Chapter One
Dimitri Novikov glanced over at his friend, Moriz, then shook his head as they moved through the massive hunting lodge that was the current home to the European Delegation of Doms and their subs visiting the United States. This was the last part of their journey through the States and a few nights after the Submissive’s Wish Charity Auction, one of the most elite submissive auctions in the world. Dimitri had attended the auction but left early to help his good friend Ivan set up a capture fantasy for Gia, the woman he’d won.
Moriz lowered his voice, slowed his walk to a stroll, then glanced around. “Come on, Dimitri, help me out. This girl, Rya, she is a good woman. I feel like an asshole for how things worked out, but I really like Jean. I want to give whatever it is we have together a chance.”
Scratching at his neatly trimmed beard, Dimitri shook his head again. “If she’s a good woman I do not want anything to do with her, and you certainly do not want her to have anything to do with me.”
“Look, I know you can’t be in a relationship, but that is not what I’m asking of you. I purchased Rya for the rest of the week, then we are done. So maybe she is not like the mistresses you keep, but I promise you’ll like her. She enjoys being watched—she is an exhibitionist—and you love to watch so it is a good fit, especially because you won’t be jealous. And did I mention that she’s hot? There was a lot of competition to win her at the auction.”
For a moment Dimitri considered Moriz’s offer, wondering what it would be like to spend time with a woman he wasn’t paying for her company. His heart ached to have someone in his life who genuinely cared for him, but the risk to her was too great. Especially with Borya, Sovietnik of the Sokolov Bratva family, in attendance. Though technically, Dimitri’s family was allied with the Sokolov family, in the world of the Russian Bratva there were no true friends. If Dimitri paid this Rya too much attention she would be at risk of being seen as a tool to be used against him.
No, it would be better if he just left her alone.
“Moriz, I cannot.”
With a disgruntled huff, Moriz stopped them in the hallway leading to the entertainment wing of the massive lodge. “Come on, there is no one else I trust with her. She’s not here looking for a boyfriend. She’s here looking for a BDSM experience with a strong Master, and I know you can give it to her.”
“Why me? Why not Oleg or Tusya? They are both single and are decent Dominants.”
“Because she rejected them.”
Raising his eyebrows, Dimitri found himself intrigued despite his determination to make Moriz see sense. “What happened?”
“After she arrived and found out that Jean and I have something special she graciously offered to bow out. Rya is a very perceptive woman and even though Jean was trying to be okay with her joining us, it hurt Jean and Rya knew it and she gracefully bowed out. Rather than just send Rya home, I offered her the chance to stay here and view it as a vacation. She agreed, and that night Oleg tried to pick her up. After ten minutes of talking with him, she politely, but firmly, turned him down. Him and six other Doms that night, I might add. It was very entertaining to watch them get sent on their way one by one.”
Trying to imagine the movie-star-handsome Oleg being rejected by any woman made Dimitri’s lips twitch in a rare smile. “And Tusya?”
Rubbing his face, Moriz chuckled. “You know how he just likes to announce to submissives that they’re going to serve him?”
“Yes, and usually they do. Something about finding out he is Russian royalty does that.”
“Not Rya. She actually suggested he might enjoy the feel of her collar for the week.”
Dimitri burst out laughing, imagining the stuffy and proud Tusya’s reaction. “She did not.”
“Oh yes, she did.” Moriz grinned. “She’s a switch, but she usually only tops women. When I asked her what the hell happened with Tusya she said, as calm as you please, ‘You mean you don’t know he longs to serve?’”
Both men laughed and two of the submissives who traveled with the delegation smiled at Dimitri and fluttered their lashes. He gave them both a considering look, the girls were fun to play with and knew he would never give them anything more than sex, but he found his mind going immediately back to this mysterious Rya. He couldn’t remember the last time any woman had turned down Tusya. He had to admit he was intrigued.
Dimitri waited until the submissives were out of earshot, then said, “So you think I would do better with her?”
“Yes. Rya’s fantasies revolve around threesomes and forced seduction scenarios. You’re the only single Master that she has not rejected who would enjoy those things. Plus, you’re a very strong Dominant and you speak English. This will work well for Rya. She’s an honest woman and will tell you what she thinks, even if it’s not what you want to hear. So be ready for a bit of sass.”