Page 7

ROSA

Staring out the window of Melanie’s condo, I count the number of white cars that drive by. Why are there so many white cars in Phoenix? When I called Melanie and she said I could stay here, I thought it would be perfect, but now that I’m here… There is nothing to do. She doesn’t have a TV or a stereo. I guess she’s never really here, so why would she? I flick through the food delivery menus and settle for pizza. My mind searches for the last time I worked out. It’s been forever since I did anything of my usual routine. I don’t even have a cell phone. Julie took it before I got on the truck to get here. Everyone at the bar figured that was how the bikers found me. Thirty minutes later, the knock on my door tells me the driver has left my food. I’m so lucky that Melanie has accounts with the restaurants, and she said I could use them. No one will know it’s not her ordering the food.

RORIC

A few hours pass by, and I’m becoming impatient. I need to figure out a way to get her to come out of her apartment. A person strolls up to her door with a bag. Damn. I should have thought of that. Before I can reach the handle, her door opens, an arm slips out, and the bag is inside. My stomach rumbles as I decide I might as well use the food delivery service myself. Scanning through the plethora of takeout menus, I select the menu for Chinese. I grab my cell phone and order the three entrées I prefer and a beer. If I’m gonna have to sit here for the rest of the night, I should eat.

Twenty minutes later, a knock at the door reminds me I still need to move my chair. Stretching my neck, I stand, slide the chair aside, and open the door. A nerdy-looking young man stands there, holding out a plastic bag while awkwardly juggling a small cooler. As I take the bag and shift it in my hand, he pulls out the single bottle of beer and gives it to me.

I thank the kid and nod as the door opens catty corner across the hall. Rosa steps out with a basket, and her eyes catch mine. I tell myself to make it good. “Rosa?” Damn, I could get an Oscar for this performance.

Her face lights up and then dims, her smile hovers but never quite clicks onto her face. “Rory?”

I push open my door to set my food down just inside the door. Smiling, I approach her across the hall. “Oh my God, I never thought I’d see you again after you snuck out of my hotel room.”

The slight blush that creeps up her cheeks reminds me of when I tied her hands for the first time. She dips her head and picks it back up. “What are you doing here?”

There’s a hint of happiness in that question. “I’m in town for a few weeks, and my company arranged a short-term rental instead of a hotel.” Leaning against the wall, I try to look more casual as she fumbles with the basket in her arm.

“Wow I…”

I smile. This is my opportunity to put her in her place and make her more amenable to my request. Crossing my arms, I look down at the little nymph and speak with a small growl to my tone. “You just left.”

She chews on her lip as her eyes catch mine and there’s a glimmer of sadness that wasn’t there before. “I’m sorry I… One of my friends called to let me know that my father had come to town. If I wasn’t there at the hotel, when he got there, I have no idea what he might’ve done to me.”

My brow lifts. “Was that really a concern? Is your father some kind of ogre?”

The scared mouse look on her face makes me feel bad for asking in the cavalier way. I know what an asshole her father was. Obviously, his entire family is evil, considering they’re after her and want me to track her down and kill her.

She swings her head back-and-forth as though she’s trying to knock out a memory. “My father was not a good man.”

I cock my head. “Was?”

“Yes. He recently passed away. “

My brow lifts again. I raise the octave of my voice as I ask. “What happened to him?”

She waves her hand as she looks down at the floor and mumbles. “He had a heart attack.”

I hide my smile with her excuse as to what happened to her dad. Would she tell someone that she knew well what really happened? I don’t really get the chance to ask before she steps away from her friend’s door with her basket in hand.

Chewing her lip, she cocks her head. “Have you been to Phoenix before?”

I smile and nod at the basket. “No. This is my first visit.” She nods again as she leans to head down the hallway. I raise my hand to catch her attention. “Have you eaten?”

She nods as she shutter steps. Time to get her inside. Dipping her head before she picks it up to look at me. “Why?”

I chuckle at her question. “Well, I haven’t, and I hate to eat alone. I have Chinese. You mentioned in the hotel room that you like chicken teriyaki, and I have some in my bag.” I lean towards her and turn my body, leading her to the idea of coming with me. “Why don’t you just come in? Keep me company. Your laundry will wait.”

“I just ate.”

“Okay, but I have a washer and dryer in here.”

She nods as she follows me into my condo. Well, that was easier than I thought.

