interludes after every part, but I don't think Liz will be too eager to go at it again right now (yet there's still another Interlude - go figure ). I just want to point out that Max also had proection with him most of the time (ie. at the basketball game), but I wanted to show that he wasn't the only one who carried it around on a regular basis (gonig against the whole 'Saint Max walking around with a condom in his back pocket' thing - Liz was just as naughty as him in all this!

nayney - Thanks . You'll just have to keep reading to get the answers to those thoughts .

RASaero611 - Yes, Max was an ass, but so far, we've only seen his immediate reaction - perhaps he'll come around (finger's crossed)?

ShatteredDreamer - Actually, Max was stopped by one of his jock friends after school, not Tess (although that wasn't mentioned in the last part). It was just the one time that they didn't use anything - I don't know much about how quickly you can tell if you're pregnant, but let's just go with the fact that Liz hasn't taken a test yet. Max could have just freaked out at the news and yep, this next part is an Interlude.

dreamsatnight - - you'll have to keep reading to see what happens with Max and Liz next.

LairaBehr4 - Okay, I'll agree that the timing coudl have allowed for a 'meeting' with Tess, but I'll assure you now that Max was stopped by one of his (male) friends .

POM -

Sweet Liz -

Mica - Yeah, I agree he could have handled it better. The answer to whether she's pregnant or not is coming up .

FamersAmers - You're right, Liz shouldn't have to do it alone - maybe Max will wise up to the situation?

Poison Ivy - She could be, and yes Max ought to face up to the responsibility.

cocopucks - Thanks .


***

Interlude V

It’s been almost two weeks since I spoke to Max behind the bleachers and in all that time, he hasn’t even come near me. I took a pregnancy test the day after we spoke and it turns out that it was a false alarm; I’m not pregnant. The thing is, Max needs to know that and I can’t even get him to acknowledge me. I’m torn. On the one hand, I guess I should consider it a good thing that something has come between us and our little arrangement, after all, it wasn’t exactly the healthiest of relationships; but on the other hand…God, I miss the feel of him inside me. I miss the excitement of knowing what we were doing was wrong and kinda twisted, I miss the anticipation of our next secret rendezvous. I guess I just miss him.

Now don’t get me wrong, it’s not like we ever talked or acted like a couple or anything, but there’s a certain physical intimacy that comes with fucking someone’s brains out on a regular basis, and that intimacy made me feel…well, needed, I guess. That’s what I miss. Well, that, and the incredible, mind-blowing sex and off the scale, I-can-see-stars orgasms that accompanied it.

My eyes flutter closed and my heads sink down against my fluffy pillow as I remember how our arrangement began. Technically, it didn’t start out as a clean-cut deal; the first time, it kind of just happened unintentionally. I let myself get lost in the memories as the images and accompanying feelings of that first time, my first time, come flooding back…

Three months ago

Life sucks right now. I get stuck here in the Chemistry lab after school, doing an extra credit assignment just because Mr. Seligman thinks I’m destined for Harvard. Okay, so yeah, I like school and I’m a good student, but sometimes there is such a thing as too much academic work! It also doesn’t help that I’m all alone in here, with not even my lab partner, Kevin, to chat to.

So, I’ll just sit here, stare mindlessly at the experiment set up in front of me, hope that a wave of inspiration will hit me soon and I’ll be able to finish this and go home.

The door opens suddenly and Ms. Johnson pokes her head in.

“Afternoon, Liz,” she smiles. “You don’t mind keeping an eye on a fellow student for me, do you? He’s the only one with detention this afternoon and I have a meeting to go to.”

“Uh…sure…” I agree hesitantly.

“Okay, great. Thanks, Liz,” she says. “I know I can trust you to make sure he gets his work done.”

“Yeah…” I frown. God, am I such a goody-goody that teachers ask me for favours now? Wow, I’m gonna have to do something about that.

“Okay, Mr. Evans,” Ms. Johnson tells the student outside the door, “You can get on with your assignment in here. But don’t disturb Ms. Parker, alright?”

I suck in a breath as Max Evans walks through the door and smoothly slides into one of the many empty seats. How am I going to survive the next forty-five minutes alone with this guy? He’s like the school celebrity and I’m crap at talking to any guy whose name is not Alex Whitman.

I return my concentration to the lab book on my desk and try to ignore that fact that he’s sitting on the other side of the room. Five minutes later, I realise that it’s very quiet, too quiet. I look up to find Max watching me, chewing thoughtfully on his pencil.

“What?” I ask, half defensively, half self-consciously.

He frowns pensively, “You really are a teacher’s pet, aren’t you?”

I bristle. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“I mean,” he starts smoothly as he stands up and begins walking towards me. “You look like you could do with letting your hair down once in a while.”

The comment ought to offend me, but I unfortunately make the mistake of looking up into his eyes. I can’t explain it, but there’s something in his body language, in his gaze, that just draws me to him. I feel myself involuntarily edging around the table, drifting towards him.

“Yeah?” I question softly.

“Yeah,” he smirks.

“What exactly did you have in mind?” I breathe, as I stop in front of him.

“Oh, I don’t know,” he murmurs, his gaze raking over my body. “Something along these lines…” He lowers his head, and I don’t even have to wonder about his intention because I’m already drifting towards him until our lips meet halfway.

Something snaps in me and before I can consider the ramifications of what I’m doing, we’re locked in a passionate, frantic embrace. His hands are all over me, pulling my lower body into contact with his. He’s already hard and the thought of what that means sends a jolt of apprehension through me. But then his hands slip beneath my clothes to cup my breasts and all rational thought flies out of the window. I want him, I realise suddenly. I want this.

Despite the fact that I’m totally inexperienced in this area - a few kisses with Alex is as far as I’ve ever gone - it’s like Max Evans has jumpstarted something inside me and all I want is to feel the hardness currently pressing against my hip thrusting into me over and over and over, until I pass out in sated exhaustion. In fact, I want it so badly that I’m trembling in anticipation. I feel a rush of warmth between my legs and suddenly I can’t stand it any longer, I grab him, pulling at his pants as he fumbles with my belt.

“Wait,” he murmurs against my throat. I lift my head in question. Is he going to tell me to stop? Because at this point, I don’t think I can. “We can’t do this here, anyone could walk in.”

His words sink in and blush as I realise that we’re practically going at it in the middle of the classroom.

“Uh…” I search the room with my eyes, looking for somewhere we can continue this. “The supply closet!” I announce triumphantly.

His eyes follow my gaze to the cupboard door and he gives a brief nod. “Come on, then.”

Once inside the closet, we grab each other once more, picking up where we left off. Within seconds, my jeans and panties are on the floor and he has me up against the door, my legs wrapped around his trim waist. He pulls a condom from his back pocket and hurriedly rolls it on. He positions himself between my legs, but hesitates for a moment, as he watches at me. I feel self-conscious at his perusal, especially considering the situation we’re currently in, and in an attempt to divert his attention, I pull him to me, placing my lips over his and rolling my hips so that he enters me. I don’t think about the fact that this is my first time, or that it kind of hurts; the only thought in my mind right now is that I am painfully aroused and I need more.

As he begins to move at a steady pace inside of me, building up the pleasure for both of us, a single phrase echoes in my mind.

‘Everything’s going to change now’

As the remnants of the memory begin to fade and I return to my surroundings, I become conscious of the fact that one of my hands is now massaging my breasts and the other has made its way into my panties and is rubbing and stroking my clit frantically. That realisation is all it takes to send me over the edge, my orgasm rippling through my entire body. As I come down from the incredible, self-induced high, I realise that I can’t just let go of Max Evans. In the space of three short months, he’s managed to worm his way into my thoughts and I think perhaps even into my heart.

TBC…

[Heavenli24]

Hey guys, I apologise for not posting this part yesterday like I had planned to. A few days ago, I realised that the next few parts needed a bit of tweaking and have spent the last 2 days editing and rewriting some of the parts (and adding a couple more). I was ready to post last night, but I wanted to send the revised part to my beta first. Unfortunately, she hasn't got back to me with it, but I didn't want to leave it much longer before updating, so I'm going to post Part 6 now anyway .

Thank you so much for all of your feedback - I really do enjoy hearing what you think and also coming up with replies to your comments :

Poison Ivy - Thanks .

FamersAmers - Yeah, she's not pregnant - I didn't want to write a pregancy fic . I'd like to do a Max POV, but at the moment I don't see how I can fit it in with the rest of the story. Maybe I'll be able to do a tag in his POV after the story is finished .

anonymousarfan - Yeah, Max was a bastard - but that's how he took the news. It was actually one of his friends that stopped him after class (although it won't be brought up in the story). As for the rest of the story behind the arrangement - more will be revealed in future parts .

LairaBehr4 - I'm glad this story has brightened up your vacation . We'll just have to see what Liz and Max's next meeting is like .

I've read some of your other stories too, you're much more talented than you give yourself credit for.

Thank you (and also ). When I started writing last year, I'd been stuck in the world of science and math for so many years, that I wasn't sure if I even remembered how to write. I really don't know much about technical language stuff either - if you asked me to name a noun (or a verb or whatever) I couldn't do it !

clueless - Thanks .

RoswellRulz - Thanks . In terms of the arrangement starting again - who knows at this point?

Ms. Anonymous - Thanks . I'd like to do a Max POV, but if i do, it will be after I've finished posting the story - I can't see a way to include it in the story at this point .

Thumbelina - Thanks . I agree with you on wanting to hit Max for his reaction, but Liz...she hasn't really been fawning over Max - she's only just realised that she feels anything for him - the rest of the time, she's been ignoring him too.

Alex Balex - Thanks .

Pheobe04 - Thanks . As far as what Max was feeling when it started, basically the idea was that Max and Liz are 2 completely different people who don't even like each other that much, but for some reason can't keep their hands off each other in private - like an invisible pull or something.

Earth2Mama - Yeah, I didn't want to deal with pregnancy in this story . Although it's not totally official (it will be though), Liz and Alex are basically friends now - they haven't been out on a date in several weeks - and even then it was with Maria too. I can't imagine that Alex would be too pleased to find out about Liz and Max, but she's not technically cheating on him anymore.

Mica - Thanks .

RASaero611 - Yeah, you would have thought Max might find out for sure - I guess his way of dealing with it is to pretend it's not a possibility .

ShatteredDreamer - For the record, Liz didn't say that she wouldn't give him up, she said she couldn't let go of him - as much as she might want to . As for their next meeting...read on to find out .

behrlyliz - Thanks .

Evansgurl01 - All I can say is that who knows what Max's is thinking right now? (maybe we'll find out eventually?)

Michelle in Yonkers -

I'm glad that wasn't true—especially as I thought it was too soon for Liz to even be thinking it, or spreading the news to Max. And I thought the pregnancy tests these days were good after 24 hrs. after the intercourse?

They probably are by now .

I was really enjoying this as fluff, but Max is doing a lot to un-poof my fluff, I thought what they had was kinda neat, in a story anyway, but certain late developments have given me pause:

1) He's not smart or a good student (like Liz)

I didn't say he wasn't smart - he's an average student. Average as in straight B's/the occasional A (in my mind at least) but nothing majorly special .

2) There seems to be a very real possibility that he's using her, more than she's using him, even

He could be, but bear in mind that apart from his reaction to the 'pregnancy' (and despite how Liz came across), he hasn't treated her any different from how she's treated him. It's his friends that are the bastards towards her.

3) And the way they first got together (I was hoping to see that, btw), I was afraid it was just a joke he'd cooked up with the other jocks, all of whom seem a little too interested in this untested Baskin Robbins flavor known as "science nerd."

Max seemed pretty cynical in that first encounter, and Liz... well, she seemed downright easy. And Max has seemed pretty smug all along, which if Liz really means nothing to him, is pretty ... smug.

