Page 17

CHARLOTTE

G asping for air, I push myself back up to the surface of the water, flicking my hair out of my face, and swim to the stairs.

The way he speaks, so filthy, so raw, I want everything he says.

Stomping over to the chaise lounge, I grab my towel and dry myself off. As I scan the area, I can’t see him, but I can feel his eyes on me.

This burning heat just doesn’t go away.

Every touch lingers.

I barely know the man, yet, when he looks into my eyes, it’s almost as if he knows me.

He brings out Charlotte .

The carefree one. The one who laughs and jokes. The girl I used to be once upon a time.

Once dry, I shimmy on my skirt and head to the bar. I better check in with Misha soon.

As I approach, the blonde lady smiles at me and waves.

“Hi.” I plonk my butt down on the stool.

She slides a chocolate milkshake in front of me, and I frown.

“How did you know that was just what I needed?” I laugh, taking a sip.

It’s delicious.

Sweet, yet not too much. I don’t indulge often, but I am on vacation after all.

“The drink comes with a message. Jimmy says to enjoy and think of him while you suck on that straw.”

As I choke on a cough, I nearly spit out my drink all over her.

My cheeks are burning from embarrassment. The bar lady joins me in amusement.

“He seems smitten with you. Very kind.”

She offers me a nod and goes back to serving the next customer.

I stare at the thick brown liquid and swirl it around with my straw, imagining all the things Jimmy said he would do with this on me.

The ice would cool my hot skin.

His tongue would burn at my core. I almost let out a moan. What is happening to me?

I only live romance and sex through literature. It blocks out the nightmare I have to endure in my own bedroom. Drago manages to smuggle them in for me occasionally. Much to his displeasure.

It helps me create a fantasy in my head, almost to get me through it.

I wonder what it would be like if I had my own memories to go off of. Just for once feel pleasure, not pain, embarrassment, or like a piece of property.

What if I felt like a woman?

I shake my head. It’s too dangerous. If I get caught, or if Misha sees, so many things could go wrong, and everything seems to in my life.

I rest my head on my hand and finish my drink, watching the world go by around me.

“Another?” the bartender asks.

“I shouldn’t have even had that one,” I reply, not being able to hide the sadness as I hand her the empty glass.

Sighing, I slip off the stool. Maybe I am just not meant to have nice things.

My heart flips as there’s a knock at my room.

Is it him?

Anticipation sizzles through me as I approach; checking through the spyhole, my mood sinks when I see Misha.

With a sigh, I open it and let him barrel through without even a hello.

“I assumed you’d be busy?” I slam the door shut and make my way into the living room, finding him slouched on the couch with his feet up on the table.

Running a ring-filled hand through his long blond hair, he grins.

“I’m free for ten minutes. Vlad wanted me to check on you. Make sure you’re behaving.”

I roll my eyes.

“You managed to take your dick out of someone for ten minutes to be my handler. How kind of you. I’m fine. Off you go.”

I point to the door and he jumps to his feet.

He towers over me probably by a foot. I know I could take him out, Drago taught me well in that aspect. It’s not the size of my opponent, it’s the skill.

And Misha’s skills apparently are restricted to bedroom activities.

“If you want, sweet cheeks, you can be my ten minute appointment. Vlad never has to know.”

I pull away abruptly as he tries to stroke my face.

“Get the fuck out,” I seethe.

He smirks at me, and it reminds me of Vlad. That darkness. Evil lying beneath his eyes.

I step back to get some space from him. He’s one of Vlad’s top men.

That doesn’t mean I’ll bow down to him. He doesn’t own me.

“You want me to tell Vlad what you just said?” I tilt my head and return a smirk.

I can play with the best of them.

“Like he’d give a fuck. You’re merely his property.”

“Ouch.” I hold my hand over my heart.

I hate my husband with every bone in my body.

“Okay, well, how about this?” I step forward into his space.

“You touch me without my consent, I’ll slice your fucking balls off and feed them to you.”

He chuckles but I harden my stare. This dumb asshole has seen me fight. He knows he would lose.

“You’ve seen what I can do, Misha. Your battle skills do not match mine. We are not equal. I will make you suffer. Now, get the fuck out of my room. I’ll see you for the meet tomorrow when we have word from Drago.”

I watch his face redden and the vein in the side of his head pop.

“Go on. Be a good boy and fuck off.”

“You’re a bitch, Charlotte.” He points at me, his jaw clenched.

I smile sweetly at him.

“You’re lucky I’m being a bitch. I could be your nightmare. Goodbye, Misha.”

I wave at him as he retreats, swearing in Russian under his breath.

Over the last five years, I’ve picked up words and phrases. Important ones anyway.

I’m a girl from Chicago. But I’m a fast learner, especially when it comes to survival.

My phone pings on the side and I pick it up, recoiling as my husband's name flashes across the screen.

V

check in.

Me

All fine.

V

good. Can’t wait to get you home.

God, he makes me feel physically sick.

As I sink down on the bed, I can feel his hands on me. Suffocating me.

I’m a toy to be used. And when he’s pissed off, I’m there to be punished.

No safe words. No way to escape. I just have to take it.

And if he thinks I’m not enjoying it, he makes me act like I am.

I hate every second of it.

I’d rather be strung up and tortured.

I wonder what it would feel like having Jimmy touch me. The way he is so open about what he wants.

The fact he wants to give it to me, not take it.

I believe everything happens for a reason, no matter how shitty it may be. And I am certain I was meant to cross paths with this man.

My soul is telling me to go to him.

Fuck it.

Just this once, maybe it’s my turn to take what I want from a man.

One night to experience real pleasure.

Life can’t get much worse for me, maybe I need one night to be free from my chains.

Experience a normal life, even if it is pretend.

Maybe this is what I need to survive.

A real man.

I take a quick glance in the mirror and wrap my fingers around the bottle of milkshake I bought on the way back to my room.

To hell with it, I’ll go in a black bikini set and skirt.

Pulling my hair out of the ponytail, I let it cascade down my back, ruffling out the curls, with the dark purple shining in the light through the black.

He can take me as I am.

And I think that is exactly what draws me to him.

He simply wants me. Just how I am.