She sets the basket down as I move to the small dining table with the bag and my beer. I motion for her to take a chair. As she sits down. I set the bag on the table, turning to head to the refrigerator. “There are drinks in the fridge: soda, ginger ale, and water. Anything interest you?”

She chews on her bottom lip again and nods. “A ginger ale would be great.”

I grab the can, crack it open, and set it in front of her, before reaching into the bag and pulling out plastic ware and a napkin. Smiling, I sit down on the bench. “What brings you to Phoenix?”

She shreds the plastic wrap covering the chopsticks, setting the utensils onto the table for me. I pull out the containers, opening them up, realizing we need plates. I dash to the kitchen and open the cabinets, pulling out two plates. She’s shaking her head as I walk back to set out a plate for her and one for me. I scoop chicken teriyaki onto her plate along with some white rice as she smiles.

“I’m not hungry.”

“Well, it’s too much food for me, after all. Just a bite while you tell me what brought you here.”

“I decided to come visit my friend Melanie. She’s on a modeling assignment, but she should be back in a couple of days.”

I scoop Kung Pow Chicken, Chicken Teriyaki, and Broccoli Beef onto my plate as I lean back smiling. “Well, this is fortunate.” That blush that makes me so happy creeps up her neck and onto her face. She bats her eyes with a smile. I nod as I use my chopsticks to grab a piece of chicken teriyaki and scrape it through the rice.

She holds my gaze for a moment before she nibbles off her plate. A few moments later, she raises her head and smiles. “I’m sorry I just left.”

“It’s fine.” I set down my fork and crack open my beer, taking a big swig before I set it down. I give her the look that I know will wet her panties and smile. “That’s okay. I’ll just punish you for leaving without my permission.”

Rosa squirms in her chair. I know her brain is thinking about what I said, and the sadistic part of me is happy that she’s worrying about what I’m going to do to her. We finish our meal with idle conversation about bits and pieces of nothing. I pick up the Styrofoam containers and put them back into the plastic bag as I get up walk across the dining area and drop them into the open trash. I turn as she stands smiling I know this is the time. “Did I say you should stand up, baby?”

“…… My laundry.”

I flick my head to her basket and smile. “I think that can wait, don’t you?” Her facial expression reminds me of her youth and inexperience. She’s not quite sure what I’m asking for. Once again, I have the upper hand. The thought floats across my brain. When was the last time I didn’t have complete control?

She sits back down in the chair and waits like the patient girl I would expect. She glances over to the black bag that I have resting on the back of the sofa. “Did you just get here?”

“Yes. I actually just arrived in time to order food because I hadn’t eaten.”

“Oh.” Her big eyes expand. “So, what are you doing here in Phoenix? Is it more of your family’s logistical business?”

I sit down in the chair next to her and put my hand on her arm, stroking my fingers down her bare skin. “Yes. There’s a company that needs my family’s assistance, and that’s why I’m here.”

A loud thump in the hallway causes her to jump in her seat. “Hey.” I pull her from her seat into my lap. “You’re safe with me. What’s this all about?”

She ducks her head into my chest. “I have people after me.”

I use my fingers to raise her head to see into her eyes. “What people?”

She avoids my gaze. “I…”

“Rosa!” My growl is harsher than I intend, but she focuses on my face. “What people?”

Her voice is low as she answers. “My father’s people. I was there when my father died. They want something from me.”

“What do they want pretty girl?”

“I took something.”

I nod. So, the cartel lied about her. Not surprised at all. Play it cool. I can’t ask about the thing she took. Be patient. She relaxes as I adjust her against my chest. “You’re safe. No one is going to hurt you.”

“Again.” She wipes a tear that falls down her face. “No one is going to hurt me again.”

The protector side of me roars at her words. “Who hurt you?”

She sniffles as she takes a breath. “My father hurt me, and his uncle thought it was perfectly okay to smack me around when he saw fit. Luckily, I haven’t had to spend a lot of time with them.”

“That’s awful. No one should treat you that way.” I stand with her in my arms and walk us to the living room. “Do you really think they’ll come to Phoenix to find you?”

She shrugs as she snuggles in on my lap. “A biker gang tried to take me from the last place. I can’t imagine the lengths they’ll go to find me.”

“Well, I’m here now.”

Just that fast, she’s asleep. I stand to pick her up and carry her into the bedroom, pulling off her shoes as I lay her down. She looks so tiny on the king size bed. I step away, leaving a light on in the primary bathroom. Dialing, my father answers.