Just to clear it up, the whole point of the storyline was that Max and Liz were 2 very different people who were inexplicably drawn to each other in private - something neither of them could control .

Love this, sign me up, I'm a member of your fan club.

Thank you .


frenchkiss70 - I didn't mean to suggest that Max was being overly smug or using Liz - he was basically saying what he might to any other girl and Liz could easily have told him where to stick it- the problem is, something stopped her - something she couldn't control.

belleoftheball - Thanks . Yeah, no one is liking Max right now - maybe he'll give us a reason to think otherwise soon?

jamy21 - Thanks - yuo'll have to read on to find out what happens now .

behrluv32 - Thanks .



***

Part Six

Life is hell right now. It seems like everywhere I look, there’s Max Evans and his gang of pathetic losers, all of them intent on reminding me what a poor excuse for a woman I am. If I’m honest, their inane taunts don’t really bother me that much. What pisses me off is how Max just falls right in line with them. He doesn’t attempt to defend my honour or anything, and he carries on making lewd comments with them over my supposed ‘frigidness’ as if he’s not the guy who spent the last three months of his life learning exactly how frigid I‘m not.

Today is no exception. Just when I think the coast is clear and I can reach the other side of campus and head home without bumping into them, here they are walking right towards me. I freeze for a moment, hoping that I can duck into an empty classroom or a closet to avoid them. Unfortunately, as I scan the area with my eyes, I realise that there’s nothing but lockers, Max’s locker included, within 6 feet of my current location. I close my eyes briefly as I steel myself for the inevitable sarcastic comments that are bound to spill from their mouths when they shove past me.

However, something unexpected happens when they approach Max’s locker. Instead of all of them stopping while he grabs his books, Max mutters something to them and they continue on without him. I frown as I hear the usual comments as they pass me and I hesitate in the corridor, unsure of what to do now. Do I ignore Max and carry right on past him? Do I even have the confidence to do that? The thing is, I have no problem putting on a brave face when the whole group is present, but now that it’s just Max in front of me, and the corridor is empty, save for the two of us, everything’s different.

Before I can make up my mind, Max slams his locker door shut and I jump at the loud noise. I don’t even have time to react before he’s striding purposefully towards me. He stops right in front of me, less than a foot away and I take an involuntary step back.

“Liz,” his voice is throaty, as if clogged with emotion. “I need to talk to you.”

My breath catches in my throat and I can’t react, not even to nod. I swallow frantically and it takes several attempts to form any words at all. Finally, I calm myself down enough to speak.

“About what?” I ask eventually, my voice now wary.

“About your…situation,” he clarifies.

“Max, it’s not -” I try to explain, but he cuts me off.

“No, listen,” he insists. “Look, I’ve had a lot of time to think about this and I realise that I didn’t react well when you told me. But I want to make that up to you now. I want you to know that I’m going to support you and the baby. I’m going to help you with this, Liz.”

“Max…” Despite the jerk he’s been the last few weeks, I’m actually touched by his words, by the fact that he seems to be willing to throw his reputation away to help me.

“No, Liz, I mean it,” he tells me determinedly. “Maybe this whole situation is inconvenient and unplanned, but I need you to believe that I’m sorry for my reaction the other week - the news was completely unexpected, and it threw me - but despite appearances, I am a good guy and I‘m willing to take responsibility for my actions.”

He looks so earnest and hopeful, that I suddenly don’t want to break the news to him that there is no baby. Unfortunately, I have to.

“Max,” I look up into his face, making eye contact with him. “It’s okay; you don’t have to worry about it. It was a false alarm; I’m not pregnant.”

“You’re…not?” he questions slowly.

“No,” I shake my head.

“But…” he looks confused. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I wanted to, Max,” I tell him. “I tried to, but you wouldn’t have anything to do with me. I couldn’t get near you.”

“God…” he exhales, casting his eyes to the ceiling. “I’m sorry.”

“It doesn’t matter anymore,” I dismiss with a shrug. “You know the truth now, so we can forget this ever happened. We‘ll just call the last three-and-a-half months an error in judgment.”

Adjusting my bag on my shoulder, I start to walk past him, but he stops me. My eyes drift down to where his hand is suddenly burning a hole in my arm.

“Wait…” he says quickly. “What if I don’t want to forget?”

I stare at him quizzically, my brain not fully comprehending the words.

“Like I said, I’ve done a lot of thinking lately, about you…about us…and you know what? I miss you,” he confesses. My heart skips a beat at his admission.

“What?” I whisper carefully.

“I miss you,” he repeats simply. He leans closer. “I miss the feel of you in my arms, the breathy sounds you make when you come, the way your body moulds to mine when we’re making love, the way…” I don’t hear the rest; my mind is stuck on those two little words…

“Making love?” I interrupt.

“What?” he stops talking, and just stares at me in confusion.

“You said, ‘when we’re making love’. I thought our arrangement was just about sex. Nothing more, nothing less; isn’t that what we agreed?”

He just stares at me for a moment, his eyes searching mine, as if he’s trying to decide something.

“I guess that it was-” he starts falteringly, “- at the beginning; but somewhere along the way, something changed. And now…” he pauses to take a breath. “…I think have feelings for you, Liz; and I don’t want our arrangement to stop, far from it. In fact, I want more. I want to take you out on dates; I want to spend time with you; I want to kiss you by your locker, and hold hands with you around campus. I want to be with you, Liz.”

I’m so taken aback by his sudden confession that I do the only thing I can. I laugh.

“Liz?” he questions cautiously as I double over, giggles wracking my body. “What did I say?”

It takes a few moments, but I finally manage to regain enough control to straighten up and face him again.

“Max,” I say softly. “You can‘t be serious. It was just sex.”

“Are you sure about that, Liz?” he questions. “Do you really believe that two people with absolutely no feelings for each other could have that level of sexual chemistry?”

He’s looking at me in earnest and the smile drops from my face. “Oh God, you’re serious,” I realise then.

“Totally,” he insists.

“Shit…” This is too much.

“Liz, please, will you just consider it? We’d be good together, I know it.”

I scoff, “Max, you have pretty much made my life hell for the last few weeks. Your friends have been acting like bastards towards me for years. Do you really think you can just apologise and that’ll make me agree to date you?” I shake my head, “I’m afraid you’re gonna have to do better than that.”

“But, I don’t understand,” his brow furrows in confusion. “If you didn’t even want this, then why did you keep coming back for more?”

I chuckle and shake my head, “Because, Max Evans, you were a great lay.”

His confused expression quickly turns to surprise at my words and his mouth opens and closes several times before he finally speaks again, “You…you were using me?”

“Well, yeah…we were both using each other,” I remind him slowly, as I try not to roll my eyes. “And you have to admit it was fun…all those secret meetings behind closed doors while in public we pretended to hate each other - that just added to the excitement. But, Max, you have to see that there’s no way things could work between us.”

He looks…well, I’m not exactly sure how to describe his expression – disappointed maybe? – and for a split second, I wonder if I’ve made the right decision. After all, I have only recently admitted to myself that I actually do have feelings for him. But at the same time, these last two weeks, where his attitude towards me has gone from complete ignorance to downright smug bastard, there’s no way that I’m going to tell him that. Not until he starts showing me some respect – outside of the Eraser room, that is.

“So, what you’re saying is…that’s it; whatever it is we’ve been doing for the last few months is just gonna be forgotten…?”

“Yeah, pretty much,” I shrug. “Look, Max, I’m not gonna deny that I enjoyed what we were doing – sneaking around and all that – but I think our little arrangement has run it’s course, don’t you agree?”

He frowns, “I – ”

“Good, well that’s settled then,” I announce, shifting my bag on my shoulder once more. “I’d best be off now,” I inform him coolly. “Have a nice life, Max Evans.”

Clutching my bag, I hold my head high and brush past him as I walk quickly through the hallway. I don’t stop or look back until I’m safely away from him and out of sight. With a trouble sigh, I lean my head back against a locker and take a few deep breaths to calm the butterflies in my stomach. Okay, so I know Max deserved every word, but there’s a part of me that really wants to believe his confession.

Man, how could I have let things get so out of control?

TBC…

[Heavenli24]

Hey guys, thanks for all your feedback and comments :

belleoftheball - I'm a dreamer at heart too, but I think the payback was needed first .

anonymousarfan - Perhaps Liz was wrong not to admit that she liked him too before tell him to respect her, but I guess her reaction was a defense mechanism - she wasn't prepared to hear those words from him and didn't know whether to believe him, so reacted accordingly.

Earth2Mama - All I can say is: I agree !

Ms. Anonymous - As much as I think we all want Max and Liz together - he did deserve her harsh words. Perhaps now he'll actually sit up and listen .

frenchkiss70 - Actually, if I'm going to be picky, it's only been 2 weeks (Part 6 took place only a day or so after Interlude V) . Perhaps Max finally realised that he really liked her and didn't know how to react to that, hence the rudeness. And you're right, Liz reacted in order to protect her own feelings.

kittens - You're right, she could have told him that, but she was just reacting - not thinking about what her words meant for them. And yeah, she may have admitted that she couldn't simply let go of him, but she meant letting go in her heart, and not necessarily stopping him from physically leaving her.

Behrsgirl1230 - I hope so too (of course, I already know what's going to happen, but I can still play along, can't I?)

Aoedele -

clueless - Thanks .

behrlyliz - Thanks .

Sweet Liz -

Alex Balex - Well, the pairing at the beginning does say M/L....

isha00 - Thanks .

believer_evans - Yep, you said it .

extingman - In answer to your points: 1) Yes, Max is still technically with Tess and no they haven't broken up, but the topic will be dalt with soon . 2) Exactly, let's hope he does some serious thinking now. 3) Yes, Max does need to prove that he means what he said. For the record, Max's friends never actually pushed or bumped into her - they would brush past her, but not hard enough to hurt. As for how the arrangement got started...the answer to that is coming up.

LairaBehr4 - Your ideas for Max's grovelling are certainly appealing but, since I wrote it several weeks ago, before I knew what everyone's reactions were gonna be, I hope you'll be satisfied with the way I've had things play out . And thinking back over Max's confession, it does kinda sound like the basis for a practical joke, although I didn't think about that aspect when I wrote it - I don't think hs boys here really bother with jokes like that - they're way more interested in just getting laid - no games involved. One thing that my friends and I noticed in the states was that if guys in a club want to get a girl into bed, they'll be nice to them, butter them up, buy them a few drinks to get them drunk and then go in for the kill. Over here, the conversation is more like, Guy: 'Hey, you wanna go back to my place?', Girl: 'Sure, I'll just grab my coat' - no buttering up, no drinks-buying, and minimal flirting - and if the girl says no, they'll just move on to someone else!

Evansgurl01 - Well, this is a M/L fic, so I guess that's your guarantee . PS. I don't think killing me will do much good - then you wouldn't get any updates and forcing me to write some more probably won't work either, since I've already finished this story .

sprayadhesive - I think a lot of people are torn right now, but Max does need to prove himself to her.

RASaero611 - No, I don't think I'd trust him either .

trulov - I agree totally .

Pheobe04 - I think it was too little too late - let's hope he can make up for that .

FamersAmers - I guess she had to get everything off her chest. As much as she tried not to let their behaviour bother her, Max's confession was probably enough to set her off.

JMoore - Thank you . Yeah, that was pretty much the point of the scare - to put things in perspective for them. As for how Max is going to win her back - everyone has lots of ideas, but it's already written, so I hope you like what I've come up with.

ShatteredDreamer - I think both of them are hurting in their own way. Both Liz and Max also have some obstacles to get past before they can move forward. As for the next Interlude...read on to find out...

Jess79 -

Mica - .

