Mark lay on the bed, hands behind his head, staring at the ceiling. Ria was in the shower, washing away the evidence of their… enthusiastic afternoon delight.

  He felt… lighter.

  The restless energy that had been buzzing beneath his skin for weeks, ever since that damn dream, had finally dissipated, replaced by a sense of calm, a clarity he hadn’t realized he’d been missing. Maybe I’m finally getting my head straight.

  The whispers in his mind had quieted, the shadows receded, and the world seemed… sharper, more defined. He felt more like himself, more in control. I needed that.

  The bathroom door opened, and Ria padded across the room, her naked body still damp from the shower. She flopped onto the bed beside him, her skin warm and soft against his.

  Silence hung between them for a moment, a comfortable kind.

  “So…. how was the surprise?”

  “Amazing,” Mark grinned. “Never thought I’d be so into anal, but damn it was awesome.”

  “Me neither,” she chuckled. “Turns out, I kinda like having your big cock up my ass.”

  “You were pretty nervous, weren’t you?” He said, noticing the way her fingers traced a pattern on his chest, a nervous habit he’d come to recognize.

  “I was. I’ve never… done anything like that before. I wanted to surprise you, but I was also scared. What if you didn’t like it?”

  “Didn’t like it?” He chuckled, pulling her closer, his lips finding hers in a soft kiss. “Ria, that was the hottest thing ever. You, on your knees, begging me to fuck your ass… God, you have no idea how fucking hot and sexy that was.”

  “I’m glad you liked it, baby,” She purred, her fingers trailing a playful path down his stomach. “Maybe next time, I’ll surprise you with something… even more… adventurous.”

  “Really? What do you have in mind?”

  “Where’s the fun if I just tell you? You’ll have to wait and see.”

  “You’re such a tease.”

  “I just like to keep you on your toes.”

  “You definitely do that,” Mark chuckled, giving her ass a hard squeeze.

  “Ahh!” She gasped.

  His touch softened, “Did I hurt you?”

  “No, baby. I loved it. Just a little sore, that’s all. Worth it, though.”

  “I never want to hurt you.”

  “And you haven’t, trust me. I love it when you get rough. When you take control. When you push my boundaries. It’s… hot. Seeing that side of you, the way you lose yourself in the moment, the way you… own me… it’s the most amazing feeling.”

  “As long as you’re okay with it.”

  “You know I love a little pain with my pleasure,” she purred, her tongue tracing a playful path along his lower lip.

  “I’m starting to realize that,” he chuckled, his hand tracing the curve of her spine. He loved how she surrendered to him, how she trusted him to take her to the edge, and beyond.

  “So did you like it? In your ass?”

  “What, you couldn’t tell by the way I was screaming?”

  “Just wanted to hear you say it.”

  “I fucking loved it, Mark. The burn… the fullness… the way you stretched me…” She shivered. “…it was so dirty, so nasty…”

  “I’m glad,” he kissed her cheek. “Very glad.”

  Ria snuggled closer, her head resting on his chest. “You’re amazing, Mark. Gentle and loving one minute, rough and dominant the next… It’s… perfect. You know exactly how to take care of me.”

  He kissed the top of her head, wrapping his arms around her, “That’s because I love you.”

  She looked up, surprise in her eyes. He realized he’d never said it out loud before.

  “I love you too, Mark,” she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. “So much.” She leaned in, capturing his lips in a deep, passionate kiss, pouring all her love, all her adoration.

  “I love you. I love you. I love you…” she murmured against his lips, her words a soft chant.

  He held her tight, kissing her back with a fervor that surprised even himself.

  “I know, baby,” he whispered against her lips. “And I love you, too. More than words can say.” He pulled back slightly. “I can’t imagine my life without you.”

  Ria’s face softened, her eyes shining. A tear trickled down her cheek, and she quickly wiped it away, a self-conscious laugh escaping her lips.

