Even though I only wanted them to see me—to validate how beautiful I felt while making love to Killian—it escalated to a much higher intensity within seconds. With Evangelina's mouth nearly on mine, I had a flash of clarity before everything went to hell. I remembered the promise I'd made to Annia, so I pretended to be more interested in her and—I'm almost embarrassed to tell you this, girl—I pulled her to my lips. It worked perfectly.
Yes, I kissed Annia right as I was reaching my climax. I had an orgasm with her tongue in my mouth and nearly bit it. Evangelina was stunned when I didn't choose her, and just as Annia predicted, from that moment on, she gave her girlfriend her undivided attention—as if my kiss had set the path she was meant to follow. I wanted to keep going, so this time I was the one who went to get the condom for him. When I came back, I turned my back to him; Killian acted like an animal in heat, taking me as if he wanted to leave me trembling forever. I was on fire all over again because everything was perfect. I felt him deep inside me as I watched Evangelina's body loving her girlfriend, her eyes drifting back to me every so often.
When the storm of desire finally ended, amidst screams and hands searching for my breasts, Killian rested for a few moments. Then he straightened his clothes and brought us water and chocolates, pretending not to notice we were naked, before heading off to take a shower. The three of us stayed there, holding hands.
"Is this what billionaires do all the time?" I asked them.
Annia said, "No. This was exceptional, and it was ours."
Following our agreement, I told her, "Your kiss turned me on."
Even though it wasn't true, I only said it to keep from losing myself with Evangelina. When she whispered, "I love you, beautiful," I knew I'd be lost if I didn't push her away. And I have to tell you this one more time, girl: if you could only see her, you'd understand what I'm talking about. There she is, lying naked on that rug. Everything about her is right: she has a triangular, flushed mouth with full, perfect lips; she looks like a sculpture. I can't even see her as a woman; I don't even think of her that way. She's like Killian—a magnet for the eyes, just with a different presence. Having her pay attention to me makes me feel special. But even though I'm still shaking, I don't want her hypnotic presence to pull me away from the love and uncontrollable passion Killian gives me.
We left them sleeping and went back to our cabin. I collapsed from exhaustion in his arms and woke up feeling like a new woman. I took a shower, and we had breakfast at a beautiful café two blocks away; we walked hand in hand, and Killian used that trick I love again.
He told the waiter, "My wife would like coffee and a slice of strawberry cake."
I try not to smile when he says it, but sometimes I just can't help myself.
We returned at noon, and by then, Evangelina already had the report ready. Damn, she's smart. Her idea was, by all accounts, more advantageous than the marriage. Since it was so technical and difficult to explain, she had also prepared some additional documents.
When Killian finished reading them, he told her, "Look, I graduated from university with honors, but I think you should give the presentation yourself, Evangelina. It's clear you've mastered the subject, and they'll have questions before they let the legal team weigh in."
To my surprise, she smiled and said, "Of course. It'll be simple."
Just like that. So calm, as if facing Mr. Longfield and Vanderack to convince them they were wrong wasn't an impossible task. No, I swear, girl, Clara the psychic was right: she's going to be queen of the world someday.
While they finalized the details, Annia and I went for a walk. That's when I saw the bodyguards for the first time—or at least, I think those two men following us from a distance were. She told me it was one of the best nights of her life.
"I know kissing me was unforgettable," I replied, joking.
She answered, "That kiss changed everything. Yesterday was magic, and this morning, even though Evangelina was buried in all those laws, she didn't stop looking out for me for a single second. I saw it in her eyes, in how affectionate she was when I brought her breakfast. So, if I loved you yesterday, today I feel like you're essential. I have to propose something: when you decide to end your contract with the Longfields, I'm taking you immediately. We'll grow the most incredible flowers to create fragrances for our perfume lines. Good pay, you'll be by my side, and thanks to you, I hope Evangelina will never want to leave. And by the way, you kiss better than anyone."
I thanked her for the compliment. Could it be true? Deep down, I knew I'd be good in bed because of a phrase I once read: "He who dances well, makes love well." It felt like an unwritten, undeniable rule. And well, I might not be the prettiest, but I dance incredibly. I never imagined I'd be a good kisser too; I'd only practiced in front of a mirror before Lucius.
And after thinking of him, as if fate wanted to play a cruel trick on me—or rather, test me—Killian was very serious when we got back to the cabin. He was focused on packing quickly; he and Evangelina were leaving immediately for a summit meeting with his father and Annia's. I asked what we would do, and at that moment, Evangelina arrived with her luggage ready, calm as ever.
