Page 49 of HEARTSTORM

Her hotel.

The Russell Royale Resort.

She chose her hotel to stay with me.

As I stared at the massive, tall building with her surname on it, I turned my worried gaze in her direction.

"Are you sure?" I asked.

I can tell Maya is struggling with her family's business. She chose medicine, not hotels—and now her father is opening one with Nick's family. That's definitely not helping.

"One hundred percent," Maya said firmly, driving through the gates.

That's when her whole demeanor shifted. Her shoulders pulled back, tension creeping into her spine. Her face went neutral—smile gone, lips pressed just a little too tight.

"Are you okay?" I asked.

She stalled—barely a second—and then let out a soft breath. "I'm fine," she said, unbuckling her seatbelt.

The moment we stepped inside, I was struck by the overwhelming elegance. The lobby alone was stunning, with marble floors and white walls streaked with gold and black veins. Chandeliers hung high above, glowing brightly.

Maya walked beside me, her heels clicking precisely on the floor. She carried herself with this quiet authority, like she was holding something back.

Her fingers tapped lightly against the back of my hand—subtle, almost restless. She hardly looked around.

I glanced up at her, and she gave me a small forcing smile.

We reached the front desk with the receptionist, a man in a uniform with a polite expression.

"Good evening, ladies. Do you have a reservation?" he asked, his tone formal.

We didn't even have suitcases...

Maya reached calmly into her purse. She pulled out a document—her ID, and slid it toward him. Her expression unfazed.

The man glanced at it briefly, his eyes flicking back to her face, and that was the exact moment he realized who she was. His posture stiffened.

Maya's lips curved into a small smirk.

"Miss Russell," he said quickly, his voice shifting into something even more respectful. "How can I assist you?"

Maya barely reacted. "I need the best suite."

Straight to the point.

The receptionist nodded immediately, turning to his computer. "The top suite is already waiting for you," he said after a moment. He reached for a keycard, placing it carefully on the counter. "Suite 707. Floor 13. The best one, of course."

Maya took the key without hesitation, clearly not interested in other small talk. I gave the man a polite smile and thanked him.

He nodded, but his eyes still lingered on Maya, as if trying to process why she was here—like her very presence was a mirage.

She turned, holding my hand firmly as we made our way toward the golden elevator. I glanced at her as she pressed the button—her jaw still tight, her expression unreadable.

"Hey," I said softly, squeezing her hand to ground her. "I'm right here with you."

She exhaled slowly, like she'd been holding her breath. "You're here with me." Her expression softened.

I gave her a smile, trying to ease the tension. "You know, we would've been fine with just a simple room too..." I joked.

Maya arched a perfect brow, with that signature teasing smirk. "There are no simple rooms here. Only suites."

I laughed under my breath. "Of course. How could I forget?!"

She chuckled as the elevator doors slid open. Through the hallway, she led us to our suite. She pulled out the keycard and pushed the door open.

The moment I stepped inside, my breath caught.

Calling our suite spacious was an understatement—it was enormous and impeccably elegant, with leather sofas, glass tables, high ceilings, and big windows that offered a breathtaking view of the city.

Maya stood just behind me. "Impressed?" she murmured.

I swallowed. "More like completely blown away." I let out a small laugh. "Hit and sunk."

She smiled, sliding her arms around me from behind, fingers intertwining at my waist. "I'm glad you like it," she said, her voice soft against my ear. "We can stay here as long as you want."

Something in her tone made my heart beat faster and my body tingle.

I turned my head to look at her. "Thank you."

"My pleasure, sweetheart," she replied.

She let go just as I moved toward the bed—huge, easily king-size, with silky white sheets and an assortment of impossibly comfortable pillows.

Without thinking, I sat down, sinking into it with a relieved expression. Maya stared at me, amusement dancing in her dark eyes.

"Comfortable?" she asked.

"More than comfortable. Wanna try?"

