Chapter Sixteen
Mind y
His lips crash onto mine, urgent and demanding.
His tongue ravages my mouth with an intensity that sets me ablaze, leaving no room for thought or resistance. Not that I want to resist. Not anymore. Despite my common sense screaming at me to run, my body decided that I want him. The way his lips mold against mine, claiming yet tender, fierce, and fully present, makes me feel like the only woman worth kissing in this entire world.
I kiss him back with equal fire, consumed by the moment and unconcerned with any of the possible consequences. Our tongues entwine in a perfect dance until he grabs my hips and pulls me closer, his grip strong and possessive.
What the fuck are you doing, Mindy?
Maybe I'm making a terrible mistake. Maybe this is all wrong. Either way, I can’t force myself to push him away. I want him. I’ve been wanting him too much, for too long.
As our kiss intensifies, the tension between us builds like waves colliding into each other with raw power. Our tongues explore every inch of each other's mouths, our breaths becoming ragged and desperate. Maron's hand roams greedily over my body, squeezing and caressing before tangling in my hair, pulling me even closer to him. His other hand slides down my hips, sending electric jolts through me as his fingers brush against my inner thigh. With a single, deft motion, he tugs at the delicate fabric of my robe, revealing my bare breasts. His eyes devour the sight of me like I'm some masterpiece crafted only for his pleasure.
"Fuck, you're gorgeous.” His hands find my soft flesh, cupping and kneading my breasts with an urgency that sets my body on fire even more.
I want to respond, but I can’t find my voice. All I can do is moan. I lean forward, allowing him to capture my hardened nipple between his lips, his tongue swirling and flicking over the sensitive bud.
"This is all I wanted since I saw those photos," he growls, his breath ghosting over my yearning skin. "To taste the real thing."
Holy shit, he’s hot!
His words send shivers cascading down my spine, igniting a fire deep within my core. I part my thighs, inviting him closer, desperate to feel his body pressed against mine. With a deliberate roll of my hips, I grind myself against his hardened cock. He throws his head back in ecstasy. " Blyad ," he growls, "you're unbelievable, Miss Williams."
"I'm no easy woman to please, Mr. Korolev," I purr. "You think you can handle it?"
A wicked smirk tugs at the corners of his mouth, welcoming the challenge. "Only one way to find out, Miss Williams," he rasps, while his hands grip my waist with possessive force. In one fluid motion, he flips me onto my back, his powerful body hovering over mine, pinning me beneath him. His oaky scent, his flexing muscles, and the ink sneaking up his neck from under his shirt are beyond intoxicating.
The pink robe pools at my feet forgotten, as Maron's strong hands grasp my thighs, spreading them wide. Before I can utter a word of protest, he drapes my knees over those insanely broad shoulders, his face mere inches from my glistening center. Without any hesitation, he buries his mouth against my drenching wet pussy, his tongue delving deep, devouring me.
Oh.
My.
God.
For a moment, I feel like I’m going to explode with desire. A guttural moan escapes my lips as I allow him to feast upon me, his skilled mouth relentlessly savoring my juices. "Look at me," he commands. "I want you to watch as I lick you." His head bobs rhythmically between my thighs, his lips and tongue worshipping my sex.
"Ooooh," I groan. It’s all I can manage. Fisting my hands in his hair, I grind myself against his face. He answers my demand, plunging his fingers deep inside me, stroking and curling them in tandem with the wicked ministrations of his tongue. The dual sensations send shockwaves through my body, my nerve endings firing in a frenzy of ecstasy. "Oooohh, you… bastard," I cry. Tightening my grip on his hair, I push his face deeper into my center. "Don't you dare to stop."
Maron redoubles his efforts, adding another finger to my slick pussy, his tongue flicking and swirling over my most sensitive bundle of nerves. "Oh God, yes!" I cry out, my body quivering on the precipice of release. "Please... Please..."
His fingers and tongue work in perfect harmony, driving my body to the hilt and beyond. With a final, deft stroke, he sends me hurtling over the brink, making every fiber in my body convulsing in the throes of an earth-shattering climax. My inner walls clench around his fingers, as I reach my peak.
“Ooooh… Fuck!” I cry, my body shaking wildly against his touch. I buck, squirm, tremble under his grip until I’m spent utterly and completely.
