Chapter 11

As we were now approaching fall in its early days, I woke up to dark clouds and raindrops spattering on my window. I had no idea what time it was, but I didn't feel like getting out of bed just yet. I pulled my covers up a little more and closed my eyes again. I loved the feeling of waking up early on the weekends, knowing I could doze off a little bit more instead of rushing out of bed to get to work on time. My bed felt so warm and comfortable, hearing the rain now gushing outside made me sleepy and it didn't take me long to fall asleep again.

The last week has been extremely busy at work, so no wonder I was still tired. To be honest I also stayed up a little bit too late last night. I have a bad habit to stay up late, knowing I should actually go to bed.

I didn't know after how long I woke up again, but I felt like I was well rested now. I reached for my slippers and slipped my feet into them, then I grabbed my bathrobe and put it on.

After I ate my breakfast I got dressed. I slipped into some dark blue jeans and grabbed a long sleeve shirt and put a vest over it. I put my hair up in to a pony tail and stepped into one of my many sneakers.

Being outside of work I love to wear sneakers. My feet get tired with wearing heels that much, so I love walking around in sneakers whenever I can.

Ready to go out for some groceries I heard my phone buzz.

Hey beautiful.

I'm looking forward to tonight, I hope you are too.

Max

Without realizing I smiled reading his message. I actually couldn't wait till it was 5 o'clock and he would pick me up. I was glad I had been sleeping in so long, so the afternoon wouldn't be so long.

Hi Max.

Actually I am. I'll see you at 5.

Mira

After I had send him the text I put my phone I my pocket and walked out of my apartment. It was very chilly outside and I regret I didn't wore a jacket.

As fast as I could I grabbed the groceries I needed and headed back home. I never liked going out with weather like this.

When I came back and put away my groceries I searched for a bag to take with me tonight. I put it on my bed and wondered what I would be needing.

It had been a long time since I actually went away, aside from business trips I mean.

I took a seat next to the bag and looked at my closet. So many clothes, but I got insecure by looking at them. Where they even fit for this trip? I mean should I wear something fancy or casual? Should I bring my heels or just take my sneakers? I didn't even know what we would be going to do the next day.

I heaved a big sigh and fell on my back. My eyes were closed and his blue eyes appeared in front of me. Thinking about him made my belly tingle, but I wasn't sure if they were butterflies or just the idea of him liking me.

Did I only like the idea he wanted me or was there more?

I shook my head and opened my eyes.

Mira, stop this silly nonsense. You don't like men like Max. Wealthy and handsome. Getting every woman they want.I got up and started packing my stuff. I wondered what he was planning for us and how the apartment would look like. If it was as beautiful as the houses he showed me on the business trip I think I would die. I can't believe there are actually people wealthy enough to live in them.

I was happy to live in my apartment which only had two rooms; my living room and bedroom. Of course there was a bathroom too, but that didn't really count. My kitchen was in my living room, my home wasn't that big but it was good enough for me and all I could afford.

Now that I was done packing I got nervous while waiting. I didn't know what to do with myself. Time was slowly ticking away and I checked my phone every other minute, which wasn't making it any better.

Half an hour before he would pick me up I put on my shoes, I choose my black leather boots. They were comfortable and warm and didn't had high heels. I didn't know if we had to walk a rough pad or anything to get up there so I decided to stay on the safe side.

I had traded my long sleeve shirt for a hoody and put a scarf on too. I was feeling so cold when doing groceries I didn't take any chances of being cold while being there. I redid my pony tail and grabbed my coat and put it on my bag which was neatly placed near my front door.

The doorbell rang, I heaved a big sigh and slowly walked over to open it.

There he was, casually dressed and still looking good. The maroon coloured hoody he was wearing looked good on him, together with his two day old beard he looked hot.

"So are you ready to be alone with me for a night and day, all the way up in the mountains?", he asked me with a big smirk.

"Okay, you make this sound creepy. I think I should stay home", I joked and playfully shut the door a little.

Then I opened it up again and grabbed my jacket and my bag.

"Let me take your bag", he said and took it from me before I could even say something.

We walked to his car in silence. When we got outside I was looking for his Volvo, cause that's the car I knew he had, but I didn't see it.

He walked in front of me and turned around.

"What are you doing? Come one, we have to go!", he said and opened the doors of a black Range Rover. He put my bag in the trunk where his bag was too.

I walked up to it and he opened the door for me.

"Have a seat."

"Thank you", I said and got in.

The car was beautiful. I never been in a luxurious car like this before. It's so big and the seating is so high. It was very comfortable too.

"It's going to be a long ride, so make yourself comfortable", he said while he started the engine.

I gave him a small smile, nervous for what was coming.

The first thirty minutes we didn't spoke at all. I wasn't sure what to say to him, afraid of saying the wrong things maybe.

