by Tara Wyatt
Two orgasms later, and she’d pretty much forgotten all about the mean comments. God bless oxytocin.
She glanced over at Max, who drove with his right hand on the wheel, his left elbow resting casually against the window ledge. Everything about his posture was relaxed. Laid back. It was a far cry from the intense way he often carried himself, and she loved getting to see this side of him. The happy, content, at ease side. In the past, he’d always seemed as though he were constantly fighting against himself, striving and working and keeping everything so tightly controlled. But gradually over the past few weeks, she’d watched him relax into someone happier and brighter than she’d ever imagined he could be.
He wore a light blue T-shirt and faded jeans, and his hair…he’d let it go totally curly this morning and she loved it. The entire drive, she kept reaching over and running her fingers through the soft locks, watching the curls bounce back into place. She did it again just then, and he made a low humming sound, almost like a cat purring. She realized then what she loved about his curls wasn’t just how sexy they were, but how they symbolized—to her, at least—his happiness. The way he’d relaxed into something and was letting himself enjoy it. As far as she was concerned, she never wanted to see him with straight hair again.
They drove past a row of gorgeous houses and the trees lining the road became thicker, shading them from the sun overhead. They passed the driveway for a famous Hamptons resort and then Max took a right down an even narrower road, lined with trees and bushes and tall grasses. The right turn took them back towards the water and she lowered her window a few inches, letting the salt air in and inhaling deeply. They passed by a few more properties, but they were nestled too far back from the road for her to be able to see more than driveways and hints of buildings in the distance.
Max turned onto a gravel road, the SUV bumping slightly, and she put her window back up so as not to let the dust kicked up by the vehicle’s tires inside. Trees towered on either side of the road, encasing them in emerald shadow. The SUV slowed as Max navigated the gravel road, and after about 100 yards, the most beautiful house she’d ever laid eyes on rose up before them.
It was a traditional style house—mansion, really—with a wide front porch that wrapped around the side, the exterior covered in sandy colored bricks. Cedar shingles covered the peaked dormers arching up over the porch from the second story. It sprawled across the property in an L-shape, encasing the driveway and gardens full of flowering bushes below the porch.
“This is your little place?” she teased, undoing her seatbelt as soon as the SUV had come to a stop and hopping out, the pea stone driveway crunching beneath her feet. The sun on her skin felt like heaven, the air carrying the scent of freshly cut grass and the ocean.
Max stepped out of the SUV and grabbed their bags from the back seat. He shouldered one while carrying the other, leaving his hand free to twine his fingers through hers. “Okay, maybe it’s not little. I didn’t want to over hype it.” He shrugged as he led her up to the front porch.
“I don’t know how you could possibly over hype this place,” she said, letting go of his hand so he could unlock the door. “Do you come here much?”
He shook his head. “No. I bought it mostly as an investment and I use a property management company to rent it out and maintain it. But…” He pushed open the front door and let her walk in ahead of him. “I wanted to bring you here.”
Willa gasped as she stepped inside and pushed her sunglasses up onto her head. The house was absolutely stunning, with dark, hardwood floors, white walls that reflected the light shining in from the floor to ceiling windows, and a high ceiling criss-crossed with thick, white beams. The floor plan was open, with a living room directly ahead, stairs to the left, and a sparkling kitchen and dining area behind the stairs. She took a few more steps forward, taking it all in, and naturally gravitated toward the enormous glass doors off the living room that led out onto a covered terrace. Slivers of deep blue were hidden among the thick trees at the back of the property and when she stepped outside, she could see the infinity pool Theo had mentioned off to the left, the water burbling softly.
“Max, this is stunning,” she said when she came back inside. He was standing in the kitchen, surrounded by richly veined marble and stainless steel. Stunning, and truthfully, a little overwhelming. It seemed as though she’d get used to something—like the penthouse or the luxury SUV— and then boom, she’d get smacked in the face with just how rich he was. How different their worlds were.
He grinned. “I’m glad you like it.” He moved past the island and slipped his hands around her waist, pulling her close. “I’ve never brought anyone here before,” he said, lowering his head and nuzzling his nose against her temple.
“Not even your family?”
He shook his head. “I’ve let them use it. Aerin and Javi used it last year during the All-Star break, Theo and Lauren have been here a few times. Lucian prefers the city, so this isn’t really his scene. Oh, and Sebastian once got a huge fine for a party he threw here.”
She laughed. “That sounds completely on brand for Sebastian. Or, at least, the old Sebastian.”
A thoughtful look passed across Max’s face. “He’s changed a lot over the past year. He’s worked so hard to be happy.”
“You’ve changed too, you know.”
He grinned at her. “I know. Believe me, I know.” He stepped away from her and took her hand. “Come on. Let me show you the upstairs.”
They took their bags and mounted the sleek wood staircase up to the second floor, emerging onto a sprawling landing. Max led her to the end of the hallway, where he pushed open a set of double doors to reveal a massive bedroom with a king-sized bed, a fireplace, and elegant French doors that opened out onto the raised deck. Through the doors, she could see nothing but ocean and the tops of green trees. No other houses, no other people. Just water and greenery and her and Max.
