“Can we not talk about business?” Tahlia inquired. She was so happy after spending last night in Maximus’s arms that she wanted to bask in the moment. “And just have dinner?”
“Of course, sweetheart,” her mother said, and Kaitlynn agreed, but Tahlia couldn’t quite dismiss her sister’s concerns. Maximus knew she was fair and honest. He wouldn’t expect her to always agree with him. Would he?
* * *
“Good game,” Maximus said after he and Griffin finished up their racquetball game at the country club and were now seated at the bar having an afternoon drink. “I am back in my stride now.”
“Yeah, yeah,” Griffin said, swigging a beer. “Don’t gloat just because you won.”
“You need to accept the natural order of things,” Maximus said.
“Next week, I’ll wipe the floor with that smug smile of yours.”
“We’ll see.” Maximus chuckled. “And how is life at the firm?” Griffin was working long hours to become partner at his law firm.
“The usual, eighty-hour workweeks,” Griffin replied.
“And is there any woman on the horizon?” Maximus inquired. “Are you holding out on me? I’ve told you about Tahlia.”
“Only as much as you want me to know,” Griffin responded. “Besides, there’s no one special in my life. Unlike you, who’s all Machiavellian.”
“That’s not true. I care for Tahlia,” Maximus replied. “Actually, I like her a lot.”
Griffin regarded him quizzically for a moment and then he said, “You’re starting to fall for her, aren’t you? Now it won’t be so easy to go through with this ridiculous scheme you’ve concocted.”
“I admit I’ve developed strong feelings for Tahlia.”
“But have you told her why you started seeing her to begin with?”
Maximus frowned. “Of course not. That would hurt her.” And he didn’t want that. Tahlia was so sweet. Knowing that he’d been planning on using her to get his way would devastate her.
“Then you’re in quite the predicament, my friend,” Griffin replied. “Because mark my words, there will come a time when this scheme of yours and your developing relationship with Tahlia will all come to a head. And when it does, it won’t be pretty.”
Maximus looked at his friend. Was Griffin right? Was he walking into the eye of the storm? Should he retreat and let Tahlia go before either of them got hurt?
* * *
Tahlia glanced down at the canvas in front of her. She was working on a new piece that would go with her exhibit. The idea had come to her after the amazing weekend she’d had with Maximus a few weeks ago. Since then they’d been seeing a great deal of each other and not just on the weekends.
During the week, they would go out for a bite to eat, catch a movie or just stay at her place and watch Netflix. Tahlia took great pleasure in showing him how the other half lived as they shared a bowl of microwave popcorn and vegged out in front of the television. She’d even broached the subject of Knight Shipping when they were curled up together.
“Why are you bringing up work?” He’d pulled away to look at her strangely.
“Because...” She’d trailed off. “I want you to share with me what’s going on in your world. I may not understand it all, but you could explain it to me. For instance, how’s your work on the expansion coming?”
Initially, Maximus had been startled by her request, but eventually he’d started talking about his dream for expanding the company and all the jobs it would bring to the community. He had Tahlia so invested, she couldn’t think of a single reason why she wouldn’t vote his way.
He’d even introduced her to his friend Griffin, and they’d gone out on a double date with him and a new woman he was seeing. Tahlia had liked Griffin immediately. She could see Griffin could be a ladies’ man just like Maximus with his dark chocolate skin, bald head and basketball player build. She also noticed that Griffin was the yin to Maximus’s yang. Although he was an attorney, he was much more laid-back than Maximus, but Tahlia was doing her best to change that. She’d even corralled Maximus into going dancing. She was crazy about him, but he was terrible at freestyle dancing, although it didn’t matter to Tahlia because she was happiest in his arms.
And the nights, well, Tahlia blushed when she thought about their active sex life. It was a rare night when they didn’t make love. Maximus was an imaginative lover, making sure she was satisfied each and every time.
