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“Thank you, Lewis,” Max smiled, glancing at Elana. “What do you think would be good for dinner? I think we want to stay in and relax after traveling.”
“Oh yes, of course, Mr. Max and Miss Elana,” Lewis beamed. “I was told you had no food allergies. Is that correct?”
“That’s right.”
“Care for something adventurous for dinner – or simple?”
“Adventurous,” Elana interjected with a smile, glancing at Max.
“She has spoken,” he chuckled, smiling at Lewis.
“Perfect,” Lewis smiled, winking at them. “I shall bring you my favorites at seven this evening with some candles and a little something sweet to celebrate your wedding.”
“That’s perfect,” Max smiled, shaking the man’s hand before leaning toward him, whispering. “It’s hot out and I appreciate you taking the time to make my wife feel special, explaining everything. Can you put a flower on the tray when you come back?”
Lewis nodded – and then disappeared moments later.
Max closed the door and threw the deadbolt, turning to look at Elana, who looked slightly uncomfortable and shy. He knew about her past and couldn’t imagine what torture her mind had put her through, but the fact that she was here, taking a chance on him, wasn’t lost in the slightest.
“Lewis said there was champagne in the fridge,” he began easily. “I think I’m gonna get in my swimming trunks and pop the cork on that bottle so I can relax if that’s okay with you?”
“Are you nervous?”
“Let’s see – I’m in paradise with the hottest woman in the world, who looks at me like I’m special and actually told me that she loves me… to my face,” he paused, grinning. “There’s not much further to go upward. Nope. It’s downhill from here, and I’m not ready to disappoint her.”
“Oh gosh, Max,” she chuckled softly… and kicked off her heels. “I’m just as normal as you are, and we both know it.”
“Now, that’s not true.”
“What do you mean?”
“I’ve never before seen sexy toes or ankles before in my life…”
“What?” Elana chuckled in disbelief when she just kicked off her shoes – and rolled her eyes, laughing at him. “You can be so silly sometimes.”
“You have no idea,” he teased, pulling her into his arms and kissing her softly as he touched her cheek. “I love the way you look at me – even how you roll your eyes when I’m acting stupid.”
“I don’t ever think you are stupid,” she protested softly – untucking his shirt. It took everything in him to step back away from her as he swallowed.
“I’m in no rush, and I really want this to be special, should we choose to change things between us,” he murmured and saw the glimpse of hurt in her eyes right before she looked away. Everything in him wanted to shuck off every article of clothing like a madman, but he was in this for the long run, not some quick toss in the hay.
He wanted to win over not just her heart but her mind, her soul and earn her trust. This marriage wasn’t just going to be a pair of people that got along when they were together – he wanted a best friend, someone he loved and could see himself with when he was old and he realized he needed to tell her this.
But not right now.
Right now, he needed to get her to relax, to stop looking frightened of what would be coming between them, and he sure didn’t want to do any of this if she felt obligated. Nope, he wanted to get her swimming, to unwind, and for her to realize she was safe with him… always.
CHAPTER 20
ELANA
Antigua
Paradise… and the seventh layer of Hell.
That was where she had to be.
It was sticky outside, warm out, and there were gnats everywhere in the middle of what was qualified as a rainforest in her mind. And while she didn’t want to complain, she was certainly overdressed compared to some of the other guests. The other women were wearing long flowing gauzy gowns over their swimsuits. Some had on shorts, while others were wearing party dresses walking through to the club on the back of the property… but not her.
