by C. Luca
“I’m open to downgrading, if you are. It’d be nice not having to work so much,” I tell her.
Her eyes instantly light up. “Really?”
I nod. “It has to be reasonably secure, though,” I add.
She readily nods and clasps her hands together in front of her chest, excitement etched across her fine features. “Absolutely.”
Thankfully, the lease is month to month, so it’ll be fairly easy to move someplace else. “We can discuss it further over the weekend. If we can find a place that I can swing half the rent with just bartending and a part-time day job, we’ll do it.”
Confusion flickers across Ava’s face. “Why not keep the distribution job and quit bartending?”
“I like bartending much more than sorting mail. Maybe I can find something during the day that’s more enjoyable, too.”
Ava bites her lip, suddenly looking guilty.
“What’s wrong?” I ask with immediate concern.
She releases a dejected sigh. “I probably seem clingy.”
“Not at all,” I assure. “To be honest, I’m tired of working so much,” I say truthfully.
She looks at me with uncertainty. “I just don’t know what to do with my free time,” she confesses.
Rob controlled everything she did, so I don’t blame her for feeling lost. “Do you really want to know what I think?” I ask.
“Of course,” she says immediately.
“I think you need some ‘you’ time to learn how to have fun without a man being involved,” I say as tactfully as possible.
She looks at me sheepishly. “I know.”
I deliberately cough into my hand. “I think I’m going to have to call in sick tonight.”
Ava’s eyebrows furrow. “You’re getting sick?”
A laugh escapes me. “No, but my boss doesn’t need to know that. Let’s go out tonight. You have off, right?”
Ava throws her arms around me, hugging me tightly. “You’re the best, Leah.”
* * *
I watch Ava with bemusement from where I sit at the bar.
We’ve been bar hopping for the past few hours, drinking—well, Ava’s the one mostly doing the drinking—and dancing with guys. Ava’s currently out on the small dance floor, dancing with abandon while two guys vie for her attention.
I take another sip of my drink, remaining seated on a bar stool instead of joining her. After the last few bars, I need a breather. It’s been a fun evening, and I’ve been thoroughly enjoying myself.
On our way out of the apartment earlier, we’d both agreed that any men we meet will remain in whichever bar we meet them in. Tonight is a girls’ night, and neither of us are looking to hook up with anyone.
I wouldn’t be interested anyway.
The only man I want is Nikolai. However, a little harmless flirting never hurt anyone.
I look up as the cute bartender slides a fresh drink my way, his blue gaze more than just a little interested. “This one’s on me,” he says over the music.
“Thanks,” I reply, giving him a flirty smile.
He nods and turns his attention to a woman waiting to place her order.
My earlier drink is emptied with one last sip, and then I pick up the fresh drink and head out onto the small dance floor. I don’t want to remain at the bar and give the bartender the impression that I might be interested in hooking up with him for the night. I’m fine with a little flirting, but I’m careful not to go so far as to lead anyone on.
Ava spies me and dances over to my side, grinning as the two men competing for her attention are forgotten. “Dance with me!”
“I am!” I say with a laugh as I begin to dance while trying not to spill my drink.
I dance with her for a while, and when my eyes travel the bar, I blink with surprise. Nikolai is standing in the back of the bar near the hall where the restrooms are located. His arms are crossed, and his expression is more than just a little displeased.
I’m kind of excited he’d followed me here but also bewildered as to why he looks so pissed.
A few dancers block him from view, and I immediately stop dancing and move around them. He’s no longer in sight, and as I look around, I realize he must have gone down the hall to the back exit.
Not one to ignore my curiosity, I move off the dance floor and hurry after him, dodging a group of women coming out of the women’s restroom. I follow the hall to the corner that leads to another short hallway. At the end, there’s a couple of doorways and a back exit.
The exit door is swinging closed.
I rush towards it, shoving it open as the cold night air blasts me in the face. “Wait!” I call out when I see Nikolai about to open a dark SUV’s side door.
He turns and looks at me with surprise.
I hurry over, shivering slightly. My jeans, canvas sneakers, and thin shirt are no match for the cold. “What are you doing here?” I ask.
His eyes narrow, and he looks far from happy. It also doesn’t escape my notice that he’s not pulling out his phone from his coat pocket. He’s also not opening the vehicle’s door, but I take the latter as a positive sign.
I shiver and wrap my arms around myself.
Nikolai notices and nods to the vehicle we’re standing beside, signaling that he wants me to get in.
I can’t just leave Ava, and I shake my head. “Come b-b-back inside for a minute,” I say through chattering teeth.
His expression remains impassive. Just when I think he’s going to turn me down, he slips an arm around me, ushering me back to the exit I’d just rushed out from.
The door opens easily, and warmth and music greet us.
I look up at him and note that he still doesn’t look happy with me. Wait a minute. If he knew I was here, he’d probably seen me flirting.
Well, shit.
It bothers me that he might think I’m into others, or that I’m playing some sort of game with him. Yet, I’m also thrilled to see him. He’d followed me here, which means he’s more interested than he’s let on.
