Page 49 of The Arrangement

As we come down from the highs of our intense moment together, Maksim's back to being the gentle guy I'm crazy about. He loosens the ties, letting my arms flop to the sides.

He snuggles up beside me, pulling me into a hug that feels like home. My head finds its favorite spot on his chest, listening to his heart beat like it’s tapping out a message just for me. His hand runs up and down my back in a way that’s both soothing and kind of ticklish.

Right there, all wrapped up in Maksim, it hits me hard—I love this man. It’s as clear as day, a truth that lights up everything inside me.

I’m caught in this push and pull of wanting to shout it from the rooftops and also wanting to keep it close, sacred. Telling Maksim I love him feels huge, like once those words are out there, everything changes. It’s not that I’m scared he won’t say it back. It’s more about how big and real saying “I love you” feels.

Maybe, just maybe, when I’m ready to tell him, it’ll just slip out as easy as breathing. Because with Maksim, everything just feels right.

Chapter 25

Maksim

Waking up on Sunday, there's this unfamiliar ache in my chest, a tightness that's hard to shake off. Tory's supposed to head back to her place today, back to that cramped space she calls home behind her shop. The thought alone gnaws at me. She deserves so much more than a fold-down bed in a room barely bigger than a closet.

Lying there, watching the soft rise and fall of her chest as she sleeps peacefully, I'm struck by how right she feels next to me. There's a serenity to her presence, a calm that seeps into my bones, chasing away the usual restlessness that marks my days and nights.

Adelina's taken to her in a way I've never seen before. My little girl has opened up like a summer flower under Tory's care. They laugh, they play, and there's a light in Adelina's eyes that's been missing for too long.

And me? I'm as gone for Tory as Adelina is. There's no denying it, no pushing it aside. She fits, in every way that counts. In her, I see everything I never knew I was looking for. But damn, is it too soon to voice that, to ask her to consider making this arrangement something more permanent?

I know she's wary, still holding back because of the shadows that trail my life, the dangers that weave through the fabric of my existence. I can't blame her; hell, I'd be wary too if our roles were reversed.

Maybe another month, then. Give her time to see that despite the chaos, the risks, we can make this work. Show her I can keep the darkness at bay, that I can be the man she needs, the father Adelina deserves, and the partner she might one day want.

As she stirs beside me, a sleepy smile gracing her lips as her eyes flutter open, I'm resolved. I'll wait, I'll prove myself, and when the time's right, I'll lay it all out. I'll ask her to stay, not just for a night, or a weekend, but for the unpredictable, promising future that awaits us.

For now, though, I'll hold her close, savoring the warmth of her body against mine, and let the morning stretch on a little longer. There's no rush in this moment, just the quiet promise of what could be, of what I'll fight to make a reality.

As Tory snuggles closer, a part of me wants nothing more than to wake her with a kiss that promises much more. Just a glance at her body is enough to make me rock hard, ready for a repeat of last night. But the sweet melody of Adelina's singing from her room drifts to my ears, derailing my thoughts. With a silent promise for later, I carefully extricate myself from the bed and dress quietly.

I tap lightly on Adelina's door, pushing it open to find her arranging her stuffed animals into what looks like a classroom setting. "Morning, sunshine," I greet her, earning a beaming smile.

"Papa! You're up early!" Her enthusiasm is as bright as the morning sun.

"I was thinking," I start, leaning against the door frame, "how about we make breakfast in bed for Tory? We haven't cooked together in a while."

Her eyes light up at the idea, the stuffed animals momentarily forgotten. "Yes! Can we make omelets? With lots of veggies and cheese?"

"Sounds perfect," I agree, and her excitement is infectious. Together, we head to the kitchen, our mission clear.

As we gather the ingredients, Adelina chatters about the different veggies she wants to include. "Tomatoes, bell peppers, onions, and don't forget the cheese," she dictates, taking her role as sous-chef very seriously.

I nod, amused and heartened by her enthusiasm. "Understood, Chef. Let's get cracking."

The kitchen soon fills with the sounds and smells of cooking, a symphony of sizzling and laughter as we work side by side. It's moments like these, simple and full of love, that remind me of what's truly important.

As the omelets near completion, I glance at the clock. "Let's make sure we get this to Tory before it gets cold," I suggest, plating our culinary creation with a flourish.

Adelina beams, proud of our teamwork. "She's going to love it!"

Adelina and I are putting the final touches on the breakfast tray when Irina breezes into the kitchen, her return catching me a bit off guard.

"Back so early, Irina? Planning to shoo us out of your kitchen?" I tease, arching an eyebrow.

Irina tosses her head back, her laughter mingling with the morning's cheer. "I should've known leaving you two in charge would turn my kitchen upside down. What's the special occasion?" Her gaze flits between the meticulously prepared tray and Adelina's excited face.

"We're making breakfast in bed for Tory," Adelina chimes in before I can reply, her grin spreading from ear to ear.

---