Chapter 21: Afanasy

Changed into a hospital gown, she sat on the bed, stealing glances at me with a faint smile on her lips as the doctor, clad in his crisp white coat, examined her body. His experienced hands, shielded by a pair of latex gloves, moved efficiently over Wren's body.

He examined her eyes, shining a penlight into their depths as though checking for signs of a concussion or trauma. As the light illuminated her iris, my wife blinked a few times, her pupils contrasting in response.

“Wren, please follow my finger,” he instructed, his hand moving left, right, up, and down.

With her head steady, her clear eyes moved in the direction of his finger, tracking his motion with precise efficiency.

“Excellent.” He set the penlight down on the nearest table, his hands grasping the stethoscope around his neck.

With it, he listened to her heartbeat and then her lungs, his brows furrowing slightly, accentuating the concentration etched on his face.

I stood a few paces across from her, my worried eyes cast on her relaxed form as I leaned against the wall, arms folded. A gentle smile played on my lips; however, deep down, I was still a little shaken up by the whole incident.

I'd never been more afraid in my life than I was a few hours ago. Seeing her strapped to that chair with a collar bomb around her neck had scared the living daylights out of me. I used to think that I had grown above the concept of fear; I honestly used to believe that nothing could scare me.

But the thought of losing Wren in one the most gruesome ways ever ripped my heart to shreds. I couldn't stomach it. I wouldn't know what would have become of me if that bomb had gone off before my arrival.

I did know this, though; I would have tracked that bastard, Kolya, and he would have suffered a fate far worse than what he had.

In my head, his screams still echoed, his face scrunched up in pain, and agony flashed across it constantly, calming my nerves. He wouldn't hurt anyone ever again, not while he was being holed up in a basement fifteen feet below.

I’d had that basement built two years ago, but I hadn't tested it yet, until now. I called it “ inferno ,” Latin for hell , a literal place of darkness, pain, and torture. It was, indeed, hell on Earth, and Kolya was my first candidate—oh, the things I would do to that bastard.

Killing him would be merciful, and he was undeserving of mercy; he would suffer for what he had done. Stealing from me was one thing, but kidnapping my pregnant wife—that was a transgression that I wouldn't forgive.

Kolya would feel the heat of hell on Earth. I would personally torture him for as long as I wanted until he begged for death. But unfortunately for him, killing him was not on my agenda. My plans involved all manner of pain and torment, but death was not one of them. At least not yet, anyway.

I'd torture him here on Earth, breaking his spirit, soul, and body until there was nothing left of him. And then, with a smirk on my face, I'd gladly send him to hell to be finished by the devil himself.

My lips curled into a self-satisfied grin at the thought of my evil plan. I found peace and comfort in the fact that he was down, fifteen feet below, a place where no one could hear his screams. I basked in that knowledge, delighted by it.

“Let's check on the little one, shall we?” Dr. Lee's voice snapped me back to the present.

A warm smile spread across his face as he gently pressed his fingers over her belly before grabbing a handheld device from the table. I figured that was a fetal Doppler ultrasound that would detect the baby's heartbeat.

“Raise your shirt, please,” he instructed.

Wren heaved a soft sigh, her hands lifting the hem of her gown, allowing him access to her bare belly. He applied the clear ultrasound gel to her abdomen, then positioned the Doppler device against her skin, its soft whooshing sound filling the room as it detected the baby's heartbeat.

Wren jerked her head, her eyes flickering with wonder as her face lit with a bright, contiguous smile.

“The baby's fine,” he announced, beaming. “Its heartbeat is strong and steady.”

I heaved a deep sigh and headed over to her, taking her hand in mine. It seemed soft, like the gesture of a weakling, yet it felt so right. Fingers intertwined, we stared at each other for a moment, with me towering over her.

“It's my pleasure to announce to you that, considering what she's been through, both Mrs. Tarasov and the baby are fine,” Dr. Lee said, his lips curling into a smile and his tone reassuring. “There's nothing to worry about.”

Her soft exhale was laced with relief as she looked up at me, her eyes shining with gratitude.

A slow, easy grin crept onto my face, a sense of calmness overshadowing me. “Thank you, doctor.”