Michelle in Yonkers - Wow, you've made some very good points, some of which I didn't even think of when i wrote this. First of, I'll just say that I didn't intend for the way Liz told him about the possible pregnancy to be perceived as pre-planned or calculated. My view was that she was scared and worried and didn't really think through what she was about to do.
Also, I planned the story so that the Interludes would basically be part of a different world to the Parts - one where social status and personalities where left behind at the door - which is why Liz never revealed her feelings about the relationship in the actual story. Liz crossing over from that world to tell Max about the pregnancy was the breach between the 2 worlds - pushing their secret, fun relationship into the harsh reality of life, and she wasn't prepared for the consequences of her actions.

sunrise102 - I think that although Liz has realised that she has feelings for Max - knowing that she likes him and actually doing something about that are 2 very different things. You're right that not much has been said about Alex lately - but some issues regarding both Tess and Alex will be tackled in the next couple of parts.



***

Interlude VI

*Almost* three months earlier

It feels like I’ve been walking around in a daze for the past few days. Ever since I lost my virginity to Max Evans in the Biology lab, I haven’t been able to get him out of my mind. Well, not *him* exactly, because…well…he’s basically a bastard, but his body at least. I almost can’t believe that only a week ago I was an innocent virgin, intent on saving myself for the right person, and now I’m feeling as horny as ever and just as anxious to do it again. Only problem is I haven’t had the opportunity or the chance to get close enough to Max and suggest a repeat performance. I honestly don’t know what it is about him. Whenever I get even within viewing distance of Max Evans, it’s like I can’t control myself. All I can think about is fucking him again…and again…and again until we’re both completely sated.

I watch Max from across the room as we all sit in study hall. He’s laughing and joking with his friends – no doubt about something pointless like someone falling over at football practice. Still, I can’t help but be mesmerised by the hard, flexing muscle exposed by his short-sleeved T-shirt as he high-fives John Matthews. I bite my lip as the now familiar warmth sweeps over me and pools in my stomach. I cross my legs in an attempt to quell the ache between my thighs, but all it does is increase the pressure and that leaves me wanting more.

I let out a huge sigh of relief when the bell rings and class lets out for lunch. I quickly gather my books and move towards the door. As I walk past Max, I discretely slip a folded note onto his table and then exit the classroom. I walk down the corridor until I reach the Administration office, which I know will be empty and I sneak inside. As I wait for him to join me (hopefully), I realise that I don’t really know what my plan is her. But what I am certain of is that any minute now, Max Evans will walk down the hallway towards the cafeteria and if I have anything to do with it, he’s not going to get any further than this office.

I suck in a breath when I hear voices outside the door. It’s Max and his mates. Their voices remain loud for several moments, until I hear Max tell them that he’s forgotten something in his locker and will meet them later. The noise eventually fades away and then the handle turns and the door clicks open. He slips into the room, quickly closing the door behind him and comes to a stop in front of me.

“Max…” I begin, my voice throaty.

“Look, Liz… if this is about what happened last week, I’m sorry, but it was a one-time thing. I’m not looking for a relationship right now,” he starts quickly, as if he’s trying to diffuse the situation as soon as possible.

I scoff, my mouth falling open in disbelief, “What makes you think I want a relationship?”

He frowns, “Well, I uh…”

I smirk, and begin to saunter across the room towards him. “What would you say if I told you I wanted a repeat performance?” I murmur, as I trace his chest with my fingertips. “No commitment, no strings attached, just good old-fashioned sex.”

“I…uh,” he swallows, almost nervously.

I lean up to whisper in his ear, “All I’ve been able to think about for the last week is how much I enjoyed our little encounter in the supply closet and how good you felt inside me.”

“Liz…” he mutters, moving his hands up to my arms, in an attempt to…stop me? I’m not really sure.

“Come on, Max…you can’t deny it was good. After all, you were the one who said I could do with loosening up a bit. What do you say to helping me with that?” I almost can’t believe I’m actually acting this way with him, but my hormones seem to be in complete control here.

“Okay, I admit it, it was good. But Liz –”

“‘But Liz’ what?” I wonder as I reach for his top button. “I want this…and I can tell you want this,” I say as I glance down at the growing bulge in his jeans, “So why not?”

He closes his eyes and gulps as I undo button after button on his shirt and then slip my hands inside, caressing his soft, yet hard, skin.

“Don’t you have a boyfriend?” he asks then, and I almost look down guiltily, but I stop myself just in time.

“Alex and I…we’re not really that serious,” I assure him. “More like friends who go out on dates. Besides, I think he has a thing for someone else anyway.”

In order to get his mind off that particular line of thought, I lean forward and dart my tongue out to taste the skin just above his collarbone, but then he suddenly pulls me to him and turns me so that my back is against the door. He reaches to the side and I hear the click of the lock turning, before his hands are all over me. Within seconds, both my top and his shirt are on the floor and his face is buried in my bra-clad chest, his tongue tracing the outline of the material. After unfastening my jeans and discarding them to the table beside us, he lifts me so that I can wrap my legs around his waist. I gasp when I feel his denim-covered erection pressing against my centre and then his hands on my chest. With one arm around his neck, I reach down with the other to place first one of his hands and then the other on my butt. He shifts my weight in his hands and squeezes my flesh as I lower my hands to free him from his jeans.

I watch as Max closes his eyes and lets out a hiss when my fingers encounter his length. Both curious and nervous (I’ve never done this before), I experiment by running my fingers up and down the throbbing flesh, before closing my hand around him fully.

“God,” he utters breathily.

Becoming slightly bolder, I stroke up and down a few times and relax somewhat when he lets out a small moan. I feel myself getting wetter as his hips begin to rock against me, effectively trapping himself (and my hand) between our bodies. I jump in surprise, however, when one of his hands moves lower and his fingers slip into my panties. I desperately try not to moan loudly as he begins to stroke and finger me from behind. Every so often, the tip of his finger will brush against my clit, making me shudder. As a result, my hand movement becomes quicker and we start rocking together almost frantically.

“Liz…” he mutters breathlessly. “Liz…wait.”

“What?” I whisper, unsure of what he wants.

“I don’t want to…finish…like this. I need…to be… inside you,” he manages between gasps.

“Oh,” I murmur in understanding. “Okay.”

With one hand still wrapped around him, I use my free hand to reach inside my bra and pull out the condom I stashed there this morning. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, I planned…well, not this exactly… but I sure as hell planned something. I release my grip on his member in order to open the small square packet. Slightly hesitantly, I reach down and begin to roll it onto him. At first I feel kind of embarrassed about doing it, but then he moans as I touch him and a grin comes to my face. Once the condom is in place, I remove his hand from my panties and then pull the material aside. He wastes no time in positioning himself at my entrance and then slipping inside me. We both sigh as he fills me up and I close my eyes once again at the delicious friction it causes.

In no time, Max is steadily thrusting into me and we’re both well on our way to climax. Just as the waves of pleasure begin wash over me, he leans forward and takes my lips in an urgent kiss. Our tongues duel together frantically, mimicking the actions of our lower bodies. I can feel my orgasm rapidly approaching and all it takes is one final urgent thrust from Max to send me over the edge. He soon follows with his own release and we cling to each other as we come down from the amazing high.

“So,” I say, when I’ve caught my breath again. “Does this mean we have an arrangement now?”

He smirks, “Yeah, I guess we do. So, is this like a ‘let’s do it whenever, wherever’ kinda deal?”

“Yeah,” I grin, but my smile fades quickly. “As long as no one else knows about this.”

“Oh, I’m with you on that one,” he agrees. “No need for anyone else to get involved here. It’ll just be you and me, in private…whenever possible.”

“Well, okay, then,” I say, giving him a quick peck on the lips before releasing my legs from his waist and jumping down to grab my clothes. I hand him his shirt and admire the view as he pulls it on, before getting dressed myself. He’s the first one ready and so leaves first – we can’t exactly exit the room together, now, can we? Just before he slips back through the door, he sends me a smirk and a mischievous wink.

I smirk back, but at the same time, I wonder what’s gotten into me. Since when do I follow my emotions rather than thinking things through clearly and rationally?

Oh, well, if it means I get to have hot, incredible sex whenever I like, then what does it matter?

TBC…

[Heavenli24]

Hey guys, thanks for your feedback and comments :

clueless - Sometimes it's not just the guys that seem to have sex on the brain !

POM - Yeah, I guess it's not something you expect from the quiet, brainy girl in school !

sprayadhesive - Yeah, their little arrangement was definitely wanted by both sides - it wasn't Max doing all the pushing here .

Earth2Mama - I guess it's easy to assume that the guy would be the one to initiate an arrangement like this - but that's not always the case . What I'm trying to get across is that the decisions they made about the rules of the arrangement were mutual - neither exactly had a specific reason for wanting to keep it a secret - it was more of an obvious rule that what they were doing would be private - if you're gonna be using someone just for sex, especially when you're sneaking around in public areas, you're not gonna want people to know what you're doing .

Evansgurl01 - Yes, I do this for the sole reason of making you hate me ! Actually when I wrote it, I didn't even consider that you guys would be frustrated at not finding out what's going on - I guess because i have all the parts in front of me at one time !

behrluv32 - I don't mean to keep you in suspense - honestly !Basically, Max and Liz had this strange attraction to each other when they were in private - no matter how much they didn't pay attention to each other in public, something just drew them together when they were alone. Neither knew why exactly, they just knew that they couldn't not touch each other in private!

jbangelo - Thanks, I'm glad you like it . I guess both Max and Liz have good and bad points - neither of them is perfect and Max especially is tangled up in high school social politics. So perhaps they are both to blame for recent events.

RASaero611 - I guess when they did it in the supply closet, Max wasn't expecting it to lead to anything else, if anything he suspected he may have given Liz the wrong idea. But if she's gonna come to him and offer no-strings sex for nothing in return, he's not gonna say no !

Aoedele - I guess Liz got a taste of what she was missing and realised she wanted more ! And of course, she's not gonna want the Max Evans everyone knows in school, so a no-strings arrangement was with no feelings involved was the obvious solution .

guelbebek - Thanks for the FB here and at Write On . I'm glad you like the story .

sunrise102 - You can analysce things as much as you want - the problem is, I didn't analyse them - I just wrote it with an 'it is what it is' view - sometimes people do things without actually realising why they're doing them, like Liz here. I don't think she even knows why she suggested it; her main reason at the time was that she wanted a bit of meaningless sex, which just happened to be with the most popular guy in school .

anonymousarfan - Thanks .

sydniepaige - Thanks .

behrlyliz - Thanks .

jamy21 - Thanks . Don't worry, everything is going to be sorted in the end (eventually).

ShatteredDreamer - The Tess and Alex aspects will be addressed in this next part. as for Max's hesitancy - he was surprised at Liz's suggested - probably the last thing he ever expected her to say and his mention of her boyfriend was more of a 'if you already have a boyfriend, then what are you doing here with me?' sort of question rather than a ditch effort .

LairaBehr4 - Sorry, no singing telegrams, I'm afraid, although I just got a vision of Max as part of a Barbershop Quartet !

frenchkiss70 - Since the relationship was all about touching and feeling and not at all to do with verbal communication - everything went wrong when the unexpected happened and they had to speak properly. At least if they were just having secret rendezvous, they could pretend that the relationship couold be separated from real life. as I mentioned to sunrise102, even I haven't analysed Liz's exact reasons for wanted a secret realtionship with Max - she was just acting on animal instinct, I guess .

Erina - Thanks - just thought I'd throw in a twist to the usual guy-persues-girl routine . PS. You would have got this part several hours ago if my internet hadn't been playing up .

JMoore - You know, you could be overthinking it - or else, I didn't think about it enough. When I came up with the idea for the fic, it was just an obvious plot point that it would be secret - I didn't come up with any specific reason for that, execpt that because Max and Liz were from two different (high school) worlds, it would just be weird for them to make it public - like if you'r sleepin with your boss or coworker or something, you're naturally going to keep it private.

