Chapter 32

Maksim raced down the busy streets of Paris until he arrived at the address Ella had given him over the phone. He entered the little stop and stopped immediately when he was greeted by a museum of feminine clothes things and items.

"What the hell?" He asked when he spotted Ella standing in front of the floor length mirror.

"Oh you're here!" Ella turned around.

For a few seconds Maksim forgot all about why he was mad at her and wanted to yell. Ella stood on the tiny pedestal in front of the mirror dressed in a silver satin slip dress as the sales lady attending to her held her hair up to show the scooped open back of the dress.

"What do you think?" Ella asked when she noticed him looking her up and down as if he could devour her.

"This is why you called me?" Maksim narrowed his eyes.

"No, I actually need your card," Ella smiled as she stepped down from the pedestal. She turned to the saleslady and spoke in perfect French, "You can have him sign the bill. I'll go change and you can pack this one too."

"Of course, Madam," the woman smiled.

Maksim stared at Ella in disbelief as she hurried off into the dressing room to change. A minute later, the woman came out with the dress and began to pack it.

"Ella," Maksim said as he walked up to the entrance of the dressing room. "This isn't funny."

"I agree," Ella said from the inside. "I don't understand why you think that I think it's funny."

"What are you doing here?"

"Delivering a calf," Ella snorted. "What do you think, Max? I told you I needed new clothes."

"And I told you to leave."

"And I told you I wasn't leaving you."

Maksim grew more and more irritated with her behavior. He was thankful her little stunt had only sent him on a goose chase to a clothing store, but he was pissed that she wasn't taking him seriously.

"Sir," the sales woman walked up to Maksim with the bill.

He shook his head as he pulled out his wallet and handed the woman his card. As the lady left to go change him, Ella stepped out of the dressing room in a completely new outfit.

"What do you think?" She asked Maksim as she walked to the mirror.

Maksim wanted to continue the conversation about why she needed to leave him the hell alone, but was distracted by the way the little skirt Ella wore hugged her hips. She had on sheer black stockings and a white cropped sweater that teased the waistband of the skirt. As he stared she pulled on knee high black boots and a tan peacoat.

"Don't I look so cute?" She turned to look at her mate when he didn't comment.

"You look horrible," Maksim lied. He immediately regretted his words as the light in Ella's eyes dimmed and she frowned.

Damn it, Max. What the fuck? Maksim thought as his heart sank and his wolf whimpered.

But as Ella walked away from him to the lady packing her bags, Maksim got an idea. He didn't like it but he figured if he was rude to her enough, she would give up and leave. After all, she already called him a spoiled brat. He might as well take full responsibility for the name.

"Thank you," Ella thanked the lady behind the counter as she grabbed her bags.

Maksim walked out of the store not bothering to hold the door for Ella or her bags. He bit down on his jaw as he heard the door slam into her bags and her give a little yelp.

"Some Prince Charming," Ella mumbled as she pushed the door open.

"I thought you were a strong independent woman that didn't need no man," Maksim said as he looked down the street. He spotted the hotel a few blocks away and headed in that direction. But as he looked over his shoulder, he noticed Ella was walking down the completely other direction.

Is she mad? Maksim's heart sank as his feet turned him around to follow her. He tried to tell his wolf to let her go wherever she wanted to but some old habits die hard. The thought of Ella being mad at him didn't sit well with Maksim.

"Where are you going?" He asked as he followed her down the street.

"I need more stuff."

"You just bought half the store back there!"

"I need other stuff," Ella said as she walked into another shop.

Maksim followed her impatiently before realizing where Ella had walked into.

"Oh come on Ella," Maksim groaned as his eyes moved over the lacy bras, silk underwears, and stripy lingerie. "Stop being so immature."

"Immature?" Ella turned to look at him. "You stop that. I actually need undergarment."

"Hello," the sales woman dressed in black approached them. "How may I help you today?"

Maksim was about to tell her they were leaving when Ella turned away and smiled.

"Hi, I need some new underwear and bras. And some sleepwear."

The sales lady's eyes bounced from Maksim to Ella before she gave a cheeky smile, "I have just the thing for you."

"Perfect!" Ella said. She turned back to Maksim and handed him her bags. "Look, they even have a sitting area for boyfriends over there."

"I'm not your boyfriend," Maksim mumbled as he took her bags and moved to the sofas in the middle of the store.

Ella ignored him as she followed the woman into the changing room.

"Is there anything in particular you had in mind?"

