Page 6 of Cruel Dominion

“Stop,” I hissed, peeling her arms from around my neck. She smelled of expensive perfumes and body butter. The scent of ylang-ylang was offensive on her skin in a way that made my stomach roil and heat rise up my neck.

She was going to have to take a shower.

“Let me take your bag for you—” she said, reaching for my case.

“I said stop.”

She flinched back, confused.

“Didn’t they brief you?” I all but sneered. “I’m not interested in the girlfriend experience.”

“You paid me ten thousand dollars and flew me across the world to do what? Stand still and open my mouth?” she snapped.

I liked her better already.

“I paid you for a service.”

“Yes, they told me what you like.”

I tilted her chin up so she looked at me. “But apparently they didn’t tell you what I don’t like.”

Her throat bobbed.

“Go to the bedroom and wait for me, naked. I want you on the ground, kneeling next to the bed. Don’t move, don’t talk. Don’t do a thing until I come inside. Understand?”

She pursed her lips but nodded. I released her, and she left, going quietly to the bedroom.

“And take a shower!” I called, my nose still clogged with the scent of her.

She disappeared into the bedroom, and I cursed, taking my tie off and tossing it on the couch.

I paid a premium for these girls specifically so shit like that didn’t happen. No mistakes. No inconveniences. No bullshit.

She wasn’t with the agency I talked to, so she probably hadn’t been informed of my particular requests. This was the last time I’d risk it with an independent.

I dragged the back of my hand over my lips.

I didn’t want to kiss; I didn’t want to chat.

I didn’t pay girls to cuddle me and let me touch their hair, play-acting like they were excited and happy to see me. I paid to get off in the cleanest, most convenient way possible.

Not many girls could handle the things I wanted to do to them.

I glanced at the room where Katerina had gone. In a matter of seconds, she’d already pissed me off. I hated how the ghost of her kiss lingered on my lips and wanted to scrub them clean. I hadn’t kissed a woman since…

A roaring rushed in my ears and the edges of my vision dimmed as something hot and dark and aching rose up in my chest.

I leaned against the back of the couch and took a deep breath, trying to relax the tension in my jaw. I closed my eyes, imagining the ocean, being on the beach at night, hearing the water come up on the shore. I saw the moon full and big over the water. I felt the night breeze coming off the sea, smelled the fresh, salty air.

I didn’t let myself go further than that. Not tonight.

When my muscles unwound, I sighed and wet my dry mouth.

I opened my case and took out the cuffs and a condom, then pulled off my belt, taking the items with me as I pushed through the door to the bedroom. Katerina was on the floor, kneeling, naked, still damp from the shower, just like I’d told her. She looked up when I came in then immediately averted her gaze.

“Don’t touch me. Don’t speak unless I talk to you first. Understand?”

“Yes, sir.”

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