Sordid

by Nikki Sloane

  “You . . .” He hadn’t quite caught his breath. His Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed, and he seemed to finally even out. He said it softly. “Look what you do to me.”

  I propped myself up on my elbows, confused on what exactly he— “Oh!”

  Luka eased two fingers inside, and set his other hand on my clit, stirring. I collapsed on the table with an enormous bang.

  “Holy shit,” I moaned. He was touching me in a spot I hadn’t felt before. It was so deep and intense, my body burst into flames. He studied every minute move I made as his fingers pumped in and out and worked me into a frenzy. The orgasm threatened, and then it abruptly barreled down on me. My arms flayed, searching desperate for something to hold onto, and I clawed at the wooden tabletop.

  “Yes,” he said, his voice coated in power. “Yes, Addison.”

  I unleashed a cry that verged on a scream as the climax obliterated. I seized and contracted, one intense wave, then another right on its heels. The pleasure was on a whole new level from anything I’d had before, and it just kept going. I shivered in ecstasy, and the uncontrollable writhing kept me moving on his hand, prolonging the orgasm.

  And after a lifetime, the pleasure began to ease away and I began my journey back down to earth. Back to the reality where Luka Markovic had just fucked me on his kitchen table, his cum all over my breasts, and given me the greatest orgasm of my life with his skilled hands. I’d been with him two days. The longest two days of my life, but still only two days. What would happen after a week? Or a month?

  How much further down would he take me?

  π

  Not going to class on Monday nearly made me sick.

  I sat on the bed in the green-striped guest bedroom that was mine now, apparently, and chewed at my fingernails. It was an old, disgusting habit I usually only fell back into during finals or the week leading up to the MCATs, but I was more anxious now than I’d ever been for a test. At least those I could prepare for and felt in control. There was no control now since Luka had stolen all of mine away.

  I didn’t try to escape, but I fantasized about it. I made plans and different scenarios, more than anything to give myself something to do. I needed a distraction to keep from thinking about the class I was missing out on.

  After dinner last night, Luka had led me to a half bath off of the kitchen and instructed me to clean up. Then he’d taken me upstairs, allowed me to pick out some sleeping clothes and things for tomorrow, and returned me to my bedroom.

  There’d been no mention of the shiny silver deadbolt that had been installed on the outside of my door, but I’d noticed it immediately. Luka must have had it done while we’d been in the office working.

  He’d kissed me goodnight and left, and the distinct clunk of the deadbolt turning made my heart sink. We had a long way to go with building trust.

  I’d slept better than the previous night, and when I woke, there was breakfast waiting on top of the dresser, right beside my stack of books, and I was grateful for both. I ate quickly, showered and dressed, and curled up in the loveseat with my organic chemistry book in my lap.

  He’d removed the ticking alarm clock, so once again I had no idea what time it was, and it was beyond irritating. It was overcast outside, making it difficult to judge. At one point I got up and peered out the window, staring at the pretty front lawn and long driveway that curved to disappear into a heavily wooded forest. There were no other houses in sight. I went back to reading and taking notes.

  I was nearing the end of a chapter when a soft rap on the door broke the silence and startled me.

  “Addison?” a female voice asked. “May I come in?”

  Like I had any control over that. I couldn’t exactly let her in. “Uh . . . yeah, that’s fine.”

  I closed my book and stood, straightening my clothes. Was this the person Luka had said would be at the house with me? The lock on the door was turned, and it swung open slowly, revealing a petite woman who looked to be thirty. Blonde and fair skinned, with big doe eyes and a white, perfect smile.

  “I’m Jennifer,” she said as she came in and shut the door. “I’m married to Alek.” She said it like I should have a clue who that was, but my vacant stare must have announced I didn’t. “I’m Luka’s cousin-in-law.”

  She set her purse down on the dresser, and placed her hands on her hips, zeroing in on me. “Let’s have a look at you.”

  “I’m sorry?”

