The already low lights went down further and before I knew it, we were introduced to the Mayor's wife and sitting with him in his private seats for the rest of the show.
This is when I let my uncle take full control and whisper his plan to the mayor as the performance started up. My head was throbbing and the music was grating against some nerve I never knew I had. I couldn't stop shifting around in my seat as the show lit up.
I had to admit that this view was fantastic. We were so close to the stage but I wasn't impressed. I didn't give a single shit about ballet.
However just as l was still staring, something immediately changed when she took the stage.
The moment she did arrive, every person in the theater held their breath. The air left the building and ice danced across my skin. The lights flashed and she moved with impossible fluidity and grace to the trill of the music. I didn't care about ballet but I knew enough to know that this was the lead of the show. This woman was the star. She was Odette. She was the swan.
This was the most gorgeous creature I had ever laid my eyes on. Even from this distance, I could see the intense emotions written across her face as her petite frame flew over the stage. Blue eyes as clear and pale as crystals glistened like she was crying; her full lips set in a permanent pout. My pants felt tighter when l imagined what those lips were capable of.
The way she moved made my chest feel lighter. It occurred to me that this is what It felt to witness an angel come down from heaven. The rest of the world faded away and all I could see was her.
Without realising it, I was leaning forward in my seat and each breath was slow as i got lost in her performance. When the show was ending and it was time for Odette to die, I could have sworn the tears on her cheeks were real. My hand itched to swipe them away , to peel off her dress and feel that delicate skin under my hands.As my thoughts progressed, my heart rate spiked and my chest felt constricted.
"Are you enjoying the show, my boy?", Nikolai chuckled into my ear when he broke conversation with the mayor. I tensed and leaned back into the red cushioned seat once more.
Straightening my tie, I shrugged and let a short laugh slip through my lips.
"That ballerina caught my attention. Seeing her dance like that makes a man dream of devilish things", l responded.
"Did she now?" My uncle looked up to the stage as the performers were bowing and the audience burst into thunderous applause around us
"Devilish things you say?"
"She is beautiful", I responded. I want to have her. I knew right away that I set my eyes on her.
"Well, good news then. The mayor invited us to the after party. We are going to go anyway, all the performers will be there, and I know a man who has connection to New York ballet who will be there as well", I sank back and absorbed what Nikolai was telling me. If he had a connection, there was more to the dancers than met the eyes. It did not surprise part of me at the inference I was picking up on from my uncle's tone.
"What are you telling me, old man?", I narrowed my gaze on the ballerina as the crimson curtains swept over the stage and blocked her from my vision. I wanted to growl like a beast as she left my line of sight.
"If you want the ballerina, I will talk to my guy at the party. Maybe we can come to the arrangement if she's on the menu", He waved his hand dismissively, whispering so the mayor and his wife didn't over hear. "If she's on the menu? It's an intriguing offer. More than intrigued", l retorted. There was fire burning me in my chest to get to the after party and see the dancer again. We rose from our seats and followed the mayor out of the auditorium.
"Then let's go complete this deal with the mayor and buy you a ballerina, Aleksander", My uncle clasped my shoulder and the grin on his face was wicked. The mayor and his wife were enamored with my uncle and insisted we ride with them to the after party. Nikolai went into further details about the business and delighted everyone with his stories.
I tried to pay attention, but my mind was else where. Everytime I tried to focus , all I could see were those pale blue eyes crying as she fell to the stage in a mock death. Her lithe body was so flexible and each movement was elegant . If l didn't get my thoughts under control, I would be forced to hide an erection in the back of the crowded limo.
If my uncle was right and he could get me introduced to the dancer then there was no price I wouldn't pay to have her. The cost didn't matter if those full lips were at my disposal. It got increasingly hot in the limousine as we crossed the city to the event venue the after party was being held at.
Most of the big names from the audience would be there, as well as minor celebrities in the city who knew about it. Nikolai told me the performers took a while to arrive but after the show they just put on it didn't surprise they needed a little break time.
Nikolai didn't go in detail about what he knew. He put his full attention on blowing away the mayor with as many extensive plans as he could get away with but my mind lingered on how he worded his statement.
"Buy you a ballerina"
Yes l was going to buy her for a one night stand.
