Chapter 215: To Trust And Love
Catherine’s breath caught for a moment as the warmth of him pressed against her through the thin fabric of her dress. The playful laughter in her eyes dimmed slightly, replaced by something softer, warmer... curious.
Maximilian’s arm tightened around her waist as he rested behind her on the couch, his lips brushing the shell of her ear.
"Maybe?" he repeated in a low voice. "That’s a dangerous answer."
Catherine bit back another giggle, though her cheeks had already begun to burn.
"It’s still ridiculous," she muttered. "You suddenly talking about punishment and spanking... You sound like one of those dramatic men in romance novels written by divorced women."
Maximilian let out a startled laugh against her shoulder.
"That specific?"
"Very."
He buried his face briefly against the crook of her neck, laughing quietly before kissing her there again, slower this time. Gentler.
And somehow...
That softness affected her far more than the teasing.
His hand slid along her waist, no longer trying to restrain her, simply holding her close as if he liked having her there.
"I don’t want to do anything that makes you uncomfortable," he murmured honestly.
Catherine’s expression softened immediately.
That was the problem with him.
Even when desire burned through him, even when she could feel how badly he wanted her, he still stopped for her comfort first.
Always her first.
She turned slightly in his arms until she could look at him properly. His violet-blue eyes were darker now, heavy with restrained want, but there was patience there too. Care.
And that tenderness made her heart ache far more dangerously than lust.
"You know..." she said softly, tracing his jaw with her fingertips, "you asking me that seriously after all that nonsense is exactly why I like you."
"Like?" Maximilian raised a brow.
Catherine smiled faintly. "Love, then."
His gaze changed instantly at that word.
Warmth flooded it so deeply that she almost looked away first.
"You can’t say things like that so casually," he murmured.
"Why not?"
"Because I lose all remaining intelligence."
She burst into laughter again, and Maximilian took the opportunity to pull her closer until she was nearly trapped against his chest.
"There," he said smugly. "Now you can’t escape."
"I can absolutely escape."
"Try."
Catherine squirmed immediately just to challenge him, laughing as he tightened his hold and buried kisses along her cheek and jaw. She pushed at his shoulders while he kept catching her wrists only to kiss her fingers afterward as though apologizing for it.
"Moosemilian—"
"That is still not my name."
"Maxelin."
"Worse."
"Maximulus."
He groaned dramatically and dropped his forehead onto her shoulder. "One day, I’m going to make you say my name properly."
Catherine grinned triumphantly. "Never."
Maximilian narrowed his eyes before suddenly attacking her neck with kisses again.
Catherine squealed, twisting in his arms, half trying to escape and half melting against him as laughter filled the room once more.
And somewhere between the teasing, the warmth, the tangled limbs and breathless giggles...
The heaviness in her heart disappeared completely.
After a while, Maximilian settled behind her, wrapping her securely in his arms as though he intended to keep her there forever. His breath fell warm against her ear, his chest steady against her back.
"Alexander remembered his past life," he murmured softly. "And the first thing he did was marry her. Don’t you think that means something?"
Catherine fell silent.
Slowly, Maximilian’s hand slipped beneath the fabric of her dress, his fingers brushing gently along her skin until they rested against her chest. Catherine placed her hand over his instinctively, allowing him to touch her while she leaned deeper into his warmth.
"Was Roxana his wife in the previous life?" she asked quietly.
Compared to all her dramatic theories, Maximilian’s explanation made far more sense.
"No." He kissed the curve where her neck met her shoulder, his touch lazy and affectionate as he held her. "He was married to another noblewoman back then. But..." He paused thoughtfully. "I always felt Alexander married out of duty, not love."
"Oh..." Catherine whispered softly. "Then maybe—"
Her words broke into a shaky breath when his fingers found a sensitive spot and caressed it with practiced ease.
A soft sound escaped her lips as she pressed back against him, her body warming instantly beneath his touch.
Behind her, she could still feel the hard heat of him against her.
Catherine turned her head slightly, enough to catch his gaze.
"Come closer," she whispered.
Maximilian paused for a moment, searching her face as though making sure she truly wanted this.
Then she guided him herself between her thighs, her movements slow but certain.
"Catherine..." His voice roughened immediately, restraint tightening inside it.
Instead of answering, she turned and kissed him softly.
Permission.
Trust.
Love.
That was all he needed.
From that moment onward, Maximilian moved almost entirely on instinct, holding her close while their bodies found a slow, intimate rhythm together. There was teasing in the way he touched her, tenderness in every kiss he pressed against her shoulder and throat, every breath he shared against her skin.
And Catherine trembled in his arms when pleasure finally overtook her, her fingers clutching tightly at his sleeve as she buried her face against him.
Not long after, Maximilian followed with a low groan against her neck, his hold around her tightening as though he could pour every ounce of his love into that embrace alone.
Afterward, neither of them moved.
They simply stayed there together on the couch, tangled in warmth and quiet breathing, held safely in each other’s arms while the world outside faded into nothing at all.
The moment felt far too precious to disturb. Neither of them even bothered fixing their clothes properly.
Catherine intertwined her fingers with his and lifted his hand to her lips, pressing a soft kiss against his knuckles. Maximilian smiled immediately at the gesture, resting his forehead against her cheek while his chest remained firmly pressed against her back.
Then, slowly, lazily, he kissed her cheek.
Another kiss followed along the curve of her neck.
Catherine smiled into his hand, her eyes fluttering shut.
And right at that moment—
The door opened.
Both of them froze.
Maximilian reacted instantly, tugging her dress down while hurriedly fixing his own trousers.
"God..." he muttered under his breath, trying not to laugh while smoothing down her skirt. "You really need to learn how to lock your door, Catherine."
Catherine was still trying to recover from the shock when footsteps echoed further into the room.
Maximilian immediately pulled her fully against his chest, hiding as much of their disheveled state as possible while Catherine buried her burning face against his shoulder, already dying inside.
"Catherine!"
It was Alexander.