  “Can you turn? Luka said you needed new clothes and a dress for Goran’s Christmas party.”

  I walked in a slow circle. “Who’s Goran?”

  When I came back around, there was a tight smile frozen on her pleasant face. “He’s Luka’s uncle.”

  The head of the Markovic family, the one Luka said everyone answered to. I threaded my nervous hands together. Luka had sent Jennifer to pick out a dress for me for Christmas, and it was barely November.

  She went to her purse, retrieved her phone, and held it up. “Can I take a few pictures?”

  Could I say no? “Uh, sure.” I didn’t smile and stood awkwardly as the camera snapped away.

  The phone was set down and a measuring tape retrieved next. Jennifer went about her business as if I were more an object than a person, taking my measurements and recording the information in her phone. She asked how tall I was and my shoe size, and when she look satisfied, she picked up her purse.

  “I’ll be back later in the week with some options.”

  Jennifer left as abruptly as she’d arrived. She’d seemed on a mission, and I wondered if Luka had ordered her not to socialize with his prisoner. She knew I was his captive because she locked me in as she left.

  A while after Jennifer’s visit, the door was unlocked, pushed open, and revealed Luka standing in the hallway. He wore black pants, a gray patterned dress shirt, and a black tie that had been tugged loose. I was instantly anxious.

  “I’ve got lunch ready.” He turned, not waiting for me, and headed back to the stairs.

  He’d set out the food his chef had prepared, because I could see the marked containers stacked beside the sink. He sat down at the table he’d fucked me on last night, and began to eat. How could he be so indifferent to it all? I sank down into the seat opposite him.

  There was no conversation, making me tense. Why had he bothered to come home for lunch if we weren’t going to say anything? I couldn’t handle the silence another moment.

  “How’s work, darling?” I asked, my tone pointed.

  His chewing slowed and his gaze tightened on mine.

  Since I didn’t get a response, it pushed me further. “My day’s been great. Nothing to do but sit around and wait for you.”

  He set his fork down deliberately, and his expression hardened. “I don’t care for the attitude.”

  “Well, I don’t care for missing class when I’m not sick.”

  “You want to miss class because you don’t feel well?” His words were laced with the threat. “I can make that happen.”

  I blew out a breath and my shoulders slumped. Luka had trapped me in this awful position, but he was also trying to make the best of it. He could have taken the easy way out and left me at that dinner table with his father. Not only would he be rid of me, but he wouldn’t have been forced into making the deal with his uncle.

  So I shouldn’t be lashing out at him, since my goal was to earn his trust. I sighed. “I’m sorry. This is . . . hard for me.”

  Luka blinked and his gaze drifted away from mine. His voice came out less confident than usual. “I know it is.”

  We plunged into silence once more, but this time it wasn’t quite as oppressive.

  He picked up his fork, but hesitated. “Eat your lunch. I have something for you after that might make it easier.”

  “A time machine?” I asked.

  His eyebrow pulled upward. I looked down at my plate of chicken parmesan and got busy eating so it would keep my mouth occupied.

  The lack of conversation wasn’
t uncomfortable. It was clear Luka was a man of few words, but I longed to know more. He’d gone through all of my stuff, had read my application essay, and prodded me for information. He knew a lot more about me than I did about him. My heartbeat picked up as I attempted a conversation.

  “You look nice,” I eked out.

  His eyes clouded with suspicion. I couldn’t blame him, but it wasn’t a lie. He looked great in his professional clothes. He’d rolled back his sleeves, showing off an expensive watch, and the dress shirt fit him expertly.

  “Do you have to wear a tie, or choose to?”

  He appeared to consider his answer carefully. “I don’t have to, but I like to look my best.” His coal-colored eyes deepened. “Just like you.” He’d finished his lunch, and now I seemed to be his primary focus. “But you should be aware you look your best when you’re not wearing anything at all.”

  My mouth went dry. I thought the same of him, but there was no way I’d say it out loud.