“You're welcome,” he said, beaming. “I'll leave you two to it then.”

Dr. Lee dematerialized.

I gently squeezed her fingers as we locked eyes in silence, our lips parting into small smiles.

Taking her hand, I held her up, and she waltzed behind the curtain to change back into her dress.

The thing with Veronica was still left addressed, and although Wren had been smiling with me since the incident with Kolya, I knew this shouldn't be swept under the rug. She at least deserved an explanation.

My grip tightened around the steering wheel as I drove through the streak of cars on the highway. Momentarily, I'd steal glances at my wife, wondering how to best start the conversation.

Bringing the vehicle to a halt in traffic, I killed the engine, waiting for the light to turn green.

“I know you saw me with Veronica,” I said, finally finding the words, my eyes darting toward her in the front passenger seat.

She faced me, staring in silence as if waiting for me to clear the air.

“It's not what it looked like,” I promised, heaving a sigh.

“She had her hands all over you,” Wren said, her brows rising as she kept her gaze hooked on me. “I guess it's pretty much what it looked like.” Arms were folded across her chest, her tone laced with a glimmer of jealousy.

“I can assure you, it's not,” I said, fingers combing my hair.

“So, she didn't have her hands all over you? She didn't dare to go down?” Wren's eyes darted to my groin, a faint scowl flashing across her face.

“Well, she did, but…” I said, my voice trailing off, frustration gradually creeping in.

She maintained a blank expression, watching me with an unwavering gaze.

“Look.” I let out a sigh, hesitating at first before clearing my throat. “Veronica used to be my…well, mistress…sort of,” I admitted, rubbing the back of my neck.

Silence.

I continued, my eyes locked on hers. “She came at me, yes. She tried to seduce me, yes.” I adjusted in my seat, leaning closer to her. “But I straightened her out on the misconception that I was still the same man she knew.”

“You’re not?” She squinted, her expression softening. Her voice was laced with curiosity.

I exhaled sharply, shaking my head with a subtle motion. “I'm not, Wren,” I said, sincerity dripping in my tone.

Her eyes crinkled at the corners as a small smile played on her lips.

“I don't know how you did it…but you changed me, Wren,” I said, my voice soft and tender. “You brought out a part of me that I never knew existed.”

Her shoulders relaxed, her posture open and receptive as her face gentled, a faint blush coloring her cheeks.

“What you saw back at the party wasn't me being intimate with Veronica. It was the exact opposite of that,” I said, my heart swelling with emotions, a sudden thrill running through me. “That was me putting an end to whatever we had. I'm done with her, as I am with the other women around me.”

My brows rose at my declaration, surprise and tenderness mingling. A soft smile curved her lips, her eyes shining with compassion. “That means a lot, Afan.” She maintained eye contact, blinking casually yet erotically. “Can I ask you something?”

Her voice, so calm and gentle, melted my heart.

I nodded.

“Why did you save me?” She wouldn't take her eyes off me, her gaze boring deeper into mine like she was searching for something—the truth, maybe. “Why did you risk your life, knowing full well that you could die with me?”

I was silent, watching her. I sensed she wasn't done yet, and I was right. She wasn't.

“Did you do it because of the baby I'm carrying for you?” she concluded, her chest rising and falling subtly.

“I couldn't watch you die, Wren,” I said, my tone soft and compassionate, my gentle expression accentuating the emotions swelling within me. “You're too precious, and I can't lose you. I won't.”

“Why?” she questioned, her eyes locked to mine, her face etched with anticipation.

She was luring something out of me. Wren wanted to know my true feelings for her, and the desperation in her features couldn't be any more glaring.

Her body was tensing, her chest heaving slowly with heavy breaths as she looked at me, with emotions coloring her eyes.

I hesitated for a moment, savoring the unease and tension oozing out of her before leaning closer. “Because Wren…I love you, too.”

The words were spoken with a deliberate slowness, my eyes never leaving hers.

She swallowed, a bright smile spreading across her face, and soon an abrupt chuckle erupted from her lips. She leaned forward, tilting her head to show her ear with a hand over it. “I'm sorry, I didn't quite catch that. Could you repeat yourself, please?” Her mouth twitched at the corners as if she was trying to suppress her grin.

