Chapter 17

Arianna

I have to admit, I liked having power over Nikolai like that. Making him lose control like he does to me. After we'd come down from the post-orgasm high, we both readjusted our clothing. I hold out my hand for him to hand over my panties, but he shakes his head at me.

"I prefer you with them off," he says with a wicked glint in his eye.

I'm about to argue back that I don't fancy the idea of walking around commando all night when a sight stops me in my tracks. Outside the window, in the close distance, I can see the skyline of New York City. The sight takes my breath away.

It's even more incredible up close than it looks in the movies. My eyes open in surprise and I let out a squeal of delight, peering out the window and eagerly taking in the city. The bright lights and looming skyscrapers look almost magical to my eyes in the twilight. Next to me, I hear Nikolai chuckle, but he says nothing.

Before long, we drive into the underground car park of a tall impressive-looking building. Nikolai gets out and comes around to my side to help me exit. As before, I rest my arm in the crook of his elbow, and he leads the way. We enter an elevator, and he scans a keycard and pushes the button for the top floor.

I'm a little surprised at the fact that when we exit the elevator, we step out straight into a luxury condo since I thought we were going for dinner. The apartment is stunning. It's massive, taking up the entire top floor of the building. The main area is a huge, open-plan living, dining, and kitchen area with sleek modern furnishings, much like at Nikolai's house. The ceilings are amazingly high, and the large windows look out over Central Park. It's an incredible view, one I am sure will be just as impressive, if not more, in the daytime. It's only then that I spot that the dining table is fully laid.

"When you said we were going to the city to have dinner, this isn't quite what I had imagined," I say to Nikolai.

"This is safer, we can't risk your father or his associates seeing you," he says with a shrug.

"Is this your place?" I ask.

"Yes, one of them. Wine?" he asks, heading toward the kitchen area.

"Sure, thank you," I say, following him.

He opens the bottle and pours us both a glass, returning and handing me one. "I hope you like white, it pairs better with dinner."

"I do. Wait, are you cooking?" I ask, surprised.

"Don't sound too surprised, you already know I can bake. But no, not tonight. I had chefs prepare some sushi for us. I didn't want anyone else here, so sushi seemed like a safe bet since it's cold," he explains before adding, "I can arrange for something else though if you're not a fan."

"Sushi's great," I reply, touched that he seems to be taking into account what I want for a change.

He busies himself in the kitchen, plating up the food as I enjoy my wine. It's delicious and no doubt expensive.

As we sit down and start to eat, I ask him, "So, Kimiko told me she went on business to Japan recently. Have you been before?"

"Yes. Many times," he replies, casually, as though it's a standard thing to be so well-traveled.

"Is the food this delicious there?" I ask, popping a salmon roll into my mouth and savoring the taste.

"Better," he replies.

"What's it like?" I ask.

He considers my question and then proceeds to describe the country and its capital, Tokyo, in great detail. As he describes it, I can almost imagine I'm there.

"I'd love to go someday," I say wistfully.

"I could take you," he says.

"Oh yes, because you're in the habit of taking captives on vacations, are you?" I reply sarcastically.

"You don't have to be a captive, you could tell me what you know, and then…"

"And then what? I know you're going to have to get married soon. That it's been agreed as part of an alliance. So what, I'd be your mistress to tote around on your arm like a trophy? Or your plaything to keep locked away?" I snap.

The absurdity of the idea of any sort of future between us seems to dawn on us both. We're not a couple having a nice normal date. He's a Bratva Pakhan and I'm his captive and the daughter of a rival. There's no happy ending for us. Especially not once I tell him what I know.

The muscle in his jaw twitches and I know I've hit a nerve, that I'm ruining a nice evening, but I can't help myself. I keep going.

"This life might suit you Nikolai, but I never wanted any of it. Not the money, the power, none of it. What my father does, who he is, it sickens me. I want out. I want to be free and far away from the Mafia life."

"Did it ever occur to you that I'm just as trapped as you? That I didn't choose this either?" he replies in his usual calm, level tone, though there's a fire in his eyes.