Maya didn't even hesitate. She walked toward me, her movements deliberately slow, her body gently settling into the mattress.

She hummed, pleased. "Damn, it is."

I shifted onto my side to face her, her eyes already locked onto mine. "Makes me want to stay here cuddling with you," I murmured.

"That's exactly what I was thinking, Grace," she replied instantly.

Before I knew it, our lips met in a slow, passionate kiss. But I wanted more—my mouth drifted to her neck, feeling the warmth of her skin, still carrying the faint salt of the ocean.

It rippled through me, warm and electric—a craving I didn't see coming.

Maya must have noticed because she chuckled against my skin. "What?" she murmured.

I swallowed hard. "I like it when you... taste like this. Salty."

She hummed, her hands sliding down my neck as she pressed her lips to my throat, giving a lingering, teasing suck. "Mmm, yeah... I can taste it too. Addictive."

Oh, fuck, that was so fucking good.

"Then I guess we don't need a shower after all," she said, voice low and sultry.

I laughed, nudging her playfully. "Oh, you do. We both do. These sheets are way too nice to mess up."

"Oh, no way I'd ruin them," she said, letting out a throaty hum. "Go ahead first. I'm right here."

I gave her a sly smile. "You sure you're not just being lazy?"

"Maybe," she murmured, eyes fluttering closed as she melted deeper into the mattress.

I bit my lips, pushing myself up and heading toward the bathroom, my gaze lingering on the way her perfect body stretched.

Needless to say, the bathroom matched the suite's luxury with scented candles and branded towels. I stayed under the water, letting the warmth relax me even more. By the time I stepped out, I felt completely refreshed.

I slipped into my lingerie, and instead of putting my dress back on, I grabbed the soft white robe. I wrapped it around myself, glancing in the mirror.

I felt at ease in my own skin.

A quiet strength growing inside me, a calm I barely recognized.

I felt... different. Better. Changed.

I was starting to heal, and I wasn't afraid anymore.

"Grace, you need to dry your hair?" I heard Maya's voice through the door.

"Yeah, ten min—"

"Can I come in?" she cut in.

"Yeah, sure."

The door creaked open, and there she was.

Maya stepped inside, her gaze flickering over me. She didn't say a word, but the way her eyes traced my robe-covered figure sent a warmth spreading through me. It wasn't just how she looked at me—it was how effortlessly she did it, as if it were the most natural thing.

And maybe it was.

She smiled. "May I dry your hair?"

I was taken aback from that thoughtful offer. "If you want... of course."

"Sit here," she said, pointing to the vanity by the sink.

I obeyed, observing as she moved with her usual confidence. She washed her hands first, before reaching for the hair dryer.

"Can I take this off?" she asked, her fingertips at the edge of my towel-wrapped hair.

"Yeah..."

Her smirk deepened—like she'd noticed my dazed look—but she didn't comment on it. Instead, she carefully unraveled the towel, letting my damp hair fall over.

And then, without hesitation, she began.

The warm air from the dryer mixed with the soft, deliberate strokes of her fingers through my hair, knuckles grazing my neck.

It was a kind of seduction I wasn't used to.

Nobody has ever had me like this.

This was something else entirely.

I felt safe, overwhelmed—hot. And not because of the dryer.

Maya noticed my body react—of course she did. She met my gaze through the mirror, her lips curving ever so slightly.

But she didn't stop.

This pleasure lasted more than ten minutes.

"Perfect. All done," she said, eyeing my now dry hair as it fell in soft waves.

"You're so sweet, as always," I said, getting up and wrapping my arms around her waist.

Maya smirked against my skin. "I really enjoyed that, sweetheart."

"Oh, I'm the lucky one," I chuckled, trailing soft kisses along her jaw. "Your turn now... I'll be waiting for you outside."

Maya let out a low, satisfied hum as I pressed one last kiss there. Then, reluctantly, I pulled away and stepped through the door.

