Chapter 30

30

GWEN

W e just made a deal. A fucking lose-lose deal. My hand stings in Nik's hand, his palm eclipsing mine with his coolness, easing my heat.

Nik stares at me as if in both options he wins something worth less than what he'll lose. It's the same look my opponents during debates in law school used to give me -- hopefully hopeless, full of contradiction.

This whole deal is that reckless kind of false hope. On one hand, I need that money. It's a sliver of hope I am desperately holding on to. If I get all the money I need, plus some for interest, Mason will accept defeat and let me go. It's the only leverage I have left to keep Nik and I's kids safe.

If I win, I get to be free of the burden of keeping Nik in the dark about his children. I should feel relieved, but instead, dread coils tightly in my gut. Because I know what's at stake. If I let him in, if I tell him about the danger I am in and the kids, he may never forgive me for hiding his children from him and putting them in danger .

For a brief moment, I almost tell him. I almost spill everything about Mason, the kids, the money. I don't know Nik to be forgiving, even if he is kind to me, and the fear that I crossed the line, one I can never recover from, forces me deeper into my silence, and instead I made a deal that only divine intervention could keep me from losing.

To not be able to cum, with this man so close to me, would be the will of some higher power, and how could I refuse the intervention of a deity bigger than me? I would have to tell him, even if I know he would hate me.

Nik shifts his seat closer to me, his back blocking me off from the rest of the restaurant, and a devilish smirk on his lips. His lips curve into a sly smile. He plucks an oyster from the tray between us and brings it to his lips. I can't help but follow his movements as he slurps the shellfish down, his Adam's apple bobbing with each swallow. A low groan of satisfaction rolls over his throat. My heart races at the sight.

My gaze follows his fingers as he sets down the empty shell and turns his gaze back to me, his eyes glinting mischievously.

"Your turn," he says huskily, picking up another oyster with his fingers and holding it idly in his hand.

I turn my head, looking at the brown paneling against the wall, trying to avoid his gaze. "I've never had an oyster before," I whisper.

He leans in closer, gently cupping my chin as he pulls my gaze back to his. "Want me to show you how it's done?" he murmurs, his voice low as his breath tickles my lips.

Without waiting for an answer, he picks up another oyster, holding it up between us .

I can feel my body burn as I watch him guide the shellfish to his lips once more. He pauses, looking at me with a playful glint in his eye before slowly sliding the oyster into his mouth. The way his lips close around it forces me to squeeze my thighs close as my bare pussy slicks itself with desire. Goddamn traitor.

"Eating an oyster is all about the swallow." Nik's gaze stays locked on mine, his smirk deepening as he notices my reaction. The heat in the air is palpable as he leans in closer, the space between us shrinking until I can feel the warmth radiating off him.

"No chewing," he murmurs, his voice dropping to a velvet purr. His thumb traces my lower lip, drawing a shaky breath from my lips. "You just need to relax and let it slide right down your throat."

My breath hitches as he brings the oyster closer to my mouth, his eyes never leaving mine. The cool shell brushes my lips, as he instructs me. "You'll want to gently twist the oyster between your fingers, so that the hinge of the shell pops open. Be careful not to cut yourself on the small tip of the shell."

I hesitate, biting my lip nervously. But before I can overthink it, Nik tilts the shell just enough for the oyster to glide onto my tongue with a slick flick of his wrist.

"Good girl," he whispers, his eyes darkening as I close my lips around the briny flesh. His hand lingers at my jaw, thumb brushing my cheek as I swallow. The rich, salty flavor fills my senses, but it's the way he watches me—like I'm the most enticing thing in the world—that has my heart pounding.

He leans even closer, his breath hot against my ear. "How does it feel, Kotik? You like it? "

A soft hum escapes me as I nod, the sensuality of the moment making it impossible to think straight. Nik's fingers stay at my jaw, guiding me gently as I follow his lead.

"Now tell me," he says, his tone husky as his thumb traces the line of my jaw, "you're soaked between those thighs, aren't you?"

