The Room - A Sensuous Experience

orange glow bouncing off of the walls from the fireplace. Robyn had wondered what it would look like with a roaring fire. Now she knew—ethereal but beautiful. It crackled, and the flames danced to their own beat. Several feet away but directly in front of the fireplace was a large faux fur blanket replacing the rug she had put there earlier. It was surrounded by red and white roses. A wicker basket with two long stemmed wine glasses was nestled around the edges of the coverlet.
Robyn sighed with relief. She was terrified there were going to be whips and chains strewn around the room and a bondage sex swing hanging from the ceiling. It wasn’t a sex dungeon but a simple romantic set-up—very romantic. Robyn didn’t mind being a little adventurous, but she wasn’t into BDSM.
A table had been set up with a variety of fruits, cheeses, and wines at the foot of the four-poster bed that was so high the occupants would need the little three-step stair to get into it. She had to correct herself. Maxwell’s six-foot-four-inch frame wouldn’t need those stairs.
Quickly, Robyn turned away from the bed as images of them wrapped up in each other’s arms flashed through her mind. Instead, she focused on his face. Her voice was barely a whisper as she looked up into his eyes. “You planned all of this.”
“Yes.” His expression was blank as if waiting for her response. He couldn’t tell what she was thinking. His hope was that she didn’t believe he was a creep.
“You know the owners?”
Maxwell nodded. “Yes.”
She chewed on her lip. “That was a stupid question. Of course, you do.” Robyn paused. “Maxwell . . . you didn’t have to go through all of this trouble. You could have simply called and asked me out.”
“Where’s the fun in that? Yes, I could have called, but I didn’t want to leave anything to chance.” He used his thumb to scratch the scar right above his brow as something resembling a half smile appeared.
In the big scheme of things, she understood why he would plan it this way. “Did Eva know about all of this?”
“No. Well . . . not until tonight, but she agreed to keep my secret.” Maxwell walked confidently over to where the refreshments were and took the wine out of the ice-filled bucket. “Would you like a glass?”
“I . . .” Robyn was tempted to say no but then thought better of it. “Please. That would be great.” Hopefully, it would help her chill out. Never mind that the glasses of champagne she’d had earlier hadn’t been able to do the trick.
Maxwell took off his jacket and threw it on the bed.
Robyn inhaled as she saw the imprint of his taut muscles through his shirt. Eva was right. It had been too long since she’d been with a man, and now she was paying for it. If she were honest, it wasn’t just any man, she was hot and bothered by this man.
When he turned around, he’d caught Robyn ogling him. It wasn’t unwelcome. As a matter of fact, it was more than appreciated. Maxwell grabbed the bottle, then took Robyn by the hand, and led her over to the spot in front of the fire, pulling her down onto the floor with him.
He couldn’t tear his eyes away from hers. “You’re beautiful.”
Robyn blushed. “Thank you.”
“Can you give me the glasses?”
She handed them to him with shaky hands and then sat in a more comfortable position pulling her legs underneath her.
Maxwell talked as he poured the wine. “I’m not a psycho. I only brought you here to talk, and whatever happens after that . . . happens.” He flashed that much too perfect grin and passed her a glass now filled with wine.
“Thanks.” Their hands touched briefly, and she felt the electricity shoot up her arm. Based on the darkening of his eyes, Robyn figured he felt it too.
She took a much-needed sip. It was delicious, not too sweet or tart, and just what she needed to take her mind off of what could happen. “This is one of my favorites. Let me guess . . . Eva told you?”
Maxwell shrugged and broke eye contact. “I’m sure I probably read it somewhere.” He took a swallow from his own glass.
Robyn was beginning to feel a little more relaxed. “Ahhh . . . you looked me up on the internet. That’s flattering.”
He didn’t acknowledge the fact one way or the other. She took his non-response as an answer.
Robyn brought the glass up to her lips but stopped before she took a drink. She looked above the rim at the exact moment he’d returned his attention to her. His stare was powerful. With a raspy voice, she said, “You shouldn’t believe everything you read.”
Maxwell nodded. “I’ll make sure to remember that.”
Robyn ran the tip of her finger around the rim of her glass. “Are you sure it’s okay that we’re in here while there is a party going on out there?”
“I promise; you don’t have to worry.” Maxwell leaned back on one of his elbows. “Honestly, I thought you might welcome this little escape.”
She couldn’t hide her smirk. “I hate to admit it because I love being back home, but you’re right. I thought my face was going to break from all the smiling I did tonight. It was like a mini high school reunion. I hate the celebrity thing. How do you deal with all the attention?”
“I never announce where I’m going to be, and I show up . . . very late.” Except for tonight. He didn’t want to miss his opportunity.
“I’m not