Page 15

The work week was finally over, and I was relieved.

Since Reef’s appearance on Tuesday, the staff gave me probing stares, and I caught them whispering in groups.

I knew they were talking about me because they’d go quiet as soon as they spotted me.

I didn’t blame them, but it still made me feel strange.

Undoubtedly, they heard what was said.

I kept my life at Lustz private.

It wasn’t because I was ashamed.

It was because I knew how many people would react, and it was how my coworkers were acting.

However, Reef didn’t visit again.

I found out last night why.

It seemed that as soon as Carver gave Mikhail the go-ahead, he called his cousin.

The Bratva boss then dispatched his guys that night to pay Reef a visit at his home to have the “conversation.”

The result was that Reef was in the hospital.

I didn’t know the extent of his injuries, though I was curious.

All I’d been told was where he was, that he would live, and he’d have no permanent damage.

All day, I kept going back to wondering what his injuries were.

I wasn’t sure why Mikhail didn’t tell me.

I bet money he told Carver behind my back.

I would never risk going to the hospital to see him.

It would defeat the purpose of the beatdown to show up. But I wasn’t above calling the hospital and asking.

The beauty of working for Dr.

Simon and the VA was that we had a lot of contact with hospital staff.

They knew us.

So when I took my lunch break and called the hospital, I went straight to the ICU.

I figured that was where he might be. If he weren’t, they’d be able to direct me. I was lucky. The nurse who answered was one I knew, although it was only over the phone.

“ICU, Karyn speaking.

How may I help you?”

her kind voice chirped. She was one of the most cheerful people I knew.

“Hello, Karyn. This is Alexandra at the VA. How are you today? You sound good.”

“Oh, Alexandra, it’s been a while. Where have you been? I’m doing wonderfully. What can I do for you?”

was her immediate reply.

“There was a man brought into the hospital a couple of nights ago, I think. I was trying to track him down. I thought I’d start in the ICU. I heard he was hurt pretty badly.”

“Of course, I’ll check. What’s his name?”

I told her, and within moments, she verified he was there.

She ran through his condition without me asking her to do it.

He had three broken ribs, a fractured jaw that was wired shut, and a broken arm.

He had multiple contusions and lacerations, and one of his knees was badly wrenched with tendon damage that they fixed with surgery.

He was to move to a regular room in a day or so.

Once I heard all that, I rushed to get off the phone with her.

Karyn never asked how I knew him or why I was asking. I felt guilty using my work connection to find out, but it was the only way. Medical people did this at times, regardless of HIPAA regulations.

It sounded like the conversation had been a successful one.

Maybe the number of injuries indicated the likelihood that Reef would back off and stay away.

I hoped for the best because I knew what was in store for him if he continued.

Worry lingered despite my efforts not to dwell on him.

The one good thing was that since Reef hadn’t returned to my office, Dr.

Simon hadn’t done more than write me up.

His attitude toward me hadn’t changed, so I was hopeful.

However, I liked to be in control, so I’d search to see what jobs were out there.

I didn’t want to leave, but I had to be prepared in case I was fired.

Knowing Reef’s condition only partially settled my mind.

I was now wondering if it would do the trick.

God, I just wanted this to be over.

Carver and I were headed in a good direction.

I didn’t want anything or anyone to spoil it.

***

Carver and I were cuddled up on the couch. It was Friday night, but I didn’t want to go anywhere. Tomorrow, we were invited to attend a cookout at Matvey’s house. I was nervous to meet him and his group. Carver tried to reassure me they were nice, acted like regular people, and wouldn’t kill us as soon as we walked through the door. But I’d heard the horror stories. The Bratva, the Brotherhood, wasn’t something you messed with, not if you wanted to live. I still couldn’t wrap my mind around the fact that Mikhail was related to them. I had no doubt Mikhail could have a darker side if pushed, but Bratva-level?

I’d been talking to Cady and Tajah all week about it. They were like Carver and kept assuring me we’d be fine. They chatted about how nice Matvey and his wife Victoria were. They’d attended their double wedding. I prayed they’d like me, and I’d do nothing to upset them. All three of us offered to bring food, but Tajah said Victoria had graciously declined. Everything was handled. Did Russian mobster queens cook? I wondered.

Carver tried to distract me by watching a home decorating and renovation show. I adored those. I’d been converting him to see their appeal. In the past week, he would ask if I liked this or that, and if I would do them to his house. I tried not to read anything into it, but I was hopeful that he wanted to make my stay with him permanent. I should wait, but I didn’t want to. The thought of staying at my apartment without him depressed me.

