Page 5
Sam and Amber looked at one another as if debating who would have to go first. Sam finally entered and paused in the foyer. The entire grand hallway was made from detailed, carved wood. The floor was a light gray marble. Antique furnishings, suits of armor, swords, shields, and unusual paintings lined the walls.
"Now this is twisted," Amber announced bluntly.
Sam glared at Amber.
Max shut the door behind them. "I used to be medieval mythology professor."
Sam looked back at Max and smiled warmly. "Really? Why don't you teach anymore?"
"I had a disagreement with the Dean," Max replied and walked down the foyer steps then looked back at them with a smile. "Apparently there was some offense taken to medieval torture. I didn't invent it, I was just explaining it."
"You and my brother would certainly find a lot to talk about," Amber remarked lowly.
They followed him down the steps.
"I'll give you the guided tour, then you can decide where you'd like to begin," Max announced. He led them to the first door on the left.
Sam glared at Amber. "So, is he acting like a guy intending to seduce me?"
"Give him time," Amber remarked gently. They entered the room behind him. Sam stared at the elegant study with its stained glass windows, wooden-carved fireplace, bookcases, and large, detailed, antique desk and chair. The only modern thing in the room was the computer on top of the desk. Max turned and leaned against the desk with a broad grin.
"Of course, you'll stay for supper," Max informed them simply. "Since you'll be here awhile, that is."
"We'd love to," Amber injected quickly.
Sam elbowed Amber then smiled at Max. "We don't want to put you to any trouble."
"No trouble at all," Max announced.
While Sam snapped pictures in the library, Amber hovered around Max and asked him every imaginable question. Sam looked back every few minutes and rolled her eyes.
"If you'll excuse me," Amber announced timidly. "I need to use the lady's room."
Sam finished taking her last photo in the library and looked around with amazement. "I was a bit skeptical at first, but you really have a unique house, Max."
Max approached her with a gentle smile. "Boredom and money make bad bedfellows," he replied.
"I wouldn't know," Sam replied with a tiny smile and looked him.
He stared into her eyes and smiled warmly. "I'm sure you've never been bored a day in your life."
Sam laughed softly and looked away with embarrassment. She had to appreciate his kind gesture toward her financial situation. "Perhaps we should move on to the bedroom." She realized what she had said and how it sounded then quickly attempted to recover. "To photograph."
Max smiled warmly and backed away from her. "Whatever you want," he replied gently and showed her to the door. They left the library and headed up the elegant stairway. Sam looked around the lower level as they climbed the stairs.
"Certainly get a workout in this house," Sam remarked simply.
"Saves money on a home gym," he informed her with a teasing smile.
Sam paused at the top of the stairs and looked to the foyer and hallway below. "Quite a view from up here."
Max stood along side her before the railing and studied her with a gentle smile. "Do I make you nervous?"
Sam looked at him with some surprise. She then realized how close he had been standing. She attempted a tiny smile. "No, of course not. Why do you ask?"
"You've appeared uncomfortable since you've arrived," Max replied then smiled. "I was hoping my eccentricity didn't concern you."
"No," Sam began then hesitated and smiled gently. "Well, maybe a little, at first. It's been my experience that wealthy, eccentric men have an invisibility thing going on. Think they can do whatever they want without consequence."
"That's not the case, I assure you," he said gently with a timid smile. "The simple truth is, I like you." His look turned more serious. "I like you a lot."
Sam stared at Max a long moment then attempted a smile. "I don't know what to say�"
Max smiled gently and moved closer to her. "You could start by saying you'd like to go out with me."
Sam turned away from him and fidgeted with her camera. "I really hadn't expected them to be right."
Max leaned against the railing and studied her. "Expected who to be right about what?"
She turned and attempted a nervous smile. "Dawson and Amber," she replied gently. "They thought your bringing me here was just a ploy to get me alone, but I didn't believe it. I thought you were really interested in my talent as a photographer."
"I am interested in your photography," Max replied. "This wasn't a ploy to get you alone, Sam. I'll admit it's easier to talk to you here then it would've been at the studio, but that was just an added bonus�not the motive."
"I'm not into casual dating and romantic flings," Sam informed him simply. "If that's what you're interested in�"
Max took two steps toward her. "I know you're not the casual type," he replied gently. "Neither am I. Will you consider giving me a chance?"
Sam stared into Max's eyes a long moment then smiled with some embarrassment. She looked down to her camera and fidgeted then looked back at him. "I think I'd like to get to know you better."
Amber was heard calling for them from downstairs. She could be seen roaming around the main hallway below them. Max moved away from the rail, avoiding being seen by Amber. Max moved closer to Sam and gently touched her cheek with the back of his fingers. Sam set her camera on the small hall table and moved closer to him. Max pulled her into his arms and gently kissed her on the lips. Sam sank against him, allowed her arms to slip around his neck, and returned the kiss. Amber could be heard coming up the stairs while calling for them. They released one another and moved apart. Sam blushed and retrieved her camera then looked to the stairs. Amber gasped for her breath as she neared the top of the steps.
"Didn't you hear me calling?" Amber asked curiously.
"We were involved in a deep discussion," Max replied with a cheap smile. "The master bedroom is at the end of the hall. I'll check on dinner. You can meet me downstairs in the lounge when you're finished up here."
Amber appeared disappointed. "You're not going to join us in the bedroom?"
Max smirked and started to walk toward the stairs. "It might be embarrassing," he replied and headed down the stairs.
Amber glanced at Sam. "I wouldn't be embarrassed," she replied simply.
"Maybe he'd be embarrassed," Sam replied and started walking down the hallway.
Amber hurried after her. "Why in the world would he be embarrassed? It's his bedroom."
"Precisely," Sam remarked.
"Oh," Amber giggled. "He might have impure thoughts."
"He may not be the only one," Sam informed her simply.
"Oh, you know I'm having them already," Amber announced with a laugh.
