19. Vadim
19
VADIM
The cool air of the jewelry store is a welcome relief from the heat building between Lacey and me. My cock is still hard from our interrupted moment in the car, and I shift my stance to hide it.
Damn Demyon and his timing.
"Mr. Stravinsky, welcome." The jeweler glides forward to greet us, her professional smile unwavering. "I'm Aria Crestfield, and I'll be assisting you and your fiancée this morning. As requested, you'll have the store to yourself, so that this experience can be a completely private and intimate one."
At the word intimate, Lacey's eyes find mine, and that familiar electricity crackles between us. The memory of her wet heat around my fingers makes my jaw clench, and she quickly looks away.
"Thank you, Ms. Crestfield," I say, keeping my voice steady. "The first set, please."
Aria brings out tray after tray of exquisite rings and starts giving us the detail on each one. Princess cuts. Emerald cuts. Cushion cuts set in platinum and white gold. Five carats. Seven carats. Even a twelve-carat monstrosity. Each one is more stunning than the last.
And each one fails to capture Lacey's attention.
Her eyes keep drifting to a display case behind us filled with necklaces.
I follow her gaze and find her staring at one necklace in particular, one with a medium-sized center stone. On either side are two slightly smaller teardrop-shaped diamonds.
It's nothing like the ostentatious pieces a pakhan's wife should wear.
Yet there's a unique beauty in its simple elegance. Even from here.
Lacey's fingers absently touch her neck as she looks at it, and something inside me stirs. Not desire—though that hasn't faded—but a deeper need to understand just what is drawing her to that particular piece.
"Ms. McKinney?" Aria holds out another ring, but Lacey's eyes are still fixed on the necklace.
"Sorry." Lacey tears her eyes away from the necklace display. "What were you saying about the rings?"
"These three are our most exclusive engagement rings,” Aria says, presenting a new velvet tray.
Aria presents three stunning pieces. The first, a seven-carat oval diamond set in a double-twisted platinum band covered in smaller stones. The second, a rare pink diamond that could buy a small island. The third, a massive emerald-cut flanked by two slightly smaller diamonds.
"This one." Lacey points to the first one with an overly sweet smile. "It just screams belonging to someone powerful, don't you agree?"
I catch the challenge in her eyes. "If you're trying to irritate me by picking the most expensive piece, zvyozdochka , you'll have to try harder."
Her eyes flick to my face, gauging my reaction as she slips it on.
"Up close, though, it looks a little small." She wiggles her fingers, making the stone catch the light. "What do you think, darling? "
"You're absolutely right." I know exactly what she's doing. "Seven-carat might be too understated. Perhaps the ten?"
Her smile falters for a split second before she reaches for the large pink diamond. But her gaze drifts once again to the display case and that simple necklace.
"Ms. Crestfield," I speak up. "Might we look at your necklace collection?"
"Of course." Aria smiles as she leads me and Lacey—crutches clicking with each step—to the display case. "These pieces are all one-of-a-kind."
I notice how Lacey's breath catches at the understated piece, and see her fingers ghost over her collarbone again.
Up close, I can better appreciate the delicate craftsmanship of the necklace that keeps drawing Lacey's attention. The silver-white chain is embedded with small diamonds that get smaller as they move away from the center, like stars fading into the night sky.
"Would you like to try it on?"
"No. That one's not appropriate. " She emphasizes the word I used earlier in the car. “For a pakhan’s wife.”
I lean closer, pitching my voice low. "And just which one would be appropriate for you, zvyozdochka? "
Lacey's eyes give me one last unreadable look before they turn to scan the display case.
I can tell from the slight lift of her chin that another challenge is coming. Those amber-flecked brown eyes of hers drink over every detail of every piece, until finally, she extends a single delicate finger toward an elaborate monstrosity.
"I want that one."
The necklace she points at looks almost too heavy to be worn. At its center sits a diamond the size of a quarter. Two rows of thick white gold chain flow like metallic rivers around it, studded with more diamonds that could each serve as engagement rings on their own. Teardrop stones dangle between them, glittering under the light.
It looks almost like a sparkling bib, with swirling metalwork resembling precious metal lace. Even the clasp is decorated with tiny diamonds.
"You're right." I match her saccharine tone. "That would be perfectly appropriate. Shall we have Ms. Crestfield take it out?"
"Oh yes, please." Lacey's smile is pure challenge. "After all, we wouldn't want anyone questioning my position , would we?"
The word position hits me like a shot of vodka, burning through my veins. My mind floods with images of Lacey on her knees, that delicate neck adorned with diamonds as she takes me in her mouth. Or bent over my desk, the heavy necklace swaying with each thrust.
