Chapter 44
Chapter Forty-Four
Ava
H is tone is dark. It wakes the matching dark desire I seem to have for him. Every time he takes control and commands me, my body feels alive. I feel alive. He’s a man I never imagined I’d want. Maybe this is why it’s so hard. I let myself be clouded. I allowed myself to see a future with him where there clearly isn’t one. I love a man who doesn’t belong to me or love me. He caresses my butt cheeks.
“I’m going to spank you six times with my hand. You’ll take every one of them without complaint. Do you understand, baby girl?”
“Yes,” I whisper.
“Good girl. I want you to count.” I shake my head. “I want to hear you say it,” he demands, and I find myself aroused.
“Yes.” He doesn’t warn me. The first spank vibrates. The heat from his hand burning. Time stops. It’s just him, me, and the pleasure he gives.
“Count.” He caresses the area he spanked.
“One.” Again, he spanks me without warning. This time I speak. “Two.” Every single one is harder than the previous one. It feels good. It’s rough when his hand connects and sweet when he caresses the pain away. It makes me forget what is happening outside this bedroom. “Six.” I think he’s going to speak again, but instead, I hear his zipper lower.
“Hold tight. This is going to be quick.” I don’t get a chance to respond. He fills me in a matter of seconds. “Always ready for me.”
Every thrust brings me closer to the edge. I try to immerse myself in the pleasure, but immediately I understand that quick meant he only cares about his climax and not mine. I feel as he is nearing the edge. Before I know it, he climaxes leaving me filled with frustration. He pulls out and spanks my ass one last time.
“Viktor…” I moan.
“This was for my pleasure.” He walks away. I don’t know how to feel. He returns with a washcloth. Another sweet moment but it feels so wrong. “Get dressed. We have guests waiting.” I’m too stunned to speak. I pull the dress on. “Turn around, baby girl.” He zips my dress. “Take a few minutes to collect yourself. I expect you downstairs in no more than five minutes.”
“Viktor—”
“Five minutes.” He kisses me and leaves.
What the fuck? I feel used. I’m frustrated. I have this pent-up energy that needs release. I retouch my makeup and hair as best I can. He looked perfect when he walked out. I can’t say the same about me. I’m flushed. I take a deep breath to find the courage I need to return to the party. I think he’s cruel to make me return, but this is Viktor we’re talking about. He’s always going to do whatever pleases him.
Everything was going great earlier. Anita was introducing me around when we reached a family friend. Not a very nice one at that. She told Anita that Fiona was back in town, sharing the big news of her pending marriage to Viktor. There was no regard for me from her. The next person was the same. I did my best to ignore them. Everything changed when we reached the third person. I looked in Viktor's direction, and I saw her kiss him. I felt like the air had been kicked out of me. My world crashed, and I had to leave. I couldn’t breathe. I was fooling myself to think Viktor and I could have a future. It’s like I forget I’m not Cinderella, and this isn’t a fairytale.
Downstairs, music and voices fill the house. There are people everywhere, and children are running around. It’s a beautiful sight I’d have enjoyed if it wasn’t for Fiona. I don’t know why it bothers me. Viktor is not my happily ever after, even if it’s what I want. I’m just ready for tonight to be over. I’m ready to sleep the night away.
“You must be the infamous Ava.” I turn find see Fiona. “I’m Fiona, but I’m sure you already knew that.” There’s a mocking note to her tone. I say nothing. “Oh, come on. Don’t be shy.”
“I need to get back to the party. If you’ll excuse me.”
She grabs my arm. “I think it’s time for you to leave. Go back to the projects where you belong. I’m back and you’re just a stupid little girl. He’s marrying me, not you. There’s no reason for you to be here.”
“Last time I checked, he doesn’t want anything to do with you.” I pull my arm away.
“You’re a nobody. Viktor’s father won’t allow him to choose you over me. We’re getting married. Do us all a favor and leave of your own accord. Save yourself the embarrassment.” I turn to leave, but she grabs me again. “This is friendly advice. I won’t tell you a second time.”
“Why don’t you keep your advice to yourself? The only person who can make me leave is Viktor, and he won’t let me leave.” There’s a challenge in my voice.
“Listen, whore, get your shit and leave. Viktor is marrying me regardless of what he wants.”
“We’ll see about that.” I probably shouldn’t have added wood to the fire. She slaps me, and I instinctively respond in kind.
“You bitch. You’re not getting away with this,” she screams and swings again, but Oliver grabs her arm in midair. Where the hell did he come from?
“Careful, Fiona. You don’t want a scene.” His voice is ice cold. It’s weird that he’s defending me. I didn’t think he liked me.
“This whore…” Fiona starts.
“Ava, why don’t you join the party? I’m sure Viktor must be looking for you.”
“Don’t you dare look for him. Get the fuck out of my house.” She screams, getting the attention of some of the guests.
“Go, Ava,” Oliver says again.
I turn back to the stairs. Her house? Did he buy it for her? Of course, he did. They were going to get married. This party is a complete disaster. Staying would be adding insult to injury. I need to leave. It’s pointless to stay. Whatever was happening between us is over. The spell has been broken, it’s the stroke of midnight and time for Cinderella to leave the ball.
“I told you to join the party.” I hear midway up the stairs.
“I don’t feel well,” I say from the top of the stairs. Viktor takes two steps at a time to get to me.
“Did I hurt you?” There’s concern in his voice, which surprises me.
“No. I just have a bad migraine.”
“Did you eat?”
“Probably not enough.” I open the door to my bedroom.
“Wrong bedroom.” He takes my hand from the doorknob.
“Right.” I don’t look at him. I’m afraid my body might betray me. He has a way of knowing what I’m not saying. “Go back to the guests.”
“I’ll call a doctor.”
“I just need rest. I get migraines all the time.” But what I want to say is to let me be. To let me out of our arrangement. I can’t do this anymore. I’m in love with him, but we don’t have a future. He turns me to face him.
“What the fuck happened to your face?” I touch my cheek.
“I don’t know what you mean.” I play dumb.
“There’s a handprint on your face. What the fuck did Fiona do?”
“Fiona didn’t do anything.” I swallow hard.
“I won’t tolerate you lying to my face. This has her name written all over it.” He turns to leave. I stop him.
“Don’t make a scene. That is exactly what she wants, your attention. Your family is here. Just excuse me and tell them I’m not feeling well.” Not that anyone will believe it since I’m sure word has probably spread about what happened.
“I won’t fucking allow this.”
“I’m asking you to.”
“Ava, you’re going to be my wife. I won’t tolerate anyone disrespecting you.”
“But I’m not going to be your wife. Soon you’ll be a free man.” He takes my hands.
“For all intents and purposes, you’re going to be my wife. Everyone knows this.”
“Let Fiona be. You don’t need to upset your father. It’s Christmas Eve. If you still want to address it tomorrow, go right ahead. But not tonight and not here.” He kisses me. This man is so confusing. One minute he makes me feel like this is real, and the next, he’s reminds me this is just a facade. He breaks the kiss.
“What have you done to me?” he asks as he leaves.
His words confuse me even more. I’m standing in the center of his bedroom alone and broken. I can’t breathe and feel lost. I sit on the bed, defeated, and let the tears come. I’m afraid Viktor and I won’t have a tomorrow.
We aren’t going to make it.
This is how it’s all going to end.