Alessia is sprawled on Maxim’s chest, and they’re lying on the floor of the living room, by the piano. Her heart is slowing and her breathing subsiding, but she shivers. She’s a little cold.
“Here.” Maxim drapes the throw over her. “You are going to wear me out.” He flinches as he pulls the condom off but smiles up at her.
“I like wearing you out. And I like looking down at you,” she whispers.
“I like looking up at you.”
Watching him come when she’s on top of him gives her a sense of power. A power she never thought she’d have—it’s heady. Now if she could just pluck up the courage to touch all of him…
His glowing green eyes burn into hers. “You really are something, Alessia,” he says, and he smooths her hair from her face. For a moment she thinks he’s going to say something else. But he smiles up at her, a glorious smile. Then he adds, “I’m hungry.”
She gasps. “I must feed you.” She tries to move, but he holds her in place. “Don’t go. You’re keeping me warm. I should light a fire.” He kisses her jaw, and she snuggles into him, feeling a peace she didn’t know was possible.
“We should go out to eat,” Maxim says. “It must be after four o’clock.” The rain is still hammering down outside.
“I want to cook for you.”
“You do?”
“Yes. I like cooking,” Alessia replies. “Especially for you.”
“Okay.”
* * *
Alessia winces as she sits up on me.
“What is it?” I ask, and I sit up in one swift move so we’re nose to nose. The throw falls to her waist, and I pull it up to keep her warm.
She blushes. “I am a little sore.”
Fuck! “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Because you probably wouldn’t have done that…” she says, averting her eyes and her voice low.
“Damned right!” I close my eyes and place my forehead on hers. “I’m sorry,” I whisper.
I’m an idiot.
She places her fingers on my lips. “No. No. Don’t be sorry.”
“We don’t have to do this.”
What am I saying?
“I want to do this. I mean it. I really like it,” she insists.
“Alessia, you have to talk to me. Tell me. Frankly, I could do this all day with you. But enough. We’re going out. First, though, let’s have a shower and get cleaned up.” I lift her off me, stand up, collect our clothes from the floor, and together we head back upstairs.
I turn on the water in the shower as Alessia watches me, huddled in the throw, her eyes dark and mysterious. The afternoon sun is beginning to fade. I switch on the lights and test the water. It’s toasty.
“Ready?” I ask her.
She nods and lets the throw fall to her feet, and she dashes past me into the piping-hot stream of water. I join her, and we both stand under the cascading shower as it warms us. I grab the shower gel, pleased that she’s becoming more comfortable about revealing her gorgeous body.
That’s what happens when you spend the day fucking….
I grin and begin to lather some soap in my hands.
* * *
She has never showered with anyone. She can feel him move about behind her, his body brushing against her…that part of his body brushing against her as she stands beneath the shower. The part she hasn’t dared touch yet. She wants to—she just needs to find the self-confidence.
The water is deliciously hot. She closes her eyes and enjoys the soothing feel of it bouncing off her skin, making it a little pink.
He moves her hair from her back and places a wet kiss on her shoulder.
“You’re so beautiful,” he says.
She feels his hands at her neck, and with circular strokes he starts to massage the soap into her skin. His strong fingers knead her muscles.
“Ah,” she groans.
“You like?”
“Yes, muchly.”
“Muchly?”
“My English?”
Alessia senses Maxim’s grin.
“Is much better than my Albanian.”
She giggles. “This is true. It is funny—I say the wrong word, and it sounds right to me, but when you say it, it does sound wrong.”
“It must be my accent. Do you want me to wash you all over?” His voice is husky.
“All over?” Alessia’s breath hitches.
“Mmm-hmm,” Maxim confirms, the sound a low, sexy rumble near her ear. He puts his arms around her and soaps his hands and begins to knead the soap into her skin. He washes her neck, her breasts, her belly, and gently between her thighs. Her head rolls back on his chest as she surrenders to his touch, feeling his excitement against the top of her backside. She moans, and his breathing deepens, becoming harsher in her ear.
Suddenly he stops. “There, you’re done. And I think we should get out.”
“What?” She feels bereft without his hands on her.
“Enough.” He opens the shower door and exits the shower.
“But,” she protests.
He grabs a towel and puts it around his waist, covering his erection. “I only have so much willpower, and, amazingly, my body is ready for action again.”
She pouts, and he laughs. “Don’t tempt me.” He holds up the blue robe and waits for her. She shuts off the water and steps out of the shower, where he wraps her in the robe and holds her. “You are irresistible. But as much as I want you…enough. And I’m hungry.” He kisses the top of her head and releases her. She watches him leave the bathroom, feeling her heart swell with her love for him.
Should I tell him?
But as she follows him into the bedroom, her courage fails her. She likes how they are at the moment. She has no idea how he’ll react, and she doesn’t want to burst their bubble.
“I will get dressed and cook for you.”
He cocks an eyebrow. “You don’t have to get dressed.”
She feels her cheeks pink. He has no shame. But he beams, his smile so dazzling that it takes her breath away.
* * *
It’s almost midnight, and I lie gazing at Alessia, who is fast asleep beside me.
What a wonderful, lazy, falling-in-love Monday.
It’s been a perfect day.
Making love. Eating. Making love. Drinking. Making love. And listening to Alessia play the piano…and watching her cook.
She shifts and mumbles something in her sleep. Her skin is translucent in the light from the little dragon, her breathing soft and even. She must be exhausted after all we’ve done…yet she’s still a little shy. One of these days, I want her to touch me. Everywhere.
I stiffen at the thought.
Enough!
She will. In her own time, I’m sure. We didn’t even leave the house today. All day. And she cooked for me once more, another delicious and wholesome meal. Tomorrow I’d like to do something special with her—something outdoors, provided the weather improves.
Show her where you grew up. r />
No. Not yet. I shake my head.
Tell her.
An idea comes to mind, and if the weather is better tomorrow, it will be fun, and it may give me the opportunity to tell her who I am….We’ll see.
I plant a tender kiss on her temple, inhaling her sweet fragrance. She stirs and mumbles something unintelligible, but she settles and sleeps on.
I’ve fallen in love with you, Alessia.
I close my eyes.
Chapter Nineteen
Alessia wakes listening to the low rumble of Maxim’s voice. She opens her eyes to see him sitting up next to her, on the phone. He smiles down at her and continues his conversation. “I’m glad Miss Chenoweth agreed,” he says. “I think a twenty-bore for the lady. I’ll have my Purdeys.”
She wonders what he’s talking about. Whatever it is, his eyes shine with excitement.
“Let’s use the easy birds. The teals.” Maxim winks at her. “About ten? Great. I’ll see Jenkins then. Thanks, Michael.” He ends the call and snuggles back down into bed, his head on the pillow facing her. “Good morning, Alessia.” He leans across and gives her a swift kiss. “Sleep well?”
“Yes. Thank you.”
“You look lovely. Hungry?”
She stretches out beside him, and his eyes darken. “Hmm…” she says.
“You look very tempting.”
She smiles.
“But you said you were sore.” He kisses her on her nose. “And I have a surprise for you today. After breakfast we’re going out. Dress warm. And you might want to plait your hair.”
He climbs out of bed.
Alessia pouts. She was sore yesterday. She feels fine this morning, but before she can cajole him into a little more time in bed, he waltzes naked into the bathroom. All she can do is admire his fine physique, the muscles in his back rippling as he walks, his long legs…his backside. He turns and gives her a wicked smile, then closes the door.