Chapter 34

"Ella!" Maksim hollered from the living room. "Come on! We're going to be late."

"2 more minutes," Ella called out from the bathroom. "I promise."

"We have reservations," Maksim groaned as he leaned back on the sofa. "You been in there for an hour."

"My hair isn't listening," Ella whined.

"Your hair is fine. Now let's go."

"Max! Stop being so impatient,"

"I swear to god, woman," Maksim jumped to his feet and stomped over to the bathroom. He pushed the door open and froze.

Ella stood in front of the sink twisting her hair up into a messy bun. Her body was draped in that amazing silver satin dress that moved over her curves like water. Her bum was pushed outward as she leaned closer to the mirror to check her makeup.

"Didn't anyone tell you it's rude to stare?" Ella smiled as she watched the stunned prince in the mirror at the door.

"Huh?" Maksim asked without being able to take his eyes off of Ella's round ass.

He was drooling over her legs. They stretched on for days, ending only at the sparkling silver red bottoms. Her skin was glowing like a fresh glazed donut.

"Wow," Maksim said as he took a step forward.

"Do you like it, your highness?" Ella smiled in the mirror. "Does it please the court?"

Maksim let out the breath he was holding as he chuckled, "It pleases something, alright."

Ella shook her head as she cleaned up the corners of her mouth. She felt Maksim step closer under her bum brushed against him. To tease him a bit more, Ella leaned back against him and wiggled her bottom.

Maksim's hands shot out as he gripped her hips and made her stop. He looked down and laughed as he shook his head in disbelief.

"You're going to kill me," he said leaning down and placing a kiss on her shoulder. "Maybe we can go see the tower tomorrow?"

"Tomorrow?" Ella raised a brow. "Then what would we do now?"

Maksim's eyes darkened as he brushed his lips along her neck before reaching her ears.

"There's a lot of things I want to do with you right now," he whispered.

"Like what?" Ella asked, breathless and hot.

"I want to pick you up and sit you down on the sink," Maksim nibbled on her earlobe. "And then I want to slide my hands up your thighs...."

"And then?" Ella asked impatiently.

"Then I want to explore what you have on underneath this killer dress," Maksim smiled as he pressed hot kisses back down her neck.

"No much," Ella whispered, earning a low growl from her mate.

"Your call babe," Maksim looked up and locked eyes with her in the mirror. "We can go or we can stay."

Ella rolled her eyes as he pulled her hips closer to him and lowered his mouth to her shoulder.

"You say it's my call but you're trying to get me to pick one over the other," she said.

"I didn't say I was going to play fair."

"Max," Ella wiggled out of his arms. "You were hounding me to get ready and now you want to stay?"

"Only because I think I might go to jail tonight,"

"What?" Ella asked in confusion.

"If anyone stares at you for too long in that dress, I will have to kill them in the most violent way possible."

"What a caveman," Ella laughed as she pushed him aside and stepped out of the bathroom.

"At least let your hair down, please," Maksim followed her out. "Your back is completely open."

"It's a backless dress."

"Do you know now to take bail money out of my account?"

A laugh bubbled out of Ella as she watched the look on Maksim's face. He was struggling so hard between looking at her face and looking at her chest.

"Forget the rest of the world, I need to protect myself from your eyes," she said as she crossed her hands over her chest and stuck her tongue out at him.

"Man," Maksim laughed, running a hand through his hair. "If I could go back in time, I would tell myself to let you win every fight, every race, every game. I would tell myself not to screw up because Ella Dunbar will get her revenge on you."

"That's right," Ella said, taking her hair down. "But I adored you back then so I wouldn't want you to go back and change a single thing."

"You adored me?" Maksim asked with a goofy smile on his face. "But you used to always hit me."

"Because you never got the hints!" Ella rolled her eyes.

"What hints?" Maksim asked in confusion.

"Exactly," Ella laughed as she picked up her coat.

Maksim took a step forward and held it for her as she slipped her arms in. she pulled her hair out and he buttoned her up.

"Where are we going?" Ella asked.

