In His Debt

CHAPTER 2

The door clicked shut behind her with a final, heavy sound.

Lena stood frozen in the middle of Roman’s office, her heart thudding against her ribs like a trapped bird.

Roman’s eyes raked over her, slow and assessing.

Every inch of her felt exposed, even though she was still fully clothed.

"Take off your coat," he said.

It wasn’t a suggestion.

It was a command.

Lena’s fingers fumbled at the buttons. She shrugged it off her shoulders, letting it fall onto the leather armchair nearby.

Her sweater clung to her damp skin, rainwater cooling against her spine.

Roman’s mouth curved slightly.

"You’re trembling," he said softly, almost amused.

She hated how he noticed everything.

Hated even more the way her body responded — heat unfurling in her stomach, tight and unfamiliar.

Roman stepped closer, his hand lifting to brush a strand of wet hair from her face.

His touch was deceptively gentle. It made her ache.

"You need to understand something, Lena," he said, voice low and dangerous.

"You signed yourself over to me. You're mine. That means you obey me without hesitation. Without question. Understood?"

She bit her lip, fighting the instinct to rebel.

Roman’s fingers tightened in her hair, tilting her head back just enough to make her feel vulnerable.

"Answer me," he growled.

"Y-Yes," she whispered.

He released her slowly, as if satisfied for now.

"Good," he said.

"Now, take off your sweater."

Lena’s heart skipped.

Here? Now?

Her hands moved almost on their own, pulling the damp sweater over her head. Goosebumps rose along her skin as the cold air hit her exposed flesh.

She stood there in a simple black bra, breathing hard, feeling the heat of his gaze crawl over her.

Roman circled her like a predator.

His fingers brushed lightly over her bare shoulder, sending a shiver down her spine.

"You’re beautiful," he murmured. "Wasted, living in the gutter."

His hand slid down her arm, deliberate and slow, until his fingers found her wrist.

He tugged her closer, so their bodies almost touched.

Lena’s breath caught.

She could smell him — dark, rich, intoxicating.

Roman tilted her chin up again, studying her face.

"You’re scared," he said.

"You should be."

Before she could reply, his mouth crashed down on hers.

There was nothing soft about the kiss.

It was a claiming — hard, deep, punishing.

Lena whimpered against him, her hands instinctively reaching for his jacket, clutching the expensive fabric like a lifeline.

Roman’s hands slid down her back, gripping her hips tightly.

He pulled her flush against him, letting her feel exactly how hard he already was.

Heat exploded low in her belly.

When he finally pulled back, she was gasping for air.

Roman’s thumb brushed her swollen lower lip, his eyes burning into hers.

"This is just the beginning," he said darkly.

"By the time I'm done with you, Lena, you’ll beg to stay."

Her knees nearly buckled.

Roman’s hand slid around to cup the back of her neck, guiding her toward the heavy leather couch against the far wall.

He sat down and pulled her into his lap effortlessly.

"Straddle me," he ordered.

Lena hesitated — just for a second.

His grip tightened on her thighs.

She climbed onto him, shaky and unsure, feeling his body hard and hot against hers.

Roman’s hands slid up under her bra, rough and possessive, squeezing her breasts until she gasped.

He tugged the cups down, exposing her fully to his hungry gaze.

"Beautiful," he rasped.

His mouth closed over one taut n****e, sucking hard, his teeth grazing the sensitive skin.

Lena cried out, clutching his shoulders.

Roman chuckled darkly, the sound vibrating through her.

"You like that," he murmured against her breast. "You’ll like what’s coming next even more."

He shifted under her, the thick pressure of him pressing exactly where she ached most.

She ground down against him without thinking, desperate for more.

Roman caught her hips in a punishing grip, forcing her to move at his pace — slow, torturous rolls that made her head spin.

"You’ll come like this," he said against her ear.

"No touching yourself. No shortcuts."

Lena whimpered, her body burning, her mind barely able to form thoughts.

Roman’s mouth found hers again, kissing her deep and dirty as he guided her rhythm, building the pressure higher and higher until she was nothing but sensation.

When she shattered against him moments later, gasping his name like a prayer, Roman smiled darkly.

"That’s one," he whispered.

"We’re nowhere near done."