As the aftershocks of my orgasm subside, Maron gently unhooks my legs from his shoulders, his face glistening with my juices. I lie there still, feeling like a used-up ragdoll.
But he doesn’t stop there. He moves in for a kiss yet again, even deeper this time. I wrap my arms around his neck, my nails digging into his shoulder, leaving red marks on his skin. Then, he breaks contact with my lips and moves lower, trailing soft kisses down my jawline and along my neck, nuzzling into the crook between my ear and shoulder. His touch sends more shivers down my spine, making my heart race with anticipation.
It’s been mere minutes since I climaxed, but I’m ready for him again. His oaky scent intoxicates me, making me even more aware of how much I want him. Every part of me, every fiber in my body aches for his touch as he continues his trail lower.
I let out a soft moan. "Fuck me, Maron."
“You want your boss to fuck you?” He teases.
“Yes… I want my boss to fuck me.” I whimper, no longer caring about what the consequences may be.
"Beg for it," he commands.
My sex is on fire. I’m a drenched, moaning hot mess. I don’t care anymore. "Please, boss… Please, fuck me."
"That so? You want your boss’ dick in your pussy, huh?"
The dirty talk is too much. I can’t contain my desire any longer. "Fuck… yes," I demand, "Take me, Maron! I want to feel your dick inside me!"
That seems to do the trick. He smirks, and in one swift motion, he positions himself over me and slides in.
Holy shit!
I always thought he was big, but I didn’t realize he was this big. He fills me up so much, that for a moment, I feel like he’s going to rip me in half. The sheer force of his thrust knocks the air out of my lungs. I buck, gasp, as the sensation of being filled so utterly and completely makes me fight for air.
“Oooh,” I wheeze as my insides are filled with his hot throbbing flesh. I am seeing little stars explode as he starts pumping, sending electric jolts of pleasure up and down my spine. "Oh, God… harder," hear my own commanding voice as I finally find air. "I’m… I’m going to come fast."
“You want to come on your boss’ dick?” He pants, pumping harder and deeper now.
“Fuck… yes! I’m going to come… boss,” is all I can force out.
"Then get ready to come for me," he growls in response to my desperate plea.
Each thrust rocks me closer to the edge until I'm nearly paralyzed with pleasure. My legs start to tremble as the tension builds further and further inside of me. But Maron doesn't stop or slow down; he only drives deeper, pumps faster and harder until the dam starts to crack under the pressure.
"Maron!" I cry out as my body convulses around him. “I’m… coming,” I hold onto him tightly, still afraid that the intensity of his thrusts might break me apart.
"Then fucking come with me, lisichka ," he pants, driving me even further into the depths of my own wild pleasure.
"Oh… Fuck!” I yell uncontrollably, wrapping my fingers through his hair. “Come with me, Maron. Fill me up."
And then everything explodes, sweeping me away with the force of a tsunami. My body tenses and shudders, my hips bucking and my legs shaking wildly as I reach my peak. My insides clench around his stone-hard erection, milking him with every shudder of my body, finally making him spill his seed deep into me.
It takes several minutes to come to my senses and become aware of my surroundings once again. My body continues to hum, while my mind is lost in a blissful haze. With a contented sigh, I reach over to caress Maron's smooth, naked skin. My hands journey downward, appreciating the hardness of his muscles, the scars, and the ink covering his skin, telling stories of a turbulent past. I revel in the softness of his trimmed pubic hair and the slick wetness around his hard, vascular cock. The passion I experienced with him was almost too intense for me to let it end. Time seems to stand still in this perfect bliss.
"I've got something for you," he growls as his hard gaze pierces into mine. He grabs my attention with a quick gesture and I can't help but admire his chiseled form.
He hands me a folder from his bag, his face morphing back into a no-nonsense expression. "Take a look," he commands in a low voice. And just like that, our intense connection is replaced with business once again.
I stare at him before sitting up and opening the folder. "What's this?"
"See for yourself."
I open it. There are three pages inside the folder. I quickly scan the first page and I feel the blood drain from my face. My eyes are darting back and forth across the page as if searching for some hidden punchline.
But there's no punchline.
I shake my head slightly, before I dive back in for a second, then a third read-through.
Finally, I look up at Maron, my face a mask of utter bewilderment. "This must be a joke. Are you trying to prank me?"
"What makes you think that?"
