The Room - A Sensuous Experience

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.