I shift my stance, grateful for the counter between us as my cock stiffens painfully.
"An excellent choice." Aria beams as she unlocks the display case. "This piece was actually commissioned by?—"
"While we're looking at jewelry and rings. What about cock rings?" Lacey's innocent tone contrasts sharply with her words. "I would love my dear fiancé to have something that can match my own finger."
"Oh…" Aria's hands freeze on the necklace as pink creeps up her face. "Um…"
"Or maybe something more intimate?" Lacey taps her chin thoughtfully. "I've been dying to try out some new clit and nipple piercings." She turns back to me, smirking dangerously. "What do you think, darling? Would you like that?"
My breathing grows heavier as fresh images assault me—her perfect pink nipples adorned with platinum and diamonds, a tiny jeweled barbell glinting between her legs each time I spread her thighs.
"We... um..." Aria stammers, her professional demeanor cracking.
"No?" Lacey's disappointed pout is pure sin. "That's a shame. I was hoping to get everything to match."
The way she looks at me through her lashes makes my cock throb painfully. This little game of hers is going to drive me insane.
"Your ears aren't even pierced, zvyozdochka ." I lean in closer, savoring her intoxicating scent of citrus and lavender.
"Since someone never buys me the jewelry I want." Lacey's eyes spark with mischief. "The holes have closed up. But the ones below haven't. Not yet, anyways."
My cock jerks against my zipper. The memory of her wet heat around my fingers and her delicate fingers scrambling to undo my belt in the backseat returns.
"Is that so?" My voice drops lower as I press my lips against her ear. "Because I don't remember any other holes from your photos.”
"Those photos weren't my best work, remember?" She slowly runs her tongue across her lips. "The lighting was terrible. Unless you'd like to conduct a more thorough inspection later?"
"Excuse me..." Aria clears her throat and steps closer, dropping her voice to barely above a whisper. "We do actually carry a discrete collection of intimate jewelry pieces. They're not on display, but I can bring them out if you'd like to view them in our private consultation room."
"Oh yes, please!" Lacey claps her hands together with exaggerated enthusiasm. "Let's see all of them! I'd love to try them on."
Her little performance might fool Aria, but I catch the slight tremor in her fingers, the way her eyes falter ever so slightly, and the telltale way she's not to bite her lower lips.
She's nervous. Which means it's time to show her exactly what happens when she pushes too far.
"Yes." I rest my hand on the small of Lacey's back, feeling her stiffen. "Bring them all."
"Of course." Aria brightens. "And if you so choose, we also have a private room where clients can try on these more intimate pieces. Would you like me to show you?"
Before Lacey can object, I answer smoothly, "Please do."
"I'll gather our selection and then we'll be on our way." Aria heads toward the back room, heels clicking as she leaves us alone.
"What the fuck are you doing?" Lacey hisses, her earlier bravado cracking. That slight quiver in her voice has my cock twitching in response.
In anticipation.
In victory.
"What am I doing?" I lean in close, breathing in her intoxicating scent. "I thought this was what you wanted, zvyozdochka. To try them on for my thorough inspection?"
Her eyes widen when she hears the steady tone of seriousness in my voice.
"You wouldn't dare." Her whisper comes out breathy, uncertain.
"I think both of us know that I would." My fingers trace up her spine, making her shiver. "What you should be asking is which ones should we start with. The nipples?" My hand slides around to brush the side of her breast before it moves in a line down her body towards the tantalizing wet patch of heat between her legs. "Or perhaps somewhere more... intimate?"
My fingers drift lower, tracing the smooth silk of her altered dress. The slit she added makes it dangerously easy to access what lies beneath. I should thank her for that later.
Her breath hitches as I press my fingers against her clit through the damp silk. "Vadim..."
"Yes, zvyozdochka? " I circle slowly, feeling her grow wetter.
"Aria is in the backroom. She'll be back any second," Lacey whispers, but her thighs part slightly as my hand slides between them.
"Then you'll have to be very quiet." The heat of her through the thin material of her panties makes my cock throb. "Won't you?"
Instead of answering, she reaches for my wrist—not to stop me, but to press me harder against her. Her head tilts back, exposing that delicate neck I've been dying to mark since I first saw her, and her teeth scrapes her lower lip.
"Someone could walk in," she protests weakly, even as her hips rock against my hand.
I slip my fingers beneath the edge of her panties, finding her slick and ready. "Have you forgotten I've booked out the entire place?"
A small whimper escapes her as I slide one finger inside. Her inner walls clench around me, pulling me deeper. When I add a second finger, her nails dig into my arm.
"We shouldn't..." But her body betrays her words as she grinds down on my hand.
"Shouldn't what?" I curl my fingers, finding that spot that makes her gasp. "Lie about the jewelry we want? Or about non-existent holes?"
