The soft glow of the moonlight filters through the curtains, casting a gentle light across the room. It’ste, the silence of the night wrapping around me like a nket. The aftermath of the party still pulses through me, a mix of exhaustion and adrenaline that refuses to fade.


    I stand in front of the dresser, applying lotion to my hands. The silk of the nightgown Konstantin bought for me feels smooth against my skin, its white sheen gliding over me like a whisper. The fabric clings to my curves, soft and delicate, and there’s something about the way it makes me feel: exposed, yet adored.


    From the corner of my eye, I catch him in the reflection of the mirror, standing just behind me with nothing on but a pair of boxers riding low on his hips.


    His presence fills the space, the air filled with intensity as his eyes trail over my body. He says nothing, just watches me, and in his gaze, there’s a mix of admiration and something more. Something feral.


    “Did you have a nice time tonight?” Hees closer now, pressing into me from behind, his hands snaking over my arms.


    The contact isforting, but it also stirs something deep inside me.


    “Yes,” I manage while I try to tame the way my body wants his. “It was a great party.”


    A slight chuckle rumbles from him. “I know you enjoyed it.” His palm slides to my hip, fingers digging into my needy flesh. “But I think there’s something else on your mind.”


    I let out a breathy moan, my head falling back against him, unable to control the shiver that runs through me. The way he touches me—the slow, deliberate way his hands explore my arms, my waist—it’s as if he’s trying to own every inch of me without saying a word.


    And I let him. Every part of me wants to be owned by him.


    His lips drop to my neck, warm and tender at first, then pressing harder, his teeth grazing my skin. A low growl vibrates in his throat, pulsing through me. Slowly, his hands slip up, the silk of my gown slithering up my legs.


    “Konstantin…” My voicees out in a whisper, a mixture of hesitation and longing.


    “Shh,” he murmurs against my skin, his exhales hot and soothing. “Don’t worry, malyshka. I’ll take care of you.”


    My arms rise as he slips the gown over my head, tossing it on the floor before his mouth finds the sensitive curve of my shoulder.


    I turn slowly, and his eyes lock on to mine with an intensity that steals my every thought. He doesn’t speak, his gaze roving from my face down to the length of me.


    “You are so beautiful,” he says, his timbre husky and rough. “It’s like I see you for the first time every time.”


    His words sink deep, and I get lost in the way he looks at me, like I’m the only thing that matters in this world.


    His hand skims up my back, pulling me toward him, and I can’t stop myself. My lips crash into his, hungry and desperate, a kiss that speaks everything I can’t say out loud. His grip tightens as he lifts me effortlessly, my body trembling with anticipation as he carries me to the bed and throws me onto it, hisrge form hard and heavy over mine. His mouth hovers over my lips, his cock rocking into me until a moan escapes.


    “Tell me you want me. That you want us.” His desperation bleeds from every syble, rocking through to my core.


    “I do.” My hands cling to his bare back, to the warmth of his skin against mine. “I do want you, Konstantin. I want this.”


    He groans, the sound rough and raspy, before his lips capture mine, fierce and hungry. His mouth moves down my body, leaving a searing trail of fire across my skin, while his hands roam, worshipping every crevice. When his tongue finally finds its way between my legs, I gasp, arching up toward him instinctively, wanting more.


    “Oh God, yes.” My hands clutch his hair, nails working his scalp as he brings me to the brink of pleasure.


    He forces his fingers inside me at the same time, causing me to quiver, every cell in my body pulsing with need. His tongue is relentless, working my clit, sinking into me while his thumb works my center before he sucks my clit into his mouth. My eyes roll back, every part of me unraveling, the need spiraling inside me until I can’t hold back anymore.


    “Konstantin, oh God!”


    Waves of pleasure crash over me as Ie undone, but he doesn’t stop, his palms holding my thighs open as he flicks and sucks withmanding pressure. My nails dig into his scalp as I try to steady my breath, but he’s persistent, his mouth working me until I’m gasping, my body writhing beneath him in desperation once again.


    This time when he looks up, his fingers thrusting hard and fast, I lose all ability to utter a word, the sound of my wetness filling the room as the most intense orgasm takes hold, ripping through me until I practically shed tears.


    “Vot tak, detka. Otdai mne vsyo.” The guttural way he says that, it sends another wave of pleasure splitting through me.


    Finally, when my bodyes down from the high, he pulls away, kissing his way back up my body. His erection is hot against my entrance as he pushes his boxers down, and I want to feel every thick inch of him.


    The back of his hand strokes across my cheek. “You’re the sweetest thing I’ve ever tasted.”


    When I groan, he kisses me, his tongue snaking with mine, forcing me to taste myself before he pulls back in a rush. And before I know what’s happening, he enters me in a forceful thrust, his size stretching me, causing a burn to rip through me. But I like the pain, want more of it.


    The stretch, the feeling of him…it’s everything I’ve craved. I gasp as he moves, slow at first, his rhythm building with intensity. Every thrust sends shockwaves through me, my body responding to him like it always does. Like it’s desperate and filthy for him.


