Page 28

TARAJI

"You look beautiful," Nikolai says, appearing behind her. His fingers trace her shoulders, sending shivers down her spine.

"Thank you, Daddy," she whispers, the word now flowing naturally from her lips.

Nikolai kisses her neck. "Are you ready for today? We don't have to go to work if you don't want to."

"I need to finish the Calypso campaign." She turns to face him. "Besides, I can't hide forever."

His eyes darken momentarily. "No one will say anything. I've made sure of it."

The edge in his voice should frighten her, but instead, it makes her feel protected. She's seen glimpses of his darkness, the blood on his knuckles, the cold fury when someone threatens her, but she's no longer afraid.

"What happened to Jerome?" she asks, the question that's been haunting her .

Nikolai's expression remains neutral. "Instead of being fired, he's taken an extended leave. The company granted his request yesterday."

"And Mary-Anne?"

"Transferred to our Singapore office." His thumb traces her bottom lip. "They won't bother you again."

Part of her wants to know more, but another part is content with not knowing. She kisses his palm. "Thank you for protecting me."

…

At work, Taraji notices the stares but holds her head high. Whispers follow her to the conference room, but she focuses on her presentation, channeling her professional side.

"The Calypso account is up twenty percent since we implemented the new strategy," she announces to the board, her voice steady.

Nikolai watches her from the head of the table, pride evident in his eyes. "Excellent work, Ms. Volkov."

After the meeting, he pulls her into his office. "You were magnificent." He locks the door behind them. "Do you need to be Taraji right now, or can Daddy take over?"

The stress of the day weighs on her shoulders. "I need Daddy," she admits.

His demeanor shifts immediately. He guides her to the couch and pulls her onto his lap. "There's my good girl. Daddy's got you now."

Taraji feels herself slipping into her little space, the world becoming simpler. Nikolai strokes her hair, murmuring praise as she nuzzles against his chest.

"Color for me, baby," he says, pulling out a sketchbook from his desk drawer.

She takes the colored pencils, focusing on creating a picture while Nikolai reviews documents. The simple act calms her racing thoughts .

"Such pretty colors," he praises when she shows him the finished drawing. "My clever girl."

…

Later that evening, Nikolai drives them to his penthouse. Taraji feels herself drifting between her adult and little mindsets, comfortable with both.

"What are you thinking about?" he asks, his hand resting on her thigh.

"How different I feel now. Like I've found a missing piece of myself."

Nikolai's eyes flash with something primal. "You were always perfect. You just needed someone to show you."

In the elevator, he presses her against the wall, kissing her deeply. "Do you want Daddy to take care of you tonight?"

Heat pools between her thighs. "Yes, please."

The doors open directly into his penthouse. He carries her to the bedroom, laying her on the silk sheets.

"Strip for me," he commands, loosening his tie.

Taraji slowly removes her clothes, watching his eyes darken with each revealed inch of skin. When she's naked, he approaches, still fully dressed.

"Spread your legs. Show Daddy what belongs to him."

She obeys, opening herself to his hungry gaze. He kneels between her thighs, his breath hot against her sex.

"So wet already," he murmurs, running a finger through her folds. "Is this all for Daddy?"

"Yes," she gasps as he pushes two fingers inside her.

His tongue flicks against her clit while his fingers pump steadily. "Who does this pussy belong to?"

"You, Daddy," she moans, hips bucking against his mouth.

He sucks her clit hard, curling his fingers to hit her sweet spot. "That's right. All mine."

Her orgasm builds rapidly under his skilled attention. "Please, Daddy, I'm going to come! "

"Come for me, baby girl," he growls against her sensitive flesh.

She shatters, crying out his name as waves of pleasure crash through her body. Before she can recover, Nikolai stands and unzips his pants, freeing his hard cock.

"Need to be inside you," he grunts.

He pushes in with one powerful thrust, filling her completely. Taraji wraps her legs around his waist, pulling him deeper.

"Fuck, you're so tight," he groans, establishing a punishing rhythm. "My perfect little girl."

His thrusts grow harder, the sound of his hips ramming against her ass, filling the room. Taraji feels another orgasm building as his pubic bone grinds against her clit with each movement.

"Look at me," he demands. "I want to see your eyes when you come on my cock."

Their gazes lock, and the intensity pushes her over the edge. Her walls clench around him as she comes again, triggering his own release. He empties himself inside her with a guttural moan.

Afterward, he cleans her gently with a warm cloth, whispering praise. This is what she never had before, someone who sees all of her and loves every part.

…

The next evening, Nikolai helps her prepare for a charity gala. He selects a stunning red gown that showcases her curves.

"Everyone will be jealous of me tonight," he says, zipping up her dress.

At the gala, Taraji notices how people defer to Nikolai, not just with respect, but with fear. She spots a group of men watching them, their expressions calculating.

"Who are they?" she asks quietly .

"Business associates." He guides her toward them. "Come, I'll introduce you."

The men greet Nikolai with firm handshakes. Their eyes hold the same dangerous glint she's seen in her lover's gaze.

"This is Minsu, Kamal, and Issac," Nikolai says. "Old friends. Although there’s one missing" He looks one of them in the eye and asks “Where’s Eli?”

Minsu replies “He’s with his little lamb” They all smirk.

