by J. L. Beck
Looking out onto the terrace, the outside lights are dimmed, and the table is set for the two of us.
The area is spacious, huge with a brick walkout and small fountain in the center. There’s a spot to cook outdoors, and if you walk a little further down, there is a pool. When I bought this mansion, it was because of this space, but since living here, I’ve used it maybe once or twice, and that’s it.
“This… it’s beautiful,” Elena whispers.
“It really is. This view and this space are the main reasons I bought the house to begin with.” I’m not sure why I just told her that but brush it off and usher her to a spot at the table. I take a seat beside her and start uncovering all the dishes.
Elena hands me her plate, and I fill it before filling my own. She takes dainty bites and small sips of her water. I’m famished, so I eat my plate of food and then a second helping.
“Where do you go during the day?” she asks completely out of the blue.
I look up from my plate. “Why do you care to know?”
“Do you always answer a question with a question?” Her remark makes me grin.
“Does it bother you that much?” I answer with a question again, enjoying the frown and tiny eye roll she gives me. “Usually, yes. If you must know, I do business during the day. Sometimes here at the house and sometimes I leave to handle it.”
She nods. “My father never told me anything about the business. He always said that it was a man’s job, and I was meant to be a housewife someday. That I shouldn’t be getting my hands dirty or meddling in things I knew nothing about.”
“So, your father kept you sheltered then?” I already know this, of course, but I’d like to hear her version and maybe find something out I didn’t get from my spies.
Elena laughs, but it’s bitter and humorless. “Sheltered is an understatement, but it’s not really different from the life I’m living here. I’ve merely been moved from one cage to the next. The only difference is my gatekeeper.”
The blood in my veins heats at being compared to that piece of shit she calls her father. If she knew how he brutally murdered my mother, maybe she would be singing another tune, or maybe she wouldn’t believe me at all.
Deciding to change the topic before I get any angrier, I ask, “Would you like dessert today?”
She shakes her head, but looks up at me, her green eyes piercing something inside of me.
“I would like to go for a short walk, though.” Those eyes turn pleading, and though I’m tempted to give in to her since she has been so well behaved, I don’t.
“No, that must be earned. Your reward tonight was having dinner outside.” Her mouth pops open, and it looks like she’s going to respond, but I shake my head. “Don’t dig yourself a hole that you cannot get out of. Tears and begging do not work on me.” Leaning a little closer, I notice the way her breath hitches, my eyes trail over her throat and down her chest. I want her, I want her so badly I can taste it. “In fact, I get off on other people’s pain. Tears make my cock hard, and a hard cock leads to fucking. Do you want me to fuck you?” I ask in a low voice.
Elena looks away, and I can see the worry filling her features.
“I saw you watching me beat off. It’s okay if you’re interested. I won’t tell your daddy you want me.” I won’t tell, I’ll show him.
“I’m ready to go to bed,” she says, ignoring my offer.
“As you wish.” I nod and stand, pulling her to her feet in one move. She gasps in surprise at my fast movement but doesn’t voice a complaint.
Instead of holding her hand, I tuck her into my side this time, keeping my arm tightly wrapped around her as I walk. She surprises me yet again at how natural she acts—as if she isn’t scared of me. She walks with me almost as if she is enjoying my nearness. Like I’m the white knight and not the big bad wolf hiding in the shadows.
Then suddenly, she digs her heels into the ground.
“Wait!”
Instinctively, I pull her closer, holding her to my chest as I scan the space for danger. My heart rattles in my chest as worry overtakes me.
“What?” I growl when I don’t see anything out of the ordinary.
She peers up at me through her long coal lashes, her eyes pleading with me. “Can we go in there?” She points her finger at the open door we just passed.
The door that leads into the library. “Please, can I pick one book out? Just one? I’m going crazy in that room with nothing to do. Please…” She begs so sweetly, and I wonder if she would beg this nicely for my cock.
