Captive of Love

Affirmations

The familiar ache between my legs returned as my internal walls throbbed with anticipation. Karlus uttered no words or warnings as he slammed his full-length inside me. I had never felt stretched as I did when he entered me. I had thought Jaxon was large, but Karlus was a monster.

The places where my exposed flesh met the wooden floor beneath burned as his powerful thrusts skidded me along. Nevertheless, he continued his aggressive pursuit but damned if I cared. I wrapped my legs and arms around him, bracing myself the best I could. I shouted his name, pleading for him to go faster, harder. My nails dug into his back, scarring his otherwise flawless bronzed skin. He arched his back as his final strokes took us both over the edge. Tossing my head back, I cried out as euphoria showered me like spring rain. Karlus let out a loud growl before he collapsed onto me.

Though massive compared to my frame, he managed to distribute his weight evenly, causing me minimal distress. Even if he were crushing me, I wouldn't have told him to move. I relished his touch, his attention. The thought of being without it was more debilitating than a momentary state of discomfort. Soon, with our strength renewed and our lust returning, we began to make love once again. We spent the evening exploring each other's bodies until exhaustion forced us to slumber.

In the morning, Karlus was gone. Basking in the afterglow, I lounged in bed beneath the warm covers for a short while, nude and well-worn. I smiled, he must have tugged me in before leaving. On top of the comforter lay a blue silk robe. I glanced at the floor where my dress should’ve been and noticed it was gone. Thinking that he might've taken it, so he could wash it, I resided to wearing the robe.

Exiting the room, I roamed through the quiet halls of the expansive manor in search of him. Eventually, I made my way downstairs and found the kitchen. I was a bit thirsty. Searching the cabinets, I found a glass and got some water. I took a seat at the kitchen table, sipping my water, curious as to where he had gone. When I heard footsteps approaching, my heart began to beat fast. I hurried to rake my fingers through my tangled locks and wiped the sleep from my eyes. Trying to showcase a morning-flawless appearance. However, when the person who entered wasn't Karlus, I froze.

A woman entered the kitchen, wearing nothing more than pink panties and a thin white tank top, revealing her taut n*****s beneath. She yawned and turned to face me, and it was then I recognized her; she was the woman I saw in the peepshow booth.

"Good morning," she greeted.

I stared, not able to find the words to reply. So many questions were running through my mind. Like, who the f**k was she, and why was she waltzing about half-naked? The woman wasn't bothered by my lack of conversation as she proceeded to locate a box of cereal from a cabinet and grabbed the necessary items to make herself a bowl. The odd scene of the woman placing the colorful, childlike cereal box on the countertop and munching, contrasted with the sensual exhibit I'd seen of her just the other night. Without the elegant clothing or the dramatic makeup, she looked young and innocent.

"Who are you?" I finally asked.

"My name is Ming Yue, who are you?" She answered without any signs of contempt.

Although her sudden appearance took me aback. I replied politely, in hopes that I had misunderstood the situation.

"Amara Brooks," I replied. I leaned forward. "Do you live here?"

She looked up from her breakfast and smiled, "Nah, I've just been crashing here for a few days."

"Oh," I offered. It took me a moment before I added, "Are you Karlus’s girlfriend?"

My question caused her to stop mid-bite of her next spoonful; she looked at me with a puzzled expression before doubling over in laughter. Annoyed, I waited for her to finish. Finally, when she had regained her composure, she answered.

"Mr. Gallo doesn't do the girlfriend thing."

I frowned. The finality of Ming's words still stunned me.

She tilted her head, and stared at me for a moment, then asked, "He lets you call him Karlus, huh?"

"Yes, we're..." I paused, not sure what more to say.

We weren't dating, which he made clear the night before. Yet, we were intimate last night. Ugh, this is why I have never done one-night stands before. The murkiness as to how to define our relationship was more vexing than I'd imagined. I decided the hell with trying to explain myself. I didn't need to linger around waiting for a man. Especially considering the hot half-naked Asian who most certainly had partaken in the same sensual acts I had with Karlus. I needed to go, and for that, I had to get my clothes, secure a ride, and my purse.

My purse!

It was then I realized my most important asset was missing. I hopped up from my seat. I rushed over to where we ate last night on the patio. I saw the table, cleared of the banquet that was spread upon it from the night before, but there was no sign of my purse.

I turned around to see Ming staring at me curiously.

I walked towards her, trying my best not to freak out. I cleared my throat and asked, "Do you know where my belongings are?"

She pressed her lips together and then answered, "Maybe you should ask him yourself."

She said as her eyes lifted to look behind me. I turned and saw Karlus jogging towards us from the beach; his shirtless body glistened with sweat, and his basketball shorts hanging low on his hips.

"How was your morning run, Mr. Gallo?" Ming asked.

"Rousing," he answered.

His eyes traveled the length of my body, and despite my growing concern about the location of my items, I eyed him the same. Sweat glistened all over his body, making him look like a tasty snack. Need grew within me again, but I cooled my thoughts. Hating how my hormones ran amuck anytime he was near.

"Karlus, can I speak to you in private?" I tried to sound stern, but my voice was small lacking any authority.

Ming handed Karlus a towel. He watched me as he patted the sweat on his brow. For a moment, I was sure he was going to mock me; his piercing dark eyes seemed cold and uncaring.

When he instructed Ming to leave, I was relieved.

"What's on your mind, love?" He asked. Karlus placed his hands on his hips. The muscles in his arms flexed as he did.

Focus Amara.

"Where are my belongings?"

"Safe, don't worry. Why, do you think I would steal from you?" He questioned.

My cheeks heated; I hurried to say, "Of course not. I just wanted my lip gloss and maybe my phone to check my email."

The intensity of his stare made butterflies appear. Had I insulted him? It wasn't my intention. The man has a multi-million-dollar mansion, and here I was worried about what he would consider to be pocket change.

He zoned in on my lips and said, "Your lips are beautiful as they are. There's no need to enhance them."

A blush warmed my cheeks, but I quickly shook off the sweet remark. Again, I requested to know the whereabouts of my things.

"When I return your items to you, you will be free to go," Karlus said in a curt tone.

"Excuse me, but you cannot keep me away from my belongings."

Karlus rolled his eyes and sighed, "Your dress is being cleaned, your purse is secured, and I am having Theo drive to your hotel in a couple of hours. Are you satisfied now?"

I frowned. Maybe I was overreacting. After a short deliberation, I was embarrassed by my behavior. Especially in those days, I tended to act without thinking. I began to apologize, but he stopped me. He stepped close to me, wrapping his arms around my waist.

"I get it," he assured. "You haven't known me long enough to determine if I am trustworthy. Nevertheless, you did not want to take things slow, remember? You also told me you wanted to experience life, and that I was free to act on my impulses."

I smirked, of course, my words would come back to haunt me. I wrapped my arms around his neck and then lifted onto the tips of my toes to kiss him on the lips.

"I see you are hanging on my every word," I teased.

"With such beautifully formed lips, how could I not?" He replied and then returned my kiss.

With our lips locked and body heat rising, I nearly forgot about the elephant in the room. Pulling away, I asked, "What exactly does Ming Yue do for you?"