The ringing of a cell phone made me groan. I knew that tone. It was mine. While he muted the television, I dug into the couch cushion for my phone. No matter what I did, the darn thing always found its way into a crack. Finally pulling it out in triumph, I was grinning at Carver, and he chuckled when I glanced at the name on the screen. It said private caller. Not wanting to miss a potentially important call, I answered it despite the late hour.

“Hello, this is Alexandra,”

I said cautiously. Seeing my expression, Carver leaned closer. I don’t know what made me do it, but I pushed the speakerphone button.

“Hello, Alex. It’s been a long time. How are you?”

a man’s voice asked.

My hand shook as I answered. Carver frowned at my apparent unease. I fought to respond normally. There was no way I would let the man on the other end know he’d shaken me.

“It has, but not long enough. What do you want, Germain?”

I asked frostily.

Carver’s frown turned into a scowl, and his body tensed. I didn’t want him upset, so I rubbed his thigh with my free hand.

“Where are your manners? Can’t a husband call his wife?” he asked.

I heard his smirk. If he were before me, I’d wipe it off with my fist. It had been a year since I’d had contact with him. It wasn’t too long before I moved here. I saw Carver’s mouth opening, but I shook my head, and he subsided.

“If you were my husband, then yes, but you aren’t. I’m busy, Germain. I’m not in the mood for your games. Tell me why you called. Or better yet, tell me how you got this number. I changed mine after the last time we spoke.”

Carver’s eyebrow hiked. I’d told him some about my ex, but not everything. It wasn’t because I was hiding it. It was because I detested wasting time thinking of the man. I mouthed to him, Tell you later.

“Yes, you did change it, and it’s taken me jumping through hoops to find it. We may not be married anymore, but I still need to make sure you’re doing alright, which brings me to my first big question. Why leave Florida? And you did it without saying a word. I went to your place and discovered someone new lived there, and all they said was you moved away. None of our friends knew where you went or that you had left to begin with.”

“Germain, my reasons for leaving were many. I don’t owe you an explanation. As for those friends, they all sided with you, which ended their friendship with me. None of them saw a problem with you cheating on me. I was accused of being too emotional, which is what I heard the most. There was no reason to inform any of you that I was leaving Florida. Get to the point of this call, or I’m hanging up,”

I threatened. He’d hate me for ordering him.

“I don’t know what this attitude of yours is, but I don’t like it. I’m calling to get the family crystal set that was my mother’s back. It belongs to me and my wife. And as you so swiftly stated, you’re no longer her. I want to present it to my fiancée before our wedding. It’s in two months,”

he said smugly.

He was such an egotistical prick. I bet he thought that would hurt me. How wrong he was. I hoped the poor woman knew what she was getting.

“Well, I hope whoever she is, she knows what kind of man she’s marrying. Don’t cheat on her like you did me. Oh, and controlling everything isn’t likely to go over well unless she loves being a mindless robot.”

“I was your husband. It was my responsibility to lead, and for you to follow. I don’t want to rehash your gripes again. I need you to ship that to me. Make sure it’s well protected so it doesn’t break. You know the address.”

“Germain, I don’t have your mother’s crystal. When I left that house, it remained there. I have no clue where it is if it’s not there. Maybe ask your old fuck buddy who you cheated with. Or any number of women you’ve screwed since. One of them has it. I don’t. If you’ll excuse me, I was in the middle of time with my boyfriend.”

Seconds of silence were broken by Germain’s outraged reply. “I know you have it! You’re just being spiteful. You can’t get over the past, Alex. Felicia didn’t take it, and neither did anyone else. It was gone after you walked out on me. You have it, and I want it back. You’re such a bitch!”

he snarled.

His expression showed that Carver had heard enough and that there was no way to stop him, so I didn’t try.

“I want you to listen very carefully to me, Germain. I’m Alexandra’s boyfriend, Carver. It’s our night you’re interrupting with your childish bullshit. I’ve been through all her belongings, and she has no crystal. Again, ask one of the loads of women you’ve been with. Undoubtedly, when they got their fill of you, they took it as payback. This is the last time you contact Alexandra. Lose her number, forget her name. If you don’t, I’ll make sure you do. This is your only warning.”

Carver’s tone was a deep, menacing growl. It made me shiver, but for a different reason than alarm. His commanding attitude made me horny.

Wanting him to know how he affected me, I took his hand on my thigh and moved it up between my legs. I rubbed it over my cloth-covered mound. A spark ignited in his eyes. I leaned back as he slowly stroked his fingers up and down my pussy. My thin shorts and panties did little to prevent me from feeling it. I threw back my head and closed my eyes.

“Who the fuck do you think you are talking to me that way? Or for listening to a private conversation between my wife and me,”

Germain blustered.