“One book? What would you do for that book?” I question, a grin tucking on my lips.
“What do you want me to do?”
Oh, god, she is so naive. What does she think I want? The first thing on my mind is a blow job, but I know she won’t go for that. I could push for some light touching, but I’m not sure that would help my hunger for her. A different idea hits me.
“Take a shower with me. I’ll let you pick one book if you agree to willingly step into the shower with me. No cowering and no running.”
“Just a shower?” She nibbles on her bottom lip nervously.
“I’ve already seen you naked. You’ve already seen me naked,” I point out. “What’s there to hide? It’s just a shower.”
“Okay,” she agrees reluctantly after a moment, and this time, I can’t hide my triumph. I smile.
“Go ahead, then, take your pick.”
She hesitantly steps away from me, watching me like I might grab her at any moment to drag her away. When I motion for her to go, she eagerly walks into the library and starts looking through the shelves. She looks like a small child on Christmas morning, and I won’t lie, I enjoy seeing her like this. Her smile is much better than her sullen face.
I fully expect her to search the shelves top to bottom to find a romance, thriller, or maybe even a mystery novel. What I didn’t expect her to do is stop and browse through my old textbooks. College wasn’t something I really needed, but I wanted to do even against my father’s wishes. During the day, I took online classes, and at night, I spilled blood. It was the perfect balance.
Watching her curiously, I wait to see what she is up to.
“This one,” she announces and pulls out one of the thickest books on the shelf. Advanced Mathematics. She can’t be serious? This must be a joke.
Arching a brow, I ask, “Are you sure you want to read that? Or did you pick that particular book to hit me with over the head in my sleep?”
“What? No! I do really want this… and maybe a pencil… and some paper?” She bats her eyes even more, and all I can think is this shower better fucking be worth it.
“Fine, but if you try and stab me with the pencil or make me regret giving you any of these items, I’ll—”
“Punish me? I know, and I won’t. I swear.” I give her a stern look at the interruption. Maybe it’s her manners that need whipping into shape. Either way, I still walk over to the massive desk in the center of the room, knowing there are some loose pieces of paper and pencils in here somewhere.
I find both items with ease and almost laugh at Elena, who seems to struggle with carrying the massive textbook. Together we walk out of the library and down the hall and into the bedroom. Inside, Elena places the book on the table in front of the chaise lounge. She looks excited, elated even, but before she gets the chance to dig into a shit ton of math problems, she has to pay up.
“It’s time for my payment.” I grin as I loosen my tie from around my neck and start to unbutton my shirt. Elena nods and stands, the smile wiped clear from her now pale face.
Oh, I’m going to enjoy this thoroughly.
9
Elena
It’s time for my payment.
I have to remind myself that it’s just a shower and that he’s seen me naked before. Plus, I’m marrying him next week, and then, he will expect more than showers from me. This is going to happen regardless. I might as well get it over with. Grabbing the hem of my
shirt, I pull it up and over my head.
As soon as the cool air touches my skin, I shiver. Julian’s penetrating gaze is on me, and I feel like a lamb being led to the slaughterhouse.
Nonetheless, I flick the button on my jeans and shove them down my legs, trying not to tremble as I do. Kicking out of them, my panties go next, and then my bra. Lifting my eyes from the floor, I see a hunger like I’ve never seen before on his face. I almost gasp at the intense look but stifle it at the last minute.
He drinks me in and starts to undress. Chewing the inside of my cheek, I look anywhere but at him. Yes, eventually, we’re going to have sex, but I’m still not accustomed to anyone seeing me naked or me seeing anyone else naked.
“Afraid to look? Worried you might see something you like?”
Determined to do this without backing down, I lift my gaze and stare right at him. I look at him the way he looked at me, taking in his well-built physique, the hard lines and ridges, and down to the deep muscled V that leads to his thick penis. His thighs look like tree trunks, his overall body image makes me shiver. He seems even bigger without clothes on, and I’m not sure how that’s possible.
