Chapter 7 #2
He shuffled forward toward the stove, bringing her with him and not releasing her. As soon as they were positioned in front of the blazing fire, he tucked her more securely in the crook of his body, as though he had no intention of letting go.
She didn’t resist. Because of the warmth of his hold. That was all. “You’re passing your first test with high marks.”
“I always strive to do my best.”
She smiled and leaned her head against him.
Even if this was all pretend, she was here for it.
It had been too long since she’d had a man hold her so tenderly.
Had Ryan ever really been tender with her?
Not in their last months together, that was for sure.
He’d been cold and distant, and she should have seen the end coming. So why hadn’t she?
Had she set her standards too low for Ryan?
Had she figured that since she was a woman, she could never expect the kind of love or marriage her parents had?
Maybe in believing the McQuaid legacy of love could never be hers, she’d settled for less.
Was it time to expect more? To not settle for anything less than a love-crazy man?
“You have grown quiet,” Max stated softly. “What are you thinking about?”
“Ryan.”
“Do I remind you of him?” The question was hesitant.
“Not at all. You’re very different.”
“So why think of him now?”
“I was just realizing Ryan was never really all that crazy about me.”
Max’s arm flexed against her as though he was tightening his hold. “He clearly was a fool for giving you up.”
“A fool, huh?” She knew the breakup hadn’t been entirely Ryan’s fault, that it took two people to make a relationship succeed or fail. She obviously had her faults too. But it was nice to hear Max’s defense.
“Yes, you are beautiful and smart . . . and you know how to shoot a gun better than most men.”
She laughed lightly, pleasure awakening inside her at his compliment. High praise, coming from a man who’d dated such an elite lineup of women over the years. “Since it appears that you’re able to dole out compliments, we can check that off your to-do list in winning a woman over.”
“I am quite good at the charm when I put my mind to it.”
“The compliments have to be genuine.”
“Are you worried about my being truthful? If so, you need not, as I have never been more sincere.” His voice turned low and earnest. “You truly are stunning in every way.”
“Thank you, Max.” The pleasure inside her swelled.
“I am just stating the obvious.”
She caught a whiff of his cologne, as she had on a few other occasions—a rich, woodsy scent of mahogany, likely from a brand that cost more than she made in a week.
She had the urge to lean into him and breathe more deeply of him, but she knew she had to be careful not to get carried away with this pretending.
She shouldn’t take him so seriously, shouldn’t allow herself to care about what he thought, shouldn’t even be standing so close to him. It wasn’t appropriate for her to do so with a guest.
As the thought jabbed her, the cabin door opened and one of the range instructors stepped out onto the porch. He had his arms filled with gear and pretended not to see her, but it was obvious he had already noticed her in the much-too-intimate position with Max.
“We were just finishing.” She tugged away from Max and straightened her spine.
Max didn’t move. Instead, he held himself with a bearing that seemed to claim his right to be there doing whatever he wanted regardless of what anyone thought of him.
She didn’t have that luxury. She had to care. The ranch’s reputation depended on it.
“Didn’t mean to rush you, Miss McQuaid,” the young man said, still not looking in her direction. “But a group is pulling up.”
“Of course.” She was surprised at how much she’d enjoyed her time with Max. Even so, she couldn’t forget she was doing a job, and that’s all this was for both of them.
As she idled the ATV in front of his cabin a short while later, the late-afternoon shadows were long, and the sky was already losing its brilliance. “Have a good night, Max.”
He didn’t make a move to leave. Instead, he stared straight ahead at the cabin. His profile was angular and lean, and the short layer of beard only added to his appeal.
When he turned his gaze upon her, his eyes were intense. “Come in and have dinner with me again tonight.”
She started to shake her head.
“I would love your company.”
“You’ve had my company all afternoon.”
“It went by too fast.”
It had gone by fast for her too, but she couldn’t admit that. “I thought you had work to do.”
“It can wait.”
She hesitated.
“Please, Emberly?” The earnestness in his tone and eyes was too hard to resist.
Besides, she didn’t really want to resist, even though she knew she should. With her indiscretion at the shooting range, she’d likely only added fuel to the gossip about her and Max. No doubt her brothers would hear and would scold her later.
Max reached across and touched her arm with his gloved hand. “Would it help if I beg?”
She loved that he was willing to beg her to spend time with him. Not many men would be humble enough to do it at the risk of coming across as pathetic. But he was far from pathetic. Everything about him was instead magnetic.
“Fine, Max.” She pretended exasperation as she lifted his hand away from her arm. “But you have to agree that there won’t be any more physical contact, not even innocently.”
“Agreed.” He wedged his hands into his coat pockets.
“And no flirting.”
“Agreed again.”
“Then okay. I’ll be back in an hour.”
He smiled. “You have made my night.”
“I find that difficult to believe.”
“’Tis true.”
“I’m sure you’ve had much more fun than I can offer.”
“Do not be too sure about that.”
She wanted to blurt out in that moment that she knew he was a prince and that his life was much more exciting than hers. But a burly figure walking toward them halted her words.
It was Tyler, and his face was tight with anger. “I’m assigning Max a new ambassador.”
Emberly had half a mind to squeal the ATV and ride away and ignore Tyler. But Max didn’t move, and she couldn’t ride away with him by her side.
Instead, she sat up straighter and faced her brother. “I’m in charge of the ambassadors, not you.”
“I just got word that you were seen cozying up with him.” Tyler stopped in front of the ATV and waved a hand between her and Max. “You’re done with whatever this is.”
“Relax.” She had known Tyler would hear about the incident. She just hadn’t expected the gossip to fly so fast. “There’s nothing going on.”
“It doesn’t sound like that to me.”
She pinched the bridge of her nose and tried to find the appropriate response.
Before she could, Max was stepping out of the ATV. His expression had hardened. “Your insinuations are not only inappropriate, they are also disrespectful of Emberly.”
Tyler shifted his glare onto Max. “You’re the one being inappropriate and disrespectful.”
“That is not my intention at all.”
“Then leave Emberly alone.”
“Tyler.” She spoke firmly as her frustration began to mount. “I am Max’s ambassador for his stay here at the ranch, and you can’t track me down every time you hear a rumor.”
“I’m in charge of the ranch—”
“Then let me do my job.”
Tyler opened his mouth to protest, but his phone began ringing. He glanced at it, then shot Max another glare. “If I find out you’re not treating my sister respectfully, you’ll wish you never came here.” With that, he spun and stalked away while taking the phone call.
Emberly stared after him, her resolve to spend time with Max growing, if only to show Tyler that he couldn’t interfere like this.
Max sighed. “I apologize for causing the strife—”
“Dinner in an hour?” Emberly asked.
Max’s brows rose. “You are certain?”
“More than certain.” In fact, she planned to spend as much time with Max as she wanted without letting her meddling family interfere. “Whatever you want to do, I’m here for you.”