“She’s not your goddamn wife. She was smart enough to get rid of a loser like you. A real man doesn’t cheat. Only an idiot would lose her for a random piece of meaningless ass. However, I’m fucking glad you did because it left her free to be mine. And I can assure you, I won’t let her go. As for listening, she put it on speaker. It’s not my fault you didn’t ask. She told you we were together. Go bug one of your side women for the crystal. It’s not here. Remember, lose her number.”

Without another word, he hung up and pressed the side buttons before placing the cell on the end table. “It’s on silent mode if he’s dumb enough to call back. If he does later, don’t answer and let me know. He’s out of your life, and he’s staying there. I couldn’t stand to hear the way he talked to you,”

he muttered.

“Carver, I don’t want to talk about Germain. I have something better we can do.”

“What would that be?”

“We turn off the television and go to the bedroom so we can remove our clothes and show each other how we feel about each other. Listening to you talk to him for even a few minutes has made me hot and horny. I want you to show me I’m yours,”

I half whispered.

A wicked grin spread across his face. His fingers dug harder into my folds. He zoned right in on my pierced clit. I moaned and pressed harder against his fingers. “It would be my pleasure. But I’m in command tonight. Can you deal with that?”

“Yes, oh yes,” I moaned.

He removed his hand, making me whimper, and then stood. He held out that same hand. When I took it, I was hauled to my feet. He gently pushed me toward the stairs. “Get your ass up there, and you’d better be naked when I get there, or you’ll be in trouble,”

he warned.

As I walked off, his hand landed hard on my ass, making it sting. I cried out, earning another swat on the opposite cheek.

“Go,”

he ordered. I took off, almost running. I heard his chuckle as I did.

I frantically tore off my top on the way to our room. I dropped it on the bedroom floor inside the door and shed the rest. I didn’t time it, but I knew it was barely a minute. Then I waited. I heard him moving around downstairs, but that was all. I resisted calling out to him. He was in charge, and I had to let him lead this time, no matter how anxious I was to begin.

Finally, I heard his steps coming closer. I rushed to stand by the bed. He hadn’t told me whether he wanted me to lie down or not, so I’d better stand. When he entered the room, I moaned. He’d removed his shorts and T-shirt. Nothing stood between his skin and mine. Even though I knew him well, I still ran my gaze up and down his body, taking in the sight of his naked glory. His muscles rippled as he moved, bringing his tattoos to life. His cock was standing at attention with a combination of his cross piercings and precum, making the head of it shine.

In his hand, he held a bag. It was made of black velvet. “Good, you did as I asked,” he said.

“I did, but you didn’t say where you wanted me. Is this alright?” I asked.

“For a minute. First, I want to talk to you and ensure that what I want to do is acceptable.”

“Of course,”

was all I said.

He came to stand next to me, opened the top of the bag, and slowly took out an item to place on the nightstand. It was a bottle of lube. Next, he removed a long string of beads strung together on a silicone string. Each one was incrementally larger in diameter. I shivered. I knew what those were, anal beads. I could guess what it was he wanted.

“You can see what this is about. We pushed my boundaries with the blindfold and restraints. When I came that night, I thought of how much I wanted to take your ass. I know it’s on your soft limits list. We haven’t talked about it. Would you care to tell me why?” he asked.

He didn’t remove anything else from the bag, though it wasn’t empty. He put it on the bed and then sat down, catching my arm and gently bringing me down to straddle his lap, facing him.

“Sure. I can tell you. It’s simple. I tried it after I began to frequent the club in Florida. The guy I played with had used his finger a couple of times, and yes, it hurt, but only for so long. Then, it felt good. I had no reason to deny him when he asked me to do more. The gist of it was that he didn’t prepare me enough. It was terribly painful. I screamed and yelled red so he’d stop. He was upset that I did that. It was the last time I played with him or allowed anyone to touch me there.”

Carver gently hugged me. “I’m sorry he did that. I have several things in the bag. I don’t expect you to say yes to any of them, but if you would be willing to let me try, these beads and my fingers are where I’d start. I want you to see what we could work you up to if you like it. If you don’t, we won’t do it again. And I won’t get mad at you.”

I rubbed my hands over his shoulders and chest as we looked into each other’s eyes. “Carver, I know you won’t. I do think if we took our time, I might end up liking it. I’m willing to play tonight, so we’ll see where it goes. I’d like to see what’s in the bag, just to have inspiration,” I winked.

He chuckled as he reached over to get it. Opening it, he felt inside, then came out with a small anal plug. This one wasn’t your typical rubber one. It was made of metal and gleamed silver. On the handle bottom was a red faux jewel. Instantly, I imagined what it would look like sticking out of my ass, how it would catch the light and his attention.

“That’s so pretty,”

I whispered.

“It is.”

