22. Sophia
TWENTY-TWO
SOPHIA
M y mom’s house holds so many mixed memories. I try to lock them away, unwilling to let them ruin the day. Maxim’s here to meet my family, and as terrifying as it sounds, part of me is eager for them to meet. The house is modest, nothing fancy—walls painted a warm color, furniture that has been around since I was ten, the marks on the wall between Jennifer’s and my rooms, recording our growth over the years. My dad always said he’d rather spend his money on experiences, not objects.
The closer we get to the backyard, the faster my heart races, and my breath goes shallow. I can’t do this. Maxim tightens his grip on my hand, his thumb brushing over my knuckles in a comforting rhythm. “One word, and we’re gone,” he murmurs, his voice low and reassuring. “You don’t need to subject yourself to any discomfort your family might bring you.”
I count to ten, nodding as I draw in a shaky breath. We continue walking. “Good girl,” he whispers, and the praise makes butterflies flutter in my stomach.
I wasn’t prepared for this—my family was waiting by the door, practically ambushing us. They don’t act casual. Instead, they swarm Maxim, kissing and hugging him as he’s passed from person to person. I catch Jessica’s voice, soft and teasing, sending a spark of joy through me. I turn to her, and we hug tightly, both of us smiling at the reunion.
“When did you get back?” I ask as we pull apart. She has been backpacking around the world for months, and last I heard, she was in Asia.
“A couple days ago.” She smiles, her eyes gleaming with excitement.
“You need to tell me everything,” I say, pulling out a chair for us to sit away from the chaos. Jessica’s adventures are something I’ve always supported, even when no one else did. I was the one who bought her first backpack and her ticket when she decided to follow her dreams rather than go to college.
We sit at the table, and she glances toward the crowd of family members fawning over Maxim. “You should really go help him out. He looks like he’s about to explode.”
She’s right. I look back at Maxim, his face flushed a deep red, eyes burning with the look of someone about to snap. A part of me relishes this moment—watching him be the center of attention. But another part of me feels for him. He’s completely out of his element.
“I’ll be right back,” I say, rising from my seat.
“Good luck,” Jessica responds, amusement evident in her voice.
As I approach the group, my name is called out, and my heart skips at the sound. Maxim turns to face me, his expression a dark scowl. The intensity of his gaze promises a silent punishment, a reminder of the consequences awaiting me, which makes my pulse quicken in both fear and anticipation. I should turn around and run, but I won’t. I know it would only make things worse.
Shaking off my unease, I square my shoulders and take a deep, steadying breath, forcing myself to walk towards him. My face flushes, remembering the first time Maxim punished me. The sting from the previous night still lingers, a vivid reminder that sends a rush of heat to my lower abdomen. Every time I sit down, that same tingle shoots through me, making it hard to focus. I feel a hunger for him rising within me, the mix of desire and fear swirling in my chest. He’s unleashed something inside me—something that craves the rawness and the roughness he offers, the parts of me that only he can satisfy. He knows exactly what buttons to press to make me feel things I never imagined.
Maxim pulls me into him as I squeeze my way to his side. He notices my flushed cheeks and the unevenness in my breathing, a knowing smirk tugging at the corners of his lips. His eyes glint with amusement before his face becomes neutral, masking his awareness of where my thoughts wandered. God, he’s infuriating. How does he know me so well? It’s almost scary.
I close my eyes for a moment, holding back an eye roll, before I feel the weight of my family’s stares on me. Maxim turns his attention back to Aunt Beatrice, who’s asking him about his work. I glance around, and most of the women in my family are eyeing him with the same territorial look. It’s strange, but also not. I realize none of them are used to seeing a man like Maxim—handsome, confident, and effortlessly charming. Even my eighty-three-year-old grandmother seems entranced by him, her eyes following him as he talks.
“Oye. Dejen al pobre muchacho respirar,” my mom scolds them, arms crossed over her chest. “Los están haciendo sentir incómodo.” There’s a murmur of protests, though I think it’s Aunt Isabel who retorts, “Ay cállense, mírenle la cara. Esos cachetes rojos no son por el sol. Vayan a hacer otra cosa.”
