Filthy Russian Savior

by Reina J Richards

  I nod, taking my place in a chair across from him. “This is true. Luka would like to keep a closer eye on it, on account of it being so new. You know, a few outfits down the boardwalk have been targeted lately, so he’s trying to increase security here to make sure they know not to fuck with us.”

  Eric’s eyes go wide, though I can tell he’s trying to not panic. My excuse about tightening security due to some incidents on the boardwalk is not exactly a lie, though it isn’t the complete truth. There have been some incidents recently, and Luka has been talking about ramping up security. But the truth is, he could have ramped up security without sending me to investigate. The fact that I’m here is a bad sign. Eric knows this, of course, though he won’t let on that he suspects anything. If what Luka suspects about him is true, Eric is going to have a lot bigger problems than increased security at his casino.

  “That is reassuring to hear. And are you staying in our fine hotel, Maxim?” Eric asks, the very picture of indifference.

  Still, the question makes my blood run cold. I had already planned on whisking Ava away as soon as possible, but now I feel like I have made a huge tactical error by leaving her alone in the penthouse. Fuck, fuck, fuck, why didn’t I leave a guard up there with her?

  I school my features, hoping I don’t give anything away. “No, I’m not staying here. You know how it is. Once you get to a certain age, the party lifestyle just doesn’t appeal all that much.”

  Eric frowns. “Oh, that’s too bad. If it is the noise you’re concerned about, our rooms are all soundproof, so you should not have your sleep interrupted.”

  “Mmm, I appreciate that, of course. Perhaps next time I will take you up on the offer,” I say, though we both know that won’t happen.

  After some more pleasantries and a plan to meet up tomorrow for a more thorough conversation about casino security, I march into the penthouse, calling Ava’s name and getting no response. The pit in my stomach grows until I peek in the bedroom and see her sprawled out under the blanket.

  My breath starts going back to a reasonable cadence while I take her in. Her hair is still down, and indeed it looks amazing fanned out on the pillow, just like I knew it would. She looks so gorgeous even as she sleeps. Her pillowy lips are arranged in a pout that is simultaneously arousing and adorable. She’s got a little crease between her eyebrows as she frowns at something in her dream. Before I can wake her, she jostles back and forth, making a noise of struggle that breaks my heart. Even in her dreams, I do not want her to be scared. I gently place my hand on her arm, not wishing to jolt her awake.

  “Shh, shh. Sweetheart, it’s just a dream, it’s just a dream,” I whisper until finally, her eyes flash open. She stiffens and pulls away from me for a brief second, which breaks my heart even though I know she’s just reacting to the dream. Once she wakes up more fully and takes in my face, all of the tension in her body relaxes. I pull her close to me, wrapping my arms around her and holding her close to my chest.

  “Sweet girl, it was just a nightmare. Everything is okay. I am here. I am not leaving,” I say, not sure if I’m trying to reassure her or myself.

  “Maxim,” she says into my chest, her voice a little muffled, “we have to find her. We have to find Maya. Please.”

  “Shh, of course, we will find her. I promise you. Do you trust me?”

  She pulls away to look up at me, tears swimming in her stunning eyes. She nods. “Yes, I trust you.” She looks around as if remembering where she is. “Were you gone for a long time? I didn’t intend on falling asleep.”

  I can’t help but laugh. “My love, I was only gone for thirty minutes. You must have been very tired.”

  As if on cue, she yawns, bringing her hands up to cover her face halfway through. She chuckles. “Oops,” she says, “I guess I am.”

  I kiss her on the nose, not letting myself go any further because I need to get her the fuck out of here as soon as possible. She looks disappointed until I explain that we need to leave. I am not trying to scare her, but I want her to know that there’s no way in hell she’s staying at her place without me tonight. Either we drive to my place in Philly, or I stay at her place here, but I do not intend on being without her tonight, or any other night, for that matter.

  Chapter 11 - Ava

  None of my coworkers bat an eye when Maxim ushers me straight out of the casino. I don’t know what power he has over everybody, but it seems like he can do whatever the fuck he wants.