He was concentrating on the road. From the corner of my eye I watched him. His whole face was focused, one hand casually holding on to the steering wheel and his other was leaning on his leather chair.

When we were just out of town he started talking. The surroundings were beautiful here. Only nature, an endless view of nature and I loved it.

The leaves of the trees were already turning into red and yellow here, a sign fall wasn't that far away. The mountains doomed up in front of us. They looked beautiful, the tops were white, a few grey clouds were hovering above them and the sun was setting behind them. Everything looked so beautiful, it was like we were driving up into a painting.

"Mira, are you even listening?", he asked me waving his hand in front of my face.

I craned my head towards him.

"Hmm what?"

He laughed and turned his head towards the road again.

"What were you thinking about?", he asked.

We drove up to the mountains now, away from the city.

"I was just taking in the surroundings, it's so beautiful here", I answered.

"Have you never been here?"

"Not really, no."

The further we drove up the mountains the darker it got.

"So are we almost there?"

I looked around and there were no houses or apartments near us.

"Yes in fact we are", he said as we drove up a lane.

I think it took us about twenty minutes to arrive at the house. A big lane was in front of us and he drove up to park his car in front of the house.

"I though you said it was an apartment", I stated as I looked at the house.

He craned his head my way and gave me a smirk.

"Smart girl."

"I know", I grinned.

He started laughing and until now I never realized how cute his laugh was.

"I think you will like it, even though it's not an apartment", he said while turning the engine off.

"We'll see."

We got out and I took a look again, but it was hard to see anything cause it was so dark.

Max grabbed our luggage and took it to the front door.

We stepped in and he turned on the lights.

"So welcome to my home", he said as he dropped the keys on the side table next to the stairs.

"This is yours?!", I exclaimed surprised.

He formed a cocky smile on his face and crossed his arms.

"I thought this was just an apartment that was for sale or something", I said as my eyes were feasting on the lay out.

"Take a look around, I'll go grab the rest of our stuff", he said as he opened up the door.

The house was actually more a big cabin. The main color that was used was white. The interior was very classy, yet warm and cozy.

I strolled towards the living room, which had a big window with a beautiful view. I immediately walked towards it. From this point we could see the mountains, it felt like we were on top of the world. The city lights below us seemed so far away. It was beautiful to see the city all lit up from this point. The yellow lights looked like a warm blanket. I hadn't even noticed we were up so high until now.

I didn't noticed him sneaking up on me.

"I'm guessing you like the view?", he whispered into my ear.

I turned around and faced him, our eyes met and I felt a warm feeling creeping up my body.

Then I turned my head back to the window again and said; "Yes, it's beautiful, Max."

"Come let's go to the kitchen. You must be hungry", he said and grabbed my hand.

To be honest I didn't mind it, I didn't let go until we were in the kitchen.

It was as beautiful as the rest of the house. Mahogany was the main theme here. I loved it, it suits perfectly and gave a warm vibe.

"So what's for dinner?", I asked as I pulled myself up to the kitchen counter and said down on it.

Max was busy grabbing all kinds of stuff from his refrigerator and cabinets. He neatly placed them on the counter, next to the stove.

Then he walked to the other side and opened up the big cabinet and grabbed two wine glasses from it. Next to it was a wine cooler and he grabbed a bottle from it.

He placed the glasses next to me and opened up the bottle. He poured me a glass and handed it over, then he poured himself a glass.

"To a great weekend", he said and lifted his glass to me.

"To a great weekend", I said and mimicked his action.

He started to prepare our dinner and I watched him cook. I must say the view wasn't so bad. Half way he took off his hoody, which showed a little of his stomach.

"Do you come here often?", I asked sipping my wine.

He stirred in the pan and smelled the spoon as he took it out.

"No, not really actually. It has been a while since I last been here", he said wiping his hands to a towel.

I frowned my eyebrows and looked at the food, then to him.

He started laughing, cause he knew what I was thinking.

"I made sure we had enough food to last a while. It's all fresh, don't worry", he said and winked at me.

"Maybe I don't want to be here that long", I said as I hopped off the counter.

"But what if we get snowed in, then you won't have a choice", he countered.

"That would be a problem", I said laughing. "By the way, I didn't know you could cook."

"There's more about me you don't know", he said in a mysterious tone.

Then he started to get plates and placed them on the table which was next to the window.

When I got back from my bathroom break I saw he set up some candles. It looked nice. The food he had prepared was lovely. I think he does a better job at cooking than me.

"So, you want to go to the living room?", he asked as he brought our plates to the kitchen sink.

"Sure", I said and grabbed the wine glasses and the bottle to take them with us.