Jess79 - You'll find out soon .

Ms. Anonymous - Thanks . Yeah, Liz is not quite as prim and proper as she may seem.



***

Part Seven

Well, it’s now been exactly five weeks since I told Max about the possibility that I was pregnant and three weeks since he told me that he wanted to date me and I turned him down. As much as I hate to admit it, I’ve been feeling miserable the entire time. I know that technically Max deserved everything I said to him and I’m glad that I told him where he could stick it, but if I’m totally honest I really don’t think he’s a bad guy at heart. Sure, he has idiots for friends, who like to make everyone around them feel like shit, but apart from those two weeks before he approached my in the hallway, he hasn’t really done anything to me that could be considered mean or bastard-like.

In fact, ever since I walked away from him that day, the atmosphere around school has actually changed. I’ve had a relatively peaceful couple of weeks of classes and the comments from Matthews, Davis and the rest of the guys have died down to a minimum. At first, Max returned to his usual self around me, occasionally making brief eye contact but with a blank expression, but then suddenly he began sending me looks. Not discrete, ‘while-no one’s-watching’ looks, but full on, almost longing stares right in the middle of class. Honestly, they’ve been making me feel uncomfortable, but also kind of bad that I turned him down so harshly.

And that’s not all. Last Tuesday, I arrived at school to find practically the whole place in a state of frenzy. Apparently, Max Evans and Tess Harding had a big blow out right in the middle of the corridor, with everyone watching. I heard that when Max turned her down for a date that evening, she began accusing him of cheating on her (which, okay, is technically true) and he just snapped. It seems that he told her, in no uncertain terms, that they were through. I heard through Maria that he called her a selfish, ungrateful bitch (about time, too) and then admitted that he knew she’d been screwing John Matthews behind his back for the last six weeks and that he didn’t even care!

I had to smile when I’d heard what he’d done and now I can’t help wondering if perhaps he was being serious about his so-called feelings for me. He certainly seems to have taken into account what I said when I rejected him, although I’m still not one hundred percent convinced that he really knows whether what he supposedly feels for me is real or if he’s simply suffering from withdrawal symptoms from our arrangement (it has been several weeks since we last ‘met’, after all).

“Hey, guys,” Maria’s voice startles me out of my thoughts. I look up in time to see her take a seat next to Alex on the other side of the lunch table.

Alex and I finally sat down for a long talk a few days after that so-called date at the movies and my pregnancy scare and we agreed not to date each other anymore. After all, as he pointed out, we’ve only ever really been friends and besides, he’s kind of had a thing for Isabel Evans (that’s right, Max’s sister) for a while. Not that he ever expects anything to happen with her, but he still didn’t feel that we should keep seeing each other if one of us had feelings for someone else.

“So,” says Maria, as she unwraps her Crashdown-made Galaxy sub, “Anyone know what’s up with Max Evans and his band of loonies lately? They’ve totally calmed down the last couple of weeks.” She cocks her head in the direction of their table, where several members of the football team are talking and laughing amongst themselves, but not actually at anyone in particular.

“I dunno,” replies Alex, and I shrug in agreement. “Maybe they finally realised that they were acting like 5-year-olds and have decided to grow up now.”

Maria looks at him and then at me before bursting into laughter. I cringe as the majority of the occupants of the surrounding tables stop and look at us, Max Evans included.

“Yeah, right,” chuckles Maria. “Like that’s ever gonna happen.”

But I don’t hear her; I’m too busy being drawn into Max’s eyes, which are currently staring at me intently. I feel my face growing hot with humiliation, but for some reason, I can’t bring myself to look away.

***

“Liz…Liz, wait!”

I close my eyes at the sound of his voice, but continue walking down the corridor in earnest, desperate to avoid whatever confrontation we’re obviously about to have.

“Liz, stop…please,” he begs, as he catches up with me and grabs my arm from behind, effectively stopping my journey to the parking lot.

I exhale in defeat and slowly turn to face him.

“What do you want, Max?” I ask. “I thought I told you to stay away from me.”

“I can’t, Liz,” he admits quietly.

I shake my head sadly, “Max…”

“Can you just listen to me… please?”

“No, Max, you listen to me: I just can’t do this with you,” I tell him tiredly and prepare to turn my back to him and continue walking.

“Liz, these past few weeks have been awful without you. I miss you,” he says then and the tone of anguish in his voice stops me in my tracks. “Look, I know I’ve treated you badly and I’m sorry for that. And I’m trying to change, I really am. I got pissed at the guys for mouthing off; I broke things off with Tess; I’m trying to make things better…you gotta believe me,” he tells me, before admitting determinedly, “I want you, Liz; I need you - so bad I can’t think straight. Our arrangement literally changed my life – the last four months have made me realise something: no one makes me feel complete like you do, physically or otherwise, and I’m praying that you feel the same way.”

“Max…” My resolve is crumbling. I’m trying - unsuccessfully, I might add - to run through the numerous reasons that Max Evans and I will never work; but instead, all I can think about is how hot all that sex was, how I feel when I’m with him and how much his confession actually means to me. I let out a shaky breath and look up into his gorgeous eyes; eyes that suddenly seem deep and soulful.

“Okay.”

“Okay?” he looks stunned.

I nod, a smile tugging at my lips. “Okay,” I confirm. “I’ll go out with you.”

He exhales, a relieved half-laugh, “Really?” he sounds so hopeful as he looks down at me in wonder, that I can’t help grinning at the boyish picture he makes.

“Yes, really,” I nod. “Look, Max, the real reason I blew you off before was because what you said to me that day really threw me. Honestly, I’ve liked you for a while.” His optimistic smile becomes a slightly arrogant grin. “But,” I add quickly and the grin fades somewhat. “I needed to be sure you really meant it; that you were serious about wanting to date me, and up until that point, you hadn’t given me any indication that I meant anything to you. But, I’ve seen a different side to you the last few days and I’m willing to give it a try.”

“Thank you, Liz,” he says sincerely. "Thank you for giving me a chance.”

I smile and he tentatively reaches out to slip his arms around my waist, and asks with a grin, “So, um, can I kiss you now?”

I laugh and give a consenting nod; his tentative question is a far cry from the sexual predator I know him to be. He grins and swoops in for the kill. His warm, full lips meet mine, his tongue darting out to taste my skin and I slide my arms around his neck, pulling him to me forcefully. We stand in the middle of the empty hallway, locked in our embrace for what seems like hours; until Max’s roaming hands make it evident that we can’t continue this here.

“Wait,” I mumble against his lips. “Not here.”

“What?” he pulls back, disorientated. “Oh, so…Eraser room?”

I almost laugh at the suggestion. “I think the Eraser room is a little inappropriate considering we’re ‘dating’ now.”

He has the decency to look embarrassed. “Oh, um, well…how about tonight? My folks are out of town, we could continue this then…say around 9?”

I grin, “Max, we haven’t even been on a date yet. Don’t you think it’s a little soon for that?”

He shoots me an incredulous look, as if to say, ‘Do you not remember how far we’ve gone already?’

I sigh good-naturedly, “Okay, fine, tonight it is.”

He grins and leans down for one more kiss, before releasing me, and turning to leave. “See you tonight, then, babe.” He winks and walks away.

I roll my eyes. It’s nice to know that regardless of today’s unexpected outcome, some things never change.

TBC…

[Heavenli24]

Hey guys, thanks for the feedback . I know some of you are not entirely happy with the way Liz gave in to Max. I wrote it that way mainly because some of the issues you guys are worried about are addressed in future chapters and if I changed this section of the story, then the future scenes would be redundant and I'd have to rewrite about 6 chapters! I understand that Liz probably gave in too easily, but I guess nobody's perfect and everyone makes potentially bad decisions sometimes .

Erina - Yeah, Max has been trying . As for everyone's reactions - they'll be coming up soon .

Pheobe04 -

sprayadhesive - - hmm, we'll have to wait and see about that.

behrlyliz - Thanks. Interlude coming up...

clueless - Thanks

Michelle in Yonkers - Your comments make a lot of sense and are really insightful - you've considered aspects of Max and Liz's personalities that even I hadn't given much thought to, and if I hadn't already finished the story and also had more time to rethink it, I would write a more through develpoment of the relationship - as it was, I wrote the whole thing in a week! About Liz's 'sexual predator' comment - it wasn't meant in a derogatory way at all - she was actually expressing her amusement at how different he was at that moment, compared to the side of him she saw in private. Also, even though Liz was the one to pursue him at the beginning, they were both as forward as each other in their arrangement. Yes, Liz might have suggested the supply closet, but if she hadn't Max would have happily gone at it with her in the middle of the room! In that scene, Liz was actually the reserved one .

RASaero611 - Yeah, Max is finally making an effort .

Sophia - maybe you'd be right not to fully trust him, after some of his and his friends' behaviour, but then again, what teenage boy is a perfect gentleman?

LairaBehr4 - Yeah, I guess it was a little easy, but some of the unresolved issues between them will be brought up in future parts. As much as I'd love to send you the whole thing, I'm afraid I can't , but at least you're getting updates every other day - I'm having major trouble getting I'll Never Let You Go written and I'm only managing 1 part in 2 months at the moment .

Earth2Mama - Well, Max is certainly making some effort to change - let's hope he means it.

believer_evans - Oh, I think Alex will be fine in the end - his relationship with Liz was more for convenience than anything else. Pus, as Liz mentioned in the last Interlude - he might just have a thing for someone else .

ShatteredDreamer - Okay, so Liz probably could have stood for more convincing, but unfortunately the story's already planned out and as I said earlier, I didn't want to have to rewrite the rest of the story .

guelbebek - Thanks .

jamy21 - - is there a catch? You'll have to keep reading to see.

dreamsatnight - Yeah, it could be a difficult transition for them, who knows about a fairy tale ending at this point? PS. I didn't say anything about no more eraser room trips - just that Liz thought it was a little inappropriate just after they'd agreed to date properly .

behrluv32 -

sunrise102 - You're right, they do need to talk and ordinarily it might be best to wait before jumping into bed again, but I guess Liz and Max aren't your conventional couple.

cocopucks -

Evansgurl01 - Well, the next part is an Interlude, so lovin' is definitely possible ! Glad you're happy .

confusedfool - Thanks .

Mica - Maybe it was too easy, maybe not . Don't worry, the talking and dating will come...just not quite yet .

anonymousarfan - It might have been more sensible to go on a date first, but I figured with the nature of their relationship, it probab;y wouldn't matter which happened first.


***

Interlude VII

“Well, here we are,” Max announces as he ushers me through his bedroom door. “You’re one of the few privileged guests allowed in here,” he finishes smugly.

I suppress a smirk; he definitely hasn’t lost the Big Man on Campus attitude yet. “And what makes you think anyone actually wants the privilege of being invited?”

My attempt to bring him down a peg or two fails when he merely cocks an eyebrow and sends me an ‘of course they want it’ smirk. I roll my eyes and scoff as I turn away from him to survey the room. It’s actually pretty nice in here; it’s neat and tidy and surprisingly, there are no pictures of naked women on the walls, just a few of fast cars. When I turn back to him however, he’s watching me uneasily, his hands shoved in his pockets and suddenly the awkwardness of the situation sinks in. We’re supposed to be a couple now, but all we’ve ever done when we’re alone together is fuck each other senseless and now it appears that neither of us knows how to act around the other.

“So…you want something to drink?” he asks suddenly, “Or eat? We have plenty of food in the kitchen.”

I shake my head quickly, “No thanks, I’m good.”

“Oh, okay,” he mumbles, a frown appearing on his face. He seems to think for a moment, before speaking up again, “Look, I’m sorry. I guess I don’t really know how I should act around you now.”

I almost smile at the lost-little-boy picture he makes. After everything we’ve done together, he’s gone shy around me.