She hadn’t realized just how important Maximus had become to her day-to-day routine until he went on an overnight trip during the middle of the week and she was alone in bed and unable to spoon with him. She also hadn’t received a phone call from him during the day or a text to see how her day was going as she usually did. And so she had gone up to the gallery loft to paint and while away the hours. She was concentrating so hard on her work that she didn’t notice it had become dark or that she had a guest.
Tahlia glanced up and found Maximus staring not just at her, but also at the canvas. “Hey,” she said, smiling as he came forward to peer at her artwork.
He brushed the briefest of kisses across her lips and said, “This is good, really good, Tahlia.”
She beamed with pride. “You think so?”
“Yes, of course I do. Will this piece go in your exhibit?”
She nodded. “When did you get back?” she asked over her shoulder as she walked over to the sink and washed her hands.
“A little while ago,” he answered, still looking intently at her painting. “I came straight here. I missed you.”
Tahlia turned around, and the lusty look on Maximus’s face made her rush into his arms, wet hands and all. He flattened her against him, branding her lips with urgent, moist kisses, letting her know that he was as desperate as she was to be together.
She stilled. “The door...”
“Faith was leaving when I arrived. She locked up,” Maximus said, planting kisses on her ear and neck. “We’re alone.”
Tahlia quickly began pulling at his overcoat, sliding it down his muscular arms. Then they were both tearing at each other’s clothes until they were nude. She didn’t think it was possible to get aroused this fast, but Maximus brought out this side to her, made her wanton and greedy.
“I want to see all of you,” Maximus groaned as they slid to the floor on top of the sheet she’d used to ensure paint didn’t get on the floor. But in this moment Tahlia could care less. She wanted Max. He climbed on top of her, covering her body with his. She opened her legs to cushion his hardness, but he withdrew from her.
“Hold on a second. Need a condom...” he groaned. He reached for the wallet in his trousers to sheath himself and returned to her. When he returned to her, he stared down at her as if he were seeing her for the first time.
She held out her arms, and he sank down, pressing his lips to hers. Then they were once again kissing, tasting and nibbling at each other’s flesh. Tahlia’s eyes glazed with passion when she felt his fingers at her entrance, sliding deep inside her, making sure she was stimulated, lubricated and ready for him. She whimpered, seeking more of him, and he delivered by removing his fingers, flexing his hips and plunging inside her.
Tahlia arched off the floor, going blind with unimaginable pleasure. “You feel...so good...inside me,” she panted as her arousal heightened. “More... Max...”
* * *
Maximus wanted to drown in Tahlia and her rising passion. Her core was throbbing tightly around him, milking every last thread of control he had to make this last. So he thrust in again, stroking deeper, and her cries rose and she bunched her hands in his hair.
He withdrew, then plunged in again, burying himself to the hilt. Tahlia shattered around him, but he didn’t stop. He couldn’t. He was enraptured, and he surged into her again, reaching new heights, so much so that Tahlia’s entire bo
dy began convulsing around him and his own orgasm tore through him, so hard that he roared out his release so loud he was sure everyone on the street had to have heard him. He fell forward on top of her, then carefully rose on his shins to look down at her.
Her eyes were slumberous, and her entire body relaxed beneath him as aftershocks continued to jolt through their bodies. Maximus didn’t disengage from her. He was still hard and throbbing inside her. He wanted her again.
But not here.
They’d go back to her place or his. He didn’t care, but he would spend all night making love to her until they both slept.
Later, when they made it back to her place and were cuddled in bed, Maximus knew he wanted to spend more time with Tahlia. He’d known it when he’d lain in his hotel room the night before and missed Tahlia’s warm body beside him. He hadn’t even stopped at the office, which was his usual MO after a business trip, and headed directly to her gallery. He’d known he’d find Tahlia there, and he had.
She was painting again. And he hoped in part that it was due to his encouragement that hers was as good as any other artist’s work that she exhibited at the gallery.
“You awake?” he whispered in her ear when her backside was firmly planted in his crotch.
