Chapter 213: The Past [19]

[Music: Bye - Slowed By Altare]

ZADE

I tucked the cigar between my lips, then used the gold Zippo to light the bottom, and it burned angry red.

I shoved the lighter back into my suit and took a slow drag. A moment later, I moved the cigar to the ashtray beside the sofa and lightly tapped it against the edge, knocking off the ash.

But then, the soft click stole my attention. My gaze dropped to a pair of beautiful heels, then slowly traveled up to her porcelain legs.

I dragged my eyes higher until they landed on Anastasia, standing there so prettily, as though she were waiting for approval.

She was... nervous. Compared to how withdrawn she had acted earlier, this was a much-needed change.

"Come closer."

Her tension was evident, but that doesn’t mean she had decided to obey me, and that alone brought a smile to my lips.

I’m gonna enjoy teaching her... lessons. The image of her backside red with my hand imprint hasn’t left my mind, and I was determined to recreate that scene.

But it’d be even sweeter when punishing a little brat. I want more of her sassy stubbornness.

"Well?" She cleared her throat. "At least tell me how I look. I spent hours sorting for this dress."

"You look beautiful in anything you wear. Even a trash can."

She snorted. "That’s the least romantic thing anyone has ever told me."

"I wasn’t trying to be romantic, kitten. Just stating facts no one can argue with me, and if they do. I’ll shove the muzzle of my gun down their throat."

Her eyes widened in shock, and her lips parted. Maybe I went too far, but then again, I was speaking facts.

I did have fun cutting the skin off the last man who dared to gape at her ass, and yes, he did eye her ass, so I made sure he’d never use his eyes again.

I have acted pretty tame around Anastasia, to ease her in... but it was becoming far too much fun when the color drained from her face only to come back up, and wild desire would settle in those stunning gray eyes.

"You’re joking."

I couldn’t help the soft laugh that rolled off me. "If you say so."

She bit her lip, and I felt a twitch in my pants. Fuck.

"I-I know you’re a Don and that you have done some nasty things..."

This topic interested me especially when I had been wondering when she was gonna bring it up. She came to my company with her sister. The reason? I don’t give a fuck, but I knew that interview was a camouflage. However, I was concerned about something.

The spike of her inferiority complex when her sister was around. That confidence she always displayed was gone, and she was like a trapped animal.

I fucking hated that.

"And dangerous things..."

Her words found me again, and I brought the cigar to my lips. "But...?"

Her eyes connected with mine; she had either looked at my nose or my lips, but now she wasn’t too nervous to avert her gaze.

"I still want you."

Smoke unfurled from my lips. I waited, calm and amused, but I had never felt my heart race as much as it does now.

It only did when I put a bullet through my enemies’ skulls, but having this woman in front of me drag this kind of reaction with just four simple words, I knew she was gonna be the death of me.

And not much could kill me. I’d smoked all kinds of shit, and here I was still standing. But her... she could stop breathing, and the air from my lungs would cease. Another fact.

"Now you wanna admit what you want?" I teased as smoke swirled from my nostrils. "What changed? I’m curious, little kitten."

Compared to the last few hours she fought with herself, she seemed different now... which means I was right. That inferiority only happens whenever her sister was in orbit; just one meeting was enough to tell me what I needed to know.

"Only because I know you want me, too."

I narrowed my eyes when I caught something. "Is that something new for you, Anastasia?"

Her fingers intertwined nervously, and I saw the dread in her eyes. She was scared to tell me. No... she doesn’t want me to see how vulnerable that makes her feel.

So I tried a different approach.

"Do you wanna know what it feels like to be wanted?"

There was a sparkle in her gaze, and my lips stretched widely. She didn’t need to answer.

"Come closer, and sit on my lap."

Her hands stayed stiff at her sides, slowly curling into fists before she finally forced herself to move.

The moment she was within arm’s reach, I was quick to snatch her wrist and bring her down onto my lap.

She hissed, face twisting in pain and my grin broadened.

"Your ass still hurts, doesn’t it? Good. Let that serve as a reminder of who you belong to."

She clenched my suit and leaned close. "And you? Do you belong to me?"

There was a desperate look in her eyes.

"A woman has never owned me before. I guess there’s a first time for everything."

She giggled, then kissed me before pulling away.

"How long have you been smoking?"

I brought the cigar close, but she took it for me and dumped it in the ashtray.

"Smoking isn’t good for your health."

"Neither are you, but you don’t see me stopping."

She blushed.

"I have a question for you..." I began, using my hand to stroke her back, exposed because of the style of her dress.

"A-About what?"

"Why were you so sure I was gonna choose Annabeth over you?"

Her smile faded quickly, and when she tried to come off my lap, my grip tightened around her waist.

"Don’t avoid it. Answer."

"It’s not that simple."

"I never said it was difficult."

She gulped, and I placed a hand under her chin so that her eyes were on me only and nothing else. That vulnerability was there again, but her lips parted.

"Because it always happens. The universe always works in her favor."

"That’s a load of bullshit."

She blinked, taken aback by my words.

"The universe is a fucked up place already. Whether it works or not in your favor is up to you, not anyone else."

She nodded, not saying a word.

"Time for our date."

~☆~

Anastasia kept stealing glances, barely eating as though the last thing on her mind was food.

I haven’t touched mine. Instead, I found myself content simply watching her... taking in every little movement she made.

"How’s the food?" I asked.

She cleared her throat. "Good. Compliments to the chef."

I grinned. "I’ll be sure to give Ricky that."

She eyed the calla lilies on the vase and smiled softly, bringing the fork to her mouth and taking a bite, chewing slowly.

I tilted my head, silently urging her to say what had been on her mind ever since the course had been brought in. Catching my gesture, she set her silverware down.

"May I come closer?"

"You don’t need to ask, kitten."

She pushed to her feet instantly, but then she did something I didn’t expect. She climbed onto the table on all fours and crawled toward me.

The table trembled beneath her weight, sending the silverware and plates clattering against one another.

When she reached my end of the table, she shifted my plate aside and settled herself in its place.

"That was a bit dramatic, don’t you think?" I said, amused.

I fucking loved it.

"But you like it, don’t you?"

"You don’t mind the audience either."

My men were present, but I don’t think Anastasia considered that. She was too engrossed with me.

I pushed to my feet and yanked her legs apart, drawing her close.

"I don’t mind an audience. It’s just you and me." She rasped just in time as I covered her lips with mine.

It was quick, consuming, but it wasn’t enough to sate the hunger. With a tug, my tie came off, and she tossed it somewhere.

"And here I thought you weren’t hungry," I spoke against her lips.

Her cheeks turned red. "I-It’s all your fault."

She yelped when I brought her closer, her legs spreading wider.

"Zade..." She glanced toward my men, and I almost laughed at the idea of her finally grasping her surroundings.

Her breathing hitched when my fingers curled around her panties, and with a tug they ripped.

I kissed her again, more deeply this time, and she moaned wildly. I moved my lips to her neck, sucking her skin, making sure I left a mark.

"Zade," she moaned softly.

From the corner of my eyes, I caught the sudden movement of my men, their hands dropping to their waistbands as they reached for their guns.

"Get down."

"What?" she asked confused when I suddenly pulled away.

"Now!"

The sharpness in my voice left no room for questions. In one swift motion, I reached beneath the table, ripped the gun from where it was secured, and cocked it.

The sharp click cut through the air, then gunshots rang out.