Nikolai motions that he’s going to leave, but I get a better idea.
I grab his hand and tug him down the hall to one of the doors that reads ‘Cleaning Supplies.’ I open it and pull him inside as I turn on the light, closing the door so that we’re alone.
The closet is smaller than I’d expected. Mops and brooms are hanging on the back wall from hooks while a shelving unit to the right has an array of cleaning supplies crammed onto the first two shelves. The next shelf has packaged toilet paper, and the last one is full of extra light bulbs.
There isn’t much room to move around since a vacuum cleaner is stationed against the wall to our left, but I don’t need much space to do what I want to do anyway.
Nikolai arches an eyebrow, now looking thoroughly interested in what comes next.
I move in on him, knowing exactly what I’m about to do. I’m going to show him that there is no one else.
Anticipation slithers through my veins as I reach up and pull Nikolai’s face down slightly so my lips can capture his. At first, he’s doesn’t react, but once I begin nipping at his lower lip, teasing him, he caves. While our tongues dance, I niftily unbutton his coat.
Seducing someone as powerful as Nikolai excites me on so many levels.
Just as Nikolai begins to take over the kiss, I break it and give him a devious look before dropping to my knees and unbuttoning his pants. As I unzip them, I look up to see that he’s watching me with dark eyes that are clearly anticipating what’s going to happen next.
My lips curve upwards into a salacious smile as I brush my hand against his fabric covered erection, causing his dick to twitch. He’s rock-hard, and I hold his gaze as I carefully slide his briefs down so that his arousal is free. It juts outwards away from his body, proud and thick. Now that I can better access his hardened length, I spit into my hand and then wrap it around him. Very slowly, almost tauntingly, I move my hand up and down.
Nikolai groans, and he lea
ns back against the wall, his eyes intent on watching me pleasure him.
A soft chuckle escapes me as I lean forward and graze my lips against his velvety length. Then, I grip the base and wrap my mouth around him. I’m enjoying being in charge even though I know it’s probably temporary, and I flick the underside beneath the tip. Nikolai’s hips jerk reflexively. He’s really responsive, and I like that.
His hands settle into my hair, and he tugs lightly with warning.
This is my time to play, and I won’t let him rush me. I tighten my fist at his base, letting my fingernails press into his flesh, curious to see his reaction.
His hands tighten in my hair as he pushes himself deeper into my mouth. He’s practically throbbing now, and I can feel his body trembling with his need to start thrusting.
I give in and decide to quit torturing him.
I begin to suck, moving my mouth up and down him, and he immediately starts thrusting his hips. It’s hot as hell being in charge of his orgasm, and I peer up at him as he smoothly pushes himself into my mouth over and over.
His natural need to be in control takes over, and soon, he’s holding my head in place. He really begins fucking my mouth at this point as I kneel before him. His breath is rasping as his hips pump, and I am more than willing to let him take charge if he’s going to lose control like this.
I deliberately moan and reach up to gently tug on his balls, knowing that he’s close to going over the edge. I’m right, because he makes a muffled sound, and then he’s squirting into my mouth, and I readily swallow.
Slowly, his hips go still as he continues holding my head in place while he tries to catch his breath.
My eyes are still focused on his, and I lovingly lick his tip with my tongue.
Nikolai’s eyes search mine, and he releases his grip on my head and a rough sigh of satisfaction mixed with resignation escapes him.
I release him from my lips and give him a pleased smile. He can’t be all that mad anymore, not after that.
Nikolai gives me a long look, telling me otherwise as he pulls up his briefs and pants.
I rise to my feet and watch as he adjusts his coat and then opens the closet door, leaving without a backward glance. I follow him out, hiding a smile as he exits through the back door. He can pretend to still be mad all he wants, but I know better.
After the door closes with finality, I go back to the bar.
That was way more fun than I’d anticipated.
The rest of the evening flies by, and by the time we make our way back to the apartment, I’m ready to drop into bed.
After switching on the lamp and kicking off my sneakers, I strip down to my panties and pull on a tank top before dropping into bed.
I’ll shower in the morning.
I pull the blankets up around myself and then think to check the phone Nikolai had given me. I’d had it with me tonight, so it’s probably still in my coat.
I lean off the mattress and grab it from where I’d tossed it on the floor. After digging the phone out from the pocket, I burrow back under the blankets and turn the phone on.
I have one new text message. If you’re fucking me, you aren’t fucking others. I don’t share.
I sit up abruptly, eyes widening.
Then, I grin from ear to ear.
So he was jealous and wants exclusivity. I can definitely get behind that.
I text, I only want you.
For a few minutes, I wait for a response, but he doesn’t reply. I’m fine with that as I set the phone aside and close my eyes.
Tonight was a good night, and my lips curve upwards into a satisfied smile.
THIRTEEN
Nikolai
It’s late, but I’m still wide awake and sitting at my desk in my office.