“Hmm...” she moaned sleepily.
“I was thinking we should go away this weekend, to Big Sur. There’s a great place I know of with the best views.”
Tahlia turned around in his arms to face him. “You want to go away together?”
He grinned down at her. “Yes, my dear, but only if you don’t have any other plans.”
“I was going to paint,” Tahlia said, stifling a yawn, “but I can finish the piece when I get back.”
He grinned. He’d thoroughly worn her out. “I don’t want to stop your muse.”
She laughed huskily. “You won’t. Maybe you’re my muse.” Her voice was still thick with sleep.
He peered at her intently and wondered if she really meant that or she was just saying it in the heat of the moment. He stroked her cheek. “Go back to sleep, my love, and we’ll talk details in the morning.” He kissed her forehead and then held her until she fell asleep.
But he didn’t go to sleep right away. In his wildest dreams, he couldn’t have created a woman who fit him so perfectly. The result was electric, and her unguarded response to him stirred his soul. This furnace of mutual passion couldn’t last forever, could it? Surely, they’d blaze out control, but somewhere deep in the recesses of his mind, Maximus wasn’t sure that was true—and that scared him to death.
Chapter 10
My love. He’d called her his love. Tahlia could still hear his words as she packed for their Big Sur trip on Friday. She was probably putting too much emphasis on them, but surely they meant something. Or maybe she’d misheard. She had been drifting off to sleep when he broached the subject of a weekend getaway. And he hadn’t repeated the endearment since. Not over the phone to say he was working late or again today when he’d asked if she was all packed for the trip.
Tahlia was certainly starting to feel the sentiment, but she was afraid to say it first. With Paul, she’d been quick to reveal her feelings, and look where that had gotten her. Looking at it logically, they’d only been seeing each other a month. So she would keep her feelings to herself until she was sure they were returned and it wouldn’t blow up in her face.
She continued packing, putting in warm clothes as well as a swimsuit because Maximus had indicated the room they’d be staying in had a hot tub. Tahlia’s face flamed when she thought about what they could do inside that tub. She was so deep in thought that she nearly missed hearing her cell phone ring. When she did, she found it was Maximus’s assistant, Elena, calling to inform her of a board meeting next week.
“Will you be attending?” Elena inquired.
Tahlia hadn’t given much thought to the running of Knight Shipping because she’d been so caught up with Maximus, taking over the gallery and preparing for her own exhibit. She supposed Maximus had made her and Lucius’s life easy by handling the day-to-day operations, but now it was time for Tahlia to fulfill the duty Arthur had given her.
“Ms. Armstrong, are you there?” Elena asked after her prolonged silence.
“Yes, I’ll be there,” Tahlia replied swiftly. She ended the call and sat down on her bed. When they returned from their weekend getaway, their relationship would be tested for the first time. Tahlia’s stomach lurched at the prospect. She could only hope that the foundation they’d made wouldn’t crack under the pressure.
* * *
Maximus was excited to pick up Tahlia and take her to the Post Ranch Inn in Big Sur. It was known for its romantic rooms with a view, and he’d made sure to select the top-of-the-line room for them. Nestled on a cliff, the room was by far their best, in his opinion. He just hoped Tahlia would like his choice.
She was waiting for him on the sidewalk when he pulled to the curb to pick her up. He jumped out of the car and greeted her with a searing kiss. Then he stepped backward to drink in the cute outfit she was wearing, her usual fashion of skinny jeans and oversize sweater. Tahlia made it look like a fashion statement. She’d put her hair up in a chignon with loose tendrils framing her face and wore minimal makeup with the exception of lip gloss.
“Let’s go,” Maximus said, opening the passenger door for her. “I want to get on the road before traffic picks up.”
“Of course.” Tahlia slid inside while he dealt with her overnight bag.
