Cunning Vows: Enemies to Lovers Dark Romance (Lethal Vows Book 3)
Chapter 23

It’s either a risk or stupidity taking her to another business meeting. I’m not sure which. What I wasn’t expecting of my she-devil was her appearance at the orphanage. When she told me she wasn’t available to meet until now, I had one of my men follow her. Out of curiosity, of course. Not that I’ll mention it to her, because I’m certain hell will freeze over if I insinuate she has one kind bone in her body.

I’m discovering many things about Anya. Especially that her venomous tongue and steely resolve, as beautiful as they are, are also used as a shield to protect herself. And it’s another thing I would never imply unless I want my brains blown out the very next second.

After last night and the kiss we shared, I now realize Anya is more precious than I gave her credit for. This woman has never had a lick of love or affection in her life. Although I’m not sure I can give it to her, I’m certainly willing to give it my all.

I never thought there would be a woman I’d cherish or want to literally give everything and anything to. I may not have all the answers, but I’ll make it my mission to do whatever it takes to make her happy. Even if I go broke in the process.

I pull up to the curb of my new restaurant, and she lets out a frustrated sigh, seemingly unimpressed to be brought back here. I chuckle as I unclick her seat belt.

“It’s not that bad, Anya. If you ate the food, you might come to realize you actually enjoy it,” I say.

“I’d rather go through a greasy fast-food drive-through,” she bites back.

I laugh again. “I doubt you’ve ever been through one of those.”

Her lips purse, and I know I’m right. She’d dealt with the reality of living off bare essentials until she and Alek were taken in by their third and final foster mother, who is extremely wealthy. But this little princess hasn’t “roughed it” a day in her life since.

I haven’t been able to replace very much regarding their birth parents. At four, they could barely spell their first and last names, let alone provide anyone with any pertinent information about their parents.

“It feels almost full circle bringing you back here since this is where we first met,” I say when she doesn’t continue the conversation. She’s been prickly with me since yesterday. I knew she would eventually come to me, especially when she found out I purchased the mansion next door. One second, she was there asking about my niece, and the next, she locked up and vanished.

I’m certain it’s because of that fucking kiss.

“Unless we’re doing a drive-by on this shithole, are we getting out of the car or not?” she asks with her arms crossed over her chest. I laugh again and step out of the car as one of my men comes to collect the keys. Another one of my staff collect the keys from her two bodyguards who park behind us. I was lenient in allowing her to bring them, considering they would’ve found a way to come in anyway.

I adjust my suit and walk around to her side of the car and open the door, where she’s still pouting. But gone are the days when she’s opening and slamming doors herself. No, now she expects me to open them for her. Progress.

I hold my hand out to her, and she takes it and steps out. She’s breathtaking. I will never tire of watching this beautiful woman in her tight dresses and skirts and icy gaze.

She tries to remove her hand from mine, but I tighten my grip as I thread my fingers through hers. The action doesn’t go unnoticed by her men, who glance at one another skeptically.

“Yuck,” she spits. “I didn’t take you as the overbearing type.”

“One of us has to make up for your prickly presence,” I say, unfazed as I walk us through the entrance. The hostess greets us, and when her gaze lands on Anya, she turns a paler shade. Anya has that kind of effect on people. It fills me with pride.

The hostess escorts all four of us to the private space where my men are waiting. The chatter grows quieter as they nod to me respectfully but stare at her suspiciously. They know how dangerous she is and what happened with Igor as a consequence of him underestimating her. They advised I cut all ties and do my business in her territory without her permission. But it’s not just her permission that I need; it’s access to her auctions as well. I need to prove to her I can ensure they’ll have a consistent income by partnering with me, more than just with a monthly auction. It’s just a perk in addition to everything else I’m willing to offer her in the process.

Patrons fly or send people from around the world to come and bid at the Ivanov auctions. And she doesn’t let just anyone in. She is very selective, and the only ones I know are Dawson Taylor and Crue Monti.

On top of that, I threatened if any of my men were to so much as attempt to lay a hand on her, I would not only kill them but their families and anything or anyone they ever loved.

Michael stands as we get closer. The table is already filled with food and liquor.

“This doesn’t look like a business meeting,” Anya says as I pull out her chair, which is next to mine at the head of the table.

“It is. Just be patient,” I tell her.

She says nothing as she takes her seat. Anya’s men stand behind her near the wall, looking stoic and broody as usual. The server comes over with more food and places it on the table as I reach for the bottle of wine and pour myself a drink. Grabbing the water, I pour her a glass and place it in front of her, remembering she doesn’t drink alcohol. “What do you want to eat?”