She ushers them away, and they scatter like startled hens, muttering under their breath, some calling my mom a party pooper.
“I’m sorry about them, Maxim,” my mom says, turning to him with a warm smile. “They’re not usually this…excitable. It’s not often Sophia brings a boyfriend to meet us.”
I glance at her, taken aback by the casual mention of my lack of boyfriends. It’s true—aside from a brief fling with the neighbor when I was fifteen and Luca, who never even met my family in person, there hasn’t been anyone else.
Before Maxim can respond, my mom continues, “I’m sure you’re hungry. There are appetizers on the table. You should grab a plate before everything’s gone.”
“We can’t have that before I get to try your amazing cooking,” Maxim says smoothly, flashing her one of his irresistible smiles. “Sophia raves about it. She wouldn’t stop talking about the soup you made for her when she was sick.”
My mom’s cheeks flush, and she swats at his chest with a playful grin. “Stop it, Maxim.” She’s practically glowing, and I stand there, caught in disbelief. Not even my mom is immune to his charm. It’s surreal.
Just as I start to feel like I’m trapped in this strange moment between them, the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.
“Hola, mamá, hello Maxim, hi sis.” Jennifer’s voice breaks through the atmosphere, and my body stiffens instinctively. The tension between us is always there, a cold, uncomfortable distance I can’t shake.
I force a smile and greet them both, my response automatic, but my eyes never leave Jennifer as she stands beside my mom. My family feels like a foreign world right now—one I’m not sure I belong in anymore.
“Nice to see you again, Jennifer,” Maxim says, his body tense as he addresses my sister. He’s on high alert. “We were just heading out to get some food before it runs out.” He turns to me, his voice softening, “Ready?”
I nod in response, swallowing the bitter taste of the words lingering in my throat. If I spoke now, I’m afraid I’d ruin everything. I force a smile, trying to push the confrontation with Jennifer aside for the moment. It’s a relief to step away from the tension, but its weight clings to me as we make our way toward the food.
“Are you alright?” Maxim’s voice breaks through the haze of my thoughts.
I let out a frustrated sigh, trying to keep my emotions in check. “Why does it have to be this way with her? It’s like a never-ending battle, and I’m just…exhausted. She’s my sister, my blood. I don’t even know when it started, this constant push and pull between us. Even when I don’t say anything, she finds something to attack me about. I don’t understand it, Maxim. I hate how she makes me feel. It’s like I’m always on the defensive with her.”
I feel my nails digging into my palms as I fight the urge to cry. This isn’t the time or place. I glance around, making sure no one is near to overhear my outburst. As I notice the crowd gathered around the pork my uncle is serving, my body relaxes slightly. The pork is the highlight of every party. The savory smell of adobo and salt fills the air, and my stomach rumbles, distracting me from the tension.
I consider standing in the long line for food, but Maxim has other plans.
Without a word, he pulls me towards the house. My breath catches in surprise as he leads me through the hallways, and before I can protest, he locks us inside the bathroom. How does he even know where it is? Has he been here before?
Before I can voice any of my questions, he trails his finger down the V of my romper, sending a wave of goosebumps across my skin. All thoughts of the party, my sister, everything, vanish as I meet his hungry gaze.
“Take it off,” he commands, his voice low and commanding.
A shock of heat rushes through me at his words, spreading from my core outwards, making my skin flush. My body responds instantly, the thrill of disobedience—and the idea of getting caught—heightening my senses.
He grabs my chin, forcing our eyes to meet. “Now.”
His growl sends a thrill down my spine. Maxim steps back to give me space, his eyes burning with an intensity that has my pulse racing. Slowly, I pull one sleeve down, then the other. The fabric falls to the floor, pooling at my feet as I step out of it, leaving the pink lace of my underwear behind as well.
His gaze sweeps over me, his eyes dark and predatory. “How the hell did I get so lucky?” His voice is barely a whisper, the words sending a shiver through me.
He closes the distance between us, his lips trailing over my neck, and my breath hitches. Every part of me is on fire at the feel of his kiss. The sensation of his hands, the warmth of his breath—it’s intoxicating. All I can think about is him, and the pull between us becomes undeniable.
