Chapter Fifteen
Olivia
My sisters had come back from their honeymoons with tales of lying in the Tuscan sun by a swimming pool, or enjoying yacht journeys off the coast of Italy, and returning with a fabulous tan.
I had never thought about my own honeymoon as my previous engagement had been a business arrangement, but what I hadn’t anticipated was finding myself in the middle of the Carnival in Brazil, surrounded by a party that had people dancing in the streets.
The beat echoed through the air, the atmosphere electrifying.
Maximus travelled light with no security detail, which surprised me as Papa and Roberto always had men with them at all times.
The apartment we were staying in belonged to the Rossi family since there were family photographs on display in the living room, and clothes left in some of the bedrooms.
We blended into the crowd, Maximus moving my body with his, as the easiest way of reaching our destination was undulating to the beat, since the crowd felt like it was moving as one.
We’d been married for three days, and I hadn’t experienced those four little silver balls and what they could achieve. Maximus had no problem touching me in public, and drugging me with his kisses, but he was the master of self-control in the bedroom.
He had taken me sight-seeing, and we had visited spectacular restaurants, but what I really wanted was to know what it felt like to be completely owned by him.
I woke up every morning surrounded by his scent, my body covered in a layer of perspiration I swore was caused by the erotic dreams he had a starring role in every night.
His hand on my side guided me toward our destination, and I bit down on my lip to stop myself moaning when our hips found that perfect alignment which existed when we danced.
I had taken lessons when I was younger, but the dancing had been formal.
Maximus contained a sensuality which was raw and dirty, and made me want to rub myself against him.
His hand slipped around my waist, holding me to him as he spun us between two couples.
I held on tight, my head pressed against his shoulder as I clung to the back of his shirt.
Anyone who saw us wouldn’t believe we were the well-groomed society couple, who never stepped outside of the conventional image expected of our families heirs.
His spicy scent made my head spin, and the sensation of his fingertips sliding against my skin under my top made a pulse beat between my legs. I had read about sexual need and desire, but until Maximus walked back into my life, I had never experienced it.
The man had rhythm in his soul, moving like he belonged in an updated version of Dirty Dancing.
We reached the edge of the street which would allow us to navigate our way to one of the restaurants.
Maximus leant against the wall with an easy smile on his face, and his dark hair falling forward into his eyes.
My heart beat double time and a lump formed in my throat. He made me forget all the promises I had made to myself about not letting my heart get involved, as men in our world used women, and discarded them when they found a new toy. I was a wife, but love wasn’t necessary for that arrangement.
“You good?” he asked, his gaze returning to the parade filled with colourful dancers.
“Do you come here every year?” I asked, leaning against the wall beside him to watch the spectacle.
“Sometimes,” he replied. “Everyone knows who I am back home. They have a certain perception of me, and it gets really fucking tiring having to be that man. Here, I’m just me.” The raw emotion in his voice said more than his words.
He was always so cold and aloof, never showing any form of emotion except controlled rage.
That was not the man I had found hiding from parties, and staring off into the night as if he could see a brighter future far from where he stood.
“I kinda like the just you,” I said, linking my arm through his. “It suits you more than the menacing stare and the I’m going to kill you vibe.”
He shrugged. “It’s who I am.”
“We promised each other a long time ago that when we were together, we were just Max and Livvie.” I leaned my head against his powerful shoulder, and continued to watch the Carnival.
This was a completely different world to where I had existed, one with colour and vitality, a pulse that brought me back to life.
“Come on,” Maximus said. “Let’s grab something to eat, and then we can find somewhere to watch the fireworks.”
We were swimming against the tide of people as we made our way, but I was constantly aware of Maximus’ touch on my body.
I tended to feel vulnerable in a crowd, but I felt safe with him beside me.
There was something about the way he moved, an apex predator prowling his way through life, people moving out of his way as if they sensed his ability to kill them with his bare hands.
I had witnessed that ability, and knew he would only use it to protect those he loved.
The restaurant was full, but the owner found us a table close to a window that let some breeze into the oppressive heat.
