CHAPTER 50: DATE AT THE BEACH

"What does that mean?" Zack asked with a puzzled expression.

"Insert what ever meaning you want to attach to it..." Maximus said waiting for Zack to dive into the passenger seat.

The engine roared to life as Maximus started the car, but before they could even pull out of the driveway, his phone rang.

The screen on the car’s dashboard lit up with an incoming call.

[Incoming Call From: Valerie Sawyer]

Maximus glanced at the screen, feeling a slight headache forming.

Zack, however, grinned like he had just won the lottery. "Oh, looks like you might be going on two dates today!"

"Shut up, she’s a business partner now, I’m sure she wants to let me in on the biggest update in the antique industry..."

Maximus then sighed and tapped the screen, the call connected and Valerie’s cool, confident voice filled the car. "Maximus?"

Before Maximus could respond, Zacks eyes widened with surprise, "Her voice is so hot..." he whispered.

"Okay, you are on timeout bro." Maximus said with a firm audible volume.

"I’m I interrupting something?" Valerie asked.

"Oh no! My friend is just being a dick." Maximus replied.

"Okay, it’s really great to hear your voice Maximus, how have you been?" Valerie said with a sigh that wasn’t out of proportion.

"I’ve been good, you know the usual... it’s very nice to hear your voice too... Miss Valerie" Maximus said, griping the stirring wheel gently.

"Thank you, although I do hope that I will be seeing you shortly..."

Maximus tilted his head out of inquisitively, "Really? Why’s that?"

Valerie laughed over the phone, not in a loud, obnoxious manner, but in a soft, feminine, gentle aroma.

"Well, is it fair I see more of my fiancee..."

At this point Zack went wild, he wasn’t audible but he was throwing all sorts of ridiculous faces at Maximus.

"Hmmm... I kind of find that sentence funny, Miss Sawyer" Maximus said with a slight chuckle.

"That’s good, I was trying to make you laugh..." Valerie replied with a slight chuckle of her own. "But, it is paramount that my family members see us together if they are gonna buy our little secret." she finished.

"I understand your point, I have been busy lately..." Maximus said.

"If by busy, you mean running a race with a world renowned track racer... yeah, I saw it online." she said gleefully.

Maximus chucked, switching the car gear to reverse. "Yeah, that amongst other things."

"Okay, I understand. As regards to our business deal, I wanted to inform you about an event that would greatly benefit the both of us. I get to have my ’fiance’ around so that my family members can see, and you get to invest some money".

"Okay, princess... if you will, just send me the details of the event."

"I will do that..."

"Thank you..."

Beep!

The line went dead, and Zack wanted to use this opportunity to throw a crazy tantrum but Maximus put a cork on it before he begun.

"Don’t even start..."

Zack turned to Maximus with the smuggest expression imaginable. "Dude."

Maximus sighed. "Don’t"

"Oh, I will." Zack wagged a finger. "She totally likes you."

Maximus shook his head, pulling the car onto the road. "She’s a business partner for now, and I am an opportunistic investor... don’t get it twisted."

Zack leaned back, smiling. "Mmhmm. Sure."

Maximus focused on the road, pretending Zack wasn’t there.

Zack, however, brought up a new conversation concerning the matter at hand. "So, where do you think you and Dressa Morgan will be spending the date? Fancy restaurant? A secret race? A private jet to an exotic island?"

Maximus exhaled through his nose. "I’ll find out at 10 am."

Zack grinned. "And so will I."

Maximus glanced at him, "NO, you wont."

Zack gasped in mock betrayal. "Maximus how could yah!"

Maximus smirked. "Easily."

Zack pouted dramatically. "at least take pictures."

»»»«««

The sound of crashing waves and the scent of salt filled the air as Maximus pulled Obsidian into the parking lot near the beach.

He exhaled, running a hand through his hair as he took in the lively atmosphere ahead.

Sunlight reflected off the shaggy sand, and in the distance, groups of people were scattered across the shore, some playing volleyball, other sunbathing and plenty just enjoying the ocean breeze.

