“He believes a man knows his woman because he begins to evolve for her, to become what she needs. You told me if the incentive was strong enough, some men could change. Aleksandr wanted Natalie more than he wanted his old ways, so he cast them aside. Isn’t that what you believe?”
“Yes.”
“I sensed something was different about you before we touched, solnyshko. When you grinned over your wineglass and told me the view from the Seltane penthouse was ‘adequate,’ I got a chill—because I had the impulse to grin. I responded to you as I never have to another, and it unnerved me.” Máxim grazed his fingers along my cheekbone. “All those years ago, when I was down in that basement, I wish I had known that on the other side of the world, there was a bold little girl fighting for her pride. And that she would come into my life one day to make it brighter.”
With a press of my lips to his forehead, I said, “Now I know that in the snowy north of Siberia, a boy was becoming a man under the harshest possible conditions.” How could Máxim have grown so confident? So at ease with power? So remarkable in every way?
He said, “You told me it happened, it hurt, and better things await me. Do they? Am I becoming what you need, Katya?”
I drew a shaky breath. “Maybe you can move on now that you’re different? Maybe you want to move on?”
He was silent for long moments, seeming to make a decision. Finally he asked, “Was this too much for you to hear?”
“No. But I hurt with you.” For the scared boy he’d been. For the man dealing with his brother’s anguish. And his own.
“I do feel . . . better. Lighter. Aleks was right. It’s a burden lifted. I would’ve had to tell you eventually, so I’m relieved it’s done.”
Because he was that certain we’d be together? My heart clamored. I wanted this man so much! He was the yearning.
“If I’d known you’d react this way, I wouldn’t have dreaded the telling so much.”
“Thank you for trusting me.”
“And you’ll give me yours in return. So we can move forward.”
Dios mío. I swallowed with nervousness. How could I not trust him?
I might have told Máxim even now—or tried to utter the words—but the look in his eyes said he needed something completely different from me. He wanted to lose himself inside me. To know pleasure and bury pain. I wanted to give him whatever he needed.
As he took me in his arms, I decided that once we got back to Miami, I was going to trust him too.
My heart skipped a beat when I realized, I’ll have to tell him eventually.
After the wedding, I’d tell him everything.
CHAPTER 32
When I kissed Máxim good-bye that afternoon, he blinked open his eyes.
After making love twice, he and I had ordered room service, then fallen asleep again. I’d gotten up and dressed before he’d awakened.
Jess and Natalie had told me to join them at three to get my makeup and hair done with the bridal party, but even after last night, I hadn’t wanted to impose. Now that it was closing in on five, I figured it wouldn’t hurt to show and see if Jess could use some last minute help.
Máxim took in my appearance.
I’d knotted my hair in a high, loose bun and looped my pearls around my neck to make a choker. Matching pearls adorned my ears. I wore minimal makeup. Against the color of my unforgettable dress, my eyes appeared amber, so I played that up with a smidge of soft tawny eye shadow.
But would he approve of my gown? “Well?”
When the designer had first suggested yellow to highlight my tan and my eyes, I’d scrunched my nose, predicting a more conservative crowd here. Then I’d tried on the simple, strapless sheath dress and fell in love.
Máxim’s gaze turned heated, his lips parting. “You are . . . exquisite, solnyshko.”
Seeing his reaction and knowing his past, I was glad I’d chosen vibrant and bold.
He met my eyes. “And you’re mine.”
I swallowed. He’d meant every word last night.
Just when I got excited, he said, “Give me ten minutes, Miss Marín.” Miss. “Let me grab a shower, and we’ll go down.”
“I thought I’d go see if Natalie and Jess needed anything.”
Tension stole through his body. “Are you . . . are you avoiding me after what I told you?”
I leaned down to cup his face. “No.” I kissed him, brief, hard. “They asked me to be there two hours ago, but I held off. Then I started getting worried about Jess’s wedding coordination today. I need to make sure that Natalie has a wingwoman. After all she’s been through, she deserves to have the most fantastic wedding.”
“Ah. I see.” He stretched his arms over his head, making my mouth water. “I’m glad you hit it off with them. Go. I’ll see you soon.”
Out in the lodge, I headed toward the pavilion. I found the bridal party in an adjoining drawing room by following the sound of laughter. Inside was crowded. I skirted past bridesmaids and friends, hair stylists, makeup artists, photographers, and a videographer to get my first look at Natalie. My jaw dropped.
Her ivory gown must’ve been taken straight from a fairy tale. The dramatic, backless work of art had a skirt of flowing silk chiffon, with tints of pink that made her pale skin shimmer. She wore her long red hair up, loosely pinned and dotted with pearls, wisps curling around her beaming face.
I exclaimed, “Dios mío, tan guapa! You’re so beautiful!”
She blushed and waved me over. “You’re one to talk—you should always wear this color! I’d hug you, but Jess has forbidden me to touch anyone wearing makeup. Or to follow anything shiny. Or to sweat.”