"It's just... from what I'm reading here, it sounds like..." I trail off, my brain struggling to process the offer. "A sugar daddy arrangement."
He flat-out laughs. "Interesting perspective," he says. "In my opinion, I'm giving you a great offer."
"Really?"
He nods. "I can see you don't get it, Mindy. You'll have money, security, the whole nine yards. The kind of life most people only dream of.”
"And in return?" I ask for clarification, increasingly confident that the information I just read did not fully register in my mind.
"In return, all you have to do is keep putting on those private little shows for me. Like the video you sent on Friday." His lips curve into a predatory smirk. "And of course, tend to my other... needs."
My stomach twists, suddenly making me feel anger. What the actual fuck is he talking about? "By 'other needs,' you mean... sex?"
He tilts his head, fixing me with a heavy stare that makes my skin prickle. "You want me to spell it out for you? Draw you a diagram, maybe?"
And there he is. That’s Maron Korolev for you. The charming, gorgeous, and irresistible asshole I’ve been dealing with every day of the week since I started working for Global Media. First, he gives me the most amazing sex of my life, five minutes later, he’s back to being the most insufferable bosshole on the planet.
"So, this is a legit contract?" I ask. "Is this even legal?"
Maron's brow furrows. "It is. And let's call it a 'temporary marriage' arrangement."
“A what ?”
“You heard me.”
Yes, I did. Except I can’t believe what I’m hearing.
"I'm not your girlfriend,” I snap, in irritation. “Let alone your wife. And I don't plan to be, either."
His smirk widens, a flash of perfect white teeth. "You're right, lisichka . You are not my girlfriend." He relaxes into his chair, the leather making a small creaking noise. "But before you reject my proposition, think about it with an open mind. I know you could use some help with money - that's why you took the singing gig, right? So, here's the deal: you need money, and I need someone to pose as my wife. And eventually, I'll need an heir. Deal?"
My head is spinning. I still can’t believe what he's suggesting. And I can’t believe that he’s serious about it. It’s as ridiculous and surreal as it gets. Pretending to be his wife? Maybe, just maybe I could get used to that idea. But having a child? With Maron Korolev? There’s no way. Not to mention my fertility issues... He clearly has no idea that I lost the ability to reproduce. But I’m not going to go into that.
"Are you serious about all this? Including the ‘heir’ part?"
He pauses, a hint of frustration crossing his face. "Yes."
I continue to stare at him in disbelief. He’s clearly out of his goddamn mind. He must be. What kind of man suggests that I sell myself to him for some money and a false sense of security? Maron Korolev, apparently. This must be the most bizarre thing that's ever happened to me.
Even more bizarre than those nudes.
And performing naked on stage, a little over an hour ago.
Maybe even more bizarre than the way my body reacts to him, even now.
Who the hell is this man, anyway?
It strikes me again how little I know of him. Sure, I know him as my boss at work, I know his ridiculous demands, the tension his presence stirs in the office, and more than anything, I know the desire my body responds to his presence with. But I know nothing about who he is, what his private life is like, and how he spends his days when he's not barking orders at his employees.
As I ponder this enigma of the man before me, a sudden thought occurs. If he's so keen on having an heir...
"You have no kids?" I blurt out, the question escaping before I can think better of it.
His expression suddenly changes, becoming distant. And I swear something swirls in those dark depths. Only for a brief moment, but I don’t fail to miss it. "I do, but I don't."
"How is that possible?" I say before I can stop myself.
"I had a daughter, but she passed away," he says flatly. "And that's all I will say on the matter.”
My breath hitches. I did not expect to hear that, not from a man like Maron Korolev. Looks like I’m not the only one who was deeply scarred in the past. I nod my head in understanding.
"Now, let's focus on the document in your hand," he says.
"Look, um… the offer is tempting…" I hesitate. But before I could continue to protest and tell him how ridiculous this is, my thoughts inevitably drift to my mother. With tonight’s gig, I should be able to pay her latest treatment, but what about the future? What if more treatments are needed, which is likely? I can't bear the thought of losing my mother, especially because of financial costs. The guilt of what has happened in my family already weighs too heavily on me, consuming me every single day of my life. I lost Emily, and now, I am also starting to fear losing Alexis to addiction if I don't intervene. Am I losing my mother too?
No. I refuse to accept that.