“Max -”

“It’s just,” he cuts in. “You’re my girlfriend now and it’s not right for a guy to treat his girlfriend the way I’ve treated you when we’ve been together…And now, I don’t really know where to start. I mean, do we hold hands, watch a movie together, exchange kisses, what?”

I don’t think he realises it, but he’s just broken the tension with his words, and now I know exactly what I want from him. I let a mischievous smile tug at my lips as I saunter towards him. I raise my hands to his torso, running my fingers over the ridges of muscle playing beneath his t-shirt. He gulps.

“You know what, Max? If you wanted to be the world’s best boyfriend, then you probably should start with all that, but I have a much more attractive proposal,” I murmur.

He swallows. “Oh?”

“Uh huh,” I nod. “It’s been a very lonely, very frustrating couple of weeks and I’m literally aching for you right now, Max Evans. So, why don’t you just put the formal relationship stuff to one side for now and fuck me instead?”

He grins, “Wow, Miss Parker, what happened to the quiet, reserved, studious girl everyone knows and loves?”

“She took a risk and embarked on a much needed secret affair with the captain of the football team,” I divulge speculatively. “And in the process, she realised that sometimes being the bad girl can be much more fun.”

“Well, then, I’m glad I could offer my services,” he smirks. “Although, after today, you can’t tell me that it was nothing more than that.” His tone is joking, but I can’t detect a hint of apprehension behind it.

“Oh, there was definitely more to it than that,” I purr, running my hands down over his stomach. “She also realised that she might just be falling for the guy too.”

“Really?” he muses, slipping his arms around my waist and pulling me flush against “Well, that’s good to know, because the guy has already fallen…hard,” he thrusts his hips against me in emphasis, “for her.” I let out a gasp as his erection meets my groin and I grab his t-shirt, pulling him down to me.

“Oh, God,” I groan as I seek out his lips. We kiss fervently; tongues tangling; hands gliding over clothes and skin, grabbing at whatever they can. Max holds me to him tightly, as he walks me backwards until my knees hit the edge of his bed. We fall onto the soft, springy mattress and he slides on top of me in one effortless, fluid motion.

He places a chaste kiss on my lips, and then another, before rising up to support himself on his elbow and staring down at me.

“God…you’re beautiful,” he murmurs.

I shift, self-consciously. “No, I’m not,” I deny softly.

“You are,” he insists with a grin. “I could just stare at you all day.”

A warm glow spreads across my cheeks, but I can’t help the teasing remark that comes flying out of my mouth, “If you did that, you’d probably flunk out of school. And,” I add as I roll my hips beneath him. “We’d never get anywhere.”

He shivers, “God, Liz, I want you so much right now.”

“Well, I’m right here. Ready, willing and able,” I tease.

His pupils darken and suddenly he’s all over me; his lips and hands simultaneously caressing any and all the bare skin they can find. Within a few seconds, I’m half-naked before him and my top and bra are nowhere in sight. I slip my hands underneath his t-shirt and ease it over his head; as I drop it to the floor, I urge his upper body downwards so that our bare torsos are pressed together. I shudder at the glorious sensation I feel as his hard chest presses against my breasts.

Bracing one hand against the mattress at the side of my head, he reaches between our bodies and unbuckles his jeans, before slipping out of them and then pulling my pants down over my hips. He returns to his previous position, stretched out above me and I exhale a shaky breath as his bare skin comes into contact with mine. You know, I would be content to just stay like this for the rest of my life.

He shifts his hips slightly so that he’s positioned at my entrance.

“You ready?” he whispers.

I nod, but then something occurs to me. “Max, wait!” I cry. “Condom!”

His eyes widen in realisation. “Oh, God. What am I thinking?” He reaches into the top drawer of his bedside table and pulls out a condom. He unwraps it quickly and slides it on. “Man, the things you do to me…I can’t think around you, Liz.”

I smile, but say nothing. Instead, I urge him between my legs again. He enters me smoothly, as if he belongs there, and begins stroking inside of me. The pressure builds up quickly and before long, I’m begging him to move faster, but he continues to drive me crazy with his steady pace. Over and over again, I hover dangerously close to the edge, but he doesn’t allow me to find my release, until eventually I can’t take it anymore and I reach down to cup and gently squeeze him as he thrusts into me. He gasps and his movements become jerky. Finally, I reach the long-awaited peak and my orgasm washes over me. Max finds his own release just moments later, calling out my name as he does so. He collapses onto me, his lips nuzzling the side of my neck. A few moments later, he rolls onto his back beside me and pulls my hot, sweaty body against him. I feel my eyelids becoming heavy and before I know it, I’m drifting off in his arms.

Just before I fall asleep, I think I hear Max whisper, “I love you, Liz,” but I dismiss it almost immediately. Max Evans is not in love with me; he barely even knows me.

TBC…

[Heavenli24]

Hey guys, I'm still here . I've just had the craziest day - I had an appointment ar 11am to meet with a professor at my local university to decide whether to study there in the Fall. I left early this morning so that i would have time to park the car, but didn't realise that today was the university's open day and that thousands of 16- and 17-year-olds and their parents would be descending on the city to view the college! Since it is a non-campus university and the buildings are spread around the city centre, the traffic was crazy. It took me an hour and a half to find a parking space and I didn't get to the meeting until 12.15pm, even though I initially drove past the department at 10.45am !!

Anyway, thanks so much for the feedback :

belleoftheball - Thanks .

Evansgurl01 - Thanks...I think .

LairaBehr4 - Harsh ! From everyone's reactions, I understood a few parts ago that Max hadn't given Liz much reason to say yes, but by the time I realised that, it was too late to change any scenes that much (although I did add in a couple of parts), so yes, I would have made Max work harder if I could have, but I doubted everyone wanted to wait 2 weeks for the next update . PS. I'm a girl with 2 younger brothers as well (aged 15 and almost 21) and truthfully, there are no naked pictures on their walls (only a couple of mostly clothed Britney Spears and Rachel Stevens).and the elder one designed his own room (art and design student) and has US license plates, his own paintings of gymnasts in action (he is one himself) and circular mats from IKEA on his walls!

Earth2Mama - Thanks, glad it made you feel better .

behrluv32 - While it is interesting when they get caught, I don't usually put them in such embarrassing positions .

Erina - Thanks . Yeah, Max does seem to be much clearer about his feelings than Liz is.

jbangelo - The 'getting to know each other part' will happen soon, so don't worry .

guelbebek - Well, it's one thing to agree to date each other, but the rest of the stuff comes after and perhaps it won't be easy. Unlike the US, here we don't really have a distinction between 'dating' and 'going steady'. The minute you say 'Yes' to the question 'Will you go out with me?' you are automatically going steady and you get to know each other after that.

behrlyliz - Thanks .

RASaero611 - Thanks .

sprayadhesive - Thanks - reactions are coming up soon .

Mica - Thanks - apart from Max's possible confession, which I'm sure he didn't mean for Liz to actually hear, neither of them are ready to say it for real yet.

clueless - Thanks .

JMoore - I bet there are a lot of people who are completely different behind closed door than out in public ! There aren't that many chapters left, but I keep editing, so the story may get a little longer .

midnightstar29 - Thanks . I don't think he even realised what he was saying, let alone that Liz heard it .

jamy21 - Part of being in a relationship is getting to know each other - they know that they want to be together, now they just have to learn more about each other .

believer_evans - Thanks .

anonymousarfan - Thanks - their public awaits...

Behrsgirl1230 - I'm here - just having trouble getting to the computer today .



***

Part Eight

Although I ended up sleeping in Max’s bed last night, I couldn’t stay to wake up with him this morning – my parents were expecting me to join them for breakfast at home as usual, so at around 5.30 this morning, I nudged Max awake. We spent several few minutes saying goodbye to each other, before I persuaded him to let me go so I could sneak out of his bedroom window and return home. We didn’t really get around to discussing what we were going to do from here – if we were going to tell anyone about us - so now I have no idea what to expect from him today.

As I wait by my locker for Maria to arrive, a grin spreads across my face as I remember how great last night was; although, I still can’t quite believe that Max Evans wants me, of all people. I guess it shouldn’t be that much of a surprise since we have known each other intimately for several months now, but the whole concept just seems so out there and unreal that it feels like I’m in some kind of weird dream.

“Oh my God, chica, you won’t believe what I just heard!” Maria’s energetic shriek pulls me from my daydream. I look up to find her approaching me, frantically waving her hands.

“Maria, you scared the shit out of me!” I exclaim. “Calm down.”

She comes to a stop in front of my and takes a few deep breaths. “Okay, get this: apparently, someone saw Max Evans making out with some brunette in this very hallway after school yesterday!” My heart skips a beat; she can’t know, can she? We’ve been so careful making sure that no one catches us. “I mean, everyone knows he’s only just dumped that blonde cheerleader and now he’s move right on to someone else– what a scumbag, huh?”

“Uh…yeah,” I choke out.

“But that’s not all,” she speculates, leaning in closer to me. “That wasn’t the first time. Tommy Spencer said he’s seen Max going into the Eraser room with some girl a few times over the last couple of months. He’s such a two-timing bastard!”

Oh, God, what am I doing? Maria’s never going to accept my relationship with Max. And what about Alex? Sure, we talked things over several weeks ago and agreed that we should just stay friends, but I can’t imagine that he’ll be too pleased to find out that I was cheating on him with the school womaniser.

“Oh great!” Maria moves to my side, rolling her eyes. “Look who’s on his way – the bastard himself – and with his band of merry losers, too!”

I close my eyes in dread and my heart lurches in my chest, as I watch the group of jocks swagger down the corridor towards us. What do I do now? Do I make eye contact with him? Do I smile? Or do I ignore him for now and save us both the hassle and attention? I square my shoulders as they get closer and an evil smirk appears on Matthews’ face – it seems he still hasn’t quite got the hint yet.. However, before I have to suffer the any humiliation from him, I watch in surprise as Max shoves him violently to the side and tells him ‘not to fucking think about it’.

A collective gasp sounds from the crowd of spectators gathered around us. I quickly calculate how long it will take me to slip out of sight and get away from everybody, but just as I begin to move, something stops me in my tracks. Max is looking at me. His eyes lock with mine and he dismisses his teammates with his hand as he strides purposefully towards me. I hear a ‘what the fuck?’ from Matthews and suddenly I know what he’s doing.

No, I try to plead with my eyes, No, Max, please don’t do this now. The verbal protest becomes lodged in my throat as he stops right in front of me, cups the back of my neck with his hand, pulls me against him and seals our lips together. It only takes a second for everyone else to fade away and for Max to become the centre of my focus. My arms snake up around his neck and I open my mouth to him. His tongue slides inside and our embrace becomes even more passionate, until…

“Oh my God!!”

It’s Maria; she sounds mortified. I need to talk to her, to set things straight. Unfortunately, I’m a little preoccupied right now.

“Liz!” Maria’s voice vaguely penetrates the Max-induced haze that’s now surrounding my mind, but it’s not until she grabs my arm forcefully, that I muster up the strength to pull away. “What the fuck are you doing?”

“Liz?” Max wonders in confusion as he opens his eyes and sees Maria’s hand clasping my arm.

“Max, I…” I stutter, my brain not quite fully functioning yet. “Everyone’s watching,” I manage, gesturing to the crowd surrounding us. At least he has the decency to lower his eyes in apology.

“Liz? What is going on?” demands Maria once more. I gaze at Max for a few seconds, before I realise I can’t put this off any longer, and turn to my best friend. Max pulls back, but he moves behind me, resting his hands lightly on my hips.

“Maria, Max and I are seeing each other now,” I tell her vaguely.

“Since when?”

Now do I lie and tell her it’s only been a few hours, or do I tell her the truth? “Since yesterday.” Okay, so I lied.

