Chapter 17 - Tia

Our night at the vineyards is so special to me that I can't stop thinking about it. I've played it over and over in my mind, and there is absolutely no denying at this point how I feel about Yefim. I haven't actually told him yet. I don't know how to do that without putting my heart on the line. I guess when it comes to love that's what you have to do. But I'm too scared.

I'll just wait a little longer—I want to see what he does. I want to know how he feels before I take that risk and tell him how I feel.

I know we connected so well that night. I felt so safe in his arms. So close to him. I just don't know yet if he felt the same way.

I think he did. I think he does.

But then, at work on Tuesday morning that stupid personal assistant of his brother's is back in our office to help with another project. And again, she is all over Yefim.

Last time it hurt me. Seeing her fall over him like that made me question myself and how attractive I actually was to him. This time, not so much. This time all it's doing is pissing me off.

She's interfering with my man. She's in my territory and she is disrespecting me.

I can hear her laughter from my desk, and I can picture her leaning over and running her hand down Yefim's back as she gushes over him.

I roll my eyes and slam the binder down onto my desk.

I've been in there twice this morning to throw the death glare at her, and she just isn't getting the message.

Now she's pushing me too far.

More laughter drifts from Yefim's office into mine. "Oh Yef, you really are amazing. We should go for a drink sometime after work."

His reply is calm, quiet. I can't make out what he says, but I swear if he agreed to go drinking with her—

I actually can't handle this for another second.

She is fully aware that we are married. She is fully aware that I am right next door in the next office and can hear everything she's saying. But for some reason she is underestimating me.

I stand up, straighten my suit dress and push my shoulders back. I don't exactly what to cause a scene, but if that's what I have to do to sort this out then so be it.

Marching towards Yefim's office, my high heels click loudly on the tiled office floor. His door is wide open, and I don't bother knocking. Why the hell should I? I am his wife, after all.

I walk straight over to the desk where, as I suspected, Zoey is leaning right over Yefim, pointing at something on the paperwork in front of him.

I grab the back of her dress and yank her down into her seat.

She gasps with fright.

"What do you think you are doing?" she huffs in annoyance.

"Shut up and listen very carefully." I lean close to her face and talk directly to her. "I don't know you're stupid, or if you're just assuming that I am, but if I catch you falling over my husband one more time, I am going to personally drag you from this building and ensure that you never work for this family again. Keep your dirty little hands to yourself. You are not going for a drink with my husband. You are not going to lean over his desk even one more—"

"I wasn't doing—"

"You know what. Just get out. I've actually had enough. Pick up your handbag, scrape whatever dignity you have off the floor, and get the fuck out of my husband's office."

She stares at me, eyes wide in total shock, her mouth hanging open. Then she looks towards Yefim, seeking some kind of backup. But he's leaning back in his office chair with his arms folded across his chest, his sleeves rolled up over his thick forearms, and the most amused grin on his face.

"Yef?" she whimpers.

I tilt my head. "Zoey, don't even speak to him. If you want to push me further, you'll lose your job. If you want to make this easy, just stand up and leave."

She's still staring at my husband. He shrugs.

"This is the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard. How dare you? Do you know who I am?"

"Yes, you're the tramp whose been trying to get my husband to sleep with you since you walked through that door. And I'm his wife, and I'm telling you, without any miscommunication, to fuck off."

Her eyes are bright with tears. Her face is flushed with embarrassment.

She stands up, her office chair rolling loudly away from her. She spins towards the sofa where she left her handbag and her phone and grabs both of them, then storms out of the office. Not another word, not another glance over at Yefim.

I turn towards Yefim, waiting for him to tell me I was rude or over the top and to call her back.

But he still has that same grin on his face.

I shoot him an angry look. He should have told her to back off. I shouldn't have had to do that myself.

"Do you feel better now?" he chuckles.

"Are you going to let her come back here?" I snap.

"Not a chance. I wouldn't dare." He lifts his chin towards me, still looking very amused. "What would you do if I let her come back here?"

"Do you think that's funny to ask me that?"

"No, I'm just curious. I've never seen this side of you, and it's really quite cute."

"Cute? Are you kidding me? I'm furious. I'm upset. Can't you see how angry I am?" I throw my hands in the air in complete frustration. I can't believe this man. Cute ? Of all the things to say to me—

Yefim stands up and walks around his desk. He comes straight towards me and pulls me closer to him.

"I mean what I said. You look cute. I rather enjoyed it."

I push against his chest, too annoyed to let him hug me right now.

He chuckles again, and his body vibrates against mine, that delicious sound running through me like fire.

