Chapter Nineteen: Sophia

It’s not going to last forever. It’s not going to last forever. Have his baby and then it’s done. You only have to put up with him for the next seven months or so, and if you have the baby early, you don’t have to think about it at all. I keep running through my survival notes, hoping these are the ones that are going to get me through.

There’s no grand ballroom to exchange vows in. No, we are at the County Courthouse solidifying the fake bond we’re sharing so as not to disgrace his family traditions. The quickie wedding is a shock to his family, but his mother and father are in attendance. I’ve brought Ava for support and explained what I could to her. She’s still in disbelief, staring at me in the wedding dress the day of.

“You look so beautiful, but I never thought you would be the marrying type. Are you sure you want to go through with this? Can you not wait a little more?” she asks, slipping the veil down over my eyes.

“No. I wish I could. It’s Russian tradition. I think it’s going to be fine,” I lied, as she quietly stood by me as a friend.

“It’s up to you and it’s your life. I know you’re having a baby, but you can still study online. Can’t we go to the dean to tell him about what Chris did to you? Surely, he’ll understand.”

Hating to bring up what I’m losing out on, I let the tears roll down my cheeks. “Shit, I’m going to ruin my makeup.” Sniffing, I pat at my face underneath the veil as I stand in front of the floor-length mirror in my room in Andrei’s house. It’s lucky Ava has been cleared to enter the house in the first place.

“No. I can’t. You can’t. I’ve paused my studies for now, and I don’t know what Dr. Perri will do. It’s her brother, and Andrei really did a number on him. For all I know, he might have my name blacklisted from every US law firm there is.”

Ava scrunches her nose up, dressed in a soft champagne silk dress that works for her perfectly as my bridesmaid. It was the one demand Andrei made good on. “Then get Andrei to take you off it. If he has all the power you says he has, he can do it.”

She’s probably right, but it’s not something I can cope with. There’s been too many shocks to the system for me to deal with. “Later. I want to focus on delivering a healthy baby with ten fingers and toes. I can’t handle it.”

“Sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you. It’s just you’re my best friend, and I’m angry for you. Everything is so messed up. I want that Chris guy to go to jail,” she says nastily, adjusting the thin double strap of my embroidered cream dress. I refused to wear white. Andrei’s already taken my virginity, so there’s no need to pretend I’m this virginial woman getting married.

Now, Makar, his right-hand man, the celebrant, Ava, and his parents watch as we reach the end of the vows.

The Russian celebrant smiles fondly, closing his Bible. “You may now kiss the bride.” Andrei lifts the veil, looking very handsome in his suit, and to my surprise, it’s not black. It’s a slate gray in color, and his tie is red. Apparently a very Russian color to wear. I expect to feel repelled by his lips on mine, but I don’t. His hands rest lightly on my hips, his touch making me surrender. His lips are warm, reminding me of apple pie, and the first tender kiss he planted on me. It’s like going back in time to before I knew he was a Mafia boss. It’s more than nice, bringing the sting of tears to my eyes because I’ve missed his touch more than I’ve cared to admit.

We sit at the desk signing the paper that will bind us together until death do us part, and this is where I catch up with his parents, learning more about them. They’re normal, and nothing about them screams “Mafia.” More so, they seem to be in love as a couple and very wholesome people.

Maybe I am na?ve as Andrei said. We take enough photos for memories to be formed, and by the time we arrive home after a celebratory dinner, I’m ready to retire for the night.

“In here. This is my bedroom,” he says, guiding, as a knot gathers at the base of my throat. Sleeping next to Andrei every night is bound to be a dangerous affair. I make up my mind to delay him as long as possible, hoping he’s too tired to do anything. Stepping into the room, I notice it’s larger than mine, and he has a huge window overlooking the estate. You can see everything.

There’s no mess, and the room is tidy with everything in its place. “Is this my wardrobe?” I ask, stalling for time as Andrei nods, his tie loosened and hanging around his neck. He’s sexier than ever, and from the way his eyes are devouring me, I can read what’s on his mind.

“Yes, all yours. Open it.” Sliding the door open, I gasp, realizing it’s a walk-in wardrobe, but the most surprising thing is, it’s full already of beautiful dressy shoes, racks of clothes, and shoe boxes.

“What is all this?” Wide eyed, I pivot to Andrei’s huge, sheepish grin.