“Since yester-?” Maria trails off in confusion, but then realisation dawns and she gasps. “Oh my God, the girl he was seen with last night– that was you?!”

At that, Max leans down to my ear and groans. “Someone saw us?” he mutters.

I turn my head slightly towards him for a second and then sigh, “Yeah, Maria; that was me.”

“Shit!” she exhales suddenly, before a frown mars her features. “But, I don’t get it…how exactly did the two of you get together?”

Max clears his throat slightly, answering for me, “You know, Maria, whatever is going on between Liz and I is private and none of your concern, and we intend to keep it that way. Now if you don’t mind, could you please stop sticking your nose in where it doesn’t belong and leave us alone?”

I close my eyes as I inwardly curse Max for his outburst. Sure, it might be true, but right now Max is living up to his ‘indifferent bastard’ reputation and I can’t imagine my best friend is too impressed with him.

“Fine,” she snorts. “I’ll leave it…for now. But just know this, Evans,” she wags a finger in his direction. “Don’t think that you can treat my best friend like you just treated me and expect to get away with it; I’ll be on you faster than a pack of wolves,” she threatens. “And as for you, Liz, we are going to have a serious talk later.” With that, she storms off in the direction of our homeroom.

Great,” I groan, turning to face him. “Thanks a lot, Max. Now she’s going to hate me.”

Seeing that the scene seems to be over, the rest of the students milling around the corridor begin to disperse in different directions.

“What’s the big deal, Liz?” he shrugs, his arms looping around my waist again. “She was going to have to find out sooner or later.”

“But it didn’t have to be like that,” I tell him, exasperated. “What were you trying to do?”

He exhales dejectedly, “Look, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to cause a scene, it’s just that I saw you standing here looking good enough to eat and I couldn’t help myself.” He leans down to whisper in my ear, “You’re just too delectable.”

I curse my body as it begins to respond to his hungry words and my resolve wavers. It doesn’t help matters when he seeks out my lips with his own and kisses me languidly.

“Alright, fine,” I manage between kisses. “You’re forgiven…at least for now. But you need to let me go now...I have to find Maria and explain things.”

He pulls away. “Explain things? You mean you’re gonna tell her the truth?”

“I guess I have to now, otherwise she’s just going to keep pestering me about it.”

“Alright,” he releases me reluctantly. “But, we now have an appointment with the Eraser room after fourth period. Be there.”

“Oh, I’ll be there,” I assure him with a grin. Unable to resist, I grab his hand and lean up for one last kiss. “But, I really have to go now. I’ll see you in class later, okay?”

“Okay,” he grins and squeezes my butt playfully as I slip past him. I don’t let go of his hand until the very last moment. As I walk away, I feel the weight of his stare on my back and I can’t resist taking one last glance at him before I turn the corner. He’s starting at me with such intensity that I feel my cheeks grow hot and the familiar warmth begins to pool in my belly.

You know, I think being in a relationship with Max Evans is going to be a million times better than when I was just fucking him.

This is definitely the start of something more.

TBC…

[Heavenli24]

Hey guys, thank you for all your comments :

anonymousarfan - Thanks - glad you liked the part.

LairaBehr4 - Thanks . You're probably right about the pictures, but at least they're not on the walls - I think that looks kinda tasteless . PS. I posted INLYG at 7am this morning, after which I spent 9 hours at work, watched the end of the England v. Portugal WC match, ate my dinner and am now watching Roddick v. Murray (the 2 Andy's ) at Wimbledon , so sorry for not posting this sooner !

clueless - Thank you .

Earth2Mama - I've been planning that scene since the beginning of the fic .

behrluv32 - Thanks - You're right, he obviously doesn't know Maria, although I doubt he's spent much time focusing on her lately .

jamy21 - You'll see Alex's reaction after this next interlude .

RASaero611 - Yeah, he is changing - finally .

Behrsgirl1230 - Thanks .

behrluv32 - Hey, did you post twice?! And yes, they are happy .

Michelle in Yonkers - Thanks - it was a long time coming, but they finally came out in public . I was surprised that everyone was so pleased about Max telling Maria off - I wrote it as Max getting pissed off with her rather than her getting a much needed put down, but I guess it was needed .

dreamsatnight - Maybe you can sing it and hope you're right . Yeah, I think they kinda still need the Eraser room .

midnightstar29 - You know, I never really gave much thought to Maria being a busybody and sticking her nose in other people's business, but I guess roght right about that .

Mica - Thanks . I just had to put that kiss in there.

Erina - Thanks - although Maria still doesn't know the whole story yet, so there's still time for her to react even more .

belleoftheball - Thank you .

Poison Ivy - Thanks .

BehrObsession - Thank you - I'm glad you're enjoying it .




***

Interlude VIII

“Don’t worry about it,” he murmurs against my throat, his tongue slipping out briefly to run along my sensitive skin. “She’ll come around. They all will.” As he speaks, his hands lower to cup my bottom and he lifts me onto the table against the wall. He nudges open my legs and manoeuvres himself between them.

“Wait,” I say suddenly, running my hands through his hair and lifting his head to look at me.

“What is it?” he asks softly, as he pulls away a little.

I sigh, biting the side of my lip almost anxiously. “What are we doing here, I mean, really? This…us…it’s just so out there. Maybe we just didn’t think things through.”

He frowns, “What do you mean? I like you, you like me; what’s the problem?”

“The problem is, we hardly know each other, Max. I just think this is all kinda…sudden.”

“What are you talking about? Of course we know each other; we were sleeping together for months.”

I observe his puzzled face thoughtfully for a moment, before continuing. “What’s my favourite colour? What films do I like? What are my ambitions?” I ask him seriously.

He just stares at me, at a loss for words, his mouth opening and closing aimlessly.

“Exactly. We don’t know each other, Max. Not really,” I state softly. “I think Maria was right when I talked to her earlier; we’re just rushing into things…thinking with our bodies and not our heads.” He smirks at the phrase. I roll my eyes and shove his arm playfully. “The head on your shoulders, idiot!”

He chuckles throatily, but turns serious again when he sees that I’m not laughing with him.

“You want us to get to know each other better?” he questions almost thoughtfully. I nod.

“Okay, let’s start right now. You ask me a question, I’ll answer it and then I’ll ask you something,” he tells me. “But…there’s a condition.”

“Which is…?” I query suspiciously.

“What do you think?” he murmurs slyly, his hands sliding over my butt once more as he pulls me against him.

“What?” I wonder. I really have no idea what he’s thinking of.

“Don’t worry, you’ll pick it up soon enough,” he smirks, before pressing his lips to mine. “Okay, I’ll go first,” he says against my lips, squeezing my butt in his hands as he does so. “What’s your favourite colour?”

“Um…” Damn, I can’t think straight now that he’s kissing me. “Blue.”

My hands automatically slide up his arms, over his shoulders and settle at the back of his neck. I trace small circles on his soft skin and grin in satisfaction when he shudders.

“Ah,” he mutters, pulling back from my lips, “I see you’re getting the gist. Now it’s your turn.”

“Okay,” I say as I let my fingers walk down his back. “What’s your favourite colour?”

“Hmm, I’d have to say…deep red,” he whispers in my ear, his hands moving to my top, which incidentally is that exact colour.

“Really? Interesting,” I purr as his fingers dip beneath the material.

“Yes, it is, isn’t it?”

He pulls back and smirks as he lifts the shirt over my head and lets it fall to the floor. “So, what’s your favourite food?” he asks then.

He eyes my lace-covered chest hungrily and I have trouble coming up with an answer.

“Um, strawberry cheese…cake,” I manage, my voice hitching as he runs his thumbs across my hardening nipples. “Yours?”

“Chocolate mousse,” he murmurs silkily, before leaning in to whisper in my ear, “Especially when it’s served à la Liz.”

I shiver with arousal at the image he’s just conjured up in my mind and my hands begin to wander of their own accord. Within moments, his shirt has joined mine on the floor and my fingers are walking down his stomach towards the waistband of his pants.

“What are your ambitions in life?” he questions smoothly, his fingers fumbling with the clasp of my bra. I still my hands and look at him suspiciously.

“Okay, now you’re just repeating the questions I came up with before. Can’t you come up with something original?”

“You want something original?” he muses, as he tugs my bra down my arms, throws it to the floor and slips his hand up under my skirt. I gasp as his fingers pull my panties aside and begin stroking my clit. “Okay, here we go,” he smirks mischievously. “Who’s your favourite family member?”

My eyes fly open and I push his hand away. “Max!”

“What?”

“You can’t ask me that while we’re having sex! It’s gross and disturbing!”

He shrugs and moves in to nuzzle my neck. “Well, if you don’t like my questions, then we’re just gonna have to stick with yours,” he grins triumphantly against my skin.

“Okay, you know what? I give up. We can get to know each other later. I’m too horny to think properly right now.” I quickly reach for his zipper and he slides his hand up my leg once more, pulling my panties aside and slipping his fingers inside me. I lower his pants eagerly and reach inside his front pocket for a condom.

In no time at all, he’s rocking against me steadily as we settle into the familiar rhythm. A few moments later, as our releases rapidly approach, he reaches for my hand and lowers it to my clit. Together, our fingers entwined, we stroke in time with his thrusts, our hands repeatedly brushing against his cock as he strokes in and out of my dripping centre.

It happens so suddenly that I’m almost unprepared for the orgasm that rushes through me without warning. As I cry out in pleasure, Max covers my mouth with his own. At that exact moment his release hits and we ride out the waves of pleasure together.

As we hold each other tightly, exchanging soft kisses and murmured caresses, I realised that this is where I belong: in Max Evans’ arms.

Who cares what anyone else thinks?

We’re happy.

TBC…

[Heavenli24]

Thanks to everyone who left feedback for the last part :

Poison Ivy - Thanks - yeah they are finally becoming more than 'fuck buddies' .

Erina - Thanks .

guelbebek - Thank you, and yeah I think my mind would be like jelly if it was me in the Eraser room with Max .

LairaBehr4 - Thanks . Oh, and I'm off to read your update as soon as I've posted this .

anonymousarfan - Yeah, they shouldn't have to be influenced by other people's opinions, but unfortunately it happens, especially in high school .

behrluv32 - Thanks - I think . I hope the rest of the story won't disappoint .

clueless - Thank you .

sunrise102 - Thanks . I think that instead of making a big deal out of the relationship at first, the other school kids will probably be gossiping about them for days, maybe even weeks to come.

ShatteredDreamer - You're right, he did do that on purpose ! And if they're really honest, all they really know about each other is how they like their sex!

RASaero611 - Thanks .

Evansgurl01 - Thanks . Okay,it's good to know that I wasn't going crazy and thinking that she posted twice!

jamy21 - Yeah, she may be all for getting to know each other, but when she's in that position, with Max between her legs, some things are just too difficult to ignore !

Earth2Mama - Yep, you said it, now let's hope they can ignore what the others think .

BehrObsession - Thanks , and you're right, of course...they don't have to know every little detail (or even some details) to know they want to be together - they have their whole relationship to find that stuff out.

frenchkiss70 - Yep, they're together now and Max is as least trying to change.

jbangelo - Thanks . All I'm going to say is that I think you'll like the next couple of parts .


***

Part Nine

I suck in a deep breath as I watch Alex take a seat at our usual lunch table out in the courtyard. Lucky for him, he had a dentist appointment this morning and therefore missed the drama that was Max and I. I’m desperately hoping that he hasn’t heard it from anyone else, since I’m sure he’ll take the news better coming from me; unlike Maria, who had to witness it firsthand. As I think over what I’m going to say to him, my mind returns to the talk I had with Maria before homeroom. Needless to say, she wasn’t happy with my decision to date Max Evans, even after I broke down and confessed to the true nature of our relationship. In fact, she called me ‘totally crazy and out of my mind’. I tried to explain to her that deep down he wasn’t the bastard she thought he was and that he definitely wasn’t taking advantage of me; I don’t think she’s completely happy with me right now, but she at least agreed to respect my decision to keep seeing him.