  Luka’s phone, which rested face up on the table, chimed with a text message. He scooped it up, typed out a response, and set his gaze on me. Something sexual lingered in his dark eyes, and it made me pinch my knees together.

  “Your time is my time,” he said, matter-of-factly. “So you’re going to use my time to bring yourself right to the edge of orgasm, but you won’t come. You’ll do it twice before I’m back at six fifteen.”

  My mind stumbled over the assignment. “I . . . there’s not a clock in my room.”

  “I’m about to give you one.” He took the napkin out of his lap, tossed it on his plate, and turned toward the doorway. “Vanessa?” he called, his voice raised.

  A woman appeared carrying a black book. Her long, straight brown hair was pulled back in a low ponytail, and matched the rest of her. Efficient, no nonsense. She had dark skin and her face was pretty, and she looked to be the same age as Luka. But her frame wasn’t the standard delicate feminine one—she was more muscle than curves.

  I imagined when she wanted to, Vanessa could be downright intimidating.

  “Did you finish?” he asked.

  “Yeah.” Her curious, distracted gaze wandered over to me, and then she must have realized how unprofessional her answer had been. “I mean, yes, sir.”

  “That’s weird, don’t call me that.” Luka scowled. He took the black book from her, which wasn’t a book. He flipped open the cover, examined the iPad inside, and seemed satisfied. “Thank you,” he said, dismissing her.

  She nodded and disappeared through the doorway.

  “Your assistant?” I asked.

  “No. She’s new.” He slid the iPad across the table toward me. “This is yours.”

  “What?” I stared at the tablet with disbelief.

  “It won’t connect to the Internet, but I put some books on there, and also this.” He tapped an icon that led to the videos stored on the device, and then tapped again. The video went fullscreen and began to play, and my mouth fell open.

  “Is this from today?” I grabbed the tablet to examine it closer. It appeared to be video of my molecular biology lecture.

  “Yeah,” he said. “Vanessa will video your classes every day and bring the footage to me.”

  I paused the video and stared at him, trying to sort through the competing emotions. I was thrilled he’d arranged this so I wasn’t really missing the lectures, but less pleased that he could hold the videos for ransom. He could get me to do almost anything for those videos, and he knew it.

  “Notice your new iPad has a clock at the top of the screen.” Luka’s eyes gleamed. He was excited about doling out the assignment to me.

  The tablet suddenly felt heavier in my hands.

  After lunch was over, he glanced at his watch, and it was clear it was time to return to my prison cell. I fought not to drag my feet up the stairs. I was already sick of the green striped wallpaper, and I longed for Avery’s garish Christmas lights duct taped to the ceiling.

  Luka hovered in the door, looking unsure of how to proceed. We hadn’t touched. The distance between us should have been reassuring, but it wasn’t. My betraying body wanted him closer. It desired his warm skin against mine, and I cursed myself.

  “I’ll be back at six fifteen,” he said.

  I lifted my chin, trying to look unaffected. “All right.” It was supposed to sound snide, but my voice weakened and turned breathless. “I’ll be here, waiting for you.”

  His shoulders tightened, and it looked like he was wavering. Was he going to step into the room, shut the door, and start something? And, did I want that? No, I told myself, clutching the iPad closer. He’d already given me what I needed.

  His decision had been made and the faint desire in his expression drained away. “See you later.” Luka was halfway out the door, and lobbed the comment over his shoulder. “Have fun with your assignment, but . . . not too much fun.”

  Chapter

  Eighteen

  At lunch on Thursday, Luka announced he’d leave my room unlocked. The doors to the bedrooms were to remain closed, and the computer in the office was password protected, but I could move about the first floor as I wished. Being from a family of criminals, the whole house was wired with a sophisticated security system. If I entered a room without permission, he’d get his text alert, and I’d go back to square one.

  “Naked and chained to the bed,” I’d repeated, exasperated. “Yeah, I know.”

