“As I said already, I’m not trying to buy you, Selma. I wanted to make a gesture, to show you a different side of life. One that could be yours. Do you not like it?”

  He comes over to me and drapes the necklace around my neck. The cool metal almost feels painful against my hot skin.

  “I do. But that’s the trouble. I shouldn’t. It’s prideful. Greedy.” Selma and Anastasia battle out the good and evil on each of my shoulders as I ignore them both, wickedly enjoying the decadence of the moment.

  “Things are not bad. It’s what’s in here that determines who we are.” Ash places his index finger on my chest, just below where the weight of the pendant lays, and I’m sure he can feel the drumming of my heart under his touch.

  “I’m stuck. My life...I’m stuck in my life.” I gasp out, unsure why or what I expect to happen here. But I know I’m feeling things for this man, the ultimate personification of so many things the Dresden Community thinks are evil.

  I reach around with both hands to the clasp of the necklace and think of unhooking it and handing it back.

  “Let me help you get unstuck, Selma. I want to help you.”

  N I N E

  Ash

  I PULL HER HANDS FROM the back of her neck into my own, twining her fingers into mine, and my already hard cock aches for her. Blood rushes to my erection, making it more painful as she drops my hands and walks over to the dining table.

  I watch as she raises her glass to her pink lips, and I want to be the glass.

  Then she takes a sip of the wine, and I want to be the wine.

  I hear the thud of my heart in my ears and my mouth waters thinking about how she will taste. I know she’s innocent. I know she’s naïve. But I also know nothing will stop me from making her mine.

  A deep breath fills my lungs as I step beside her, I let the scent of fresh spring air and purity drift through me. I’ve canceled all my meetings for the next two days because she’s all I think about. She occupies my mind every waking moment, and when I sleep my dreams are filled with her beautiful face.

  I take her hand and turn her to face me, bringing it up and laying it on my chest. “Have you ever kissed a man?”

  I clear my throat, trying to prepare for her answer.

  She shakes her head. “No. I’ve never been on a date, never done anything. I’m supposed to save everything for my husband.”

  Husband.

  The word throttles me.

  I hear the defeat in her voice.

  Hearing her say the word ‘husband,’ hits me in places I didn’t know existed before now. I’ve never wanted a wife. Never imagined a life as a husband...or as a father.

  But right now, looking down at her, it’s all I see. I will be her husband. I will take care of her from now until the end.

  As I breathe deep, I swear I catch a hint of arousal on the air, and it only makes my erection more painful. I feel like I’m high, intoxicated, and I never want to sober up.

  “Let me help you, Selma.” I breathe as I lower my face to hers and feel her warm breath on my lips. “But I have to warn you about something.”

  Her eyelashes flutter, and she looks worried but stays silent. I see her breasts moving up and down under the thin fabric of her shirt, and I want to feel the hard nipples between my lips.

  “I want to help you make all your dreams come true. But I want more. Do you know what that means?”

  “I think so...”

  “Do you feel that?” I press her hand harder over my chest, mine on top, holding it there as she nods. “No one has ever done that to my heart before. It’s been beating like I’m running for my life ever since the day I saw your first video. Then yesterday, when I finally touched you, I thought I was going to have a heart attack right there. I want you, Selma. I want all of you.”

  She shifts back and forth as I bring my other hand to her cheek, feeling the warm, soft flesh. My thumb traces beneath her jaw, and I feel her pulse race to match mine. My desire is burning through me as I move down and take my first taste of her lips.

  I give in to all the feelings that have been simmering inside of me since that first video. There’s a low rumbling in my chest I’ve never heard before, and there are so many things I want to tell her.

  I’ve been the poster child for self-control my entire life. It’s gotten me where I am today. But in this moment, I’ve lost it all. All the other victories and successes in my life fall away, paling in comparison to this simple kiss.

  As she sighs, I feel cum seep out of my cock and my tongue glances over her lips, pressing into her mouth. I feel her body stiffen but step into her, so we are connected from our lips down. My dick jumps, and her breathing halts.

  When I retreat slightly from our kiss and meet her eyes, I see fire.

  “I like that.” Her lips curve into a smile, and I see the sparkle there that is more Anastasia than Selma.

  “I’m glad. That pleases me very much. You drive me crazy, you are my treasure.”

  At my words, her eyes narrow and her hands wind up and around the back of my neck. I don’t remember the last time I was touched besides a friendly handshake or courteous hug. I hadn’t thought about it before now, but I’m so happy this feels so new for me as well. All the years of being alone, of working all hours and avoiding any sort of personal intimate life, suddenly make sense to me now.

  “You want to know something?” she asks, her breath coming fast over her shimmering lips.

  I nod. “I want to know everything.”

  “I know it’s wrong, everyone in my community would be horrified...but under my skirt right now?” She digs her teeth into her plump, pink bottom lip and presses her chest into me. “I’m not wearing any panties.”

  “Fuck,” I grit out. “You’re trying to kill me.” My dick throbs and fills more, making it feel like it’s about to rip through the fabric of my pants.

  Grabbing her under her arms, I lift her up, and her skirt moves higher on her legs as she locks them around my back. Then I carry her to the luxurious velvet sofa and set her down.