    He lifts one of my legs over his shoulder and drives hard into me. And there’s nothing soft in the way he takes me. He’s wild, possessive, as if he’s staking his im on me all over again, and it feels like everything I’ve ever needed. My nails scrape up his back as I pull him closer.


    “Don’t stop,” I gasp, my body trembling, needing more. “Please don’t stop.”


    He growls, his other hand gripping my throat as he pounds faster.


    “I’ll never stop,” he says, his words sharp, his voice rough with desire. “You’re mine, every inch, and I’ll keep reminding you of that.”


    His mouth falls to mine, kissing me savagely, the position making every one of his thrusts even deeper. All I feel is this—his body against mine, the wildness of it, the urgency.


    And when I finallye again, the pleasure explodes through me, overwhelming and all-consuming. He lets out a guttural grunt, his muscles going rigid as he follows me, spilling inside me in hot, relentless bursts.


    I never imagined sex could be this good. This real.


    He copses beside me, pulling me into his arms, his chest rising and falling in tattered breaths. My head’s dizzy, my body still humming with the aftermath of what we just shared.


    “I like watching you lose control, malyshka.” His hand brushes through my hair as I rest my head against his chest.


    “You’re good at…” I can’t seem to finish the sentence.


    “Fucking?” He chuckles. “Yes, I am quite good.”


    “Shut up.” Iugh, smacking his chest with the back of my hand.


    Then his smile fades, eyes dimming. “I can’t wait to teach you more. To show you all the ways your body was made to be touched. To be owned.”


    My gut tightens, but he doesn’t say more, only pulls me closer, his arm snaking around me. As we lie tangled in each other, the world around us fading into nothing, a thought flickers through my mind.


    Maybe this is how it was always meant to be: us finding each other in the most unexpected of ways.<hr>


    KONSTANTIN


    I lie in the dark, her head resting on my chest, the steady rhythm of her breath against me grounding me in a way nothing else ever has.


    Her warmth, her closeness…it’s everything I never thought I wanted. For so long, I thought I was unbreakable, impervious to anyone or anything that could make me feel something more than the cold, calcted existence I’ve built.


    But here she is, making me question everything I thought I knew about myself, and I can’t remember a time I’ve felt this…happy. It’s not even a fleeting happiness. This feels real, rooted, like something I can hold on to.


    A part of me, one I’ve buried deep underyers of distrust and indifference, feelsplete with her by my side. Andtely, she’s made me want things I never even knew I was capable of wanting.


    A family. A future. Maybe even love.


    For the first time in my life, I’m not terrified of the idea of having a child. I never thought I was cut out to be a father. Growing up, I was shown what it meant to be a monster, not a man. My father made sure I knew how to break, to hurt, to dominate, but never how to love.


    But with Tessa, something’s shifting inside me. The idea of having a child with her, someone who could show me what love actually looks like and teach me how to be better, how to be more than just the product of my past… It doesn’t scare me anymore. Not like it used to.


    She shifts slightly as I peer down at her, her eyes connecting with mine. I trace the line of her hair, the delicate strands slipping between my fingers.


    The question escapes my lips before I can stop myself. “Have you ever thought about…having kids?”


    Her body stiffens. “Uh…why?”


    “It’s just, I’ve been thinking about ittely, A family of my own. I swore after my father I’d never even consider it, but now…” My knuckles brush down her cheeks. “Now everything is different.”


    Her lips flutter, brows furrowing.


    “Konstantin…I…” She nces down, her head shaking, her fingers ying with the fabric of her nightgown. “I wouldn’t be a good mother.” Herugh is small, almost sad, and it tears me apart to hear it. “My mother wasn’t much of a role model. I…I don’t even know the first thing about being a mother, let alone a good one.”


    Relief fills me at her confession. Because she didn’t say she’d never want to have a family with me.


    “The question wasn’t if you’d be a good one, which I know you would be, Tessa.” I cup her chin and tilt her face to me. “I asked if you’ve ever thought about having a family. With me.”


    Her eyes grow wide, and she swallows roughly, unable to answer.


    “I get it. My father was never much of a father, as you know. He showed me what I didn’t want to be, yet somehow became, so I never wanted kids either. But now…” I pause, considering what I’m saying. “Now, with you…I’m not so sure anymore.”


    Her palm falls across my shoulder, fingers tightening against my skin, her features tortured and full of quiet pain. I kiss her forehead, my mouth remaining there for a few seconds before I pull back, trying to soothe the fear in her.


    “We can figure this out together.” The conviction in my tone surprises even me.


    “And what if we can’t?”


    I pull her closer, my lips brushing against her temple. “All we can do is try. Our child would have the best parts of each of us.” My fingers caress softly down her arm. “And the worst parts too, probably.”


    A small, genuineugh tumbles from her. “Yes, probably.”


    She fastens her gaze with mine, something tender flickering there, something that grips tight around my heart and won’t let go. Lifting her hand, she brushes the stubble along my jaw with a slow, thoughtful stroke.


    “I think you’d actually be a good dad.” The honesty in her tone rips something open in me.


    With a groan, my mouth lowers and I kiss her, gently at first, before the kiss deepens, the intensity rising between us.


