“What did you do to help him and his family?”
“Does it matter? I helped. That’s all there is to it.”
“It matters to me.” Why Zeta wanted to know, she wasn’t quite sure. But she had the feeling she was going to like his answer. Unable to stop herself, she stroked his cheek even as he reached around her, his arms enfolding her, and unzipped her dress.
“I gave his mother a job on the estate. All the servants live in the villa on the south side of the property. It’s not much, but there are two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and she can do her laundry within the estate on her own time. Where it’s safe.”
Zeta couldn’t help the smile that split her face. “They really did get to you. I’d hoped some of the children could help me break through the ice in your heart.”
“Maybe they did,” he said, kissing her forehead, her nose. Her eyes. “Maybe it was just you. I don’t know. All I know is I’m a better man when you beat some manners into me. The way I see it, the only way for you to save me from myself is to be my wife. Stay with me. Forever.”
Laughter bubbled up out of nowhere. It had been a long while since Zeta had felt like laughing. Now, with hope of a future with a man she’d lost her heart to, happiness bubbled up inside her like champagne.
“Maximilian Roth. What in the world am I going to do with you?”
He cradled her head in his hands as he looked into her eyes, the intense blue of his burning deep inside her. “Love me, Zeta. Can you do that?”
“Love the bastard? Yeah. I think I’m up for it. Several times, actually. Tonight. Tomorrow, and well into the next day.” And she knew she would. Max had managed to transform himself into the man she needed him to be because he’d found something in her he didn’t want to be without.
“Good. Because I absolutely, without a doubt, am one hundred percent in love with you.”
Max seemed to take delight in baring every inch of her skin to his hot gaze. Then he kissed everything he bared. By the time they were both naked and in the bed, Zeta was practically squirming with need. Still, Max took his time, licking, nipping, sucking, and generally worshiping her body.
“God, Max! I need you now!”
Levering himself over her, Max held his larger body over hers, supporting his weight on straightened arms. Zeta rubbed her hands over the muscles in his arms and shoulders. His chest. She loved every hard inch of him, every last part of him. How or even why it happened, she had no idea. All Zeta knew was she wanted this man, needed to have him in her life.
“I love you, Zeta. With everything that I am, I love you.” With those heartfelt words, Max sank inside her, stretching her as he went. When he filled her, Zeta realized it was the only time she ever felt complete. They fit. She and Max. They fit together in body and soul. Despite the rocky beginning, despite everything they’d been through, Zeta found she didn’t want to be without him, nor did she want him to be anything other than what he was. She could live with the bastard as long as he actually realized he was being a bastard and rectified the situation. And she knew he would. It was there in his eyes when he’d willed her to understand what he wanted her to do at the auction. It was in his face when he looked at her now while he made love to her. Max would always be what she needed him to be.
It was what made her fall in love with the bastard to begin with.
Loving the Bastard Page 10