  His ‘assignments’ had gotten progressively more challenging, but also thrilling, and I always completed them. I couldn’t shake my ingrained desire to please and succeed, and needed to ensure my class videos would keep coming.

  Monday’s task hadn’t been too bad, at least not until Luka had returned and quizzed me on it. He’d wanted to know exactly what I’d thought about during my two sessions, and made me describe in detail my memory of the previous night on the table. He’d also had two fingers inside me, coaxing both the words and the suspended orgasm from me.

  Tuesday had two assignments. He gave me back my razor and instructions to go completely bare below the waist. The second task was to wait naked for him in a specific position on the bed so he could inspect my work. I had to sit with my legs wide open and feet flat on the mattress, leaning back on my hands, so everything was clearly on display the way he thought I looked my best. He’d come home from work, carried in a glass of wine, and sat in the loveseat staring at me. Butterflies had fluttered in my stomach, but his heated, lustful stare made me feel powerful and desired, too.

  It was also the most conversation we’d ever had, as he seemed to want to prolong our mutual anticipation. Or possibly just to make me uncomfortable. We talked about his job, mostly. When he’d gotten his undergraduate degree, he’d struggled to find work that wasn’t public accounting with low pay and long hours, and although he’d been concerned about pressure to help with all sides of the Markovic business, he’d accepted the legit job offer from the dealership. Plus, they’d offered to pay for grad school.

  Luka glossed over the details, but I could read between the lines. His uncle’s personal accountant was now slowly bringing Luka into the fold regarding the criminal activities. As ridiculous as it sounded, I was worried for him. He’d worked so hard to be better than that, but his family was sinking him, dragging Luka down into their dirty world.

  Wasn’t he doing the same to me?

  Wednesday’s assignment had been to take video while I brought myself to orgasm. I’d been mortified to film it, but when I was done, I’d been surprised by how hot the video turned out. And it had stolen my breath as he’d watched it in front of me last night.

  “What would you like me to do today?” I asked, my voice tight with nervous energy, when we’d finished our lunch. He hadn’t given me a dirty task to complete yet, which set me on high alert.

  “No assignment. I’ll be home late.” His eyes clouded over. “I’ve got a dinner meeting with my uncle.”

  I felt the chill all the way to my bones. “Oh.”
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  The silence was heavy with all the questions I wanted to ask, but didn’t.

  “Dinner is in the fridge. Whitney puts the heating instructions on the label. Don’t try to burn the house down.”

  I wasn’t sure if it was a joke or not.

  He stared vacantly at the table, and I couldn’t help myself. “Luka . . . are you okay?”

  His gaze connected with mine. It was anything but convincing. “I’m fine.”

  “All right.” I swallowed thickly. “You can, I don’t know, talk about it if you want to.” The words were shocking, coming from me. I sucked at being a friend, and this was Luka. Why would I want to encourage any kind of relationship? I forced myself to sound light and carefree. “And really, who am I going to tell?”

  His head tilted slightly, evaluating me like I was a suspect.

  I shrugged. “Or don’t tell me. You do whatever you want.”

  Because he made it clear each night where I stood when he locked me into the green striped bedroom alone. I was a toy for him to play with, and when playtime was over, he put me away. He’d fuck me, but not sleep with me, and that bothered me. After all that had happened, him refusing to share his bed was what made me angry.

  I was clearly losing my mind.

  “I need to get back to work,” he said, rising from the table.

  I did the same, took a step toward the stairs, and stopped myself. If I had free rein over the main floor of the house, I didn’t need to return to my room. I was the timid animal released from captivity, unsure of how to adjust to the wild. “I guess I’ll hang out down here?”

  “That’s fine.” He smoothed a hand down his tie, and his forehead creased like he was deep in thought. “Fuck, come here.”

  I’d only made it one step to him before he had me wrapped in his arms and his mouth covered mine in a desperate kiss. What on earth was happening? His hands caressed my back and pressed me against his chest, and his lips were needy. He tasted of longing, and kissed me like a man on borrowed time.