Page 47 of Maximum
CHAPTER 13
The Suite
Fleur
The first thing I did when Maximum and I entered the large suite was fill up the bathtub.
The suite was large enough for a family and had two rooms with connecting bathrooms.
I wasn’t surprised when Maximum placed his bag in the same room as mine and even though I didn’t comment on it, I was secretly glad.
Over the last few days, he’d made me feel like I was vibrating with life in a whole new way. Maximum wasn’t Pierre, and the fire between us when we made love was like nothing I’d ever experienced before.
His intensity made him rougher, but he was also sweeter when we were done, and he took time to kiss and cuddle me.
“Do you want me to join you?” Maximum asked with a flirtatious smile and a glance at the bathtub, but I shook my head.
“No, I’d like to relax and clear my head a little.”
“I understand. Take your time. I’ll take a quick shower in the other bathroom and make a few calls.”
The bathroom had scented candles and bath salts. Taking off my clothes, I rinsed off and washed my hair in the shower before stepping into the warm bath, letting out a breath of satisfaction.
Letting the water cover my body, I closed my eyes, my thoughts running back to my friends on the farm.
Noah was in charge this week and I knew everything would be fine, but I still reached out to Clara, my horse who was finally starting to trust humans after having been mistreated.
I sensed contentment on her part. She was fed and relaxed.
Tuning into the collective consciousness of the animals in the park, I thanked the animals for their help and delivered the message that the remains of the poachers would be given to the authorities. I also told them that Mike and the others would find out if any of the rangers were involved with the murders of the elephant and the rhinos earlier this year.
I’d been relaxing in the bathtub, consumed by my thoughts for a while, when I heard voices. Opening my eyes, I saw that above the window in the bathroom there was a ventilation slit that was open with only a mosquito netting cover. Curtains were drawn in front of the windows, but I didn’t need to see to know that one of those voices belonged to Maximum.
“How’s Jolene?”
“Good. She and Rose are still sleeping. I’m just getting in some exercise before I’m going to work.”
“You’re on your bike?”
“Yes, in my home office. Can you tell I’m out of breath?”
“It’s fine.”
“You still in Ireland?”
“No, I’m in South Africa with Fleur.”
“But I thought that was next week.”
“Nope. We’ve been here for four nights already.”
“And?”
“And it’s fascinating to watch her work. She’s like a hybrid between woman and animal in the way they accept her. I’m telling you, Atlas, she walks fearlessly among lions and elephants.”
“Yeah, Jolene showed me some of the documentaries of Fleur’s work. It’s mind-blowing. Did you see the one where she worked with the wild gorillas?”
“No.”