"Dinner first," Maksim said as he held his hand out for his love. "Now tell me about these hints."

"I'll tell you at dinner," Ella laughed.

When the couple arrived at the lobby, Maksim led Ella out to the street where a silver Aston Martin waited for them. Upon seeing the classic car, Ella gasped and turned to her mate.

"To match your dress," Maksim said, kissing her cheek.

"Who are you?" Ella chuckled in amazement. "James Bond?"

"Only if you'll be my Bond girl,"

"Yes!" Ella said in excitement.

Maksim gave her another kiss as he held the door open for her. The photographers lit up the street like a firework show as they fought to get the perfect shot of the car, the prince, and his princess. Ella knew by tomorrow morning they would be all over the news and every newspaper. But she was too excited to care.

All she could think about was how good her Prince Charming looked as he waved to the camera and walked around to the driver's side. He was dressed in a black sweater and a black bomber jacket . His hair was slightly messy as the wind played with it. His eyes were bright and his smile even brighter. Ella could watch him for days.

As Maksim climbed into the car, he put his hand on Ella's tight and started the car. Ella rolled the window down and let the cold winter hair blow through her hair as they drove down the streets of Paris. She felt like she was in a dream or a movie. Maksim got equally as excited watching Ella enjoying herself.

After a short ride, Maksim parked outside a restaurant and came around to help Ella out the car. He held her close as they walked through the crowd of reporters into the building. The owner of the restaurant came out and greeted Maksim and Ella before showing them to the private dining area upstairs.

The whole second floor was reserved only for them. The restaurant had gone all out with red roses, candles, and dim lighting. Maksim thanked the man as he pulled the chair out for Ella.

"Did you plan all this?" Ella asked as he helped her take off her coat.

"Yes," Maksim said, a bit nervous. "Why? Is it too much?"

"I love it," Ella smiled as she took a seat.

"Really?"

"Yes," Ella nodded. "I'm learning to not expect subtlety from you. It's really not your style."

"What's my style then?" Maksim laughed as he took the seat across from Ella.

"This," Ella said looking around. "Over the top. Pushing the envelope of what's possible."

"I told you, I want to give you the world."

"You are my world," Ella smiled, taking his hand. "All I need is you."

"You have me, for as long as you want me."

"Promise?"

"I promise," Maksim kissed her hand. "Now. Tell me about those hints."

Ella let out a breath as she laughed, "Ugh it was so long ago."

"Tell me," Maksim urged her.

"Okay...... do you remember that one time during the summer I was telling you about that boy I met at math camp?"

"Kind of,' Maksim nodded.

"There was no boy from math camp!" Ella said. "I wanted to see if you would get jealous. I told you he was my new best friend and you just went along with it."

"Wait," Maksim looked up. "What?"

"You told me Margo was your best friend so I made up a random boy and told you he was my best friend."

"Ella Dunbar!" Maksim said in surprise. "I actually remember this now. I went home and asked my dad why people wouldn't have two best friends. I was heartbroken. You said this math guy held your hand when you went swimming."

"I had to keep up the game because you were so dense," Ella laughed.

"I was 10 years old!" Maksim said in his defense. "I had no idea you were making this whole web for me to fall into."

"Okay fine, fine."

"What else?"

"Nothing else,"

"You are a terrible liar."

"Ugh," Ella rolled her eyes. "Okay..... There was another day. I think we were like 11....maybe. But I saw a movie where the girl got scared and the boy held her hand and told her he would keep her safe."

"Let me guess," Maksim laughed. "I failed the test."

"Horribly,' Ella said. "We went into the woods and I pretended to be scared so you would hold my hand but you! You just laughed at me when I screamed."

"I'm sorry," Maksim threw his hand over his chest and laughed uncontrollably.

"It's not funny," Ella said, kicking him under the table. "You were always such a clueless idiot."

"I was always nervous around you," Maksim confessed.

"What? Why?"

"Because, Ms.. Dunbar, you were blind. You never noticed that I had a huge crush on you."

"Really?" Ella blushed. "I had a crush on you too....but only like a little bit."

"Why a little bit?"