“If there’s anything in there that doesn’t fit or you don’t like we can go shopping together again. I want to start off on the right foot and hold up the end of my bargain with husbandly duties. I promised to take care of you. There’s baby clothes as well, but I thought you would want a say in that.”

Floored by the kind gesture, I’m speechless. “This is too much.”

Andrei rakes a hand through his raven-colored locks. “No. It’s not. It’s nothing for me.”

“Okay,” I gulp, shutting the closet, finding it hard to fathom. “I’m… I’m going to get a shower and wash all this makeup and stuff off. It’s been a long day.”

“Yes. It has, wife. See you when you come out.” As he says the word “wife” tingles flow down my spine, but I can preserve what’s left of my dignity. I dig around under the his and hers sink, and behind the door checking where my pajamas are. Finding them in the wicker basket, I hold the cotton flannel to my cheek.

“Yes!” Starting with my earrings, I take them out, placing them in the small porcelain box. Next, I take off my necklace, studying myself fully. I look every bit the bride, my hair curled by barrel rollers underneath the lace veil. Setting it aside, I look at it with a melancholic smile. This is never how I wanted my wedding to be.

Peeling myself out of the dress, I hang it up on the hook behind the door, stepping into the shower, letting the hot water wash my fears down the drain. Once I get out, I feel almost human again, but I’m dreading the start of this new chapter.

I’m about to lay down as a bride next to a Mafia boss. What am I becoming? Tussling with my feelings, I slip into the most unattractive underwear, hoping it will steer him clear of me. Full briefs and a full cup bra with my full-length cotton pajamas.

It should do the trick. The slow pound of my heart creeps up on me as Andrei’s expectant gaze meeting mine from the bed. His eyes follow me as I attempt to head to the couch for a breather. His finger crooks, calling me. “Come forward,” he commands, the treble of his voice sending all kinds of warning signals to my body. “Take off your shirt.”

Standing in silent rebellion, I defy him, a battle of wills playing out between us. Andrei waits for a second as my fingers furl up despite the full closet of bribery. It’s one of the first thing Dr. Perri told me not to take when I’m a practicing lawyer. “No,” I float back in a whisper, noticing the flicker of desire in his eyes flourishing. The gentle caress of a smile tugs at his mouth, but second by second, I’m betraying myself. I have firsthand knowledge of what his lips taste like. The tenderness they can provide.

“I’ll ask you one more time, Sophia,” he replies silkily. “Take your shirt off for me.” His request sends a rumble deep in my belly, my pussy already aching from residual memory.

“Maybe I won’t,” I provoke, and the hard ridge of his jaw tightens, the warning light going off in his eyes.

“You made a vow. You’re my wife now, and this is part of your responsibility to me. I hold my end, and you—yours.” The bass in his voice is deadly as my fingers work a step before my head, unbuttoning my pajama top with shaky fingers until all that’s left is my full-cup bra.

Smirking, his eyebrow hitches. He stays in position, requesting the next layer. “Now, take off your bra. I want to see you naked,” he professes, the sound of his voice slowly turning on every light inside me.

Unclasping the back of my bra, the quick turnover of my pulse in my neck is a surefire indicator of my wedding night jitters. I’m feeling like some sort of stripper in Andrei’s private show, but with every word he utters, I’m loving it a little more each time.

What’s he going to ask me to take off next? He nods, the air of the room hitting my breasts as he stares at my chest, his hand going to his cock, rubbing over the boxers he has on.

“Ah, Sophia. That’s what I like to see,” he groans. “Now the rest. Take off those ridiculous pajamas.”

Heat rises as I drop my pajama bottoms to the floor, leaving them around the bottom of my feet until all I’m left standing in is my underwear.

“What else?” I ask breathily as Andrei grins. “I think you know what else.” I watch his reaction as I wriggle slowly out of my full-brief black underwear, stepping to the side. Andrei is up on his feet, making his way over to me and cupping his hand behind the nape of my neck.

His touch liquefies my insides like never before as his mouth bears down on mine, his tongue penetrating through my parted mouth for entry. My hands gravitate to his waist, the hard outline of his abdominals under my fingertips. I’m lost under his touch, not wanting to be found. Even if I want to rebel, I can’t, the cauldron of desire is brewing too strongly for me to ignore it.