"Your father is dead. You didn't have to take over, to become Pakhan, you could have walked away," I challenge.

"It's not that simple."

"It is. Admit it, you like it. You like the power, the control, being feared," I declare.

His eyes smolder and he leans closer to me, his stance slow and controlled like a stalking lion about to pounce.

"Yes, I do," he admits, "I am honest to myself and others about who I am and what I want. Perhaps you should try it sometime."

"I am," I retort angrily.

"No. You're not. You say you want your freedom. You pretend that you hate me, that you want to be anywhere else. But the one thing that would set you free, the information you have, you won't share," he says, his tone silky smooth and dangerous.

He stands, coming round the table behind me. He places his hands on my shoulders, leaning down to whisper the words in my ear.

"I think you like being my captive. You want to be my plaything."

My breath hitches and I squirm with arousal, my nipples harden, clearly visible beneath the thin material of my dress, showing him just how much he's affecting me.

"It's not that simple," I say, echoing his words.

"I was hoping you'd say that, kukolka . I'm going to enjoy making you tell me," he purrs.

In one swift tug, he rips the spaghetti straps of my dress, causing the material to fall, exposing my bare breasts. He squeezes and fondles them, teasing the nipples and making them even harder. His touch sends jolts of electricity through my body and between my legs. I let out a gasp and he wraps one arm around my waist, pulling me to stand while the other pulls the chair out from under me.

I try to turn around, but he's pinned me in place against his strong chest. His hands tear away the rest of my dress and he bends me over the table, sending the remainder of dinner crashing to the floor. I'm soaking wet and ready for him when he quickly pulls his cock out and enters me from behind.

I cry out, a mix of pleasure and pain at the abrupt entry, he's so big and the angle is different, it feels so full and tight. He thrusts in and out in hard, angry strokes that feel unlike every other time we've had sex. So, this is what he meant when he said he fucked. It feels so intense but so fucking good at the same time.

"Fuck, you feel so tight," he growls, thrusting harder.

He reaches around and uses his fingers to play with my clit, sending ripples of pleasure through my body. I'm soaking wet and I feel like my legs could buckle from underneath me. Unlike other times, I can't move and grind against him. He's the one in control. He sharply slaps me on the ass, causing me to scream out loud again. I didn't think I'd like being spanked but somehow, the way he does it makes me even more aroused.

"Are you going to tell me what I want to know?" he demands, thrusting in and out again.

The pleasure is so intense I can't even form sentences, let alone tell him anything. I can feel the orgasm rising inside of me and I cry out.

"Please, Nikolai, oh god I'm gonna…"

But he isn't going to let me cum that easily. He pulls out of me, leaving me aching and desperate for more, for release, and spins me around, lifting me and wrapping my legs around his waist. He enters me again and I rip his shirt off, clawing at his back like a wild animal. He guides me up and down the length of him, gripping my ass.

Without thinking I kiss him. He hesitates for a second before hungrily kissing me back. The kiss is as possessive and aggressive as he's fucking me. He's claiming my mouth with his tongue. He breaks away, kissing my neck and giving me another hickey. Marking me as his.

I can't believe how strong he is, how easily he's able to hold me up. His strength is undeniably hot, as is his incredible muscular body. He carries me over to the kitchen island, sits me on the edge, and continues thrusting into me, getting faster and faster. I grab him by the ass desperately drawing him in deeper.

"Fuck, Nikolai," I groan.

"You see, kukolka . You fucking love this. You want me to fuck you and own you and punish you. Don't you?" he growls.

"Yes, oh god, yes," I pant, pretty much ready to agree to anything if he'll let me cum.

"Good girl," he purrs, finally bringing me to climax and sending me over the edge. I cry out in pleasure as he cums at the same time.

"Fuck, yes, Nikolai!"

Panting and euphoric, he doesn't even give me a chance to catch my breath before picking me up again and striding to a room in the back of the apartment. When we enter it, I realize exactly what I've gotten myself into.