Page 90 of Maxim

His voice is so small. So unlike the strong, confident man I’ve come to know and love.

Love.

I think I do love him.

I hate that he had to take women to my father. It’s not something that I would condone, but he feels guilty about it. That’s what makes him different from my father. He has a moral compass. He doesn’t want to be doing this.

“Are we any closer to taking him down?” I ask.

“I don’t know. I can’t talk to my people. Alexei keeps telling me to stick with the plan, but our code only goes so far. I can’t ask him if they are rescuing them. I don’t know if they are ending up with some abusive asshole who might kill them. I’m in the dark, and I hate it.”

Looking up at him from my position on his chest, I cup his cheek. “You are helping them in the long run. Taking my father down will save hundreds, if not thousands.”

“At the cost of my soul.”

He’s hurting. I hate that he’s hurting, and there’s nothing I can do to help.

“Tell me what I can do to help ease your burden,” I tell him.

He shakes his head. “I would never put this on you. It’s mine to bear.”

“Then tell me how to help you bear it.”

“Be you. Be here. Be with me.”

“I’m here.” I sit up, leaning over to press a kiss to his lips. “I’m right here with you.”

His eyes tear up as he grips my face. “Don’t leave me. Never leave me. Please.”

His tone is desperate as he pleads with me.

“Never.”

It’s the truth. I never want to leave him. I love him. I’m not sure I know what love is exactly, but the way I feel for him has to be it.

He pulls my face to his, kissing me roughly. I kiss him back, matching his energy. When he flips me onto my back, settling over me, I open my legs willingly, ready for his body against mine. I love the pressure I feel when he lies on top of me. It’s like a weighted blanket, yet it’s my favorite person.

He kisses me deeper, holding himself up over me. I wrap my arms and legs around him, pulling him into me so I can feel his skin on mine.

“I’m too heavy,” he whispers.

“You’re perfect.”

My hands explore his bare chest as I lose myself in his kiss. My hips rock against him as the familiar tingles start to spread in my body.

“We should stop,” Maxim tells me.

“I don’t want to.”

“???????, I don’t want this to go too far.”

“You told me that we do this at my pace. I’m ready, Maxim. Please show me how it’s supposed to feel. What it’s supposed to be like,” I tell him.

He eyes me. “Are you one hundred percent sure?”

Am I?

I love him.