The drive to Big Sur was uneventful, and they chatted conversationally about the week. But Maximus noticed that Tahlia didn’t bring up the fact that Knight Shipping had a board meeting coming up when they returned next week. He’d forgotten it himself until Elena had reminded him this morning and begun contacting board members, including Lucius.
His brother had been sure to tell Elena that he wouldn’t miss it. Maximus had no idea how the meeting would go. He suspected that Lucius would be as ornery as possible just to get under his skin as he had on the tour, but it was Tahlia he was most concerned about.
Maximus just wanted it over with as quickly as possible. He’d been running the company the last month quite well without either Lucius’s or Tahlia’s assistance or interference. Thankfully, they’d taken a back seat and let him do the job he’d been groomed for.
He looked over at Tahlia. She was staring out at the coast, and he wished he could be as carefree as she was in this moment. He would try his best not to think about next week and be in the moment with her. She must have sensed him watching because she glanced over at him and smiled. Maximus’s heart swelled in his chest.
They arrived to the inn in a little under three hours and walked a short cobblestone path to the cliff room. When he opened the door, he let Tahlia precede him so he could see her enjoyment.
* * *
Tahlia glanced around and was shocked at just how stupendous the room was after they’d entered it from an enclosed garden courtyard. It was a freestanding structure and held a massive king-size bed. And directly in front of her was the breathtaking view through the glass-walled bedroom. She glanced at the wood-burning fireplace on her way to the deck. Once outside, she could see they were suspended on a cliff. They could watch the sunset and sit on the two loungers outside or in the stainless steel outdoor hot tub.
Tahlia turned to Maximus, who’d followed her. “You’ve outdone yourself, Max.”
He smiled. “I’m glad you like it.”
“What’s not to like? This is every woman’s romantic getaway.”
“C’mon.” He grasped her hand. “You didn’t see the rest.”
He led her back into the living area and past the bathroom’s glass door so she could see the soaking tub. “How would you like a bath in that?”
She grinned mischievously as she pulled him clos
er. “Where do I sign up?”
They spent the rest of the afternoon touring the inn’s amenities before retiring to their room to change for dinner. They both dressed casually, Maximus in slacks and a button-down shirt while Tahlia opted for knit slacks, an oversize sweater and some flat sandals. Being in the mountains, it was a bit colder than in Los Angeles, but Maximus told her he’d keep her warm. Tahlia had no doubt he would; it didn’t take much to stoke the flames of their desire for one another.
The dinner at the inn’s restaurant, Sierra Mar, overlooked the coast and offered a stunning view. Tahlia felt like she hadn’t been living fully until she’d seen nature in all its splendor. After dessert, they retired to the room, where Maximus made gentle, sweet love to her, touching her in places that made her quiver and moan in pleasure. She called out his name more than once because he satisfied her every need. Eventually, they both drifted off into a peaceful sleep.
* * *
Maximus awoke on Saturday morning feeling better than he ever had. He felt rejuvenated even though he’d gotten very little sleep. He’d thought he had an insatiable appetite, but Tahlia more than matched him in sexual compatibility. The way she’d stroked him with her searching fingers, he’d been unable to resist her, and he’d succumbed willingly to her.
And now, as he drove them to the Esalen Institute, Tahlia talked animatedly about the institute and all of its offerings. When he’d thought of Big Sur, the nonprofit retreat center had come to mind because Tahlia always seemed so self-aware that he thought she’d appreciate its emphasis on the mind-body connection. Plus, there were tons of workshops on self-help, gardening and Tahlia’s favorite: art. Max suspected they’d spend their entire Saturday there. He wondered if the weekend could get any better. Why had he never taken the time to get out and smell the roses? Because he’d always been trying to please his father. A wasted effort.
Tahlia’s first activity choice was for them to take a meditation class. Maximus hadn’t been interested, but Tahlia had talked him into it. He didn’t see the purpose of sitting for an hour and focusing on his breathing, but afterward he had to admit he felt more relaxed and less stressed than he had in a decade.
Taming Her Billionaire Page 11