Maximum Risk by Ruth Cardello

ever succeed at saying no to you?”
    Maddy merely smiled. As if on cue, the door of the restaurant opened, and she dragged Tara through it. They handed their coats to an attendant. Her husband was talking to a patron in the main dining room, but headed their way when he saw them. He kissed Maddy warmly, then greeted Tara with a kiss on either cheek. “I wasn’t sure if you both would still come tonight.”
    Maddy linked hands with Richard. “I can’t stay; Adam was cranky when I left. I’m only here to drop Tara off. She’s looking forward to meeting Nick. Did he bring Rena with him?”
    “Nick had some last-minute business and canceled for tonight, but Max is here.”
    Tara’s mouth went suddenly dry. “Max Andrade?”
    “Max is here?” Maddy practically clapped with joy. “I didn’t know he was back in New York.”
    Richard shrugged. “Yes. He’s in there waiting for you. Impatiently, I might add.”
    Maddy pursed her lips and tapped her fingers excitedly on her mouth. “I wonder why he’s here.”
    Richard, pulling his wife against his side, joked, “My cooking?”
    Maddy smiled up at him. “Besides that.” She looked across at Tara and mulled aloud, “Do you think he knew you would be here?”
    Richard chuckled indulgently. “Oh, Maddy. Are you matchmaking again?”
    Maddy wrinkled her nose at Tara. “No, but this could work out anyway.”
    Richard raised Maddy’s chin with his hand and looked down into her eyes. “What are you up to, mon ange?”
    “I don’t want to tell you yet.”
    He kissed his wife’s upturned mouth. “Then it’s trouble for sure. Don’t lead your new friend too far astray. Tara, careful, Maddy could talk a saint into sinning. I wish I could stay to see how this unfolds, but I have been gone from the kitchen too long already.” After a nod of acknowledgement to Tara, Richard walked away.
    Speaking of being led astray, dinner alone with Max is a bad, bad idea. Especially if Maddy isn’t staying. “Maddy, since Nick isn’t here, I should head home.”
    Maddy spun toward her. “Are you kidding? Max is here, and I have the perfect excuse for leaving. You need to take advantage of this opportunity.”
    That’s exactly what I’m trying not to do. Tara gave herself a mental kick . Stop picturing Max naked and focus. If I’m not quitting this job, then Maddy is right, this is a chance I shouldn’t pass up. We’re in public, for God’s sake. Nothing is going to happen. Still . . . “Didn’t you tell me to stay away from him? Plan B? Remember?”
    Maddy waved off her earlier advice. “Improvise. Adapt. Overcome.”
    “We’re not the Marines, Maddy.”
    “Well, we need to start thinking like them. As soon as you start believing something isn’t possible, you’re right. We can do this, Tara. Don’t give up now. We’re so close.” Without waiting for a response, Maddy linked arms with Tara and led her through the restaurant to a private area where Max was seated at a small table. He stood when he saw them approach, and Tara’s breath caught in her throat. He was even better-looking than she remembered. The casual suit he wore was modern and edgy. He wore his shirt unbuttoned at the neck, with relaxed sophistication. There was nothing relaxed about how he watched Tara approach, however.
    His eyes held Tara’s, even as he bent and gave Maddy a kiss on the cheek. Although she couldn’t hear what Maddy was saying, she knew the exact moment Maddy said she couldn’t stay. Max didn’t conceal his pleasure. Tara licked her bottom lip nervously, and his gaze followed the movement. When their eyes met again Tara shivered with anticipation. She felt both excited and more than a little out of control.
    She shouldn’t feel this way. Not here. Not with Max.
    That didn’t stop her body from quivering when Maddy moved aside for Tara to greet Max. She wanted to say something snarky, start off the dinner on the right foot. As she looked up at him, she realized wit came