Undressed by the Rebel: The Honourable Maverick

To marry Max knowing that it was in name only and that a very amicable divorce was already pencilled in?

No, thanks.

CHAPTER EIGHT (#ulink_0f7efb37-1de0-5e5f-8f79-3e5c0416256a)

GINA the real estate agent did a double-take when she saw Ellie for the second time on the Sunday that was Mouse’s two-week birthday.

Max wasn’t surprised in the least. He’d been kind of stunned himself when he’d got home from work the other day after Ellie had been on her trip into town. She’d been wearing jeans that actually fitted and a soft, russet-coloured knit top that made her eyes and her hair seem the most astonishing mix of copper and chestnut shades. She’d looked…amazing and it was confusing because it wasn’t so easy now to dismiss errant thoughts by reminding himself that she wasn’t his ‘type’.

She still didn’t fit with the kind of athletic, leggy girls who were out for little more than a good time. She was different all right. Dangerously different because there was an attraction there that went a lot deeper than sex. He and Rick had always favoured blondes, too, but Ellie’s hair was so rich. She’d said she’d only had her hair trimmed and that the hairdresser had put some rinse through it to bring out natural highlights but it glowed in some mysterious fashion and it looked so soft. His fingers had itched to bury themselves in it.

He hadn’t, of course. He was being very, very careful ever since that kiss that hadn’t been a kiss. Ellie valued her independence. She had some definite plans for her future that didn’t include him and he didn’t want to be involved. It would only complicate her life. Not to mention his. Coming to see this house was an aberration that was making him distinctly nervous for some reason. It had only been intended as an outing. There were lots of tourist attractions out here on the Otago Peninsula. Larnach Castle and the aquarium. The lighthouse and the world-famous albatross colony. It was just a bonus that he could make a foray into the world of real estate that he knew he should enter and now was probably as good a time as any.

Maybe it was because it was something he’d never done before. Or maybe it had something to do with the way Gina had been staring at Ellie as if she couldn’t believe she was the same woman and Max could sympathise with the confused expression. Things were changing and Max wasn’t sure about the direction they were taking. Some of it was good. He was delighted that both Ellie and Mouse had passed the assessments given in their outpatient appointments at the hospital. He could have predicted how pleased the doctors would be because he could see Ellie’s strength returning day by day. She had a sparkle about her that couldn’t be attributed entirely to a new wardrobe or a clever hairdresser.

Pretty soon now she’d disappear out of his life. She’d already been on the internet, checking out discount flight fares to Australia. She’d been exploring job opportunities as well and rental accommodation that might suit. The next step was to update her passport to include her child and that was only on hold until she decided on the name she wanted for her daughter.

She’d bought a book of names when she’d been in town and it had come out again last night.

‘Annabelle? Bella? I quite like Bella. Oh, look…here’s Maxine. It means “greatest”.’

‘You’re not calling her Maxine.’

‘She’s probably going to end up being Mouse for the rest of her life,’ Ellie had said mournfully. ‘Mouse Peters. Doesn’t have the best ring to it, does it?’

Mouse McAdam didn’t sound too bad. Not that he’d pointed that out, mind you. Funny how the idea of marriage to Ellie to provide a legal name had suddenly lost its appeal. Why? Was it because he could finally see that it would be such a sham and not what any marriage should be about? Especially a marriage that involved someone like Ellie. Not that Max had ever given that much thought to the institution but, deep down, he had principles and one of them was obviously that marriage was not something that should be taken that lightly.

Who knew?

Perhaps house hunting was another aspect of grown-up life that shouldn’t be taken lightly but they’d driven out along the windy peninsula road on this sunny afternoon, admiring the shards of light playing on the ruffled harbour waters. They’d had a bit of trouble locating the address, despite his satellite navigation device, because this house was set on a hillside and hidden from the road by a thick stand of native bush. Sunlight filtered through the canopy of these private woods, which effectively killed any traffic or other noise from the outside world and there was an atmosphere that made Max pause when he climbed out of the car. He had an odd feeling that he was being pushed towards something he really wasn’t ready for. He gave himself a mental shake. Anyone would feel like that with a smiling real estate agent bearing down on them. He was only a potential buyer here. He could say no and he already knew he would say no.

The house itself was a wonderful, rambling old villa with a wisteria vine adorning the deep veranda and a view of the harbour and the green hills on the other side that would probably make it sell in a flash. They all stood for a moment at the top of the steps, their backs to the front door.

‘That’s Port Chalmers over there,’ Max pointed out to Ellie. ‘That’s where Rick’s place is. He’s got a converted warehouse loft close to the container terminal. Very industrial. Trendy.’

‘Bit different from this, then.’

‘Mmm.’ It was a bachelor pad all right and it hadn’t had the space for the three of them when Jet had come home for a spell. Why had he offered to move somewhere else? Had he seen his new apartment as a stepping stone from bachelor pad to family home? If so, he hadn’t had his feet in the interim space for nearly long enough.

‘You’ll love this place,’ Gina said, turning to unlock the door. ‘Come on. I can’t wait to show you around.’ She waited for them to enter the wide hallway. ‘Such a cute baby,’ she said as Ellie went past. ‘What’s his name?’

‘It’s a she,’ Max said. ‘And her name is Mouse.’

Gina giggled. ‘What’s her real name?’

There was a moment’s awkward silence and then Ellie spoke. ‘We haven’t decided. Max doesn’t like my choice so I’m waiting till he comes up with something better.’

‘Fair enough.’ Gina was heading for a sweeping stairway at the end of the hall. ‘Let’s start upstairs with the master bedroom. It’s got the most amazing view.’

Max followed in silence. It was just part of the pretence, wasn’t it? Ellie wasn’t really expecting him to come up with a name for Mouse, was she? That was a responsibility he wasn’t happy to take on but what if he didn’t and she ended up calling the poor kid Maxine?

‘Vacant possession,’ Gina told them as they came back downstairs. ‘The owner was hoping not to have to sell but he’s decided to stay in Europe and he needs the capital for his business venture.’

‘It’s big,’ was Max’s verdict as they completed the tour.

Gina nodded happily. ‘Four bedrooms and the office, two bathrooms, the games room in the basement and the guest suite over the garage. It’s a perfect family home.’

But he didn’t have a family. Gina glanced to where Ellie was standing with Mouse in the baby sling near the French doors that opened from the open-plan kitchen living area to a terrace that flowed into a large, sloping garden. Max followed her gaze. Was Ellie admiring the backdrop of the bush or deliberately avoiding having to keep up the deception that they were just the kind of family that this house was crying out for?

‘I know it might seem a bit big compared to your apartment at the moment but think of it as future-proofing,’ Gina said with a smile. ‘Who knows? You might end up with a few more little ones and this is the kind of house you’d want your grandchildren visiting, isn’t it?’