"You were a pain,"

"But you always came back."

"Because I knew no one else would put up with you."

Maksim didn't answer. His dreamy eyes watched her as she grew shy under his gaze. Slowly Maksim reached forward and took her hand again.

"You were always saving me from myself, weren't you?" He asked. "And even now."

Ella didn't know what to say as Maksim pressed a kiss on her hand. She smiled as she hoped he could read her eyes and understand all the feelings she couldn't put into words.

For the rest of dinner, Maksim and Ella talked about things they remembered from when they were young. Ella had never laughed so much in her life as they talked about horseback riding, swimming in the lake, teasing Clare and letting Adeline dress Maksim up. By the time they finished dinner, Ella's sides and cheeks were in pain.

"It's so late," Ella said as Maksim walked her out of the restaurant. "Isn't the tower close by now."

"Exactly how we want it," Maksim smirked.

Ella didn't ask anymore questions as she let Maksim surprise her. She wiggled in her seat happily as they drove closer and closer to the simmering iron lady. Maksim took Ella's hand once he parked and tugged her along. She was a ball of energy as she giggled and laughed in anticipation. As they approached the tower, she paused to stare up at it.

"It's so beautiful!" Ella said as her eyes reflected the brilliant light display.

"Like you," Maksim pulled her into his arms and pressed her to his chest. "I have a surprise for you."

"What is it?" Ella turned her head to look at him.

"Keep your eyes on the tower," Maksim said pointing.

Ella followed his instructions. She felt him place his chin on her shoulder as he began to count in her ears.

"5...4...3...2.......1,"

Suddenly, all the lights on the tower switched off all at once. Ella gasped and tried to look back at Maksim but he stopped her. He urged her to keep looking at the tower.

Ella moved her eyes back as the iron lady lit up against the night sky in a romantic shade of pink.

"My lady looks best in pink," Maksim whispered into her ear. "So now even the iron lady envies her."

"Max!" Ella spun around in his arms. "Og my god!"

"I love you," Maksim said cupping her face. He brought his lips down to her and kissed her tenderly. Ella melted against his touch as she looped her arms around his neck and pulled him closer. Her feet lifted off the ground as Maksim spun her around in the air.

"Ready to go upstairs?"

"Can we?" Ella shrieked.

"Babe, I just lit up the Eiffel tower for you and you think I can't get you upstairs?"

"Sorry," Ella giggled.

Maksim kissed her once more before they headed for the base of the tower. He held her close to him as they rode the different elevators and ended up on top of the Eiffel tower.

Ella's skin was glowing under the pink light display as she scanned the city of love. Maksim held her firmly as he watched her. He didn't need to see the city, all he needed to see were her eyes and that smile on her lips.

"I feel like I'm the king of the world," Ella laughed as she leaned closer to the railing to look down.

"Nope, don't do that." Maksim stopped her.

Ella turned around and moved back into his arms, "Or maybe the queen of the world."

A small frown developed on Maksim's lips as he pushed Ella's hair out of her face.

"You won't be queen anymore," he said with a hint of sorrow in his voice. "I'm sorry."

"What?" Ella laughed. "Don't be sorry. I love you. You will always be my king."

Maksim smiled from her words. He kissed her forehead as she huddled closer to him for warmth.

"And your parents will calm down in a few days," Ella sighed. "You will have your crown back."

"No," Maksim said looking out over the city.

"Yes," Ella said. "I will make sure of it. I will make sure you get your crown back."

Maksim turned to Ella and chuckled, "You're going to be the kingmaker?"

"Yes," Ella nodded. "I will make you king."

"I love you," Maksim smiled. "You are too cute."

"I love you too," Ella kissed him. A strong wind blew through the sky making Ella's hair fly all over the place. Maksim laughed as she tried to tame her locks.

"Let's go before you get blown away," Maksim said as he pulled Ella's coat tightly around herself. "Or would you like to stay for a while longer?"

"No, I'm ready to go home now," Ella said.

