35. The Thing About Power
35
The Thing About Power
Lilith
Okay, so maybe I was bluffing.
But in my defense, we are fucked up, and everything is fucked, and my brain has no idea how to manage the overload of fucked up it’s currently trying to process.
That is why it takes me a few seconds to comprehend that he told me to run. Then, another few seconds to get my feet to move.
I take off toward the door, thinking maybe I’ve pushed him too far, and my best bet is to literally escape. Not that there’s anywhere to escape to, considering I’m in a foreign country, in an unfamiliar residence, and everyone I know here would give me up to him for a pack of sour gummies.
I just reach the door when the deadbolts engage with a low thud, my yanking on the door proving to be entirely ineffective. Whirling around, Antonio is watching me from the same spot, his hand lowering to his side as he smiles predatorily.
“Where do you think you’re going, love?” he drawls in a very un-Antonio-like manner. “You should know by now there’s no way out for you.”
A chill runs down my spine, the dark glint in his eyes forcing me to look around the room for some kind of escape. My eyes are drawn back to him as he yanks his shirt over his head, drops it to the floor haphazardly, and then lowers his pants, kicking them away as he moves toward me.
With a low squeak, I just manage to dodge his grab, then scurry across the large room, skirting around the bed to stand in the bathroom doorway. Cursing at the fact there appears to be no way out, I face off with Antonio, who is completely nude and quite obviously excited about this little game I instigated.
Heart pounding, I briefly contemplate using the safe word, but then I meet his gaze, the challenge reflected in his eyes sending my blood rushing through my veins. I lunge forward, managing to hook my foot around his ankle, tumbling him to the floor.
Wasting no time, I sprint to the wall where we were previously standing, my eyes scanning the wall for the button that will disengage the locks. I manage to press it without breaking stride, my feet thudding on the hardwood floors as I race toward the door—and freedom. My hand grips the knob, turns, and pulls, but then my crow of victory is immediately cut short by the sharp pain of my hair being yanked viciously.
I fall to the ground, sprawled on my back, the wind knocked out of me. Antonio slams some slide bolts up high, just high enough I’d likely need a step ladder to get the fucking door open. He turns on me, standing over me like a fucking psycho, eyes glinting madly. “You ready to give up, love? Just say the word.”
Highly offended, I snarl, “Fuck you.”
A low chuckle falls from his lips and wraps around me like the sweet lover’s embrace it’s intended to be. “That’s what I thought you’d say.”
He drops to his knees in front of me, and I kick out, his hand easily snagging my foot before I can make contact with his chest. Antonio may be older, but he’s still fit, and I catch myself staring at his muscular chest, wanting to lick him in all the good places.
His fingers, squeezing my ankle, snap me out of it. My gaze moves to his eyes, and I glare back at his knowing look. “Gonna have to try harder than that, old man.”
His smile is lazy, his hands sliding up both my shins to my knees. Without warning, he pushes my knees back, taking my air as he folds me in half with my bent legs over my chest, pinning me down with his body.
Huffing, I manage to get my breath back, but my hands are squeezed between us, and no amount of pushing against his chest moves him at all. “Get off me.”
His lazy smile remains, his eyes half-closed in pleasure as he presses his hard dick against my pussy. “Unless you plan on coming on me, you’re not gonna get very far like this.”
“I’ll come wherever I want.”
“Like fuck you will.”
The feral glint is back, his lazy smile turning menacing as he pushes himself off me, coming to his feet in one smooth move. I attempt to roll onto my hands and knees, but he’s right there, his hands gripping my head, pulling me to my feet as he spits out, “Do I need to remind you that I’ll do whatever I want to you? You’ll be my little plaything for the rest of your life, regardless of how much you fight me. And there’s nothing you can do to stop me because I’m stronger, faster, and smarter, so you may as well just shut your fucking mouth and take it like a good fucking girl.”
His words sink in slowly, my blood pressure rising with each moment that passes. Surely, he did not say what I think he did. Jerking back, my hands come up, knocking his arms enough that his grip loosens, and I’m able to yank my head from his grasp. Then my fist connects with his gut, setting him off-guard just long enough for me to knock him backward. “I’m not a fucking dog, you asshole.”
Spinning, I book it toward the bathroom door, hoping, if nothing else, there’s a lock, but once again, I’m too slow, and he’s on me before I’m even in the doorway.