  Instead of being concerned by this, I cling to Maxim like he’s my lifeline, feeling safe and warm in his suit jacket that practically comes to my knees. He didn’t want anyone else to see me in this skimpy uniform. To be honest, I don’t think he’s happy that the jacket doesn’t cover me all the way to my feet. He’s ridiculous and possessive and I swear I shouldn’t be as turned on by all of this as I am. But I guess there’s no point in questioning why I’m turned on, only that I am and I need more relief ASAP.

  We reach a sleek little black Tesla in the parking garage and Maxim gently places me in the front seat like I can’t enter a car by myself. It’s absolutely ridiculous, but I can’t help but smile as he pulls my seatbelt on for me, pulling to make sure it’s secure.

  “This okay, zvezda moya?” he asks.

  "Hmm?" I say, not really sure what he's asking. This as in the seat belt, or the car, or the fact that we have known each other for about three hours and he has already come in my mouth, or the fact that I’m wet again and need him, or maybe the fact that I just left my place of business in the. middle of a shift. Honestly, I think he might mean all of those things. His bright eyes are full of concern for me as he kneels next to the open car door so we’re on the same level.

  I'm distracted when I remember that I still don't know what that nickname means. I ask him and if I'm not mistaken, he blushes a little.

  "I am sorry, it just came out when I saw you. It means 'my star' and if you don't like it, that is okay. I don't need to call you that," he says, and he looks a little worried. Who the hell is this man who is somehow a scary giant but also the gentlest soul?

  I reach up to grab his face and kiss him before he can say anything else. "I love it," I tell him truthfully, and I'm glad I did because his face lights up in relief. "It makes me feel special," I say. I should be embarrassed by how much I crave this from him, but I'm trying to let myself enjoy every little part of this fantasy as possible.

  "I'm glad," he says, "because you are very special. I just want to make sure you are okay with everything, with me driving you away from here, with me going to your place?"

  God, he really is so handsome. I love the way his rugged features seem to be in conflict with his delicate, almost doll-like lips, and his too-long lashes.

  “I’m okay, Maxim,” I tell him, and I don’t miss the way his eyes darken a little when I say his name. Interesting. I’ll file that away for later.

  “Just okay?” he asks, eyebrow raised.

  I can’t help but smile. “Yes, just okay.” I decide to be a little bold so I spread my legs as much as I can in his jacket and the confines of the passenger seat. “I could be doing much better,” I say.

  He inhales deeply and I know—I just know—that he can smell how wet I am again. Something like that should make me embarrassed but honestly, I’m just horny as fuck. It’s like he’s flipped a needy switch inside me and the only thing that can satisfy me is him. Constantly.

  “Are you trying to tell me you’re horny for me?” he asks, his voice low and controlled with an edge of danger.

  I nod slowly, trying to keep a straight face. He hisses and curses under his breath in Russian.

  Making sure to keep me blocked from anyone else who might be near us in the parking garage, Maxim hooks his thumbs on either side of the hem of my tight shorts, slowly dragging his rough hands up and down my thighs until I’m trembling with want. Once he reaches my pussy, he slips his thumbs under the hem and runs them over my seam before parting my lips and flicking my clit. I moan
but he swallows the sound with a fierce kiss. Once he’s done playing with my wetness, he pulls his hands away, showing them to me.

  “Look what you’ve done, baby girl,” he admonishes. “What should we do with you?”

  My answer is just a whimper as he takes one thumb that’s still covered in my juices and runs it over my lips before capturing them in another kiss. This time, he’s trying to suck up every ounce of me, and I want to give it. He sticks his other thumb in his mouth, all for him, and I think I might die soon. My god how is he so fucking hot.

  “I will drive you to your place, you will get your things, and then you come with me, yes?” he asks, and I can tell he’s trying not to pressure me while also letting me know I don’t really have a choice. I nod anyway, wanting to make sure he knows I’m all in. I have no idea why I’m all in, but I know I want to be with him, wherever we go.

