“You can’t honestly believe that. You do realize, I have my own money, right?”
He snorted. “I guess if you want to compare a few million with a few billion, you can do that.”
“Wow. WOW! The Maxwell I knew wasn’t a dick!”
He finally looked up. “You knew Ian, the poor dumb dude who thought he was going to spend the rest of his life with you! The fool who built you a little house at the base of this hill! The idiot who was prepared to ask you to marry him the same night you told him to kick rocks and that you were leaving this small ass town and everyone in it. I built this house to show you that I could. You didn't respect me then, but I bet you do now!”
For the second time, he’d managed to sucker punch her. Robyn swallowed. “I respected you and didn’t know anything about what you had planned back then. I would have . . .”
Maxwell did all he could to keep his anger under control. He was about to erupt. He hadn’t known his emotions were bubbling this close to the surface. “Of course you didn’t. But, if you did, what would you have done considering it was always about you and what you needed. But, I’ll grant you this . . . I wouldn’t be the person I am today if hadn’t been for you.”
Her eyes filled with tears. She was angry, humiliated, but most of all remorseful. “Maxwell, I don’t know what else I can do or say that would convey just how sorry I am. You were the last person I ever wanted to hurt. Hurting you was like hurting myself.”
“But, it didn’t stop you, did it?”
She responded softly. “No. I can only say that I wish I’d done so many things differently.”
Robyn had no idea how long they stood in silence. The quiet was only broken by the sound of his cell phone ringing.
A small smile appeared on his face, but it didn’t erase the hardened edge. His voice took on a softer tone not reflected in his face. “Hey.”
Robyn wrapped her arms around herself and waited as she listened.
“The house is okay, but I’m not sure I’d ever want to live here full time. I prefer the California sun.” He looked up and locked eyes with Robyn. “I accomplished what I set out to do. It was much easier and happened sooner than I would have expected.”
Robyn’s blood ran cold.
“We’ll discuss that when I get back.” Maxwell paused and listened. “I hope to be home in a couple of days, but it all depends on the weather.” Whoever he was talking to must have asked when he was returning. “You know what? Another thing I don’t miss about Romana? All the damn snow. Yeah, I miss you too.”
Robyn had had enough. She walked up to Maxwell and stood in his face ready to let him have it. She didn’t give a crap about who he was talking to. Her eyes narrowed. Everything happened so fast but also in slow motion.
Whaaaaaaack!
It was a thunderous sound that reverberated around the entire room as her open hand connected with the side of his face. She’d slapped the shit out of him. Robyn smacked Maxwell so hard the cell phone flew out of his hand and across the room.
The slap caught him off guard, but he didn’t flinch. He just stood there silently clenching his jaw. That wasn’t enough for Robyn, so she balled up her fist and hit him again, hard across the other side of his face. This time his head moved slightly from the power of her punch. She wasn’t as big or as strong as him, but it was still a small victory. Her hand was now aching, but she didn’t care because it made her feel better—less cheap. Robyn had to get the hell out of this house. Her dream home had become a nightmare.
Maxwell’s expression didn’t change, though the evidence of her anger was definitely going to leave a physical mark. All he could do was stand there and watch her rage. If Maxwell were honest, he deserved that and more.
Robyn spotted her dress in front of the fireplace. She stalked over to where it was and picked it up. Fortunately, her shoes were close by. She fought back hot tears as she stormed into the bathroom slamming the door behind her to change. Her emotions were all over the place. They were a mixture of being a fool, wanting to kill Maxwell, and the complete battering of her heart. At this point, she didn’t care about doing the walk of shame. She rushed to put on her dress, not taking the time to put on her shoes.
When she came out of the bathroom, Maxwell was sitting on the edge of the bed staring out of the window.
Robyn couldn’t even look at him.
His voice was emotionless, monotone. “I don’t think you’ll be able to get very far in the snow. They haven’t plowed.”
“I’ll walk. Hell, if I have to, I’ll ski down that hill.”