Our entourage entered the event for the party. We were met with low lights and thumping music echoing off the walls. The bar in the back was screaming for my attention."You owe me a drink," I stated loudly, interrupting my uncle's conversation. He widened his eyes and looked between me and the mayor."You're absolutely right!, I sure do. Excuse me for a moment. I will go grab us all a round of drinks with my nephew and I will be right back", As soon as he turned his back , his eyes scowled at me."You know better than to interrupt me", His jovial tone turned sour."Yeah, of course. Of course," I waved him off and we parted the crowd on our way to the line of the bar and wall of liquor bottles reflecting the low blue lights surrounding us . Without looking at him , I whispered, "Tell me about the ballerinas"Nikolai rolled his eyes, but when we got to the bar, he waved over a bartender. Getting closer, he exhaled and spoke without meeting my eye . "New York is an expensive place to l
| RHEA'S POV |"You can't afford not to do this , Rhea, lam sorry", His words felt like a dagger going through my back. "We all have contracts to fullfil, and this is too much money to turn down", He went on. I angled away from the dancer choreographer, Luke and crossed my hands to hold myself as if that would stop the ice freezing the blood in my veins. Even if I didn't want to hear his words. He was right."We have you set up in the skyview suite at the New York palace. It's fifteen minutes away and you have just about one hour to meet this guy on time", My eyes snapped up to Luke who was standing in the studio doorway. He drummed his fingers on the frame of the door as if he was waiting for me to say anything else. I simply nodded my head. It was enough of a sign for Luke to turn and leave.After the grueling performance tonight , I was so exhausted. The moment the curtains closed,the show left my mind and all I could think about was thinking into my bed. The other dancers had trie
"Rhea." His voice was husky and deep, the hint of an accent i couldn't place in the understones. Dark eyes scanned my frame and the way they lingered made me swallow a shudder."Welcome," I lifted the cocktail trying to start a conversation. "Would you like something to drink....? I trained off again, hoping he would offer his name . They didn't always give one. That was fine. He didn't respond faster but he kept walking, stalking forwards like a predator. He was cornering me and I felt like a rabbit. The urge to flee raced up my spine but I couldn't do anything"I would love a drink", He stopped in front of me and after a pause that felt too long, he finally reached out and circled his fingers over mine to accept the drink. His fingers were warm and he exhaled when his hand was over mine. The smile on my lips weakened, but thankfully remained in place.He was so much taller than I was, towering over me so much that it left me in shadows as his frame blocked the low light overhead. Th
When his hand stopped roaming my sides and landed on my breast , a moan slipped past my lips. This never happened at the meetings. I never enjoyed them but here l was feeling like l was in heaven. His palm on my breast was soft as he touched me, yet I could feel now just how much he was restraining himself. There was a slight tremor with in him as he held back."Do you want to go to the bedroom?", My mouth asked, and I felt like I was going on autopilot. Perhaps it was my exhaustion,or the small amount of alcohol in my system. But I knew those things mixed with Aleksander's dark allure were dangerous. His touch was winning my body over ."Fuck yes," He growled. I froze, but in the next instant he lifted me up from the couch and rose to his feet. His quick speed and calm strength impressed me. A bright blush spread across my cheeks and I wondered if he could see my resemblance to a tomato. He carried me into the bedroom where nothing but the New York City lights streamed into a darkene
My body flushed with molten lava as l felt him thrust in my pussy. He grounded against me with each roll of his hips, making sure I felt every inch of him that was claiming me. It was so deep. So intense and the pleasure between us as he moved with a building expertise made me come undone."Oh....oh! God!", I trembled as if struck by lightning when a powerful orgasm pushed me over the edge of a cliff and I fell head over heels into the heavens with an explosion of pleasure. "Yes, good girl," he assailed me with praise as I shuddered and rode out the waves of my climax still rolling through me. He kissed up the side of my neck and along my chin while slowly fucking me.All I could I focus on was my sensitive core and the aftershocks of my organ as Aleksander continued drilling into me. It felt like an eternity as he kept thrusting, kissing and touching me but he finally sped up, jerking his hips and tightening his hold on me. After some minutes he finally grunted with his own release.