It was perfect.
“I think we should use this later,” said Max from the ensuite bathroom. She followed the sound of his voice and poked her head in, gasping at the sheer size of it. It was breathtaking, just like the rest of the house, but the focal point was the enormous soaker-style tub centered in front of three enormous windows, a modern chandelier dangling above.
“Wow,” she whispered as she stepped forward, dragging her fingertips over the marble countertops. “This is so beautiful, Max. Honestly, this is the most gorgeous house I’ve ever seen.” She swallowed around the tightness in her throat. “I’m not used to this kind of luxury.”
He shrugged. “Maybe I do take it for granted. But you’re part of my life now, Willa.” He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her softly. “So get used to it, because I love spoiling you. In fact, I have a present for you.”
Her eyebrows rose. “This weekend away isn’t present enough?”
He shook his head. “Nothing’s enough, angel. I want to give you the world.”
She slid her hand up his chest and traced the tips of her fingers along his jawline. “I don’t need the world. I just need you.”
“Willa,” he whispered, lowering his head and capturing her mouth in a slow, sweet kiss. Just as the kiss started to morph into something hotter and needier, he pulled away, pressing his forehead to hers. “You’ll always have me. Always.” Then he kissed her forehead and moved back into the bedroom, where he pulled a simple black and white box tied with a satiny black ribbon from his bag. Her eyebrows went up when she spotted the De Beers logo in the bottom left hand corner.
“I was originally going to give this to you the night of the gala, but I decided I didn’t want to wait. There’s no point saving things for a special occasion when every single day with you feels like a reason to celebrate.” He swallowed thickly as she moved closer, her heart erratic in her chest.
“Max, that’s so romantic,” she said softly, pressing her fingers to her lips. When he held out the box to her, she took it, glancing up at him as she tugged on
the ribbon. His eyes were bright, happiness beaming out at her like sunshine. Once the ribbon was untied, she carefully tugged the lid of the box open, inhaling sharply at the stunning necklace nestled inside against the dark velvet. At the end of a delicate rose gold chain there was a matching round pendant about the size of a quarter, maybe a little bigger, encircled with white diamonds and greenish gold stones. The diamonds were cut and refined as they circled the outer edge, but the green stones were rougher, unfinished and glistening with natural beauty in the middle of the pendant.
“Oh my God,” she whispered, carefully tracing her fingertips over the pendant, feeling the texture of the jewels against her skin. “This is so incredibly beautiful. Oh my God.” She traced her fingers over it again. “What are these stones?” she asked, touching the greenish gold ones.
“They’re Montana sapphires. They reminded me of your eyes.”
“This is the single most beautiful thing anyone has ever given me,” she said, her voice shaking with emotion. Her legs felt weak at the tenderness of the gesture.
“Let me put it on you.” He took the box back from her shaky hands and deftly removed the necklace. She spun away from him, shivering as the cool metal made contact with her heated skin. Max pressed a kiss to her neck. “There. It looks beautiful on you.”
She glanced down, once again running her fingers over the stones in the pendant. “Max, this is beautiful, but it’s too much,” she murmured, that feeling of overwhelm creeping back up.
He nuzzled his nose against her neck. “It’s not. Nothing’s enough for you, angel. Nothing.”
She sighed, swaying back against him. “Then thank you. This is the most beautiful gift.”
He spun her to face him. “I like spoiling you. Now, how do you want to spend the afternoon?”
Still fingering the pendant, she tilted her head, considering. The beach beckoned, but she wanted him all to herself right now. “Let’s check out the pool.”
Less than ten minutes later, they were down by the pool, Max in the same red swim trunks he’d worn to the company beach day she’d so often fantasized about, and Willa in a strappy black bikini that barely covered the bits it needed to cover. She’d bought it last year, but had always felt too self-conscious to wear it—until now. When she’d emerged from the bathroom wearing it, Max had nearly swallowed his tongue.
Dropping her towel onto one of the chaise lounges facing the pool, she dove into the cool blue water, kicking her legs until she reached the bottom, her fingers brushing against the smooth tile, and only then did she torpedo her way to the surface, erupting with a splash. Wiping the water out of her eyes, she saw Max coming out onto the terrace, a tray laden with food in his hands, along with a bottle of champagne and two flutes.
“Where did all of that come from?” she asked. She’d assumed they’d have to go into town to get food, as they hadn’t brought any with them.
“I had the property manager stock the fridge for the weekend,” he said with a simple shrug, as though it were obvious. He set the tray down and then sat on the edge of the pool, dangling his feet in the water. Even though they’d been together for a month and they’d had sex dozens of times now, her stomach still fluttered at the sight of him, at how sexy he was. Her pulse picked up speed and she shook her head slightly as she took him in, still a bit incredulous that he was hers.
He popped the cork on the champagne and then poured them each a glass. She took a sip then tipped her head back, letting the sun warm her face as she half-floated, the bubbles tickling her throat.
“This feels so decadent,” she said, letting out a happy sigh.
“Mmm,” he said, his voice rumbling in a way that had her eyes snapping open. He was staring at her with a ravenous expression on his face, rubbing a hand over his mouth. “You’re killing me in that bikini, angel.”
