Chapter 10

Riley

When I woke, the sun was already high in the sky.

I blinked, the bright rays streaming in from the window nearly blinding me. How long had I slept?

It had to be well into the afternoon, at least. I shifted and gritted my teeth, the stinging burn across my bottom reigniting so fiercely that it took my breath away.

Fuck, that's right. Maxim had belted me last night.

I was still naked too.

I looked around the room and started when I saw what looked like a clothing box waiting for me on the dresser. With a grimace, I pulled myself up to a sitting position, ignoring the fiery sting that spread across my ass. I stood and the burn grew sharper, causing me to let out a soft hiss.

I turned and looked back, easily seeing several red welts on the backs of my thighs. I spun around, gazing at myself in the dresser mirror, taking in the streaks of redness still visible. My pussy clenched tight, and I bit my lip, taken aback by my sudden surge of desire.

My clit pulsed too.

I swiftly turned away and marched into the bathroom as proudly as I could, or at least as proudly as a girl who had had her bottom belted to tears just last night possibly could.

I turned on the shower and waited until the steam was rising to the ceiling before I climbed inside.

I closed the door and let the scalding hot water pound against my skin. The burn of it made me think of Maxim's belt and another flush of desire raced through me. I shook my head and tried to push the memories aside, but that was impossible.

What was happening to me? Why was I like this?

I should be angry, furious even that he'd taken his belt to me, but I wasn't. Instead, I just felt cared for and so impossibly aroused that I could hardly stand.

I reached down and brushed my fingers against my clit, the memory of Maxim's belt making the little bundle of nerves swell. I circled the nub with my fingers and my pussy clenched down, tightening around nothing.

What would his cock feel like there instead?

My fingers slipped inside of me, and I let out a quiet sigh, the hot water cascading down my back and when I finally realized what I was doing, I jerked my hand away in open shame.

I would not touch myself thinking about Maxim belting me last night.

Or him fucking me…

No way in hell.

I finished my shower in a hurry, the steam rising up around me as I turned off the tap.

When I stepped out of the shower, I wrapped a towel around myself and shivered, the chill of the bathroom and the heat of the shower making goosebumps appear all over my flesh. I finished drying off and walked back into the bedroom, curious about what was in the box waiting for me.

The note taped to the top said, ‘wear me' and my face heated.

If I still had my clothes from last night, I would have deliberately disobeyed him, but they were still outside somewhere on the ground.

It was either wear whatever was in the box or walk downstairs naked, and I definitely wasn't going to choose the latter.

I opened the box and stared down at a pretty pink dress and a pair of blush-colored, cherry-covered panties. I stared down at them. They were kind of young looking.

But… He picked this out for me.

With a grimace, I dropped the towel and pulled on the dress and panties. The fabric felt soft and luxurious, and the dress fit like it was custom made for me.

He hadn't given me a bra and for some insane reason, my nips were standing on end.

I covered them with my arms and looked in the mirror.

I actually looked pretty.

Like a good girl.

Maxim's good girl.

The thought made my stomach flip-flop, and I pulled out the shoes that had been placed in the bottom of the box. When I was fully dressed, I looked in the mirror again.

I felt beautiful, but I also kind of felt like the outfit was geared for someone quite a bit younger than me.

I didn't like that.

I didn't dislike it either.

I wasn't sure how to feel about that, so I decided to ignore it as I lifted my chin and turned toward the door. This time, the door wasn't locked.

When I reached the top of the stairs, I paused again, taking a deep breath before heading down them.

As soon as I stepped into the kitchen, the smell of food hit me, and my stomach growled angrily, like I hadn't eaten in days instead of just one night.

Maxim was at the stove, flipping what looked like an omelet. He glanced over his shoulder, a smile playing at the corners of his mouth when he noticed me.

"You're up," he said, his voice warm. "I hope you're hungry."

"Starving," I admitted, taking a seat at the kitchen island. I tried not to grimace as my ass brushed against the seat, but it was hard and if he noticed, he didn't say anything, which I was grateful for. I held in my sigh of relief.

The stool felt too high, and I found myself swinging my legs a bit.

He plated the omelet and placed it in front of me along with a cup of freshly brewed coffee. "You look very cute today," he commented, his eyes briefly scanning my outfit.

I self-consciously smoothed the fabric of my dress, feeling suddenly too dressed up for whatever this was. "Yeah, well, it's what was in the box," I muttered, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear.

Maxim leaned against the counter, his gaze thoughtful.

"Riley, about yesterday—" he began, but I quickly cut him off just as my clit throbbed to life.

"It's fine, Maxim. Really, we don't have to talk about it," I said, fidgeting with the napkin on my lap.

