They’d had dinner together every night in his cabin with Winzig and Braun. Afterward, they’d played cards or other games, then ended their night with a gourmet dessert in secret in the banquet room overlooking the waterfall, sometimes talking for several more hours before finally going back to their respective cabins and catching a few hours of sleep.
His work had suffered, to be sure. He hadn’t been able to keep up with everything, only the most urgent. However, the further the week had progressed, the more he’d realized that nothing was truly urgent. He had also realized his assistants in the bank in Vollenstadt were more capable of handling the details than he’d supposed.
Throughout the week, he’d finally let go of the frustrations that had been plaguing him. He wasn’t sure if it had been cutting back on his work or being on the ranch or participating in the activities that had played a role in making him feel less burdened. Perhaps being around Emberly had impacted him. Whatever the case, he could gradually feel himself gaining a perspective on life again. He still wasn’t sure what he would do when he returned to Karltenberg, but he wasn’t as stressed about it.
He’d appreciated that Emberly made everything as private as possible, and the board members had done well in honoring his request for anonymity. As a result, there had been no sign of the paparazzi.
Her brothers Tyler and Kade, however, often randomly showed up during the activities, which told Max they were keenly aware of all Emberly was doing and were keeping a watchful eye on her, much to her irritation. But in spite of their nosiness, she’d continued to spend time with him.
Hopefully, Max had proven to her brothers he did not have ulterior motives with Emberly. He’d had plenty of opportunities to let their relationship turn into something more intimate,especially because they had been engaging one another more familiarly all week with her so-called lessons on how to win a woman, although none involved touching.
He’d respected her wishes to maintain appropriate physical boundaries after the incident at the shooting range. He could admit he’d loved the feel of her so close and had enjoyed holding her much more than he should have. And he could admit he’d thought about holding her again. His attraction to her was very real, and he couldn’t deny it, even if he didn’t give in to it.
He had definitely learned a great deal from her—from her dad’s wisdom. As she’d shared the ways to win a woman, their exchanges had been all in good fun. Much of her advice had been simple and full of common sense, like asking good questions, showing undivided interest, expressing tenderness, and putting the other’s needs first.
For his last day on the ranch, he’d hoped to have a full day with her. However, she had texted that she would meet him at his cabin after one o’clock. She had offered no explanation for where she was or what she was doing, and now it was close to one thirty with no word from her.
The truth was, he was not feeling impatient because he was anxious to begin the activities of the day. No, he was feeling impatient because he did not want to waste a single minute of the time he had left with her. It honestly had not mattered what they were doing. Being with her was all he’d cared about.
At a rapping on the door, he pushed back his laptop and stood. The soft but determined knock belonged to Emberly. Was he pitiful for already recognizing something so insignificant about her? Perhaps. But he did not care.
As usual, she didn’t wait for anyone to answer, instead opening the door and letting herself in. She had her parka on over her casual after-work clothing—leggings and a sweatshirt.He loved the way the leggings showcased her legs, made them look endless, as if his legs could get lost tangling with hers.
Tangling legs? What was he thinking? He couldn’t let his thoughts go that direction. And he couldn’t dwell on the heat that was spearing his gut.
“Are you ready to figure out the activity of the afternoon?” She took off her hat, and her hair spilled over her shoulders and down her back—long, thick waves that gleamed in the sunlight slanting through the window, the red a warm and inviting color that seemed to beckon to him.
He wanted to cross to her, dig his fingers into her hair and then bend close and breathe her in, maybe even bury his face against her hair. Was he crazy for wanting to do that?
Yes, he was clearly obsessing over her at the moment and needed to stop.
“Max,” she gently chided, her brow furrowing. “I think we need to do a quick love-crazy lesson here.”
“We do?” His question came out sounding as though he had no brain. He cleared his throat. “Of course. What do you have in mind?”
“You could use some practice on how to interact when a woman first steps into a room.”
“Acting like a buffoon is not acceptable?” He tried for a teasing voice.
She finally offered him a smile, but it only made her all the more beautiful, so that he wanted to keep staring at her.
“If you want to make her feel special, then say or do something that tells her you really notice her and care that she’s there.”
“What do you have in mind?”
“If you’re busy with work or watching TV or on your phone, you have to pause whatever you’re doing. That’s the first step.”
“I can do that.”
“Good. You’re a fast learner,” she bantered. “Now think of a way to communicate that you care about her. You sit back down and pretend to work. I’ll go back outside, and when I come in, show me.”
She didn’t give him time to respond. Instead, she opened the door and stepped out, shutting the door behind her.
Max stared at the spot for a moment, then dropped into his chair and drew his laptop back in front of him.
From the corner of his eyes, he could see Braun staring at him with his loupe still in his eye. The interaction with Emberly would likely be the afternoon entertainment, but Max could not protest now. Not with Emberly already opening the door.
As she stepped back inside, Max pretended to be busy for a second. Then he made a point of looking directly at her. “Good afternoon. You look pretty this afternoon.”
