Eliza
favors in exchange for his help. I’d be passed around to all his rich friends, and they’d line my pockets with cash while using me like a toy.
I cross my legs behind the canvas, trying to squeeze out my impure thoughts. I hate that I’m so turned on by the idea of him sharing me. I don’t want to be that kind of woman. I came here to do art. I’m a painter!
I take a deep breath, letting it out slowly and trying to make my face turn a lighter shade. I know I’m red. I have a pale complexion, and I’m sensitive. All someone has to do is look at me wrong and I blush.
But he hasn’t suggested that I do anything sexual for him. That’s all my doing. Those are my thoughts, and there’s no way for me to know what’s going through his head right now. For all I know, he’s just a nice man who appreciates art and wants to help my career.
I’m sure he’d make money from it. He’s not going to do this for free.
“So, you’d like to take this now?” I ask, trying to steer the conversation to a close so that I can get him out the door. I
wanted him here so badly before, but now I’d love for him to leave so that I can be alone with my racing thoughts.
“I’d like to take that,” he says, putting his hand on the painting and pulling it toward him. “And I’d like to take something else.”
“Your tea?” I ask, my voice dying in my throat as his eyes light up with every sinful intention imaginable.
“I don’t think so,” he says, picking up the painting and leaning it against the wall.
Now, there’s nothing between us but the air, and even that’s quickly disappearing as he closes the distance with his massive frame. His shoulders fill my peripheral vision, and his cologne takes over my senses, clouding my thoughts with warm exotic spices.
There’s barely an inch between us now. The heat of his body is soaking through my clothing and seeping into the vulnerable parts of my body like hot candle wax. I take a breath, but there’s no air left to breathe.
“What is it that you want from me?” I whisper, my bottom lip trembling.
His piercing blue eyes narrow. “Everything.”
I find the courage for one more question. “And what if I can’t give that to you?”
“Then the painting will suffice,” he replies, maintaining his scorching, unwavering gaze.
“I don’t want this to be about the painting,” I say, attempting to frame my desire to him as more than just paying back a favor. I’m not sure he cares, but I’d like to maintain some level of dignity.
“Let me tell you something, Eliza,” he says, lifting his hand and brushing the back of it against my cheek. It’s cool compared to my burning hot skin, and I find relief in it. “What I feel for you is far from transactional.”
My knees threaten to give way at his words, but I steady myself with another deep breath.
“I feel like I should tell you…” I begin, already trying to find a way to push him away while my body begs me to give in. I crave his bare skin against mine, but my fear is putting up a greater fight.
“Tell me what?” Lev asks, raising an eyebrow as he continues to stroke my cheek.
“I… I don’t know. Maybe this sounds stupid, but I’m not really emotionally ready for something like this,” I say, my entire body shaking like a leaf in the rain. “I’ve only been single for a few weeks. Barely a month.”
“Not over your ex?” he asks, his mouth curling up in a smile of amusement.
I’m so far over Noah that it isn’t even funny, but this is all so new. I’ve never been with anyone else. Noah and I dated for years. I feel like Lev would consider me too naive, too inexperienced, if I admitted that to him.
“I’m over him,” I say, my mind desperately trying to find the right way to say this without ruining the moment. “I’m just… overwhelmed, a bit.”
“We’ll take it slow,” he says leaning in a little closer. His movement is so slow that I almost don’t catch it. “Very slow. I’d like that, Eliza. I want to take my time with you, to really explore you. The outside… the inside.”
I close my eyes, knowing exactly what he’s about to do and accepting it fully as I realize it’s happening. I can’t let my fears hold me back. I can’t let the memories of Noah hold me back. I need to live for me, and even if Lev is an impossible option, I just want to taste him. Just this once. I need to know what his mouth feels like against mine.
But it’s not just his lips that come crashing down onto mine, it’s his entire body. He presses himself into me, wrapping his arms around me and taking me in fully. Suddenly, I’m enveloped in his masculine energy, completely weightless and at the mercy of his movements, like I’m floating in a warm ocean of bliss.