Each man has a beautiful woman by his side, all of whom offer Taraji knowing smiles.

"Welcome to the family," Kamal’s companion whispers while the men discuss business.

"Family?" Taraji questions.

The woman nods. "They protect what's theirs. We're the lucky ones."

Looking at these women, confident yet yielding, strong yet soft and Taraji recognizes something familiar. They understand the freedom in surrender, the power in being cherished.

Nikolai's hand rests possessively on her lower back as he converses with his associates. When his eyes meet hers, she sees that familiar darkness, but now she understands.

"Are you happy, my little one?" he asks when they have a moment alone.

Taraji looks up at him, this complex man who contains both tenderness and violence. "Yes, Daddy. I've never been happier."

He kisses her forehead, his grip tightening slightly. "And I'll make sure you stay that way. Always."

She believes him. In his arms, both her adult self and her little side feel safe, accepted, and loved, even amid the darkness that surrounds them.

Nikolai watches Taraji interact with the wives of his associates, a possessive pride swelling in his chest. She fits perfectly into his world, even if she doesn't yet understand its full scope .

"She's extraordinary," Isaac comments, sipping his whiskey. "I see why you've been obsessed with her for years."

"She's worth every moment I waited," Nikolai replies, never taking his eyes off her.

Minsu nods toward Taraji. "Does she know what we do?"

"She knows enough." Nikolai's tone indicates the subject is closed.

Kamal laughs quietly. "They never know everything. It's better that way."

Taraji feels the weight of Nikolai's gaze across the room. When their eyes meet, a wordless communication passes between them. She excuses herself from the women and walks toward him.

"Everything okay, Daddy?" she whispers when she reaches his side.

His arm slides around her waist. "Perfect now that you're here. Are you enjoying yourself?"

"The women are interesting." She leans closer. "They all seem to know about... dynamics like ours."

Minsu’s wife, Lea, approaches with champagne flutes. "We were just telling Taraji about our monthly spa retreats."

"Which you're invited to join," Kamals wife, Faith, adds. "It's just us girls."

Nikolai kisses Taraji's temple. "You should go. It would be good for you to have friends who understand."

…

Later that night, they return to Nikolai's penthouse. Taraji kicks off her heels, feeling the tension drain from her body.

"Your friends are intense," she says, watching him remove his tie. "How do you know them?"

"3 of us grew up together in the system and the other two we meet up in boarding school" He pours two glasses of water. "We made a pact to build something together when we got out."

"And did you? "

His eyes darken momentarily. "We built an empire."

The way he says it sends a shiver down her spine. "What kind of empire requires men to look so dangerous?"

"The kind that protects what matters." He hands her a glass. "You matter to me more than anything, Taraji."

She takes a sip, studying his face. "Their wives said you all protect what's yours. What exactly does that mean?"

Instead of answering, Nikolai pulls her against him. "It means no one will ever hurt you again." His lips find her neck. "Do you trust me?"

"Yes," she breathes without hesitation.

His hands slide down to cup her ass. "Show me how much."

Taraji drops to her knees, looking up at him through her lashes. She unbuckles his belt, freeing his hardening cock.

"Such a good girl," he murmurs as she takes him in her mouth.

She swirls her tongue around the head before taking him deeper. Nikolai threads his fingers through her hair, guiding her pace.

"That's it, baby," he groans. "Take Daddy's cock."

Taraji hollows her cheeks, sucking harder as she feels him swell against her tongue. His grip tightens in her hair.

"Fuck, your mouth feels amazing," he pants. "Stop now if you don't want me to come."

She responds by taking him to the back of her throat, humming around his length.

"Christ!" he growls, his hips jerking forward. "I'm going to come, baby girl."

Taraji keeps her lips wrapped around him as he pulses, swallowing every drop. When she finally pulls away, he helps her to her feet.

"You're incredible," he says, kissing her deeply. "Now it's your turn."

He lifts her onto the kitchen counter, pushing her dress up around her waist. "No panties? You naughty girl. "

"I took them off in the car," she admits. "I've been wet all night watching you."

His eyes flash with hunger. "Spread your legs wider. Show Daddy what he does to you."

She obeys, opening herself to him. He drops to his knees, burying his face between her thighs.

"So fucking wet," he mumbles against her slick folds.

His tongue delves into her entrance before moving up to circle her clit. Taraji moans, grinding against his mouth.

"Please, Daddy," she begs. "Make me come."

He slides two fingers inside her, curling them to hit her sweet spot while sucking her clit. The dual sensation sends her spiraling into orgasm, her walls clenching around his fingers.

"Such a responsive little girl," he praises, standing up. "But Daddy's not done with you yet."

He carries her to the bedroom, laying her on the bed. "On your hands and knees."

Taraji positions herself, feeling exposed and vulnerable. Nikolai kneels behind her, his cock already hard again.

"Who does this pussy belong to?" he demands, rubbing his length through her wetness.

"You, Daddy," she gasps. "Only you."

He pushes inside with one powerful thrust. "That's right. All mine."

"Harder, Daddy," she moans. "Please!"

Nikolai reaches around to rub her clit while pounding into her.

The combination of his words and touch triggers another orgasm. She cries out his name as pleasure overwhelms her.

"Fuck!" he grunts, his rhythm faltering as he follows her over the edge.