The Mail Order Billionaire (DC Billionaires Book 3) Page 10

  Novak appeared to be in need of stronger public support, according to documents Maxim later read during breakfast. A servant poured him a second cup of coffee, and he asked, “Countess Deanna?”

  “Still with her assistant, sir.”

  He had hoped to see her for breakfast. Before sitting down, he’d learned she was up early for tutoring lessons in the official language. That would benefit her greatly when connecting with the people. He hoped she had found time to eat since they wouldn’t have lunch for a few more hours.

  “Good morning!” Deanna entered their breakfast room with a smile on her face. Her pronunciation of the greeting in Degonian was perfect.

  “Very good.” Maxim wiped his mouth and stood.

  She kissed him on the cheek and took a seat across from him at their small table. Her gaze moved out the window they sat next to. “Beautiful day, isn’t it?”

  “Still supposed to be a little chilly.”

  “Well, I’m excited.”

  “Lessons went well?”

  She smiled brightly. “Yes, very.”

  He studied her face for any resentment for last night. They hadn’t discussed when they would truly be a married couple. He wanted to give her as much space and time as she needed. What if she didn’t want him anymore after last night? Given his reputation, did she laugh?

  “Excellent. We leave in thirty minutes, if you want to eat something first.”

  “I was told we’d be traveling up north to greet some of the farming communities.”

  “That’s correct. I have a few initiatives for that industry. This will give me an opportunity to see if my goals can align with our capabilities.” She nodded while buttering sweet bread. “How long have you been awake?”

  “Hours.” She bit into the bread. “I’m starving, actually. The tutoring session lasted about three hours. Before that, I went to exercise.”

  “Good. You found the gym.”

  “One of the servants led me to it.”

  He coughed, took a swig, and then cleared his throat. “How’d you sleep?”

  Something briefly flickered in her eyes. “Good, considering it’s a new place. What about you? You still look like you’d rather climb back into bed.”

  For a different reason. He had to make up for last night. “I slept fine. I…have a lot on my mind.” A lot of her, actually. She looked innocent enough, if not for the slight lift at the corners of her mouth.

  “Well, my tutor said I’m a natural at learning languages. Perhaps I should’ve studied them.”

  “What would you have been if you had?”

  “An explorer, definitely.” She laughed lightly, her eyes shining with childlike enthusiasm.

  Maxim wondered if she actually did want to do something different. Without the weight of her parents’ judgment, if she could be anything she wanted to be, would she still be a matchmaker? “Like Indiana Jones?”

  She wrinkled her cute little nose. “I’m not sure I’d do all of that. Maybe a simple dig somewhere, or searching for a long-lost city in a jungle somewhere. Wait”—she held up a hand and shook her head—“scratch that last part. A dig where I could go back to a hotel every night is about as much adventure as I’d want.”

  Maxim laughed. “Remind me never to take you camping.”

  “A nice, large log cabin would be nice.”

  “To the east, there are mountains that are snow-capped year-round. We have a log cabin that, I believe, will suit your expensive tastes.”

  “Not expensive,” she muttered and then ripped at the pastry with her teeth. Maxim grinned and stood. He leaned over her, and when she tilted her head back to look at him, he planted a swift kiss on her lips. She tasted sweet.

  “I’m sorry about last night,” he whispered.

  She blinked. “What do you mean?”

  At least she wasn’t the type to shred his ego. “I’ll make it up to you. Promise.”

  Both of their assistants entered and declared ten minutes until they had to leave. Maxim had the rest of Deanna’s breakfast wrapped up so she could eat it on the way.

  Two hours later, they were in the countryside. Early spring buds peeked out of the earth and bushes, the first sign of fruit dangling from the trees. Experts predicted a short spring, but a huge summer harvest after the long winter.

  Usually when Degonia had a mild winter the previous year, that meant storms for the next. Maxim hoped to bring innovative technology to some of the farming villages that would help save dormant crops and the land when Degonian winters were harsh.