Strong arms wrap around me, squeezing viciously. I thrash, my feet coming off the floor as I yell, “Let me go. Don’t touch me. Get the fuck away from me.”
His hold tightens, effectively cutting off my words, and then I’m airborne, flying through the air for a few seconds before bouncing face-first onto the bed. I’ve barely gotten to take a breath before he’s on top of me, his body pressing me into the mattress, my arms pinned by my sides.
Leaning over me, he rubs his dick against my ass, his low moan against my neck sending an answering pulse of desire through me.
“I’m gonna fuck you so hard,” he murmurs against my ear. “You’ll be ruined for anyone else. The mere thought of ever fucking another man will make you sick.”
“I’ll fuck whoever I want,” I retort, wanting to piss him off.
“Is that so?”
That line is quickly becoming a serious red flag. But still, I respond, “Yeah. I’ll spread my legs for every fucking man I meet.”
He goes completely still over me, the solid weight of him and the warm breath against my cheek the only indication that he’s still there with me. But then he whispers, “Over my dead fucking body.”
I twist my head, attempting to look at him as I respond, “That can be arranged.”
“You’re gonna fucking get it good for that.”
Then, his weight is gone, his hands yanking at my pants, and I thrash again, attempting to break free. Cursing, his weight shifts, and then I’m pressed into the mattress again, this time by his legs straddling my torso, his knees pinning my arms even more securely than before.
“There’s only one way out of this for you,’ he mutters, his hands yanking and twisting my pants until I’m finally naked from the waist down. He massages my ass cheeks with both hands, then his lips are there, his teeth and his tongue, and there’s nothing I can do to hide the shudder of pleasure that rolls over me. “You like that, don’t you?”
“Fuck you,” I snarl, though my words come out breathless.
His warm breath paints my ass cheeks as he chuckles, his mouth inching closer and closer to my throbbing pussy. “You’re gonna have to come up with a better line, love. I don’t think it means what you think it does.”
I thrash half-heartedly, knowing I’m fully trapped, the lack of air taking a bit of the fight out of me. Turning my head, his foot draws my attention, so I twist, lashing out like a cobra in the attic.
My teeth just pinch his heel before he jerks away, and I laugh victoriously, even if my damage is nothing more than annoying.
“You’re gonna pay for that,” he says softly, his hand stroking over my ass before the sharp sting of his palm has me yelping.
He spanks me again, harder this time, and soon, I’m writhing and twisting in an attempt to get away. “Stop. Please stop. Let me go.”
He pauses, likely to see if I’ll use my safe word, and, for a moment, I consider it. Not because he’s actually hurting me, but because the longer this goes on, the closer he gets to shattering my last shred of defense against him.
Pressing my lips together, I go silent, swallowing down the word as he goes back to punishing my backside until my ass cheeks are on fire and I’m a gasping, writhing mess beneath him. Then he stops and says, “Did you forget your promise to me?”
I frown, confused at first by his sudden change of direction, but then I shake my head. “I remember. I remember.”
His palms massage my stinging backside, his lips and tongue soothing the ache there while igniting a new ache between my legs.
Then the weight of him on my back is gone, the mattress shifting as he moves back down between my legs. I try to roll over to put some space between us, but his palm presses between my shoulder blades, keeping me in place.
“Are you going to behave?”
I don’t answer immediately, unsure of how to respond given my inability to decide which path I want to be on in terms of compliance. So, I remain quiet, allowing my nonresponse to be my answer.
His dark chuckle is back, and I have a moment where I wonder if I’ve made a mistake, but it’s too late now. Unceremoniously, he hooks his forearm around my neck, pulling my torso up as his free hand comes around and yanks my shirt and bra up over my head. Before I can protest, I’m once again facedown into the mattress, my hands trapped beneath my rib cage, the elastic of my bra tightening around my upper arms behind my back as he twists my shirt around it.
My pulse picks up, panic attempting to erupt inside me at the fact I’m now trapped, unable to get enough leverage to untangle the mess of clothing that’s keeping my arms pinned to my sides.
I twist around, catching a glimpse of him kneeling beside me, the look on his face pure pleasure as he takes in the sight of me trussed up, unable to defend myself.
I struggle, but the awkward twist of my hands underneath me makes it impossible for me to escape. His eyes meet mine, warm and triumphant, and I glare back. “What the fuck, Antonio?”
He says nothing; he just grins at me in such a way it takes my breath away for reasons other than panic and trepidation. Then he moves out of my narrow line of sight, the mattress shifting with his weight as he settles behind me.