But not before I caught a glimpse of her slipping off her dress, revealing her burgundy lingerie.

Along with her beautiful sculpted butt.

Jesus fucking Christ.

I closed the door and sank onto the bed, my mind racing with too many thoughts. Too much was going on—too many feelings.

And just like that, it hit me like a wave crashing over my chest.

I could no longer fight it.

Could no longer resist her.

~

I was still lying on the bed, staring at the ceiling, when Maya stepped out of the bathroom.

I looked up, and there she was—wrapped in a white robe like mine. Her naturally tan skin and still damp dark hair framed her perfectly.

She dropped onto the leather chair, crossing her legs with deliberate slowness, revealing a slit that teased just enough of her inner thigh to make me bite my lip.

"So," she said suddenly, "what do we want to eat tonight?"

I tried to keep myself together. "I don't know, what's on the menu?"

"Here," she said, but before she could stand, I was already reaching for the menu in her hand.

No way I'd let her leave that chair—not looking like that.

Maya's hand brushed against my arm. I tried to focus on the menu, but her touch made it impossible. I met her gaze for a second, then quickly looked back down.

I guess she wasn't satisfied yet.

She reached for me, gently pulling me into her lap. Her legs were warm and strong, and the moment my body pressed against hers, something inside me just... gave in.

I couldn't breathe, couldn't think. Her arms wrapped around my waist, and I surrendered completely to her touch.

"Comfortable?" she asked.

"Yes—yeah," I said, forcing my eyes back to the menu.

Maya smiled, her eyes never leaving mine. "So what about the bruschetta?"

"What?" I asked, my mind struggling to keep up.

"The appetizer, Grace."

"Right... yeah. That sounds good," I said, leaning into her.

I flipped quickly through the pages, searching for a good main course, then finally settled on one. "What about the Alfredo pasta?" I asked. "Though I don't think Italians would approve..."

Maya laughed. "When we go to Italy, we'll eat the most delicious pasta. But I guess we can settle for this now."

I turned to her with a surprised smile. "Is the trip to Italy still on?"

Maya nodded immediately. "Of course, sweetheart. We're going to see the most beautiful art in the world."

My smile widened as I leaned in, planting soft kisses all over her. Maya grinned, grabbed the phone, and started ordering everything. One hand played with the cord in her usual carefree way, while the other traced slow circles along my side.

"Bring it to suite 707," she said to the person on the line. Then, her voice dipped into a low, smooth tone: "And for dessert... strawberries with hot chocolate."

Jeez, fuck.

Maya hung up the phone and turned her attention to me. "Is that okay?" her voice soft as velvet.

"More than okay." I nodded without hesitation.

"Good," she whispered, leaning in to brush her lips against my ear. The simple touch, and I folded. "I'm taking care of everything tonight, Grace."

Oh, God.

I melted into her lap, hugging her like a helpless kid needing protection. She let me, cradling me in her arms.

We stayed like that for like fifteen minutes, quiet, still, just wrapped up in each other.

Until a knock interrupted our moment—it was the waiter. Maya rolled her eyes at the timing, and I laughed as we stood up. She opened the door, and the waiter carefully set everything on the table before quickly leaving.

"Alright," she said once we were alone again. "Let's eat."

The table faced the skyline, and the glass windows made the whole view breathtaking. We sat across from each other, savoring the amazing bruschetta before finally digging into the pasta.

"It's delicious," I said, taking a bite.

"It's so fucking creamy," Maya replied, eating with pleasure.

"This might be our new go-to," I suggested with a grin.

"Yeah, no fucking joke."

It was so good to see her like this. I knew how hard it was for her sometimes. It wasn't just about the food—it was about her letting herself be, without all the walls she usually put up.

Still, I could see it in her dark eyes—she wasn't fully letting go. She was still guarding a part of herself.

And I longed desperately for her to let herself go completely.

