“Yes, boss,” Nikhil answers without hesitation.
God, it just feels like I’m being pulled deeper down the rabbit hole.
Chapter 19
DEMITRI
When we walk into Ariana’s apartment, she glances around, then frowning, asks, “Where’s my rug?”
“I wrapped you in it and left it in the car that night,” I explain as I walk to the coffee table and move it into its original position.
“You owe me a rug,” Ariana mutters, and then she heads to her bedroom.
Alexei opens the fridge and, a second later, slams it shut, then he looks around the small space with a frown. “Ariana!”
Opening the bedroom door, she peeks out. “You don’t have to yell. What?”
Alexei waves a hand over the room. “Why do you live in such a small place? Your fridge is empty.”
Ariana gives Alexei a look of warning. “Don’t diss my apartment. You can always go to a hotel. No one’s forcing you to stay here.”
Alexei lets out a huff. “That’s not what I meant. You’re Sergei’s daughter. Didn’t he send you money?”
“Oh.” She takes a step forward and leans her shoulder against the doorjamb. “He does… ahh… did… I used it for my mom’s nursing home.” Then her teeth tug at her bottom lip. “Which I suppose is going to be a problem now that my dad passed away.” With a look of concern, she heads back into the bedroom.
Alexei glances around the living room, and kitchen then mutters, “I’d fucking shit myself if my daughter lived like this.”
I take in the sparse furnishings, which I didn’t notice the night I came for Ariana, and I have to agree, it looks like she’s barely getting by.
Walking to the bedroom, I nudge the door open and step inside. Ariana’s just finishing making the bed, and her gaze snaps to me, then she tries to joke, “Wow, look at us coming full circle. You’re not going to choke me, are you?”
I shut the door, so we’ll have privacy and then lean back against it. Crossing my arms over my chest, I say, “I’ll take care of the nursing home fee.”
Ariana’s spine straightens, and she immediately starts to shake her head. “I’ll call them tomorrow. I’m sure they’ll give me a grace period until this mess has been taken care of, and I can start working again.”
Pushing away from the door, I move forward and only stop when I’m right in front of Ariana, and she’s forced to tilt her head back to look at me. I lift my hand and wrap my fingers around her throat, and then leaning down, I say, “I will take care of the nursing home. Don’t argue with me.”
Defiance sparks in her eyes, and her mouth sets in a stubborn line. “I’m not going to have you pay my expenses. We’re not a couple, Demitri.”
My cock hardens from her feistiness, and I want nothing more than to throw her on the bed and fuck her until she understands she belongs to me.
I’m still going to give her the time she needs, but I also have to make something absolutely clear. The corner of my mouth lifts slowly until I’m smirking at her.
My voice is low with warning for her not to argue as I say, “Malyshka, you’re mine. The time I’m giving you is so you can get used to the idea. But make no mistake, you’re mine, and I will take care of your life, your body, and your fucking expenses.”
Her eyes widen at my words, and I don’t miss the flash of heat.
Ariana fucking loves it when I dominate her. Just as much as I do.
Still, she argues. “I didn’t agree to being in a relationship with you. We said we’d see where this goes.”
I lower my head and slowly brush my nose along her jaw and over her cheek. I feel her pulse quicken beneath my fingertips, and her breaths come faster.
“Feel that, Malyshka?” She swallows hard, and then her lips part. I lock eyes with her. “I can strip you naked, and you wouldn’t stop me.” Her chin lifts a little, her lashes lowering over her eyes that are burning with desire for me. “I can bury my face in your pussy, and all you’ll be able to do is scream my name as I make you come.”
Ariana pushes her body against mine, and grabbing hold of my shoulders, she lifts herself and slams her mouth to mine. She tears into me, my girl wild and needy for me.
I only give her enough to make her moan, and then I break the kiss, and tightening my grip around her neck, I hold her eyes captive. “You. Are. Mine. I fucking saved your life, and it now belongs to me. Do you understand?”
Breathless, she stares at me until she’s able to say, “I can’t commit to anything. Alexei will kill me if I hurt you, and right now, I’m not sure what I feel.”