SWNOVELS The Arrangement: Chapter 23
Strolling through the Chicago Zoo, the sun’s shining, and it feels like the perfect Saturday morning. Maksim, Adelina, and I are weaving through families and exhibits, and I’ve got to say, watching these two together is like peeking behind the curtain of Maksim’s tough exterior.
‘Okay, Papa,’ Adelina beams up at her dad, her energy absolutely infectious, ‘what’s my favorite animal? Bet you can’t guess!’
Maksim chuckles, ruffling her hair affectionately. ‘Penguins, isn’t it? You’ve only told me about a hundred times.’
Adelina nods, practically bouncing with excitement. ‘Yes! Can we go see them now, please?’
“We certainly can, Princess.”
As we make our way to the penguin habitat, there’s this warmth in Maksim’s eyes that I haven’t seen before. It’s touching, really, seeing how he’s completely wrapped around her little finger.
At the penguin exhibit, Adelina’s practically glued to the glass, her laughter filling the air as the penguins dive and play. ‘Look at that one, Papa! He’s doing flips!’ she exclaims, pointing eagerly.
Maksim leans down, his voice low and warm. ‘He’s showing off for you, I think.’
This whole scene is like a snapshot of a life I’m only just starting to understand. With Irina off visiting her son for the weekend, it’s just us, a little makeshift family navigating a day out. And it’s nice. More than nice, actually.
‘I wish Irina was here,’ Adelina muses aloud, glancing up at her papa.
He smiles at her gently as he explains. ‘She deserves a break. Plus, it gives us a chance to spend time together, just the three of us.’
Adelina turns to me, her eyes gleaming with an idea. ‘Tory, if you were an animal, what would you be?’
I ponder for a moment, then play along with a smile. ‘Hmm, maybe a dolphin? They’re smart, love to have fun, and they stick together.’
Adelina claps her hands, delighted. ‘I like dolphins! You can be the dolphin, and I’ll be the penguin. We can be zoo buddies!’
Laughing, I nod, fully on board with our new imaginary roles. ‘Zoo buddies for life,’ I agree.
Hanging out at the zoo, watching Maksim with Adelina, I’m hit with how much he shields her from his other world. And me? I’m diving headfirst into it, unsure but intrigued by the complexities of this man who can switch from Bratva boss to doting dad in a heartbeat.
As we wrap up our zoo adventure, I find myself caught between the laughter and the reality of stepping into their world. ‘You know, Maksim, today’s been really something,’ I say, trying to capture the whirlwind of feelings.
He grins, his hand finding mine. ‘Just the start, Tory. There’s a lot more where that came from.’
After the zoo, we decide to make the most of our day in the city. Maksim, ever the planner, has a few tricks up his sleeve, and Adelina’s bubbling excitement is contagious.
‘Okay, team,’ Maksim announces with a grin that’s too charming for his own good, ‘next stop, Millennium Park. Ever seen your reflection in a giant bean?’
Adelina bounces on her toes. ‘A giant bean? Like, for real?’
I laugh, caught up in the fun. ‘It’s like a giant, shiny jellybean, but way cooler.’
The Bean, or Cloud Gate if we’re being formal, doesn’t disappoint. We take turns making faces at our distorted reflections, and Maksim captures the moments with his phone, the perfect mix of tourist and doting dad.
Lunch is an adventure all its own. ‘Deep dish pizza,’ Maksim declares, and who am I to argue with a Chicago staple?
Sitting at a downtown pizzeria, we dive into a pie so loaded, it’s practically a cheese fortress. ‘This is pizza?’ Adelina eyes it suspiciously but is quickly won over after the first gooey bite.
‘Bet you’ve never had it like this before,’ I tease, watching her try to navigate the cheesy labyrinth.
Maksim chuckles, wiping sauce from the corner of her mouth. ‘Chicago doesn’t do pizza by halves.’