Hands massage my backside briefly, then slide along my ass crack before stroking a finger where I’m embarrassingly wet for him. “You’re soaked for me, love.”
I remain silent, my cheeks heating with shame, even as I know I have nothing to be ashamed of. He pushes his finger deep, withdrawing and adding another before pushing in again, even deeper. My legs twitch, unable to control my reaction as my hips flex into him, teasing, begging.
He plays me with practiced ease as if we’ve been doing this forever. His fingers stroke in, stretching, pulsing, his tongue rubbing my clit just right. I attempt to hold off, trying to think of anything I possibly can to distract myself from the orgasm barreling down on me, but it’s no use. I’m done for.
Sinking my teeth into the duvet, I press my face into the fabric, barely managing to swallow my wail of euphoria as he pushes harder, deeper, his tongue hot and wet on my clit. Then I lie there, limply, trying and failing to keep my moans and curses silent.
“Why so quiet, love?” he asks against my pulsing clit, the vibration of his words sending another shiver through me.
Still, I say nothing, knowing my ragged breaths and pulsing cunt are enough for him to know how good he makes me feel. “Are you scared? Are you worried showing me how much you feel for me will take away your power?”
I bite the inside of my cheek until I taste blood, refusing to give in to his taunting, though, at this point, I have no idea why other than I’m fucking stubborn for no reason other than that’s all I have left.
The mattress sinks again as he moves down, his hand pressing against my lower back until I’m flat on the bed, this time from him moving to straddle my thighs, and then the tip of his cock is pressing against my opening, stretching me slowly. “It doesn’t, you know. Your feelings for me in no way take away your power.”
A sob breaks free as he slides in, retreating and pressing forward rhythmically until his pelvis is flush with my ass. I arch my back, the awkwardness of the position only adding to my excitement, loving the sharp stab of him at the very end of me.
Placing his palms on the mattress on either side of me, he leans down, his lips fluttering along my spine to the nape of my neck, his nose pushing the hair away so he can place light kisses against my skin. “If anything, it increases your power. Makes you stronger.”
He continues to pump in and out of me slowly, erotically, the hot press of his body mixed with the words whispered from behind me setting my entire body aflame. “You’ll see, Lil. Once you let it in, once you accept it as truth, you’ll understand how loving you set me free.”
He thrusts in more sharply, picking up his pace as he drives us both higher. “You’ll understand that regardless of how we got here, to this very moment, we were put on this earth for each other. Fuck it or fight it, this is how we end. Together. Forever.”
Tears stream from my eyes, soaking into the duvet, my broken sobs a mixture of deep pleasure and soul-wrenching pain. He freezes over me, and I glance back, another sob breaking free at the pained indecision on his features. He opens his mouth to speak, likely to say something that will completely break the spell he has us under, so I press my ass back against him, rotating my hips slightly. “Don’t stop. Please don’t stop.”
He adjusts his position, moving one leg so it’s between mine, his hand on my thigh, spreading me open. Then he falls forward again, bracing his weight on one forearm placed by my head, his lips fluttering against my cheek.
Hooking his free arm around my hip, he forces my hips up as he turns us slightly, his fingers stroking over my clit. My eyes close, my mouth falling open in pleasure. I want to move, to show him with my body how he makes me feel, but all I can do is lie there on my front, taking everything he gives me.
His lips just touch mine, his breath washing over me as he whispers, “I can’t wait to feel you come all over my cock, love. I’m dying to fill you up, to mark you as mine from the inside out.”
“Oh, fuck,” I choke out, the slide of his cock and press of his fingers igniting a new rush of pleasure. Rocking my hips, my muscles scream, the unnatural position creating a new tension that exacerbates the orgasm building inside me.
His speed slows, his thrusts becoming a rhythmic rut deep inside me, hitting me just right with the stroke of his fingers on my slick, swollen clit. “That’s right, love. Tell me what you want. Make me give it to you.”
“Come,” I moan loudly, my words choked on a sob. “Please, come.”
“Where?” he responds gutturally, losing his steady rhythm briefly as my pussy clenches. “Tell me where.”
“Inside,” I manage to get out, my body spasming,
His response is instantaneous, his dick spearing deep, his entire body freezing over me. He curses, muttering incoherently in Italian as he throbs inside me, the hot release of him adding to the pleasure coursing through me.