His tongue dances past my lips, exploring my mouth, rolling over my teeth and gums. He tastes sweet and smoky, with a hint of peppermint. He was ready for this. He came just as prepared as I did when I put on more perfume and changed panties.
Lev’s large hands travel over my body as we kiss, touching me, pushing and squeezing, finding my ass under my dress and taking full liberty with it. He squeezes my cheeks, spreading them as he presses his erection into my belly.
I gasp when I realize the size of it. I almost don’t believe it, but then again, the rest of Lev is enormous, why shouldn’t his cock be as well?
Our mouths pull apart, but only for as long as it takes his to pull down my dress and grab my breasts. Then, he kisses me again, running his thumbs over my nipples and making them hard and tight.
I’m soaking wet. Everything he’s doing to me is driving me into a more desperate passion. I need him right now, and I don’t care what happens as a result.
The painting is leaning against the wall beside us as we tumble onto the bed, long forgotten amidst our lustful frenzy. Is that what he came here for, or was it just for me? I know the answer, but I’d like to pretend otherwise.
I lean back on my bed as he mounts me, his powerful thighs pressing my hips into the mattress. He tears off his jacket, throwing it onto the floor and unbuttoning his shirt so fast that his hands become a blur.
Underneath, a slew of tattoos are revealed, some fresh but most quite old and faded. There is writing in what I assume to be Russian, and some odd symbols that I’ve never seen before. On his chest, an eagle has its wings spread, black pigment spanning from shoulder to shoulder.
I knew Lev was fit by the way his body filled out his suit, but only now do I realize how perfect his physique is. It seems impossible that he could look this good, that his abs could be
so well defined and his chest could be so broad, yet I’m staring right at him.
My mouth drops open, and I’m unaware of the way I’m gawking at him until he smirks and sticks his fingers into my open mouth. My lips close around them instinctually, and I roll my tongue over his knuckles, tasting the last cigar he smoked.
“Good girl.” His voice rumbles deep in his chest. “Suck me just like that.”
I close my eyes, breathing heavily as I taste him. He pushes his fingers deeper into my mouth as he gropes my breasts with his other hand, becoming rougher with me as I succumb to his power.
“Deeper,” he growls, thrusting his fingers into my throat.
I gag, and he pulls them out, grabbing my throat as I open my eyes. “I’m going to destroy you, Eliza. Your body belongs to me now.”
I can hardly take this anymore. I push my hips up to press my pussy into him, but his weight doesn’t allow me to move at all. I need relief. I can’t stand to be tormented with such heavy anticipation any longer.
“Please,” I say, my voice barely more than a raspy whisper.
“Please what?” he asks, his eyes catching the light from the window.
“I need it,” I say, unable to form a sentence that makes any sense. “I need… I need it.”
“You need me to fuck you so hard you forget where you are. You forget who you are. Is that right?” he asks, the cruel power in his voice undeniable.
“Yes.”
“Then I’m going to do just that,” he says, squeezing my throat just a little harder. The pressure makes the blood pound in my ears, but it feels good, like hanging upside down.
I can’t move my head much, but my eyes wander down to Lev’s belt as he pulls it out of the loops of his slacks. It jingles
as he flings it across the room, the metal buckle leaving a dent in the wall beside the door.
Next, he thumbs open the single button that holds his pants closed, the zipper undoing itself from the pressure the moment he shifts his weight. His cock bulges out, covered only by thin black underwear. There’s a little spot of dampness where to tip is, precum from his arousal.
My eyes widen at the sight of something so subtle, yet so telling. His arousal makes me even wetter, but I’m helpless to do anything about it. He has me firmly positioned beneath him, unable to even touch myself and relieve my insatiable need for pleasure.
He catches me staring at his cock, and a wide grin stretches across his face. “Want a taste?”
I nod, biting my lip as he moves his underwear out of the way. His cock falls out onto my stomach – large, vascular, and pumping up even bigger with arousal. His balls rest below like warm gold weights wrapped in loose leather. Their heat seeps down from my belly to my pussy, the dull swollen ache of hunger rising by the second.
