Sergei sits at a table set for two, his face dark and menacing, lost in thought. Until he looks up and sees me standing there. A smile sweeps across his face, looking actually happy to see me. Then his eyes travel down my body, and I know he can see my nipples piercing through the fabric, he licks his lips, eyes a blaze I can’t help the shiver that runs through me from the way his eyes darken when he looks at me. When his man walks out of the room, closing the door behind him, I really come face to face with reality.
And I don’t know what to do.
He stands, motioning me towards the table.
“There she is. My blushing bride to be,” he says, clearly as insane as ever. “I trust the amenities were satisfactory?”
Amenities, sure. Him and this entire situation, hell no. But again, I don’t say that and just sit down. I don’t want this dinner to be cut short before I get my hands on that bottle of wine that’s on the table. If ever there is a need for alcohol, it’s now.
Before I can pour myself a glass of wine, he nudges a gold gift box with black ribbon towards me.
“I have something for you,” he says watching with a smile masking his true face.
There’s nothing inside that box I’m excited about, nor want, but again, I listen. My fingers fumble as I undo the ribbon, like my body knows automatically it’s in danger.
When it opens, I see a familiar jewelled blindfold. A prop, and a sick reminder of what’s to come. My stomach recoils and I’m not sure what is worse, the promise of pain, or the thought of him giving me pleasure. At first, when he asked me to wear it, it was a rush, it was new, and he had swept me up in a whirlwind romance.
Now, the thought of me ever letting him touch me makes me sick. I’ve worked through so many issues of how my body would respond to his touch. Even after the monster was revealed, and the hatred burned inside me, he was relentless and made my body cum for him over and over. But as I’ve been told, my body can’t be blamed for its reaction. It’s not love or want or need. It’s physical and Sergei is a master at using it against me.
Things are different now. Then, it was only me. Only my mind, my life, my body that played into my head. But now my heart is with Ren, and thinking of having to be with another man, let alone this twisted devil, breaks my soul.
I lay the blindfold back in the box aware he’s watching my every move. Normally, I’d have to thank him for a gift, but I can’t muster it. Instead, I fill my glass with wine and drink. Whatever is going to happen, I’d rather not be lucid for it.
“We have a lot of lost time to make up for now that you’re back home.” His calculated scheming gaze is full of delight.
Procrastination is my friend, the only card I have.
“I’m not feeling so great,” I say. “Maybe we can start all that another night.”
“Oh?” He leans forward touching my head, checking my temperature, then scales down to my neck.
“Your pulse is racing.” His eyes flash with excitement and not concern.
“Well, it is an extreme situation.” How can he be so obtuse as to not see how much I hate him? How much I don’t want any of this?
“Extreme?” He sits back in his chair and reaches for his drink.
“For me, yes. Why are you so surprised?” I throw his words back at him.
“My love, all this is your own doing. First, you up and leave for eighteen months without so much as a note. And let’s not overlook your most recent indiscretion playing house with Vitali, of all people. Is it any wonder we need to move to the other side of the world to avoid the embarrassment your antics have created. I much preferred we be at home in our playroom but your little Romeos meddling left me with little to no choice in the matter.”
“Well, you did have a choice.”
“You’re right. I should have killed him at the party,” he deadpans.
There’s no way that would have been an option for him, he’s just trying to get a rise from me.
“I meant…” My voice is low, controlled, and surprisingly strong. “You could have seen me leaving as the end of our relationship and found someone else to move on with.”
You know, like normal people do.
He leans forward, caressing my cheek with the back of his hand. My jaw tightens at his touch, but I don’t pull away it’s not worth his outburst.
“You don’t give yourself nearly enough credit my love. There’s no one else like you. No one else I want.”
Lucky me.
“I’ve told you before.” His voice is soft but firm. “I will stop at nothing to keep you by my side. That is true now and until the day I die.”