For the rest of the night, Maksim stayed pretty silent. The way down from the tower he held Ella in his arms and kissed her hungrily in the empty elevators. When they arrived down stairs, he had to take a moment to collect himself before they stepped out.

Ella was a puddle of sparks and shivers as they drove back to the hotel. Maksim kept his hand on her thigh as he drove back. With every little bump of the rode his hands would move and Ella's breath would hitch in her throat. The insides of her tights had never felt so sensitive before. She felt every brush of his finger as if he was made of pure electricity.

But when they arrived at their room, Ella started to notice Maksim was a bit too quiet. She watched him take off his coat and place it on the hanger and walk back out, all the while avoiding eye contact with her.

"Max?" Ella said in a small voice. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing, love," Maksim sighed.

"Something is on your mind,"

"It's nothing," Maksim shook his head.

"Don't do that," Ella frowned. "We just had an amazing second date. Don't shut me out now. I'm going to overthink all night and try to figure out where I went wrong."

"Woah, Ell," Maksim jumped to his feet and cupped her face. "Baby, you did nothing wrong. I'm not upset or mad at you. I had one of the best nights of my life."

"But something is on your mind,"

Maksim sighed as he leaned his head against her, "I'm sorry."

"Tell me what's on your mind."

"Honestly...." Maksim sighed again. "It's really nothing."

"Max...."

"I'm.....I'm thinking about what happened with my title."

Ella's heart began to sink to the pit of her stomach.

"My whole life moved around this crown and this title of king," Maksim said slowly. "I was told I had a big role to play. I was an important part of some bigger picture."

"You are," Ella said looking at him.

"But I didn't feel like it," Maksim confessed. "I didn't feel like I had a role..... Or even a purpose."

Ella frowned as she listened to his words. He had never spoken to her about this and she would have never guessed either.

"I always felt like I was an understudy of some play," Maksim said. "Just always waiting around backstage with nothing to do."

"But then I did what you told me. I went out and I tried to connect with the people of the town."

Ella smiled remembering how proud she was off him when he had done that.

"That was the first time I felt like I was really doing something with my title," Maksim said to Ella as he took a step back and sat down on the bed. "I felt as if I had a purpose. As if I needed to do something. And then once again I felt that same feeling today when we were at the library."

"Ella, when I'm with you, I see the world in a different light," Maksim said as he looked up at his mate standing in front of him. She walked in between his legs and held his face as he spoke. "I see all that I could be doing. All that I should be doing. And then it makes me think....if I were to be king......my life would be spent in meetings and policy making."

Ella tilted her head in curiosity, "What are you saying?"

"I'm saying that I want to do more than just sit on the throne," Maksim sighed. "I have you. And that's all I need. I don't need a crown. I need you and hope that we can make our world a little better somehow."

"Max," Ella smiled as she kissed his lips. "I love you."

"I love you so much, baby," Maksim kissed her back. "Thank you for coming into my life."

"You have so much goodness in your heart," Ella sat down on his lap and looked into his eyes. "Don't think it'll vanish if you wear a crown."

"I know," Maksim nodded. "But I will be limited in what I can do."

"Says who?" Ella gave a soft laugh. "You decide how you want to rule. You decide if you want to be the king on the throne or the king in people's heart."

"It won't be easy."

"Well of course not," Ella nudged him with her nose. "But it's not impossible either. Don't give up on your throne. You're people need you. They need your heart of gold."

Maksim smiled slowly as he pulled Ella closer on his lap. She nudged his face up with her nose until Maksim connected their lips. Ella kissed him with all her love and trust, telling him how she knew he was good enough for the world. Her every kiss and every caress melted Maksim.

Slowly, like rising tide, their kiss grew from gentle and sweet to hot and heavy. Maksim rolled Ella onto the bed as she kicked off her heels. They fell somewhere in the room as she pulled at Maksim's sweater to bring him closer.

"Ell," Maksim said breathlessly. "Stop."

"Why?" Ella asked as she still kissed him.

"Baby, my willpower is not that strong," Maksim laughed. "I can't stop all the thought running through my mind."

"I can't stop them either," Ella said.

