The billionaire's only desire-Chapter 54: Date

Maya hummed with joy as she prepared eggs Benedict for breakfast. The vibrant energy she felt was a welcome change after a dull month away from the kitchen. The kitchen is her home, the center of her world. Staying away from the kitchen for over a month felt like a form of imprisonment, and now that she is back in the kitchen, it feels as though she is fresh out of the slammer.

"Can we assist you with anything?" the three new house helpers asked Maya in sync for the hundredth time.

Maya smiled politely at them. "No, I’m almost done," she replied.

However, they didn’t leave; they remained in the kitchen, hovering around and watching her cook.

Once Maya finished cooking, she made mimosas as a beverage to accompany the eggs Benedict.

"Okay, I need your help now. It’s Elsie, Dora, and Pamela, right?"

The three house helps nodded.

"Great! Can you help me serve three hungry men?"

"Yes, Chef DeLuca," they sang in unison.

Maya dished out three plates and placed them on trays, along with three glasses of mimosa. She then handed the trays to the house helps.

They followed Maya into the dining hall. Oliver, River, and Aiden were at the table, looking very famished and grumpy.

"Finally, food is here!" River exclaimed, drumming his fingers on the table.

Maya grinned. "How long have you guys been here?"

"Since six," Oliver replied.

Maya looked at them in surprise. "Over an hour?" It was 7:30 a.m.

"Your delicious meals are the reason we all moved in," Aiden admitted.

"I’m flattered," Maya giggled.

The house helps serve the brothers their breakfast.

Maya waited for each of them to take the first bite so she could hear their remarks before leaving.

Maya quickly prepared a blackberry smoothie and a cup of coffee, placed them on a tray, and walked over to Dalton’s room. She didn’t knock; she simply turned the doorknob and entered.

Dalton was dressing up. He was almost done as he was putting on his sneakers. It was jarring for Maya, she hardly sees him in casual clothes.

He looked so good in the jeans and the well-fitted T-shirt that he was wearing. Maya couldn’t take her eyes off him. She nearly dropped the tray as she was setting it down on the coffee table.

She collected herself, picked up the glass of blackberry smoothie, and went over to him. "No coffee for you this morning. You’re having a smoothie for breakfast," Maya said with a wide grin.

Dalton took the glass of blackberry smoothie from her hand and gulped it down in one go.

"It’s very tasty, but I still want my coffee," he grumbled.

Maya laughed. "I brought you coffee. I knew you wouldn’t get through the morning without caffeine." She took the empty glass and replaced it with a cup of coffee.

Dalton immediately started drinking the coffee. He picked up his phone and began tapping his fingers on the screen, texting someone.

"Let’s go on a camping date," Dalton proposed as he slid his phone back into his pocket.

"Yes!" Maya chirps. She has always loved the idea of a camping date, and now she is finally experiencing it with this gorgeous man. She is overly excited.

"That will be a perfect date! Thank you! I can’t wait!" Maya pressed a quick kiss on his lips and ran out of the room to make breakfast for herself.

*****

Dalton handed one of the backpacks he was carrying to Maya as she joined him on the path that led to the thick woods.

It was late afternoon, and the sun still hung high above the horizon, casting a warm golden glow through the tall pines that surrounded the clearing as Maya and Dalton trekked through the woods, their fingers intertwined.

Maya inhaled the crisp air, filled with the earthy scent of pine needles and damp soil. "Oh, I love the great outdoors!" Maya exclaimed.

"Me too," Dalton said, stroking her hand. " I chose to buy this mansion because it is located in the middle of the woods, and I also enjoy the isolation."

"Uhh, I see," She was right—Dalton’s mansion was a replica of the one from Beauty and the Beast.

"You enjoy solitude, which is why you come across as reserved and somewhat distant with everyone," Maya said to Dalton.

"Except you," Dalton replied, gazing intently at Maya.

Maya smiled, shyly tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "Have you always been this reserved, Dalton?"

Dalton shakes his head. "I was babbly and very cheerful like Haven when I was a kid." A hint of sadness lingers in his voice.

Maya didn’t want to pry and ruin the date, so she asked another question. "Are there any animals in these woods?" Maya asked enthusiastically.

"Yes, coyotes and deer,"

Maya’s eyes widened with excitement like a little girl. "I will be so thrilled if we see a deer."

"We need to go deep into the woods," her companion replied.

And so they did, trekking all day through the forest, stopping occasionally to drink water and rest. Unfortunately, there were no deer or coyotes in sight, much to Maya’s disappointment.

"It’s sunset. This is a great spot. I will set up the tent here," Dalton said, gazing at the sky. He began to set up the camp tent.

"I can help," Maya offered, even though she had never set up a tent in her life.

"I will do that myself," Dalton declined. "We will go look for logs together for the fire."

"Okay."

After Dalton finished setting up the tent, they went to look for logs to build the campfire. When they returned, Maya arranged the logs in a pile and used a lighter to ignite the fire.

Dalton and Maya sat on a log behind the campfire, watching the flames dance and crackle, casting flickering shadows on their faces. A gentle breeze rustled the leaves, creating a soft symphony of nature that set the perfect backdrop for a romantic evening.

Dalton pulled out a bag of marshmallows and began to roast them.

He gave one of the roasted marshmallows to Maya.

"Thanks, this is nice," Maya said, gesturing to the towering trees and the vibrant wildflowers that dotted the ground.

"Yeah," Dalton replied, taking in the beautiful scenery.

"You seemed like a natural when you were setting up the tent like you’ve done it a million times," Maya said as she munched on the roasted marshmallow.

"My late father used to take me on camping trips when I was a kid," Dalton shared.

Maya cupped his face and said, "I’m sorry. You must be missing him very much."

Dalton rested his cheek in Maya’s palm, leaning into her touch. "I do miss him a lot." his green eyes filled with sadness.

"Was his death the reason you stopped smiling?" she asked.

"Partially," he replied, a melancholic expression settling on his face.

"Aiden and I were kidnapped when we were kids. We endured a lot of torture and abuse. To escape, I killed one of our captors. When I returned home, I found out that my dad had died in a car crash just a day after we were taken."

Maya’s heart clenched tightly in her chest. "You’ve been through hell. I’m so sorry, Dalton," she said, stroking his face.

"Am I a monster? I killed a man," Dalton asked, his voice filled with indignation.

Maya shakes her head vehemently. "No, you are not a monster. That man deserved to die for hurting you and Aiden. During the days I was held captive by my stepfather and brother, I came to the realization that the only way I could be free was if they were dead. When Aiden broke the news of their deaths to me, I shed tears of joy. I felt a sense of liberation. Killing that man was the only way you and Aiden could escape, and be free from your captors. So don’t be hard on yourself "

Dalton rested his head on Maya’s shoulder. "Thank you." ƒree𝑤ebnσvel-com

"Thank you too for opening up to me about your trauma," Maya said, caressing his cheeks as she imagined how his face would look like if he smiled.

Maya was in the middle of saying something when Dalton gently glided his hand on her face and kissed her. His lips were soft yet eager as he pulled her closer, demanding her surrender with intense, thirsty kisses. She was more than willing to give in. The smooth, warm sensation of his mouth gliding over hers elicited a soft moan from deep within her. Her hands clenched into fists around his shirt.

Maya rises into the kiss, pressing her lips against his more passionately, savoring the taste of him. Her hand moves up to his neck.

Dalton lets out a low breath, warm against her skin. "I love you," he whispers against her lips.

Visit freewe𝑏(n)ovel.𝘤ℴ𝑚 for the best novel reading exp𝒆rience