  “But now there is talk that Velin isn’t going to ratify contracts because of…” The governor sheepishly looked at Deanna.

  “Because I didn’t marry his daughter, you mean?” Maxim clipped.

  “Forgive me, Your Highness.” The governor bowed his head. “I mean no offense. It’s just…we were promised…”

  “Then shake hands with me.” Maxim held out his across the table. “I have my own contracts I’d like to present. If you still want a business partner, allow me to aid your work here. It’s one of the reasons why I chose your village to visit first.”

  The governor firmly grasped Maxim’s hand. “We look forward to it, Your Highness.”

  Maxim grinned at Deanna. Her tense features relaxed, and she nodded.

  Winning over the people.

  Chapter 16

  Deanna placed one foot in the stirrup, her eyes going to the large black one staring back at her. Her left hand tentatively grabbed the horn of her saddle, while her right went to the cantle. She held her breath. Her horse craned his neck further, keeping eye contact. He looked as unsure as she felt.

  “You’ve never ridden before?” Maxim asked from behind. His waist brushed the back of her, causing her to tremble. Or was it fear from the massive, two-thousand-pound piece of thirty-mile-per-hour flesh in front of her? He placed two large hands on her hips and gently squeezed. Warmth shot straight to her knees, making them go squishy.

  It was definitely Maxim.

  “No. How hard could it be?”

  “It’s very easy, Countess. This here is one of our most docile horses. I promise,” the governor said, hands clasped in front of him in the most humble of poses.

  Deanna and her horse continued their staring match. Please, please, please don’t throw me, she silently communicated to the animal.

  Maxim’s stubble grazed her cheek. He spoke into her ear. “The best thing to do is not show fear.”

  Easier said than done.

  “Up you go!” Maxim effortlessly lifted her, and Deanna swung her right leg over. She sat as straight as she could.

  Maxim chuckled. “You look like a natural.”

  “That’s the idea.”

  Maxim had arranged for some time alone. A ride through some of loveliest parts of the northern country. He wanted to take a look around, and Deanna was curious as well. After last night’s dinner, she was looking forward to getting away and not hearing another unkind word about how wrong they were for each other.

  They started off with the villagers waving farewell. Deanna didn’t want to, but she ventured to hold the reins with one hand while the other waved.

  “Very good, Deanna,” Maxim said. “Photographers are up ahead. Make sure to smile and wave. Look relaxed.”

  “I have a giant animal under my rump. It’s hard to be relaxed.”

  Maxim chortled. “You’re its master. Hold the reins like I taught you, and it’ll obey your every command.”

  She waved and smiled at the photographers, and within minutes, they were off the road and wandering through sloping green hills.

  “Do you know where we’re going?” Deanna asked.

  “Uh, sure. There’s a particular farm I’d like to see. Perhaps talk to the owner and ask them some questions about the crop. He sent me an email about a year ago, and I’ve been a little slow at replying.”

  “A little?”

  “I plan on making it up to him. Shouldn’t take too long to ge
t there.”

  “How far away?”

  “Several miles.” He looked at her mischievously. “Want to race?”

  “Are you crazy?”

  “It’ll be fun. You’ll enjoy it.”

  “I’ll go flying off the back.”

  “I won’t let anything happen to you. Promise.”

  Deanna shook her head. She was a novice rider. The only other time she remembered being on a horse was when she was about ten or twelve. Somewhere in the Middle East. And her father was riding in front.

  “All right. How about we trot? Lightly tap him and follow my lead.” He began trotting, the distance between the two of them growing greater by the second. He looked back to see how she was doing.

  She kept walking.

  “Tap him!”

  Deanna let out a quick, frustrated breath and did as she was told. The horse picked up speed. She made jerking noises as she bounced up and down in the saddle. Squeezing her thighs tighter, she eventually steadied herself. Maxim had stopped his horse and waited until she was a few feet behind him before tapping his horse again.