  As I stand, I hold her legs apart and push her skirt to the tops of her thighs.

  “Stay like that,” I command. “Don’t move.”

  Her wide blue eyes stick to me, and her shimmering red hair is messy around her shoulders. The light from the window catches in the dew on her pink petals, and my lips and tongue ache to taste her. I wonder if she thinks I’m horrible, spreading her like this but I don’t see fear in her eyes.

  I see desire.

  The air around me is perfumed with her arousal as she parts her legs another inch and gives me a smile that tells me Anastasia is taking the reins.

  “I need you to know,” I start as I shove my hands down into my pants pockets and admire her from a few feet away. “Once I taste you, once you give yourself to me, you are mine. Truth? I decided yesterday when I touched you, you were mine. There’s no undoing what you’ve done to me, Treasure. I won’t let you go.”

  “What about—” I hear Selma coming back, and I hold my hand up to stop her.

  “There is no ‘what about’ anymore. You will need to trust me. Know I will take care of you, and that will include dealing with your father. Your life is yours, my Treasure, and his life is his. He’s a grown man, he will figure it out.”

  I see relief wash over her face as I step forward, loosening my tie and pulling it from my shirt collar. Then I relieve myself of my shirt and watch the wonder turn her eyes to full blue moons.

  “I want you. Forever.”

  “I can’t believe this.” She licks her lips and presses them together. “I want you too. Forever. Even if it’s wrong...”

  The sweet sincerity in her voice nearly topples me. She’s given me the greatest gift with those simple words. “Nothing is wrong about this.” I shake my head.

  She’s saved everything for me. Her pink folds spread open, dripping with the heaven she’s saved just for me. Her pussy will know only me. No part of her will ever be touched by another man.

  Her pussy will form to my cock, learning how to please me and only me. As much as I want to do every filthy thing to her today, she’s still Selma and pushing her too far too fast would not be right.

  I want that cherry of hers. I want it more than I’ve wanted anything in my life. But one thing age and experience has taught me, charging headlong into everything does not always achieve the ultimate goal.

  I have plenty of time to invest because she is worth every second.

  As I drop to my knees and hold her open, I look up to see her watching me, her hands spread wide on the sofa cushions, her fingertips digging in as though she is holding on for dear life.

  “Unbutton your blouse,” I order, and her shaking fingers come to the collar and work the tiny pearl buttons open until her creamy white flesh is exposed and her tits are swelling out of a simple white bra. “Pull your tits out of your bra but leave it on.”

  Her cheeks flush as I watch her comply. The light pink nipples pull tight, and I imagine them full of milk and her belly round.

  “Good girl. You do please me.”

  I groan in pleasure as I draw in her scent. So sweet, so enticing. As I drop my face and take that first long slow lick, her flavor spreads through me like wildfire.

  She’s sweeter than any candy, and I feel her body soften as I spin my tongue over her clit then down to lap at the juices flowing out of her tight opening.

  As I taste and touch her with my mouth, her hands come to my shoulders, fingertips pressing into my flesh and pulling me closer.

  I bury my face into her silky warmth, feeling the wetness spread over my face as my tongue dances at her opening. I take a hand and move it upward until I find the soft round flesh of one breast and squeeze, listening to her gasp.

  Even though every instinct is screaming for me to do so, I don’t press my tongue forward. I want my cock to be the first thing that enters her. Her innocence is a precious gift, and I will only take it when the time is right. But when that time comes, I will take her with all of me.

  My need to care for her surges inside of me as she gasps and moans. It means everything to me, and whatever she wants, and needs in life will be my muse.

  I want her obsession with me to match mine for her. Getting her addicted to me is my plan, no matter how nefarious it may seem. I simply don’t care. She will only see me in her mind and her heart, there will be no other, no matter what her father has arranged.

  I devour her like a starving man until her legs are shaking and I feel her body still as she pulls away an inch.

  “You taste like heaven. You deserve this. To feel this...”

  “I’ve never...felt this before.”

  My mind spins. “You’ve never had an orgasm before?”

  She shakes her head, her red hair falling into her face.

  “Close your eyes, baby. Open your legs. Let the feelings come. Do not judge them, they are part of you. A good part of you. There is no shame in this pleasure. It is meant for you.” I apply gentle pressure on her inner thighs with my hands and watch as her eyes flutter closed.

  She moans as I return to licking her like a sweet, melting ice cream cone, and when I bring my thumb to circle her clit she yelps, this time pressing her spread cunt harder onto my mouth.

  “God.” I mouth into her. “You were made for me, Selma. Created for me. I never knew this existed. These feelings.”

  Her body shudders at my words. “Ash—” Her voice is a deep whisper, and as I look up, I see her eyes squeezed shut. “Something is happening.”

  I lick faster, her clit under my tongue, and I keep doing what I’m doing until she’s screaming my name and bucking against my mouth. I have to bring my other hand up and press down on her belly to keep her in place.

  But I’m not done.

  I lick her pussy to another quick orgasm, and she floods my mouth. I’ve never been so happy in my life as I am while she whimpers and pushes her hips forward, grinding herself against my face.

