Accident Prone

When Max arrived, he found Liz in the living area of the suite, rehearsing her speech while talking to the imaginary crowd on the other side of massive windows which were overlooking the Las Vegas strip and Bellagio fountains.

Without interrupting her, Max kept his carry-on on the side and took a seat on the sofa as quietly as he could.

He knew that she was almost done because he heard that talk many times before.

"…thank you.", Liz ended her speech and she jumped in shock when she heard clapping from behind her.

"When did you come here?", Liz asked while patting her chest dramatically.

"Around the part where you simulated deterioration of nervous system…"

Liz shook her head helplessly, hopped on his lap, wrapped her hands around his neck, and gave him a smacking kiss on the lips. "I am happy you are here."

She made herself comfortable and rested her head on his shoulder, happy that he embraced her right away.

"How was your day?", Liz asked.

"Nothing unusual, other than knowing that you are far away. Did you have dinner?"

"Not yet. I was waiting for you.", Liz admitted.

Max was pleased with her answer. There used to be a time when she would do her own thing (meals included) regardless of his presence. However, they are at the point where she is waiting for him, and not just for meals but for many other things as well. It was one more proof that his presence made a mark on her life, one that is not easily removable.

"Where do you want to have dinner, my queen?", Max asked while gesturing toward the view outside, indicating that they can go wherever she wants.

Liz didn't have many preferences, knowing that wherever they go she wouldn't be able to immerse herself because her mind would be on the upcoming presentation. No matter how confident she was, Liz was still nervous to speak in front of the crowd, and that was becoming more apparent as the time was approaching for her to step onto the stage.

"How about we order room service tonight?", Liz suggested. She saw that Max's eyebrow arched in protest, so she quickly added: "I'm not in the right mindset to enjoy Vegas tonight. Let's leave fancy dinner for tomorrow. We can have a meal here with the majestic view of Bellagio fountains."

Max understood that Liz's anxiety was resurfacing, and he didn't want to force her. "Alright. Order something while I shower."

"What do you feel like having?"

Max thought for a second before responding. "Meat. Make it tender and juicy."

Liz gulped softly, unsure if Max was talking about a steak or about her. Based on the way he looked at her, it was both probably. Max was shameless, and Liz wouldn't want him any other way.

Some men would look at her lecherously, and some talked about her mind and achievements, yet Max made her feel like all of those are important. He admired her mind, respected her opinion, and made her feel wanted in every way possible.

After taking a shower, Max wore slacks and a t-shirt and joined Liz in the dining area where food was waiting.

Liz was pouring a glass of wine for herself and paused at the sight of Max whose unruly damp hair provided an extra layer of attractiveness.

"Do you want wine as well, or something stronger?"

Liz knew that Max prefers whiskey, but he would often drink wine to give her company.

"Let's start with the wine.", Max responded.

The table was already located close to the big windows, and Max and Liz enjoyed the aerial view of the watery show below that the Bellagio fountains provided. The shows run from 3 PM on every half an hour, and from 7 PM to midnight, the frequency increases to every 15 minutes.

It was after 7, so Max and Liz saw 3 shows during their dinner, and they were both pleased that every show was different.

Liz shared with Max a few interesting facts about Bellagio fountains from the brochure she read previously. There are 30 songs in rotation, each providing a unique water spectacle that is accomplished by 1214 water jets. The water can shoot up as high as the 32-story building and annually there is approximately $12,000 in coins collected from patrons who make a wish in that fountain.

"Considering that no one throws more than 25 cents in the fountain and that most of them are pennies, nickels, and dimes, that is a lot of wishes…", Liz mused. "That amount of money could make a few wishes come true."

Max laughed at Liz's logic, but he agreed with it.

"Afternoon presentations were good?"

"They were OK.", Liz responded and realized that his question was more of a statement. "Why did you bring that up?"

"Because you replied to my texts only after the presentations were over."

"Oh…", Liz knew that he was right, and she also knew why she didn't check her phone. "I met Dr. Snow. He was leaving the restaurant and saw me having lunch. He is attending the conference, so we chatted between presentations and the time passed. My phone was on silent so that I don't disturb presenters accidentally and I didn't realize how many texts you sent until I got to the room and checked my phone."

Max's lips twitched. "Dr. Snobby. How coincidental."

Liz didn't miss the sarcasm and she hoped Max does not think that she was hiding this from him on purpose. Liz just didn't think that it's important. "Dr. Snow is attending the conference…"

"I meant about you meeting him here.", Max cut Liz off. He noticed that she became apprehensive and he didn't want her to think how he doubts her. "Are just the two of you attending this event so it was easy to bump into each other? And there are so many other guests at the Bellagio. How come he didn't stop by anyone else, but it had to be you?"

"He is staying in this hotel, and...", Liz paused when she understood the underlying message behind Max's questions. "Do you think that he was waiting for me?"

"I wouldn't be surprised.", Max said honestly. "He knows that if he comes to Seattle I will blow him away, and I am 85% confident that since he left Seattle, Dr. Snobby is attending all events for surgeons with the hope that he will bump into you."

"You think too highly of me, Max. He is a busy man and does not have time to chase women by attending conferences."

Max shook his head in disapproval. He saw how Dr. Snobby was looking at Liz, and the man confirmed that he is difficult to get rid of.

"Not women, my love. You."

Liz was not sure how to respond to this. Is Dr. Snow attending events with the purpose to meet her? Max didn't have a proof for such an outrageous accusation, but she didn't have proof that would point otherwise either.

"Assuming that is true, as long as he is not scheming or tries to win me over, there is no reason for me to avoid him. Our chat was polite and professional, and when he offered to listen to me practicing my speech I refused, and he didn't insist. And that's it."

Max narrowed his eyes slightly and didn't respond. How Max saw this, if Dr. Snobby stopped making mistakes by blindly going after Liz like a bull who sees a red cloth swaying in front of his face… that means that the man became smarter and more dangerous.

Since they met, people schemed against them and tried to split them apart, regardless if Liz gets harmed. Actually, some were aiming for Liz specifically. However, they were unable to corrupt her pure heart. Liz is still innocent and trusts people easily, and Max loves that part of her. He does not want her to change, and that is why he will protect her.

Max got his men to watch over Liz in his absence, but they are stationed in the hotel with a task to follow Liz when she leaves. He didn't want them to follow Liz while in the hotel, because he will respect her privacy and it's normal that she will interact with fellow surgeons and other people.

Max pursed his lips while thinking if he should add Dr. Snobby to the list of people to look for, but then he shook his head as he rejected that thought. He wants to protect Liz from dangers (aka Irene). Love rivals who don't have a chance are harmless. Max does not like Dr. Snobby, but he reminded himself that he should trust Liz. After all, for 27 years she successfully repelled unwanted advances and he should not be overprotective to the point of suffocating her. If she needs help, she will ask for it. He trusts her that much.

"Can we not talk about Dr. Snow?"

Liz's question pulled Max out of his thoughts.

"Of course, my love…", Max agreed immediately.

Max didn't want to talk about Dr. Snobby either and considering that he will definitely bump into that pesky man tomorrow, Max will make sure to send the right message even though Max had a strong feeling that nothing will work. Max punched the man, humiliated him in a personal and professional setting, and proved overall dominance when he came to Portland to save Liz from that police station while Dr. Snobby was there as a pointless accessory, yet nothing worked. Well, Max will never give up on proving that Liz is his and that others don't stand a chance.

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