“Why am I’m not surprised. You’ve always been good at walking away from me.”
“No, you’re wrong. Today, I’m not walking. This time I’m running.” Just as Robyn was about to open the door, she turned toward him. “The Ian I knew would have never been this ruthless.”
“Yet, you trampled all over him. That man is gone. Maxwell, on the other hand, you have no idea who he is, but I can assure you, I’m nothing like Ian.”
“On that, we can agree. I’d take his broke ass over you any day of the week.”
Chapter 11
Robyn was furious—with herself. How stupid could she be? She wasn’t some dumb teenager, yet she’d behaved just like a lovesick fool. She wasn’t even the same woman from nine years ago, why the hell did she think Maxwell would be? After nine years, he was one step above a stranger, yet she allowed herself to be swept up in the dreams of her past. Just because Maxwell could melt her heart with a glance and set her body aflame with a simple touch was no reason to throw away good common damn sense, yet, she’d done exactly that. And, for what? Sex? Sex was overrated, but begrudgingly, she had to admit it was really really good. She spoke to herself. “Ugh . . . somebody needs to slap me for even thinking about that.”
Robyn shook her head. She wouldn’t allow her mind to travel down that road of what happened between them the night before, mostly because her body was still recovering from the onslaught of being with him and the incredible morning-after disappointment. She had dealt with actors who could make someone believe the sky was falling on a beautiful summer day. Robyn had to ask herself why she allowed Maxwell to manipulate her? She knew why. Being with him brought her closer to a time she wanted to return to. Everything was innocent back then, even her love for him.
Maxwell spent a few million dollars on this incredible house. It was everything she’d always wanted. Correction it was everything they’d always wanted. Their plans for their future were typically made late at night after several rounds of making love. Robyn chided herself. “I knew this was too good to be true.”
She was disgusted not just with herself but with him too. Maxwell had spent a lot of money, and a lot of time planning this elaborate scheme and for what? Oh, wait, she remembered, he wanted to exercise his demons. Too bad Robyn didn’t realize until this morning that she was the demon. Well, she hoped he would rot in hell.
Robyn couldn’t get away from him and this house fast enough. She flew down the stairs as fast as she could with her heels in hand. It wasn’t until she reached the last step and was walking toward the door that she realized she had no idea where her keys were. She lifted her head heavenward. Really? Really? So, this is my punishment?
The closer she got to the door the more she could see that the snow was piled high up against it. There were tall mounds of whiteness piled against the windows on both sides of the door. Dammit to hell. She was in Snowmageddon, and it was freezing outside. She closed her eyes and inhaled slowly then exhaled. Robyn wasn’t dressed for this weather. If she went outside, hypothermia would probably kill her. Freezing to death still sounded better than being under the same roof as him.
She pulled her cell phone out of her purse and called Eva, who picked up on the second ring. The woman was much too chipper. “Hey! I thought you’d call me later this afternoon after you . . . uh . . . rested up a bit.” Eva laughed.
Robyn wasn’t in the mood. “I’m stuck. I need
my car keys. Do you know where they are?”
“You don’t sound like a woman who has had a little dust knocked off her.”
“I’m tired. I just want to go home.”
“Tired I can understand. But, wanting to go home? Already? It’s not even 8:30. That’s a little confusing considering you both really seemed to be into each other last night. What was it like reconnecting?”
Robyn closed her eyes and pinched the bridge of her nose. “Can we discuss this later? I just want to get the hell out of here, take a hot bath, and sleep. Do you know where the valet service put my keys?”
The despondency in her voice gave Eva pause. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. My keys? Do you know where they are?”
Eva knew she and Robyn would talk, but for now, she would wait to find out what happened. “Yes, I put them in the bowl on the table in the foyer. I don’t know about the roads up there, but the streets haven’t been plowed by us. I can only assume they might not clear the roads over there since it’s in the unincorporated part of Romona.”
“Great.” Her sarcasm just wasn’t fitting enough for this situation.