I bite my lip, trying to compose myself, but the rush of heat pooling low in my belly is impossible to ignore. "Maybe a little," I manage, my voice breathless.

I feel Nik's cool hand on my thigh under the table, his fingers tracing slow circles that send waves of goosebumps across my skin. The restaurant buzzes around us, the clink of cutlery and murmur of conversations filling the air, but all I can focus on is the cooling nature of his touch.

"Watching you swallow, Gwen, has to be the sexiest thing in the world," he murmurs, his voice low enough to avoid detection but filled with intent. His fingers inch higher, brushing against my slickness running down my thighs.

I bite my lip, trying to maintain a polite face, instead of showing the tiny tremors his touch releases up my body. "Nik, I swallow every second of every day." My voice comes out breathy as my thighs fall open for him under the table

"I know," he growls, the rasp in his voice rolling across my neck. "You love to torture me, don't you, Kotik?"

His hand runs across my lower lip, and a small whimper escapes me. His satisfied grin kisses my cheek as the waiter approaches with our entrees.

Nik pulls back, watching me as the waiter sets down our plates, the rich aroma of steak and roasted vegetables filling the air. "Enjoy your meal," he says before moving on .

Nik whispers, his other hand reaching out to toy with the stem of his wine glass, "Focus on me."

I try to comply, leaning back in my chair as his fingers work their magic. The world narrows down to the sensations he's creating, each stroke building the pressure inside me. I can feel myself growing wetter, my body betraying me as it responds to his skilled touch.

"That's it," he encourages, his voice a seductive purr. "Let go for me, Gwen."

My resolve wavers, the pleasure overwhelming as he quickens his pace. I squeeze my eyes shut and bite my lips so hard, I can feel the copper in my mouth as I fight against the urge to moan aloud. The restaurant noise fades into the background, replaced by the sound of my own ragged breathing.

"Look at me," Nik demands, his fingers speeding up slightly.

I open my eyes, meeting his intense gaze. "Tell me you're mine," he breathes, his fingers resuming their rhythmic motion.

The words stick in my throat, pride warring with the pleasure coursing through me. I shake my head slightly, unable to form the words just yet.

Nik smirks, clicking his tongue as he pushes pressure on my clit. "Stubborn until the end, aren't you?" He leans closer, his lips brushing against my ear. "Don't worry, Gwen. I am going to make you say it soon, I promise you that."

His confidence is intoxicating, his fingers relentless as they push me closer to the edge. I grip the tablecloth, my body trembling with the effort to stay silent. The pleasure builds, wave after wave crashing over me, threatening to consume me entirely .

"Almost there," Nik murmurs, sensing my impending release. "Just a little more, Kotik."

I arch my back, a soft gasp escaping my lips as the first tendrils of climax begin to weave their way through me. The intensity grows, his fingers working in perfect sync with my body's demands. I feel myself teetering on the brink, the world dissolving into a haze of the sensations he gives me.

"That's it," he coaxes, his voice a soothing balm amidst the storm. "Give in to me, Gwen."

With a final, desperate surge, I surrender, my body convulsing as the orgasm rips through me. I bite down hard on my lip to stifle a cry, my hands gripping the table so tightly my knuckles turn white.

Nik withdraws his hand slowly, watching me with a satisfied smile as he pushes his two fingers covered in my release inside of my mouth, and I suck on the tips greedily. "I win," he declares softly, pulling his fingers out of my mouth with a slow pop.

"Well, Gwen?" Nik prompts, his eyes gleaming with triumph. "What do you say?"

I swallow hard, meeting his gaze with a mix of defiance and resignation. "I…I'm yours," I whisper. Nik's groan makes the hair on the back of my neck stand at attention, as if I inherently know badly I have fucked up.

His hand reaching out to cup my cheek tenderly. "Good girl," he praises, his voice thick with emotion. "Now, let's enjoy our meal, hmm?"

I grab my fork and nod numbly, submitting to my rightful place.