FORTY-SEVEN

Here she was again, in her room in Alexander’s penthouse. She couldn’t even begin to understand how it was that he had talked her into letting everything slide, and also following him back to the penthouse. Same went for how she wasn’t trying to run from him when she knew that he saw a dead woman in her every day; a dead woman whom he liked to punish.

She had tried her best to keep the thought out of her mind; she had tried not to think about it at all; she wanted to go on pretending like she knew absolutely nothing about Nadia or Alexander’s anger towards her. Things wouldn’t bother her too much if she didn’t think about them often.

Alexander had dropped her off at the penthouse before returning to the office, of course, she had brought Loki with her, and he seemed rather fascinated to be in yet another new space, he seemed genuinely happy as he ran about exploring the space with keen interest. She was almost jealous of him, almost jealous of how he didn’t have to worry about cramps or heartaches, or even losing his mind.

Knowing Alexander would return soon, she decided to order dinner for the both of them, things may not be smooth between them but they could at least share a meal like they used to before thing suddenly started spiraling out of control. Of course, it may not have seemed like it, but there were indeed times when things hadn’t been so intense between them; those were before her feeling got involved.

Somehow, she wished she could gather up everything she felt for Alexander and wash them down the drain to unburden herself.

Her order arrived just a few minutes before Alexander, she had had the time to set the table and wait for him while trying her best to let Loki distract her from her thoughts. Her heart fell heavily to the pit of her stomach on hearing the elevator ping softly, she raised her gaze in time to watch him step put of the elevator as the doors slid open smoothly.

She was even more surprised when Loki hurried over to him excitedly. She couldn’t blame the dog for liking him though, else she’d end up with an equal share of the blame. Her eyes widened slightly in awe on seeing his lips curve in a faint but genuine smile as he watched Loki advance towards him, she wished his smile wasn’t so rare.

Realizing that she was staring, she lowered her gaze to her flip-flops and cleared her throat quietly, awkwardly.

Why were things suddenly so awkward between them? Or was she just the one being awkward? Well could anyone really blame her for being awkward? She was here as a coping mechanism; here to be punished in place of a dead woman by a man whom she loved so much, maybe even too much.

“Seems like Loki has taken quite the liking to me.”

Her gaze snapped back to meet his immediately and she found him looking at her.

“He’s very friendly.” She replied quietly.

He nodded.

“I can see that.” He said. “Good evening.”

“Good evening.”

How was he so good at acting like nothing in the world was wrong? How was he so good at being super composed?

“Feeling better?” He asked her.

She nodded as she lowered her gaze from his.

Physically, she felt better. She also felt better emotionally, but mentally…..she felt like she was losing her mind.

“I ordered dinner; table’s all set.” She told him.

“Thank you, but you didn’t have to.” He replied.

She shook her head.

“I was hungry.”

“You didn’t need to wait for me.”

Her gaze flickered back to meet his and she found his gaze fixed on Loki, but she knew she had his attention.

“You didn’t want me to?” She asked him quietly.

His lips curved in a faint smirk and he shook his head.

“Alright then. I’ll freshen up quickly and join you.” He told her before he walked away with Loki trailing behind him.

And it was only when she was left alone again that she let herself breathe.

…..

Only the quiet sounds of silverware clicking against ceramic plates were heard as Alexander and Yalda had their dinner quietly. There was an unmistakable tension between them, and it grew with every passing second. Unable to take any more of it, Yalda decided to speak.

“How has the office been?” She asked him.

He swallowed before responding.

“Functional.” He replied.

She nodded consideringly.

“I’m…uh, I’m sorry you had to leave the soiree early because of me.” She said, she had only just thought about it.

He shook his head.

“It’s fine; the soiree was turning out to be quite irritating.” He replied.

She nodded once before taking a sip of her water.

“You looked lovely in your dress.” He told her.

So, he was finally complimenting her? She had literally worn that color because he asked her to.

“Thank you.” She replied

He set his fork down before carefully setting his half-empty plate aside.

“I don’t like this awkwardness.” He said as he leaned back into his seat.

The appetite she was trying to hold onto to suddenly went down the drain. She set her fork down and also pushed her plate aside before she faced him fully.

“Can it be any other way?” She asked him.

He nodded.

“It most definitely can.” He said. “I can have you sprawled out on this table right now.”

A sudden heat stabbed at the pit of her stomach but she forced it away.

“I’m on my period.” She reminded him.

“Yes, that’s what’s stopping me.” He said as he crossed a leg over the other. “But I do believe we can make out, don’t you?”

The heat stabbed again and she had to clenched her thighs on seeing his darkening eyes.

“Don’t you?” He asked again.

She shook her head.

‘I do.” She replied quietly.

And his lips curved in a sinister smile.

“Then come here, Yalda.” He said.

A shuddering breath left her as she pushed her seat back and stood up, she inched closer to him and he grabbed her wrist and pulled her closer. He uncrossed his legs before guiding her to straddle him, and though her heartbeat accelerated, she felt sated.

“Tell me where hurts. “ He said as his hands massaged her thighs sensually.

Would she ever get used to the feel of his hands feeling her up?

“No where in particular.” She replied. She couldn’t begin to explain that her back was stiff, as was her waist, or that her nipples were still a little sore. “Can you…be gentle?”

Her voice barely sounded and her question was heavy with uncertainty, she didn’t want to push her luck with him.

“Whatever suits you.” He replied as he slid his fingers into her hair to cup the back of her head gently. He guided her head down before claiming her lips in a slow and controlled kiss which had her melting against him immediately. His hand snaked around her waist and he guided her closer to himself so her boobs were pressed against his chest as he continued to mold his lips against hers while exploring her mouth with his skilled tongue.

She moaned quietly as he massaged her waist gently and rubbed her back, she realized that he was actually making her feel better by doing that.

“Are you cold?” He asked her when their lips parted.

Cold? It was getting rather hot now. She shook her head.

“Good. Do you think we can take this off?” He asked as he tugged on her sweater.

She nodded immediately regardless of the fact that she had nothing underneath.