“Umm . . . I think Maxwell will have to hire a private company to come out to clear them.”
“If that’s the case, and I can’t drive out of here, keep your phone close. I might need Jesse to break out the snowmobiles and come to get me. I don’t want to be here a minute longer than I have to. Otherwise, you’ll need to send in a SWAT team.”
Eva was hesitant. “That bad? Are you sure you’re okay? He didn’t hurt you, did he?”
Not physically. “No, I’m alright. I just need to get home and put last night behind me. I’ve got to go. I’ll call to let you know what’s what.”
“Okay. I’ll keep the phone close.”
They disconnected the call, and when Robyn turned around to check the table for her keys, Maxwell was standing at the bottom of the stairs.
*****
Maxwell came down the stairs feeling conflicted. He was a bastard. On that he was sure. He’d dreamed about coming back to his hometown a success and finally proving to everyone that he was worthy of the great Robyn Levy.
It wasn’t as if his family was poor trash. His father was considered a self-made man and owned a lot of real estate in town. Robyn’s dad had worked for his father. It took a lot for the different factions of Romona to accept the relationship between the two, but most people eventually had. Romona was no different than a lot of small towns in that way.
Robyn was the pride and joy of her family and had always been a go-getter. She’d known from the moment she was born what she wanted to do with her life and didn’t waste any time trying to achieve it. He, on the other hand, was the prince of Bryant Enterprises. Only, Maxwell didn’t want to have anything to do with his father’s construction and real estate business. Maxwell liked to tinker with the latest technological gadgets. But, back then, he had no idea what he wanted to do with his life. All Maxwell knew was that he wanted to spend it with Robyn. She was his everything.
Because it took him a little longer to figure things out, Robyn would get frustrated. She was always telling him how unfair it was that she had to work twice as hard to earn half as much as him. Still, Robyn refused to allow being black and a woman to hold her back. She put so much passion into everything. That was one of the many things he loved about her. Unfortunately, every woman who had come into his life after Robyn paled in comparison. Even after all the hurt and pain, she was the standard he judged all other women by. Maxwell needed to put an end to that shit. He was getting older and wanted to settle down and start a family. He’d hoped Marissa could be the one. On paper, she was perfect. There was only one problem. There was no spark between them, and Maxwell blamed Robyn for it. She’d burrowed herself so deeply within his soul that he hadn’t been able to have a healthy relationship with anyone else. He needed to get her out of his system, and this plan had been his way to do it.
His chest tightened as he watched her talk on the phone. She was visibly angry and with good reason. When Robyn turned around and saw him, she froze.
Maxwell had changed into a pair of sexy jeans and a white button-up shirt; only it wasn’t buttoned up. It was open, exposing a dusting of blonde hair on his chiseled chest and washboard abs.
Robyn shivered, and it wasn’t from the cold. She mentally noted that she deserved the gold medal for being the dumbest and most foolish woman on the planet. She’d officially crossed over to being that stupid woman.
His voice was gruff. “It looks like we might be stuck here for a while.”
Robyn narrowed her eyes. “Like hell.”
Chapter 12
Robyn hopped on one foot as she put on her shoe. Then mimicked the same action as she put on the other. “I just need to get my keys.”
Maxwell rubbed the back of his neck. “I can’t let you go out in this weather.”
“Let me? That’s funny.”
“I’m not laughing.”
She was exasperated and confused. “Why do you care, Maxwell? You accomplished everything you set out to do, remember?” Her throat grew thick, but she would be damned if she showed any signs of weakness.
“You’re on my property. I’m responsible for you.”
She scoffed at that. “I’m responsible for myself.”
Maxwell was frustrated too. “I see you’ll still cut off your nose to spite your face. Look at you . . .” He held one of his hands out at her. “There was a blizzard last night and at least twenty-four to thirty inches of snow on the ground. You’re wearing a few scraps of material that are meant to be sexy, not keep you warm, and you’re ready to walk out that door because you’re angry with me.”
