"Say it!" he growls again, twisting the necklace and sinking his teeth into my neck.
"I..." Submission tastes like adrenaline on my tongue as I find myself whispering the words I never thought possible.
"I love you," I gasp. And as the words escape my tongue, I realize that I mean them. My body responds, reaching climax, my body trembling in his iron grip.
"Good girl," he growls, before joining me in the oblivion, his thrusts becoming erratic, marking me as his, body and soul.
As we lie panting, entwined in each other's arms, I know that nothing will ever be the same again.
"Shh," Gerald soothes me, stroking my hair as he slowly withdraws, his touch gentle but still possessive. "I've got you."
He reaches for a silk handkerchief and wipes us both down, his movements efficient and practiced. He has clearly been here before, in this aftermath of seduction.
But, right now, it's as if I'm the only thing he cares about. And I'm happy to be his obsession, his sole focus. He can worship me all he wants.
Gently, he helps me put my lingerie back on, his hands lingering on my skin, etching himself onto my very being.
"I'll be back for you, Alina," he whispers, his voice a dark promise, his eyes cold and calculating as he pulls away. His focus instantly shifts, his mind now back on the next business deal as he puts his clothes back on and quietly leaves the room.
Alone in the wreckage of our tryst, I take a deep breath and stretch as I exhale. I know there will be no escape from the web he's spun around me, like the silken threads of a spider entangling its prey.
But that's okay, because I don't want an escape. I just want Gerald.
I lie here like this for a while, and then, feeling the last remnants of our passionate encounter still coursing through my veins, I shiver as I finish getting dressed.
I tuck away the silk handkerchief that bears traces of both of our essences. This handkerchief, probably worth hundreds of dollars, used for aftercare.
A symbol of Gerald's wealth, and his taste in the finer things. Which now apparently includes me.
With Gerald now absent, my mind returns to a whirlwind of conflicting emotions. He just provided me with a level of intimacy I'd never thought possible. Yet, deep down I still have doubts.
As I finger the necklace that drapes prettily against my throat, the emerald glinting under the soft overhead light, I still fear our connection is tainted by ulterior motives. But at least the sex is out of this world.
I wake with a start, reorienting myself to my dark and cramped apartment, Yara snoring softly as she sleeps next to me.
My face flushes and my heart flips in my chest as I realize I was dreaming. And what a dream it was.
If Gerald turns out to be a fraction of the man that visited me in my slumber, we might really stand a chance.
Chapter 5
Alina
Dominika and I sit closely together over a small table at our favorite little cafe, nestled in a corner that feels like a slice of peace in our otherwise chaotic city. The aroma of freshly ground coffee beans mingles with the scent of rain-washed streets outside. Fresh coffee, a luxury I could never justify, but something Dominika is able and happy to treat me to every now and then.
I lean in, ready to divulge my secret. "I’ve met someone. I bit the bullet and tried your idea of the online app, and I've been talking to this guy..."
Dominika's eyes light up with curiosity and excitement as she takes a sip of her latté, the pale golden crema swirling in her mug. "Oh really? How exciting! Who is he?"
"He’s from America. A businessman. His name is Gerald." I can't help the blush that colors my cheeks, feeling a mixture of pride and nervousness. "And I think he might be the one," I blurt out.
She quirks a brow. "The one? As inthe one? Wow! How long have you been speaking?" She probes, her voice tinged with both interest and caution.
"Only a couple of weeks. But he’s swept me off my feet. He wants me to go and meet him somewhere." The words tumble out, laced with a hope I've not allowed myself to feel in years.
"Does he know about Yara?" Her concern shifts towards Yara now, always protective, always thinking about what's best for my daughter. Her unofficial godmother, she sneaks assistance our way whenever she can to supplement my meager earnings. If her husband knew, and worse yet if the organization he works for knew, she could get in a lot of trouble. For that and her friendship, I'll be forever grateful.
"Yes, of course. She’s one of the first things I told him about. I won’t even speak to someone unless they’re theoretically prepared to include her in their world," I say quickly, feeling the need to assure both Dominika and myself that I'm making the right choices.