Page 79 of The Lazarov Bratva

“Do you want to go home?”

My question has Alena’s fork pausing mid-air, and her eyes flick up to meet mine.

“Honestly?” She takes a deep breath. “No. But… every so often, a voice in my head tells me I should want to. That I shouldn’t want to be here or even enjoy being here.”

My gut clenches. “You enjoy being here?”

Alena’s cheeks darken. “Isn’t it obvious?”

“Good girl.”

As we finish up the pasta, my mind runs. Alena genuinely seems to want to be here, but I am aware that it could just be the excitement of being away from home and living a rebellious fantasy. Only time will tell how much truth there is in her words, but one thing is for sure.

I’m never letting her go.

After clearing the plates, I return to the table with a small wicker bowl of fresh strawberries and a small pot of cream. Sitting next to Alena, I gently brush her hair away from her shoulder and dip one strawberry into the cream. When I offer it out to her, she moves to take it, but I hold it away and tsk softly.

“No. Just eat.”

Her dark eyes flick slowly between me and the strawberry. Then, while holding eye contact, she leans forward and wraps her full lips around the berry, taking a slow bite.

Heat rushes to my cock.

“I have a few house rules.”

Alena doesn’t look surprised.

“You are to remain in your room at all times, especially when I’m not here. The library is the only other room you’re permitted to go into when I’m not here. You can wander the rest of the house as long as I am with you. Do you understand?”

“Yes.”

I slowly dip another strawberry and offer it to her. Alena leans forward and bites the same way, only this time, her tongue darts out to catch some stray cream on the side of her mouth. My cock stirs beneath my jeans.

“After tonight, you will continue to be naked at all times for me unless I grant you something for a special occasion. The house will be warm enough that you will be comfortable, and I will have an entertainment system set up for you.”

“As long as I have my books, I will be happy.”

Another cream-slathered strawberry is offered to her, and she takes it greedily, her tongue lapping at my fingertips as she leans away.

My brow dips slightly. “You really love to read, don’t you?”

“It’s quiet. I can lose myself in a hundred different worlds from the comfort of my bed. What’s not to like?”

“The library is yours.”

The smile she gives me is so warm, so genuine that it jolts my heart slightly.

“What about you?” Alena asks softly. “What do you do to unwind?”

I scoff slightly, coating the last berry. “I fuck you.”

“And before me?”

I offer the berry to her, and she eats it slowly, her eyes never leaving me.

“I like to keep active. My work for your father doesn’t leave much space for hobbies.”

“There’s nothing at all you do for fun?” She sounds surprised, and she raises an interesting point. Alcohol is probably the only thing that has calmed me in the past.

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