“Why, do you plan to hand feed it to me?” she asks, lifting a perfectly manicured brow.

“Do you want me to?” Because I will if it means I get to play with those lips. I’ve touched her other lips, so it’s only fair I touch the other set, right?

“Give it a try. Let’s see how many fingers I can remove with my teeth,” she snarks back. I smile, transfixed by her. I want to bend her over and punish her. My cock grows uncomfortable at the thought.

I lean over and say against her ear, “Maybe we should finish where we left off last night.”

Her hand slides over to my thigh under the table, and she offers a promiscuous smile. “You want me to fist your cock right now in front of all your men?”

Her hand is a feather touch against my cock, but it’s enough to cause splitting pain through my jaw by how hard I clench it.

“Don’t you want to fuck me, River? The contract’s almost fulfilled. This will be your second meeting. Now all you have to do is actually fuck me,” she says sweetly, but with a hint of venom. The atmosphere shifts, as it always does with this dangerous woman.

“Sir, we expect your guests to join us in ten minutes,” Michael interrupts as I trail my fingers over her smooth skin, causing goose bumps to erupt in their wake.

“Thank you, Michael,” I grit out.

Her gaze is hooded as she stares at me.

“I don’t want to eat this,” she says, gesturing to the plateful of food. “I’m hungry for something else.”

“I won’t fuck you yet,” I say, because, fuck me, if she isn’t everything I want. If I give in to her now, let her win this challenge, she won’t return. If I let her think we’re about nothing but sex and business, she’ll be done with me once the debt is paid in full. I want to brand her as mine for the rest of her days, but this newfound discipline of mine is grating on my nerves, and she knows it.

“We’ll see. Don’t you have a secret little room here somewhere? Or should I just start stripping now?” She pouts as she begins to slide down her dress strap.

I snatch her hand and push back from the table. “We’ll be back,” I bark.

“But your guests—” Michael begins.

“Will wait,” I seethe.

“Miss?” one of her guards asks.

“I won’t be gone for long. Stay,” she commands, with no complaint this time as I hold her hand and guide her out. We almost bulldoze one of the servers as I push past them and into the small office where the manager sits looking over invoices.

“Oh, Mr. Bently, is there something—”

“Leave,” I say. He seems startled, but then abruptly grabs his things and hurries out of the room.

When I turn, I slam Anya against the door, her back hitting it to shut it only seconds after the manager has left.

Her hand goes straight to my belt as I place one hand on her hip and the other on her throat, tracing her sharp jawline with my thumb.

“No running away this time, Red,” I growl.

“No sweet nothings,” she says back.

The elasticity of my control snaps as I press my lips to hers. Anya’s hand freezes on my belt. I can feel her reluctance. The hesitation in opening up to me further. But then I pinch her nipple, and she lets out a small moan. I dive my tongue deeper into her mouth, and slowly, uncertainly, her tongue begins to work with mine.

Her hand unfastens my belt as her kisses become feral, desperate even. Slowly, Anya is opening up to me, whether she likes it or not. There’s a hunger driving us both insane.

She wraps my belt around the back of my neck, pulling me in tighter as I cock her leg on my hip and work my fingers against her already wet cunt.

Her lips rub against my cheek as she savors the feeling. This fucking woman.

“I want to see you,” I demand.

Her eyes widen, surrounded by thick, dark lashes. “Open your legs wide and bend over the desk.”

She tightens the belt around my neck. “I don’t take orders.”

“You do if you want that sweet cunt of yours eaten out and to be dripping down my fingers.” I pinch her sensitive bud, and she hisses. “No sex.”

She rolls her eyes, and I squeeze her cheeks again. “Stop being so defiant all the time, and let me break you into a million pieces.”

I step back as she gives a pointed look at my cock bulging against my trousers. She licks her lips in anticipation as she shoves me to the side, and I take the belt from her hands.

I grab both of her wrists and put them behind her back as I bind them with the belt. “You better make me come,” she bites back.

“I could say the same to you. Or is the only good thing that pretty mouth of yours is good for is yapping?”

She goes to say something, but I push her over the desk. Then I pull up her skirt and kick her legs apart. I lick my lips. Mother of God. This cunt. I hold her hips and momentarily slam my cock, that’s still trapped in my trousers, against her. The shove shocks her, and she tries to look over her shoulder.

I can imagine it perfectly, thrusting my cock inside this sweet cunt of hers. “One day, I’m going to break you from the inside out.”

“So you say. Why not just fucking do it?” she bites back.

“It drives you mad to know that I can say no to you, doesn’t it, Anya?” And that is the biggest lie I’ve told.