I stiffened remembering it was Nikolai's contact who had connected me to Rhea that night. Ofcourse, he would remember. Clearing my throat, I clasped my hands over the desk."It just came to mind," I shrugged the topic off."How was that, by the way? The Ballerina? She danced like nobody's business,but I bet she was good on her back too. Worth the money you forked out to get her?" My first clenched when l heard his words. Although this wasn't an unusual conversation, I came from an openly promiscuous family where we didn't keep our loves lives hidden; I didn't want to hear my uncle talking about Rhea.It was ridiculous. I barely knew her. Yet my jaw clenched painfully as I glared across my desk."Yes. Worth it", l responded lastly. "Great to hear!" He clapped his hands. "Don't go around spending that kind of money each time you need a lay, though. Plenty of women will give you that for free, Aleksander. You're a good looking man, and I see how the little slice out side looks at you", H
"Oh, Mr Makalov. That magazine company wants to know if you want any copies of the issue that they featured you in. They called earlier to see if you were interested since it went out this morning", Harriet hovered in the doorway. "No, I don't really care. My uncle will buy one if he wants to use it to make fun of me that badly," I answered without looking up at her. I was focusing instead on the two massive monitor screens on my desk."You're right. So funny, Mr Makalov", She let loose an exagerrated laugh. I barely dipped my head in a nod in response to get her to leave. She huffed through her nose, but seconds later she vanished. Once the door to my office was shut and the haze in my head seemed to clear, I pushed myself to focus on work. If we had a new nightclub going up near the river, I had many people to contact to make sure it got underway.Unfortunately, I started thinking about the area again. It was close to the theater. The same one I would go to back with my aunt this we
"Very good seats," Annika mused as we settled down. She was happy but every single one of my nerves was on edge. The world was moving far too slow as we waited and waited for the performance to start. Nikolai and I had missed the first half of the show last time and my eyes were wide and ready to seek Rhea the moment she set foot on stage.All I could I think about was watching her fly over the stage. My fingers itched to pull another smoke from my front pocket, but then the lights were dimming, and the music was starting. The first act of swan lake was terrible, Rhea wasn't in at all. The entire thing was about some dumb prince, and the man prancing about the stage. It annoyed me to the point that l bounced my leg in my seat.The second act's first half was equally boring. More than anything. I was certain that prince Siegfried was a moron.Everything changed when the swan Queen was revealed. Odette, the great beauty, cursed to live as a swan by day.Rhea, the most beautiful woman I
EPILOGUE RHEA'S POV Three wonderful years came and went. Each one became a new chapter in my life that I'd never forget. I couldn't when I had otherworldly love pouring through me every day. More than I ever thought I'd experience in my life.Trudging through the grief of losing so much family ate a hole in my heart. Aleksander came along and slowly threaded the chasm together, healing me with each delicate touch and sensual kiss. An unlikely love formed from that illicit contract, and through turmoil and pain, we forged our story.Glowing, floating on top of the world, I swept into the kitchen. A delightful buzz from champagne left a rosy flush across my cheeks. I poured myself a glass of water, listening to precious laughter drifting from upstairs as I did."Rhea!" Annika's excited coo made me whirl around from the sink. I came face to face with her, waving her red nails, gesturing for a hug. I stepped into her arms. Annika shimmied against me. "How did the event go?""It was great
The technician broke the silence first. "Your chart says that you're estimated to be about eighteen weeks along. Is that correct?""Yes," Rhea swiftly answered. Her smile widened. "The size of a bell pepper this week.""That's right," the technician chortled. She glanced between the three Makalovs in the dimly lit room. One hand clicked a button on the ultrasound keyboard and the monitor flickered on. With the probe hovering over Rhea's navel, she asked, "Are you interested in knowing the gender?"Rhea's throat bobbed. Her fingers twitched in mine. Simultaneously, we locked gazes. It was an important question, and one we hadn't discussed nearly enough."I'm going to love them, regardless." Her bottom lip trembled as she studied my face. "As long as they're healthy.""Do you want it to be a surprise?" I whispered in my wife's ears alone. Leaning closer, I nuzzled into the side of her face. "Whatever you want, baby. Just say the word."Despite her nerves, Rhea giggled. She turned her he
ALEKSANDER'S POV A month passed, and we returned home.Keeping my promise to Rhea, I relinquished the reins over to Nikolai to close the loose ends with the Genovese crime family.My aunt and uncle understood and approved of my wish to keep my hands clean for my wife's sake. Nikolai didn't bat an eye when he proclaimed the Genovese would accept a deal and leave our family alone if we did the same.Antonio recovered from his injuries from the car accident. After two weeks in bed, he returned with renewed vigor. The incidents of that day wounded his honor, and he stated he needed to make up for it. As much as I argued, he needed to take time away. He continued showing up in uniform.Rhea had a checkup with her doctor. That was an appointment I wouldn't miss for the world. I held her hand through the follow-up tests, using her as my lifeline through the stress. I'm sure I was the same for her.The thumping sound of a heartbeat lifted a weight off my chest. Rhea cried from the sweet tast