  “Damn it,” she muttered, shaking her head. “Now you’re making me cry.”

  He squeezed her close, nuzzling into her hair, feeling a rush of emotions he never knew he had in him.

  Suddenly, Ria let out a giggle that made him pull back, his brow furrowed in confusion.

  “What?”

  “Nothing,” she said, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “Just… did you need me to give up my backdoor before you could say those three little words?”

  Mark burst out laughing, shaking his head. This girl. “I’m not that much of a pervert.”

  “I don’t know about that. My ass vehemently disagrees with you.”

  His laughter doubled, and he pulled her close, their lips meeting in a deep, melting kiss. “You’re such a minx.”

  “I can’t help it,” she purred against his lips. “You bring out the wild side in me.”

  Ria tucked closer, her body warm and pliant against his.

  Mark felt a sense of contentment, of gratitude, for this moment, for this connection, for this incredible girl who had turned his world upside down. I’m so fucking lucky.

  The shrill ringing of Ria’s phone shattered the peaceful silence.

  “Ugh, who is that?” She groaned, pulling away from him, her voice laced with annoyance. She reached for her phone on the nightstand. “Hello?”

  He relaxed as she answered the call, his gaze drifting to the ceiling, his mind racing.

  In just a few days, his life had taken a sharp turn into unknown territory. The woman he loved was now intertwined with his existence, their connection a double-edged sword of thrill and trepidation.

  Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  It was like diving into deep, uncharted waters; the excitement of what lay beneath was matched only by the fear of what might lurk in the depths.

  “Yeah, it’s… it’s no big deal,” Ria’s voice snapped him out of his thoughts.

  He turned his attention back to her, his gaze lingering on the marks he’d left on her body - the red handprints on her ass, the finger-shaped bruises on her hips, red blotches, and love bites that dotted her neck and breasts.

  I went a little crazy, didn’t I? He felt a surge of possessive pride, followed by a pang of guilt. Hope I didn’t hurt her too much.

  He leaned over, pressing a soft kiss to her hip, the skin there tender.

  Ria, still talking on the phone, ran her fingers through his hair, a small smile playing on her lips.

  Mark continued his exploration, his lips trailing down her stomach, sucking gently on the soft skin, leaving a new mark.

  “Mark… stop it…” She hissed, trying to push him away, but he just grinned, his tongue tracing a playful path across her belly button. She squirmed, her laughter mixing with the hushed tones of her phone conversation.

  He moved lower, his mouth finding the sensitive skin of her inner thigh, his tongue teasing, tasting. Ria’s breath hitched, her voice becoming breathless as she struggled to maintain her composure.

  He suddenly pushed her back onto the bed.

  “Markkk…!”

  “You look so damn sexy like this.”

  She glanced down at herself, then back at him, eyebrow raised, “You mean when I’m all messy and covered in your hickeys?”

  “Hell yeah,” he murmured, kissing her stomach.

  She giggled, “Well, I don’t feel sexy. Now stop, I’m on the phone–”

  “And miss out on this view? No way,” he grinned flipping her onto her stomach.

  “What are you doing?” she yelped.

  He kissed her ass cheeks, savoring the soft, yielding flesh, the way she shivered beneath his touch.

  “Mark! Stop it! I’m not a lollipop!”

  “You’re better than a lollipop,” he continued his assault, his tongue tracing a slow, wet path between her cheeks. “You’re a delicious, juicy, addictive lollipop, and I can’t get enough of you.”

  Ria, her laughter turning into a breathless giggle, finally gave up. “I gotta go,” she said into the phone. “I’ll call you back later.”

  His lips left a trail of hot, soothing kisses over her tender skin.

  She moaned softly, her body melting into the mattress like clay.

  “Mark… seriously… stop it…” she giggled, squirming.

  “I thought you loved when I played with your delicious ass.”

  “I do, but… not now. You’re going to give me a complex.”

  “Sorry, no can do, your ass is irresistible.”