With that thought in mind, I square my shoulders and begin walking across the courtyard.

“Hey, Alex,” I greet as I approach our table.

“Oh, hey Liz,” he responds through a mouthful of cheese sandwich. “What’s up?”

“I, um, I need to talk to you,” I tell him seriously as I take a seat opposite him.

“Yeah, what about?”

“Well, it’s, um…kind of important and I wanted you to hear it from me before you found out from someone else.”

He frowns at my words and gently places the sandwich down on his napkin. He leans across the table, towards me.

“Liz, what is it? What’s wrong?”

“Look, I um, I don’t want you to be offended or take this the wrong way or anything, but….” I trail off, suddenly losing my nerve.

“Liz, just spit it out, would you?” he cuts in, sounding both amused and exasperated at the same time.

“Okay; here’s the thing: I’m kind of seeing someone new.” I pause for a moment to let the news sink in.

He frowns again, but it only lasts for a moment before he breaks into a grin. “That’s great, Liz; really. I’m happy for you.”

I let out a sigh of relief. “Are you sure? Because, I mean, you and I…”

“Liz, you and I…we’re were just passing the time, you know? I’m sure you’ll agree that we’ve never really been much more than friends to each other anyway. So, I’m pleased you’ve found someone else. You deserve to be happy, you know?”

“Thank you, Alex, that means a lot,” I smile.

“That’s what friends are for, Liz,” he replies, reaching across the table to cover my hand with his own and give it a light squeeze.

“So, who is it, this lucky guy you’re seeing?”

Okay, crunch time. Here’s where I have to tell him the truth.

“Well, it’s um…it’s Max Evans.” I bit my lip in anticipation of his response.

“It’s who?!” he exclaims. “What, as in the arrogant bastard whose entire existence revolves making everyone else miserable?”

I knew this wasn’t going to go well.

“Look, Alex, I know this is kind of unexpected, but he’s really not such a bad guy.”

“Since when? And exactly how long have you two been ‘seeing each other’? I mean, since this is the first I’ve heard of it.”

“Um,” I lower my eyes to the table, as if that’s going make this any easier. “Since yesterday,” I mumble.

“Yesterday?” he wonders and I look up at him once more. He shakes his head forcefully, “No, I don’t buy that. I mean, how exactly could the two of you have started up a conversation, realised you liked each other and become a couple all in the space of what, twelve hours? No, there’s more to this than you’re telling me. What’s going on, Liz?”

At first, I’m tempted to stick with the story that we’ve only been together for a day, but I know that I can’t lie to Alex; at least not convincingly. So, I let out a deep breath and prepare to come clean.

“Okay, you want the truth? Here goes,” I start, “A few months ago, I stayed behind after school to get started on a Biology experiment. Max had a detention that day and he was told to sit in the lab with me to do his assignment. We started talking and since then, we’ve kind of been seeing each other in private.” I deliberately leave out the parts where we were having meaningless sex, because if Maria’s reaction was anything to go by, I’d rather keep that part between Max and I for now. Unfortunately, Alex doesn’t buy it.

“Seeing each other? Liz, you two don’t even acknowledge one another…ever. If you were really a couple, you wouldn’t treat each other like that in public too.”

“Okay, I’ll just admit it. Max and I were screwing around. We’ve spent the last three months having hot, meaningless sex with each other, no strings attached.”

That gets him. Alex leans back in his seat, his mouth hanging open in shock. “You and Evans were…” he shudders. “Even while we were together? Oh God.”

“I’m sorry, Alex,” I tell him sincerely. “I didn’t mean for it to happen; it’s just that whenever I’m alone with him, I can’t seem to help myself. And you and I…well, you said it yourself, we just weren’t meant to be.”

He nods in bewilderment. “Just…give me a minute to absorb all this, okay?”

It takes him a few moments, but he eventually seems to get over the shock.

“So,” he says finally. “You and Evans have been secretly shagging for three months…well, what changed? How come you’re suddenly a couple?”

I let out a sigh as I fill him in on my pregnancy scare, the fact that we ‘broke up’ for a while and that we’ve now realised our true feelings for each other. He’s a little sceptical about the true nature of out newfound relationship, but eventually gives us his tentative blessing. Shortly after we’ve settled things, Maria joins us at the lunch table. We sit amicably together and although the subject of Max and I does come up in our conversation, I am grateful to both Alex and Maria for eventually accepting our relationship.

***

I don’t see much of Max for the rest of the day, but as I head out of school after the final bell, he catches up with me in the corridor.

“Hey, you,” he mumbles close to my ear as he slips an arm around my waist. “I’ve missed you today.”

I grin, but roll my eyes as I turn to face him fully, “Max, we just had sex less than four hours ago!”

“I know; I don’t care. I want you all the time,” he murmurs against my throat and I can’t help but blush with embarrassment.

“So,” I start when I’ve recovered. “How did your friends take the news?”

He straightens up to look into my eyes. “Well, I’m not exactly in their good books today; but don’t worry, I’ve made it perfectly clear that if they say even one thing out of line, I’ll kick their asses.”

“Oh, my big hero,” I smirk, rolling my eyes.

He just grins, shrugs and swiftly changes the subject. “So, anyway, I wanna take you out tomorrow night,” he declares. “On a date. How does dinner and a movie sound?”

Inside, I’m thrilled, but his teasing nature is rubbing off on me, “A date? On a Friday night - where everyone will see us? Surely not!”

“Aw, come on, Liz, say yes. Please?” He looks so hot when he’s begging that I have to agree to his request.

“Alright, tomorrow night it is.”

“Great,” he grins and leans down for a quick kiss, before turning to leave. “I’ll pick you up at eight.”

TBC…

[Heavenli24]

Hey guys, this part is slightly different from normal - since it kind of carries on from the last part, it's not an interlude; but I hope you enjoy it anyway .

Thanks for the feedback :

sydniepaige - Yeah, I guess he did .

Behrsgirl1230 - Yeah, Alex and Maria have agreed to accept the relationship, despite their reservations. I guess at the end of the day, it's Liz's decision to date Max, and there's not much anyone else can do about it .

LairaBehr4 - I guess she is lucky...but who said there was going to be another shoe to drop? Well, there could be, I suppose...we'll just have to see. I left you feedback this morning, atlhough I was half asleep when I did .

BehrObsession - Thanks . Yeah, Max has changed recently, so let's hope that Maria especially will have a chance to see that.

clueless - Thanks ...one date coming up.

anonymousarfan - Thanks (and I'm trying to get a start on the challenge fic, I really am...but I just haven't had time yet ).

Pheobe04 - You're right, it is going pretty smoothly at the moment, but perhaps there'll be a few obstacles in their way (or maybe not...you'll have to wait and see) .

ShatteredDreamer - I guess Alex could have been harder on Liz about it, but perhaps he had his reasons?

dreamsatnight - Yeah, I didn't think Alex should make that big a deal out of it. After all, their relationship was more like a 'if we're not married by the age of 40, then maybe we should hook up' kinda deal...they just fell into it at the beginning of the year.

jamy21 - Thank you - I actually thought it was one of the not-so-great parts in this story, so I'm pleased you liked it:D .

jbangelo - Yeah, they have a date ! Let's see how it goes...

***

Part Ten

“So…” I start somewhat awkwardly, as we exit the movie theatre.

“So…” echoes Max as he walks next to me.

“Um…great movie,” I provide, for lack of anything else to say.

“Yeah,” he agrees, shoving his hands in his pockets.

This is weird. We’re on our first official date and I have no idea how to behave around him. It’s like I’m seeing this whole new side to his character. During the movie, he kept offering me popcorn and about a third of the way through; he slipped his hand in mine. And that was all. No wandering hands, no making out in the back seat, no attempts to seduce me in public. Just handholding. And for some reason, that irked me; I’m not used to being so restrained around him.

I frown, “Look, Max…I –”

“Hey,” he cuts me off suddenly. “How about we get something to eat? There’s a nice Mexican place down the road.”

“Oh, um…sure,” I say, a little bewildered at his strange, almost jittery behaviour. “Okay.”

“Okay,” he smiles a little and holds out his hand to me. I shoot him a curious look, but take his hand anyway. He leads me across the road, towards the quaint restaurant. Once inside, he asks for a table for two and within minutes, we’re sitting opposite each other at a secluded table in the corner and the waiter has taken our drinks order. The atmosphere between us is still awkward and I quickly grab a menu and scan over it in an attempt to ease the tension.

I keep my eyes glued to the colourful print in front of me for several moments, before I realise that Max has not moved since we sat down, not even to pick up his menu. I look up to find him staring at me thoughtfully.

“What?” I wonder self-consciously.

He continues to watch me for a few more seconds before opening his mouth to reply, “I’m making a real mess of this, aren’t I?”

“What? No you’re not…” I start to protest, although I have to admit that this evening isn’t turning out quite like I’d hoped.

“Yes, I am,” he responds. “This was supposed to be a really great, fun night and everything just seems…off. I just…I don’t know how I’m supposed to act around you now. It’s our first date, and it’s just turning out to be weird.”

I smile and look down at the menu for a second before returning his gaze. He’s just voiced my exact thoughts on the evening.

“You’re right, it is kinda weird, and you know what? I have no idea how to act around you either,” I confess.

He lets out a sigh and a small chuckle, “Man, who knew that sex could be such an ice-breaker?”

I laugh at his comical expression. “Yeah, who knew?”

He leans towards me, “Look, I wanna apologise for my behaviour tonight. I’m not usually like this on a date…you know, all quiet and awkward.”

I hide a smirk, I can just imagine what he’s normally like, but I can’t help teasing him, “So what are you usually like?”

He makes a face, “I, uh…I don’t think you wanna know.”

“Oh, I wouldn’t be so sure of that; I’ve heard about your reputation,” I remind him. He blanches, but I carry on regardless, “Let me guess; you turn on the charm, offer to pay for everything; then halfway through the movie, you do that cheesy yawn and stretch move so you can put your arm around her, and by the end of the night, she’s putty in your hands.”

He shifts uncomfortably, “Well, I…uh…”

“Look, I don’t care about that, okay? That’s who you were,” I shrug. “What I’m confused about is why you haven’t done all that with me tonight.”

He sighs, “Okay, so you’re right. But, with you…Liz, you’re different; you’re not like all those other girls. You make me feel nervous and self-conscious because I know that you’re not gonna buy those cheesy lines and sneaky moves. As much as I hate to admit it, I did do those things with a higher purpose in mind, if you catch my drift…” I nod; he was trying to get those other girls into bed. “But since you and I have already…you know…there didn’t seem much point.”

I roll my eyes, “Max, do you know how you sounded just then? Not exactly the way to get on my good side.”

“Okay, okay,” he backtracks quickly, holding his hands up in surrender. “I didn’t mean it like that.” He exhales loudly, “What I’m trying to say is that since all of that sex stuff is not an issue with us, I don’t have that agenda to hide behind and all that’s left now is the real stuff, the ‘getting to know each other’ parts, which I’ve never really done before. I’m in uncharted territory here, Liz and it’s a little daunting.”

For the first time tonight, I relax and lean forward. “It’s daunting for me, too,” I assure him. “I mean, we don’t have anything in common, other than the fact that we both know the inside of the Eraser room so well.” He grins and we share a sheepish look. “It’s kind of like, what are we even supposed to talk about, you know? What if we find that we don’t get on at all? What then?”

“Okay, first off, I’m just gonna say that I think you’d be wrong to think that we wouldn’t get on.” I open my mouth to protest, but he holds up a hand to stop me. “And secondly, let’s not worry about that right now. I think the important thing is that we want to try this; I want to meet the real Liz Parker, and if she’s anything like the girl I’ve noticed already, I don’t think there’s much to dislike.”