    “Fuck…” My forehead nts against hers. “Go to sleep, Tessa.” Every word is rough with desire. “Before I keep you up all night.”


    She chuckles, and I sense the tension in her ease as she nestles into me, her head resting on my chest as I reach over to turn off the bedsidemp, plunging the room into darkness. She burrows into me, her breaths calming me as she drifts off.


    I lie awake for a while after she falls asleep, just listening to her steady exhales, thinking about everything. About her. About us. Wondering if there really could be a future for us and what this would mean for the future of my empire.


    Then, just as I start to close my eyes, a low groan slips out from her lips. Her body tenses, stirring a bit as she mutters something I can’t make out. She must be having a dream or a nightmare.


    I hold her tighter, trying to calm her, my hand running up and down her arm. “Tessa. It’s just a dream. It’s okay.”


    But the groaning continues, growing louder, more frantic. She starts mumbling, but I can’t make out the words, though the distress in her voice is clear. I flick on the bedsidemp, a warm glow cutting through the dark.


    “Tessa.” I shake her gently, trying to pull her from whatever hell she’s trapped in. “Wake up.”


    Her eyes flutter open. Confusion floods them at first, her exhales quick as she sits up. When she blinks again, reality clicks back into ce. Still, her chest heaves like she’s run miles. And all I can do is hold her, tighter than before, as if I can chase away whatever shadows tried to steal her from me.


    “Are you alright?” Tugging her to my chest, Iy us back down.


    She sighs and rxes against my chest, her hand finding its way to my bicep.


    “It’s just a dream,” she says, her voice still shaky. “One I’ve been having since I was younger. Except…” She can barely get the words out.


    “What is it?”


    She peers up at me, gaze searching mine, like she’s trying to decide whether to trust me with whatever it is she’s holding back.


    “I promise, whatever you have to say is safe with me.”


    For a moment, she closes her eyes, her lips trembling as if the words are too heavy to say out loud.


    “I don’t think it’s a dream,” she breathes, barely audible. “Whatever I’m seeing…I think it actually happened. And now my mind’s trying to make me remember.”


    I gently trace her arm, trying to rx her. “What is it about?”


    She pauses, her mouth pressed into a thin line. “I was little, hiding in a closet. Two men were arguing, one shouting at the other while my mother cried in the background. Then suddenly, I hear a gunshot. It was so loud. I can still…” Hershes flutter shut. “I can still feel my fear. See myself covering my ears, thinking it was all over.”


    She drags in a shaky inhale as she continues. “When the door opened, I thought the man would kill me. But instead, he reached for me. And I went with him even when I didn’t want to. That’s it. That’s all I remember.”


    A cold knot tightens in my stomach as her words sink in. My mind races, trying to piece it together. If one of those men hurt her, I’ll make them suffer for what they did.


    The fact that she could’ve been hurt… It fuels an intense desire to protect her, to shield her from everything, to make sure nothing ever hurts her again.


    “And you think all of that was real?”


    She nods, and I can see how much she believes it. “It feels like it’s connected to something bigger. Something I can’t remember, but need to.” She pauses, her eyes getting lost in thought before her attention returns to me. “My shrink thinks I should see a hypnotist. Do you think that’s stupid?”


    I consider it for a moment. “The mind’splicated. If it helps, why not? You have nothing to lose.”


    She finally rxes, the tension in her body easing as a small, uncertain smile tugs at her lips.


    “Okay. Maybe you’re right. Maybe it’ll help.” She pats my chest. “Good chat,” she adds, her tone a little lighter now. “I’ll make the appointment.”


    “See how well this marriage is going already?” A smirk twitches at my lips.


    She elbows me in my stomach, and I chuckle, yfully grunting.


    “Ouch. You’re tough for a tiny thing.”


    “I’m not tiny,” she snaps, narrowing her eyes at me.


    My grin widens, relishing the way she challenges me, the fire in her. “Yes, I remember. I’m just a big guy.”


    Before she can speak, I flip her beneath me, caging her in with my body. My weight hovers just above hers, every muscle throbbing with need.


    “What are you doing?” she breathes, the sound catching as I roll my hips between her thighs, aching to be inside her, wanting to make her forget everything that makes her hurt.


    “Breaking you.” My words are barely more than a growl against her throat, my hand slipping between us, feeling the warmth of her cunt, how wet she is for me already.


    I slide my curled fingers inside her, teasing her just enough to make her squirm. Her nails w into my back, dragging me closer as I kiss along her jaw, lingering there, tasting her skin. I grab her hips, flipping her onto her stomach and pulling her legs apart, holding her open and helpless. Rising on my knees, I catch her gaze from over her shoulder.


    One brutal thrust drives me deep into her pussy, and the sound she makes shreds what’s left of my control.


    The room explodes into motion. Filled with grunts, gasps, the sharp p of skin against skin. We’re chaos and hunger and passion, shing like we were built to destroy each other and love each wrecked piece in the aftermath.


    She arches beneath me, wild and furious, and I match her with every ruthless stroke.


    This isn’t just sex. It’s war. It’s worship. It’s everything I’ve ever craved.


    And everything I never thought I’d have.