“Someone did,” he says mildly.
“Not because my disguise is not good. I make mistake. I try to get my passport, and I am caught.”
“Hmm. You should’ve gotten help.”
“From who? Do you think diner cook or busboy can attack Russian Mafia man? Not everyone is this brave. Most are not.”
“I didn’t mean your help should’ve come from a cook or a busboy.” His eyes hold mine for several beats, making my heart pound. He means he would’ve helped me? Even without the promise of my being his pet?
“Come here,kiska.”
A strange panic overtakes me. I’m not ready to be with him in ways I’ve never been with anyone, but I feel myself losing control of the situation. Quickly stepping around the table, I grab a pillow and drop it on the floor. Then I lower myself to my knees. “I will show you what I know. You will like it. I know this.”
When I reach for his belt, he catches my wrists in his hands. They’re so big they can close all the way around my wrists with the fingers overlapping. His hands are scary, but so far they haven’t been too scary with me. Pressing my lips together, I tell myself to smile and be charming. Things will be easier if I’m nice. And eventually I may be able to use that to get him to let me go sooner.
One hand moves to cup my cheek. “You’re scared of me?”
“No, no.”
“It’s all right. Only a stupid girl wouldn’t be. But not every strong man takes what he wants by force, even if he can.”
My gaze settles on his broad chest and shoulders. He could clearly take most things by force. As much as I hate that in other men, it stirs something in me to think of him handling me roughly.
I tilt my head, raising my eyes to look into his. “Have you? Taken a woman by force?”
“Not until I took you.”
I don’t understand what he means by this. “You do not yet.”
“I took you from Egorov by force. By defeating his champion.”
That makes me smile. “Yes, you did. I wish I could remember this more.”
His fingers stroke my hair, causing me to look up again. “Don’t regret not seeing it. It’s not something an innocent girl needs to witness.”
I like that he says this. That there are things he would shield a woman from seeing. Egorov glories in making people scared. He’s truly a monster, and I hate him for it. My gladiator is something else. Powerful and violent, but not evil. At least I don’t think so.
“Tell the truth,” I whisper. “Way down in your body, if you do not stop yourself from being rough, is this how you want to be with me?” I don’t know why I can’t resist asking him that. I guess I’m anxious to know what he’s like and whether I can trust him.
For a moment, all I hear is his harsh breathing. As he stares at me, he lowers his zipper. Then he gestures for me to come closer. “Come, kitten. See what I have for you.”
CHAPTER5
Alexei
Other than pulling the towel off her hair, I’m still. She wants to play, and I’m happy to let her. My aching balls are more than ready. The entire goddamned conversation primed me to come.
She slides closer on the pillow, settling in. Hunger burns inside my sac. When she frees my hard cock, she sits back on her heels for a second in surprise, and I almost roar in frustration at her hesitation. Yeah, I’m sure I’m bigger than Egorov. For all I know he’s got a micro dick. It would explain his personality.
My finger strokes under her chin. “Come on. Be a good kitten.”
She looks up at me through her lashes. Those bright eyes are beautiful, and for a second, I’m distracted.
Her tongue’s tip touches the head of my cock, sending an electric current up my spine.Fuck.My hand cups the back of her head, but she twists away and nips my finger in warning. Like a cat. My cock gets even harder. It definitely wants to play too.
Then she tilts her head so her ear practically touches her shoulder, and she starts to lick the base of my cock where it rises from my sac. My lids drop. She’s teasing me, and it feels so fucking good.
“More,” I groan. “You can go slow next time.”
