Page 9 of Maxwell

"Why?" He demanded.

"What?" She blinked at him.

"Why do you love me? Is it the fact that I’m out of your damn league? I am, Alessia. I might be a wealthy man, but I acquired my wealth by working my fingers to the bone. I’m from the wrong side of the track. You’ve been a good girl, obeying Daddy's every wish, perhaps this is your way of rebelling by being with someone like me."

"Let go of me." She said quietly. "How dare you belittle what I feel for you! Yes, I could have any man I want, but my heart chose you. I’ve never been in love before and sometimes I wish it would be easier.

Right now, I don’t want to be around you because of your attitude." Her brown eyes flashed. "You’ve done remarkably well for someone who didn’t have a good start and I admire you tremendously. I’m proud of you and don't care about your past. I love you and you’re not going to make me out to be an imbecile. Is that clear?"

She was magnificent when she was angry and for such a tiny thing, she had grit. He felt the admiration blooming inside his chest. He was trying to push her away, to make her realize the hard facts about him. It hurt like hell to know that he wouldn’t be accepted by her dad.

"I’m not going to apologize." He said quietly, the anger, dissipating.

"I don't expect you to."

His hazel eyes were hooded as he continued to look at her.

"You have this hold over me."

"And you hate it."

He shrugged. "Sort of. I can’t stay away from you. I should. We don’t belong together, but for the first time in my life, I’m hooked and it’s driving me crazy." His arms tightened around her waist as he hauled her on top of him.

"I want you in my bed at night, not just every now and then. I want you by my side whenever I go out." His hands wandered up to grip her face. "I want to come inside you and not worry about the consequences. For the first time in my life, I need someone and it pisses me off."

" I love you." She whispered. "In time, we’ll be together the way we‘re supposed to be."

He settled her over him until she was tightly wrapped around his cock like a glove. "Just shut up and let me love you."

Chapter 3

Easing away from her, he drew the blanket up and over her, standing at the side of the bed to take in the tousled hair covering the pillows and the swell of her small breasts. They’d finally made it into the simple bedroom with its cheap furnishings.

The bed was a double, not one either of them were used to, and the mattress was slightly lumpy. He’d slept on worse while growing up, but not her. She was accustomed to fine living. He had to admit that he’d gotten used to it as well.

His apartment took up the top floor of a building owned by the company and had been outfitted with the best money can buy. His bed was on a dais with steps leading up to it. He liked the comfort and the fact he could do whatever the hell he wanted.

He’d spent years scrimping and saving and having to do with little or nothing. Now that he had money, he was going to indulge himself.

She was fast asleep and snored slightly. A smile crossed his lips as he continued to look at her. She was his weakness and he hated it. She was the only one who could get under his skin. With a look or a touch from those elegant fingers.

He’d been screwing around since he was fourteen. Sex had been a way to get rid of his tensions, and because of his looks, he had no shortage of offers. Women came onto him and that was when he was as poor as dirt. When he started to make money, they swarmed around him like bees.

He had become more selective. He hadn’t denied himself, but work had come first for him. His longest relationship had lasted three months and he’d ended it when she asked him where it was going. He wasn’t ready to settle down yet or that was what he told himself. Until he met Alessia, then everything changed.

Suddenly he wanted forever, could see himself settling down, raising kids with her as their mother.

He found himself yearning for things he hadn’t previously thought about, and he wanted it with her. Turning away, he went to put on his sweatpants and a sweater. It was still early, the sun wasn’t even up yet, but he needed coffee and some air, in that order.

Taking one last look at the woman in the bed, he made his way out of the room and walked the few steps into the tiny kitchen. He’d given instructions to include food for a couple of days. The coffee pot was new and of the latest design. Busying himself, he measured out the expensive coffee beans and started the coffee brewing.

He decided to make them a Spanish omelet and wheat toast as he reached for a mug. The fridge was stocked with fruit and vegetables. A carton of almond milk, her favorite, and the no-pulp orange juice she liked were there as well. His instructions had been specific. He wanted to please her.

Shaking his head, he turned to pour the coffee and closed his eyes as he inhaled the aromatic and enticing scent

He should be working, or going to the club, but it was no surprise to him that he preferred being here in this tiny cabin with her.

There was no place he’d rather be. Taking a sip of the coffee, he wandered over to the window to stare out at the roiling clouds and the scattering of stars. The place was quiet and secluded off the beaten path.

---