  The countryside was beautiful. Although large puffy clouds blocked most of the sun, trees were greening, and few patches could be found in the grass. Large rocks jutted out of the sides of the hills and made mini cliffs. “I can see why you’re drawn to this place.”

  “Can you?” Maxim inhaled deeply and exhaled with a smile. “It’s not the city, but it’s quiet, the air is fresh, and I’m instantly calmer. Quite different from the South.”

  “More industrialized?”

  “Exactly. Noise, smog, trash… Here in the North, all you see is the majestic beauty of God’s creation. It’s images like this that drove me to be as successful as I am. I want to make Degonia more like this. I don’t mean back to farming days, but I want more green, more beauty. I don’t want this land to suffer. It should be prosperous, and the people who take care of it.”

  “That’s a lovely vision.”

  His uncertain gaze roamed her face. “Really? I wonder…”

  “Why?”

  He shrugged. “I need to talk about it with Novak, but he doesn’t have the same passion for it as I do.”

  “You think he doesn’t see its importance?”

  “Maybe. Or it could be that his interests have to include the entire country.”

  “The two of you will likely have different passions.”

  Maxim was silent for a few minutes. Deanna watched emotions play across his face. Frustration, fear, and finally determination. “I suppose I don’t really know what his passions are. He’s always been groomed for the throne. Nothing else mattered.” He frowned.

  “I wonder if he feels as trapped as you do,” Deanna offered. “Think about it. You were able to leave and live in America—”

  “Not really.” He chuckled.

  She smiled. “Well, you did. You escaped. Your brother doesn’t have that luxury. You married the woman you wanted—and before you say anything…” She narrowed her eyes and pointed an accusing finger at him.

  Maxim laughed harder, a hand over his heart. “I married the one I wanted.”

  “Nicely done, Your Highness.”

  “I’m no fool.”

  “What does he have that he can call his own? And I’m not talking about the charities and foundations. Those are carried down. Tradition. Even his marriage was arranged, even if they’re well-suited.”

  “You’re saying I should have more empathy for my brother’s situation.”

  “Not saying you don’t. But when you talk to him, remember he’s more trapped than you are.”

  “Hmm…” Maxim’s face stiffened, considering her words. Then he nodded.

  A drop of water splashed right between Deanna’s eyes. She looked up. “Uh…I think—”

  Lightning split the clouds, and booming thunder followed. Deanna’s horse made a neighing sound and spastically plodded the ground.

  “Whoa, whoa,” Deanna said, rubbing his neck calm him.

  She and Maxim looked up. When had the gray clouds come? A downpour crashed pellets of water, soaking them in a matter of seconds.

  “There’s the farmhouse up ahead!” Maxim shouted over the rain. “Follow me. Ride hard!”

  He kicked his horse and it took off. Deanna gripped her reins tightly, kicked the belly of her horse, and yelped as the animal leapt forward. She kept her head down and her hands around the horn, holding on for dear life. She trusted the horse wouldn’t stray from the path set before him by Maxim’s horse. Darkness had rapidly fallen, and she squinted to make out Maxim’s form through the heavy sheet of rain.

  As they neared the farmhouse, Deanna expertly slowed her horse to a stop. She waited for Maxim to dismount and then help her down. Deanna put her hands over her eyes and cast a glance around. No animals, no crops.

  After Maxim tied up the animals in a barn on the other side of the small patch of worn ground Deanna thought was once a garden, he rushed back over to the front door.

  “I tried it, and no one answered.”

  Maxim banged on the door, calling out, and then he pushed his way in. Deanna quickly followed.

  The house was eerily quiet. No lights shone, and the chill of the air burned the moisture on her skin. Maxim turned his phone light on. Empty built ends framed the fireplace. Sparse tables and zero pictures on the wall made the home feel even colder.

  “I think this place has been abandoned,” Maxim said softly.

  Deanna wiped her finger on the table. She rubbed away the dust. “Is this the farm you wanted to visit?”

  “It is,” he grumbled.

  “I wonder how long it’s been empty.”

