by Stone, Piper
Every inch of my skin crawled, not from the horrors Kostya would inflict but from the knowledge that not only would I succumb, I would enjoy.
I shifted to the rear of the cage until my back pressed against the cold metal. As I folded my arms around my knees, I dropped my head, pretending this was nothing more than round three—or was it four—of the game we’d been playing.
There was no way of knowing how long I’d been forced to remain in the cramped space, but the moment I heard his footsteps I dug my fingernails into the skin on my legs.
He can’t break you.
He can’t use you.
He can’t hurt you.
I only hoped my conviction meant a damn thing. I knew he wanted me to look at him, to show him fear, but I wasn’t going to give him another moment of satisfaction. I tapped my foot in response to his appearance, humming slightly as if being in the cage meant nothing to me.
I knew he was standing over me, his cold yet mesmerizing eyes staring down at me. Waiting. He was waiting for any reaction, preferably showing him just how terrified I was.
Fuck him.
Fuck this place.
Fuck his control.
What I heard next was surprising, the rustle of bags and several of them. I knew instructions would come at some point. When he unlocked the cage, I kept my head lowered. Don’t engage. Don’t look at him. Was he hungry to see fear in my eyes? Was he determined to get a rise out of me? No way, asshole.
There was a full minute of quiet, except for my humming. I almost gave in, lifting my head. Nope. That wasn’t going to happen.
“You will learn to trust me, printsessa.” His deep velveteen voice was just as husky as always, almost drawing me into his web as before.
Not this time, buddy.
Trust? Who the fuck was he kidding? I would never, ever in a thousand years trust him. I bit back the string of nasty retorts, remaining completely immobile.
And quiet as a little mouse.
Five seconds slipped by. Ten. Twenty.
Heavy footsteps sounded again, daring to rip away at my resolve. I kept my promise even though my entire body was shivering. What I didn’t hear was the sound of the door being shut or the combination lock being engaged. I took a series of deep breaths before daring to lift my head. I hadn’t imagined it. The cage door had been unlocked, the door slightly ajar. I stared at it for a full minute, half expecting he was hiding in the shadows, prepared to punish me for failing his vindictive challenge.
Very slowly I shifted my weight until I was able to extend my leg, allowing my foot to push open the door. There were no angry words spoken in Russian or his admonishing gaze staring down at me. There was the essence of sweet peace and freedom.
Every muscle ached, stiffness already settling in as I crawled out of the cage, slowly standing. I held my arms in front of me as I walked closer to the stairs, daring to glance up the long flight. That door was also ajar. What kind of game was he playing now? I chomped down on my inner cheek, tasting blood as I twisted my head. Shopping bags. Confusion wrapped around me like a warm blanket. What the hell was he attempting to do, gain my trust?
No way was I going to fall into this bullshit. Sadly, my curiosity got the better of me and I found myself walking toward them. I knew the names of the businesses, the majority of which had stores in the French Quarter. Expensive. Exclusive. Totally out of my realm.
A folded piece of paper was positioned just off to the side. I darted a look over my shoulder before carefully lifting it into my hand. Why I was terrified to open it was beyond me. There was nothing the asshole could say that would matter.
Except that it did.
I’m sorry... I hope you find the items acceptable. Please join me for dinner when you are ready.
Kostya
I rubbed my finger over the eloquent cursive, the ink smudging slightly given the moisture on my finger. I folded the card just as it had been, placing it gingerly on the nightstand.
Just a game. Just a game.
Yes.
He was a master manipulator. I turned my attention back to whatever he’d purchased, fighting the myriad emotions. He was damn good at attempting to suck me in.
Every bag was vibrant in color, the logos far too cheerful. I moved my hand over them, as if expecting a horrible shock. The soft mounds indicated clothing was nestled inside, boxes of shoes in at least two others. I was floored, lightheaded. My legs shaking, I sat down on the bed, struggling to rationalize the reason. Did this mean he was taking me somewhere, maybe selling me to the highest bidder?
I laughed softly, groaning as I shook my head. It was time to shove the fog in my mind aside. Kostya was desperate to find the diamond my father supposedly had, which meant he was nothing more than a hired mercenary or he had a price of his own on his head for completing the task. Could he be Russian mafia? No doubt. He was also likely a killer, but he wasn’t stupid. He hadn’t anticipated that I was even in the country. I hadn’t been a part of his initial plan, so he’d been right. My actions from the night of the party had altered Kostya’s strategy, the timing possibly allowing my father to move this diamond.
Even if that were the case, what in the hell was my father doing with an expensive jewel?
What I was certain of is that I’d have to continue playing along with Kostya’s rules in order to figure out a way to get myself out of this. I rubbed my cold fingers before reaching out and snagging the first bag.
Inside were two of the most beautiful dresses I’d ever seen, the vivid colors of fuchsia and cobalt simply mesmerizing. The silky material on both reeked of affluence. Dear old Dad had reminded me that I could have the finer things in life if I’d agree to work with him. What was wrong with my inadequate clothing selection and ragged jeans?