“Is the only thing your mouth is good at is yapping?” she snaps.

I grin as I tug on her restraints, her hands bound behind her back as I drop to my knees and bury my face in her sweet pussy.

She moans and almost climbs up the desk as I pin her hands down to control her movement. The other hand I use to insert a finger and then pump inside her.

“Fuck,” she moans as I work her, licking everything this beautiful woman is willing to give. Sex on legs. That’s what she is.

My cock aches as I dive into her deeper with my tongue. Fuck, I could just give in to her now. I could just fuck her and put us both out of our misery.

A knock on the door interrupts us, but Anya is quick to scream, “Fuck off!”

I’m smiling as I continue to eat her out, pumping in harder and faster as I add a third finger.

“Fuck, it’s been so long,” she whines. It gives me satisfaction to know she’s held out, and I reap the reward when she explodes on my lips. Her legs begin to tremble as she leans into me. “Fuck, River, you better finish this or I will fucking kill you.”

I leave her pussy for only a minute as I bite her ass, and she yelps in pleasure. “I don’t think you understand the precarious situation you’re in,” I say before I continue to suck on her clit and fuck her with my fingers.

She’s quiet for a moment until waves of pleasure break free within her and her pussy muscles squeeze around my fingers. Anya squirts and moans as I taste everything she’s offering until she goes limp. Even after her orgasm, I can’t stop tasting her. Don’t ever want to stop.

My cock aches, still pressed against my trousers. When I step away from her, I half expect her to run for the door, even with her skirt pulled up around her hips and her arms bound behind her back. But when she looks up, that lustful expression is raging.

I let her stand, then I grab her jaw as I kiss her. She might not like it yet, but it’s sure as hell progress from last night when she fled because of it. “Fucking beautiful,” I say as I bite her bottom lip and tug on it with my teeth.

“Sit on the chair,” she commands. “And drop those fucking trousers.”

I smile and pinch her cheeks. “So these lips aren’t just ornamental?”

“You have one chance,” she bites.

I chuckle as I round the desk and notice a small pillow on the manager’s chair. I drop it on the floor for her and unzip my pants. “The belt stays around your wrists, though,” I say as I let my pants drop to my ankles and fist my cock. She licks her lips at the sight.

“I expected it to be bigger,” she says dryly, and I’m not so insecure to think that this isn’t one of the biggest cocks she’s seen. She still gets on her knees on the pillow and has a taste. The moment her tongue runs up the bottom of my shaft, my entire body goes rigid.

Fuck, how I’ve thought of her every night since first meeting her. Waiting for the day this poisonous tongue would be on my cock.

Anya is used to being the one pleasured. I doubt she’s gotten on her knees for many men, if any. The thought of her being with any other man pokes an ugly, lethal side of me, and I grab her chin before she can suck on my cock.

“You will swallow every drop,” I command.

She flashes a wicked smile, as if accepting the challenge, and when her lips surround my cock and that venomous tongue slides against my shaft, I know I’ve met my match.

“Fuck,” I grit out as she bobs on my cock. I can imagine her, arms still bound behind her back, pussy pulsing around my cock instead. That sweet cunt of hers milking me dry. I want to fuck her so badly. I grip the armrests of the chair so I don’t do exactly that. Maybe it’s me who has to be tied up against my own urges instead.

Another knock on the door. “Fuck off!” I bark out, and can imagine the vein in my neck bulging.

I bend over slightly so I can grab one of her tits and pinch at the perfectly pierced nipple. She moans around my cock, and it’s my undoing, as I blow into her mouth. Like a good girl, she takes her fill. My hips jerk as I cling to the chair.

I haven’t come that hard in a long time. Then again, nothing compares to this. To her.

Anya licks at the tip of my cock, her lipstick slightly smeared and most likely all over my face and cock, but I don’t give a shit. I grab her chin and bend over to kiss her. She freezes under the touch but doesn’t pull away.

“See how good we taste together,” I tell her, appreciating the curve in her posture with her hands still bound behind her back.

“There is no we. There is simply fucking. And this high school shit of holding hands and foreplay, apparently,” she says with an unimpressed look.

I smile as I stand and lean over her, undoing my belt to free her. She rubs her wrists and then wipes her lips.

Another knock on the door. “Fuck off!” we say in unison.

I look at the wall clock and realize we’ve been in here for over thirty minutes.

She smiles sweetly. “Can I leave now?”

“No. We still have a meeting to attend,” I reply, sweeping a glance around the room. Items from the desk have been knocked to the floor, the pillow discarded to the side, and my ass cheeks imprinted on the leather chair.