"Oh...um...." Ella lowered her voice so Maksim wouldn't hear her. "We're here on our honeymoon and I want to.....you know.....looked nice....."

"Oh we have a whole collection," the lady said with excitement. "I will go get some fo ryou to try on."

"Thank you," Ella blushed.

Outside the dressing room, Maksim scrolled through his messages from his parents and Margo as he waited for Ella to finish up. He looked up when the lady in black came out and started to grab different things off the shelves.

"What color does she look best in, sir?"

"Any shades of pink," Maksim answered without thinking.

"Noted."

Maksim lifted his eyes from his phone just in time to see the woman grab a light pink silk pajama set off the racks. His eyes widened as he noticed how short the bottoms were and how sheer the top part was. It was just lace. Only lacy. How was that even considered as an item of clothes?

But that shade of pink on the fabric was so beautiful. Without his permission, Maksim's mind began to produce images of Ella wearing the outfit. Her blonde hair would look so good against the pink.....

No. Nope. No, no, no, no, NO.

"She doesn't need that," Maksim said, getting up from his seat. He looked around until his eyes landed on a simple cotton pajama set. Long sleeves, collars, button down. Yes, it was perfect.

"Give her these," Maksim handed the woman the set.

"Eh....are you sure?"

"Yes."

"These aren't really....sexy."

"She doesn't need sexy."

"Max, stop being a buzzkill," Ella said as she walked out of the dressing room in anger.

Fuck, Maksim swore in his mind as he looked at what Ella was wearing.

The stupid silk pajama set. Except it was in red and not pink. Her hair fell over her chest as she glared at him from the mirror. Maksim was afraid if the wind blew in the wrong direction, her hair would move and he would never be able to look away. He could barely look away now as she looked at herself in the mirror.

"I like it," Ella said as she turned to the side and checked her bum. She lifted her gaze and found Maksim staring at her in the mirror. "What do you think?"

Oh for the love of god, Maksim swallowed. His eyes moved from Ella's perfect round ass covered in red silk to her eyes. She smiled at him in the mirror as if to tell him she knew exactly what she was doing.

"It's ugly," Maksim said as he sat back down.

"Ugly?" the sales woman looked offended. "She could be on the cover of Maxim magazine or on the Victoria's Secret runway."

Ella blushed, "You heard that? On the cover of Maxim magazine."

"Whatever, Ell," Maksim rolled his eyes. "If you really want to be dressed like that on the cover of a men's magazine then please, by all means, go right ahead."

"Maybe I will," Ella said.

"Maybe he will like it better in pink?" the sales lady held up the set in her hands.

"Pack them both please," Ella said as she stormed off to the dressing room.

Maksim leaned his head back and groaned aloud. He didn't understand why he was even sitting in the ridiculous shop. He should just leave.

But does she remember the way back to the hotel?

Who cares? She shouldn't even be coming back to the hotel!

"Okay, I'm done," Ella said as she came out of the dressing room dressed. "Are you happy now?"

"Ecstatic," Maksim said with a serious face.

"What's the French word for mate?" Ella asked over her shoulder.

"I don't know,"

"I can't remember. I'm sure I learned it in school."

"I'm sure you did," Maksim mumbled as he picked up the bags from the other shop.

"Are all set, ma'am?" the sales lady smiled.

"Yes," Ella nodded as she spoke in French. Maksim hated the way his eyes moved to her lips whenever she did that. Why did she sound so good.....

"How would you like to pay?" The lady asked.

"Card,"

The woman nodded as she added up the prices and placed the bill on the counter.

"Oh my husband will pay for that," Ella smiled.

Maksim's jaws dropped as he heard her use that word. She flipped her hair over her shoulder and looked around the shop innocently. She was completely unaware of the battle going on inside of Maksim.

His wolf was celebrating, throwing his head back and howling up a storm. But Maksim was trying to stomp out the party. In a daze, he signed the bill and picked up the new set of bags. He followed Ella to the door and walked out into the streets.

"Husband?" Maksim asked when he finally found his voice.

"I don't know the French word for mate," Ella said as she leaned forward and kissed his cheek.

Fuuuuck. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Oh she was good.

"I know what you are doing," Maksim said to her as they headed back to the palace.

"What?" Ella asked.

"You think your cute outfits and flirty eyes will make up for the last month and I'll forget everything and follow you to Juniper," Maksim snorted. "It's not going to work. You're leaving. I'll take you back if I have to."

"I'll just come find you again," Ella shrugged. "I told you. I am never leaving your side again. Go wherever you want to and I will follow."

