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When he pulls away with a devilish smirk, I notice a few onlookers staring but are quick to avert their gaze. “I’m better now that you’re here,” he says, and I notice the shift in his demeanor. Whatever tension or moment that just transpired was gone—leaving me with the Dmitri I know best.
When he begins to lead me up the staircase, I spot the same couple leaning over the hand railing on the first floor. They’re whispering to one another as they look at me, and I can’t help but feel heat spread across my cheeks.
Surely, Dmitri being with a woman wasn’t that unusual, considering he’s known as a playboy. But up until this point, he didn’t have any relationships to speak of publicly. Only flings. I wanted to believe that what we had was more. But perhaps this was easy for Dmitri, satisfying a need while feeling guilty for my circumstances, pitying even.
I push that doubt away, knowing I’m trying to fabricate a lie to protect myself so I don’t fall too deeply. But it’s already too late.
When we stop at the top of the stairs, my eyes widen—a row of rooms lines on either side, with clear glass radiating red. Dmitri leads me down the left side, and I’m stunned by the beauty and uniqueness of each room.
I’d seen a lot of things in Moscow, but Dmitri had created a safe place for fantasy. The first room reveals a woman who wears a leather wolf mask and leather dominatrix attire, as she taps a flogger in her hand. Her room has a giant X post, which I think is made for tying someone up. There’s also what looks like a leather swing. When our eyes meet, she snaps her mouth as if she has fangs. I flinch but also smile curiously.
The next room hosts two women, and although it’s harder to verify with masks, I have the impression they’re identical twins. My upper lip curls into a sneer and I look away. I never understood the twin fantasy thing, but so many had tried it on Layla and me in college, and it’s always been a hard pass for both of us.
The third room is blacked out. I’m assuming that means maybe it’s already occupied.
The fourth room hosts a luxurious white bed framed by a golden cage. A man lays comfortably on the bed with white wings and an angelic-looking feather mask.
“Is there anything you like the look of?” Dmitri asks. “Or should we look on the other side?”
I swallow. “Now?”
The corner of his mouth kicks up; he lazily rests his arm against the frame of the glass and stares down at me. I feel trapped, entirely his prey. But I can’t look away either. “I’m forced to restrain myself every day from destroying that little pussy of yours while you put yourself in harm’s way. So yes, Cricket. You need to be punished. Now.”
This menacing side of Dmitri arouses a mixture of intimidation and curiosity. I know I’m not scared of Dmitri, but I’d been hurt because of a powerful man like him before. The vein in Dmitri’s neck bulges and I can tell he’s restraining himself even now.
I want to know more about him and his tastes. This deeper version of him that strangers who attend daily catch glimpses of. But at this moment, I have all of him, and I’d be damned if I was letting that go—for now.
“What would you like to do to me, Dmitri?” I breathe. Because I know this man will open my world and experiences. And every time he does, I feel like he takes a small piece of my heart.
That wicked, arrogant smile kicks up. “And you’ll let me do as I please?”
“Don’t you always?” I ask.
He chuckles. “If I had it my way, Cricket, you’d be black and blue bruised every day and unable to walk because I’d branded you as mine. But today, I’ll take something else from you.”
I swallow hard because his declaration should scare me. Especially considering the things I’d been through, but with Dmitri, it’s different. It’s not from a place of cruel malice but rather pleasure. And I know, wholeheartedly, if there’s something I don’t like, he’ll stop.
It’s the control I have over this situation and man that has me curious. I don’t know why, but I feel like slowly I’m regaining my strength and power with him.
Dmitri was the beacon I’d been praying for all these years, even if he promised to punish me for taking my time to reach his side.
29
ELANEE
He stops at the curvaceous beauty, wearing a black leather wolf mask and dominatrix attire. He presses the blue button on the side of the glass, and a door slides open.
“Good Evening, sir and guest,” she all but purrs. “I’m flattered you’ve chosen me tonight.”
“We won’t require your services tonight, Francesca. Just the room.”
Slight relief passes through me, and she pouts. “We’ve never had concerns about sharing before; you know that.” Her voice is sex and honey mixed into one.
“But I won’t share her,” Dmitri growls, her smile slowly drops. Her dark brown gaze lands on me appraisingly, and then she kicks up another smile.
“Understood, sir. Can I get you anything to make your evening more leisurely?”
“Yes. I have a kit upstairs. Bring it down to me,” he commands.
