11. Lucia

11

LUCIA

I'm suitably disappointed that I won't be having dinner with Mikhail this evening.

For someone who doesn't talk very much, I'm finding him to be very good company. Not only that, but his culinary skills are a welcome bonus.

But for tonight, I'm on my own, heating up leftovers and parking myself on the couch in the movie room while I wait for him to come home.

I could have easily snuck out tonight to go and see Elle and spend a few hours enjoying some cocktails, but I'm actually craving a night in for once.

Perhaps Mikhail is having more of an influence on me than I thought…

Though, it could just be down to the insane amount of candy he has on hand.

As I settle in on the couch with my huge bowl of carbs and get myself ready for an evening of trashy reality TV, my phone starts buzzing next to me.

I instantly wonder if it's Mikhail letting me know he'll be home for dinner after all …

The hope that thought brings with it makes me blink.

But then I see who's actually calling, and I let out a huff of annoyance.

"You've been put through to inmate two-six-five-nine, your call is being recorded?—"

" Lucia ," my father snaps, and I roll my eyes.

"Just trying to make light of my new situation, Papa. Turns out prison can be fun when you've got snacks."

"I need you to be serious."

"I am being serious."

"I'm calling about your wedding."

"What about it?" I mute the television.

"We have set a date. The ceremony will happen here at the penthouse in a week."

"That soon?"

"Yes, the sooner we have our family legally bound to the Koslovs, the better. I need to ensure your protection, Lucia."

"D-does it have to be at the penthouse?" I have to get my father to postpone this wedding to try and buy me some time, if only to get to know Mikhail a little bit more. "This is my wedding day, Papa. I want the whole experience."

"The only part that is important here is that vows are exchanged, and you and Mikhail both sign the marriage certificate. It will be over in half an hour, tops."

"Wow, really making it sound more appealing by the second. What a romantic image you just painted."

"It's not supposed to be romantic. This is business, Lucia. Besides, you're already living together, so there's no point in waiting."

"I wouldn't say one suitcase full of clothes consists of living together. Besides, you're not giving me much time here, Papa."

"You've had more than enough time to come to terms with this, Lucia. I'll see you next week," he says before hanging up the phone.

A hysterical laugh escapes my lips as I stare at my phone.

Is he for real?

Not only has he taken away my right to choose a husband, but he's also taking away my chance to have a real wedding.

I'm choking back a sob as I dial Elle, hoping that she can talk this through with me. That somehow she can help me view this as a blessing and not a curse.

"Hey!" she chimes.

"Hey." My throat thickens with tears.

"Uh oh. What's wrong?"

"Nothing," I mumble, wiping my cheek on the back of my hand.

"Lucia…"

"My father's decided that I'm getting married next Friday."

"What? How the hell does he expect us to plan a wedding in a week?"

"He doesn't."

"I don't understand…"

"There's not going to be a real wedding. There's just going to be the legal stuff."

"He can't be serious."

"He thinks a real wedding would be nothing but a waste of time." My voice cracks, and fresh tears leak down my cheeks. I can't help but feel like he's saying that I'm a waste of time. "This might be my only chance to have a real wedding, Elle, and he's taking it away from me."

"Oh, Lucia. What can I do?"

"I don't think there's anything to do. You know my father. Once he makes up his mind, nothing is going to get him to change it."

"I'm so sorry."

"Sorry for just dumping all my crap on you," I mumble.

"Don't be, it's what I'm here for. So, how are things going with Mikhail?"

"They're…good."

"Really?"

"He's very well house-trained."

"You make him sound like a dog." Elle chuckles.

"Well, I do call him cucciolo here and there." I laugh.

"You call him puppy ? Does he know?"

"I have no idea, but he hasn't complained yet."

She laughs too.

"But seriously, Elle. He's good company even if he doesn't talk much, which is so weird to me. Quite the contrast between us."

"Oh, my god, you must drive him crazy. I actually feel sorry for the guy."

"And he's actually really sweet. He likes making me dinner, and he's starting to bring me coffee in the morning."

"Uh, where do I get me one of those? I'd happily marry a guy I don't know if he brings me coffee and food."

"It's a pretty sweet deal. And he's super protective."

"In a good way? Because your father is super protective, and he can be…well, you know how he can be."

"Yeah, I know… He's learning to compromise, which is more than my father does."

"Well, I'm glad it's sort of working out okay. But I wouldn't give up on your papa just yet. Try and see if you can get him to come around on the whole wedding thing. Better yet, see if Mikhail can help. "

"That's actually a good idea," I muse. "He might be willing to listen if it's coming from Mikhail."

