Chapter 33 Elena
Elena
Isit on a huge black horse with an incredibly long, wavy mane.
My gold fairy queen gown covers its hind quarters and drapes at my sides.
A dazzling crown perches on top of my flowing, dark auburn hair.
Today’s a literal dream come true. A fantasy come to life.
Something I never would have thought of for myself, and never knew I desperately needed until now.
“Tilt your head a little to the right. Yes. Hold that pose.” The photographer, a talented woman named Malyia, raises the camera to her eye and snaps a series of photos. I feel like an epic heroine.
We’ve been at it since early dawn, taking advantage of the mist rising from the lake and the first rays of daylight shining through the trees.
Maximo stands to the side, quietly watching and helping with the horse when needed.
He’s been a real prince. Just glancing at him has my stomach swooping and diving. He’s so much more than I ever imagined.
“And that’s a wrap,” Malyia announces.
I lean forward and pat the horse’s neck. “You hear that? Your work is done for the day, Midnight.”
The stallion whinnies, shaking his enormous head. My stomach lurches as he shifts his feet. I don’t have a saddle or reins to hold onto, those would ruin the magic of the photos.
“I’ve got him.” Maximo steps forward and gently holds Midnight’s head, slipping a harness around his neck to lead him.
The stallion’s easygoing, ambling along at Maximo’s encouragement.
I hang on to his mane, trying not to fall off, as we make our way back to the central clearing where the horse trailer waits among the tall grass.
Today’s the first time I’ve ridden a horse and it’s both an exhilarating and slightly terrifying experience. I can’t imagine going any faster than a walk—but one day I’d like to try. I’m sure a saddle would help me feel more secure up here. Reins wouldn’t hurt either.
I ride Midnight slowly through the woods. Malyia walks up ahead, giving us space. In the light of day, this forest isn’t nearly as frightening as it was the first night.
When we reach the clearing, Maximo turns to look up at me. “Are you ready to part ways with your faithful beast, my lady?”
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 say yes to.
Somehow, he’s suddenly on his knees with his body pressed between my parted thighs, hiking my flowing skirt up around my waist. I lace my fingers through his thick, wavy hair and tug at the roots, demanding more.
He pulls me closer until there’s not a sliver of space between us.
My breasts crush to his chest. His erection throbs against my stomach.
In this moment, being with him feels right. Like it’s where I belong. This is my new life and there’s no escape. But I don’t want to escape. Not any more.
With a broken moan, I give in. I surrender to my fate. To him. To us.
I want Maximo Pontrelli. He’s my husband, but I’ll also take him as my lover.
He trails open-mouthed kisses down my neck. I let my head fall back, giving him better access. His hot palms stroke up my sides, heat searing my skin through the silk fabric of my dress. Looping his thumbs through the straps, he slides the top down, exposing my breasts to him.
Palming one, his mouth closes around my nipple. I gasp. The sensation sends jolts of electricity between my legs. Arching my back, I beg for more. More of his mouth. More of him.
He rolls my nipple between his teeth. I shudder, moaning out his name. Then he moves to the other one and coaxes it into an aching peak.
“Tell me you want this,” he groans against my flushed skin. “Give yourself to me, wife.”
I know what he wants. He desires my surrender. An invitation. Submission.
Slowly, I stand up. His touch slips away.
I move away from the table to an open area of the plush rug. After kicking off my shoes, I reach for the ties of the dress. My gaze holds his and I slowly untie the knot and undo the laces. Pulling on the last string, the fabric shudders down my skin, to pool at my feet.
Maximo’s bright eyes blaze as I step out of the cloud of silk. I’m naked except for the pair of white panties.
Encouraged by his lustful stare, and feeling bolder than I ever have in my life, I slip my thumbs into the waistband and slide my underwear down my legs. Completely baring myself to him. I swallow hard.
Then I lower myself to the soft carpet and lie back. My pulse and breathing pick up speed as I open my thighs in an invitation. In total surrender.
He looks at me like all of his hopes and dreams have just come true. With a low growl—more animal than human—he stalks toward me and drops to his knees. First he claims my lips with his. Then he kisses down my body, from my neck to my breasts, along my stomach, until he licks my slit.
I tremble at the foreign, but delicious sensation. He does it again. I moan. My hips move of their own accord, in time with his mouth on my pussy. When he pushes two fingers inside, a ripple of pleasure shudders through my every nerve ending.
“Maximo.” Oh God that feels so good. And that’s only his mouth and fingers.
With deliberate, singular focus, he works me up. Slowly at first, then harder, faster. Until I’m pleading, “I’m so close. Please.”
He hums against my clit and I shatter. The entire world seems to tilt on its axis as I fall apart.
Gasping for breath, I watch Maximo slide up my body. I’ve read enough spicy romance novels to know what comes next. What to expect from him. He’s already more than lived up to my expectations.
As he claims my mouth, I taste myself on his lips. I brush my hand down his chest to his waistband and unfasten the leather belt. Popping the button, I reach inside to feel his heavy, throbbing cock. I wrap my fingers around his girth.
What on Earth?
Isn’t he supposed to be hot and hard and smooth? He doesn’t feel quite like that. I stop kissing him as my attention wanders to his cock. Curiosity takes over. Is that… metal?