Killian's answer left me speechless. "My father has already arranged everything," he said. "My brother will arrive tonight, handle some business over the next two days, and then he'll take you both. If everything goes well with the presentation, we'll meet in the United States to start the cross-adoption. For legal reasons, Evangelina says it's the best place to do it—Colorado, specifically. Why aren't you coming, you ask? Guess whose idea it was: yes, Lucius. He told my father it would be better if you didn't distract me, and the same for Annia with Evangelina. My dad isn't stupid; he'll never accept us falling for a woman based only on feelings without political or economic benefits—as if he could stop it. I'm convinced he thinks Lucius and I will lose interest in you if you get involved with both of us, that we'll end up united against you."
Approaching to kiss me, he said, "All I care about is that you love me. Goodbye, we have to leave now."
Evangelina kissed Annia and gave me a hug, her hands giving my butt a discreet squeeze before she left with him.
I had to ask, girl—I'm sorry—but watching him leave with her, I told Annia without hiding my insecurities, "Is she a lesbian, or does she like men too? I mean, I don't want to sound jealous, but… just looking at them together, they seem made for each other."
Annia laughed and replied, "She's been with men, and yes, she likes them, but he'll be like a brother to her. You know how I know? Because she's not going to risk losing you."
A message from Lucius popped up on my phone. I showed it to Annia. It read: "Tonight I'm going to make you submit. I know you've been very bad. Are you my naughty girl?"
She feigned surprise, and seeing my hesitation about whether to reply, Annia asked for my phone and replied for me: "You need to give your consent regarding the Killian matter."
It seemed blunt, but brilliant. He didn't reply.
We lay down in her room and talked for hours. I asked her what I should do about Lucius, and she was honest. She told me, "From a practical standpoint, prioritize getting his signature and save me from having to get married. But as your friend, I have to say it's very exciting that he sends you those messages. He knows he has some kind of hold over you."
"A hold?" I explained. "I completely lose myself when he gives me an order. I feel beautiful and guilty at the same time, but in an exquisite way."
Annia leaned close to my mouth and said, "Show me how you'd kiss him."
I told her no, laughing, and replied, "Stop! I'm being serious. When I tell Lucius no, I feel so foolish for not just giving in and enjoying him. But I suppose we'll have the chance to talk."
Annia was worked up with me, excited; it hadn't happened to her before. I suppose I'm just a replacement for Evangelina to her right now. To gain her complicity—yes, girl, I did it—to get her to approve of my weakness for Lucius, I told her some details of what he'd done to me. I told her about when Lucius would leave me with my rear up, back arched, and torso tilted forward, waiting for him to strike me... how I wouldn't move, waiting on his whim. She asked me to show her exactly how I posed.
I did, and she sighed, saying, "No! Seeing you like that is too sexy. If I liked men, I'd want one like him—someone who gives orders, who dominates me, no doubt about it!"
I'm sure that's what she wanted to hear.
Lucius arrived near midnight. His scent entered the room first. He knocked on my cabin door; when I opened it, I wanted the world to explode before letting myself fall at his feet so easily. His shirt was slightly open, paired with a deep black blazer in a matte fabric. His eyes were glowing, and his mouth held that look of power that nearly took my breath away. I pretended to feel only joy at seeing him, as if we were just good friends.
And I resisted—I swear I resisted. While he went in to take a shower, I fled to Annia's cabin again and told her, "I can't. I can't face him without falling. Let me sleep here."
But she, like the devil who only brings disaster, replied, "Carmilla, sweetheart, there are only two paths tonight: either you force him to talk about his consent for Evangelina's plan, or you end up in his arms. Those are your only options. You won't be able to avoid him for long."
I went back to my cabin with courage, only to find him with a towel wrapped around his waist, his body lean and strong, leaving no room for a single innocent thought.
I shouted like a madwoman, "Stop! Stop what you're doing. Things have changed, and I swear I'm trying not to ruin myself or hurt anyone, so stop parading around in front of me like that and—"
He pointed a finger at me and cut me off, commanding: "Be quiet. Behave yourself, or you know what's waiting for you. These are the rules: I know you want to ask me for something. Ask me for anything, and I'll say yes. In exchange, I'm going to ask you three questions, and you will tell me the truth. Don't even think about lying to me, because I'll know."
I accepted and said, "What I want to ask is for you to give your consent to the plan to save Killian and Annia from a marriage they don't want."
He replied, "Yes. Done, little girl, you got it. Now it's my turn."
Stepping closer to me, he asked his three questions: "Did you make love with Killian?"
"Yes."
"Are you in love with him?"
"Yes."
"I see you feel guilty because you want me inside you too, and you know you deserve to be punished like a girl who's been very, very bad, don't you?"
"Yes."