“Right. I know it took me a while to get my shit together, but finally, I have. I know you think I could have contacted you, but, no, I couldn’t. My business is in technology. Some of my contracts are with different governments. The work I was doing this time was for the US government, and it was top secret. I couldn’t let anyone know where I was going or have any communication outside of a small unit while I was there.”
“That sounds made up.”
“Maybe, but it’s the truth.”
Robyn searched his eyes. He looked sincere. She folded her arms across her chest. Seconds ticked by before she responded. “What was so important in the notecard that you wanted me to know?”
“Only the most important things in my life. Look . . . ” He rubbed the back of his neck. “I’ve been running away from us for a while. I think it’s time I stop. I think it’s time we stop. I know you still care about me. I know it. I felt it the last time we were together.”
Robyn held her breath as she listened to every word. She didn’t want to miss anything. He was wrong, she didn’t just care about him, she still loved him.
Maxwell continued. “And if I weren’t so stubborn, I would have acknowledged it then that I still have feelings for you too. I’m here, in Romona, because you’re here. I know it’s been six months, but if you’re willing, I’d like to see what happens between us.”
Robyn’s eyes shimmered, and her voice was barely a whisper. “I don’t know, Maxwell. You can’t just waltz back into my life now that you’re ready, and I’m supposed to just fall at your feet. It’s not going to be that easy.”
He was disappointed but willing to do anything. In business, he was ruthless. When it came to getting Robyn back, he was fully prepared to do whatever it took. “Fair enough. But you already know, I don’t play fair when it’s something I want, and I’ve never wanted anything more than you. I’ve wanted you since sophomore year of high school.”
Maxwell was saying all the right things. Robyn didn’t think she’d last a week before she succumbed to his charms, but she would try.
“I’d like to take you out on a date.”
Robyn looked down at her clothes. “Even if I were to say yes, which I’m not sure I would, I'm not dressed to go anywhere.”
Maxwell felt as if a weight had been lifted from his shoulders. She was softening a little and possibly open to going out with him. A grin spread across his face. “No, not tonight, tomorrow. I know it’s late, but I was hoping if you weren’t busy tonight, we could just chill, talk, and watch a movie.”
Robyn bit her bottom lip. “Let’s see. You show up to my house unannounced and want me to drop what I’m doing to watch a movie?”
“When you say it like that, the element of spontaneousness does seem to get lost.”
Robyn pursed her lips as she looked at what was in his hands. Her defenses were crumbling like snow in heat. “What movie did you bring?”
“Does it matter?”
“Yes. Wrong movie and all of your plans for tonight evaporate.”
Maxwell stepped close. His voice was seductive. “That’s a lot of pressure on a guy.”
Robyn put her hands up against his chest as Maxwell inched closer. “No, no, no. You can’t do that.”
He played innocent. “Do what?”
“Play the sexiness card.”
Maxwell encircled her waist and pulled her body into his. “I told you; I don’t play fair.”
She breathed him in.
He used his thumb to caress her bottom lip. “It seems as if I’ve waited a lifetime to do this.”
She was curious. “What?”
He brought his head down and placed his lips over Robyn’s kissing her until her knees gave out. This time, compared to their time in the Room, it was sweet and tender.
Robyn was done. Her goose was cooked. She couldn’t resist him even if she wanted to, and if she were really honest, she didn’t want to.
When they finally pulled apart, Maxwell answered, “That.” He wanted to do a lot more than kiss her but thought better of it. They should take it slow. “We should probably watch a movie before we get ahead of ourselves.”
It took a moment for Robyn to catch her breath. He was right, but she wished they could watch whatever he brought after they had reconciliation sex. However, this time she wasn’t going to be that easy. Her heart and head were not in sync. Robyn knew if she were going to give Maxwell a chance, taking things slow was best. But, she hadn’t made that decision. If Maxwell want to reconcile he would need to work for it.
Instead of following her usual instincts when it came to him, Robyn focused on slowing her heart rate. “What movie did you bring?”
He smiled knowingly at her. “Love Jones, what else?”
Chapter 18
Maxwell arrived to pick Robyn up for their date mid-morning. She’d been excited and hadn’t been able to sleep since he’d left the night before. They’d both exercised superhuman restraint as they watched the movie.
Slow and steady was the name of the game.
The weather was beautiful. It was warm, and the sun sat high in the sky. It felt good on her skin as they drove around in his drop-top convertible Mercedes Benz.
As they made their way all around town, to his surprise, people were smiling and waving at them. Every time they
