Chapter 20 - Stefania
I’ve lost all sense of reason or control.
Marlen tugs his cock free beneath my spread legs. I’m kneeling with my thighs wrapped around him and very little space to move in the front of his car, but I don’t care. I want this, and I want it now.
A low growl rumbles through his chest as I slide over him, nothing but the thin fabric of my panties between us.
“Let me fuck you,” he says, dark and devious. My heart races faster as he lifts me, positioning his cock so that it’s pushing into me, and then he pulls me back down. His cock slides into me. The relief, the pleasure of it, is so overwhelming I can’t breathe for a moment.
My body shudders as he lifts me again and then pulls me down as he thrusts upward.
He buries himself deep inside me, letting me grind against him, my clit rubbing against the base of his cock. I rip his shirt open, wanting to feel his skin against mine.
My hands are tugging at him, pulling him closer.
Perspiration glitters over my forehead as I press my lips against his again.
The kiss sparks tendrils of electric currents that jump between us.
It’s erotic to feel his cock moving inside me, the upward arch of his hips driving it deeper into me, while his tongue plays inside my mouth.
Marlen wraps both arms around my waist, holding me so tight I can barely take a breath.
He clutches me against his chest, his body pressed into me, his heart beating like a tribal drum against my breasts.
And he fucks me. He fucks me in a way I can’t describe because it feels so raw and carnal and intimate.
He moves his hips in circular motions, our bodies slick together, his cock stretching my pussy open and penetrating so deep inside me that it feels like he is a part of me.
I tilt my head back, my hair falling loose from the bun and hanging down my back, tickling my skin.
His arms are thick and muscular around me; I couldn’t escape his power even if I wanted to.
But I don’t want to. I want him to do with me as he pleases.
To take me and use me and make me his. I want him to claim me and need me.
I want him to need me.
I gasp as his cock slams into me again, and my legs begin to shake.
Marlen growls and grabs the back of my head, pulling my face into the curve of his neck, locking me in place so I can’t move.
He fucks me harder, with urgency I’ve never felt.
He thrusts into me over and over again, and I feel the intensity of his emotions surging through him.
He is claiming me. He owns me in this moment.
My pussy pulses over his cock as the orgasm slams into me. I cry out against his neck, my voice muffled. He growls as his fingers dig into me, his cock pushed as far into me as he can, harder now, rigid, pulsing as he explodes inside me.
Neither of us speaks as we shift around the car, pulling our clothes back on. I’m breathing heavily, shocked by the intensity of what just happened. Marlen keeps glancing in my direction, his eyes still heated with desire and need. Pleasure is glowing on his skin.
There is a lump of emotion sitting in my throat because the moment he came, I realized something so real, so unquestionable that I’m scared that if I speak, the confession will slip from my lips without my control.
I love Marlen Popov. I love him.
I am madly in love with this man.
What am I supposed to do with that knowledge? How can I tell him something like that and expect him to take it well? We’re enemies. My brothers are still hunting for me.
This whole situation is dangerous and unfinished, and now isn’t the time to make it more complicated.
“Are you… ok?” he asks, grinning at the awkwardness.
I can’t help but giggle. “Yes, I’m… that was… that was really intense.”
He nods, his brows lifting. “It was… intense,” he agrees slowly.
His hazel-green eyes pierce into me like daggers, making goosebumps spread over my flesh. “Is it safe, do you think?”
“I do. They wouldn’t have hung around and risked being caught by the police after causing such a scene in that chase.”
I nod, licking my lips and shifting in my seat to get comfortable. My body feels so alive, so hyped up. My heart is spinning, and my mind is screaming at me to tell him that I love him.
You can’t, Stef. You can’t say or do anything until you’ve found the truth. Prove that Marlen is innocent and prove that your family is innocent. It’s the only way.
***
It’s been a few days since I came to the realization that I love him. Each time I see him, the thought springs fresh to mind, and it makes me smile. But it’s tainted by a burden of knowledge that I can’t be with him until I solve this riddle.
Yesterday, when Marlen came home from work, he had a gift for me. A cell phone. I can’t explain how happy it made me. Firstly, it shows me how much he trusts me now. He would never have given this to me if he had still been worried that I would betray him.
Secondly, it has given me the perfect opportunity to conduct my own research into what happened at Bardil’s event that night.
