Chapter 54

Chapter Fifty-Four

Ava

I t takes a couple of months for me to find my rhythm as a working Mom. I finally feel comfortable and not guilty about leaving the babies at home. I still can't believe Viktor bought House of Beauty for me. I asked Oliver if Viktor knew I had worked at the boutique, but he said it was a happy coincidence. Viktor had bought the company before I called off the engagement.

Viktor has more money than any person will need, but it's his money, not mine. I'm grateful for the gift. I'm happily building something for myself, for our family, separate from Viktor's businesses. In a lot of ways, his money is also not clean. I want to build something legitimate, but more importantly, I want Aisling to know you don't need a man to take care of you.

Viktor wasn't lying when he said he retrofitted my office at the House of Beauty headquarters. My office takes up nearly a quarter of the top floor. I have a nursery, feeding room, kitchenette, shower, and a glass desk for working. It took Brenda and Grace a few days to adjust Aisling and Niko to the new environment, especially when I was in meetings, which often occurred during my first week at the company. But then I realized they're probably more comfortable at home and not in the chaos of my job.

I've been trying to get the lay of the land and learn the business inside and out. I would never have imagined this for myself, a life where I can build a legacy. I want people to look past where I come from and how I got here when they see me. Even though I don't have to prove myself to anyone, I want to earn my place as owner and CEO.

However, today I decided to work from home. I'm taking advantage of the kid's naptime to read over some of the company's current projects. Max is coming to the apartment to talk about pictures for the next issue of the magazine. I want to be the best in the industry, which means I need to work with the best, and that's him.

I go and check on the babies. Niko is out cold. Every day he looks more and more like Viktor. I leave his bedroom and go to Aisling's. She's my little troublemaker. She's strong-willed and wants everything her way, just like her father. I leave her bedroom and head downstairs. I'm on the last step when I hear my cell ring. It's playing Put It On Me by Matt Maeson, Viktor's ringtone. It makes me think about the first time I heard it.

"Viktor," I moan.

"You have disobeyed me. Now you need to deal with the consequences." Viktor has me tied to the bedpost. He's devouring me with his eyes. I'm completely naked. Even though I should probably be cold, my skin is burning. Every time he moves an inch, I gasp. He chuckles and licks his lips. "I believe you have seen more than enough." He blindfolds me. "That's much better. I've wanted to bring you into my darkness. I have given you a few tastes, but now I want to show you how good it feels."

"Yes, please," I beg.

"I wasn't asking." His fingernail grazes from my lips all the way to my foot. It's gentle but with enough pressure to bring me to life. My body arches, instinctively yearning for more of his touch. "A few ground rules. You won't speak unless I ask you to speak."

"Okay." I feel something hit my breast. "Ow."

"That is a flogger. Every time you speak without permission, I'll spank an area of your body. I won't do anything that will hurt you. Everything I do is for our pleasure." I remain quiet. "Good girl. You're only allowed to come when I tell you, but the most important rule is that you must tell me to stop if you don't like something or the pleasure turns into harmful pain." I think about his words. Seems simple. I've read enough erotica novels to know the basics. "What would you like your safe word to be?" I think about it. "It can't be ‘stop.' I'm sure you will say it a few times and not mean it," he mocks me. I think more.

"Bananas."

"Okay, bananas, it is." His chuckle is dark, lustful.

I think he's going to say more, but he doesn't. Instead, I feel something feather-like caressing me from my neck to my breasts, and my nipples harden. He continues down my stomach to between my legs, taking his time. I bite my lip, trying not to say a word, but it's difficult. He makes it down to my feet, and it almost tickles, but I don't dare laugh.

"I think you're getting the hang of this very well." I hear him walk away from me, yet it still feels like he's near me. "I'm going to worship every inch of your body. You are mine, baby girl. You won't ever forget it after tonight."

I feel an ice cube on my neck making its way down to my breasts. I'm expecting him to linger on my breasts with it like in the movies, but boy, am I wrong. He draws a straight line leaving a path of burning cold, stopping on my clit. The cold ice and my heat are like a volcano waiting to erupt. He rubs the ice up and down, making me moan. I need him to touch me, to do something. I want to say something, but I doubt he will listen.

"You're doing great." His mouth is against my skin as he speaks, creating a hum that makes my body vibrate.

He replaces the ice with his tongue. It's cold but hot, so many sensations I don't know how I'm supposed to feel. I try to move, but I can't. The restraints hold me in place. I guess that's the point. I want to feel his fingers inside me and his tongue on my clit. I desperately need release, and I try to move closer to him, pull him to me, but nothing works. The more I try, the more he teases. It drives me insane.