“You look… nice.” I gulp barely getting the words out.
“Nice?” He chuckles. “I’ve been called a lot of things in my life, but nice isn’t one of them.” I believe it. I’m not dumb enough to believe he’s a good man, or that he’s kind.
“I mean, your body is nice,” I rephrase.
He doesn’t say anything just gives me a strange look and starts for the bathroom. I follow behind him quietly. He opens the glass door, and turns the showerhead on, stepping under it before it can get hot. I wait a few moments until the water is warm enough before I join him.
He turns the other showerhead on, and I almost sigh when I step beneath the hot spray.
It’s a large shower, easily made to fit two people, and still, the space feels tiny and confined when sharing it with someone as large as him.
I stare at his muscled back, watching his movements, enjoying the sight before me. Turning, he hands me a washcloth and gives me the soap. I start washing myself, trying to keep my eyes on the tile floor, but I know he is watching everything I do.
Out of the corner of my eye, I see his heavy member swinging between his legs, growing larger and stiffer by the minute. When his penis is so hard that it’s curved upward, pointing to his navel, I sneak a glance up at him and find his eyes are glued to me, a hunger like no other reflecting in the blue depths.
It’s just a shower…
Nervously, I reach for the shampoo, trying my best to keep some space between us. Unfortunately, in doing so, I shift my weight awkwardly and lose my footing. My feet slip on the soapy tile floor, and I shriek, knowing I’m about to hit the unforgiving floor hard.
Squeezing my eyes shut, I wait for the pain to overtake my body, but instead, Julian grabs me by the arm and pulls me up and against his chest. My hands fly up to press against his chest, and I’m not sure if it’s to pull him closer or push him away.
Feeling his long erection pressing up against my belly, I decide it’s the latter. I shove against his chest, but his arms tighten around me, pulling me closer. Like quicksand, I’m trapped in his embrace, seemingly sinking deeper with every move I make. My nipples harden as I struggle in his arms, something like fear developing in my gut.
A deep groan rumbles in his chest, reminding me of a grizzly bear. I don’t dare look up. Instead, I keep my eyes on his chest, which is rising and falling at a steady rate.
“I want you to do something for me.”
“You… you said just a shower…” My lips wobble. Had I been fooled into trusting him?
Leaning forward, his nose skims against my throat, and I feel a trickle of heat in my belly. “I did, but I want more…”
I shouldn’t ask. It’s asking for trouble, but in reality, do I have a choice?
Swallowing down my fear, I ask, “What kind of more?”
“I know I told you it was nothing but a shower, but having you so close, makes me want to take from you until there isn’t anything left. I’m a man of my word, and I won’t fuck you until our wedding night, but I want your dainty hand on my cock, jerking me off until I cover the tile in cum.”
“Oh… okay,” I whisper, not sure what else to say or do. It doesn’t sound like he is giving me a choice. Or is he? Do I even want a choice? It’d be easier to tell myself I was forced, but no matter how cruel and horrible a person he is, I can’t deny my curiosity, and like I said, this was going to happen, one way or another.
Placing two fingers beneath my chin, he forces me to look up at him. “Do you want to do this?”
Swallowing thickly, I look at the throbbing length trapped between our bodies. The head is an angry red and swollen. It looks almost painful. It’s now a choice that he’s given, and I find my head nodding without thought. Looking back up, I see a dark gleam in Julian’s eyes as he drops his hand and trails it down between my breasts before reaching for my hand.
Anxiety ripples through me, and heat blooms in my cheeks when he guides my hand to his cock, the muscle twitches beneath my hand, and I stare at the appendage in awe. It’s soft and thick, and so incredibly warm. It’s unlike anything I ever expected.
Placing his hand over mine, Julian guides me, a hiss passing his firm lips at the movement. Biting the inside of my cheek, I wonder if I’m doing this right. My hand is trembling, making each stroke jerky. He’s so thick, my hand can’t quite wrap around the entire length.