  Chapter 12 - Maxim

  Ava lives here. She lives here. In this shithole. Why the fuck does she live here?

  All of these thoughts and more run through my brain as Ava leads me down a dark corridor in the shittiest building in one of the most terrible parts of town. She stops in front of Apartment 202 and fumbles around in her purse for her keys. I can just picture her coming home after a late shift, trying to find them in this dim hallway with the lightbulbs burnt out. My god, any monster could just be waiting in the dark for her, waiting to attack her. My heart pounds like crazy when I think of her in this dangerous situation night after night.

  She finds her keys and gives a little sigh of relief as she lets us into the apartment. Once inside, I make sure she locks the door before I push her up against it.

  “Sweetheart, you’re going to give me a heart attack. Promise me you’ll get your keys ready before you get to your front door,” I say, hoping I’m not scaring her but still unable to keep all the anger out of my voice.

  “Oh, yeah, I know. I’m the worst,” she says with a dismissive shrug.

  “No. That is not what I said or what I meant. You do not talk about yourself like that, not in front of me, not ever, okay?”

  Her eyes widen like she’s only just realized that I’m fucking furious and barely holding on to the last shreds of my sanity.

  “Are—Maxim,” she says, her voice shaky and quiet, “are you mad at me? Because I promise, I wasn’t trying to make you angry I just—“

  My heart breaks at her thinking for a minute that I could be mad at her. Of course, I’m not. I’m mad at the situation. I’m mad that she’s lived in this godforsaken apartment, for who knows how long without me even knowing about her, without my protection.

  “No baby, shh, no. That’s not what I meant. I’m not mad at you, sweet girl. Honestly, I’m mad at the world or the universe or whatever for not bringing you to me sooner. I cannot believe you’ve been living here without me even knowing you existed. It makes my heart hurt and I want to punch something just thinking of you here.”

  She bites her lip and glances around her apartment as if trying to appraise it. Finally, she wrinkles her adorable nose and then looks back at me. “It’s not that bad, is it? I mean, I know it’s not perfect, it’s just—it’s all I could do,” she says, trailing off on a shaky little breath that I can’t tell whether it’s laughing or crying.

  I lift her into my arms and place her on the kitchen counter so I can look into those beautiful eyes of hers.

  “I’m messing this whole thing up,” I say, and she shakes her head. “Yes baby, I am. I wasn’t trying to insult your home. It’s beautiful here, and I see you’ve done a wonderful job. I’m not kidding. But,” I say, swallowing back the fear that grips me when I think about the facts, “I’m pissed as fuck that you live here. That you live somewhere so easily accessible by bad people. That you live somewhere so far from me. That I only just met you, and I didn’t know you before today so I could keep you safe.”

  She stares at me for a little bit after I end my caveman ramblings. Her eyes fill with tears and fuck it, I’ve said the wrong thing again, I suppose. She brings her head to my chest and sniffles, the sound of her fighting tears making my heart break in two.

  “I’m saying it all wrong,” I whisper, and then she finally lifts her head and looks at me. There are tears, yes, but there’s not the sadness I was expecting. Finally, her expression clears like she understands my confusion.

  “Maxim, I’ve never ever had anyone talk about taking care of me like that. Never had anyone care like that, really. No matter where I am, I know you’ll keep me safe. I feel safer today than I have for all of the 23 years leading up to now,” she says, and my heart mends itself instantly. I'll do whatever it takes to make sure she never wants for anything ever again.

  “I’m going to marry you, Ava,” I tell her, fully expecting her to push me away or laugh, but instead she just smiles wide at me, nearly knocking me over.

  “Yeah,” she says, “you may have said that once or twice.”

  I groan at her casual response to my caveman proclamation. She really is perfect.

  She looks around the apartment before glancing back at me, a hesitation I don’t like marring her features.

  “What is it, baby girl?”

  “Could I... can we go ahead and pack and then leave? I don’t want you in here longer than you need to be. And I um... I want to go back to your place,” she says, her face blushing that gorgeous pink again.