"Tia, you never had anything to worry about with her. She was just here to help with the projects. I could see what she was trying to do, but I also know she's just whoring herself out for attention. She isn't even my type. She's too skinny, too forward, too fake."

"Well. I think maybe what you need is a reminder of who your type actually is," I say, still flooded with anger.

"Oh, do I?" he answers, amusement still in his voice.

I push him away, march to his office door and close it.

Then I press the blinds closed, too.

He watches me, leaning against his desk with his arms folded across his chest again. I walk over to him, kneel on the ground in front of him, and roughly pull his belt open, then unzip his pants.

He glances at the office door, then down at me. I stare up at him. He looks shocked, his hands now leaning back against the desk.

He wasn't expecting this.

"Tia—"

"Shut up," I snap.

He chuckles again.

By the time I have his pants pulled open, his cock is so hard I can see the veins throbbing along the shaft, thick and bulging. For a brief moment I panic, wondering how I'm going to fit his cock in my mouth.

But I open my lips and slide them over him anyway.

A deep growl of a moan pours from his mouth, and I feel his body shudder with pleasure as he leans heavier against the desk, not trusting his legs anymore.

I slide my mouth up and down his cock. Sucking, licking, letting my tongue glide over him.

Once or twice I choke a little, gagging as his cock hits the back of my throat. I try to force myself to relax so I can take all of him in, but it's impossible. He's too big.

I feel his hand wrap around the back of my head, his fingers twisting in my hair as he holds me in place and begins to thrust himself slowly in and out of my mouth.

He's close to finishing. The moans are getting more urgent, his hips moving with such careful control, but also desperation to be deeper inside my mouth.

I push his hand away from my head.

I'm the one in control here.

He doesn't get to chase his own orgasm.

I'll give it to him when I decide he can have it.

His legs are shaking. I can hear by his breathing that he can't hold on much longer. So I start to move a little faster, running my hand over the base of his cock while I suck him.

Soon his cock becomes so hard and rigid, I lean my head back and stick out my tongue, and this time I do let him wrap his hand over my head. He stares down at me as I watch him from my knees, then explodes all over my open mouth, his come dripping down my tongue.

I close my mouth, swallowing all of him, then wipe my mouth and stand up.

He grabs my face and kisses me, not afraid to taste himself on my lips.

"Tia - "

"I told you to shut up," I warn him. "Don't forget again. I'm the only girl for you."

Then I turn away from him and walk out of his office, pulling the door wide open and hearing his panic as he tries to close his pants before anyone sees him.

Now it's my turn to chuckle as I walk back to my own office.

I sit down in my desk, pulling out a wet wipe to clean my hands and face properly. I'm grinning from ear to ear.

I think I handled that well. I think he knows now that I'm the girl for him.

***

That afternoon after work I go straight to the editing company. I have completed the projects they gave me, and I want to hand them in.

But as I stand outside the big rotating doors I realize something.

I'm ready to quit this job.

I'm ready to put all of my faith and trust into Yefim.

I can't believe I'm saying this, but I do actually trust him to make sure I'm okay. To make sure I earn enough to pay the debt collectors and to make sure I have a secure and safe future.

I don't think I've ever put my trust in someone like that before in my life. Every single person who was supposed to take care of me let me down in some way. Some big way.

But now, standing outside this building, I glance down at the completed work I am holding in my hands, and I smile.

I'm done with all of this. I'm done only relying on myself.

I walk through the doors with a smile on my face.

"Afternoon, Tia, are you just dropping that off?" the receptionist asks.

"Actually, can I chat to Penelope? Is she free? I won't take up a lot of her time."

"She's in. Let me call her quick to see if she's available."

I step back, waiting. I think it's best if I resign in person. Penelope has been good to me. I'm only a freelancer, but she's given me a lot of work and we've done well together. So I owe her the respect to tell her in person that I am no longer going to be available for editing."

I feel so good about this, I can't stop smiling.

All the way home after my meeting with her - I'm still smiling.

I trust him.

I trust him to help me. To keep me safe.

I trust him .

The taxi drops me off outside the house. Yefim is waiting for me at the front door.

"Why are you smiling so broadly?"

"I just quit my editing job."

"What?" His eyes flare wide and his head tilts back in astonishment. "I thought you'd never quit."

"Me too, but it turns out I was ready," I shrug. Stepping into his open arms, I lean my face against his chest and breathe in. He smells amazing. He feels amazing.

He is starting to really feel like home to me.

"Come on, baby girl. Dinner is almost ready. Let's open a bottle of champagne and celebrate." He pulls me inside the house, keeping his arm wrapped around me as we walk towards the dining room.

He definitely feels like home.