As I dared to look into several of the other bags, I was thrown into total disbelief. Everything Kostya had selected was incredible and very romantic, including the beautiful silk nightgown that likely cost more than I made in a month. I just couldn’t understand why he’d gone to such lengths.
What wasn’t in the group of clothing was anything that I was used to wearing. There were no jeans or tee shirts, no simple black skirts and ugly little blouses that would never draw anyone’s attention to me. As I held one of the dresses to my nose, I choked back tears.
The Russian was dead set on owning me.
Fine. It was time to act like a lady in order to get what I wanted.
My freedom.
I selected a dress that would hug every curve, impressed that he’d filled a bag with makeup in an array of dazzling colors. Hell, the man had even purchased lingerie—panties and bras that were actually my size. If only this was a part of a romantic getaway, my lover desiring to shower me with gifts.
Instead of bribe money.
Ply her with gifts, then maybe she’ll talk. The cage hadn’t worked to break me. The only terrifying part was I had no way of knowing what could be next if this didn’t work. I laughed nervously as I walked into the bathroom, turning on the light and holding up the gorgeous frock. If he was trying to seduce me then the man could wait.
The feel of the plug was filling, a reminder of his absolute control. I reached around, prepared to yank it away, tossing the damn thing into the trash. The moment I touched the end, I hesitated, taking gulping breaths.
Did I actually intend on following his command? Was I really going to do that, to endure the embarrassment and humiliation any longer? I twisted the plug, biting back a whimper.
It burned.
It clawed at my insides.
It suffocated me.
Yet I let it go, shifting enough until I was able to catch a glimpse of the bright red end. He’d also begun to break down my defenses. I was sickened at the thought. I was... I slapped my hand on the glass as I caught a single look at my fully aroused nipples.
Shame. Shame. Shame.
My stomach lurched the entire time I spent dressing, finding it difficult to apply makeup, fearful I’d loo
k like a clown when I finished. When I finally took a look at my reflection, a smile formed on my lips. I swished and swayed, reminding myself this wasn’t some amazing fantasy.
This was another form of a business transaction, one that was dirty and vile in every regard. Only this time, I was determined to come out the winner.
I rubbed my hands on the slick material before daring to slide into the beautiful sling-back shoes. Just like Cinderella, they fit perfectly.
This was nuts, completely freaking insane. I was forced to grip the edge of the counter, trying to catch my breath and whatever courage I had left. For all I knew, what I was walking into upstairs could be more horrible than time spent in the cage.
“You will learn to trust me...”
His words reverberated in my mind as I walked toward the stairs, a lump caught in my throat. Time to enter into round whatever of our twisted little game and this time, the rules of battle were about to change.
The scent of garlic and onion made my mouth water, my stomach aching from the lack of food. Had he been serious about having dinner with him? I licked my lips, dragging a portion of the ridiculously expensive lip gloss onto my tongue. Strawberry in flavor, just a kiss of pink coloring. Everything about this was pathetic. Did he actually have the audacity to think he was going to seduce me? I could swear among the incredible fragrances was the hint of spicy tomatoes.
Everything about this was wrong.
I kept my footsteps as quiet as possible, even though the slight creaks in the aging wood would likely give me away. As I neared the top of the stairs, I heard the sound of music, the powerful orchestra playing an incredible yet extraordinarily dark piece of classical music. I carefully walked into the kitchen, uncertain of what I would find.
I couldn’t have been any more shocked to see sauce bubbling on the stove, fresh noodles ready to be dropped into boiling water. Dishes and silverware were positioned on the kitchen island, salad tossed inside a wooden bowl. There was even freshly baked bread on the counter. I inched closer, carefully reaching out. The loaf was warm. Unable to resist, I tugged off a piece of the end, shoving it into my mouth. I was suddenly starving, the taste better than anything I’d had before.
As I chewed, I noticed the open bottle of wine, a portion missing as well as an empty glass positioned beside it. Why the hell not indulge? One glass wasn’t going to hurt. As I poured, I realized the music seemed to be getting louder, the booming vibes melancholy, evoking another range of emotions.
My grip on the glass firm, I moved from the kitchen, creeping along the hallway in the darkness. An eerie shimmering blue light swallowed up the doorway leading into the living room, creating an ominous feeling. As I walked closer, I was able to see candles flickering on several surfaces, adding to the morose atmosphere. Kostya’s silhouette sat in the oversized leather chair, his legs splayed open, his elbow resting on the massive arm as he stared at the source of the light as well as the sound. The stereo system was lit up, pulsing to the deep bass of the various musical instruments.
I was drawn into the moment, the robust music swirling in my mind, the clarity of each instrument breathtaking.
Shifting my gaze, I studied my brooding captor, waiting for any sign he’d noticed my arrival, but he seemed mesmerized by the intensity of the concerto. Everything about this moment was reminiscent of yet another fantasy, beautiful in a mystical manner.
Completely unreal; the minions of the underworld ready to rip through the surface of the floor, dragging both of us straight to hell.
I took a sip of wine, shuddering to my core before walking further into the room, only aware he’d noticed me by the heat creeping up from my neck to my jaw. I could feel his penetrating stare every time, desire that remained ignited.