“Harder,” Julian grunts, his hand tightening over mine, and I squeeze a little harder, my pulse pounding in my ears. Mesmerized by the movements, I watch as Julian thrusts his hips forward like he’s fucking someone.
Like this, given over to the pleasure, he looks more animal than human.
“Faster. I need it fast and hard.”
His growl is animalistic, and it frightens me, but it’s nothing compared to the way he clamps down on my hand, squeezing so hard I wince. His touch is bruising and pain lances across my hand.
“You’re hurting me,” I whimper, trying to tug my hand away. His strength is a force to be reckoned with, and I know he’ll only release me when he wants to.
It takes a moment for the haze around his head to clear, but as soon as it does, I wish I’d never said anything. He releases my hand like it’s fire and turns on me so fast I take a protective step back, my back colliding with the tile.
With clenched teeth, he sneers, “Get the fuck out of here, and go get dressed.”
Tears spring in my eyes, and disappointment builds in my chest.
“I… I’m sorry. I didn’t… I don’t…”
Julian’s hand clenches into a fist down at his side, and fear slithers through me. Is he going to hit me?
“Even looking fear in the eyes, even after I told you to leave, you still stand here.” Leaning forward, he curls his lip and snarls, “Get out.”
I don’t think or try to explain myself. I rush from the shower, nearly slipping on the tile in my haste to get away. The bedroom is no better for me because I’m reminded that I’ll be in bed with him very soon. Scurrying into the closet, I try and keep my fear and the tears at bay, but they refuse to be pushed down. I drop my nightgown twice before pulling it on, and it takes me forever to balance while putting my panties on.
My heart clenches in my chest, and I don’t understand why. Why am I so upset that he pushed me away? Why does it bother me at all? Deep down, I know it’s because I wanted to bring him pleasure… I wanted to show him that I know what I’m doing, but all I did was anger him and make a mockery out of myself.
Stepping out of the closet, I walk to the bed and wipe my eyes, willing the tears away.
This night was going so great, and then I screwed it all up. Is he going to punish me for disobeying him? I tried to explain that I don’t know what I’m doing, but he didn’t want to hear it.
The water shuts off in the bathroom, and the room
falls into an eerie silence. The calm before the storm, you could say. Perched on the bed, I crawl beneath the covers as if they could save me from his wrath. Tears glisten in my eyes, and I lick my dry lips.
I stare at the door for a long time, watching, anticipating. He appears in the doorway with a towel slung over his hips, which he drops to the ground when he reaches the bed.
I know I shouldn’t say anything, that it’s ignorant to even consider opening my mouth right now, but I can’t help it. No, I didn’t pick him as my husband, and I was bought from my father, like cattle, but he will be my husband. I have to live with this man for the rest of my life, and I can’t do it constantly being afraid.
“I’m sorry, Julian. I don’t know…” I try not to show how broken up over this I am, but that’s harder to conceal. Standing bare-ass naked, he looks at me with barely kept disdain. Like I’m a pesky little bug.
“Stop with the tears. Remember what I told you earlier… your fears make me want to fuck you, and if you thought I was hurting your delicate little hand a short while ago, then you’ll be in for the surprise of a lifetime come our wedding night. I won’t just hurt you… I’ll make you bleed, my naive little wife.” The evil grin he gives me promises pain, and I shiver under his inspecting eyes, wishing he never asked me to touch him. This is his fault, and yet I silently sob as he climbs into the bed and shuts the lights off.
I’m marrying a monster, and there is nothing I can do to stop it.
10
Julian
I’ve always known what kind of person I am, a ruthless, cruel, selfish bastard who only cares about power and revenge. There has been a darkness deep inside of me for as long as I can remember, but that darkness was always held at bay by my mother. She was the one good thing in my life, the one person who loved me no matter how fucked up I was.