He moves closer to me, his cock throbbing against my neck, hot and eager. I know what he wants and I’m dying to taste him. I’d even be willing to let him cum in my mouth because I’m so horny, but I suspect he wants more than that from me.
And I’m dying to go all the way.
There’s a little drop of clear precum on the tip of his cock as he presses it to my lips. It smears across my mouth, sweet and sticky when I lick it off. Surprisingly inoffensive.
I open my mouth, accepting his cock as he pushes it in. I can tell her wants to fuck my face like a madman, but he’s holding back. He doesn’t want to push me too far, and I appreciate that.
However, once he claims me fully, I don’t want him holding back. I need to be fucked like a whore in private and treated like a princess in public. I’ll have it no other way.
“Fuck, Eliza, your mouth feels like heaven,” Lev groans, thrusting a bit faster in my mouth.
I’m barely doing anything, but if he’s crazy about that then what I’m about to do next is going to blow his fucking mind. I wrap my tongue around his cock, lifting my head a bit and taking him deeper. I’ve done this before, so I have some confidence in myself, but he’s also a lot bigger than Noah.
I gag, but I take him deeper, trying to reach his balls with my tongue. No luck, but I can tells he’s still happy with it. He lets out a deep sigh, tilting his head so far back that the room turns upside down for him.
I love the way his cock taste, but I love the pleasure I’m able to give him even more. He feels so important, so confident and self-sufficient that having him surrender to me like this is extremely empowering.
But it doesn’t last for long. He takes control again, pulling out of my mouth and moving back down to my legs. He pulls them apart, spreading them wide and placing his cock on my mound. “Once I’m in, there’s no guarantee I’m pulling out,” he warns.
“I don’t care. Just fuck me as hard as you can,” I reply.
He doesn’t need to be told twice. He spreads my labia with one hand, using the other to guide his cock between my swollen lips. He glides through my ample wetness, but it’s a tight fit I almost feel like I’m not going to be able to take him, but he slides in anyway.
“Fuck!” I exclaim, grabbing his muscular thigh and digging my nails into his flesh. “God, you’re so fucking big.”
ElizaI’m struggling so hard with the size of Lev’s cock that it feels like I’m going to ruin everything before we’ve even begun. Maybe I should’ve just let him cum in my mouth,but I had to have him inside me. I wanted him all the way, and I’m paying the price for it.“You’re just tight, darling. Relax,” he says, pausing for a moment as my body adjusts to his girth.It’s no easy task, and it takes almost a full minute before he’s able to start moving again. But once he slides in all the way, all the overwhelming tension inside me dissolves into pure bodily bliss.Waves of euphoric pleasure move through me as he begins to make love to me, blossoming into electric pulses in my brain that cause me to lose what little control I had left. I’m consumed by Lev, and yet I’m the one consuming him, taking him inside of me deeper with every thrust.Lev’s huge hand encircles my neck, applying pressure and testing my limits. I wouldn’t stop him even if I couldn’t breathe anymore, but he appears
LevI almost feel guilty for what I did to Eliza yesterday. She’s never going to be able to be with another man without craving that kind of treatment, and the number of men whoknow how to do what I did to her are few and far between.I own her pussy now, and nobody else is going to touch her unless they want every bone in their body shattered. Eliza doesn’t know that I would kill for her, and I pray she doesn’t find out the hard way. If this ex she’s been talking about attempts to find and reclaim her…Then I’m going to prison for murder.My demented thoughts are only proving Valentin more correct, but I’ve lost control. The beast is loose, and all it took was a kiss.But even amidst my newfound sexual obsession, I haven’t forgotten the promises I made Eliza. She’s more than an object for my amusement, and I don’t want her believing that I only want her for sex. I recognize her talent, and I’m willing to give her the leg up she needs to make it in the art world.It’s a cutthroat in
ElizaI answer the door with drool on the side of my face and crust in my eyes, praying that it’s the mailman and not Lev. He fucked me so good last night that I slept for a solidtwelve hours. Even the sun in my eyes and the sound of the city couldn’t wake me.I want to shoot myself when I open the door to find Lev standing there looking like a goddamn Rock ‘n’ Roll magazine model, a dozen red roses in his hands and a smile on his handsome face.Of all the days I picked to sleep in, it had to be the one where the man of my dreams showed up on my doorstep with flowers. I didn’t even think to expect something like this because I’ve never had a man bring my flowers.Not once!Lev smiles, the corners of his eyes crinkling like he doesn’t even realize how much of a mess I am. He holds the roses out to me. “I have some good news. But first, flowers for you.”“Thank you,” I manage to say, taking the flowers and backing away so that he can come in.As he slides through the door, I hurry th