"Do you need me yet?" I know the question is a trap. "Maybe this will teach you that when I say something, I expect you to obey." As he says the word obey, he slides two fingers inside me, making me cry out with pleasure. He alternates between his mouth and his fingers, but every time I get close to an orgasm, he stops. I want to scream and demand that he let me find the release I so desperately need. Maybe he feels bad because he increases the speed and stimulation. "You're mine," he says as he takes me over the edge.

"Hi," I answer, breathlessly.

"Why are you out of breath? Everything okay?"

"Yes. I had to run downstairs to answer the cell. I didn't want to wake our babies." But that's not entirely true. I touch my lips like he was just claiming me.

"You should have put your cell on vibrate."

"So that I missed your call? I wouldn't hear the end of it. No, thank you. I've learned that lesson."

"You have a point," he laughs.

"It's not like you to call in the middle of the day. Everything okay?" I go to the kitchen for a glass of water.

"Why? Are you so busy you can't talk to me?" His voice is demanding.

"Wouldn't you want to know?" I tease.

"Ava, so help me." I can hear the anger in his voice. He gets rattled so easily these days.

"Relax. You're going to give yourself a heart attack. Max is coming over. We have to review the spread for the upcoming issue of the magazine."

"Absolutely not."

"Would you rather me wake our babies and go to the office?"

"I don't want Max at the penthouse, especially alone with you."

"Don't exaggerate. I'm not alone. The penthouse is filled with staff." In moments like these I get annoyed with him.

"I said no." His voice is loud, borderline shouting.

"Why?"

"Because I said so. He will not go to the penthouse and that is final."

"Goodbye, Viktor." I end the call.

His need for control is sometimes suffocating. Max knows his place. I'm with Viktor, there's no need for Viktor to act this way. He calls back but I ignore it. I start organizing and dividing past issues into piles.

I look at my watch, it's twenty minutes past the time Max and I agreed on, and it isn't like Max to be late. Just as I'm about to call him, my cell rings, the screen reads Max.

"I was just going to call you. Where are you?"

"Downstairs. They won't let me up."

"I'll be right down." I take a few deep breaths, frustrated. After a second, I walk over to Marco, who is in the kitchen.

"Marco." I can see on his face that he knew I would come to him.

"Before you ask, you know the answer. I'm sorry."

"I'll be right back," I advise him.

"Mr. Manarch will have my head if I let you go downstairs."

"You let me worry about Viktor. You should worry about what I'd do to you if I don't go downstairs." I dial Viktor as I head for the elevator.

"The answer is no," he says, answering.

"This is my job. What do you think is going to happen?"

"Nothing, because he isn't going upstairs."

"That's not your call." I get in the elevator.

"He will not be alone with you. Do I make myself clear?"

"You will not tell me how to live my life," I say as the elevator descends.

"Don't fucking do this. You know what will happen if you disobey me. I have no problem showing you." His words flutter my stomach. My darn libido. I'm trying to be assertive.

"I don't want to argue with you," I finally say, almost on the first floor. I won't let Viktor use sex as a weapon.

"Then don't. If you want to meet with Max, meet him at the office."

"You realize that the office is the same as the house. You make no sense."

"I won't repeat myself," he says.

The elevator opens in the lobby, and I go to the front desk, where I can see Max standing. I can keep fighting Viktor to get my way, but this is not a battle worth fighting. Arguing about something like this isn't going to get us anywhere. It's almost childish.

"Fine." I end the call. I'll be damned if he gets the last word. The cell rings, but I ignore the call again. I know I'm going to pay for that, but Viktor needs to learn. "Hi Max."

"Hi, Ava. Sounds like life is crazy," he laughs.

"Tell me about it. I know we planned to work here, but I don't want to argue with Viktor."

"Do you want to reschedule?"

"No. You can meet me at the office or wait for me for like ten minutes while I get Ailsing and Niko settled before we leave."

"I'll wait." Max smiles.

"Thanks. I'll be back as soon as possible."

I can't believe Viktor would stoop so low as to prohibit Max from coming upstairs. What does he think is going to happen? For God's sake, the house is full of staff, including half a dozen guards. I've given him no reason not to trust me. I don't want to be with Max. Viktor's jealousy is misplaced. I take a deep breath and take the elevator. I'll show Viktor who the real boss is.