"I understand it's a lot, but I think it's important you truly understand just who the Orlovs are," he began.

"And who are they?" I asked.

"They're not just any regular gang. They're bratva."

"Yeah, I remember you saying that," I answered a bit dryly.

I don't know why I was provoking him when my ass was still more than a little sore, but despite the fact that his eyes flashed for a second, he ignored my little outburst.

"It's more than that. They're incredibly dangerous. They're involved in everything from arms trafficking to money laundering. They have a hand in half the underground activities in the city."

"And now they're my problem too?" I said a bit sullenly.

"Yes," Maxim affirmed, his tone apologetic yet firm. "That's why it's critical you stay close until we figure this out. Staying here with me is the only way I can keep you safe. Does that make sense?"

I lifted my eyes and searched his gaze. What was he insinuating? Did he really want me here after all? Was this something else? Why did he care?

"I don't want to be a burden," I countered, and his eyes grew stormy with rage.

"Never say that again, little girl. You are no one's burden, not now. Not ever."

I looked down at my plate, still wrestling with the mixture of feelings his close proximity stirred in me.

"You are smart, extraordinarily so, and cunning. Yes, you are defiant," he added, a slight smile tugging at the corner of his mouth, "but that's not a fault. It's one of the things that makes you one of the most incredible people I've ever met."

His words took me by surprise. It was strange to hear praise like that. I'd never heard anything like it in my life.

"Now, if I ever have to remind you of that again, I'll use this wooden spatula on your bare little bottom. Do you understand me?"

He held up the implement in question and I shifted in my seat, my eyes glued to the wooden thing. My ass was already sore enough.

I didn't provoke him. Not this time.

"Yes, sir," I murmured, feeling a blush creep up my cheeks. "I'm not used to… that. People saying good things about me."

Maxim watched me with an intensity that made my heart pound just a little bit faster. His eyes darkened and the stormy blue of them seemed to draw me right back in.

"Well, you better start getting used to it," he said, his voice laced with a light humor that somehow made the kitchen feel less like a battleground and more like a sanctuary, although I hesitated to call it that.

"Because as long as you're here, I'm going to make sure you see yourself the way I see you," he continued.

My heart nearly leapt up into my throat.

The way he saw me?

No one had ever talked to me like this before, so I didn't really know how to respond. Instead, I looked down at my plate a bit bashfully before stuffing my mouth with a bite of eggs, so I didn't have to say anything at all.

Maxim took the opportunity to pour himself a cup of coffee, his eyes never leaving me.

I finished eating quickly, and the moment I was done, he whisked my plate away and put it in the dishwasher.

"Your wardrobe should arrive today," he said, finally breaking the silence that basked between us.

"You didn't have to do that," I said softly. I wasn't really used to receiving gifts, so I didn't quite know what to say in response to that.

"Yes, I did. You're under my care and I will see to it that your every need is met."

Again, I didn't know what to say, and so I simply nodded and stared down at the table, trying to wrap my head around what was going on between us.

I didn't know why, but I wanted there to be something there.

"Well, what if I don't like the clothes that you picked out for me or they're the wrong size?" I asked.

Maybe I was provoking him now. I wasn't sure. He was making my head and my heart all fuzzy and I worried I could no longer see reason.

"You can order whatever you like, and I'll send one of my men to pick it up right away," he countered gently.

His reply caught me by surprise. I had expected him to scold me about being grateful or something along those lines, not offer me the chance to order something for myself.

"Tell you what. Why don't we go into my office, and I'll get you all set up on my computer? You can order a few things that will make you happy and when everything arrives, you can let me know what you think?" he offered, cocking his head as he waited for me to answer.

My heart skipped a beat. He was treating me like an adult, like someone worthy.

And the best part was that it felt natural.

This was a man who was not just used to commanding and being obeyed, but one who knew when to bend and compromise, too.

My pussy clenched hard at the thought.

"I'd like that," I whispered.

"Good. Then why don't you follow me, and I'll get you settled," he continued, and I took one last swig of coffee before I set it down and he whisked that away too.

He placed his hand on the small of my back and led me out of the kitchen and down a long hallway. His office was a massive room, bookshelves lining every inch of wall space, save for a giant window looking out onto the sprawling gardens. It was a beautiful space and I found myself looking around, trying to figure out the man that held me captive.

Was I a captive though? To be honest, I wasn't even sure anymore.

I shook my shoulders and my head, trying not to think about it.

I looked at the bookshelves first, noting that each one was packed with titles I didn't recognize. There were even some with what looked like Russian letters on them, but I couldn't read those. The English ones were a mix of thick, dusty volumes that looked like they ranged from everything about history all the way to science.