"I don't want you to!"

"Too bad," Ella laughed. She walked on ahead as Maksim stopped to glare at her.

As she waited for the light to change at the corner, her eyes caught a little poster on the lamp post. She took a closer look as she pulled off the little slip with the number.

"Can we go to the Eiffel tower?" Ella asked as Maksim walked up to her.

"No."

"Please," Ella begged. "I've never been to Paris and we're so close by."

"Go by yourself."

"I don't know how to get there."

"Not my problem."

"Max," Ella looped her arm around his and leaned her faces against him. "Please, baby?"

"Stop it."

As Ella pleaded with her eyes and smiled, a few photographers by the front of the hotel spotted them approaching and began clicking pictures.

"Oh great," Maksim said under his breath. He quickly grabbed Ella's hand and tugged her long and into the hotel.

The photographers started to beg them for some pictures and answers as to why they were doing in Paris, but Maksim shielded Ella with a protective arm around her shoulder and moved her away. Once inside the hotel, he let go of her and walked into the elevator, leaving her to follow.

Ella said quiet until they entered their room and Maksim dumped all the bags on the sofa. He looked up at her as she hovered by the door waiting.

"What?" he asked.

"Eiffel tower," Ella said in a little voice. "Please?"

"No," Maksim said in irritation. "I'm not going anywhere else with you."

As Ella frowned, he didn't know who he was more upset with. Himself for being mad at himself for yelling at Ella or Ella for pushing his buttons with those damn eyes. He expected her to yell back or say something to him, but as she just stood there frowning, Maksim's guilt grew. Unable to bear her sad eyes anymore, Maksim headed for the door.

"Where are you going?" Ella asked as she took a step aside.

"I can't be in here with you," Maksim said as he opened the door. "When I come back, I want you gone. And not wandering the streets gone. I want you back at the palace gone."

Maksim's wolf growled at him as he slammed the door and walked out. He stood by the door for a long time as he battled himself.

He shouldn't have done that. He shouldn't have said those things. Why couldn't he ever think straight through his anger? He always regretted his words instantly but why didn't he remember this sick feeling when he opened his mouth?

Maksim's head hung low as he made his way downstairs. He took the back exit to avoid the photographers and made his way to the restaurant he was supposed to meet his St. Rieka friends at. The sunlight outside vanished and the night life was coming alive. As Maksim made his way down the blocks. He spotted the glittering Eiffel tower in the distance. His mood dulled even more.

Dinner with his friends was a painful affair. Maksim's eyes kept going to the tower as he sat facing the glass window ignoring the table conversation. His friends laughed and chatted about god knows what as his mind wandered to what Ella was doing.

Did she have dinner yet? Was she gone? Would she leave?

The constant questions distracted him as he struggled to hold conversation. He didn't care for what anyone was saying around the table. He didn't care for the people that came up to him to ask for a picture or for the way one of his classmates sitting across from him ran her foot slowly up and down his leg under the table as she sipped her wine. Her gray eyes watched him over the rim of her glass as Maksim grew tired of her advances.

"You do know I have a mate, right?" he asked her when he couldn't stand it anymore.

The girl set her glass down and smiled, "I haven't seen her in the last.....what, like a month almost."

"Doesn't mean she disappeared," Maksim moved his chair back so she couldn't reach him anymore.

"Oh come on, Maksim," the girls laughed. "We're all just having some fun. You and I can have some fun."

"I honestly don't even remember your name,"

"You can call me whatever you want tonight in my room," the girl winked.

Suddenly, the thought of Ella in his hotel room flashed across his mind. He didn't know what came over him, but the idea of spending another second sitting with those people suffocated him. He pushed his chair back and got up, surprising everyone at the table. They all turned to look at him as he put his napkin down and rushed out.

Maksim hailed the first cab he could see and gave them the address to the hotel. Without counting he gave the driver whatever he had in his wallet and told him to speed it up. Excited by the large sum of cash, the man behind the wheel zoomed down the streets towards the hotel.

A few minutes later, the cab came to a stop outside and Maksim jumped out. He ran up the stairs to the lobby and desperately pressed the elevator button impatiently.

Did she leave?

The question ran through his mind over and over as he waited for the damn elevator. Ella's sad eyes would haunt him forever if she left. Maksim's heart hurt for the idea of her leaving like that.

When the elevator arrived, Maksim pressed his floor before pressing the door close button. A couple tried to get on too but he stopped them and told them to take the next one. The doors closed and the lift shot up.

