Page 65 of Merciless Union
I make a face. “That’s disgusting, Maxim.”
He points a finger at me. “You wanted more honesty from me.”
“Well, some things you can keep to yourself.”
He smirks, sitting down. “So a date, huh?”
“Yes. A date. I think it could be fun for us, going out and doing something together. We haven’t done that before.
“What did you have in mind?”
I bite my lip, suddenly nervous to say. “Uh, I was thinking we could go ice skating.”
He looks at me like I’ve grown a second head. “And what makes you think I’d ever goice skating?”
I sigh, sitting down across from him. “Because it will be fun. It was something I did all the time growing up. I remember going out to this lake near my house and skating on it for hours. And besides, you owe me fun. You promised you’d be nicer to me.”
He remains silent.
“And … it was something I did with my mother, and you’d be dishonoring her memory if you declined to go with me,” I rush to say.
Finally, he shakes his head, his lips quirked. “Well, you have me there.”
“Please, Maxim.” I reach over and grab his hand. A tingle spreads across my palm. He looks down at our hands before turning his gaze back onto me, and I pull my hand away, blushing. “I want to go on a stereotypical date. I’ve never had the chance before. Will you go out with me?”
He stares deeply into my eyes. Finally, he nods. “All right. Let’s go on a date.”
I let out a squeal, wrapping my arms around his neck. He stiffens under my touch, and I pull back. “Sorry.”
“You don’t need to be sorry,” he says gruffly, his eyes darkening.
Clearing my throat, I stand up. “So, I’ll get ready.”
I practically run into the bedroom, putting on warmer clothes. Maxim and I head out after that to buy ice skates.
“I feel silly,” he grumbles as he sits down, trying on a pair. We’re at a sporting goods store. When we first walked in, Maxim looked like he’d rather be anywhere else. I actually laughed out loud at his expression.
“You don’t need to feel silly. No one else is looking.” I sit next to him, trying on a pair.
“If any of my men saw me trying on a pair of fucking ice skates, I think I’d be removed from my position out of embarrassment.”
I nudge his arm with mine. “Sometimes, you worry too much. If any of them made fun of you for wearing ice skates, I imagine you’d just take one of the skates and hit them with it.”
A gleam enters his eye. “That’s an idea.”
I chuckle, lacing my skates. “A perfect fit. How about yours?”
“Good enough for a one-time use.” He looks at me. “I’m only doing this once, you know. For you.”
For you.His words make me happier than I’ve felt in a long time.
“Once is good enough. Let’s go.”
We buy the skates, then head to the lake near my father’s house.
On the way, Maxim stops at a flower shop.
“I’ll be right back,” he says, getting out of the car. I watch him enter the flower shop and come out a few minutes later, a bouquet of violets in his hand. “For you.” He hands them to me once he’s back in the car.