I cackled, shaking my head. “I said I hate you,” I teased, using her own line against her.

“Oh, so that's how it is.” She laughed, revealing her perfect whites.

For a moment there, it seemed like time slowed down, so I savored the beauty of this amazing woman. I traced the gentle curve of her cherry lips, and then my eyes met hers, sparkling with mirth.

She pushed her hair behind her ear, her cheeks flushing. Her smile gradually turned solemn as she held my gaze. “Do you mean it, Afan?” she asked, her voice laced with curiosity and desperation. “Please, don't tease me. It'll hurt me if this is a joke.” Her eyes misted.

“It's not,” I said, my tone dripping with conviction. “I meant every word, Wren.” The seat scrunched beneath me as I adjusted, edging closer. “This feeling is new to me, I agree. But I can tell you this: It's love.” My hand instinctively reached out to wipe the lone tear trickling down her cheek.

She stared deeply into my eyes, searching for any hint of deceit or insincerity, but I was certain she wouldn't find any because there wasn't any.

“I love you, Wren,” I declared without breaking eye contact. “I love you.”

It felt strange that those words came out of my mouth. It was unbelievable, and I never thought I would ever say them genuinely to anyone. Yet, here I was, confessing my feelings like a teenage boy declaring his love to his high school crush.

Without a moment of hesitation, she stretched forward and slipped into my arms in an uncomfortable hug, considering our positions in the car.

I wrapped my arms around her neck, inhaling the sweet blend of her perfume and the scent of the car's expensive leather. I heard her release a deep sigh of relief at the same time I did.

“Hey, are you dumb or stupid? Green means go!” a driver barked, blaring his horn, his voice dripping with frustration and impatience.

People had lost their lives over far lesser forms of disrespect, but I was willing to let his arrogance slide. He was lucky I was in a good mood this evening, or else he would have lost that sharp tongue of his.

“He's probably drunk,” Wren said softly, giggling as she stole a glance at his vehicle through the rearview mirror.

I scoffed, started the engine, and drove away, my heart filled with this alien feeling of sheer delight.

_____________

I pulled over in my expansive compound, opened the door, and glided to the other side to help her with the door. Her lips curved into a beautiful grin as she took my hand, her heel resting on the pavement, her gown's long slit revealing her alluring thigh.

“Such a gentleman,” she whispered, smiling to her ears as her eyes sparkled with excitement.

She exited the car, and I shut the door behind her, extending my arm with a wide smile. She locked hers in mine, giggling as we headed into the house.

Mary and Martha were cleaning the living when we arrived home, arms interlocked with uncontrollable smiles on our faces. Both maids paused, their jaws literally dropping as they stared at us with widening eyes and rising brows.

“What?” I asked, watching them stare, breathless.

“Nothing, sir,” Martha replied, scratching the back of her head and clearing her throat. “It's just…. This isn't something we see all the time.”

“It's a good thing!” Mary chipped almost immediately, her voice laced with excitement and her smile broadening by the second.

I arched my brows, shifting my gaze across the two of them, each lowering their eyes, cackling in silence.

Wren chortled softly, her hand flying to her mouth as if trying to curtail an outburst of laughter. She exchanged hidden glances with them, giggling, her cheeks flushing. And with the way Mary and Martha looked at her, I could swear that there was a secret message being passed between these women. Despite the unspoken words, they seemed to understand one another, like they shared some kind of telepathic connection.

It must be a woman thing because that was the only logical explanation behind this silent communication—a kind that transcended words, yet an unspoken language flowed between them.

“Get back to work, will you?” I asked the maids, my tone mild and a little playful.

They chorused, “Yes, sir,” their heads bowed slightly, bodies trembling as they tried to suppress their cackles.

I pinched the bridge of my nose, a dismissive laugh escaping my lips. “Come on,” I said to my wife, leading her upstairs.

As we ascended the stairs, I could still feel their gazes lingering and hear their muffled giggles. At the head of the steps, I asked my wife, “What was that about?”

She looked at me and casually shrugged her shoulders. “Nothing….”

I rose my brows, my lips curling into a faint grin. “Nothing?”

“It's a girl thing.” She laughed lightly, her sparkling eyes crinkling at the corners.