  “If you keep that up, I’m putting a warning sign on my butt.”

  “As if that would stop me.”

  “You’re so bad,” she teased, arching her back slightly, giving him better access.

  Mark continued his playful assault, his hands molding her cheeks, squeezing, fingers tracing the red marks. He kissed, and licked, giving her playful bites, making her gasp.

  “I love seeing your butt like this. All red and swollen from my handprints. It’s such a turn-on.”

  “You just can’t get enough, can you?”

  Mark chuckled, nipping her ass playfully making her gasp.

  “Never,” he purred. “You know what they say about a red ass, right?”

  “What do they say?”

  “It’s the hallmark of a naughty girl.”

  “Well, you’re the artist behind this masterpiece,” Ria said, wiggling her hips.

  I can’t help it,” he said, kissing her hip. “You just look so damn sexy when you’re being punished.”

  She turned, meeting his gaze, “If you’re so fond of it, maybe I should misbehave more often.”

  “I wouldn’t complain.”

  “Well, as much as I’m enjoying being your personal pillow, I’d rather—”

  Mark chuckled, climbing back up the bed, pulling her into his arms.

  She nestled closer, her body molding against his, the phone call long forgotten. They talked for a while, about their day, about their plans for the weekend, about everything and nothing. The easy intimacy of their conversation, the comfortable silence that settled between them… it was addictive.

  “I’m so glad we have each other,” she said, her fingers tracing lazy circles on his chest. “I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

  He smiled, stroking her hair. “Me neither. You make everything… better, Ria.”

  “You’re just saying that because I rock your world in bed.”

  “Well, that’s definitely a big part of it,” Mark admitted, grinning. “But you also make me laugh, you challenge me… you just make life… brighter.”

  “I feel the same way about you, baby.”

  “Well, I’m glad I could provide some inspiration,” he teased. “Maybe I should start a new business. ‘Mark’s Magic Ass-Kissing Services.’ What do you think?”

  Ria burst out laughing. “I’m not sure how successful that would be. Your target market might be a little… niche.”

  “You never know. Some people pay a premium for specialized services.”

  “And you consider ass-kissing a specialized service?”

  “Hey, I’m pretty damn good at it. Come on, rate my performance. One to ten.”

  “Hmm, I’ll give you a solid eight.”

  “An eight? That’s it? After all that effort?”

  “Don’t worry, you still have room for improvement,” she teased, kissing him on the nose.

  “Challenge accepted. Any other services you’d like to critique?”

  “Let’s not get carried away. I don’t want to inflate your ego too much.”

  “Too late.”

  “Oh god, I don’t even want to know what kind of ‘services’ you’re talking about.”

  “Well, there’s the basic package - a few good smacks. Then there’s the deluxe - some biting and nibbling. And for the truly adventurous, the platinum - I’ll do pretty much anything you want.”

  “Packages, huh? You’re really taking this seriously.”

  “I’m a professional, Ria. Client satisfaction is my top priority. If those don’t tickle your fancy, how about the ‘Backdoor Booty Blast,’ the ‘Spanking Spectacular,’ or the ‘Butt Buffing Bonanza’?”

  “You’re lucky you’re cute,” she said, shaking her head.

  “Just providing excellent customer service.”

  Ria laughed, then turned serious. “But really, Mark… thank you. For everything.”

  “What are you thanking me for?”

  “For making me feel… safe. Cherished. Loved.” She paused, her gaze locking with his. “You’re special, Mark. Don’t forget that.”

  “I love you, Ria.” He leaned down, kissing her gently.

  “I love you too,” she whispered, snuggling closer, content and happy in his arms.

  After a few minutes, Ria’s breathing evened out as she drifted off to sleep. Mark watched her, a smile playing on his lips.

  He knew things wouldn’t always be this easy, this perfect, aware of life’s potential messiness. But right now, with Ria sleeping peacefully in his arms, he felt a sense of contentment, of belonging, that he had never known before.