Her only response is to bite her lip to keep from moaning as I increase my pace, feeling her wetness coating my fingers, and running down to pool in the palm of my hand.
"Vadim…" Lacey's voice turns thick and coarse. Her face flushes, and her breath starts to quicken into uneven ragged pants. "I'm… I'm…"
The click of Aria's heels sends me withdrawing my hand from between Lacey's thighs.
Lacey staggers back, catching herself on her crutches as her knees buckle. The flush across her face and her rapid breathing tell me exactly how close she was.
Shame.
I bring my fingers to my mouth, my eyes never leaving hers as I savor her taste. Lacey's lower lip quivers as she spares me one last glare, takes a deep breath to steady herself, and turn away from me.
"Here we are." Aria sets the case on the counter and opens it with practiced efficiency. "Our most exclusive collection of intimate jewelry pieces."
Inside, nestled in black velvet, lies an array of exquisite pieces that would make most respectable jewelers blush. Delicate gold bars studded with diamonds catch the light. Some feature intricate patterns of precious stones forming flowers or abstract designs.
"Remarkable." I pick up a set of matching nipple rings. The bars are white gold, with tiny diamonds arranged in a spiral pattern leading to a larger stone at each end.
I hold them up, watching Lacey's reaction. Her eyes widen and her throat bobs as she swallows hard.
"This one might be more your style." I select another—a more elaborate bellybutton piercing whose hanging chain is dotted with pink diamonds. "Or perhaps..."
My fingers drift to a different section of the case and pick up a delicate vertical barbell designed for the clit. Three diamonds cascade down its length, each progressively larger than the one above it.
Lacey's breath catches as I examine it, turning it to catch the light. Her thighs press together and her knuckles whiten around the handles of her crutches.
"The stones are internally flawless, of course," Aria explains, professional mask firmly in place. "And the settings are designed for maximum comfort during even the most vigorous of motions."
"We'll take them all." My voice fills the quiet showroom as I turn to Aria. "The necklaces, the pink diamond ring, and every piece in this intimate collection."
Aria's demeanor brightens considerably, her eyes lighting up at the prospect of the biggest commission check of her life. "Excellent choice, Mr. Stravinsky. Is there anything else you'd like to do?"
"Yes." I rest my hand on the small of Lacey's back, feeling her muscles tense beneath the thin dress. "I believe you said something about a private room to try these on?"
"I did." Aria nods excitedly. "Would you like to go now?"
"I would." My smile widens. "I would love to see how all the pieces complement each other."
"Of course." Aria gathers the items with practiced efficiency. "Right this way."
Lacey's crutches click against the marble floor as she follows Aria. Her steps are measured, controlled, but I catch the slight tremor in her lower lip the closer we get. The confidence she wielded like a weapon just minutes ago is cracking further with each step.
"Having second thoughts, zvyozdochka? " I whisper in her ear.
She lifts her chin, but her voice wavers. "Not at all, darling ."
A dark thrill runs through me. She started this game, pushing and teasing until she thought she had the upper hand. But now she realizes she's in far deeper than she intended. And she can't back down without admitting defeat.
Me?
I want to see just how far she's willing to go.
The private room Aria leads us to is intimate, with plush seating and mirrors strategically placed to showcase the jewelry from every angle. A velvet-covered table sits in the center, ready to display our selections.
Aria sets down the cases and turns around. "Would you like me to bring anything else?"
"Yes, actually." I guide Lacey to sit beside me on the curved settee. "Do you have a piercing kit on hand? Like my fiancée said, some of her holes have closed up because I never buy her the jewelry she wants. And I would hate to leave before we have a chance to examine everything thoroughly.”
Lacey stiffens beside me, but she still refuses to say anything to stop this. Her chin lifts in that stubborn way I'm coming to recognize. Even now, she won't back down. Won't admit she was bluffing about those non-existent piercings.
I arch an eyebrow at her, giving her one last chance to confess. To yield.
Last chance, zvyozdochka.
She meets my gaze with fierce defiance. "Yes, darling. We wouldn't want to waste a trip, would we?"
"I... um..." Aria's professional composure finally starts to crack. "We have a piercing specialist on staff. I can call her and ask her to?—"
"No need," I say. "A kit will be sufficient. I won't have someone else pawing between my fiancée's legs."
Aria looks at me, unsure of what the proper response is. I level my gaze at her, refusing to budge from my position.
Finally, she stammers. "I can bring a kit."
"Please do." I turn my eyes towards Lacey's, watching as her confident facade slowly crack away.
"Right away, Mr. Stravinsky." Aria's heels click rapidly across the floor as she exits, leaving us alone.