ElizaAsher’s hand is warm, but something about his eyes makes me reluctant to trust him. I know he works with Lev, who, despite his intimidating appearances, hasbeen good to me, but Asher isn’t the same.His image is softer, a lot of browns and tans hanging over a skinny frame. He should be less threatening, but there’s an opportunistic edge to his gaze, like he’d be willing to take advantage of you if you were especially weak.He reminds me of a coyote – lean, weak, but growing desperate. I can almost see his fangs when he smiles. “It’s lovely to make your acquaintance,” he says, his voice soft and slow.I smile, but it’s only my mouth moving. My eyes are watching him closely as he lets go of my hand. “Nice to meet you.”Lev, perhaps sensing my discomfort, interjects. “How many openings do you have for her work? I’d like to get things in as soon as possible.”Asher leans back, rubbing his short auburn beard and frowning. “I’d like to see the work beforehand, but I could give you pr
Lev I thought I’d be satisfied from last night, but seeing Eliza spin around in flattering designer clothing for an hour has lit a fire in me that can only be put out by her pouty redlips and the swirl of her tongue.She seems to know it, too, taking every opportunity to flash her panties when she’s bending over to look at something, or let a nipple slip when she’s showing me a dress she likes.She’s trying to act coy, but I know it’s in her blood to show off. She’s an artist, a performer, and she loves attention more than she probably realizes.But she doesn’t have to seek it out from me. I can’t keep my hands off her, and I make that obvious when we slip back into my car and head to dinner.“Very soft,” I say, slipping my hand under her sparkly black dress and squeezing her thigh.She sucks in a breath, trying to look like she’s shocked by my behavior. “Right before dinner, Lev?”“You’re
Eliza I can still taste Lev on the back of my tongue as I take a sip of my water. The ice jingles in the glass, but it’s not loud enough to drown out the hammering of my heart. It hasn’tslowed down since I felt him release in my mouth and I realized I liked it.I’ve done stuff like that before with Noah, but he wasn’t clean like Lev is. He didn’t taste good. It was bitter and unappealing, but Lev was totally different. It turned me on when I tasted him, and the groans that rumbled out of his chest gave me goosebumps.If he asked me to do it again, I’d crawl right up to his seat and blow him in front of everyone here. It’s so unlike me, but things are changing so fast that I don’t know who I am anymore. This is my opportunity to remake myself, and I’m quickly moving in a dangerous direction.Do I want to be a classy artist living big in New York?Or do I want to be some Russian millionaire’s arm candy? I hat
Lev The rain is coming down so hard today that I can barely see an inch in front of me. Even the short walk from the car to the entrance to my building is hazardous becauseof it, but I manage to make it to the door without tripping over any curbs or running into any pedestrians.I shake the rain off my coat. It’s been soaked so many times this month that it’s starting to smell. I’ll have to take it to the dry cleaners. Wool isn’t supposed to get wet so often like this.I can’t say the same for Eliza. She’s been soaked every time I see her, and the sex only gets better as we understand each other’s bodies more. We’ve been taking things slower in the bedroom while going so fast it’s making both of our heads spin.I don’t even want to know what Valentin would have to say if he discovered I was spending every single evening with Eliza. She has absolutely nothing to do with the Bratva and I love
Eliza I knew there was a catch. Lev couldn’t just be a normal guy. He’s too perfect, too rich, and the sharpness in his eyes tells me he has experience with danger. But what kind ofdanger, he seems reluctant to tell me.I’m going to find out, though. Breaking down my door and rushing me to his home in the middle of a rainstorm has spurred my suspicion of him to a critical point. Either I find out what he’s up to, or it’s over between us.And I don’t want to end things like this, not when everything has been going so well. The money, the sex, the passion… I’m not ready to give all that up and move back to my hometown as a failure.I can already picture Noah’s smirk, like he knew all along that I wouldn’t amount to anything, like I had to end up with him again.Fuck, no. I’m not doing that, but I still need to figure out what the hell is going on with Lev.I sit with my arms crossed, partially becaus