  * * *

  The flickering neon sign of the bar cast a sickly glow on the rain-slicked street. Lida killed the engine, her knuckles white against the steering wheel. She took a deep breath, the damp night air doing little to soothe the knot of anxiety that twisted in her gut.

  Inside, the warm air and the low hum of conversation were a stark contrast to the chill that had settled in her bones. She shrugged off her coat, the weight on her shoulders, however, refusing to budge. She slid into a secluded booth, the worn leather a familiar comfort.

  As she sat, her eyes wandered to the rain-streaked window, but her thoughts were elsewhere—fragmented, chaotic, like shards of glass in a kaleidoscope.

  She had been meticulous, calculating every move, every decision, every sacrifice to ensure a certain future. A future that now seemed to be unraveling like a poorly knit sweater, each loose thread pulling her further away from the life she had envisioned.

  Her eyes flickered to the entrance as the door creaked open, admitting another soul seeking refuge from the night. She watched as he scanned the room, his eyes finally meeting hers.

  With a sigh, she waved him over.

  “You’re late.”

  “I know, I know, the traffic was…”

  “Traffic is not a new phenomenon, Vizi. You’re always late, and it’s not just about tonight. It’s a pattern, a habit.”

  “I’ve missed your lectures, Lida,” he said, a wry smile playing on his lips. “Some things never change.”

  “Unfortunately,” Lida sighed, picking up the menu. “But some things should.”

  “You’re awfully pensive tonight. What’s got you so wound up?”

  “Did you talk to Adira?”

  “I did. Crescent won’t be bothering Mark anymore.”

  “And you think that’s enough? That they’ll just back off? Just like that?”

  “They got the message, Lida. Seriously, relax. It’s handled.”

  “You don’t understand, Vizi. It’s not just Crescent. It’s this whole other side of the world he is getting tangled up in. And I don’t like it. Not one bit.”

  “He seems capable enough. Took down Elia and his crew pretty easily, didn’t he? Even without his lightning.”

  She sighed, her eyes filled with a mixture of worry and resignation. “That’s not the point, Vizi. Yes, he’s capable. But that doesn’t mean he should have to be. He shouldn’t have to deal with any of this. This world… it’s not for him.”

  “You can’t protect him forever. Maybe you shouldn’t. Maybe he needs to face these things, to become who he’s meant to be.”

  “And what if who he’s meant to be… isn’t who he wants to be? What then?”

  “Then he’ll have a choice to make. Just like we all do. Not everyone’s as… unwavering as you, Lida. The kid seems alright. Level-headed. He’ll figure it out.”

  “You’ve met him?”

  “We crossed paths. Before I went to… smooth things over with Adira.”

  “And?”

  Vizi chuckled. “I was tempted to tell him some stories about how barbaric his aunt was during her younger days. How you used to terrorize the local bars.”

  “You didn’t.”

  “He turned down the offer. Said he respected your privacy. Seems like you’ve done a good job raising him.”

  “Of course, I have.”

  “Don’t look so smug, Lida.”

  “Well, some virtues are worth instilling. Unlike punctuality, it seems.”

  “You never let me off the hook, do you?”

  “Why should I?”

  Vizi’s expression turned serious, the earlier levity vanishing. “What will you do when he finds out?”

  “I don’t know,” her laughter was hollow. “I really don’t.”

  “Will you ever tell him the truth?”

  “Tell him what? That the life he’s been living is a lie? That I’m the reason for his pain?”

  “He’s going to find out eventually, Lida. These things always have a way of surfacing.”

  “I know that.”

  “He’ll find out you’re responsible for his parents’ deaths. How do you think he’ll react to that?”

  Lida met his gaze. “I know, Vizi. And it’s a burden I’ll carry. But until then… I’ll do what I have to do. I can’t abandon my duty. Not now. Not after all this time.”