Chapter Thirty-Eight
Asher finishes his meal just in time for Sergei to show up with a goddamn entourage.
I watch through the window of the lobby as three black SUV’s pull into the parking lot.
Dorian stands right beside me, with Seamus and Connor next to him, forming a perfect straight line.
Their shoulders are squared, chests puffed out.
They look like soldiers awaiting orders, which I suppose they are.
A bell over the front door rings as a goddamn beast of a man opens the door, holding it wide.
In steps another, slightly leaner man, who’s no less imposing.
Danger swirls around him like a shroud, suffocating his energy with dark fumes.
His expression is blank. His black hair, slicked back from his face; his teal eyes, sharp and watchful.
He carries himself with the confidence of a conqueror and quiet calm of an apex predator.
Even though I’m reasonably sure he won’t hurt me, I can’t help but feel disconcerted at his presence.
“Gentlemen,” he greets the legionaries. His eyes fix on me, and the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. “And you must be Mira. I’ve heard a great deal about you.”
I glance at Dorian instinctively. He meets my eyes and gives me a slight nod, silently telling me to be at ease.
“I guess you have me at a disadvantage, then. All I’ve heard about you is that you own at least half the world.”
Sergei shrugs. “I’m an ambitious man.” He walks forward, and five beastly men file in behind him, standing in front of the door and windows. Sergei stops two feet away from me and extends his hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
I swallow and step forward, taking his hand and giving it a firm shake. “Same to you.”
“Thank you for arranging our rendezvous here.”
“That’s entirely thanks to Asher.” I nod at the man in question, who’s standing at the bottom of the staircase, arms crossed over his chest. Sergei appraises him with a searching gaze, then also walks over to him and makes introductions.
He greets his legion with familiarity and even a hint of fondness.
“Right, then. Shall we find somewhere private to talk?”
Asher motions to the staircase. “Follow me.”
He takes us straight to the vault, where Sergei and his men take their time looking at the available weapons.
“I’ll compensate you for our use of them,” Sergei tells Asher. “Thank you for your help.”
“I only want one form of compensation,” Asher says seriously. “Allow me to join your mission. I want to kill as many of the wannabee gangster fuckers as I can, but especially Clyde. Leave him to me.”
Dorian opens his mouth to protest; I elbow him hard in the ribs. Clyde got the love of Asher’s life killed and severely abused his daughter. Aside from me, he’s the person who most deserves revenge.
“Igor?” Sergei prompts, glancing at the beastly man who opened the door for him.
Igor shrugs. “He's an ex-marine. Spec ops, by the looks of it. He’ll be useful.”
“Very well. Cross me and die screaming, help me and you’ll be rewarded handsomely,” Sergei tells Asher. “Now, gentlemen, I’m quite tired and my wife is waiting for my call. Why don’t we get our plans and contingencies settled, and then head to our respective hotels for the night?”
We talk with Sergei and his men for about two hours. My unease around him doesn’t go away, though I do relax when I confirm he has no ill will toward me. I think he might be a bit intrigued by me, but there’s no malice between us.
Dorian lets me drive back to the hotel—it’s nice to be behind the wheel again, and I enjoy the rural scenery. Seamus and Connor take the other car.
There’s a steakhouse just a few doors down from our hotel, so we go there for dinner, and then back to our room.
Dorian wastes absolutely no time in hooking an arm around my waist, pulling me right into his chest, and kissing me.
Deeply. Passionately. So thoroughly my toes curl in my shoes.
I clutch his broad shoulder with one hand and curl my other arm around his neck.
His hands drop to my ass, and he starts kneading the pliable flesh, groaning into my kiss.
His groan is so goddamn sexy my nipples pebble in my bra and I press closer to him, desperate to feel him inside me.
“On the bed,” Dorian growls, pulling his mouth away from mine. “I’m going to tie you down, spread-eagle, and play with you. Work your body over until you’re begging. Then, I’m going to fuck you until we’re both screaming. Any objections?”
Feeling a flush course through my entire body, I shake my head. “We don’t exactly have any bondage gear.”
He smirks. “You brought some scarves. I have ties and belts. I’m sure we’ll manage.” He jerks his chin. “On the bed, Mira. Now.”
“You want me fully clothed?” I tease.
A few quick yanks free me from my clothes. Instead of letting me walk, Dorian picks me up and carries me to the bed, setting me on the center of it. “Stay.”
I frown playfully. “I’m not a dog.”
“No, but you are my good girl, so you’ll do what I tell you. Won’t you?”
His voice has deepened into a smoky, dominant, self-assured tone that melts me on the spot. “I’ll be your good girl.”
He ambles over to our suitcases that lie by the dresser.
He retrieves two scarves, two ties, and two belts, then gets to work.
The bed is four-poster, ideal for what he has in mind.
My hands are tied to the top posters, my ankles to the bottom.
By the time he’s done, I’m well and truly immobile.
I test the bondage, jerking my limbs, feeling a thrill travel through me when there’s barely any give.
“Settle in,” Dorian murmurs, gazing at me with a mixture of reverence and dark obsession. “I’m taking my time tonight.”