  The sounds she’s making are heaven to me. The way her body moves when she comes nearly catapults her off the couch. It all makes me feel like a fucking king.

  I’ve just given her the first orgasm of her life.

  The first of a million, if I have my way.

  And I will have my way.

  When her orgasm plays out, and she’s panting, her eyes unfocused, I kiss her shaking inner thighs, then reach up and sit her up on the sofa and rearrange her legs to be more comfortable. Her tits are still out, and I stand then lean down and give each of her sweet nipples a kiss and lick before dropping onto the soft seat next to her and pulling her into me.

  “Now, let’s talk about Anastasia Snow and how we are going to make her a star.”

  T E N

  Selma

  TWO HOURS LATER, I’M walking on clouds.

  No, I’m walking on pillows on top of clouds on top of cotton candy on top of marshmallows.

  Ash has been going over his plans for Anastasia, and I’ve decided it feels right. The way he says it makes sense. I should want this for myself. And no amount of shame from my upbringing is going to ruin my dreams.

  As he talks, I play with the heart pendant around my neck, knowing I could never let Papa see such a token of worldly decadence.

  I know there’s a huge possibility I’m delusional, but for the first time in my life, I’m being selfish.

  And a little slutty.

  More than a little.

  That thought turns me cold when I think about Papa and the arrangement with my match that is already in motion.

  How am I going to tell him all this? Not only am I about to start a food blog and brand which will put me into some level of media spotlight, but also, sorry Papa, but I don’t want to get married.

  Not to Daniel anyway.

  Something clicked inside of me today with Ash. Anastasia and Selma came together, and all I know is, I get to make my decisions about my life. I can handle that.

  I can handle more than I ever knew.

  “I have to make a few phone calls.” Ash leans down and kisses the top of my head. “Business stuff, I won’t be long.”

  My stomach knots as he picks up his phone and briefcase and walks into a small office off the living area of the suite then shuts the door behind him.

  I feel like I’ve crossed some invisible line and the parts of the old Selma are gone. But twenty years of conditioning still has me fighting off some flickering feelings of shame for what I did today here with Ash.

  What kind of girl am I?

  I push away the niggling doubts and look at Ash, sitting behind the desk and talking on the phone. He gives me a smile and a wink, and I shiver, thinking of all the new feelings he’s brought about in my body and my heart.

  It’s getting late, and I need to get home. That thought makes my heart speed because I know I’m going to have to tell Papa about things with Ash. Not only the Anastasia part but the other part.

  Well, at least I need to tell him I’m not getting married.

  While Ash is in the office, I dig out my phone. Although my phone is a dinosaur compared to what most ten-year-olds are sporting out these days.

  It’s black. It flips open. It has no internet.

  Go me, I guess.

  I flip it open, and there are a few short texts from Cam teasing me and asking how things are going.

  I send him a quick message back that I’m fine. Things are fine. I keep it simple, knowing he’s dying for details, but I don’t feel like sharing right now. I let him know I’ll see him in the morning before my New Testament 101 class.

  I’m still trying to absorb everything that’s happening and make sure I’m not going to wake up like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz, with a bump on my head wondering what the heck just happened.

  I hear the click of the doorknob and look up to see Ash emerging from his office. I’ve made myself comfortable on the sofa, flipping through a Bon Appétit magazine that was in a pile of others on the coffee table.

  “Learning anything?” He sits down next to me and immediately my heart races.

  “Yes, actually. I’m learning how much I do not know about cooking.”

  “That may be, but there’s a lot no one knows about what you do. The unique thing about you is you’ve figured everything out for yourself. You said you had some basic cooking skills from when you were younger, but you’ve created your recipes like Mozart created his symphonies. From scratch with very little education. That’s a gift, Selma.” He sits down next to me, his arm around the back of the sofa cushions and his spicy masculine scent is so sexy.

  It feels crazy that I just met him yesterday. I’m so comfortable here next to him, what I do next shocks even Anastasia.

  I lick my lips and turn. Lifting myself and straddling his lap, I sit down facing him, feeling the rough fabric of his suit pants on my bare girl parts. Sitting like this, I feel the inches of hardness I’ve been seeing on the front of his pants, and it makes me wiggle against him.

  “Selma,” he groans out my name, and I love the sound of his restrained desire.

  He doesn’t stop me, instead, his hands come to my hips, and we begin rocking together as my hair dangles in my face and he brings his lips up to mine in a hard kiss. I feel his cock jerk as our tongues wrap and wind, and I shift my body against him, needing something more but not sure what it is.

  But when my clit presses against the hard length, I know. I let out my own moan and wrap my hands around the back of his neck, holding on.

  We break our kiss on a gasp and Ash growls, then his voice rumbles in my ear. “Dirty girl. Sweet, innocent, dirty little girl. You are perfect for me. My dirty Treasure.”

  I want to say something back, but I have no voice.

  All I want is that magical feeling again, so I rock harder, pressing myself down as Ash pushes upward and we thrust against each other. His mouth finds the nape of my neck, and he kisses and nips at me there as I throw my head back, feeling the tension grow and knowing I’m already on the edge of an orgasm.