114 Elizabeth is hungry (1/2)

Max and Liz joined Nathan, Madeline, Hunter and Mia at the table for breakfast. Oliver, Lewis and McKenzie were at the neighboring table while Ashton, Jake, Derek, and Mike were few tables away.

\”Rina is not here?\”, Max asked the obvious.

\”Jack arrived. Rina said that they will be late and not to wait for them.\”, Madeline responded while watching Max pull a chair for Liz, like a true gentleman.

Max got coffee for him and Liz and then chatted with his parents briefly about the plans for the day.

Liz found it difficult to focus. Her eyes were glued to Max's perfect profile and she was still adjusting to the big revelation of Max's kiss from earlier that morning.

She started understanding his statement that she is rushing and skipping steps.

Max's light kisses so far made Liz's brain numb while focusing only on him and ignoring everything around them. But the kiss from that morning was different: her brain was not numb, it's the opposite… her senses heightened, and the world faded while she and Max were merging into one. That kiss was gentle and intense and caring and demanding… a mind altering event which shook her to the core.

Liz has to acknowledge that her inexperience is showing, and she is lucky to have a great man like Max to guide her through this, to introduce her to the wonders that a relationship and physical intimacy can offer.

However, if he thought that she will slow down, he is gravely mistaken. Elizabeth was always a fast learner, devouring a week worth of materials in a matter of hours. After experiencing the amazing kiss from that morning, Elizabeth is hungry and the man next to her looks… delicious.

Liz was startled when a piece of cereal hit her cheek. Her confused expression met Mia's grin.

\”Spacing out?\”, Mia teased.

\”Why did you throw food at me?\”

Mia leaned closer and spoke in a hushed voice only for Liz to hear: \”I called you three times, but you are not responding.\”

\”Oh…\”, Liz realized that Mia is probably right. She was staring at Max and having naughty thoughts so it's probably a good thing that Mia pulled her out of that daze.

Liz panicked, what was her expression? How can she be so shameless? His parents are right there!

Mia noticed that Liz's does not look good. \”Are you OK?\”

\”I'm just hungry.\”, Liz lied with a straight face. There is no way that she will admit in front of all these people her thoughts.

Max heard Liz say that she is hungry and swiftly stood up. He apologized while gesturing to the area where food is: \”I'm sorry. I know that usually you have only coffee in the morning, and I assumed that we can chat…\”

Liz was surprised that her hasty excuse made Max feel guilty. She stood up and smiled gently while trying to comfort him. \”Don't worry about it. This morning my appetite is more than usual.\”

Liz missed that her words directed at Max made Madeline break into a knowing grin while she scanned Elizabeth's abdomen.

Max also didn't notice sudden change in his mother's expression. He ushered Liz toward the big buffet-style table full of fruits, pastries and other breakfast items. On the side, chefs are available to make fresh crepes and omelets based on the requests from the guests.

Madeline observed her son lovingly hover over his girlfriend while putting things into her plate and she leaned closer to Nathan.

\”Dear, we should hurry up with those background checks…\”, Madeline whispered to Nathan and gestured with her eyes toward Max and Elizabeth.

The one who didn't miss the exchange is McKenzie. She didn't see everything, but she saw Max bolt to his feet as soon as Liz said that she is hungry with an apology like her hunger is his fault. And did he say that she usually has coffee in the morning? How close are they? She can see how Max is carefully helping Liz pick food, and also how Madeline is looking at them with sparkles in her eyes, silently giving them her blessings.

\”Zi, where are we going after this?\”, Oliver asked about their next activity, seeing that they are almost done with breakfast.

Out of three of them, McKenzie is the most opinionated one, and Oliver and Lewis don't care what they do, they are content with anything. That is why they usually let McKenzie pick.

\”I'm still thinking.\”, McKenzie answered dryly while her hands were tightly balled into fists under the table.

In truth, she wants to hear what Max plans to do, so that she can join.

Max and Liz returned to the table with plates full of food and Liz paused at the sight of another couple who was heading toward Nathan and Madeline.

\”Rina, Jack…\”, Madeline greeted them warmly. \”Please, join us for breakfast… Nathan and I are going golfing in few minutes… Jack, dear, how was your flight?\”

Jack smiled. \”Good. Thanks, for asking.\”

\”Liz, Mia…\”, Rina called enthusiastically. \”This is my fiancé, Jackson… Jack, I told you about them…\”