He shucks his shirt, showcasing a mouthwatering set of abs and beautifully-honed chest, then climbs between my legs. He drags his fingertips up my thighs, making me shudder with anticipation.
“So beautifully responsive,” he murmurs, circling my belly button with his index finger.
He leans over me and drags his tongue up my navel.
He licks a path around my nipple, then sucks it into his mouth.
A scrape of his teeth arches my back, and he sits back with a smirk.
“Do you like being my little fuck-toy, Mira? My personal doll that I can use at my leisure?”
The words are degrading, but they set me on fire. I nod. “Yes.”
“That’s my good girl. I can do anything to you right now. Leave you tied up until morning… spend all night fucking you… have you come until the sun is up.” An evil grin stretches his lips. “Or not let you come at all while I use you.”
I whimper as he drags three fingers up and down my slit. “Don’t be mean.”
“I’ll be as mean or nice as I want, and all you can do is take it.” He grins. “But I do like it when you beg, so feel free to.”
“You don’t listen when I beg,” I point out breathily.
“True, but I still like the sound of your desperation, of the beautiful pleas that leave these gorgeous lips.” He brushes his lips over mine and pinches my clit. My gasp makes him smile. “You’re my favorite toy.”
“And your favorite person?” I ask meekly. He’s quickly becoming my favorite person; I have to know that it’s reciprocated.
Surprise flashes through his eyes, and they quickly warm. “My absolute favorite person. My best good girl. My only woman, now and always.”
Fuck. His words undo me, and the way he works me over for the next hour forces me to submit to him completely. He plays with my breasts. Eats my pussy without letting me come. Lightly fucks my mouth, holding my chin in place. Bathes in my pleas to let me come but doesn’t respond.
By the time he unties my legs and wraps them around his waist, I’m a mindless mess, desperate for release. Ready to do anything he asks, if only he lets me crest.
“Please, please, please,” I chant as he slides his cock into my sopping wet channel. “Dorian, I’m begging,” I mutter. “Please!”
“Keep begging and I might eventually listen,” he teases, letting out a low grunt as he bottoms out. Even though I’m as wet as I’ve ever been, his cock stretches me out, igniting a delicious burn in my pussy. I yank futilely at my hands, wishing I was untied so I could get myself off.
“Look at you,” he murmurs, tracing a finger over my jaw. “Jerking, struggling, begging. Submitting so fucking prettily. Giving me all the power.” He kisses me. “It’s well-placed, love. You can trust me with yourself. I’ll take care of you. I’ll never betray you.”
Tears spark in my eyes as we stare at each other, and my submission transcends something physical and delves into the deep end of emotional. I trust him with more than just my body; I trust him with my heart. It’ll crush me if he ever breaks it, but that’s a chance I’m willing to take.
“Come whenever you’re ready,” he says. “I think you’ve suffered enough. Come for me, Mira.”
My back bows so intensely it’s nearly painful.
A cry of sheer abandon leaves my lips as he grinds his pelvis into my clit.
I cry, I whine, I struggle, and I come so fucking hard it’s a miracle I don’t break his cock off.
He grunts through my release, fucking me harder and faster, wrapping his hand around my neck to keep me in place.
His orgasm follows just a few moments after mine, and deep satisfaction sweeps through me as he throws his head back to the ceiling and roars.
I’m doing that to this man. He’s losing his mind because of me. The power is invigorating.
I plant kisses everywhere I can reach as he unties me, feeling grateful to have him in my life. His abs, his chest… I leave a gentle bite over his heart, just enough to form a hickey. My arms fall limply over my head when he releases them, and I shudder in the aftermath of my orgasm.
Dorian scoops me up and carries me into the en-suite bathroom.
He runs the bath while we shower, and he takes care to wash me very thoroughly, inside and out. My breasts and pussy receive special attention—he makes me come two more times, until my legs turn to jelly, and I can no longer hold my own weight.
Only then does he take us to the bath, where we laze together in warm water until we come back to ourselves. It’s there, surrounded by the foam and bubbles, feeling raw and vulnerable, that the words I’ve been holding back escape.
“I love you,” I murmur. The haze in my head makes it easy for me to confess, though I’m sure I’ll be embarrassed at myself tomorrow.
“I know it’s too soon. We’ve barely known each other for a few weeks.
But still, somehow I fell for you between the kidnapping and punishments.
You accept me for exactly who I am and don’t expect me to change to suit societal norms. You make me feel…
whole. Sane. Perfect, when I know I’m none of those things.
” Dorian’s body is completely still behind me; I don’t even think he’s breathing.
I pick up his hand and bring it to my lips. “I love you.”
A slow breath shudders out of him. He leans forward to press a kiss to my neck, suckling the skin there.
“It’s a damn good thing that you’ve fallen for me, because I’ve already fallen for you.
I’m obsessed with you. I can’t get enough of you.
Your charming way of blurting out random things, your determination to survive and thrive despite impossible circumstances, your way of brightening everything around you.
You make me think that this fucked up world might actually be a good place.
I love you so fucking much, Mira, and I am never letting you go. ”