As his kiss deepens, I can barely help myself, my hands dipping inside the waistband of his boxers as I draw his cock out, not knowing what’s coming over me. He groans in my ear, his thick shaft a wonder in my hands. He thrusts himself back and forth, grinning and enjoying the friction. “I knew.” His dark hair frames his face as he draws back for breath, staring down at my greedy hands.

“What did you know?” I ask, not knowing what I’m doing, but more than happy to be his student. Desire has taken over and made me its slave.

“I knew you wanted me. You tried to hide it, but I could feel it every time I came near you. It was in your kiss when we said I do,” he says, exposing me, but there’s too much emotion clogged up inside that I don’t have all the words to describe the hotwire of electricity I’m plugged into.

“Do I?” I choke out.

“Lick your hand for me.” I follow his command and his dark pupils watch me licking my palm, understanding what for. He slides his cock through my tunneled hand, back and forth, his frenzy of panting drawing out a whimper.

“For you. This hard cock is for you, and soon it’s going to be inside you, just like it was at your house, Sophia.” His promise sends every neuron in my brain straight into overtime as he backs himself out my hand, his head dipping to my swollen breasts and licking. As soon as his tongue hits my erect nipples, I cave in, grabbing at the dark curls at the back of his neck.

“Andrei, yes. I like this,” I confess not wanting to lie to myself or him anymore.

His tongue swirls as he blows on my nipples, cupping my whole breast and putting it into his mouth. I can barely breathe from all the sensory pleasure. “Did you think about me after we fucked?” he grunts out, switching breasts.

“Yes. Yes—I did.”

His knee slides between my legs as his hands travel to my belly button and down to the apex of my thighs. “Let’s see how much you missed me.” His fingers shift through to find the slickened nectar of my entrance, his fingers sliding in slowly, his hot breath in my ear.

Moaning, I hold on for dear life as he nibbles my ear. “Oh, you missed me so much, didn’t you?” he taunts, his fingers working magic as I grow wetter. “I thought about you too. I couldn’t be with anybody else after you. You scarred me. Maybe it was because you were supposed to be my wife all along,” he adds, and my closed eyes fly open. His hand flattens, slowly exiting me, much to my disappointment.

“Maybe,” I say as he takes my hand, leading me over to the bed and I fall back, laying down.

“No. Not maybe. Say it. How many times did you think about our night together?”

“All the time. I couldn’t stop thinking about it,” I blurt out, the truth spilling as Andrei buries his head between my thighs and I remember to part them just like he taught me at my house. Arching my back, I let the world pass by, nothing else mattering other than this moment. Yes, I wanted him the first time, and didn’t want to admit it. I want to hate being in his wedding bed, but I don’t. I love every minute of his tantalizing touch. It’s as if he’s meant to be for me, and the more his tongue explores new places, the more I submit to his touch.

Bracing myself for the building ache in my core, my fingernails dig in, only wanting what he can give me, craving the release. Involuntarily, my hips draw up to his mouth, the pressure of his mouth relentless as my body breaks free into orgasm. Squeezing my eyes tight, the ricochet of his efforts pulses through my body, sending me into orbit. “Andrei, do it again!” I call out, wanting whatever he has to give.

“I knew you would be begging for more. Turn over on all fours and hold on to the bed.” I do as he asks, no rebelling this time, uncaged from inhibition as I spread my body open, as he fills me up from behind, the new sensation, thrilling to me. His slick glide in and out has me wondering about all the new things I’m going to learn from him. “Enjoying yourself?” he asks, already knowing the answer as he kisses my back.

“Yes.” And between every thrust is the motive to punish me in his own way.

“Tell me again how many times you masturbated about me. Tell me!” he groans as I grow afraid from the second build-up inside me. The bed shakes as my arms grow sore from holding on, but I feel him swelling from the inside, knowing he must be close.

“Five,” I admit with no shame.

“Mine was more than that. Every day, Sophia. When I thought of you,” he pants. “Inside the cell. Your pretty face planted in my mind. You drive me fucking crazy,” he confesses, pumping and grinding, the friction bringing the circles of stars back. As an orgasm bursts free again, he joins me, his body exploding as his cock stiffens inside me, adding to the glorious sensation.

If he’s a criminal, then I’m a criminal too along for the ride, because there’s no other man I want to touch me like he does again….