Epilogue 1 As we step off the private jet, my heart flutters with excitement. Las Vegas—the city of lights, the city of dreams— it is the perfect destination for our wedding, a place where magic and passion intertwine.Nikolai had arranged a limousine to take us to our hotel. As we drive down the Las Vegas strip, I am amazed at all the lights and scenery. Nikolai takes my hand and tells me, “You’re going to be my wife.”I blush; it still feels like a dream. “I never thought this would happen, especially after everything we’ve been through.”Nikolai smiles and squeezes my hand. “You’ve changed my perspective on relationships. I never imagined feeling this way about someone. You’ve become the most important person in my life.”Tears fill my eyes as I tell him, “I never thought I would find someone who accepts me for who I am, flaws and all. With you, I feel safe and cherished.”Nikolai leans in and whispe
Nikolai Once we arrive at the compound, I guide Adalina upstairs to our bedroom. My gaze lingers on her, and I feel a shift in my heart. It feels lighter, no longer burdened. Leaning in, I press my lips against hers, my arms encircling her waist. She responds eagerly and wraps her arms around my neck.In that moment, everything else fades away as I surrender to the overwhelming passion, I feel for Adalina. This intense connection is unlike anything I have ever experienced before, and I can no longer deny or ignore these feelings.As we part from the kiss, I express with conviction, “You’re mine. You belong to me. And I belong to you.”The next morning, I find out which hospital Gwen Vincenzio was taken to. As I enter the ICU waiting area, I spot Paul sitting with a few unfamiliar faces. Bobby is absent, most likely at his wife’s side.“Paul, how is Gwen?” I inquire.Paul rises from his seat an
AdalinaI haven’t spoken to anyone, not even my father, in two days. The only people I have seen are my father’s bodyguards bringing me meals on a tray. My face, arms and legs are covered in dark bruises. The wedding gown will hide most of them. Except for the ones on my face. I refuse to cover them up, I will wear them proudly and show the world what my father does to me behind closed doors.I get ready for my wedding day alone. No makeup artist, no hairstylists, nothing. No reception, no family—just a quick church ceremony. No photographer, no flowers, no bridesmaids. I slip into the wedding gown and style my hair. I do not wear the wedding veil; I want my face to be seen. I am ready to embrace what lies ahead in my future.The two days in solitary confinement have given me time to think. Time to plan. I will marry Mario and sleep with him on our wedding night. I have to in order to keep Delphina safe. When Mario is not around, I will access the email, information, new identities, a
AdalinaI awaken abruptly in the middle of the night, drenched in sweat. It was a nightmare, a terrifying vision of Maxim and the horrible things he had done to me. Then, in the twisted realm of my dream, Maxim transforms into Mario, intensifying my fear of what he could do to me. I get out of bed and splash cool water on my face, attempting to calm myself.Gazing into the mirror, I see how tired I look. My face is pale, and I have dark circles under my eyes. The urge to escape from this place, from Mario and everything he represents, overtakes me. Yet, the thought of Delphina taking my place stops me. After the wedding, I must find a way to flee from Mario’s clutches, taking Delphina with me. Despite Nikolai’s lack of love and the heartbreak he caused, he provided me with the means to escape Mario, my father, and the mafia. Nikolai shattered my heart, but I will forever be grateful to him. Even though I will never see him again.Returning to bed, I fall back asleep…I dream I am walk
NikolaiThe first thing I do when I get back to the compound is find Tatyana. I can feel the adrenaline coursing through my veins. I had waited to confront her until Adalina was gone.Tatyana is sitting in the kitchen at the island bar sipping a cup of coffee. She is dressed down today in jeans and a shirt. She looks disheveled like she hasn’t gotten any sleep. Now that Adalina is no longer here, I can let my dark side out. I grab Tatyana’s throat with one hand and apply pressure. She needs to know that I am no longer playing games with her.“I just have one fucking question.” I get right in her face as I squeeze her throat.“Nikolai, what are you doing? Let go of me!”“Have you been working with Maxim? Did you help him kidnap Tatyana?” I am furious.“No. Nikolai, of course not!”“I am going to torture Maxim for answers, if he so much as hints that you two are working together, you are fucking dead!”“Nikolai, I swear on my loyalty to you and the Bratva that I would never betray you.”
