A Muse Her

Chapter 27

Mateo checked his watch as he waited for Maia to emerge from the dressing room while Demetri directed their guards to take the various trunks of clothes, shoes and accessories to the waiting caravan of cars.

"You and Maia have plans tonight?" Demetri asked as he closed a trunk full of fabric and sewing supplies.

"Yeah," he said, running a hand through his hair. "And I'm just a bit nervous. The last time I planned something like this, it didn't end very well."

Demetri chuckled. "You've got nothing to worry about," he said, leaning against the couch. "One thing you should know about our Maia is that she has high end tastes like her designer clothes, but it doesn't take much to make her happy. All she's ever wanted was someone who loves her for just being her."

"I get that." Mateo nodded. "That's why I don't want to mess up," he said and raised an eyebrow. "Did you ever want to be that person for her?"

"No." Demetri shook his head and crossed his tattooed arms over his chest. "Maia and I have our moments, but that's all it is and all it will ever be. I have no desire to commit to anyone," he said, nodding to the black door of the dressing room. "She wants someone to commit all her desires to, if you know what I mean."

"I do," Mateo murmured because that was all he wanted too. He didn't need his secret affairs or the endless parties to live out his fantasies and desires. He just wanted one person to love and explore those fantasies with.

The dressing room door opened and Mateo stood from the couch with his heart pounding.

Dear God, it was her.

Maia stepped out of the room dressed in a pair of flowing high waisted white trousers and a silky bronzed crop top with a scooped neck that hinted at the curve of her breasts and matched the copper highlights in her curly tresses.

"I'm sorry I took so long," Maia said, slipping her feet into a pair of tan wedges. "I couldn't decide what outfit I wanted to wear first."

"No need to apologize," Mateo said, crossing the short distance between them and taking her hand. "You look beautiful, liefje."

"Thank you," She smiled. "You're looking mighty suave yourself," she said, sliding her hand over the lapel of his crisp ash gray blazer. "Did you stop by my house and change after you went shopping?"

"Mm-hm, I wanted to look nice for our date this evening," he said, kissing her palm. "That is, if you'd like to go out with me?"

Maia's eyes lit up as she nodded. "I'd love to," she said, biting her lip. "But I think I should help Dem pack up the clothes I left in the dressing room first."

Demetri plucked a long tan coat from the rack by the stairs. "No, I got it. You and His Highness have plans," he said, handing her coat to Mateo. "Leave the rest of the packing to me."

"Thank you, Demetri. I'll make sure a few of our guards stay behind to help you. You don't need to pack up everything on your own," Mateo said, holding Maia's coat open for her. "Shall we?"

"Yes," she said, slipping her arms into her coat before she thread her fingers through his. "And where are you taking me this evening?"

Mateo grinned, squeezing her hand "You'll see."

"Enjoy your evening," Demetri said. "I'm sure I'll see you both tomorrow at some point."

Maia gave Demetri a wave as they walked down the steps of the studio. Mateo stopped the two guards walking up the steps to inform them that they'd be staying behind to help Demetri.

"Of course, Your Highness. Willem said that might be the case," the guard said, chuckling as he looked at Maia. "You've got quite the stylist, Miss Jefferies and a wardrobe to rival the Princesses."