"I am known to be full of great ideas." Elle shrugs. "Anyway, I've got to run but give me a call tomorrow with an update!"

"Will do," I promise before hanging up the phone.

I feel a little better after speaking to my cousin. She never fails to cheer me up, so I try to keep my mood up by finishing my dinner and another episode of my show before heading back up to my room to take a shower.

Today is the first day that I haven't snuck out of the house. I'd say it was because I wanted a lazy day on the couch, but honestly, the guilt is starting to get to me.

I'm trying my best to keep my promise to Mikhail to show that I'm meeting him in the middle, but I couldn't help it. I needed to feel the fresh winter air on my skin.

The only issue was that I had to climb out my bedroom window onto the fire escape to do it. Apparently, walking out the front door is no longer an option as Mikhail's put a code on the door so that no one can get in, and no one can get out.

I guess he just assumed I wouldn't be able to fit through the gap in the window, so he didn't bother putting a lock on it. But unfortunately for Mikhail, he's yet to learn how very flexible I can be.

But I want to start limiting my secret trips to the outside world. If Mikhail and I are going to be married, I would like us to have some level of trust between us, which means I need to actually start being trustworthy.

Just knowing that there's no longer a lock on my door has made a big difference in the number of nightmares I've been having, so the thought of having to stay inside doesn't scare me as much as it did before .

Once I finish in the shower, I step out onto the cold tiles and glance around in search of my towel.

"Where the hell did I put it?"

Realizing I must have left it on my bed, I throw open the door to the bathroom and freeze at Mikhail standing in the middle of my bedroom.

His eyes go wide as he takes in my very wet, very naked body. They start to trail down my body until he reaches the apex of my thighs, and my breath catches.

His gaze turns molten as he devours my naked form standing before him, and it seems as if he's fighting the urge to fuck me right here on the bed.

A smirk starts to tug at my lips.

"Don't just stand there, hand me my towel." I signal to the bed.

He blinks, as if I've just woken him from a trance, and I fight a smile as he scrambles to get my towel.

I shiver, a sudden cold breeze hitting my skin, and I glance over at the window and realize I've left it open. I silently curse.

If Mikhail notices, he's going to realize the truth about my little escapades, and he's never going to trust me again.

Somehow, I need to close it without him noticing.

Good thing I have a way of keeping him occupied.

"Here." He hands me my towel without meeting my gaze.

I narrow my eyes at him as I take the towel.

He's angled his body away from me as if trying to hide something, but I know from the look in his eyes that he's hard as a rock.

Just the thought of his impressive cock sends a rush of wetness building between my thighs.

It's clear we both want this, so why bother fighting it? After all, by this time next week, we'll be officially married. Might as well get a head start on the honeymoon.

"Mikhail…" I purr, tossing the towel on the bed. "Look at me."

I watch his throat bob as he eventually gives in and turns to fully face me, and then it's my turn to trail my eyes down his body.

Once I notice his erection straining against his zipper, I let out a soft gasp as my pussy clenches, already so desperate to be filled by him.

As if he can read my thoughts, he takes a step closer to me.

"What do you want, Lucia?" His husky voice is heavy with arousal.

I swallow as I tear my eyes away from his cock to look up at him under my lashes.

"I want you to fuck my mouth."

His eyes give away his desire.

But before I have a chance to sink to my knees, he reaches out and wraps his hands around my neck, pushing his thumbs into my jaw to tilt my head back.

"I told you," he growls, squeezing my throat just enough that a gasp escapes me. "I'm a gentleman. Which means, I get on my knees for you ."

The thought of this man on his knees, fucking me with his tongue, almost has me climaxing.

A strangled sound escapes me as Mikhail starts to walk me backwards, his hands still wrapped around my throat, until I'm pressed against the window.

"Mikhail." I part my thighs so that he can have full access to my pussy.

He dips his head to lick along my jaw, and I take the opportunity to reach my hand over my head to gently close the window. Just to ensure he's distracted, I make sure to buck my hips against his cock at the same time and let out a moan of pleasure.

"Lucia," he groans, resting his forehead against mine and closing his eyes. Maybe he's trying to compose himself.

"I want to touch you."

"Not yet." He gently squeezes my throat again.

I grind my pussy against him again and let out a whimper.

"You will be rewarded for being patient." He drops his hands from my throat, stepping back.

"But—"

He only smirks before sinking to his knees before me.

I quickly shut my mouth as I watch him, my body pulsing with need as he trails his calloused fingers along my thighs.