“Roric?”

I answer in Russian. I don’t want the nymph to hear any of my conversation. “I have the girl. They lied about why they want her. She apparently took something that night from her father. I have zero reason to think she’d tell anyone about how he died. They just wanted us to do their work for them.”

“Can you get her back here? Does she know who you are?”

“I’ll think of a plan to convince her. Her family has contracted out to get her. And, no, she doesn’t know who I am, but I did meet her before all of this in Prague.”

My father growls. “You’re just telling me this now?”

“I didn’t think it mattered. If she was going to hurt our family, it wouldn’t matter if I knew her.”

He blows out a breath and offers silence. “I’ll see what else I can find out. Be safe. Don’t let them find either of you until we know what the fuck is going on.”

“Yes, Papa.” I end the call and lean against the hallway wall. I’ve never wanted another woman as much as I want the little beautiful nymph asleep in the bed. Quietly, I peek around the doorframe to confirm she’s still asleep. Satisfied she’s safe, I move to the kitchen and dial Fingers.

“Hello?”

“Who’s coming for her next?”

He clacks away on the keyboard. “Have you seen her?”

“Yes. She’s with me. Safe.”

Fingers chuckles. “That was quick. Let me guess, she’s in your bed.”

“That’s none of your fucking business, Fingers. Find out how safe we are and get back to me.” I set down the phone and look out the peephole. Stepping back to my bag, I pull out a camera. Fingers makes sure we have simple surveillance equipment in our go bags. I walk out the condo door with the camera and my phone, setting it into the fake plant at the end of the hall. The view on my phone should let me know if someone comes looking for her. The clothes basket beckons me. The rental has a convenience washer and dryer, so I pick up her basket and toss her clothes into the washer. Thirty minutes later, I transfer her clothes to the dryer. Glancing at my watch. I’ve wasted enough time. My body is itching to join her in the bed. I strip down to my briefs and t-shirt and snuggle next to the woman that’s haunted my thoughts since we met.

ROSA

The room is dark and quiet, except for the faint sounds of traffic outside, and I can smell the humongous man behind me. He smells like sandalwood and amber with a hint of citrus. It’s the same scent from Prague. He’s wrapped me into his body and breathes slowly at my neck. I want him. Sex with him was as good as the dirty books I read, and I need the release. I shift my ass against his crotch and move slowly, listening to him moan and stir.

“You should stop that.”

“I don’t want to stop it.” I want to feel you again. Just a romp with a skilled lover in case I die later. “I know you want me.”

Rory scoffs. “Of course I want you. I’ve thought about you almost every day since you disappeared.”

His words sound so sincere. “I’m sorry about that. I needed to get to my dad.”

“Fine. I get it.” His cock grows along the length of my ass, which makes me smile. “If you don’t stop, I’m going to fuck you.”

“Ha. Promises, promises.”

He pushes my arm down behind me, so I’m lying on my back and spins atop me, kissing me as his hand rubs under my shirt. “You have the softest skin.”

A blush blooms up my neck and onto my face.

He leans back to stare at me with concern. “What’s this? You should be used to compliments.”

If only they didn’t carry requirements. “I don’t like them. I’m not special.”

He drops to my side and rests his head on his hand. “Of course you’re special. You’re a model.”

“That’s my body. My mother put me in modeling to make it more difficult for my father to steal me and sell me. I hate it. Men only want women for one reason.”

“That may be other men. But not me. My mother was the best person I’ve ever known. She was brilliant and nurturing. She loved us with her whole heart. Her beauty captivated everyone around her, and it wasn’t her looks, though she was stunning. Her heart showcased her true beauty. Like you.”

“You can’t know that about me, Rory.”

“Sure, I can. You’re not some spoiled diva. If you were, you would have sold yourself to a powerful man to keep you safe.”

“Never.” I exhale. “I want a man who wants me for me. Someone I can trust.”

He nuzzles my neck. “I want you for you. I admit you’re gorgeous, but I like you. You’re intelligent and kind, not self-absorbed. And I want to get to know you better.” His face softens. “We don’t have to do this.”

I run my fingers around his neck. “Oh. Yes, we do. I want you to make me come like you did in Prague.”

His smile lifts and his pupils expand. “How many times did you come in Prague?”

I can’t answer before his mouth is on mine. His tongue delves in as I gasp. Expert hands caress my torso and settle on my breasts. I want him more than I want my next breath.

