CHAPTER 20
Zinovy
It’s ironic. I told myself when I had Petal in my home, my hand would get a break from working my dick in solo sessions.
Yet, here I stand, one hand braced on the wall of the shower, the other wrapped around my soap-slick dick.
Alone. I’d laugh, but my throat is locked as tight as every other muscle with the onset of my orgasm.
Cum blasts from me in an arc that sprays the dark tile of the shower in creamy white ribbons.
The climax, like every other I’ve granted myself since setting eyes on Petal, does virtually nothing to abate my clawing need.
The drive to bury myself in her impossibly tight sheath until her tummy pooches outward with my length is so urgent I had to flee the bedroom before I attacked her sleeping form.
Lesson to me: my little bird falls asleep after too many orgasms.
Mark my words, I vow to my spent, chaffed cock, I will remember to take my relief before wringing the final explosions from the playground of her body.
For now, I spin the temperature control to the coldest setting possible. I cannot afford to relax, even after such an intense release. No doubt, she will wake soon, and when she realizes how late in the morning it is, she will freak out about missing work.
The notion of her working tears a sigh from me.
I know it’s unreasonable, but the reality is, my Petal cannot go back to Pete’s Pastries.
Not as an employee. I already know it will be a battle getting her to give up the place, but while I want to respect her independence, the simple truth is, the diner isn’t within our circle of control.
I can’t ensure her safety there as completely as I am able to at any of the many businesses the Pakhan controls outright.
I know it will piss Petal off, but she will cope.
“You didn’t wake me. I could have helped with that.
” Petal surprises me when I shut off the water and turn to grab a towel.
I’d expected her to be out for a least a few hours, her body needing the rest to recover from not just the pleasure I gave her, but the stress and anxiety she’s been under for months.
“There is time for that, little bird. I wanted you to rest.” I don’t bring up the time. Cowardly of me? Perhaps. But she smiles at me and already, I know I will do whatever it takes to preserve her happiness.
“I should be at work by now. But something tells me you’re aware of that already. That it’s by design I am here and not taking orders at tables and running food out to hungry businessmen.” The glint of defiance in her eyes is shrewd as she watches me.
I’m not sure of her angle, but I suspect there is one.
Last night, she was full of fire when she challenged me.
This morning, fear bled into obedience in ways that both aroused and convicted me.
I want her submission, but not at the cost of unease.
She should yield to me of free will, not because she’s afraid.
The flavor of the former will be well earned and sweet.
The latter bitter from undeserved bullying.
“I wouldn’t think you’d wish to return after last night. Are you not afraid to be in a place where addicts, in search of money for drugs, roam in?” I ask.
“Won’t my stalker keep me safe anywhere I go?”
Her question puts me in a sticky place. Either I admit I cannot always have my eyes on her and risk her thinking too hard about the places I might be when I am apart from her, the blood on my hands now and in the future unavoidable, or I lie to her.
Some of the battle I fight internally must show on my face.
Her eyes narrow as she steps into the shower enclosure and crosses the wet tile to stand toe-to-toe with me.
I hold the knot of my towel in my left hand and reach to collar her throat with my right.
Desire blows her pupils wide at the show of control, and an answering throb pushes my blood south to pool in my no longer spent cock.
“Make no mistake, little bird, I always have eyes on you. Even when work forces distance between us, this will always be true. That does not mean I will tolerate you placing yourself in dangerous situations.” The mere thought of her in harm’s way strikes fury through me.
“But you will be. In dangerous situations, I mean.” She challenges back at me. Her chin lifts despite my hand at her throat.
“Such is the life I lead, and not one I would tolerate for you. Do not expect such a thing of me,” I growl.
“I have to work, Zinovy. I need an income to support myself. And before you say it, no you can’t just give me money.” She pulls against my hold, the rebellion in her words matching her body language.
“You will work, Petal. I promise you that.”
“Not on my back, asshole. I won’t be your pampered whore.” Scorn drips from her words, and it takes all my willpower not to laugh at how adorable her irritation at me is.
Yes, I still want her to yield to me. I am still an animal when it comes to the need to dominate her, and a leopard doesn’t change its spots.
However, even this leopard recognizes a trap when it’s right in front of him.
The mystery of Petal’s rapidly shifting attitudes and moods clears like fog lifting.
I’m positive she’s testing me, attempting to compare my reactions to those she expects.
If she’s waiting for me to explode and muscle her into obedience, she’ll be waiting a long time. I’ve watched Petal long enough to learn her tells. I can read her uncertainty and recognize her need to feel in control, to believe she is independent and capable of taking care of herself.
“You are no whore, malyshka. You are a queen. If you want to work, you will. A career you are passionate about. A job you love. Not slopping diner food to strangers who cannot appreciate your excellence. Men and women who have no idea you brought the Pakhan’s most ferocious beast to heel with just a glimpse at your beauty.
” My words are flowery, exactly as she needs.
I do not need brute force to win Petal St. Clare.
Gentleness has been lacking from her whole life.
Until now. She will learn as my beloved that life can be soft.
Sweet. I will shoulder every darkness the world sends and provide an umbrella for her to perch beneath. Such is my duty. My honor to provide.