Page 176 of Bratva Jewels Box Set
“Good, now that’s settled, can we grab some food because I’m starved? Then I want you to come all over my tits like you promised.”
“Fuck, how did I get so fucking lucky.”
“You kidnapped me, twice, that’s how.”
Don’t think she’s ever going to let me forget it. But I’m not sorry, especially not when it led me to her. I would do it again in a heartbeat.
18
GRACE
When I went looking for Maxim earlier, I didn’t think we would be ending the conversation with the best sex of my life. I had gone into the shooting range to have it out with him and demand he take me home to my family. Instead, I ended up confessing my feelings for him, and he rocked my world and declared that he was never letting me go. Not sure if that was a win or not, and I’m not sure if I’m mad. Clearly, I’m messed up. And again, I’m not sure if that is a bad thing. It has to be the post-sex endorphins speaking and creating this happy little bubble I’m finding myself in because if I really think about what has happened between Maxim and me, it wouldn’t make sense that I just let him fuck me in the middle of his shooting range. We’re going to have to talk about what this all means, and what it means for me seeing my family again, but we can save that for another day. I need food, stat.
Maxim organized a late lunch out on the terrace by the pool. There are platters of cold meats and cheese as well as a bottle of white wine. Maxim takes a seat beside me, still bare-chested, the sun illuminating his olive skin like a Greek god.
“Wine?” Maxim asks, and I nod eagerly.
I could get used to this life, my days spent in bed with this gorgeous man, drinking wine, eating, and living in Italy. I sit back and let the sun beat down on my skin. I pop a couple of olives into my mouth, the wine buzz kicking in. This is what I need.
Maxim and I eat in silence, but it isn’t uncomfortable, we’re just enjoying the endless view of vines, the rugged mountains, the blue sky, and sun.
“You live in what I think heaven looks like,” I mumble after my third glass of wine.
“I think it’s pretty close to what heaven would be like,” he agrees, his cheeks flushed from the sun and the wine.
“Why did you choose Italy?”
He turns the glass in his hand as he contemplates my question. “This location was what sold me. I am isolated enough for my job but close to everything too. Also, it’s easier to bribe people here compared to other countries.”
His job, of course, you must think of these things. “Do you have homes anywhere else?”
“I do.” He grins.
I raise a brow at him.
This makes him chuckle. “I can’t tell you all my secrets at once, Wildcat.”
“Fine, Mr. Mysterious. I’m assuming your job is lucrative judging by this villa, the cars, and the boat.” Reminding him of the boat he kidnapped me in.
“Yes,” he says with a shrug, “but it also has a short shelf life.”
I still, my stomach swirls with the thought that someone might want him dead. Don’t be stupid, Grace, Maxim probably has a long laundry list of the people that want him dead.
“Is that hard? Constantly having to have eyes in the back of your head.”
Another shrug. “Wish I did then I would have seen you take my car and escape out of here.”
“You deserved that.”
“I totally did.” He chuckles.
Are we fucked up to be joking about my kidnapping like we are? Or is it because we have cracked a second bottle of wine that I’m finding it funny.
“Come, let’s lie down on the sun lounge. This wine is going to my head,” Maxim mumbles as he picks up the bottle of white and walks over to the lounges. I follow him, stumbling a couple of times as it’s been a while since I’ve had alcohol and this wine has gone straight to my head.
We both slump against the soft cushions as we lay out under the setting sun, the cool breeze taking the edge off the heat of the day.
“Can I ask you a personal question?”