A little flicker of inquiry sparks in my mind questioning birth control, but before I can wrap my brain around it, my hand is grabbing his cock as my other pushes down his briefs. He divests me of my shirt and panties without missing a beat. Three strokes and his cock hardens like steel. “Oh, my.”

He raises to his knees as he leans down to kiss me again. “Tell me to stop.”

My core is on fire with lust, and I couldn’t stop if I tried. “No. Fuck me.”

“I promise the next one will be slower.”

My breath catches in an “oh,” as he swipes his cock up and down in my soaking slit.

“You’re so responsive.” He angles the head to push in, and I’m so close to an orgasm. One brush across my clit is all I’d need. I slip my finger down to touch it as he pulls out. “No.”

My eyes widen. “No?”

“No. I pleasure you. I know what you need. Be patient.”

The scolding should bother me, but it makes me hotter. What would it be like to be dominated by someone who cares about me? My brain can’t continue thinking about it because my pussy is full of the gorgeous man. His hands push up my knees as he settles deeper, pistoning in and out.

“Oh. That’s good.”

Chuckling, his hand moves to my mound as his thumb flicks my nub back and forth, matching the rhythm of his cock. My heart is pounding in my chest with desire. I need to come, and he’s going to make it happen. It’s just out of reach as he adjusts the angle of penetration to hit just the right spot. I don’t have the brain power to react, but my body does. Tightening like a spring, my body primes for an explosion. A swift intake of air spurs him on, increasing speed as I hurtle through time and space into a mind-blowing orgasm. “Oh. Yeah.” My curling toes numb as my senses focus on the exquisite feeling of his cock driving me to bliss. He’s kissing me back to reality, and my heart fills with joy. I like him way too much. I’ve only known him for such a little while. My mother’s words about men bounce around in my mind. I pull him down to hold him against me as he continues to work. I feel him find his own release.

His lips graze over my forehead as he moves from the bed into the bathroom.

Regret. I lured the man because I wanted him and the orgasm he so expertly gives, but I should have waited. I acted like a whore, and whores get treated like whores.

Rory stands at the edge of the bed with a washcloth in hand. “Are you okay?”

“What? Yeah. I’m just tired.” Taking the cloth from his hand, I jump up, maneuvering around him to the bathroom. I clean myself and pee, as I will myself to leave the bathroom to face the man who did exactly what I asked.

The knock on the door makes me jump. “I’ll be right out.”

As I exit, Rory’s sitting on the bed, staring. “What happened?”

Blowing out my breath, I cross my arms to protect my fragile feelings. “Thank you for the orgasm.”

He busts out laughing and catches himself, stifling his laugh. “You’re welcome.” He extends his hands to me and pulls me onto his lap. “What’s wrong?”

“I… You probably think I’m a whore.”

Before I can react, I’m across his lap with his hand spanking my ass. “You will never refer to yourself as anything like that again. You are not a whore, and if you ever demean yourself again, I’ll beat your ass until you can’t sit down.” Another blow pops my cheek. He sits me back up as tears stream down my face. I wipe them with the back of my hand.

“I’m sorry.”

Rory’s tight jaw softens. “What are you apologizing for, exactly?”

“I made you mad.”

“No. You should apologize for insulting yourself. You can’t do that.”

Doubt bubbles up from my soul. “Why not?”

“You deserve better.”

Gah. He’s right. “Okay. I guess you’re right. I just… I forced you to have sex, and I’m afraid you’ll think I’m the kind of woman who does that with other men.”

“Rosa. I’m very sure you aren’t that kind of woman. What we had in Prague was awesome. You needed some relief, and a part of you trusts me. I’m happy to scratch your itch. I enjoyed it.” He winks. “And I’m happy to do it anytime you need.”

Laughter gushes up as I nod. “Yes, sir.”

He holds me against him before he moves us back onto the bed. “Sleep, Snow White.”

I chuckle. “My mother calls me Snow White.”

“It’s what I thought when I first saw you.”

I flick my hair. “It’s not nearly as dark as it was.” Rory yawns, and I can imagine what he looked like with the mother he continues to adore.

“All you need are little animals singing around you, and you’d be her.” He drifts back into slumber as I lie there and dwell on the current situation. Way to go, Rosa. You’re not on birth control anymore, and he didn’t use a condom. Stupid. Stupid.