Robyn raised her chin. “Yes. I. Am. Angry doesn’t even begin to describe what I’m feeling. It’s more like murderous rage.”
“Then, by all means, go. It’s a new house. I’d hate to make it a crime scene.” He stood back and folded his arms across his chest and watched.
Robyn snatched her keys off the table and turned on her heels toward the door. She took a deep breath and opened it. Nothing could prepare her for the biting wind, or the snow that blew into the house and all over her. After no less than twenty seconds, Robyn slammed the door shut. She did not want to turn around to see the smug look on Maxwell’s face. Her back was still turned to him as she squeezed her eyes shut then silently cursed under her breath.
Maxwell swallowed as he took in the sight of her. Robyn still had a way of making his heart beat out of his chest. The wind had blown her hair all over the place, she wasn’t wearing any makeup, and she was pissed. She could look like a hobo on the street and Robyn would still keep him in a heightened state of arousal, and it wasn’t just physical. It was just her. After all this time, it pissed him off.
He needed a distraction. Anything to keep his mind off stripping Robyn naked and carrying her back upstairs to bed. “I’ll call someone about the roads after I have some coffee. If you want some, you know where the kitchen is.”
Maxwell had to walk away. Inwardly, he cursed the gods. What the hell? He’d made some mistakes before, but this one might be the biggest. Maxwell entered the kitchen and found the coffee maker. He got it started, and a few moments later, the aroma of freshly roasted coffee floated through the air.
Damn. There was no escape. Maxwell could see her in his peripheral as Robyn appeared in the doorway.
He didn’t say a word. She didn’t either. Silently and still pissed, she sat down at the table. While the coffee finished brewing, Maxwell went to the refrigerator and pulled out things to make a couple of omelets. He turned on the stove and, in no time, had prepared them.
The tension between them was thick.
Robyn refused to look at him.
He let out an exaggerated sigh. “If we have to be stuck here, it might be better if we clear the air.”
“This is a big house. I’m sure we can figure out a way to ignore each other after I get a cup of
coffee. I’m only here because I need the caffeine.” Robyn didn’t know why she’d followed Maxwell.
“Yet, here you are in my kitchen.”
“Because I need coffee.” Why the hell was she in his kitchen? Maybe she needed some honest answers from him too.
He brought the plate of food over to her along with a steaming hot cup. “Two creams and two sugars, right?”
“What?” That caused her chestnut brown eyes to look up at him in surprise. “You remembered that?”
“Two creams, two sugars, and ham and cheese omelets are your favorite. You hate onions—yes, I remember. I figured breakfast and coffee would earn at least a thirty-minute cease-fire. I remembered, but it’s not a big deal.”
Robyn didn’t agree or disagree. She did accept the food and coffee.
Maxwell walked over to the counter to get his own food and coffee. He brought them back to the table and sat down.
Robyn hadn’t touched her food. She pushed her plate away and placed her arms on top of the table. “We meant so much to each other at one point, and while we’re not friends, I didn’t think we were enemies. What the hell, Maxwell?? I would have never thought you would have purposefully tried to hurt me.”
“We hurt each other.”
She shook her head. “No. This was not the same. I never meant to hurt you.”
His voice was pained. “Does it matter what you intended? The bottom line is I needed to get over the past and thought this was the best way to do it!” Though Maxwell had accomplished his perfect plan, it didn’t leave him with the feelings of resolution he had hoped for. As a matter of fact, it had the opposite effect. Opening up old wounds, and the hurt in Robyn’s eyes, had him more than regretting this entire scheme. It was a colossal mistake.
“It matters, Maxwell.” Her voice broke. “I’m sitting across this table, and I’m so angry I can’t see straight. Yet . . .” She stopped what she was going to say. He didn’t need to know that as much as she wanted to kill him, she equally wanted to bask in his presence. Robyn switched gears. “How can you claim to have loved me at all and be able to do this?”
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