Page 41

The Work.

THREE YEARS LATER

S urprisingly, this arrangement with Erhan Kara has been smooth. With anything, it takes a little work to get everything set up and running. Once we worked out the kinks, like who would watch the shipments and who would exchange the cash, everything was almost perfect. Of course, you’d have a few hiccups, like some dead bodies, but it wasn’t something I was new to. It comes with the territory.

“Where do you want the palettes?” Some young chump got stuck with shipping from Istanbul and is wearing his disapproval on his face.

“Under the shed, and keep the fucking powder dry.”

Erhan’s men move the palettes under the shed we constructed as I check my watch. It’s two in the afternoon, meaning Nera will be putting Stella down for her nap. Just as I’m about to head back to the manor, a siren-like voice calls out to me.

“You promised you’d let me take this one.” She steps down onto the wharf and I smile. Her hair is now always in a messy bun, high on the top of her head because she refuses to cut it. Since she gave birth almost three years ago, Erhan has given us more than what we need in terms of carers, cooks, and cleaners. Nera wants to believe it’s out of the goodness of his heart, but I know he wants our full attention on the trade.

“I just can’t stay away.” It’s a lie. All I want to do is get this done and get back to my girls.

“Well, Stella is asleep.” She runs her hands over my chest, stepping into me, her allure still as irresistible as the first time I saw her again in the States.

“Mmm, and what does that mean?”

“Means we have about an hour before she wakes up.” Threading her fingers with mine, she pulls me in the direction of the forest.

“I have to stay until they finish loading the shed.”

She sighs, turning to face the man on the machine moving the palettes. “Hey!” She rolls her eyes when he doesn’t hear. “Hey!” she yells louder, now gaining his attention as he turns off the motor.

“Yes, miss?”

“You’re in charge for the next hour. If even one brick is missing, my husband will ensure you have a permanent resting place beneath the sea.”

My cock instantly hardens beneath my pants at her demeanour. “ Principessa .”

“I haven’t had you in days. I’m losing my mind, Raf.”

I don’t think I’ve laughed as much as I have since being with Nera. She brings out the happiness I’ve always yearned for. Something I believed to be lost for me.

Sweeping her off her feet and onto my shoulder, I tap her ass lightly. “I can definitely fix that.”

Laughing, she wriggles in my hold, still every bit the fighter I know her to be. “Where are you taking me?”

“To see Venus.”

I carry her through the forest to the greenhouse, the plants thriving now under her care. Placing her down, she walks in and I follow behind her.

“I think I know why this is your favourite place.” Turning to face me, she removes her cardigan, letting it pool on the floor. “It’s not about being able to see planets.”

I watch her remove another item of clothing, her shirt now discarded.

“Do tell.”

“It’s the serenity this place brings you. The comfort of knowing you can be in silence with yourself amongst other living things that cannot judge you. They hold your secrets.”

She’s now completely bare before me. When I saw her scar again after the incident, I couldn’t bear to look at it, and although it’s become a little easier, it’s still difficult for me.

“Maybe.” I close the distance between us and tug at the tie in her hair, the curls now flowing down her chest. “Or,” I whisper, weaving my hand into her hair beneath her scalp, “maybe Venus is not a planet.”

Turning her around, we both face the window, our reflection looking back at us.

“She may have started as a planet but I think the true Venus stands before me.”

Tilting my head, I lower my mouth to the skin on her neck. “Tell me, Principessa , how would you like to be pleased?”

The corner of her mouth twitches. “Play with me.”

My beautiful wife wants to be my toy …

There’s a hot rush of blood to my cock, the head now throbbing with the need to be inside her. “As you wish.”

Parting her legs with my foot, I guide her to her kneel. “Open your knees wider.”

She does exactly as I tell her to, clearly wanting to let loose. She’s been wound up, stressed over the constant shipments we’ve been making before winter comes and some of the ports close due to the weather. Now it’s my duty to relieve her of that stress.

“Don’t hold back,” she requests.

Huffing a laugh, I crane her neck back. “It sounds like my wife wants to be degraded and used.”

She smiles like the confident woman she is, knowing exactly what she wants as I caress her smooth cheek, watching as her body comes alive at the lightest touch. “Is that what you want, my twisted little whore?”

Licking her lips, she nods.

There are so many ways I want to make her come. With my mouth, my fingers, and my cock, but right now, I want her to see how divine she looks when she comes for me.

“Place your hands on your thighs and wait for me.”

Heading over to the other side of the greenhouse, I roll over the object I purchased just for her. A little anniversary gift I know she’ll enjoy.

When it comes into her view, she looks at me, puzzled. “What’s that?”

“Don’t speak. Get on top and straddle it.”

Her eyes clash with mine, the same recklessness still present within her. Then she stands and throws one leg over the bondage horse, straddling it as I move behind her.

I’m about to make you cry with pleasure .

“Hands behind your back.”

She does what she’s told with a smile on her face and an excited flush on her cheeks.

Securing her wrists with rope hanging off the horse, I push her down hard and she giggles. Fucking giggles like I’m not the one in control here. Undoing my belt, I run it over her smooth skin, revelling in the way she rocks her hips as she watches me through the reflection of the windows.

“Look at yourself, Principessa ,” I whisper, wanting this moment to be all about her. “Watch how your eyes gleam when you think of me fucking you.”

When she goes to speak, I swiftly bring my belt to her cheek, tapping her smooth skin, and making her flinch. “I said don’t speak.”

She heeds my warning and closes her mouth. Strapping her down to the horse, I reach for the collar at the end and secure her neck. My cock twitches at the sight of her before me, the control she willingly gives me is unlike anything any man could experience. It’s not for everyone, and only a lucky few get to experience their partner giving in to them completely. For me, it’s the blind trust to know her limit. To know when to push and when to let her come. For her to trust me with that is one thing I will never take for granted.

I know her body like she knows mine. I know where her curves meet, where her scars run deep, and where she wants to be touched.

I know her like I’ve come to know the sand on the shores of Falcon’s Keep, and it’s because of this that I know the rest of our lives will be spent loving each other without fear.

Without judgement.

She is mine and I am hers.

Until death.