Before I can catch my breath, he rips my underwear from my body, his rough touch sending a jolt of electricity through me. His hands are everywhere—gripping, pulling as he lifts me effortlessly and places me on the cold sink, the chill of the surface contrasting with the heat of my body. A gasp escapes me as the sensation overtakes everything, leaving me dizzy with desire.
He unclasps my bra, removing it in a single, swift motion, and my breasts bounce free. His lips latch onto my nipple, and I arch my back, gasping at the sharp sensation of his teeth grazing my skin. He groans as I wrap my legs around his waist, pressing my exposed center against the hard bulge of his erection, teasing him. He whispers my name, hoarse and strained, barely audible under his breath.
I slide my hand down his pants, lowering his zipper. Our eyes lock, and the fire blazing in his gaze feeds the heat spreading through my body, turning a spark into an all-consuming inferno. He grabs my wrists, pinning them behind my back.
“Your pretty little cunt hasn’t earned my cock yet,” he growls, his voice rough with restraint, as if he’s fighting to control himself. A protesting groan escapes my lips at the denial.
He smirks, a smug look in his eyes, as if he just won a game I hadn’t even known we were playing. “You want my cock?”
Just then, the sound of someone turning the doorknob echoes through the haze of desire. My attention snaps to the door. Shit. I’m going to get caught. Part of me wants to laugh, but fear grips me tighter.
Maxim tugs my hair to the side, pulling my focus back to him as his teeth sink into my neck. The bite will surely leave a mark. “Forget who’s outside, Sophia,” he mutters against my skin. “Answer me. Do you want my cock?”
He slides a finger inside me, and I arch my back at the sudden intrusion. “Inside your tight cunt?” he whispers, and I moan as he adds a second finger, stretching me slowly.
“Yes.”
“Too bad, krasavitsa,” he chuckles, watching me with that maddening smirk as I try to scowl at him. It’s hard to maintain any expression other than pure need with his fingers pumping inside me.
“Please,” I gasp, desperation in my voice. I need more of him. I need to feel him inside me.
He tsks, shaking his head. “You’ve been a very naughty girl, Sophia.” He withdraws his fingers, leaving me empty and aching. “This is all you’ll get from me.” But then, he slams them back inside, making me gasp loudly. “Only good girls get rewarded.”
The desperate need to come floods me, and I rock my hips, chasing the fire building deep within me. Another soft knock comes from the door. “Are you going to take much longer?”
My eyes shoot to the door, panic rising in my chest.
“Eyes on me,” Maxim orders, his voice a low growl. I try to turn my face toward him, but the nervous tension threatens to break me.
“Busy,” Maxim mutters loudly. The room falls into a tense silence for a moment, and my heart races. I hold my breath, anxiety coiling in my gut. The door is locked, I remind myself. No one was getting in. But the thought of being caught still sends a thrill through me.
A moment later, an awkward apology floats from the other side of the door, and my cheeks burn with embarrassment. I groan inwardly—whoever it was definitely knows what’s going on in here. The thought of it spreading like wildfire has me mortified. The whispers would be endless.
I turn to look at Maxim, silently begging him to let me down so we can go back to the party before things spiral out of control. But the feel of his cock slamming back into me silences my protest, turning them into a loud, breathless moan.
I didn’t even realize he’d lowered his pants. “Maxim,” I whisper, my voice strained with both desire and worry. “My family is right outside.”
He pulls back slightly, leaving just the tip inside. “I don’t give a shit,” he growls. His thumb finds my clit, and I shudder as the tension melts from my body, leaving only the warmth of pleasure behind. I could care less what anyone thinks now. “Let them hear you scream my name. You’re mine and no one else’s. It’s about time your family knew.”
With that, he slams his cock back inside me with such force, I slide back against the sink. My breath catches in my throat. I wrap my arms around his neck, trembling with the intensity of it all, and close my eyes, resting my head on his shoulder. I match his frantic thrusts, surrendering to the overwhelming need.
“I love you, Sophia,” he murmurs in my ear, his voice rough with passion.