She rose up out of the water, her skin pebbling as the air brushed over it. “You really like it, huh?”
“I do. Come here.” She did, and as soon as she was within reach, he set his glass down and grasped her waist, lifting her out of the water and setting her down on the edge of the pool beside him. Then he slipped into the water and moved between her legs, his broad shoulders wedging her knees apart. He tugged on one of the strappy ties at her hip. “I was going to wait,” he said, his fingers moving to the other tie. “But that doesn’t seem to be my forte this weekend.”
He pulled on the other tie, undoing her bikini bottoms. With agonizing slowness, he moved the fabric aside, exposing her pussy. “So fucking pretty, angel,” he said, his voice low and rough. “And all mine.”
He leaned forward and closed his mouth over her, the heat of his tongue scorching after the coolness of the water. She let out a long moan and leaned back on her elbows, shivering as his curls brushed the insides of her thighs. He licked her slowly, teasing her, apparently in no rush to get her off. Lapping and kissing and sucking as though she were the most delicious thing he’d ever tasted in his life. Just when he’d start to build her up, he’d back away, teasing her with long licks and kisses along the seam of her thighs. He did it again and again, until she thought she might die if she didn’t come soon, the throbbing pressure inside her was so intense.
“Please, Max,” she whimpered, thrusting her hands into his hair, his curls spilling across her fingers. “Please make me come, baby.”
He made a low growling sound and sucked her clit into his mouth, working it in exactly the way she needed. Over the past month, he’d turned figuring out her body into both an art and a science, making her come again and again with precision and finesse. The pressure inside her built, twisting her higher and higher and this time he didn’t let up, only kept sucking and kissing her clit the way she loved. Her legs started to shake, her fingers tight in his hair as the first wave of her orgasm crested over her in hot, heavy throbs, the intensity of them stealing her breath. Stealing her thoughts. Stealing her ability to do anything except feel and shake and come against Max’s talented mouth. She moaned his name loud enough that even though they were secluded, it was entirely possible someone might have heard.
“Fucking hell,” he rasped as he nipped and sucked at her, wringing out the last drops of her pleasure. “Come here.” He lifted her back into the pool and she wrapped herself around him as he kissed her. “You’re so damn beautiful, Willa.”
“You make me feel more beautiful than I’ve ever felt in my life.”
“Gonna keep doing it for a long time, angel.” She could tell from the way his eyes held hers that he meant forever.
He meant forever.
Max tucked Willa’s hand into his as they walked down Old Montauk Highway, softly lit houses nestled into the hills on their left, the ocean glimmering in the moonlight to their right. He’d taken her to his favorite restaurant in Montauk, one that specialized in seafood and Italian and they’d gorged themselves on scallops, roasted Brussels sprouts, lobster linguine, and lemon cheesecake. They’d walked the one and a half miles to the restaurant and now were headed back home, and he didn’t mind the walk. It was a beautiful evening and a little exercise was welcome after how much they’d eaten.
As they walked, the evening air fresh and warm around them, the waves lapping rhythmically against the sand, he realized that he’d become a lot less intense about food since getting together with Willa. He’d let himself deviate from his carefully planned diet almost without thinking, he was so focused on enjoying being with her. On watching her enjoy the meal. On savoring the food he’d denied himself for so long because he wanted to share something with her.
And guess what? The sky hadn’t fallen. He’d let go and let himself enjoy something and nothing bad had happened. Granted, he always pushed himself harder in the gym the morning after one of their dinners out, but that seemed to be keeping things stable. He’d found a kind of balance that he hadn’t known was possible. He’d always been an all or nothing kind of guy, so finding this middle ground was refreshing.
Around Will
a, he didn’t feel the need to keep such a tight grip on everything, he realized. And he knew it was because he’d never trusted someone in a romantic relationship enough to actually let go. To let them see the real, authentic Max and know that they wouldn’t go anywhere. The women he’d dated in the past—before Sophia, because he hadn’t dated anyone seriously since her—had been into him for his money, for his looks, for his lifestyle.
Willa was just into him. Period.
He glanced over at her, the stones in her necklace glimmering in the moonlight. He’d gone into the jewelry store a few days ago planning to buy her something to wear at the gala this coming Thursday, but he hadn’t been sure what until his eyes had landed on the pendant with the hazel-colored stones, almost the exact golden green shade of Willa’s eyes.
After he’d picked out the necklace, he’d wandered to another section of the store, walking slowly in front of the cases of diamond rings, wondering which style she’d like. He’d pictured her small, delicate hands and had decided she wouldn’t like anything too big, and everything in the store had been a little too much for what he thought she’d prefer. But then he’d spotted it: a rose gold ring with a round diamond surrounded by smaller ones nestled into the dainty leaves surrounding it, making it look like it was blooming. The gold had been scraped and worn to give the appearance of woodgrain. It looked like something out of a fairytale.
It was perfect. But he’d talked himself out of buying it, knowing it was way too early in their relationship to be looking at rings. They’d only been together for a month. He was just browsing, letting himself imagine what he might pick out someday in the future.
He’d gone back and bought it the next day.
