Chapter 7 - Maxim

Once Pearl sees the black jet with the shiny stairs that lead up to it, she looks at me like I have three heads. Awe soon takes over as she eyes it again.

"You own a jet that looks like this?" She shakes her head in disbelief, getting closer to the stairs, running her fingers up the thin metal railing. "I don't think I've ever seen anything this expensive in my life. This is stunning."

Noah Hearst and those other men would've never been able to give her an experience like this one.

I knew she would appreciate it. "I have another which is slightly smaller, but the flight to Russia is long and you should be as comfortable as possible. The windows on this plane are slightly larger, too. You'll want to look out over the landscape as we fly into the country. There's nothing quite like it in the world."

"You love Russia then?" she asks, turning to look at me with those big puppy eyes. Her cute little dimples deepen as a man walks over to her, taking her bags with a slight bow before heading toward the conveyor belt to load the bags into the plane.

"I do, it was home when I was a boy before my family moved here."

"How old were you when you moved here?" She reaches down, taking off one heel and then her other, dangling them in her fingers before climbing the stairs and into the jet.

I follow her up, hanging back just enough to get a good look at her round ass in those tight jeans. The expression on her face, when she sees the creamy leather seats and the glossy wooden furniture, is priceless. She runs her fingers over the textured linen wallpaper.

There's something right about seeing her in a place like this that makes me wonder how she reacts when she sees my home in Russia.

"Couldn't have been more than a teenager. Maybe thirteen?" I try to remember when the move became official, but it was long ago. "I went back and forth a lot for those first few years before I got older. My father had business overseas to manage and I traveled a lot."

"Which do you prefer, New York or Russia?"

"If I never had to set foot in New York again, I would be happy." I gestured to the rear of the plane, where two doors were waiting.

Pearl wiggles her red-painted toes against the soft carpet before heading to the back and pushing open the door.

When she sees the king bed in the middle of the room, she spins to face me with crinkled eyes, merriment dancing across her vision. "I thought I told you there wasn't going to be any sex on this trip. And here you are already wanting me to join the mile-high club?"

"I'm a man of my word. When you want me, you're going to beg."

She laughs and steps into the bedroom, looking out the window at the private airport around us. "I don't think I've ever been with a man like you, certainly never one that has two jets and flies back and forth to Russia constantly."

"And how many men have you been with?"

Jealousy clings to me like a second skin at the thought of another man being with her. I want to hunt them down and ensure that they can never touch her again.

"Well, now there are a couple of very different ways I could interpret that question, Maxim. If you want to know how many dates I've gone on and genuinely enjoyed myself. Just the one. With you."

She leaves me stunned as she passes by me, her arm brushing against mine, the skin contact sending a rush of fire through my body and straight south. I want her, but if I hadn't made a promise and signed a contract she won't be here right now.

I'm a patient man. Sometimes.

For her, I can be one.

Waiting for her is going to be the worst kind of torture. In the end, I know it'll be worth it.

Pearl abandons her heels in the basket by the cockpit door. She hums to herself as she opens the bar fridge, looking in at the bottles of alcohol and selecting a small champagne for herself. "Would you like anything?"

"Water."

"Just water? There's nothing else you want?" She bends over, her ass in the air, making a point to show off her curves as she reaches for the drink.

I sit down on the couch on the other side of the aisle, pre-emptively crossing one leg over the other to hide my erection from her. The last thing I need is for her to know that her teasing is working and that I'm salivating like a fucking love-struck teenager.

"Well, Pearl. If you're volunteering."

She scoffs and tosses me the bottle of water before opening her champagne and coming to sit beside me on the couch. She tucks her long legs up beneath her, thighs pressing against mine as she leans in slightly.

"You have nothing I want."

Matching her energy, I lean closer, my lips inches from hers. "Liar. I have everything you want."

"And how do you know what I want?" Her smile widens. She takes a sip of the champagne, still amused with herself. "You know, if I didn't know any better, I'd say you're a little desperate, Maxim."

She's goading me, trying to get me to say that I want her more than she wants me. If that were the truth, though, she wouldn't be sitting on the plane beside me, her body pressed close to mine, still hovering close enough to kiss.

Pearl might be fighting it now, but by the time we leave Russia, she's going to be wrapped around my little finger.

***

"I never knew the mountains could look like that," Pearl says as we fly over Krasnodar Krai.

She leans closer to the window, looking out at the snow-topped mountains, and the green trees standing tall. The clouds cascade over the mountains, looking like their fingers are reaching for the sun.

My house sits on top of one of the mountains, looking down at the valley below.

I lean closer to her, pointing at the house. "That's where we'll be staying."

Her fingers press against her mouth, holding back her gasp, but she looks at the sprawling fields that line my property. "That's your house?"

"And your house while we're here."