Maksim groaned as he pulled back and got off the bed. Ella looked up at him in surprise as he stared down at her on the bed.

"You can't say things like that," Maksim shook his head. "I'll lose my mind."

"I want you to,"

"Ella, I don't th-"

"Max, I'm telling you I want you and you're still not getting it."

"What?" Maksim blinked as he started down at her once more.

"You still can't catch the hints, can you?" Ella laughed.

"Ella..."

"I want you," Ella said with confidence. She got off the bed and moved closer to Maksim. "Unless you think we should wait longer...."

"No," Maksim said as he captured her lips. "No more waiting."

Ella threw herself into his arms as they kissed the deal close. Maksim pulled and sucked on Ella's bottom lip as he felt himself get excited against her. They pulled apart to look into each other's eyes to see if they were really doing this.

Ella nodded her head as Maksim held her face. Her heart hammered against her chest as Maksim slowly pushed her coat off her shoulder. Her eyes were lowered as her breathing hitched and her cheeks blushed. Maksim leaned down and kissed her lips so slowly that Ella began to think time was frozen for them.

Goosebumps rose all over Ella's body as Maksim began to kiss down her neck. He left a trail of wet kisses as she shivered under his touch. When he reached her shoulders, he slipped the straps down and brushed his lips over her skin. Ella pushed up to her toes and hooked her arms around his neck. She tugged at his hair as he pulled her closer. She felt her feet hover off the floor as he carried her over to the bed.

Very carefully Maksim laid Ella down on the bed. He held himself over her as she looked up at him with her eyes full of love. As she reached up and touched his face, Maksim closed his eyes and sighed.

"Max...." Ella said quietly. "I'm nervous."

Maksim opened his eyes and searched her blue eyes, "Me too."

Ella couldn't help the nervous laugh that reached her lips. She pushed herself up to her elbows and kissed the man in front of her. There was no trace of doubt in her mind that she wanted this with Maksim. She wanted to be his and only his. The thought of Maksim being the only to ever see her at her most vulnerable state thrilled Ella.

"I trust you," Ella said against his lips.

Maksim lowered himself and laid Ella back down on the bed. He kissed her words, her heart and her soul. As they laid on the bed, time stopped for them. Both were breathless and nervous. Too scared to make a mistake, but too excited to stop.

Maksim felt Ella's hands reach the hem of his sweater before she pushed it up. He let her take it off as he sat up. Ella kneeled in front of Maksim on the bed as she traced her finger over his chest and arms. His eyes followed her as his breathing picked up. She stopped over the mark on the left side of his chest and pressed a piss upon it. Maksim shut his eyes and savored the feel of her lips on his skin.

Ella slowly pulled back and climbed out of the bed. Maksim moved himself to the edge and watched her. Ella lowered the straps of her dress with her eyes locked with Maksim. He watched her wiggle her hips and slip the dress down. As it fell to her feet, she stood in front of him topless, wearing nothing but a thin black pair of underwear.

Ella felt her skin catch on fire as Maksim's eyes ran over her body. She stood frozen as he took her in, all of her. She craved his attention like she had never wanted anything in her life. Everywhere he looked, she wanted him to follow up with his hands or his lips.

Maksim was awestruck by her beauty. She was trusting him with something she had kept safe for so long. He wanted her to know she was completing him in every way possible. Maksim held out his hand and moved back on the bed. Ella walked up to him and sat down beside her mate. She swung her legs up and laid down against the pillows. Maksim couldn't take his eyes off of her. He rose from the bed and took off his jeans and then his boxers.

Ella watched him undress as a hot burning feeling started to rise in her. She feared if her heart beat any louder, it might explode. Her body tingled with anticipation as Maksim climbed on top of her. She picked up her head and kissed him hard, pulling his mouth down.

"If at any time you want to stop, tell me, okay?" Maksim said as he took a second to steady himself.

"Okay," Ella nodded her head.

Maksim reached into the nightstand drawer and pulled out a foil packet. Ella swallowed the nervousness that rose in her as she watched him tear it open and slid the condom on.

"Ella?" Maksim said as he looked up.

