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The room filled with a tense silence as we stared at each other, the open challenge between us blatantly apparent. Finally, Maxim sighed and stepped back. I noticed then that he had a plain shopping bag in his hand, and he placed it down gently by the door.
“Inside, you’ll find something to change into for breakfast. Please join me downstairs when you’re ready,” he said, his tone softening slightly.
With that, he closed the door behind him, his footsteps echoing down the hallway. I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding, my eyes darting to the bag by the door.
A part of me wanted to throw it out the window and reject everything he was offering—or rather, imposing. But another part, the one that had softened at his smile and the concern in his eyes, was curious. With a frustrated groan at my own conflicting feelings, I threw off the covers and headed to the shower.
The hot water was a welcome distraction, helping to soothe the whirlwind of emotions swirling through me. As the steam filled the room, I tried to steady my thoughts and get a handle on whatever this was between the two of us.
Once out, I towel-dried my hair and glanced in the mirror, noting that my ass was still a little bit pink from my spanking last night. I blushed bright red and hurried out of the bathroom.
I reluctantly approached the bag Maxim had left.
Pulling out the contents, I found a simple, yet elegant outfit laid out for me. Despite myself, I couldn’t help but appreciate the quality and style—it was perfectly my size, although the panties were a bit of a younger style, light pink with little strawberries all over them, but still cute.
I dressed quickly, my movements brisk as I tried to shake off the lingering warmth of his concern and the undeniable attraction that I felt toward him.
This was going to be a long day.
I found him in the kitchen, his back to me as he pulled out a pan and began to crack eggs into a bowl. He was humming softly to himself in a tune I didn’t recognize, yet somehow, it was a soothing melody that made me feel even more relaxed despite the shame and nervousness and arousal pumping through me with every step.
“Why don’t you take a seat at the table, Riley?” he suggested without turning around. Maybe he’d heard me walk into the room, but whatever it was, I didn’t see a reason to argue with him.
Not when my stomach growled so loudly that I could hear it and I feared that he could too.
So I took a seat at the table and waited for my doom.
The tension between us only seemed to escalate as he finished cooking and plated the food. I watched silently as he poured a glass of orange juice and set it on the table beside a steaming mug of coffee.
He turned, placing the plate and the mug in front of me, his movements deliberate and calm. He then sat down and leaned back in his chair, surveying me with those piercing blue eyes that seemed to see right through me.
“Eat something, Riley,” he suggested, his voice even, but there was an undercurrent of firmness that made my stomach clench with nerves.
I ignored the plate in front of me for a moment, my emotions getting the best of me.
“You haven’t really told me what happens now,” I started, my voice steady despite the tremor I felt inside. “Am I a prisoner here?”
Maxim’s lips twitched at that, not quite a smile but more a grimace of acknowledgment. “Not a prisoner,” he clarified, taking a sip of his coffee. “Consider yourself under my protection.”
I scoffed, folding my arms defensively. “From who? Because of Gregor?” I paused, lowering my voice.
Maxim set his cup down with a soft clink. “Yes. That’s exactly why you need to be here,” he replied. “You stumbled into something bigger than you realize. Gregor Orlov wasn’t just some thug—he was connected, deeply. His death will have ripples, and until I figure out how deep those go, and how far those ripples will spread, you’re in danger.”
I processed this, the weight of the situation settling like a stone in my stomach. “So, what—am I just supposed to stay here indefinitely?”
“For now,” Maxim responded, his gaze never wavering. “I have people looking into it. We need to ensure no one’s coming after you for revenge.”
“And then what?” I challenged, my frustration growing. “You say I’m not a prisoner, but it sure feels like it.”
Maxim leaned forward, his expression serious. “I’m not looking to keep you here against your will forever, Riley, but I can’t in good conscience let you walk into a potentially lethal situation.”
“And what if it’s never safe? What if this just keeps going?” I countered, my voice hardening.
He pondered my question for a moment, his jaw tightening. “Then we find a permanent solution that keeps you safe. Change identities, relocate you… whatever it takes.”
The reality of his words hit me hard. My life, as I knew it, was over. And for what? A foolish mistake, a misjudgment of character.
This whole situation was the worst.