I hadn’t been able to wear make-up since we arrived as it melted off within minutes.
Instead, I’d been touring the city with my hair tied in a messy bun, and my face free from the colours Mama had spent years teaching us to apply to maximise our features.
Even inside you could hear the music and shouting from outside, and I couldn’t help but watch the people go past enjoying life.
“They all look so free,” I commented as a couple shared a kiss before running to catch up with the rest of their group.
“Looks can be deceptive,” Maximus replied. “None of us are free, whether it is a debt we owe our family, or a contract with work. Every one of us is owned by another in some way.”
My attention swapped from the world outside to him. “Your future was planned before we met ten years ago,” I said. “Heir to the most powerful family, being groomed to take the reins from your father.”
“He’s retired,” Maximus replied, his fingers pushing his hair back. “He promised Mum he would take her on a world cruise while they could still enjoy every aspect of it.”
“How do you feel about that?” I knew he had been dreading that day.
Roberto had thrown the information in Papa’s face when Maximus took over his family business, demanding that Papa step back.
Anyone who knew our father would also know that he would never hand over his crown.
Pride was a terrible affliction, and Papa had a severe infection of it.
Maximus sipped his drink. “It was going to happen one day. After Willow returned, Dad decided life was too short, and he wanted to see the world.”
We’d all heard the rumours of his sister being abducted, but the Rossi family had closed ranks, and she was never discussed until she reappeared last year.
She looked the same with shorter hair, but it was the expression in her eyes that had changed, morphing her into a stranger when you spoke to her.
Two women at the bar caught my attention since they kept staring at our table, and occasionally nodding in our direction. One of them looked vaguely familiar.
“So you have to stay in the city?” I sipped my drink to cover my emotions. I had always wanted to travel, and had hoped marriage would allow me to fulfil that dream.
“This is the world of modern communication. I’m only ever a conference call away.” He winked at me and lifted his own glass, perspiration rolling down the side of it.
“Is there anywhere else in the world you have a home?” I asked since we were talking about travel.
“We have properties on every continent for business reasons, and some holiday homes in places that the family have loved over the years. Dad tends to prefer leaving stuff instead of packing when he travels. He rarely has much luggage which makes security easier.”
“Do you not travel with security?” It was something that had surprised me, but I learned a long time ago not to interfere in security arrangements.
“It tends to draw attention,” he replied. “Most people don’t give a tourist a second look.”
Our meal arrived, disrupting our conversation, but it gave me another insight into Maximus. He hid in plain sight, a dangerous wolf in sheep’s clothing.
“Hey, Maximus.” The familiar looking woman sauntered over from the bar to stand beside our table.
“Marcie and I were wondering if you’d care to join us for the evening?
” She was speaking directly to Maximus with her back to me.
Considering she knew my husband’s name, she obviously knew him which explained the nodding and staring earlier.
“Sorry, I’m busy,” he replied, sitting back in his seat to regard her.
“We’re only down for a photo shoot during the Carnival,” she continued. “We’ll take it as a fate that you’re in Brazil as well.”
“I’m still busy,” he replied.
She cast a glance in my direction, her nose wrinkling as if she had encountered something nasty.
“Are you babysitting her for a friend?” the woman asked. “She can come along if you want, and we’ll find someone to take care of her.”
“I don’t need someone to take care of my wife, that’s my job,” Maximus said with a half-smile, but there was a warning in his tone.
The woman turned and gave me her full attention, her gaze dropping to the rings on my finger. “You always swore you would never marry,” she accused, her hands landing on her hips. “You lied to me.”
“That’s not strictly true,” Maximus replied calmly. “I said I was unavailable to marry.” This entire situation was confusing the hell out of me.
The woman waved her friend over, and the second woman swayed her hips as she walked, drawing attention to her with every step.
“Hey, Maximus,” Marcie said in a husky tone. “Vanessa and I were just debating how dull this place was, and then you walk into our bar. It’s as if you knew we were here, and looking for a good time.”