  “Oh, sweet pea, you’re ready to go to my house to have me take your little cherry, aren’t you?” I ask, my voice calm considering the fact that I want to lay her out like a feast for my pleasure.

  She whimpers and nods, unconsciously widening her legs for me. I inhale deeply and can smell the scent I’m already addicted to—her sweet, musky arousal making me desperate to have my mouth on her, my hands on her, my dick in her—something, everything, I need all of her.

  “Okay baby, go get packing, you have 5 minutes,” I tell her.

  Chapter 13 - Ava

  It takes us just over an hour to get to Philadelphia, where Maxim told me he lives most of the time. I was expecting a condo or maybe a small house, but when we pull up, I see I have grossly underestimated this man.

  Maxim’s house is a freaking palace and, though I was expecting it to be nice, I never expected the place to be a sleek mansion with every amenity known to man. I feel like a country bumpkin as I take in the house.

  “You live here?” I ask because I’m nothing if not a hard-hitting journalist.

  Maxim just gives me an indulgent smile and nods as he shows me around more.

  I suddenly feel woefully inadequate. What the fuck am I doing here? He can have literal supermodels who I’m sure would jump at the chance to live here with a sexy god of a man with a huge dick and apparently a fuck ton of money. Meanwhile, there’s me. Nothing special. Not special enough for this house, that’s for sure.

  “You are freaking out?” he asks in his baritone voice, calm as ever.

  “Am I that obvious?”

  “No, but I’m attuned to every part of you.”

  I turn to face him fully, trying to hide the pain on my face. “I shouldn't be here, I’m so sorry,” I say.

  Maxim approaches me, wrapping his hands around my waist and lifting me up. My legs go around his middle on their own accord so I can hang on while he carries me...somewhere.

  A minute later, he sets me down in the center of a truly massive bed and kneels in front of me, almost reverent in his commitment to making sure I’m okay.

  “What is wrong?” he asks.

  “It’s just... you’re so much of everything. Like, you’ve saved my life, you said you want to help me find my sister, and now you’re moving me into the nicest place I’m ever going to see. I feel like maybe you have a savior thing and I’m just your latest project.”

  He groans his disapproval. “That’s a whole lot of bullshit, my love,” he says, and a ripple passes through me. “You’re scared of this, that’s fine. More than fine, because I’ll protect you from eve
rything, including myself if I have to.”

  “Now,” he continues, drawing maddening loops on the inside of my thighs as I widen my legs, “it seems like you didn’t start feeling this way until we came here. Do you hate the house? Is it too big? We can move, you know. Whatever you want, baby, I’ll do it. This place is just a house, I have no attachment to it at all. I did not even choose it, Luka did.”

  I shake my head, laughing a bit that he could possibly think I dislike this gorgeous house at all. “It’s nothing like that, I just feel like... like maybe a supermodel belongs here more than I do, you know?”

  The look he gives me is furious and should not make me wet... but alas.

  “I don’t ever want to hear you say something like that again, you hear me?” he grits out through his teeth, though his hands roaming my body are gentle and loving. “You’re absolutely perfect. I can’t believe I’ve waited so long for you in my life, but now that you’re here, my love, there’s nothing I won’t do to keep you, okay?”

  My eyes fill with tears at his certainty and I nod. “Okay,” I say in a whisper.

  And then we’re kissing again, finally, and he’s leaning me back onto the bed, jerkily untying the laces from my corset and finally loosening the damn thing enough to allow my tits to pop out. He groans and sucks one of my nipples into his mouth. Good lord, he’s the hottest thing I’ve ever seen. He savors and nips at me, licking and sucking and biting until I’m mindless with pleasure.

  “Oh god, Maxim, that feels so good. Shit, is that supposed to feel so good?”

  He nips at me one more time before looking up at me with a devilish grin. “Do not worry about if it’s supposed to feel good or not. If it feels good to you, I’m ready to do it for the rest of my life to keep you happy, understand?”

  It should be criminal for him to say such things to me. He’s already perfect, and then he just says the best things and... I’m fucking leaking.