The desk in the middle of the room was large and imposing, made of dark wood that gleamed under the soft light of a modern lamp. Beside the lamp, there was a small chess set laid out mid-game, as if waiting for the next move. It seemed like something out of a movie, where the villain plots his next big play.

Not that Maxim was a villain, or at least I didn't think he was, but he had that air of mystery and intelligence that you'd expect from one.

Scattered among the books were various trinkets—a collection of old, metallic coins that might have been treasures or just souvenirs from travels, and little bronze statues of soldiers in different historical outfits. There was also a framed picture of a beautiful, serene landscape.

Finally, he cleared his throat and I turned to face him. He pointed me to a plush leather chair in front of his desk and turned on a fancy laptop.

"You can use this to order whatever you like," he said, gesturing casually to the machine as if it wasn't probably worth more than all my belongings combined.

Settling into the chair, I felt a bit out of place, but I tried to act like I wasn't.

With a hard swallow, I sat forward and pretended like all this was normal. Honestly, I didn't really know where to start. I'd never ordered anything online before. I knew I needed a credit card, but aside from Walmart, Target, and Amazon, I didn't know any other stores. Most of my wardrobe had been picked up from thrift shops or were hand-me-downs, so I didn't really have any experience to fall back on.

"Is everything alright?" Maxim asked, noticing my hesitation.

"It's just, uh, I don't have a credit card. I've never needed one," I confessed, a little embarrassed.

"You'll be using mine. Let me just put it in the system for you," he said, coming to stand beside me. He leaned over me, his body so close that I could feel the heat of his skin as he typed a few things on the keyboard.

For a moment, it was difficult to breathe, but somehow, I managed. It felt like there was an electric current surging between us. I wondered if he could feel it too.

"There. All done. Why don't you see if you can find some things you like?"

Honestly, the sound of his voice startled me, and it took me a second to catch my bearings, so I just nodded. He moved away and took a seat in the leather armchair in front of the desk.

I may have never ordered anything like this before, but I at least knew the basics around using the computer and the internet, so I searched women's clothes in Boston. I clicked the first link and a pretty, feminine website loaded, showcasing all sorts of colorful and trendy dresses, blouses, and skirts.

My eyes widened.

This was what normal American women wore?

I swallowed hard again.

"Is everything okay?" Maxim asked.

"Everything's fine," I squeaked. I didn't want to tell him how inexperienced I was at this, so I navigated through a few different pages, slowly growing more comfortable. I added a few things to the cart and watched the dollar signs add up.

When I passed one hundred dollars, I sucked in a breath. Would he be upset with what I spent? I squirmed in my seat. Would it earn me another spanking? I had a hard time keeping still after that.

I picked out a few more outfits, feeling naughtier by the second. When I finally clicked through to the pajamas section, I found a few really cute and particularly sexy nighties.

I don't know what came over me, but I ordered five different ones because I couldn't pick a favorite.

I just kept adding things to the cart until I reached the underwear section.

Would he like me in something purple?

Or maybe black?

I had a hard time deciding so I just added them all. When I was finally done, the total had exceeded five hundred dollars and I yelped a little in surprise at the total.

"Is something the matter, Riley?"

"N-no. Everything is fine," I replied quickly. With a nervous gulp, I clicked through a few more windows until I reached the shipping section.

I didn't really know what to choose. Did first class shipping mean faster or slower? Was it that different from rush shipping? Should I pick the free option?

I swallowed hard and bit my lip, not wanting to admit that I didn't really know how to complete the rest of the order.

"Do you need help?" he asked.

I didn't want to appear stupid, but it was better to ask for help than to look foolish.

"Can you do it for me?"

"Of course," he smiled softly, and I got up and let him take a seat, watching as his fingers flew over the keyboard with expert speed.

I had no idea how he could type that fast.

Within a few seconds, the order was done, and the website gave us a confirmation number. He said nothing about the total and I stepped from one foot to the other, almost as if I was waiting for the other shoe to drop.

"That should be here in just a few hours. Was there anything else you needed, Riley?" he asked quietly, and I held my breath, waiting for the scolding I likely had coming.

But it never came.

He looked back at me a bit quizzically.

"Is something wrong?" he asked.

"You're not upset?" I finally ventured.

"About what?"

"About how much money I spent?" I whispered.

"Not at all. When I said I'd take care of you, I meant it," he replied.

"But it was expensive," I mumbled. What was I doing? Was I trying to get in trouble?

"It was nothing," he reassured me, and I felt a blush creep up my cheeks.

I don't know why I was trying to push him, but he was simply being kind and giving instead of stern and scolding like I expected him to be.

"So, I can have whatever I want, and you won't be mad?"

He stood up and took a step closer.

"Whatever you need, little girl," he corrected me, and I shivered at the heat in his voice.