“I’m thinking what it would look like in my ass and if it would turn you on. But why metal?”

“Christ, you had to say that. I’ve imagined it several times since I got these beauties. To answer your question, the metal ones allow us to use them for hot and cold play to spice it up even more. Just think, a nice warm fullness stretching your ass or a chilly one. If you got to the ultimate goal of my cock in there, I’d fuck you first with a cold plug and then warm up your ass with a hot cock.”

I whimpered at the thought. I was undulating on his lap. As I grew hornier, he reached over, grabbed the lube, and had me open it. From there, he put some on his finger. I tensed in anticipation, but instead of putting it in my ass, he kissed me. We were ravenous for each other, so it was soon a battle to see who could consume the other. Just kissing had my nipples in stiff peaks and my pussy slick.

I jumped when a slick finger caressed between my cheeks, but Carver’s biting and licking down my neck distracted me. He kept running his lubed finger back and forth. When I relaxed, almost forgetting what he wanted to do, he pressed the tip inside. His fingers were on the large side, so I hissed at the stretch. However, he didn’t get in a hurry. He kept me aroused by kissing, licking, and sucking my tits. As he did that, his finger advanced and retreated into my ass until suddenly, he lifted his head.

“It’s all the way inside. Fuck, you have a tight one. I pray you end up liking this because if you do and you allow my cock in that ass, I’ll die in heaven.”

I giggled, which made him wiggle his finger. The burn was there, but less than before. In its place was a pleasant sensation. I rocked back on his finger without thought, driving it deep again. I threw back my head and moaned.

“That’s it. Ride that finger. Get that sweet ass used to something in it. Tell me to stop if it hurts too much,”

he demanded.

And that’s when I found out how good my man could finger fuck my ass. As he fucked it with one hand, the other was teasing my clit. I held onto his shoulders to keep from falling off his lap. It didn’t take terribly long for me to orgasm. When I did, I squeezed my ass hard around his digit. He groaned as I flooded his fingers with cream.

When I relaxed, he eased his finger out of my back hole. I whimpered in denial. I didn’t want him to stop. He stood with me in his arms, turned, and placed me on the bed.

“Roll over on your stomach. I’m gonna try those beads. Just try to stay relaxed.”

I was still blissed out, so it wasn’t hard to do. When he pressed the first slick bead inside, it wasn’t bad at all. The next was only slightly noticeable. Carver kept advancing one at a time, taking his time. The last one stretched me more, but not enough to want to stop.

I wondered what he was about to do next when my pussy was probed, and then he shoved his cock inside me. I groaned into the mattress.

“Fuck, you’re so wet. I hope you don’t mind. I was going to eat your pussy first, but you’ve got me all riled up,”

he admitted hoarsely.

“I don’t mind. God, that feels so good, baby. Please, make me come. I want to milk your cock dry. Flood me with all the beautiful cum,” I begged.

I hoped my words would make him fuck me hard and fast. He did the opposite. He found a way to stay in control and to fuck me slowly. I built up incrementally, but I knew that when I did come, it would be amazing. I was almost mindless when he pulled back and slammed his cock deep. That was the start of him hammering in and out of me. My peak hit me hard and fast. As I screamed and came, squeezing his cock, I was pushed further to the brink of passing out when he tugged on the beads, and the first one popped out. A zing of fire raced through my ass and pussy.

“Ahhhhh,” I moaned.

But he didn’t stop, and one after another, each time my orgasm began to wane, he pulled another out. Right before the last one, he sped up, thrusting frantically. Just as he froze and bellowed my name, shooting jizz deep, he pulled out the last bead, and I almost bucked him off. I came more intensely.

When the two of us were spent, he lay over me, holding his weight off me with his elbows. I turned my head to the side so I could see him. “Carver, if you can top that, then I want you to train my ass with those plugs so I can take them and you. I wish you could feel what those were like.”

“I want to. I’ve always wondered if it’s as good as some men say. Why don’t we both train with these, and when we’re ready, I’ll fuck your ass, and you can fuck mine.”

I gasped. Was he saying what I thought? “Do you mean with my finger or the plugs?”

“I mean, if you let me put my cock in your ass, you can take my cherry and peg mine. Strap on and all if you want. Fuck me good and deep. Make me scream as you peg my prostate.”

I clenched around him. And that’s when I discovered something. My man was aroused by the thought so much his cock was hardening again inside of me. As he began to slide in and out as he hardened. I made the promise.

“I promise we’ll both do it. Together,”

I swore before a loud pant.

His grin was sexy as he stroked faster. I had a feeling we would be exhausted by tomorrow. We’d have to sleep in to be ready for the cookout with the Mafia. But as long as we kept feeling this way, I’d go without sleep.