It’s early morning, and I’m standing in the kitchen with Marlen making breakfast. He’s making the coffee while I scramble some eggs with grated cheese and ginger, and chili flakes. I’ve never put ginger on eggs before, but Marlen made me try it, and it turns out that I love it.
“Are you very busy at work today?” I ask, turning the flame down on the stove as the cheese starts to melt.
“No, it’s more of an admin day. Boring stuff. I’ll be in my office stuck behind the desk most of the day,” he grumbles.
“That doesn’t sound fun at all,” I smile, glancing at him.
“Next week I have to do a bit of a road trip to talk to a client who stays out of town. It would be fun if you came with me?” he asks, his brows raised and his eyes hopeful.
“I’d love to,” I nod enthusiastically as I pull the pan from the heat and set it aside. “I think we’re ready with these eggs.”
“Perfect timing. The toast is done and so is the coffee,” he replies.
I love these quiet mornings with Marlen. We’re both still in our sweatpants, messy hair, and sleepy faces. Alright, I’m the one who looks like I just woke up. Marlen, on the other hand, always looks like he’s ready for a magazine cover shoot.
But this morning I’m anxious. Once he’s left for work, I’m going to start my investigation.
I’ve spent some time when I’m alone making notes of everything Marlen has told me about the event Bardil hosted that night, and what Bardil told him.
He hasn’t ever given me a full, clear picture of it all, though.
Only bits and pieces in random conversations.
Some were heated and angry, some were defensive.
When I tried to put all the puzzle pieces into one place in my notebook, I realized that it’s very possible that Marlen can’t tell the whole story clearly because he doesn’t know it.
He only knows what Bardil told him. And what Bardil told him isn’t adding up clearly.
There are holes in the story.
Surely Marlen must have noticed this? Or is he so protective of his brother that he simply gave him the benefit of the doubt?
After breakfast and our relaxed morning routine, Marlen kisses me goodbye at the front door.
This wasn’t always part of the routine. But it might be my new favorite part.
The kiss is sweet and playful. Filled with emotion.
There is a hint of desire, and a hint of lust, but mostly it’s just a gently, intimate moment between us.
Something new. As though our connection is growing and changing.
Or perhaps that’s my wishful thinking, and I’m projecting my own feelings for him into everything now.
“I’ll see you later. I’ll be home around four,” he says, reluctantly stepping away from me.
“I can’t wait,” I whisper, grinning.
His face brightens with a smile before he turns away from me and heads out to his car.
My stomach churns. It’s time to get to work.
I don’t have access to advanced technology or fancy investigation techniques, but I don’t need any of that. All I need is a second witness. Someone else who was present at the event can give me their side of the story. And it just so happens that my sister is that person.
Alone in the house, I go up to my bedroom and close the door.
Sitting on my bed, I dial her number on my new phone. My hands are shaking with anxiety. It’s been so long since I spoke to her. And of course, my whole family is still worried sick about me, not knowing where I am.
Her phone rings twice before she answers.
“Hello, who is this?” she says in a friendly manner.
“Angel, it’s me.” My voice is shaking.
“Stef?” she blurts out, absolutely floored.
“Angel, don’t say my name. I don’t want people knowing you’re talking to me. Can you go somewhere quiet, alone?” I ask.
“What’s going on? Are you in danger? Can you tell me where you are? I can come get you,” she says hurriedly.
“Are you alone?” I ask.
“Yes, I’m alone. Are you ok? Are you hurt?”
“No, I’m not hurt at all. I’m perfectly safe. It’s so good to hear your voice.”
“How are you safe? We’ve been searching for you. We’ve been worried sick,” she complains.
“I know, I had no way to reach you. It’s a long story. I was… um… I was kidnapped, but now things are different. But please, right now I just need to ask you some things, and I need you to swear not to tell anyone we spoke. Not yet.”
She sighs loudly. “Jaroslav… everyone… they all deserve to know you’re ok. I can’t keep this a secret. It wouldn’t be fair,” she says. I knew she would. But I also know she’s my sister and will trust me.
“Please, I only need a few more days. That’s all. Then I’ll call Jaroslav myself. The thing is that there’s a lot going on and I’m trying to prevent people from getting hurt over things that aren’t true.”
She sighs again.
“A few days?” she mutters.
“Yes, only a few days. Then, if I haven’t called him, you can tell him I called. But I will call him.”