He collapses on top of me, the heavy weight of him catching me off-guard as he blankets me fully. My lower body sinks into the mattress as his hand moves from between my legs, stroking up my side, over my shoulder until his palms press against my forehead. He presses slightly, easing my head back so I’m looking into his eyes, and of all the possessive moves he’s ever done, this one feels the most intimate and all-consuming.
He starts to push himself off me, but I shake my head. “Stay. Please.”
He searches my eyes briefly, and I have no idea what he sees there, but he once again relaxes, his palm never leaving my forehead. Silently, I lie there, watching him watch me as I put all my focus on breathing, each inhale and exhale softening the jagged edges of my fucked-up existence. It’s as if this one moment healed a part of me that I didn’t even realize existed.
After a while, I sigh deeply then clear my throat, a small smile curing my lips as I whisper, “Okay. I’m ready now.”
Slowly, he releases me, extricating himself from our position without jarring me. The material twisted around my arms releases, and I wait patiently while he maneuvers me like a rag doll, easing the clothing carefully from my person.
Tossing the clothing to the floor, he turns back to me, helping me onto my side. His hands grip mine, massaging and stroking until they stop tingling, and then he says, “Let’s get you up. I’ll help you to the bathroom.”
“I’m okay,” I respond automatically, already waving him off. “I can walk on my own.”
He snags my hand, assisting me silently even as I continue to attempt to do it on my own. Once I’m seated on the side of the bed, he stops me with a hand on my shoulder and squats down in front of me, his eyes intent on mine as he says, “I know you can do it on your own, Lil. But you don’t have to, and right now, I’m not going to let you.”
He doesn’t wait for me to respond; he just scoops me up in his arms and walks toward the bathroom. I bite back my automatic response to struggle, to insist that I’m better on my own, and soon, I find myself seated in a chair by the toilet, a soft robe around my shoulders.
Antonio squats in front of me again. “Would you like a shower?” I shake my head, so he adds, “A bath?”
Again, I shake my head, a giggle erupting because he wouldn’t have the first idea of my complete aversion to baths. He frowns slightly, so I respond, “I just want some water. And then some good old-fashioned skin-to-skin therapy.”
“Are you sure?”
Nodding, I wave him off. “Yes, I’m sure. Now, give me a minute, please.”
His eyes search mine for a moment longer, then he stands, pressing a kiss against my forehead before exiting the room. He leaves the door open, and I hear him rummaging around in the bedroom as I take care of business.
I’ve just finished brushing my teeth when he returns, a glass of water in hand, which he passes to me without comment.
I take a long drink, then offer it back to him, but he shakes his head. “I left a bottle by the bed. I’ll help you get settled, then get myself sorted.”
“Antonio,” I reply lightheartedly. “I’ll get myself settled. Then you can join me that much quicker.”
Again, he searches my gaze, and I hold my breath, unsure if he’ll allow me to walk into the bedroom or insist on carrying me around for the rest of the night. After a few moments, he nods, and I turn, walking out of the bathroom before he can change his mind.
By the time he exits the bathroom, I’m settled in the center of the bed, allowing him to choose which side he wants to sleep on. He moves to my right, drinking some water from the glass I left there, refilling it, then switching off the bedside lamp and climbing into the bed beside me.
His hand nudges my head, and I lift up, sliding close as his arms come around me, pulling me against his side.
We lie there like that, wrapped around each other, lost in our thoughts until, after a while, I say, “Can I ask you something?”
“Anything.”
“Where did you learn that trick with the shirt and bra?”
He falls silent, and I crane my head back so I can see his face. He looks a bit sheepish, so I poke him in his side, and finally, he admits, “Tony.”
Frowning, I parrot, “Tony?”
He laughs lightly. “Yes, the guys and I were hanging out and got to talking about ways to restrain you ladies when we’re not prepared.”
Chuckling, I shake my head, muttering, “The fucking wild shit you guys talk about.”
“In all fairness, I wasn’t really part of the overall conversation. I was just listening. And I’m sure it working out was just beginner’s luck. I had no fucking idea what I was doing.”
“Well then, you get a gold star for being an amateur.”
His arms tighten around me, and he places a kiss on the top of my head. I cuddle closer, pressing my face into his pec and inhaling the comforting scent of us deep into my lungs, a sense of completeness rushing over me. “I love you, you know.”
“I know.”
He turns toward me but says nothing further as he wraps me tightly in his embrace, and I smile, my eyes closing as I accept what I’m feeling in this moment.
Power.