“If it is more than casual, that is okay too, Your Highness.”
Would it be okay to have something more than casual with Emberly?
He was well past those days when he’d dated offhandedly and had a new woman every month. He was at a juncture in his life where that lifestyle did not appeal to him anymore, if it ever had.
He most certainly wasn’t interested in a weeklong fling with Emberly, and she wouldn’t entertain such a notion either. She would likely be strongly against it, which was for the best.
So what was this dinner for?
Her presence was a distraction this week. That was all. It would help him as he tried to gain that perspective she’d mentioned.
At a knock on the door, he blew out a tense breath, ran his fingers through his hair one more time, then opened the door.
Two young men in servers’ uniforms stood on the porch with several food warmers between them. “We have your dinner.”
Max tried to squelch his disappointment at not seeing Emberly and stepped aside for the young men to enter. The two brought the food into the kitchenette and distributed it onto the table along with setting up the tableware.
They were finishing when the front door opened, and Emberly stepped inside with a bottle of fine wine.
“Welcome.” The knot that had been growing tighter inside Max loosened. He approached Emberly and took the wine from her. “I was beginning to wonder if you might change your mind about returning.”
“Of course not.” She shrugged out of her parka, revealing the clothing she’d worn earlier—a sweatshirt and leggings. Her hair was in the same long braid, and she was still wearing her boots. She clearly hadn’t done anything to impress him.
He was most definitely overdressed. He had half a mind to race up to the loft and change back into the clothing he’d worn earlier too. But he guessed that doing so would only make him look even more foolish.
“I couldn’t back out,” she said as she hung up her coat. “Not after you worked so hard at asking me politely.” Her voice contained a note of humor.
“Good. I appreciate that you are making my efforts worthwhile.” As he had when he’d been with her before, he could feel the weight of his responsibilities falling away. There was something about her that was so refreshing and honest and real, that made the other things in his life seem less important. “Perhaps you shall reform me.”
“I’m used to making my brothers behave, so it comes naturally to me.”
She’d earlier mentioned that she had four brothers and that she was the only girl. As a result, she claimed that she’d grown up as a tomboy, participating in all of the same things they did. She seemed to have a great fondness for her childhood and her brothers, and she still enjoyed fishing and hunting and rock climbing and other activities she’d always done with them.
“So you are considering me one of your brothers, are you?” Max meant the question to be playful. But there was a part of him that didn’t want to be relegated to a brother role with Emberly, although it shouldn’t matter and was likely for the best.
Emberly was unlacing her boots. “When I told Tyler I was joining you at your cabin for dinner, he wasn’t thrilled about the idea.”
Max couldn’t blame Emberly’s brother for his wariness. If the roles had been reversed, Max would have been worried too, especially that some rich guest might be expecting her services to include more than just dinner.
“I told Tyler you had an assistant and a protection agent who would both be at dinner.” She slipped off her boots and then straightened, looking Max directly in the eyes. “And I also toldmy brother you weren’t a threat, but that if you did try anything, I would have my knife.”
Her knife?
Max almost grinned, but he guessed such a response would not be entirely suitable. Nevertheless, he was strangely pacified that Emberly was not only carrying a knife but threatening to use it on him if necessary. He liked that she was a strong woman who could take care of herself and defend herself from unscrupulous men who might take advantage of her.
“I thank you for the fair warning. I should not wish to lose any of my fingers during dinner.”
She held his gaze another moment as though attempting to see inside him and affirm her safety. Even though her eyes were serious, they were big and luminous and beautiful. Framed by long dark lashes, the brown of her eyes was warm and velvety, like a cup of cocoa made by Karltenberg’s finest chocolatier.
“Have no fear, Emberly.” He gave her what he hoped was a reassuring smile. “You may count me as your newest brother for the week, and I shall regard you as a new sister.” Although he’d never had a sister, he had a sister-in-law and knew how to remain friendly with her. He would do the same with Emberly.
“Even so, Tyler will probably send people over to check on me periodically throughout the evening.”
“As he should.”
The stiffness seemed to ease from Emberly’s shoulders.
He was tempted once again to inform her he was a prince and had no need to force himself upon any woman, that he could have a dozen ladies with just a snap of his fingers. In fact, he had a lovely duchess waiting for him to propose marriage—one who was willing to be with him in spite of the awkwardness they experienced with each other.