Maksim had no idea what time it was as he slipped the key card in and pushed the door open to their room. He was greeted by her scent but until his eyes found her, he would not rest.

Maksim rushed in and checked the living room. All the lights, beside a lap by the window, were off. Maksim's heart stopped as he realized all the shopping bags were gone. He had left them on the sofa.

"Fuck, no, no," he said under his breath as he turned for the bedroom.

Ella's scent started to intensify as he walked in. He turned on the lap by the door and found Ella curled up on the bed under the sheets. A heavenly relief washed over Maksim as he walked over to the bed in the darkness and kneeled beside it.

Ella was fast asleep with her hands curled up to her chest. Her beautiful face was relaxed as her lashes fanned over her cheeks. Maksim reached out and pushed her hair out of her face and tucked it behind her ear.

The slight touch made Ella slowly stir awake. She blinked her eyes open like a little bird.

"Sorry," Maksim whispered. "I didn't mean to wake you."

"It's okay," Ella said half asleep.

"You stayed,"

"Yes," Ella sighed as she moved her head closer to his hand. "I told you I would."

A small smile spread across Maksim's face. He watched her fall back asleep as he kneeled beside the bed. After some time, he got up and changed out of his jeans and sweater and pulled on some shorts. Very carefully, Maksim slipped into bed beside Ella and turned to stare at the back of her head.

Several minutes later, as Maksim laid awake listening to Ella breath, she turned around and reached out for him in her sleep. Maksim immediately guided her hand to him as he moved closer. Ella rolled to his side and buried her face in his bare chest. She pushed her legs between his and wrapped her arms around him as if he was a giant teddy bear.

Maksim let her get comfortable as he held himself still. She felt her legs brush against him and her sink pajamas move over his stomach. Curiously, Maksim lifted the covers and peaked inside.

Damn, Maksim smiled.

Ella was wearing the pink silk pajamas.

______________________________

The next morning Ella woke up trapped underneath Maksim. Half of his wide shoulders pinned her down as his arm caged her in like steel rods. Their legs were tangled and the sheets were half on the floor and half on them.

Ella squeezed her left arm out her side as Maksim's head on her chest moved up. She slowly opened her eyes and looked down at him deep asleep. Half awake, Ella smiled as she ran her hand through his hair.

Why couldn't he be this quiet all the time?

Thinking Ella was trying to wake him up, Maksim groaned. He pulled her closer as his head moved farther onto her chest. His leg fell over her hips, trapping her completely.

Ella wasn't complaining. She continued to play with his hair and idly run her finger down his back sending sparks up and down their body. Maksim sighed as he felt Ella's soft body near him. He was starting to wake up but he didn't want to open his eyes. The feeling of Ella playing with his hair and her nails grazing over his back was too good to give up.

Ella, however, knew Maksim was waking up. His heart started to race just like her. She felt him grow hard against her hips as his legs stayed on top of her. Ella's throat dried as she felt his breath tickle her skin through the soft lace of her shirt.

Goosebumps started to rise all over Ella as she felt Maksim's erection against her. She pressed her thighs closer as the familiar ache started to blossom between her legs. Her heartbeat picked up as she bit the inside of her cheeks to keep her body still and not moved against Maksim.

Maksim's eyes slowly opened as he picked up Ella's scent. His chest started to rumble with a sexy growl as he lifted his head and looked at her.

Ella moved her hand out of his hair and stared down at him. She didn't know what to do and waited for him to make a move. Her lips parted as the need to feel him grew stronger as she watched his sleepy eyes and messy hair.

Maksim's eyes darkened as Ella's scent amplified. He knew the decent thing to do was to get out of bed right now and take a shower to calm himself and let her calm down, but the way she stared at him made him lose his mind.

With a small pounce, Maksim was fully on top of Ella. His lips collided with his as she dug her nails into his back and pulled him closer. Maksim hand dug into her hair and pulled her closer to his mouth as his other hand slid down to her chest. He pushed down the thin straps of her shirt until he had his hands over her naked breast. Ella moaned into his mouth as he squeezed her before taking her between his fingers and teasing her.

In response, as Ella gave into the madness, she locked her legs around his hips and moved against him. Maksim groaned as she rubbed against his arousal. His hand moved from her breast, down her stomach and to the spot between her legs. Her small strip of silk between her legs was soaking wet.

Maksim moved himself against her core as his fingers moved aside her pajama bottoms and let her drip onto his finger. Ella moaned and gasped as his fingers started to play with her. She moved one hand from his back and slipped it into his shorts.