Maron must see the hesitation on my face. He sighs, running a hand over his slicked-back hair. "Listen, Mindy. I'm not going to pressure you into anything. This is a "take it or leave it" type of offer. We do background checks on all our employees and while I don’t know all the details, I know you’re dealing with some serious hardship. If you want a way out of it, this is your shot. But if by some chance you decide to refuse, I will respect your decision."
"Didn't you offer me a chance to stay at Global Media?" I ask. "Didn't you say I could…”
He moves closer, his face only stopping inches away from my lips. I can feel his hot breath against my cheeks, flooding my mind with sex hormones all over again. "Forget Global Media. Let’s face it: being an employee will never give you the kind of benefits this contract offers."
I feel my body getting turned on by his closeness all over again. I’m drawn to him like a magnet, like a moth to flame.
Why?
Why do I have this reaction to him?
My eyes lock with his, heat radiating between us. My tongue darts out to moisten my lips as I challenge him, "So… what if I say no?"
A devilish smirk plays on his lips as he responds, "Then you’ll leave me no choice but to follow through with the termination of your work contract. And you will never see me again. You have my word. But we both know that's not what you truly desire."
Asshole.
“Right,” I say, feeling irritated by his arrogance. The thought of those embarrassing photos still makes me cringe. Even if he offered me a chance to stay with Global Media, I don’t know if I could continue after what happened on Friday. "Not that I could return to a company where the entire management was served my naked pictures on a silver tray."
"I told you already," he murmurs, his breath hot against my skin. "Only I saw those. And once I did, I had the IT guys wipe them clean from our servers."
My mouth falls open in disbelief. "Are you serious?"
He smirks and leans in even closer. Our lips almost touch. "I couldn't risk my male employees getting off to your photos.” He stops. “Like I did," he adds with a sly wink.
His proximity along with the thought of him pleasuring himself to my naked photos sends a wave of desire through me all over again. Heat rises to my cheeks as I imagine him lost in carnal pleasure while staring at my naked body. If I had my panties on, I’m pretty sure they would be destroyed.
"So, let's cut this short, Mindy," he interrupts my train of thought. "You have the option to say no. You are already aware of the consequences.” He trails off suggestively, allowing his words to sink in. "But if you choose to say yes, I’ll make it worthwhile. You will live in my house and you will have all your expenses covered. You can even keep your jobs until you become pregnant. Once that happens, your main focus will be taking care of our family. The choice is yours."
I can’t believe I’m even considering this ridiculous offer. What kind of desperate, sick idiot have I become? Yet, the thought of Maron Korolev walking out of my life for good doesn’t seem to sit well with me either.
Have you gone insane, Mindy?
It's all strange, unsettling, all kinds of wrong, but I can't shake it off. Especially after the mind-blowing sex we just had.
Why?
Why am I drawn to him this way?
Why him?
Whatever the case, this is too much too soon. I need time to clear my head. Especially after everything that happened these last few days. My responsibilities loom over me like a dark cloud. And this, this contract could be the solution.
But at what cost, Mindy?
Are you seriously considering this?
"One final thing," Maron breaks the silence with a dark look on his face. It's a familiar expression I've seen in the boardroom; it's when he pounces on someone who dares to challenge him. His voice drops to a menacing whisper as he leans in, his eyes burning with a ruthless determination. "This conversation is strictly confidential. And so is the contract, regardless if you agree or not. If even a hint of this discussion reaches anyone else, consider it null and void. You'll be out of my life immediately." He leans back, a sinister smile playing on his lips. "Tell anyone about this, and trust me, you will never get work again for as long as you live. Am I clear?"
My throat tightens and a chill runs down my spine as I nod in understanding. I can tell by his tone that he’s not joking. "Crystal."
"Good."
I swallow hard, my throat dry, drier than the fucking Kalahari Desert. Has he just threatened me? My visceral reaction would be to tell him to go fuck himself. Toss his ridiculous contract in his smug face and storm out. But for whatever reason, I am stopped by an invisible force. And a big part of that invisible force is the overbearing, magnetic pull I feel to this dangerous man. The other big part is the chance that maybe I can save my family. And maybe this is the sacrifice I have to make to do so. And to redeem myself after what I’ve done. If that’s even possible.
Slowly, I close the folder and look up at Maron Korolev. "I'll think about it."
He nods. "I expect an answer from you in no more than a week."