"Yes?" Ella looked into his eyes.

"I love you. So much."

"I love you too," Ella smiled.

"It'll always been you,"

"It's only been you," Ella whispered.

Maksim lowered himself against her naked body. He felt her gasp as he pressed against her. Her head rolled back as her lips parted. Maksim kissed the center of her chest with his eyes watching her every move. Then he moved a little lower, pressing another kiss. Every time his lips touched her, she gripped the sheets beneath her tighter. He kissed her all the way down to her lace panties.

Ella closed her eyes as Maksim hooked his fingers around the skinny strings and slid them down her legs. He dropped it by the side of the bed with all their other clothes.

"Baby," Maksim whispered as he moved back to Ella's lips.

"Yes?" Ella opened her eyes to look at him.

"Whenever you're ready," Maksim kissed the side of her head.

"Now," Ella said nodding. "I'm ready."

Maksim pressed his lips against her as he slid his hand down. He let his fingers tease her until he couldn't wait a second longer. With a deep breath he slowly moved forward.

At first, Ella tensed as she shut her eyes and bit down on her lip to keep the little whimper in. Maksim stilled immediately. His wolf hounded him to continue but he waited for Ella.

"Ell?"

"I'm okay," Ella said a bit breathlessly. "Just stay still for a second, okay?"

"Okay," Maksim kissed her cheek softly. He followed up with more kisses along her jawline until he reached his ear.

His heavy breathing and his kisses started to send Ella spirling down the rabbit hole. She wrapped her arms around him as she spread her legs open a little wider to make space for him. As if knowing what she was telling him with her body, Maksim pushed in.

Ella gripped his hair as she buried her face in his shoulders. The pain wasn't unbearable. It was just new and unfamiliar. She took long ready breaths as she listened to her body. She appreciated Maksim holding himself back because he could feel him wanting to move things much faster along. But he waited for her approval.

After a few minutes, Ella turned her face and pressed a kiss on his neck. She slowly raised one leg and placed it over his hips. Maksim slid his hand down and gripped her thigh. He picked up his head from her shoulder and looked into her heavenly blue eyes. Ella gave him a small nod as he slowly started to move.

The feeling of being inside of her was incredible. Maksim never wanted anything else. He wanted only her, day and night. As he moved Ella eased up more and more. She locked both her legs around him as he gripped the pillows on either side of her head.

When the low moans started to escape Ella's lips, Maksim was a goner. He buried his face in her neck again as he inhaled her sweet scent. Her nails scaled down his back as she held him tightly with her legs. Her sink was hot against his as he sucked on her neck. Every few seconds Maksim had to remind himself he needed to slow down. Ella wasn't complaining, but he didn't want to cause her any pain. He wanted her to feel as good as he was feeling. He wanted her to share his euphoria.

As Maksim kept a steady pace and kept the kisses going on her neck, Ella felt her core tighten. She didn't know what to do with herself as her world spun out of control and she started to call out Maksim's name.

"Damn, Ell," Maksim said into her ears as she screamed his name and begged him not to stop. "Keep doing that and you'll have me whipped."

"Max," Ella moaned his name even louder.

Maksim lifted his head to watch the ecstasy on Ella's face. Her mouth was wide open as her head rolled back and her nails dug into his back.

She was a masterpiece. And watching her in that state, knowing he was the reason she was breathless and speechless, Maksim allowed himself to join her.

Ella smiled as Maksim grunted and gripped the pillows by her head. She heard the fabric tear as he moved for a few seconds longer before pulling her into his arms and crushing her to his body.

"Ella," he said her name with a groan as he dropped his head to her shoulder. "Fuck."

Ella pulled him closer and started to kiss his shoulders. She felt him in her arms as he caught his breath. He placed his head on her chest and pinned her to the bed.

After a very long pause, Maksim lifted his head to look at his mate. She stared down at him with so much love it knocked the breath out of him once more.

"You okay, baby?" he asked.

Ella nodded, "I'm okay..... You?"

A huge smile spread across Maksim's lips, "I'm in heaven." 

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