The Innocent Behind the Scandal (The Marchetti Dynasty 2)

My bed. She shivered at the way he said that. It was so arrogant and possessive.

‘I wasn’t aware I had to ask permission.’

‘What’s going on, Zoe? Not long ago you were—’

‘I know exactly what I was...doing.’ Her face grew hot. She wished she could be more suave about this.

Maks came into the room before she could stop him. The door closed behind him. He looked over her head and she realised he could probably see into the bedroom, where her case was on the bed.

He walked around her and into the bedroom.

She walked behind him.

He turned to face her. ‘Going somewhere?’

‘I thought I should get back to London.’

* * *

Maks was in uncharted territory. He was used to women using intimacy as a means to foster a deeper intimacy. He’d never had a woman leave his bed and try to leave the country.

His insides curdled as a possibility struck him. He turned around to face her. ‘Did I hurt you, Zoe?’

He cursed himself. He’d been so careful to make sure she was with him, but he knew at some point he’d been taken over by sheer lust and the whole experience. He’d believed she was with him all the way. He could remember the strength of her untried body clamping around his so powerfully, sending him into orbit. But maybe—

She was shaking her head. ‘No. No. You didn’t hurt me. At all. It was...amazing.’ She looked shy all of a sudden. ‘I didn’t know it could be like that. I thought something was wrong with me.’

Maks had a strong suspicion about where that notion had originated, and felt an urge to simultaneously beat that other man to a pulp and to protect Zoe.

He moved towards her, snaked a hand around the back of her neck. Needing to touch her. ‘There’s nothing wrong with you—absolutely nothing. You’re a passionate woman. I saw the fire in you the first time I met you.’

She looked at him. ‘You did?’

He nodded. How could she not see that? But then, he knew how people could be made to feel insecure—his sister was a prime example.

She pulled back, dislodging his hand, avoiding his eye. ‘I think it’s for the best that I leave. You’re hardly still interested after last night.’

‘I know you’re not someone who fishes for compliments, but last night was not like anything I’ve experienced before.’

She looked at him, her cheeks going red. ‘That’s just because I was a virgin. A novelty.’

‘Oh, was it, now? I happen to think it was much more than that. We have incredible chemistry—last night was proof of that. Or are you saying you don’t fancy me any more?’

* * *

Zoe would have spluttered if she could have. The very notion... Her every cell was aligned towards Maks right now, as if he was true north and her blood was full of iron filings.

‘No, I’m not saying that. But maybe it’s better to just...end it now before it gets too...’ She trailed off.

‘Complicated?’ Maks asked, and then he said, ‘I won’t let that happen. I’m not in the business of allowing things to get complicated.’

He sounded so sure of himself.

‘Last night felt pretty intense. I’m not experienced, Maks. You do this all the time, and you move on. I’m afraid I won’t be able to and that scares me.’ Zoe bit her lip and then continued, ‘You called me a warrior last night. I’m not a warrior, Maks. Anything but. I’m terrified of everything. That’s why I don’t commit to anything.’

Maks took her hand and sat down on the bed, pulling her down onto his thigh. ‘Your whole family died in one moment, Zoe, it’s no wonder you’re scared. But you survived. You’re a survivor.’

Zoe bit her lip for fear she’d let something else tumble out. The truth was that Maks didn’t know the half of it. How guilty she felt for having survived. How her whole life revolved around that guilt and how it had informed all her decisions. She wondered if she’d ever feel free to move on and live a life of her own.