Keeping one hand on his cheek, our lips a hair's breadth apart, I hooked my other arm around his neck. Chest to chest except for his hand on my breast, I breathed my promise into him. "I love you, Aleksander. Forever."A relieved shudder rushed through his body from head to toe. The stuttered sigh past his lips tickled my mouth. I repeated my vow to him, again and again, accompanied by each primal thrust of his hips. "I love you. I love you. I love you."Lush warmth blossomed in the center of my being. It rose from a taut coil in the depths of my core. All at once the carnal pleasure of Aleksander making love to me exploded through my body, rushing in waves from between my thighs to each of my limbs.Quaking against him with searing pleasure wracking my body, Aleksander couldn't hold back. My pulsing cunt forced him into the throes of his climax, following the heels of mine. He painted me from within, claiming me in the salacious way that I enjoyed.He caught my cries on his tongue, s
He seized me in his hands, tenderly stroking them over my fevered flesh. I didn't notice when the gloves came off, but I savored the sensation of his skin on mine. Aleksander explored every dip and curve of my body as if discovering me for the first time.His scruff tickled my throat as his lips tasted me from my chin to my collarbone. I wrapped my arms around his neck, and Aleksander grabbed my hips. In one swift motion, he lifted me off the floor. My legs curled around his waist.The stiffness of his growing erection slipped against the wet center of me. A groan escaped from his mouth into mine. We shared a brief moan at the sweet moment of friction.Aleksander's lips clashed with mine in a passionate frenzy. He moved forward, marching us under the hot spray of the shower. We didn't stop until my back met the tile, crushed between the shower wall and Aleksander's perfectly sculpted frame.I grasped the back of his hair in one hand, tugging slightly as Aleksander's teeth nipped at my
RHEA'S POV Every ounce of my consciousness slipped from my grasp the moment Aleksander freed me. While all the world moved around me, my thoughts stayed still within the pit of darkness consuming my mind. My awareness stayed on my pulsing veins, coursing with cold blood and the rough pounding of my heart throbbing through my limbs.Each breath cleaved through my lungs, strained and burning. Only the heat of Aleksander's hand on my arms kept me on my feet. He was my anchor to reality during a turbulent car ride, and as he swept me through the blinding lights of a semi crowded lobby.A hotel, I thought, somewhere downtown. My eyes couldn't focus on anything, from the onlooking strangers in the shadows to the overly bright glow of opulent lighting. Aleksander and Nikolai's hushed voices brushed against something inside my head. I knew they were with me, but I moved on autopilot.My body floated on a cloud. Up an elevator. Several turns down hallways that felt like a damn never-ending ma
Men screamed. Blood and brains splattered the walls and floors as they went down.A figure popped out around a corner. I fired one shot at his head, and he descended to the ground like an axed tree falling in a forest.Another came behind him. Too close to shoot from afar. My left arm shot out and blocked his. I used the momentum to force his aim up. My opponent shot and missed, bullets lodging in the ceiling. With my left hand, I pointed the gun at his stomach and fired two rounds.The last shot went into the side of his skull as he stumbled to his knees. Then he dropped like a stone on the filthy concrete.An arm emerged at the end of the corridor I passed through. I pulled the trigger, yet nothing left the chamber.Regardless of my unloaded pistol, I grabbed the arm in front of me. One twist of the wrist forced his weapon from his hand. The gun clattered away on the floor.The man grunted. When I jammed the butt of my gun into his face, breaking his nose, he screamed. As he fell, I
ALEKSANDER'S POV Nikolai burst from the front doors of the Makalov mansion. I followed hot on his heels, rushing toward the line of awaiting cars parked around the massive fountain at the end of the driveway.The very last thing Nikolai and I expected was to receive a call from an anonymous contact who worked for the Genovese. Someone in their organization vehemently opposed a potential war. Enough to give away Luca's location.Rhea was the one thing in this world I wanted more desperately than my body needed air. Luca Genovese stole her from me. Now betrayed by his own, I would take his life.The fiery glow of dusk settled itself over the horizon. A brisk wind whipped up the edges of my coat. My fingers twitched, itching for a cigarette to relieve my bristling nerves.Leaving Annika safe at the mansion, I joined my uncle in the backseat of the first car. Personal guards accompanied us. All well-trained and armed with the same pistol I carried.Savage anger writhed like a serpentine
"I'll handle it." The snarky response pulled me from my thoughts. Then the door at my back pushed open with a grating creak of metal on metal. I slammed back into reality, where I sat handcuffed to a chair in some semi-abandoned building.Every breath I took burned my chest. My body tensed with the fear running in my blood. As Luca's shadow rose ominously over the opposite wall, I couldn't breathe. I couldn't move a muscle as each sinister thump of his shoes carried him closer.Luca appeared in front of me with an eerie aura. His disturbing grin slashed wider upon finding me alert.I tried maintaining my gaze at first. He lasciviously ogled every inch of me with a malicious sneer, twisting his features. The threatening glint in his eyes forced my gaze down to his expensive leather loafers crunching on bits of broken glass beneath us."You're finally awake," Luca announced, cocking his head to the side. "The accident was unfortunate, but I didn't think your driver knew any defensive ma