“Is that so?” I asked, my voice dropping to a husky whisper, taking gentle steps toward her.

“It is,” she replied, her tone low and sweet as she withdrew from me with an inviting look.

I approached her, watching as her chest rose and fell, her eyes shining with desire. She kept pulling away until her back rested against the wall, her tongue licking her lips.

“You wanna know what ‘girl thing’ I like?” I asked, halting in front of her, my hand placed on the wall behind her as I leaned closer, looking right into those expressive brown eyes of hers.

“Humor me,” she whispered, her voice shaking subtly, laced with pleasure.

My hand flew to her face, the back of my fingers gently brushing against her soft skin. Wren's body trembled at my touch, her breathing jagged as I ran my hand down her neck to her chest.

She bit her lip, battering her eyelashes at me, a beacon of ecstasy. My eyes dropped to her cleavage, drinking in the sight of her swollen breasts.

I caressed her tender globes, feeling the softness beneath my gentle squeeze. Wren's eyes widened in shock when my hand dared to travel down, settling over her mound.

She shot a quick glance toward the stairs, panting, her face shrouded with embarrassment. “The maids are right below us,” she whispered, her tone laced with caution and a hint of anxiety.

My fingers traced her thigh, exploring the region, thanks to the slit of her gown for allowing me this much access. A soft gasp escaped her lips when my hand went up her leg, grazing over her underpants.

She chuckled, her eyes darting toward the stairs for a fleeting moment before shutting to enjoy the feeling of my finger gliding into her pussy.

Despite her caution and anxiety, Wren was dripping wet, her body tensing with pleasure.

I savored her reaction as I gently slid my finger deeper into her entrance. She bit her lower lip, her face contorting in blissful ecstasy as she let out a series of soft moans.

I was already hard in my pants and wanted her so badly, but I wasn't going to rush this. Watching her swooning in passion was a sight I'd never get tired of.

“Someone…someone could see us, Afan,” she whispered, her voice dripping with desire and a glimmer of concern.

“I…don't…care,” I replied with the same tone, deliberately spacing the words out as I leaned to whisper into her ears. “Would you like me to stop?”

“No,” she moaned, shaking her head, her body tensing.

“You want me, don't you?” I leered mischievously, digging further inside her.

She arched her back against the wall, her hands flying into her hair as she nodded with closed eyes.

“I wanna hear you say it,” I whispered in her ear, increasing my speed between her legs.

“Oh, my God!” The words fell out of her mouth amidst moans, and she quickly covered her lips with her palm.

Wren nodded rapidly, locking her seductive eyes to mine, her chest heaving with pleasure.

“Say it,” I commanded, my voice laced with dominance as I held her gaze.

“I want you, Afan,” she confessed, purring softly.

“Good.” My face twisted into a sly grin, and I attempted to pull out my finger.

“No, no, no, no—don't.” Her words spilled out in a desperate whisper as she grasped my wrist. “Don't stop.”

I wore a self-satisfied smile as she inserted my finger back inside her.

“Kiss me,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Without a moment of hesitation, I claimed those cherry lips, devouring them so fervently while simultaneously fingering her pussy.

My kiss sealed her pleasured cries, our heads tilting vigorously to the rhythm of the heat burning within us.

She spread her legs, granting me better access to her wet pussy as her hands dropped to my pants, fingers deftly unbuckling my belt. With each passing second, our passion grew and burned brighter, threatening to consume both.

The once-shy woman who was concerned about getting caught now exuded confidence, her hand sliding into my pants to withdraw my shaft. I could barely recognize this lioness longing for my cock, her tongue traveling deeper into my mouth.

Wren's arousal must've thrown her shame out the window as she was all over me, willing to get laid here and now. She broke away from my kiss, her lips pressing against my neck as she withdrew my shaft, stroking it sensually.

“Fuck me,” she said, her voice sounding more like an instruction than a request.

“The maids are right below us,” I teased, stealing her own words.

“I don't care,” she responded, stealing mine in perfect irony.

I left her pussy to squeeze her breasts while reclaiming her lips. She shifted her panties, raised her leg, and inserted my cock into her cunt. I pushed deep into her, and she moaned, cupping my face in her palms. I grabbed her raised leg, holding it in place as I pounded my groin against hers.

