Chapter 5: Oops, Wrong Room!

Waking up in her excessively large bedroom, Maryanne barely wants to move. She had never experienced such luxury, even when she was going on dates with Max before. She had only gone to his penthouse once, and didn't stay the night. It did not end well.

Rubbing her brow, trying hard to wake up, Maryanne glances around her room. The decorations on the wall are all themed, travel and books. There are canvas paintings of Italy and Paris. A large clock adorns the wall across from her canopied bed, the Eiffel tower displayed behind the moving hands. There are two large bookcases near the door. One has dozens of titles on the topic of traveling and cooking, while the other one has random romance and fantasy genres.

Maryanne swallows passed the lump of emotion. Why is Max doing such nice things for her? The house, the library, and her room. Is he trying to apologize for the past? Until recently he always gave her the cold shoulder, or snapped at her with callous comments. One time, right after they had went their separate ways, he refused to go to a Halloween party that Greg was hosting because he knew Maryanne was going to be there. Why has his demeanor changed so suddenly?

Stretching, Maryanne finally pulls the blankets from her body and swings her legs over the edge of the high bed. A shiver shocks her system as her feet touch the freezing floor. Grabbing a plush robe from where it hangs near her nightstand, she slips into a pale pair of slippers and shuffles across the bedroom.

As the door is opened, she pauses, waiting to hear any noise from Geneva or the other workers. No voices reach her ear, though, as the quiet of the house echoes around her.

Feeling dwarfed by the enormity of the walls, Maryanne tightens the folds of her robe as she wanders down the hall. She stares at the doors, wondering which one was Riley's.

With confidence she throws open a door she recognizes and steps into another large room.

This one has more of an elegant feel to it. It is more modern, with black and grey tones. The bed is made neatly with a black comforter and white head frame.

The room is clearly not one belonging to a toddler. She got it wrong.

As Maryanne takes a step back, though, her heart beginning to race, Max exits the bathroom. His arms flex as he walks, the towel draped around his waist swaying. His fiery hair falls down around his temples, damp. Droplets of water adorn his smooth chest, rolling down across his defined abdomen.

Maryanne gulps as her eyes roam his body, her own freezing in place. She wants to move out of sight, but her feet refuse.

Max turns toward her, his eyes widening, but he soon relaxes, folding his arms. A smirk curls his lips, "If you wanted to shower together, you could've asked. I'm more than hospitable."

Heat explodes throughout Maryanne's body, causing her vision to blur momentarily. Her mouth gapes open, words on the tip of her tongue, but she is unable to speak.

"Mary," he says softly, nearing her, his muscles rippling with every move. "Are you really so awestruck?"

She inhales sharply, realizing how close he is. His breath warms her cheeks and she can make out the light brown specks in his emerald gaze.

"You wish," she bites back, forcing her mind to clear. Even before, he always succeeded at causing her to waver. "Why would I be so affected by you?"

He cocks his head to the side, his brow quizzical, "Because you always have been. You can't seem to take your eyes off me."

Blinking, Maryanne realizes that she is staring at his chest. She quickly averts her gaze, biting her lip at the embarrassment.

As Max chuckles, he leans in. Maryanne tries to back away, but her body hits the wall.

"It looks like you have yet to move on from the past." His head is now next to hers as he whispers into her ear. A shiver bites at every nerve in her body. She gasps as butterflies erupt in her stomach.

She makes eye contact with him once more as he leans only a few inches back, his face still very close to hers.

Maryanne glances down every so often to his lips. They only ever kissed once, right after their third date. Maryanne did not have much experience with dating and was trying to take things slow.

Now, as she revels in the intensity that is Max Ryder, all she wants is to bring them together, in this moment. She relaxes her shoulders and sighs, giving up the fight on hiding her emotions. She unknowingly reaches up, brushing away a lock of his damp hair.