"I would never be able to afford a place like this, even in my wildest dreams." Her fingers drop to her lap, and she toys with the tassels at the end of her linen shirt. "I feel as if I may have worn the wrong outfit. It looks cold."

"It might be a little colder than it is in the city, but the sun heats the land quite nicely during the day. There's a hot tub in the backyard as well."

"Are you telling me that because you want me to get in the hot tub or because you think we're going to have sex in the hot tub?"

Shrugging one shoulder, I smirk. "Does it matter? It all ends in you naked in my hot tub."

She laughs and all I can think about is how much I'm going to make her giggle over the weekend, how I never want to stop hearing that sound in my hallways.

The plane starts its descent toward the little airfield out back and within half an hour we're landed and standing outside the plane.

Pearl wanders down the stone path, looking up the trees that line it. "I've never seen a place so green."

"Did you live in New York City for your entire life?"

"Most of it, but you know, I've traveled. I've just never seen somewhere so green with the mountains right there. It looks like I've stepped into some sort of fairytale land that only exists in movies."

"Well, if this week goes to plan, you're welcome to come here whenever you'd like."

"Are you trying to make me a kept woman, Maxim?"

"Pearl, I doubt that there is a single man in this world capable of making you a kept woman. But if there was, it would be me."

She gives the most unladylike snort I've ever heard, her cheeks coloring with that beautiful blush.

This is the real her. Not a put-together escort who spends her time charming men. She's not the woman who laughs in all the right places and says what you want to hear.

No, she's the woman who gives me a run for my money.

It couldn't be more attractive. Especially, when I get the opportunity to tame her.

"My men will be bringing the bags to the house so we can walk down there now if you'd like, or we can arrange for an ATV to take us."

Pearl looks around at the wildflowers growing. They sway with the breeze. Their muted colors shine brightly beneath the morning sun. "If you don't mind, I'd rather just walk to the house and try and take all of this in. I looked at pictures online before we came. Your property is astounding though. It looks even better than the pictures. Aesha isn't going to believe it. I hope you don't mind if I send her some pictures."

"Aesha?"

"My best friend. She's a NICU nurse back home."

"Send her some pictures as we walk down to the house then."

Pearl bounces on her toes, looking like I've given her the greatest gift ever. Her girlie youthfulness warms my heart, she's like the breath of fresh air enveloping us. It makes me happy to see her like that, even if she doesn't realize she's letting her guard down.

I can't remember the last time I walked from the airfield to my house. It has to have been years, but walking with her now and watching the way she takes in the world around her is something to be cherished.

She looks out over the mountains as if they are the first time in her entire life, she's ever seen formations that tall. For a moment she stands there so long I'm sure she's counting the trees, even though that would be impossible.

She points to one of the rivers cutting down the side of the mountain, descending into a lake below. "Can you swim down there?"

"It's cold water since it's coming from the top of the mountain. I doubt you would want to get in it."

"I hadn't thought about that. I mean, of course, I know that the mountain spring water is going to be colder. But I didn't realize it would be that cold."

"If you wish to go dive in the water one morning, then we will go jump in that lake. But I must warn you that you may shrivel up. I would hate to have to return a prune to New York. There are probably some laws against shipping fruit-shaped humans."

Dimples are on full display as she shakes her head. "This is going to be a constant game of back and forth between us, isn't it? Aren't you ever going to tire of teasing me?"

"That depends on if you're going to get tired of taunting me."

She gives me a cheeky smile. "I wouldn't hold my breath."

"Well, that's what I thought then."

Every so often on the journey down to the house, she stops to take a couple of pictures. There's a part of me that likes knowing that she's going to think about this trip long after it's over, that she wants memories and not only of what I've built here.

We reach the modern log house, the windows standing tall and looking down at the valley, light shining through them and cascading across the white oak floors.

I push open one of the back doors, leading her into the kitchen.

Pearl runs her fingers over the white stone countertops, stopping to look at the way they glitter in the sunlight streaming through the window. She turns and heads into the living room, taking off her shoes once more and allowing her toes to press into the fur rug.

"Do you hunt here? I did some reading and I learned that hunting is a great tradition up here."

"I don't have much time for it these days. I used to hunt more when I was younger. My father often brought home food for us from the woods."

"So, which is better, deer or bear?"

"Personally, I'm a fan of a good steak, however, Bear is delicious, but so is deer."

Pearl moved over to the mantle hanging above the large stone fireplace, looking at the pictures seated upon it. "Is this your family?"

"Yes, me and my cousins, and my brother, Nikita. They all used to live in Russia too, but most of them have moved to New York."

"Do they return often?"

"Every now and then. Some of them prefer Russia more than others. It's rare that we all get together here."

Pearl nods, heading down the hall, her hips swaying in a way that's making my mouth water. If it weren't for that damn contract, I'd have her in my room now, spread out on my bed and begging me for more.