I dared not look into his eyes for fear of being caught up, my passionate appetite unrequited. The flush continued, sliding over my cheeks as more shame rushed into me. After all that had occurred, I still longed for his rough touch, his unbridled methods of enforcing his domination.
He said nothing, only taking a single sip of his blood-red wine, half his face shadowed by the dim light. I shifted from a provocative painting to a delicately carved statue, allowing both pieces of art to hold my attention. As I moved away, I caught sight of his ragged breathing, his chest rising and falling. Even in the shadows, I could see his nostrils were flared as well as the outline of his cock pushing against his trousers.
He’d changed attire, once again wearing all black, yet in the dazzling blue light the color was richer, highlighting a powerful aura around him. I was thrown by the intensity of my attraction, the dangerous jolts of current rushing down the backs of my legs. I hid behind the glass, taking a cautious sip as I shifted my legs back and forth, clenching my aching pussy. Why did this dark and violent man have such control over me? Why did my level of hunger increase every time I was in close proximity?
As the music took an even darker turn, deep-seated sadness was yanked from the depths of my being until a single tear slipped past my lashes. Loneliness. The word remained in my mind, wrapping around my neck and squeezing.
Kostya had stripped away the loneliness, his authoritative actions exactly what I’d craved.
He tilted his head, swirling the wine in his glass before leaning forward. I was shocked I was able to hear three little words over the music.
“Come. To. Me.”
His words were commanding in every manner, but the evocative nature of what he was demanding was even more powerful. As I walked closer, he narrowed his eyes, allowing his gaze to sweep up and down the length of me. I could tell by the curl on his lip just how hungry he was.
And that he wouldn’t take no for an answer.
I should be afraid of him, terrified that he would destroy my life. I should do everything in my power to escape my prison, turning him into the proper authorities. All the rational thoughts were pushed aside the closer I came to him, inhaling his intoxicating scent that was all male. The connection we shared was far too potent and I was drunk on my own needs.
As I came within inches, he put his glass on the table before taking mine away and guiding me between his legs. I tingled all over as brushed his hands up and down my thighs, taking several deep breaths before pulling me even closer.
Run. Run away.
The inner voice died out the moment I allowed myself to drink in his expression, eyes that finally allowed me to see into his soul. He was so broken, unable to rip himself away from the monsters holding him hostage. The sadness clawing at me was terrifying, yanking me straight into a vacuum.
Then his gaze became just as dark as before, his eyes burning into me. When he rested his head on my stomach, I was taken aback. I felt the weight of his world falling on me, as if I was living a portion of his ruthless and lonely life.
So alone.
So cold.
The music had a damning effect on him, stripping away every defense as well as the brutality he hid behind.
I was thrown by my emotional state, unable to react for several seconds. Then I was overcome with the need to save and protect him, if only from himself. I cradled his head against me, closing my eyes as he nuzzled even closer, tangling my fingers in his messy strands of hair. He was vulnerable, his entire world crushing in on him. We were two lost souls who’d collided, karma playing a cruel joke. I couldn’t love him, and he had never learned how.
The despondency became overwhelming until I was unable to control the tears, every bead burning into my skin. A single sob drew his attention, his eyes darting back and forth. A growl slipped past his lips as he crawled his fingers up from my hips, wrapping them around my wrists and yanking me down until our lips were centimeters apart.
He held the position for several seconds, his hot breath cascading over me, leaving me swooning. My nipples ached, longing for him to pluck and twist, craving the kind of pain that only he could provide. I was dragged into the world of fantasy, shutting the door on my real life for a chance at being with
a man I adored.
The thought was riveting as well as disgusting at the same time, even as the scent of my desire wafted between us.
There was no turning back, no chance at redemption.
My body, heart, and soul had provided me with the ultimate betrayal.
My surrender.
He cupped both sides of my head, still breathing rapidly as the music formed a cocoon around us. “Mine. All mine.”
As he captured my mouth, I closed my eyes, allowing myself to pretend this was nothing more than an incredible moment, passion that refused to be denied. There were no monsters, no threats or fears, just the two of us.
Together.
As the kiss became a roar of need, his actions becoming more forceful, he pulled me onto his lap. The feel of his hard cock pressing into my drenched panties was almost too much, my heart racing and every cell exploding from the rush of adrenaline. No man had ever created this kind of reaction, the almost desperate need for more.
His fingers dug into my skin, sending another wave of chills skittering down my spine, his touch like white lightning. He dominated my tongue, rolling his back and forth as he drank in every sip of my essence.
And my innocence.
My legs quivered, my pussy aching to have him inside of me.
Very slowly he rolled his thumbs back and forth across my jaw then slid his fingers under the tiny straps of my dress. As he dragged them down my arms, flashes of light pulsed across my field of vision.
He broke the kiss, taking my lower lip into his mouth. Every sound he made was husky, a true barbarian with intense need. He continued sliding the straps down, exposing my breasts.
A wisp of cooler air flowed across my already hardened nipples, stealing my breath. As he gingerly freed one arm then the other from the confines, he slid his hand around to my back. I was shocked how sensitive my skin was as he danced the tips of his fingers along my spine, finally intertwining his fingers in my hair.