She stood balanced on one heel, her mound accepting and swallowing my cock while I rammed her hard. Her legs trembled, her moans growing louder.

My palm covered her mouth, muffling her ecstatic cries, as I wouldn't slow down. Her arms wrapped around me, caressing my back as I continued to thrust deeper and deeper into her, reveling in her muffled murmurs.

She gasped sweetly as I took my hand off her mouth. “Don't stop,” she implored, pleading with her eyes. “Please, don't stop.”

My hips flexed, driving me further into her, plunging deeper and deeper, our bodies colliding in the heat of passion. My hand held onto her raised leg, controlling and adjusting it to my will.

She writhed against me, fingers digging into my flesh as she pulled me closer. “Fuck me harder,” she whispered, moaning.

At her request, I quickened my pace, responding to her urgent whispers. My thrusts became insistent as I claimed her, plunging deeper and faster.

“Yes, harder!” she gasped, eyes widening in sheer pleasure.

My strokes grew faster, fueled by her sexy pleas, as I drove into her with an increasing intensity.

“Oh, my God, yes!” she murmured, her eyes fluttering closed, lost in ecstasy.

Her breathing became ragged, her body arching and bowing to my touch. She locked my lips with hers, releasing her moans into my mouth.

I grabbed her ass, fingers digging into her flesh before spanking her butt cheek.

She jerked, wincing at the sweet pain that jolted through her body. With all the adrenaline pumping through my blood, I lifted her off the ground, her legs clasping around my waist.

Her hair fell loosely, framing her face. She lowered her head to kiss me, and I carried her in my arms as I headed toward our bedroom.

I grabbed the door handle, pushed it open, and glided into the room, engrossed in the fervency of her kiss. With the back of my leg, I kicked the door shut, heading to the bed.

I lay her on her back, pulling her panties off before shedding her gown and yanking it above her head. Her breasts, slightly saggy, came into view, pleasing my eyes. Slipping out of my coat, I tossed it away, impatiently loosening my tie.

I let my pants fall, welling at my feet as I stepped out of them and joined her on the bed. She giggled as my fingers traced her curves, my lips kissing her body.

She flipped me over, positioning herself astride me, my cock sliding into her cunt. Wren lowered herself until she swallowed me whole. Her hands roamed over my torso, tracing my chiseled abs and broad chest.

Her hips ground against me, moving back and forth with soft moans. She wore a pleasure-filled expression that fueled my desire. I grabbed her waist, guiding her pace, as we locked eyes, feeling the passion between us.

She smiled, her hair cascading down, framing our entwined faces as she rode me, hands flying to feel her own breasts. Wren's moans fueled my desire, making me crave her even more as I bucked my hips, seeking a deeper connection.

She leaned forward, her lips inches from mine. Her warm breath brushed against my skin. I could feel her delicate breasts pressing against my body, her hard nipples grazing over my chest.

She whispered sweet nothings, her body writhing on top of me as her pace quickened. Her gasps filled the air, mingling with the blend of sweat and perfume as our bodies moved as one.

The faster she moved, the more her breast swayed tantalizingly. Wren let out a pleasured cry, and her body stiffened for a moment, her face contorted in ecstasy.

I grabbed her hips, plunging faster from underneath her, reveling in her purrs of delight. Her body trembled, and her screams grew louder, but I wouldn't stop fucking her hard.

I could feel the thrill of climax, yet even that didn't slow me down. Instead, it pushed me to thrust faster and more vigorously in the last few seconds. A primal growl signaled my arrival, and with an even deeper groan, I shot my load, filling her pussy with my essence.

She moaned, her body trembling as she accepted every drop, her mouth open in a silent scream.

My legs quivered, and my waist pushed upward, seeking a deeper connection, until all of me was inside her.

Spent, we both exhaled sharply, her body collapsing on mine with heavy breaths.

Never had I been so drawn to one woman before. Maybe I was obsessed with her, considering how I couldn't get enough of her.

We'd still go multiple more rounds before the night would end, but for now, I'd let her catch her breath and rest for a while before claiming every inch of her body again.