She doesn't want me though. Not in that way, she made that clear.

And I don't think I've ever wanted anyone more. But I can't have her. Not yet. Knowing that I can't even lay a single finger upon her beyond the casual touch or walking her through a restaurant is driving me insane. I'm sure it's by design.

She knows exactly the hold she has over me right now and she's delighting in it. She stands at the bottom of the stairs, running her fingers along the hand-carved railing, feeling over every bump and ridge while she studies the grain of the wood. "Is this handmade?"

"Yes, me and my father built this entire house from the ground up when I was a boy. I used to think that one day I may become a carpenter and spend my life building houses in Russia. But things changed."

She looks up at me. Something changing in those mocha eyes. "You were called up to join the Bratva?"

It takes me a brief second to recover.

All this time, I didn't think that she knew about my involvement with the Bratva. Yet, here she is, proving that she knows more about me than I thought to give her credit for.

"I wouldn't say that I was called up, more that I've been a part of it since I was born, and it was time to finally take my place." Taking her by the hand I lead her up the stairs. "I was wondering if you knew who I was."

"I've done my research."

"And what else did your research tell you?"

"That being here with you is probably a bad idea." Pearl peeks inside several of the rooms we pass, looking at the thick linens on the beds and furs on the floor.

"If it's such a bad idea, then why are you here?" I stop in front of the door of the room that's hers, pushing it open.

"Call me a glutton for punishment."

"You're safe with me, as safe as any one person could be." I watch the skeptical look appear as a brief flash on her face before it disappears. "This is going to be your room. Mine is just down the hall."

Pearl steps inside the room, her hands flying to her mouth as she catches sight of the windows that stretch along the length of two walls from ceiling to floor. She walks over to the furniture painted white with little blue designs. Her fingers ran over the dresser, tracing the florals before she made her way over to the door that led to the ensuite.

"There is a bathtub on the balcony?"

"It faces the sunset. I don't know if you've ever taken a bath outside at sunset. It's something you can't possibly miss while you're here."

"Should I be expecting you to be watching me from the garden?"

"Without a doubt."

Pearl turns out of the ensuite bathroom and makes her way over to the wall of windows and another balcony. "Thank you for bringing me here. I'm sure I'm going to say thank you a million times over the next few days and it's still not going to be enough."

"Watching you enjoy yourself will be enough." I cross my arms, leaning in the doorframe and watching her take in every single detail of the room. She pulls out her phone, snaps another picture or two, takes a selfie, and sends it to her friend.

"Is there anything you want to do while you're here?"

"Hunting. I think that while I'm here, it's only right that I take part in some of the traditions. I really do want to learn about your country and your life."

My chest fills with pride as I look at the woman in front of me. I can't think of another person I could've brought to my home that would've wanted to take part in my customs instead of spending their day looking out over the mountains and relaxing.

Once again, the choice I made in selecting Pearl seems like a good one.

"Very well then, we'll go hunting in the morning."

Pearl nods, stepping closer to the massive bed against the center of one wall, running her fingers over the soft sheets before falling on her back and staring up at the canopy above her. "This is the softest bed I've ever laid in."

"Well, I hope you continue to enjoy it. I'm sure you need your rest after that long flight. I can have your bags brought up here later. And when you're ready, you can come downstairs. I'll make you something to eat."

"Is your staff not going to be staying in the house with us?"

"Are you secretly asking me if men with guns are going to be surrounding the property the entire time I'm here?"

"The thought had crossed my mind once or twice. I'm no stranger to men and their security teams, or criminals for that matter. But if we were truly to relax on this vacation, I don't think I want to be seen as a threat. Not as long as you're okay with sending them away, of course. It's your decision as this is your home and I wouldn't want to have to go around and change things."

"Pearl, you're rambling. I invited you here to spend time alone with you and get to know you. My men will be on the property, but they will be at the far edges of it. You'll be lucky if you even see a single one of them."

"Maxim, are you bragging about your size?"

Laughing, I push off the frame and turn for the door, reaching for the brass handle. "Have a good nap, Pearl. I'll see you when you wake up."

"Will you tell me about how you built the house with your father when we eat later?"

"I'll tell you whatever you want to know, as long as you're willing to talk to me about yourself as well."

"You're not going to give up, are you?"

"I'll give you one of mine right now if you give me one of yours." I walk over to the bed, leaning over and bracing my hands on either side of her head, hovering just above her. All I can think of is how I want to close the space and kiss her lying lips.

As she looks up at me, her breath hitching slightly, she whispers. "Fine. This is going to be the best date of my life."

"I know you're an escort."

When her mouth drops open, I stand and spin for the door, heading out and shutting it behind me.

For the first time since talking to her at the charity event, I feel like I have the upper hand. I'm going to need it if I'm going to convince her that she will be mine.