"Fuck, Ell," Maksim moaned as he buried his face in the crook of her neck. Her hard breathing, her wet body, her hand movements inside his pants.....Maksim started to lose his grip on reality.

"Baby," Ella's legs tightened around him as he pressed down closer against her and rubbed faster. "Max!"

"Do you want me to stop?" Maksim asked breathlessly as he lifted his head and looked at her underneath him.

"No, no, no," Ella said as her hands picked up it's rhythm. She shut her eyes tightly as her body tightened around Maksim's fingers and her mouth fell wide open.

Maksim captured her lips along with her moans and his name as she came apart. Her hands on him paused for just a while before she came down from her high and continued.

Maksim moved his hand out of Ella and gripped the sheets on either side of her head. She started up at him feeling like the most powerful woman on earth as she watched him fight to stay in control.

"Max," she said to him as his body started to tense. He was close, he was so close.

"Yes," Maksim lifted his head and looked at his mate.

"I love you," Ella said.

A wide smile pulled across Maksim's lips before he dropped his head between her neck and shoulder again. Ella held his head against her body as he groaned in pleasure.

"Fuck, Ella!"

Ella slowly stopped as Maksim released in his shorts. She pulled her hand out and pressed him down so that his full body weight was on her. Ella listened to his rapid breathing as she felt him soak through his shorts against her stomach.

"I love you," Maksim said breathlessly as he pressed a kiss against her neck.

Ella's heart swelled up as her body shivered from his words. She turned her face and placed a kiss on his ear as he regained his breathing. Maksim lifted his head and looked down at her for a second, before shifting his weight to one hand and kissing her.

Her lips were warm and soft as she let him kiss her anyway that he wanted to. This was his heart telling her how much he had missed her and how scared he was of losing her. Their issues were far from being resolved, but in that moment, nothing mattered.

They would deal with whatever came their way when the sun reached the height of the skies. But until then, all Maksim and Ella wanted to do was pretend everything was okay and die in each other's arms.

"I really like this on you," Maksim said as he flipped Ella on top of himself.

"Thank you," Ella blushed as she straddled him and leaned down to kiss him some more. Her butt was pushed outward as she pressed her chest against Maksim and gripped his hair. He let her have his way with his lips as his hands cupped her ass and he squeezed her.

"I want you to get some more," Maksim said as he lifted his head and kissed her. "Silk feels amazing on you, baby."

"Will you help me pick them out?" Ella asked as she felt herself get excited again for his touch.

"Yes," Maksim nodded eagerly as he picked up her scent once more. "I'll even help you try them on."

"But you didn't see the other things I bought yet," Ella pulled his bottom lip between her teeth.

"Oh fuck me," Maksim groaned. "Show me baby."

"No," Ella shook her head. "You get to see one per night."

"Don't leave me," Maksim suddenly said as his arms pulled her closer.

"I'm so over that," Ella said. "I'm so over living without you."

"I love you," Maksim gripped the back of her head and pulled her closer to his mouth.

"But I don't even like you, Maksim Radacovick," Ella teased him as she smiled against his lips.

Maksim laughed, feeling the pressure in his chest rise like hot air and disappear. Ella pulled back and sat on him as he held her hips and started up at her. The morning light coming in through the window behind them casted a halo around Ella's head. Her messy hair lit up like gold. Maksim laid back admiring her as his eyes traveled down her face to her chest. He was right after the lace not covering anything.

Ella watched the smirk on his face as he ogled her breast. She playfully smacked his arm as he reached up and tried to pull the neckline of her shirt down.

"I think we should get cleaned up," Maksim said as he sat up slowly. He held Ella as he began to scoot to the edge of the bed.

"Max!" Ella said with worry as he started to rise with her still straddling him. Her ankle wrapped around his hips as he got up and placed his hands under her bum.

"We have to save water," Maksim teased. "We gotta shower together."

"No," Ella unlocked her legs and climbed down. "You go first."

"Why?" Maksim looked down at her.

"I have something to do,"

"What?" Maksim asked curiously.

"Max, just go shower."

"Fine," Maksim said as he placed a kiss on her forehead and stepped into the bathroom.

Ella sighed as she adjusted her shirt and walked into the closet. She searched the pockets of her new jacket until she found the little slip she had taken from the lamp post the day before. Walking out, she grabbed Maksim's phone and dialed the number. 

What was your favorite part? And what do you think Ella is up to?