  “So do I. The governor said he was sure the family was still here.”

  “It was a family?” Deanna’s heart sank. What had happened to them? Why did they quit farming?

  “A husband and wife with four children. Actually, I met them before I left for America. Told them I’d return and visit.”

  She grasped his hand. “You kept your word.”

  “Too late, apparently.”

  He released her and moved to the fireplace. “There’s some wood here.” He grabbed a few logs from the firewood rack. “I’ll make a fire.”

  “And I’ll turn on the heat. Maybe the power wasn’t shut off.” Deanna tried a few switches and then the thermostat without luck. When she returned to the living room, Maxim had already found the matches and was growing the flame.

  He rubbed his hands on his pants, stood, and grinned. “We have fire, m’lady.”

  Deanna snorted. “Quite an accomplishment.”

  He arched a brow. “There are other ways to keep warm, if that’s what you’re insinuating.”

  It wasn’t, but then the image of him carrying her to bed filled her vision. Face hot and tongue swollen, she looked away and hurried toward another opening. “Let me see if I can find some food.”

  “Run all you want, Countess. You’ll come back to the fire eventually.”

  “But will you still be awake?” she shot back and then covered her mouth. She did not just say…

  “What was that?” His deep voice filled the room. Deanna turned slowly. Arms folded over his chest, Maxim leaned in the doorway. Dark, lustful eyes raked her. “I didn’t catch that last part.”

  She cocked her head to one side. “I’m sure you did. And I was just teasing.”

  “I’m not.”

  “Maxim…”

  Long legs closed the distance between them. He crushed her to his chest and savagely captured her mouth. The swift snaps of her zipper sounded in her ears. A cool breeze on her chest made her shiver, but soon warmth surged from her back around her waist and up to her chest as his hands claimed every inch they touched.

  His strong arms came around her waist underneath her jacket. Deanna curved into his torso. He nibbled at her bottom lip, firing the tender nerves, a sensual mix of sweet and sore.

  “I’m…supposed to…find something…for us
to…eat…”

  Maxim chuckled and nipped at the sensitive flesh above her collarbone. “I’ve found what I want to eat.”

  He dragged her back into the living room, now glowing amber with the crackling fire. Maxim stripped off Deanna’s jacket and removed his between kisses. Deanna melted between the heat of the fire at her back and the hard warmth of Maxim at her front. “Maxim…”

  “I’m not falling asleep this time,” he growled.

  Deanna chuckled and then yelped. Maxim had lifted her into his arms and laid her on the couch. “Don’t go anywhere,” he whispered against her lips and then disappeared into a hallway.

  Deanna hugged herself and shivered, desire pooling into her belly. Was this too soon? Her algorithm was perfect, and Maxim—so far—had been the perfect gentleman. She rubbed her chest, her strumming heart pounding into her ribs.

  This was expected, wasn’t it? She was his wife and he her husband. They were clearly physically attracted to each other, but…something was missing. Deanna bit her lip and stared into the fire. The violent whipping of golden flames struck fear in the deepest parts of her soul.

  She wasn’t ready.

  Not to give up of herself like she had with her first husband. He had stolen her ability to trust, to be completely vulnerable. The pain from that morning flooded back, and she curled in on herself.

  “Deanna?”

  Two hot hands on her shoulders snapped her back into the present. She cried out and stared into Maxim’s concerned eyes.

  “What’s wrong? You’re trembling.” He sat next to her, and she scooted to the edge of her side.

  “Deanna…” Maxim watched her, his face falling. “I’m not going to hurt you,” he whispered.

  He reached out to her, but she only stared at his hand. As her mind began to recognize where she was, her shoulders relaxed, as did the rest of her body. She closed her eyes. “I’m sorry,” she said softly. “I was…somewhere else for a while.”

  “Will you tell me where?” She searched his face for an ulterior motive. “What happened between you and your ex? Help me understand so I can know what to do.”

  “Why should you want to do anything?” she asked somewhat sharply.