Adalina My heart is pounding in my chest as I hide underneath my covers. I can’t stop thinking about everything Nikolai said to me. I knew what was coming, but I didn’t want to hear it. I couldn’t bear to see the look of finality in his eyes.His voice echoes in my ears, repeating, “Adalina… We can no longer be together. I don’t have feelings for you. I have to let you go.”With those words, my heart shatters into a millionpieces.“Why?” I whisper to myself, seeking answers that maynever come.Tears stream down my cheeks as I plead, “Please, Nikolai, don’t do this. I can’t live without you.”I sob uncontrollably, overwhelmed by the realization that Nikolai is leaving my life forever.Nikolai Adalina spends the night and the following day in her room. She doesn’t speak to anyone. Osip brings her meals. But she barely eats anything. I leave her alone.
Adalina It’s almost 5:00 p.m. when I wake up in Nikolai’s arms. We made love three times, and he was surprisingly gentle and loving. As he continues to sleep, I quietly make my way into the bathroom for a quick shower. I borrow his bathrobe, which hangs loosely on me. I quickly comb my hair, though it’s still a bit messy and almost dry. My eyes are still red from crying, and I dread the nightmares that may haunt me about Maxim.Exiting the bathroom, I find Nikolai pulling on a pair of grey sweatpants. His body is flawless, with well-defined muscles and sexy tattoos. I love the trail of black hair that runs from his stomach to his groin. I take him all in as he pulls on his sweatpants.Nikolai notices my admiring gaze and smirks. I walk over to him, and he puts his arms around me.“Feeling better, Zayka,” he says, planting a tender kiss on the top of my head.“Yes, thanks for not putting that ankle brac
Adalina I watch in horror as bullets whiz past my head, instinctively covering my ears to shield myself from the deafening sound of gunfire.I watch in awe as Nikolai takes down each man with incredible precision, his movements fluid and graceful. Of course. He is an assassin. I don’t know how long the gunfight lasts, but it feels like hours. Eventually, the shooting stops, and I peek out from behind Nikolai to see what’s happened. Maxim is still lying on the ground, unconscious, and Nikolai’s men are all standing around, looking relieved.Nikolai The gunfire stops, and I turn to Adalina, she is shaking and crying, but she is unharmed. I feel a wave of relief wash over me. She is safe.“Is it over?” Adalina asks, her voice barely above a whisper.“It’s okay, I’ve got you,” I whisper as I stroke her hair. “You’re safe now.”Adalina clings to me, burying her face in my chest. “Thank you for saving me.
Adalina As I wake up, my head throbs, and my eyes feel heavy. I lie on a bed in a dingy motel room, and the air is thick with the smell of stale smoke and cheap cologne. Maxim sits next to me, his gaze fixated on my face with a sinister look in his eyes. I immediately shut my eyes, pretending to be unconscious, afraid of what he might do next.“I know you’re awake Adalina. Open those prettyeyes.”I open my eyes but don’t look at Maxim. The room isdimly lit by a single lamp, casting shadows on the walls and on the old and mismatched furniture. The lumpy bed I am laying on has faded floral sheets that have not been changed in a long time. The walls are yellowed and peeling, and the carpet is threadbare and stained.Maxim strokes my head with his hand. “Don’t touch me!” I exclaim as I pull away.“Now, now, Adalina. Don’t be like that. I know you’re no longer a virgin. I know you and Ni