I set my fork down after the last bite. Maya leaned back, stretching in her chair with a satisfied sigh.

It felt like the right moment to speak—no beating around the bush. I knew she hated that, being as straightforward as she was.

"What are your feelings about the hotels, Maya?" I asked softly, careful not to push too hard.

Her eyes immediately landed on me as she furrowed her brow. "I don't really have any feelings about them, Grace."

I exhaled slowly. "I know you all too well to not see that you're clearly torn..."

"How so?"

"Well..." I said, clearing my throat. "It's the pressure I can see in your eyes—how controlled you've been since we got here..."

Maya crossed her arms, trying hard not to show too much. "I'm always in control."

"Yeah, but it's different here," I said carefully. "It's like you're holding something back, but you don't have to pretend with me, Maya."

Her eyes avoided mine for a few seconds before she finally turned them back to me.

"You're really good at seeing what's underneath, Grace."

My eyes held hers, soft and patient, letting her know I was there for her.

"I've always lived like this—luxury hotels, money, the privileged life," she finally said, arms still folded tightly across her chest. "Sometimes, it feels... suffocating. Like everyone expects something from me without even knowing who I really am."

I nodded. "I know it's hard when everyone expects you to be a certain way, but, Maya... you don't have to let it define you."

She tilted her head, tension in her voice. "I don't even know how to stop it, Grace. It's been my whole life but I never signed up for it."

Her words hit me hard. I could feel the weight she'd been carrying, and it ached in my chest too.

"You can choose, Maya. You're brave—you already have. You're going to be an amazing doctor," I reassured her.

"Yes, Grace, but..." she let out a deep sigh. "What about the hotels? I still feel like I have to do my part for the family—for my father—so I don't disappoint him."

I stood up and reached for her, my hand gently caressing her arm. Her eyes darkened, full of feelings she couldn't sort out.

"He's not disappointed in you, and you're not disappointing him."

Maya laughed, but it was nervous relief. "Are you sure about that, Grace?"

"I'm one hundred percent sure. You're both struggling to understand each other, but when the time is right, everything will fall into place," I said firmly, hoping to ease her doubts.

Her voice quieter now, almost giving up. "I feel like I've been waiting forever."

I cupped her face, gently stroking my thumb over her cheek. "I'm sorry, so sorry... you're not alone anymore. You've got me."

Maya's body softened against my touch for a brief moment—a fragile crack. But just as quickly, she held herself back, meeting my eyes, jaw tight, frustration flickering behind her gaze.

"Fuck—I'm twenty-one, why does his opinion still get to me?" she burst out, her tone defeated.

I met her gaze, steady and soft. "Because you care, even when you try to hide it."

Maya blinked once. Twice. Tears hovered, clinging to her lashes like a silent plea—but she held them back. Just like always.

It felt like something she'd learned to do a long time ago.

She just looked down, as if she couldn't bear to meet my eyes. Then she whispered, "My mom used to run this hotel." Her voice was heavy with nostalgia and sadness. "She wanted me to find my own path, no matter what it was."

I gently brushed a loose strand behind her ear, my fingers lingering on her neck—a quiet comfort, even if it felt too small against her grief.

Maya drew in a shaky breath. "The memories are still too overwhelming..." Her voice caught.

Just those words—raw and honest—felt more powerful than any breakdown could've.

Slowly, she lifted her head and rested her forehead on my shoulder, her arms tightening around my back. I held her close.

The moment stretched. Time slowed down. Something in her finally let go.

I held her tighter. "It's okay... Take all the time you need. I'm here."

Maya surrendered. Her walls crumbled as she melted into me—like she belonged, like she was home, like she could finally breathe.

That moment felt so right.

Like everything had led us here.

And yet, we still had the whole night ahead of us.

A/N

I'm back! Hope you enjoyed this chapter, and I genuinely can't wait for you to read chapter 50!!

I'm so excited! Have a lovely weekend, and see you soon. ????