As he finishes, I have to look down and hope that he doesn’t notice the huge blush that is rapidly sweeping over my cheeks. Unfortunately, barely a second later, his fingers are lifting my chin up and our eyes meet.

I smile lightly, ignoring the heat on my face, “You know, I wish I could say the same about you, but…” I trail off, almost embarrassed.

“Yeah,” he sighs, releasing my chin, “I guess I’ve pretty much been an asshole to you. I’m sorry.”

I shake my head in dismissal, “I’m used to it.”

“Still…”

“Years ago, I came to the conclusion that the Max Evans everyone sees at school is probably just a mask you hide behind, one that’s expected of you considering your status, and I just want you to know that I’m willing to stick around to find out what’s underneath that mask.”

He smiles gratefully.

“But,” I continue smoothly, “It’s like Maria said, I won’t let you treat me the way you used to when we were in public, not if you’re going to be my boyfriend. If you so much look at me that way, that’s it, we’re over. Got it?”

He straightens in his seat, “Got it.”

“Good. Then let’s order.” As I return to the menu, Max picks up his, but doesn’t open it. Instead, he just sits there stiffly.

I frown, and look up at him again in concern. “What is it? Did I say something out of line?”

He swallows, “Oh, um, no.” He leans in close to me and whispers, “You know how I said before that you should stand up for yourself more often? Well, feel free to stand up to me any time. It’s a real turn on,” he winks.

Oh God. He’s doing it to me again; he’s making me horny. I’m not going to be able to concentrate for the rest of the meal now.

Somehow (don’t ask me how) I manage to keep my emotions in check as we order our food. Now that we’ve talked a little, dinner goes pretty well. We talk about all kinds of things and discuss our plans for the future (I’m hoping to go to Harvard; he hasn’t decided yet), and all the while I’m very much aware of Max’s foot creeping up my leg beneath the table. By the end of the meal, I’m so turned on I can barely think straight and my body is literally begging for his touch.

As Max walks me home and we say goodbye at my door, I have to admit that I’m more than a little disappointed when he does nothing more than lower his lips to mine for a goodnight kiss. However, it quickly begins to spiral out of control and before I know it his arms are around me and his hands are on my butt, bringing my lower body into contact with his hard length.

“Do you wanna come up?” I invite breathlessly, between kisses. “My parents are out of town this weekend.”

He pulls away, placing a gentle kiss on my nose, “As much as I’d love to, I’m going to have to say no. Tonight is different; it’s about us getting to know each other better. I don’t want to spoil that now.”

I smile, “Who knew that you could be so noble and restrained?”

He rolls his eyes, “Believe me, it’s much harder than it looks.” I smirk at his intentional double entendre. “I want you so much right now, but I’m going to respect your honour and not take advantage of you on the first date.”

“Okay, fine, I’ll accept that…for now,” I finally concede, although I’m secretly thrilled to find out that he really is a gentleman after all. “But, you can’t leave me hanging for long; I don’t think I could stand it.”

He grins, “And who knew that the school science geek could be such a sex fiend?”

I blush, but then our eyes lock once more and he lowers his head for a final kiss. It’s a full five minutes before we finally let each other go and he leaves. With a sigh, I let myself in, and head upstairs to (in the words of Mr. Alex Whitman himself) go and have a talk with myself.

TBC…

[Heavenli24]

Hey, guys, thanks for the feedback :

LairaBehr4 - See, that part started out as an Interlude, but then I realised it couldn't be one because there was no sex in it , but this next Interlude should make up for that .

jbangelo - I thought it might be a little tacky if they actually did it on the first date - it's the first major step in their real relationship, I didn't want to spoil that.

jamy21 - Thanks .

Earth2Mama - I was hoping that the fact that the last part wasn't an Interlude would stop everyone expecting them to have sex (they've only had sex in Interludes ), but I guess the 'no sex' thing didn't go down so well. Anyway, fear not...another Interlude is coming up...

sydniepaige - Thanks .

Poison Ivy - Thanks .

BehrObsession - You're right, it doesn't mean they have to restrain themselves - but Max actually felt it was inappropriate on the first date - he was really trying to make an effort .

RASaero611 - Thanks - sorry about the lack of sex !

Mica - Thanks .

clueless - Thanks .

anonymousarfan - Thank you - and I'll let you know.

Michelle in Yonkers - Thanks and yes, Liz's parents are away for the whole weekend .

dreamsatnight - I'm actually quite surprised that there have been so many protests about the sex thing, so I guess it's a good thing I slipped another interlude in next.

ShatteredDreamer - , I just had to add that part in - to show that Max is still not completely over his old ways.

***

Interlude IX

It’s been almost exactly twenty-four hours since my first official date with Max Evans, and what am I doing? I’m watching TV in my room…alone. My boyfriend is the hottest, most sought-after guy at school and I’m home alone on a Saturday night with nothing to do but watch 90210 reruns and pig out on microwave popcorn. Go figure!

Anyway, I manage to make it through two and a half episodes before the phone rings.

“Hey, you,” comes the velvety tone that makes me weak at the knees.

“Hey, yourself,” I grin down the phone.

“So, what’s up?” he asks.

“Oh, not much, just watching TV,” I reply lightly, before I realise something and frown. “Hey, aren’t you supposed to be at that party thing tonight?”

Apparently, every couple of weeks, all the guys get together and hang out at someone’s house for an evening of watching sports and drinking beer (insert eye-roll here) and tonight, the little gathering was being held at Matthews’ house.

“Oh yeah, that,” he says flatly. “To be honest, there wasn’t much happening tonight.”

“Oh,” I mutter. Something must be up because as far as I can tell, Max practically lives for his guy’s nights.

“Well, uh, actually…” he starts. I knew there was something! “Matthews kinda said some stuff about you and I punched him. After that, I sorta had to leave.”

In other words, he got kicked out. I can’t suppress the grin that appears on my face at the thought of Max standing up for me and defending my honour.

“Oh?” I say again, but this time I’m interested.

“Yeah,” he says sheepishly, before swiftly changing the subject. “So, anyway, what are you wearing?”

My grin quickly turns into something in between surprise that he was so blunt and excitement that he’s suddenly getting playful with me.

“Why, did you have something in mind?” I tease. “What would you like me to be wearing?”

“Oh, God,” he mutters, and I grin. I bet his imagination is running wild right now.

“What would you say if I told you I was busy enjoying myself in black lacy lingerie and suspenders?”

“I …um, well…” he gulps on the other end, but then pauses for a moment. When he speaks again, his voice has a teasing tone, “Actually, I’d say you were a liar, and that you were wearing grey sweatpants and a pink halter neck.”

I take a quick glance down at my clothes to discover that he’s right, before whipping my head to the door. It’s closed. I frown in confusion. How does he know what I’m wearing? Unless…I turn my head towards the window; sure enough, there he is, crouched outside on the balcony.

“Shit, Max…you scared me!” I exclaim into the phone as I get off the bed and make my way to the window.

“What are you doing here?” I ask as I lift the window, hang up the phone and let him inside.

He shuts off his phone and shrugs, a mischievous grin on his face, “I just wanted to see you.”

“Really…you just wanted to see me?” I wonder. “And this doesn’t have anything to do with what we didn’t do last night?”

He just about squirms under my gaze; you know, this is fun. I know exactly why he’s here. Obviously twenty-four hours were as long as he could hold out after our date yesterday. Not that I blame him, it’s been a pretty restless day for me too.

“Well, uh…” he mumbles, reaching up to scratch his ear.

I chuckle, “Come here, you.”

I pull him to me, my hands cupping his face, and fuse our lips together almost forcefully. His arms wind around my waist, his fingers dipping beneath my top briefly, before moving up to my neck to untie the strings holding it in place. The material falls to just above my breasts and he walks his fingers across my shoulders, down over my collarbone towards my chest. I attempt to suck in a breath – not easy when your tongue is otherwise occupied - as he traces my breasts over the material before tugging it down to my waist, leaving me topless before him.

I whisper his name against his lips as I slip my hands down to his shirt and begin unbuttoning it, running my hands over his smooth, yet hard chest and stomach as I go. He lets me slip it off his shoulders, his hands leaving my breasts briefly as I do so, but instead of returning them to their previous position, he reaches for my top and pushes it down over my hips, effortlessly taking my sweatpants with it. Seconds later, I stand before him in nothing but white lace panties as his gaze roams my body hungrily.

I bite back a smile as I recall what he said to me last night – about me standing up to him being a turn on – and lean up to whisper in his ear.

“Take your pants off,” I order softly.

“Um, okay…” he swallows, but complies nonetheless, dropping his pants and stepping out of them.

I nod approvingly at the sight of him in tight black boxers, which leave nothing to the imagination, and then extend my hand to him.

“Come here…” I say as I lead him towards the bed. I nudge him backwards, until the back of his knees hit the end and he falls backwards onto the mattress. I climb onto the bed after him and boldly straddle his waist. As I lower my head to kiss him again, his hands come up to rest on my hips, urging me closer. However, I’m not done with him yet.

“Take off your boxers,” I tell him between kisses. When he nods, I manoeuvre myself off him and come to rest at his side. I watch as he reaches down and slips the tight material over his hips, releasing his straining erection in the process. He kicks the boxers to the floor and then looks up at me in anticipation. I pull myself up and straddle him once more; this time though, I place myself on his thighs.

I lean forward; trapping his length between our bodies and whisper in his ear once more, “Touch yourself, Max.”

“What?” he murmurs clearly confused.

“I said, touch yourself,” I repeat slowly. “Show me what you do to get off.”

“Liz, I –” he shakes his head.

“Do you know what the thought of you doing that does to me?” I murmur, sitting up slightly and tracing my nipples with the tips of my fingers. “It makes me so horny I can’t think straight.”

“Oh, God,” he mutters throatily, as his hand moves to his length.

I watch in fascination as he begins stroking himself before my eyes. My breathing quickens in time with his faint moans and I feel myself getting wet.

“Liz, oh God…” he moans, watching me as he pumps his hand up and down. I take the opportunity to get off the bed, remove my panties and grab a condom, before moving over him once more.

“Here, let me,” I tell him, stilling his hand with my own and wrapping my fingers around him. His head falls back against the pillow, his eyes closing in pleasure as I stroke him. I reach for the condom and roll it over him quickly before sinking down onto him.

“Yes…” he mutters when I begin rocking my hips above him. His hands slide up my thighs, over my hips and come to rest on my breasts. He massages and squeezes them as his hips begin to thrust upwards in time with my movements. I feel the pleasure building within me and I know that I’m close. I close my eyes, ready to let my orgasm wash over me, but suddenly I find myself being pulled down towards Max, as his tongue begs entrance to my mouth. Before I know it, he’s rolled over and I am trapped deliciously beneath him. Now he takes control, thrusting into me earnestly, his mouth pressing urgent kisses to my face and neck. Just as I realise that he is also extremely close, his hand snakes between our sweaty bodies and he strokes my clit, causing me to go over the edge. Max follows shortly and then collapses on top of me in sated exhaustion.

Afterwards, we lie together in my bed; the sheet only reaching our waists and Max gently strokes my arm with his fingers.

“Wow,” I mutter. “That was much-needed and very, very good.”

“I couldn’t agree with you more,” he smirks, leaning over for a quick kiss. “Come on, let’s go to sleep. You look exhausted.”

“Well, whose fault is that?” I retort playfully. “Cause I seem to remember that you were the one who showed up on my balcony earlier.”

He shrugs, “Okay, so it’s my fault. But you can’t tell me it wasn’t worth it.”

“No, that I can’t,” I chuckle.

We hold each other for several more minutes until Max drifts off to sleep. My last thought before I too succumb to tiredness is that, right now, I love my life.

TBC…