I shiver at his gentle touch.

"Part your thighs for me, solnyshka. "

I swallow and do as he says, my clit throbbing so badly at the thought of Mikhail putting his mouth on me that I almost reach between my thighs to try and get some relief.

"Lucia," he growls as he stares at my pussy.

I part my thighs wider and angle my hips to give him a better view of my glistening folds.

"Please, Mikhail," I pant.

It seems Mikhail Koslov doesn't need to be asked twice.

His fingers grip my ass as he lowers his mouth to my pussy and gives it one long, slow lick.

"Yes!" I cry out, my head falling back against the glass as he licks me again.

He lets out a groan as he tastes me, and the sound has my eyes rolling to the back of my head .

I can tell that this is going to be the best orgasm of my life.

Mikhail grips my right thigh and throws it over his shoulder before sinking his fingers into my ass to keep me upright as he continues to devour my pussy.

"Oh fuck, that feels so good." I grind my hips against his face.

The slight stubble on his jaw against my sensitive flesh sends jolts of pleasure through my core, and I need more.

His tongue flicks over my clit, making me cry out with pleasure, before he licks the length of my pussy again.

"If you keep screaming like that, I'll have to stop," he warns before plunging his tongue inside me.

"Oh god !" I cry, my hips bucking against his mouth.

"Lucia." His breath tickles my clit in the best way. "Don't make me punish you."

I bite back a whimper as he removes his head from between my thighs to look up at me, and my arousal glistening on his chin has my legs almost giving out beneath me. "Oh?"

His eyes darken, and a thrill runs down my spine at the thought of what he might do. "Do you want to come?" This is a side to Mikhail I haven't seen, but I can't deny the fact that I'm loving it.

"Y-yes."

"Then you need to be quiet. Otherwise, I'll edge you all fucking night, kisa , and I won't let you feel even a second of relief."

I grit my teeth and sink my fingers into his hair as he licks at my clit, tugging on the silky strands as my body trembles with pleasure.

"Much better." He plunges his tongue into my pussy once more .

I didn't think anything would come close to feeling as good as having his cock inside me, but his tongue is a close second. With each thrust, I'm becoming wetter and wetter.

If I wasn't so high on pleasure, I'd feel embarrassed. No man has ever made me this wet, but can I even call them men when I'm comparing them to Mikhail?

He's like nothing I've ever experienced, and I'm loving every second.

"You taste so fucking good," he growls before flicking his tongue over my clit.

I bite back a cry as I glance down and find his dark eyes locked on mine.

He does it again, and I sink my teeth into my lip.

"You like it when I lick you like this?"

I nod, a thin sheen of sweat starting to break out over my skin as my release builds.

"What about when I do this?" he murmurs before wrapping his lips around my clit and sucking the sensitive bud.

My legs almost buckle, and I release my hands from his hair to grip his shoulders to keep me upright.

My mouth falls open in a silent cry as he sucks and licks at my clit, his eyes never leaving mine.

It turns out having Mikhail Koslov on his knees is fucking torture. The man knows exactly what he's doing, and I think I might actually die if I don't come soon.

My eyes sting with tears as I try my hardest not to make a sound as he licks me, but it feels so good I'm scared I might actually start sobbing.

I tug at his hair, trying to pull him closer against me in a silent plea.

His eyes shine, crinkling at the corners, but he starts to work my clit faster. "Are you going to scream my name when you come? "

"I-I thought I couldn't make a sound."

"Oh, you can scream my name all you want, solnyshka . I'll allow that."

"Asshole," I hiss through my teeth.

He nips at my clit, and I gasp.

"I didn't give you permission to say that."

I tug at his hair, but he only responds by grazing his teeth over my clit.

It seems if I want to come, I'm going to have to submit to him fully.

When Mikhail is satisfied I'm not going to misbehave, he gives my pussy one long lick before focusing all of his attention on my clit.

I'm so worked up that it doesn't take long for my legs to start trembling and my breathing to come in heavy pants.

I'm so fucking close ?—

"You can come now, Lucia," he growls before wrapping his lips around my clit and sucking hard.

" Mikhail !" I scream as my orgasm rips through my body.

I cling to Mikhail, holding his head against me as he works me through my release.

My pussy is pulsing so deliciously that I can't stop moaning. "Yes, oh fuck, yes !"

Mikhail groans against me, licking up every last drop of my arousal until my legs finally give out, and he has to wrap his arms around my waist to stop me from hitting the floor.

"So, you are capable of doing as you're told." He holds me against his chest.

For once, I want to prove him right.