I giggle. He’s been in character all morning, acting as my servant. Besides maneuvering the horse, he’s fetched me water, and during the break brought snacks for both me and Midnight.
“I suppose it’s time to say goodbye.” I release a dramatic sigh, but I can’t keep the smile from my lips. It’s been there for hours, ever since Maximo revealed this surprise photoshoot. I can’t remember the last time I had this much fun. Probably never.
“Let me help you down.” He halts Midnight, coming to stand beside the massive horse. Maximo reaches up, gripping my waist as I rest my palms on his shoulders. With ease, he lifts me. My front grazes down his hard body as he slowly lowers me toward the ground.
My pulse gallops at the intimate contact, at his impressive strength and the intensity shining in his blue-green eyes.Without over thinking it, I lean forward and my lips brush against his in a chaste kiss.
“Thank you for today,” I murmur, my face heated.
His tongue darts out, licking his lips as if he can capture my lingering taste. “You’re welcome. And the day is far from over. We have brunch waiting for us by the lake.”
“Really?” My toes finally touch the ground. “Should I change first?”
His lustful gaze sweeps over my body, resting briefly at my ample cleavage. “No. Come as you are.”
Malyia properly harnesses Midnight and escorts him to his trailer. We say our goodbyes and head in the opposite direction, back through the forest and toward the lake. My gaze lingers on the horse. He’s the sweetest creature and if I ever had a horse I’d want one just like him.
My flowing dress sweeps across the grassy field, I gather it as best I can before we enter the woods again. “I’m going to snag this dress on a branch or something. It’s so pretty, I’d hate to ruin it,” I complain.
“Here, let me help you.” Maximo sweeps me into his arms. I let out a startled squeak.
“You don’t have to carry me!” But inside I’m swooning.
“Shh,bellissima. I want to.” With long, sure-footed steps, he stalks through the forest to the lake, where a pavilion sits on the shore. The solid top shades us from the beaming sunlight, as the gauzy side walls open to the stunning view. Inside, a single table and two chairs welcome us. He sets me in one of them. Dropping a kiss on my forehead, he takes the other seat.
A charged silence falls between us as he serves us brunch, which happens to include my favorite waffles with strawberry syrup. Scrambled eggs, bacon, and fresh chopped fruit round out the meal.
“Who cooked all of this?” I know it wasn’t him because he was with me the entire morning.
“I had it delivered.”
“How? We’re in the middle of nowhere. I haven’t even seen a proper road.” The barely there, bumpy stretch of land the horse trailer arrived on isn’t what I consider a road. Good thing it had that enormous truck to tow it.
He shoots me a devilish grin. “Drone delivery.”
“Oh.” Honestly, that’s kind of genius.
I watch him as he goes about preparing our plates. This past week with him has been a stark contrast to our lives in the city. For one, I didn’t know he enjoyed reading nearly as much as I do. He never seems bored, so I doubt he’s faking it. The amount of time we’ve spent quietly reading together in the cottage has filled me with so much contentment. And a burning hope for us, for our future.
He’s more relaxed than I’ve ever seen him before. While he’s still dressed in trousers, his suit jacket is nowhere in sight, and his shirt sleeves are neatly rolled up to reveal tattooed forearms. It’s a good look on him. Clean cut, yet casual.
But it’s more than the slight change in clothing, he has the air of lightness, of easiness about him. He’s not Maximo the don this week—he’s Maximo the man. One who enjoys just being with me no matter what we’re doing.
I’ve come to realize that I’m starting to like Maximo the man. Unlike when he’s being the overbearing don, as a man he’s easy to talk with, sweet and attentive. He makes me feel seen and cherished in a way I didn’t know was possible, and I never knew I wanted.
“If you keep looking at me like that, I’m going to kiss you.” His warning tone has an edge of playfulness to it, like he’s flirting with me.
I cock my head to one side. “You make that sound like a bad thing. Don’t you want to kiss me?” My cheeks heat at my boldness. I know not to tempt him unless I’m willing to face the consequences.
He very carefully sets down the coffee pot. His gaze snaps to mine. “I’d happily give anything to kiss you again, but only if you want me to.”
My admission comes out on a breathy exhale. “I want you to.”
That’s apparently all Maximo needs to hear. He’s out of his seat and leaning over me in a split second. His fingers tangle in my hair as his intense eyes stare into mine. I gasp as his mouth claims my lips in a toe curling, earth shattering kiss. It’s full of the kind of longing that pulls at my heart strings.
My palms find his chest, reveling in the solid feel of his muscles. Parting my lips, I allow him entry, and moan as our tongues taste each other. I drink him in. He’s intoxicating. Addicting. Everything I shouldn’t want, but desperately need.
Everything I’m ready to sayyesto.