There were two large white couches set up. One in front of the window and one to the left, against a wall. They were full of pillows. On the white, soft rug a mahogany coffee table was placed. On the right was a big fire place with a high chimney. There were candles placed on it and a big vase. A mirror was put above it.

"Do you want me to light up the fireplace?", he asked as he came into the room.

"That would be lovely actually, I'm a little cold", I answered.

He dimmed the big lights a bit and turned the fireplace on. Then he grabbed a big fluffy white blanket from the corner of the room and a few pillows and put them in front of the fireplace. He said down in front of it and tapped his hand next to him.

A bit hesitating I strolled over to him and sat down next to him.

He draped the blanket on my shoulders and gave him a small 'thank you', smile.

We both stared at the fireplace a little while. The sound of the roaring fire, the heat coming off it and the dancing flames were hypnotizing.

"How did I end up in this beautiful place?", I broke the silence.

"I kinda asked you", he joked making a silly face.

I softly punched his arm.

"I'm glad you agreed to come with me. I knew you would love this place", he said smiling.

"I do. It's beautiful. I don't understand why you won't come here more often. It's a great place to just get away from the hectic of the city and your work. The perfect place to relax", I spoke while glaring at him.

His blue eyes mirrored the flames from the fire place in them. They looked beautiful. His look to me was dreamy, as if he weren't really here.

"I would if I had someone to take here", he answered keeping his eyes locked on mine.

"Well, now you have me!", I cheerfully said.

"Are you saying you want to come here more often with me?"

I didn't answer him. All I did was stare. His eyes were just as hypnotizing as the fire. It was hard to look away.

"Do you want another?", he asked as he lifted up the wine glass.

"Yes please."

He got up and grabbed the wine bottle from the coffee table and poured some more into my glass. Half way his glass the bottle was empty. He stood up and walked off to the kitchen to get another bottle.

I put the blanket aside me, finally warmed up a bit. It really was cold up in the mountains. I was glad I to brought warm clothes with me. This fireplace was lovely though. I loved fireplaces. They always gave me a warm and cozy feeling.

In this setting it was perfect; the dark sky to our side, the thousands of city lights, the mountains and the cozy interior. Whoever designed this had good taste. They knew how to set a mood.

Max came back with a new bottle and filled up his glass.

"I see you are warmed up", he said looking at the blanket aside me.

"You have no idea", I spit out before I even realized it.

I saw a smirk appearing on his face.

"I mean, I ... oohh!", I growled frustrated.

I was so good at saying the wrong things without even realizing it in the first place. I buried my hands in my face out of annoyance.

"You're so cute like this", he stated.

I didn't know how to react so I undid myself from my pony tail to keep myself occupied. My hair cascaded down my back and I ruffled it a bit with my hands.

Then I picked up my wine glass to take another sip.

"This wine is very good. You have good taste", I said putting my glass down again.

"Thank you. It's a hobby of mine actually", he told. "I like to purchase some of the finest wines in the country when I'm not busy with my company", he continued.

"That's nice. Do you go to auctions or do you just have a distributer or something?", I asked interested.

"Sometimes I go to auctions but I do have a distributer who contacts me when he has something good", he explained.

"What's the most expensive bottle you ever bought?", I asked picking up my wine glass.

"I think I paid around a thousand dollars", he thought out loud.

"Really? Oh my God!", I exclaimed. "Then it must have been really good."

"You know, to be honest I didn't drink it yet", he said.

"What? How can you buy a thousand dollar bottle of wine and not drink it?", I wondered curiously.

"I am saving it for a special occasion", he said while he grabbed my glass from me and put it down.

He looked me in my eyes and carefully tugged some hair behind my ear. He was so close to my face I could feel his breath on my face.

"You have beautiful hair. It's so soft", he said while stroking it.

"I'm glad you like my hair", I said jokingly.

His hand went from my hair to my cheek and his thumb was softly stroking it, while his eyes were penetrating into mine.

With the dimmed lights, the fire place and view this was so romantic. I didn't want to feel this way, but it was like I had no other choice. He done a good job of making me feel special and setting up a perfect mood.

My heart was pounding in my chest, anxiously waiting for his next move. His eyes moved from mine to my lips, which where his thumb was now. He stroke my bottom lip and then he grabbed my chin with his index finger and thumb. I closed my eyes and automatically moved my head towards his.

His lips touched mine and a tingly feeling shot through my body.

Slowly we both opened up our mouths, our tongues carefully explored each other. While our lips were pressed on to each other's, his hands cupped my face. Without actually realizing it I moved closer to him and our bodies were touching each other. I put my hand on his leg and he pulled me in closer, not letting go of our now passionate kiss.

I had kissed many times before, but never was a kiss so special. Never did it make me feel special. The feelings that hysterically ran through my body were new to me. No man had ever achieved making me feel what I felt at that very moment.