Blakely’s reply is brightly lit on the phone’s screen as I stare hard at it. Sending that text to her had been a bit of an impulse. To some extent, it needed to be sent. If we’re going to have a sexual relationship, I want exclusivity, because with as raw as the sex is between us, I don’t want it tainted by her being with others.
Yet, I also regret sending the text since it reveals my jealously, and I have issues with anything that paints me in a vulnerable light.
I set the phone down and rake a hand through my hair as I think over the night’s events.
Every once in a while, I track Blakely’s phone to see where she is since she seems to carry it with her wherever she goes. When I’d checked in on her tonight and realized she was frequenting bars, I became curious over what she was doing.
Naturally, I went out to see for myself.
When I’d seen she was out with her roommate, I wasn’t all that bothered until I saw Blakely flirting with men, and even dancing with a few. The sight of that ready smile being flashed at others, and witnessing other men touch her, had caused emotions to come forth that I wasn’t aware I could even feel.
I’ve never in my life been territorial over women. They’re there for sex and nothing more.
But Blakely…
She triggers something inside me that could be quite dangerous. It was bad enough when she was my captive, and I knew she was mine until I decided she wasn’t. But now that she’s free and capable of doing whatever she pleases…it’s an all new situation—one that I dislike immensely.
As the evening had continued, the angrier I became. I wanted to see how far she was going with these men and if she would eventually leave with one.
Then she saw me.
I had every intention of leaving that bar and ignoring her texts for days to punish her, but when she’d come after me, I’d found myself curious to see what she had to say.
Never had I expected her to drag me into that supply closet to blow me. That was fucking hot as hell, and the memory causes my dick to stir. Blakely isn’t one to hide what she wants, and I admire her boldness. When she’s with me, she challenges me and demands my attention.
She’s such a vibrant spirit.
This thing we’ve begun is becoming precarious where my temper is concerned. What would I have done if she’d left with a man? I was already seeing red when she was dancing with the men. If I’d known she was leaving with someone to have sex with him, how would I have reacted?
As tempting as Blakely is, and as much as I want to be balls deep inside her whenever possible, I need to take a breather and have a few days to get my head back on straight. I’m accustomed to being in control of everyone around me, and my emotions.
This thing with Blakely is impossible to control, and that in itself spells trouble.
Tomorrow, I’ll text her and let her know I’ll be unavailable for a few days.
There has to be a way to be around Blakely without letting her consume me from the inside out.
How do I regain control of this relationship?
FOURTEEN
Blakely
I unlock the apartment door and slip inside, noting that the lights are off. I briefly wonder if Ava’s home until I spy her keys on one of the key hooks.
As I relock the door, I hang my own keys on the hook beside hers and feel a sense of contentment. Ava’s no longer hooking up with the guy that she’d been casually seeing. She’s focusing on herself and what she needs before she considers being with anyone else.
We’ve also begun looking into apartments, and tomorrow, we’ll be looking at another.
The first one was too small, and the second was perfect except there was no laundry facility on the premises. We can’t afford to be buying a washing machine and dryer, and lugging it to wherever we move throughout the next few years. So, wherever we end up will need to have a laundry facility on hand or come with a washer and dryer. Neither of us want to have to walk or take the ‘L’ to a laundromat to wash our clothes.
I make my way through the silent and dark apartment, quietly slipping into my room and closing the door.
The apartment we’re going to see tomorrow sounds promising. Hopefully within a few weeks, we’ll be moving some
where else, and I can focus on finding a different job so that I can quit the distribution center.
The only downside to this week so far is Nikolai.
After turning on the lamp, I strip out of my clothes, leaving on my panties as I tug on a tank. My eyes fall to my discarded purse on the floor. I’d already checked the phone once on the train, and it’d been disappointing to find no text messages from Nikolai.
I drop onto the mattress and wrap the blankets around myself as I fight the urge to pull out the phone and text him.
He’d sent me a text three days ago stating that he’d be unavailable for a while. I’d been disappointed and a little bewildered over the abruptness of it.
Maybe he’s going out of town? Or maybe I was too forward the night I pulled him into the closet?
A frown tugs on my lips as I stare up at the ceiling.
What man doesn’t want a woman going down on him? He’d certainly enjoyed himself. Unless his distance has to do with the text message he’d sent me about wanting exclusivity.
Had he changed his mind?
I’m not sure why he’s pulled away.
There’s been plenty of moments throughout the past few days when I’ve been tempted to text him, but thankfully, I’ve managed to stop myself from actually doing it. He’ll contact me when he’s ready.
Besides, he’d followed me to the club, and then the bars the other night, so he’s very much interested. I doubt a blowjob changed it. If anything, it should have intensified things.
Knowing Nikolai, he’ll pop up when I least expect it.
* * *
I wake abruptly to sudden pain in my abdomen along with the sensation of something heavy on top of me. At first, I think I’m waking from a nightmare, but it feels all too real.
My eyes fly open.
In the dim light from the lamp, I find a masked man dressed all in black straddling me, a bloody knife in his gloved hand. The blade glints in the lamplight as it begins making a downward arcing motion.