Page 59 of Sinful Promise

“It beats being at home. I’m just not used to being waited on. Having someone else wash my panties feels weird. Everything else is great, the food, the fresh air, the activities. I could go on and on.” She talks rapidly, and I hear the genuine happiness in her voice.

We walk past local fishing boats unloading their early-morning catch. A flock of seagulls lands, looking for scraps from fishermen. We cross the street to avoid getting pecked or pooped on.

Dasha is always on my mind. I won’t soon forget the scorching-hot sex we enjoyed outside on the deck. Between her responsive body and the way her pussy clenched around my cock, I almost didn’t pull out in time.

Sometimes, the mishaps in life bring the greatest rewards. We were two lost souls when we met. I was looking for revenge, and she was looking for an escape. Unbeknownst to me, I found my enemy’s daughter, who happens to be promised to the man we suspect of killing my father. That’s the silver lining: two birds, one stone.

I’m smitten with Dasha. She is mine to hold, mine to fuck and my property.

Her presence, her smile, and her humor are entertaining. She doesn’t look at me like I’m a murderer. She’s not afraid to tease me. Before Dasha came along, there was an emptiness inside me. I never wanted to be seen as weak and focused on work instead of relationships. My heart was small. I would sacrifice myself for my brothers and my mother. Yes, they are family. However the thought of what Andrian would or could do to her is unacceptable. I’d give my life to save hers. She didn’t ask for this life.

I had to have her again when I woke her up last night. I can’t get my fill of her. Even now, just holding her hand, I’m turned on by the thought of her red-painted lips around my cock. The thoughts of her under me, over me, beside me, well, it’s sublime. She’s coming out of her shell, and I love her sense of humor. She’s becoming her own person. She’s not afraid of me. If anything, she desires our physical contact as much as I do.

Dasha is different from the women I’ve been linked with in the past. Women like Nadia are used to flying first class and vacationing on yachts. If not me, some other billionaire will pick them up. Men with money like having pretty things. It just so happens those pretty girls like the lifestyle. They spend their youth surrounded by people who cater to them and their every whim. Unfortunately, those one-dimensional creatures are as boring as dry toast. They have nothing to say. They never enjoy eating food. They subsist on ice chips and champagne.

My shallow arrangement with them worked primarily because I’m a commitment-phobe, and I was fine with a string of one-night stands. When I’m horny, I show up at some society party, where I find plenty of beautiful women looking for an opportunity. The rules are set. I know what they will say, and that they will do whatever it takes to ride my cock. But it’s redundant. I use condoms so that I won’t be trapped by pregnancy.

Women, even the ones I’m fucking, are not allowed to spend the night at my house. I like to be in control of my environment. I have secrets I can’t share. But with Dasha, I see the potential of a life partner.

But this is a critical time in my life and in that of my family, and that’s a problem. I have to remain focused for us to all come out of this ordeal alive. I’ve never had so much at stake and hinging on one hit. Andrian has to die. Ratmim, too, but Dasha may never forgive me if I take out her father. I hope he won’t be with Andrian when I strike.

This is how love changes us. If it weren’t for Dasha, I would never second-guess taking his life. My feelings for her complicate the situation. I’m a monster, and yet Dasha seems to like me. Will she still feel the same if I kill her father or brothers?

The odds of us meeting were never great. I’ve gone from being a stone-cold loner, never caring if a woman was in my bed, to holding her all night in my arms. When she touches me, I burn with desire. She’s in my mind, in my heart, and in my soul. I’m obsessed.

“The port is full,” she comments, and I focus on finding the direction we need to walk.

The streets are crawling with large groups of tourists speaking German, French, and English, all of whom are here for the day. They stroll leisurely through the streets without a care in the world. Children carry cones of gelato melting over their hands.

This could be an extremely dangerous situation if anyone here intends to harm us. My heart rate increases, and I realize I’ve been holding my breath. Now I know what my brothers go through when they are out with their wives.

I pause at a street corner. Our joined hands prevent Dasha from crossing the street. She wasn’t willing to drop my hand to continue without me. I take this as a sign that she cares for me.

“What is it?” she asks.

I look around, scanning the streets, the port, and the horizon until my unease passes. “That ferry is coming here from the mainland. We’ll have to visit Florence one day. I think you’d love it.”

“You talk of things in the future as if you know we’ll survive Andrian.” She begins the conversation I’ve been avoiding. Is she concerned for my safety?

“This is what I do, Dasha. I’m not a nice man. I worry you won’t like me when you learn what I’m capable of. I’m not much different from the men you’ve grown up with. I’m not good with words—I’m good with weapons. I protect my family and our interests.”

We walk on. She’s quiet, and it worries me.

“All I care about is the man you are when you’re with me,” she says finally. “I don’t want you hurting women and children. But if you hurt men who deserve it, I understand.”

I stop walking and pull her into my arms, kissing her full on the mouth in the middle of the sidewalk in front of my friends. I claim her as mine, and I’ve never been happier.

Her lips are warm. My kiss deepens, and my tongue dances with hers until I pull away, breathless. I turn to walk, taking hold of her hand. I tell myself it’s to keep her safe. However, she’s mine; now, every man knows not to touch her.

The midmorning sun reflects off the azure water and dances off the buildings around us. The atmosphere is alive with a festive buzz.

“This island is so beautiful. Have you ever seen anything prettier?” Dasha asks.

I stop to wait for the others to catch up to us. My guard is behind us.

I look down into her eyes, dark and drowsy from my kiss. I slip a finger under her chin, gently tilting her head so her eyes have no choice but to meet mine. “Nothing is as beautiful as you, my love.”

Alex and Irina finally catch up to us.

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