Page 15 of The Debt

“Fuck me,” The soft curse escaped her lips as her gaze dropped to his mouth. Shards of heat spiked through her core at the memory of it trailing fire across her skin. Her pulse quickened, and a sharp breath hissed through her teeth as she felt herself becoming unhinged when her clit started to throb in erotic demand.

He wore confidence like armor molded to his frame—skintight and hugging every delectable muscle rippling under the white silk shirt that was unbuttoned to mid-torso. She judged him to be in his forties. He had the look of a man who not only commanded attention but expected it. Power radiated from him in waves—the essence of a true Dominant evident in every controlled movement.

“Master Hades,” she managed, proud that her voice remained steady despite her racing heart.

“I’m delighted that you remember me,” he drawled, moving so close, she could feel the heat radiating from his body. The low timbre of his voice resonated through her, continuing to awaken parts of her that had lain dormant since their last encounter. “I had hoped you might honor me with another night like the night we met.” His voice dropped to the same commanding tone that had haunted her dreams. “It was... explosive, wouldn’t you say?”

Tatiana’s fingers tightened around the empty glass. Everything in her screamed to say yes and to surrender to the promise in those gray eyes. Yet, something made her hesitate. She had come here hoping to find him, true, but now that he stood before her, reality crashed in.

This man was dangerous—not to her physical safety, but to the carefully constructed walls around her heart. The way he seemed to see straight through her defenses, combined with how naturally she responded to his dominance... Master Hades could easily become more than just a Dominant who gave her release. He could become the one man capable of making her fall in love… even break her heart.

“I…” she started, then paused as he moved even closer. His presence overwhelmed her senses. Her head spun as his masculine scent—a heady mix of sandalwood, leather, and pure sex-god male—wrapped around her like a sensual cocoon.

“Trust your instincts, little Venus,” he said softly as he read her hesitation. “From the trapped look in your eyes, I hazard a guess that you’re in even more need to lose yourself in a cloud of euphoria than the previous time we scened.”

A sensation crawled down her spine like ice water melting, leaving goosebumps in its wake. Her breath caught as that familiar confusion of excitement and fear coiled in her belly—the same feeling you get right before the first drop on a roller coaster when you know it’s too late to back out and your body can’t decide if it’s terrified or thrilled. Suddenly, her skin felt too tight, too sensitive, like it was waiting for his touch.

How did he do that? How did he strip away her carefully constructed armor with just a few words? Tatiana Polov, who could stare down board members and close million-dollar deals without breaking a sweat, felt completely exposed under his penetrating gaze.

“I’m not all that comfortable with your ability to see into my soul, Master Hades,” she admitted. Her husky voice betrayed her vulnerability. It was inconceivable that he could reduce her to this quivering mass of need without even touching her. No man had ever wielded such power over her—and that terrified her as much as it thrilled her.

“There’s no shame in admitting we are vulnerable beings, little one.” His words caressed her skin like velvet over steel. “It’s human nature to hide what we feel and truly need behind a façade of assertiveness, and worse... the zealous chasing of unattainable dreams.” He moved closer still, his warm breath brushing against the hair at her temple. Tingles of anticipation raced down her spine. “Be brave, my little Venus... like you were two months ago.”

Just like that, her resistance crumbled. Her head fell back against his shoulder as he wrapped a muscled arm around her waist to pull her tight against his hard chest. The solid wall of his body against her back made her feel safe but also desperately aroused. His lips traced a path of seduction along the side of her throat. Each sensual kiss was a spark of electricity that shot straight to her core. When he reached her ear and teased the lobe with gentle nips, her knees turned to rubber.

“Bravery is a reward to those who never allow fear to overcome them,” he murmured against her skin. His words struck a chord deep in her soul. “All you need to do is take my hand, and I will guide you to heights you never imagined possible.”

His words resonated with something deep inside her. Bravery—it had always been her shield, her weapon in the corporate world and standing up against her grandfather. But this was different. This kind of courage required her to be vulnerable, to let go of control, and to trust not just him but herself. And somehow, that seemed like the most fearless act of all.

She melted further into his embrace, with her body turning limbless in his grasp. Every point of contact between them sparked with static, and every breath she took was filled with his scent. She could feel the beat of her heart pulsing in time with his. The strong, independent woman she portrayed to the world dissolved, leaving behind just the sub Venus—raw, needy, and desperately wanting what he promised to give her.

You can do this, Tatiana. It’s why you’re here. Pull up your granny pants and just leap! Perhaps the time has come to open yourself to live… really live life for a change.

Taking a deep breath, she took his hand. The simple action felt monumental—a surrender, a beginning, and a leap of faith into the unknown. His warm fingers closed around hers. The slight calluses on his palm were a reminder that he was different from the men she had met through her grandfather.

“Oh,” she gasped as the connection sparked something primal inside her. It was the carnal feline that recognized and responded to his dominance on a visceral level.

“Yes, little one… oh,” he said with a tender smile. Their eyes met in the purple-tinged light of the club. Her breath caught. She saw desire there, yes, but also understanding, control, and perhaps a promise of something deeper she wasn’t ready to name.

His thumb traced slow circles on the inside of her wrist. The gentle touch was at odds with the power she could feel coiled within him. It was a reminder of how carefully he wielded his strength—like a master swordsman who knew exactly how much pressure to apply for maximum effect.

“Good girl,” he murmured. “I’m proud of you, little Venus.” His voice dropped to that dark velvet tone that seemed to bypass her brain and speak directly to her body. The praise shouldn’t have affected her so strongly—she was a powerful businesswoman who answered to no one—yet those two simple words made her inner muscles clench with need.

“You proved to me already that I can trust you with my body and my needs, Master Hades.” Exhaling slowly, she took the plunge. “I pray that you will tread with care on the path we’re about to take.”

His eyes narrowed, but it was so slight, she might have imagined it. Her world diminished to the point where their bodies connected—his hand holding hers, his chest pressing against her back, and his breath warm on her neck. The rest of the club faded away, along with the music, the other members, and the carefully cultivated atmosphere—all of it disappeared until there was nothing left but the two of them and the intoxicating current of anticipation humming between them.

“I am a crusader, my pet, and I have been searching far and wide for the one who will be my destiny.” He brushed his fingers over her cheek, ending with a seductive caress against her lips. “I believe my quest has finally brought me to this moment… to you.”

“I… you…”

His fingers against her lips silenced her. “Don’t overthink it, Venus. Just live for the moment. Let passion lead you… not only with desire but in everything you do.”

At that moment, Tatiana realized she had passed the point of no return. It didn’t matter that she knew nothing about him—not his real name or where he came from. All she knew was that, for once in her life, she listened to the quiet murmurs of her soul. Whatever happened next would be profound… and change her forever.

Who am I fooling? It already changed me… two months ago!

For once in her life, she didn’t want to analyze, didn’t want to strategize, and she definitely didn’t want to be in control.

---