Maximus wasn’t exactly a beach person, but he wasn’t about to complain. Not when Dressa had personally picked the location.

Stepping out of his car, he locked it and turned, his gaze immediately landing on dressa.\

She was waiting near the entrance, arms crossed, but there was an undeniable amusement in her eyes.

She had swapped out her usual clothing attire for something completely different, an airy white cover up over a swimsuit, her toned legs visible beneath it.

The moment she spotted him, she lifted a hand in a casual wave, a small smile playing on her lips.

Maximus walked over, his posture relaxed but his mind already bracing for whatever Zack would say if he found out about this.

Before he could even greet her, Dressa reached out and grabbed his wrist, pulling him toward the beach with zero hesitation.

"Come on, slowpoke," she said, her grip firm. "I didn’t bring you here just to stand around,"

Maximus let out a chuckle, matching her pace as they stepped onto the warm sand. "You didn’t even let me say hi first."

Dressa glanced at him, her lips quirking. "You can say hi while we walk. "

"Hi, Dressa."

"Hi Max." she teased, giving his hand a playful squeeze before finally letting go as they reached a shaded area near some palm trees.

It wasn’t until she shrugged off her cover up that Maximus really took in what she was wearing.

A two piece swimsuit.

It wasn’t overly flashy, but it certainly hugged her curves in away that left little to the imagination.

The sleek black fabric contrasted against her sun kissed skin, and despite not being too much of a pervert himself, Maximus caught his gaze lingering for a second too long.

Dressa, ever perceptive, raised an eyebrow. "See something you like?"

Maximus cleared his throat, tearing his eyes away and pretending to look at the volleyball game happening a few feet away, "Didn’t know you were the beach type."

She smirked, stretching her arms above her head. "I like a lot of things, Maximus. You just never asked."

Maximus smirked and locked eyes with her. "Fair point."

The beach was alive with energy, kids building sand castles, couples walking hand to hand, groups of guys flexing in the sun and women in skimpy bikinis laughing amongst themselves.

A game of beach volleyball was in full success not too far from where they stood, the players diving and spiking the ball with impressive skill.

Dress turned to him, tilting her head slightly. "So, what do you do at the beach?"

Maximus shrugged. "Come to think of it, I don’t think I’ve ever really been to the beach before."

"I figured that, since you’ve still got shoes on..." she smirked. "You look like the type to sit in the shade and check your phone every two minutes."

"Not true." he defended. "I’d probably read a book"

Dressa scoffed. "That is somehow even worse."

Maximus just shook his head. "Why did you pick this place out of everywhere to hang out?"

She stepped closer, staring straight into his eyes, her pupils glinting in the sunlight and her expression somewhat playful. "I don’t know, I guess I really wanted to see you in swimming trunks..."

Before Maximus could respond, a loud voice called towards their direction, stunning the both of them.

"Air Ball!!!"

A stray basketball suddenly flew towards them at an incredible speed, it was fast and was heading straight for Dressa’s head.

But, Maximus was quick and caught it with one hand right when it was about to make contact with her face.

"Ooof!" she whooped with stun, staggering back a couple meters.

"That would have hurt..." Maximus said softly, inspecting her to see if she was hurt.

A few moments later, a tall, shirtless guy with tan skin glistening with sweat and a confident smile plastered on his face jogged over.

"Hey boss! Nice catch" he said as he came in close proximity with Maximus.

Maximus just nodded and handed the ball over to him.

"Hey," the guy said, glancing between them before his gaze settled on Dressa. "You two ever played basketball on the beach before?"

Dressa looked at Maximus, then at the shirtless guy. "I don’t know. What do you think, Maximus?"

Maximus knew that look even if he was blind. He exhaled through his mouth. "You really want to play?"

"Why not?" she grinned. "Unless you’re scared of a little competition."

Maximus’s eyes met Dressa’s. her smirk widened, almost devilish.

Maximus cracked his knuckles. "Let me go change first..."

"Good answer," she murmured, tossing him a wink before snatching the ball from the shirtless man.