I wanted to tell him that I wanted him, that I yearned for him to take me in his arms and press his lips to mine and kiss me the way I needed to be kissed right before he bent me over the desk and took what was his to take.

I wanted to tell him all of that, but instead, I bit my lip and turned away, trying to ignore the sudden throb that had blossomed in my core.

He reached out and tucked a strand of hair behind my ear and his touch was gentle.

"Is there something else, Riley-girl?"

The nickname was startling, but not in a bad way, more so in a way that caught me off guard and made my heart pitter patter inside my ribcage like a drum. I felt my nipples harden beneath my dress and I hoped he wouldn't notice, or maybe I did want him to notice.

I was so out of my element.

I'd never been with anyone before. I'd never been asked out on a date or kissed or anything. I'd moved around too much as a kid and then when I'd gotten to high school, all the boys seemed way too young and immature.

I opened my mouth, trying to will up the courage to tell him, but the words died on my tongue, and I asked for something else instead.

It was so lame that I cringed at myself, inwardly at least.

"How about pizza for dinner?" I said, my voice as flat as I felt.

He chuckled, his face lighting up with a smile.

"Whatever you want. Pepperoni. Sausage. Veggies. The works. Even pineapple, although we're going to have to get two pizzas if you want that," he murmured, and my pussy clenched again.

"Why are you doing this?" I blurted out and then I winced, wishing I could take it back immediately.

He cocked his head to the side and studied me.

"Doing what, Riley?"

"Being nice. Like this."

"Because you deserve it, sweet girl."

I opened my mouth to say some smart retort, but the moment the words fell off his lips, my heart felt like it imploded in my chest, and nothing came out. Instead, I blushed, nodded my head, and escaped out of his office like my ass was on fire.

Which it still sort of was.

I remembered the feeling of his bare hand striking my naked flesh and my pussy clenched hard.

I retreated into my bedroom and closed myself in there for the duration of the day.

When it came time for dinner, Maxim knocked on my door and asked what I wanted. I told him that my favorite was pepperoni and jalapenos and he chuckled, telling me it would be here within the hour.

We ate together quietly. He asked me a few questions about my past and I told him bits and pieces, mainly about the different foster homes I'd been raised in. He told me about his childhood, how he'd grown up with his mother and his father and basically had the most normal life a man like him could have had.

I didn't tell him how I never really fit in, or how I didn't feel like I'd ever had a family or a home.

I couldn't.

I don't know why, but the shame that came with having a different kind of upbringing billowed up inside of me and I couldn't get around it. I didn't want to talk about it either.

Instead, I focused on the happier moments in my life, like when I'd gotten straight A's in school and my foster mom at the time had taken me out for ice cream to celebrate.

I didn't mention how they moved me to another home the next week because I'd stolen a piece of jewelry from a department store and gotten caught.

I didn't talk about how my record as a juvenile had kept anyone from seriously considering adopting me or how no one had wanted me, and I'd ended up aging out of the system.

I didn't say that I was sure my coordinator probably had been relieved when I was gone.

"If it means anything, Riley-girl, I'm glad you're here," he said quietly, and I hated how my heart melted for him even more.

In order to cover up my blunder, I took a bite of pizza and quickly changed the subject to how good the food was. He'd gone overboard and ordered pizza, cheesy garlic bread, some appetizers, and even some cannoli for dessert.

After dinner was over and I was more than a little full, I helped him clean up and then he excused himself to take a phone call, leaving me alone in the kitchen.

I didn't really know what to do, so I went into the living room and turned on the television. Out the window, I saw a group of men walking around with shopping bags and when I got up and followed them, I saw that they were coming in through the front door and heading up the stairs into my bedroom.

There were a lot of bags. When they were done, I made my way upstairs and opened the door to the closet, finding the bags completely unpacked. I opened the drawers to the dresser and found them full of panties and socks.

There were more clothes than I had ever owned in my life.

Tears welled in my eyes, and I quickly wiped them away.

It had been a long day.

Too many emotions.

And a lot of feelings.

I didn't want to deal with any of them, so I went into the bathroom and drew myself a bath. I looked at all the new bottles on the counter, finding bubble bath, essential oils, bath salts, and body wash.

I poured a little of everything into the rushing water until it was a mass of bubbles and then I climbed inside, the warm water enveloping me like a comforting embrace.

How did I even get here?

Just a week ago, I was on the streets of Ireland, wondering where my next meal might come from and now, I was in a luxury bath all the way in America under the care of a man who treated me better than anyone ever had in my life.

It didn't make any sense.

I wasn't a girl that got lucky.

With a deep breath, I decided to just enjoy myself because sooner or later, it was all going to disappear.

That's just the way things were for me.

I was used to it.