Page 92 of Revelation (Love Isn't What It Seems 3)

Karma really is a bitch.

Our eyes met and there was no regret or sorrow in his. He was just as cold and unmoving as always. That would not help him during sentencing, but ask me if I cared. Nope, I didn’t. He didn’t deserve anyone’s compassion or heart because he would only take advantage of it and drain it until there was nothing left.

At this moment, all I wanted to hear was the verdict. Then I would never see him again. Nor my grandmother. She wasn’t here, although I couldn’t say I was surprised. As Daniel predicted, the charges didn’t stick, and she was released only days after the initial arrest. She went to a long, lost relative somewhere on the Mediterranean. We would never see her or hear from her again… which I was perfectly fine with.

“Guilty.” The verdict was read out loud, followed by a commotion and a million flashing cameras.

Maxim’s hand held mine, and a gentle squeeze of comfort. “You good?”

I smiled wide. “More than good. Ready?”

We stood up, his arm wrapped around my shoulder, and we headed out of the courtroom without a backward glance. It all belonged to the past, and I have never looked forward to the future more.

“Can we make one stop on our way to your brother’s and Livy’s?”

“Yep, just tell me where.”

“Livy’s old place,” I told him.

He raised his eyebrow but said nothing. Instead, he opened the door to his Audi. Even after learning I wasn’t the one driving, I still didn’t care to drive. Maxim understood and didn’t press the issue. Instead, he ensured we had a full-time driver.

Before long, his car pulled up in front of Livy’s old rowhome. I hoped he wouldn’t think what I was about to do was totally cheesy. It was but I wanted to show him how much I loved him and how grateful I was that he chose me.

“Okay, give me two minutes and then knock on the door,” I told him, smiling.

“What are you up to?”

I leaned over and pressed a kiss on his cheek, smiling. “You’ll see,” my lips moved against his face.

I exited the car and rushed into the house. Then waited. It was just two minutes, one hundred and twenty seconds, but my heart thundered hard. I was nervous. After all, I had never put myself completely out there for anyone. But with Maxim, he made me want to give him everything. His patience and persistence won me over, again and again.

A knock on the door halted my thoughts. I opened the door and just like that first day, he took my breath away. His hands casually in the pockets of his pants, he leaned his shoulder against the door.

“I’m here to see Layla Cambridge,” he improvised.

I grinned.

“You found me,” my voice quivered slightly and my heart raced in the best way possible. “A year ago, when you knocked on this door, I almost shut it into your face.” He chuckled, remembering the day. “Today, I just want you to know how glad I am that you pushed that door open. You opened the door to my heart, and it will always be yours, for as long as you want it.” Maxim’s expression was unreadable but there was no time to question it. I was doing this for him, and for me. No matter where the road led, he deserved to know this. “I love you so much. You are the only man I want and will ever want.”

Before I could take another breath, his hands grabbed my waist and lifted me up into the air. Then pulled me into his arms, his mouth on mine hungry and needed.

“I love you too.” His voice caressed my skin.

“I know I’m not the easiest person,” I murmured against his lips. “Thank you for not ditching me.”

“Never. You are mine.”

“Yes, I am yours.” My fingers gently grabbed the collar of his shirt. “And you are mine.”

“Always have been and always will be.” God, this man made me happy. He took a step back, his eyes on my face. “I have something for you.”

My eyes traveled down his body. “Maxim Caldwell, you are not suggesting-”

He threw his head back, a whole hardy laugh booming all around us.

“No, my filthy girl. We won’t be fucking here. Nobody gets to see that body of yours except for me.”

I playfully rolled my eyes. “So possessive.”

---