Page 98 of The Crimson Lily

“I have a place in Paris,” he says.

I chuckle. “That place is a little too much for me!”

It is. TheKavalyowvacation home is too luxurious, too fragile, too Renaissance.

Maksim squints. “You can”—his features cringe a little—“reorganize it…‌if you want.”

Is he just giving me carte blanche on our future home? And did I just call it our future home? The glee sprinkles over me like happy snowflakes, each fractal settling and sending those sweet shivers into my skin. I bring a gentle hand to his chest and fiddle with the delicate hair in the crook. I’m eager to see what this newlife will bring, away from the past, from what happened and who I used to be.

“I have a feeling this is all far from over,” I admit. “William is gone, but the Syndicate is still active somewhere.”

Silence. Peaceful stillness, and no response from Maksim.

That man, my Belarusian man, still has many unknown facets that remain a mystery to me. Perhaps they will always remain a mystery. However, despite it all, despite not knowing half there is to know about this man, I’ve never felt safer in my entire life. Maybe it’s his scent or the strong cage of his arms. Maybe it’s his sturdy allure and the certainty in every move he makes. No, it must be Maksim’s ability to always be here when I need him most.

“I like this, Maksim,” I let escape, squeezing into his embrace. “I want this for the rest of my life.”

“Me too,” he simply says and kisses my forehead in the caring way he always does.

“When will we go back to New York?”

“Tomorrow morning.” Pause. “Is there anything you’d like to do today?” he asks—the kind of question he rarely asks.

I take a deep breath and my thoughts race, but I already know what I’ll answer. “I want to see the Pantheon again.” Before continuing, I give him a soft kiss and complete it by looking at him with craving blue eyes. “With you,” I add. I want him to take me to see Rome one last time, but I want something else first.

He taps my shoulder and gives me a smirk. “Let’s get ready then,zaya.”

“Wait,” I say latching on to his firm arm. “Wouldn’t you like to do something else first?” I’m smirking too.

Maksim’s lips fold into a hungry smile, and the color of his eyes changes. He comes to cover me and takes my lips. Not long after, he’s going at it, but slowly this time. Gentle strokes thatmake me climb to ecstasy in a perfect crescendo. He doesn’t hurt me. His hands remain hooked on to my shoulders, not around my wrists or my neck. His teeth don’t sink into my skin. They stay sheathed in his lips that follow the track down my chest. Now is when I know, for sure, that Maksim is with me for the long run. What we have is pure love, and I feel it deeper than anything I’ve felt before. Ever. And it will be this way for the rest of my life.