The next stop finds us at Navy Pier, riding the Ferris wheel and playing carnival games. Maksim proves his mettle, winning Adelina a stuffed bear almost as big as she is. ‘Daddy’s got skills,’ Adelina boasts, hugging her prize.
‘Impressive,’ I admit, grinning at Maksim. ‘You planning on joining the carnival circuit?’
He winks and whispers to me, ‘Only if they accept mobsters with a knack for ring toss.’
As the day winds down, I can’t help but feel a warmth spreading through me. This is a glimpse into a life I could get used to. Laughter, silliness, and a side of Maksim that’s utterly endearing.
Walking back to the car, Adelina’s bear in tow, I catch Maksim’s eye and smile. ‘Today was perfect.’
He takes my hand, squeezing gently. ‘It’s not over yet.’
Back home and post-ice cream, we sink into the couch. Maksim hands the remote to Adelina with a flourish. ‘Your pick, Princess.’
Her eyes light up, decisive. ‘Moana! It’s about the ocean and adventures!’ she announces, her excitement palpable.
“Moana it is,” Maksim declares.
Movie night magic wraps around us, but like all good things, it eventually winds down. As the credits roll and Moana’s journey concludes, Adelina starts her campaign for ‘just a little more time.’
‘But Tory’s only here one more night! I need more time!’ she pleads, her bargaining skills in full force.
Maksim remains firm yet gentle. ‘Time for bed, Princess. We’ve got a big day ahead.’
The farewell hug Adelina gives me could melt the coldest heart, full of warmth and a touch of bedtime rebellion. With a resigned sigh, she heads upstairs, Maksim trailing behind her for the nightly ritual.
He pauses, casting back a look filled with silent promises. ‘Meet me in my bedroom,’ he suggests, or does he order… The way he says it promises worlds of delight.
Maksim’s bedroom is a realm of understated luxury, a sanctuary that mirrors the man himself. The centerpiece, a king-sized bed with elegant posts at each corner, hints at possibilities that send a thrill through me. As I look around the room—its rich, dark woods and soft, ambient lighting—I toy with the idea of undressing, of waiting for him in a way that would make his return unforgettable.
But the thought of Adelina possibly making a last-minute appearance halts me. What if she convinces him for one more good night?
So, when Maksim enters, closing and locking the door behind him with a definitive click, I’m still clothed, but the anticipation crackles between us. His gaze, intense and laden with silent promises, sweeps over me, igniting that now-familiar tingle.
‘Do you trust me?’ he asks, his voice a low caress that somehow deepens the flutter in my stomach.
The question catches me off guard, not because I doubt him, but because it’s loaded with the weight of what’s unspoken. ‘Yes,’ I answer, my voice steady despite the hurricane of emotions his presence stirs within me.
‘I want to try something new,’ he says, and his tone, coupled with the glint in his eye, tells me this night will be unlike any other.
‘What do you mean?’ I find myself asking, curiosity mingling with a slight edge of apprehension. The anticipation of stepping into uncharted territory with Maksim is thrilling yet daunting.
He leans closer, his voice a low, enticing whisper. ‘I want to surprise you,’ he begins, his words painting pictures of shadows and whispers, of a dance on the edge of our mutual trust and desire. ‘I want to introduce you to some of my unique tastes involving dominance and submission.’
The words hang in the air between us, a proposition that’s both intriguing and slightly intimidating. Part of me is wary, aware of the gravity of what he’s suggesting. Yet, the larger part of me—the part that trusts Maksim implicitly—is captivated by the idea of exploring these depths with him.
‘It’s merely an extension of the things we’ve already done,’ he continues, seeing the hesitation in my eyes. ‘Just elevated.’
‘Elevated,’ I repeat, the word rolling off my tongue as I try to wrap my mind around the concept. The thought of venturing into this new aspect of our relationship with Maksim—of surrendering and commanding in turns, of exploring the dynamics of power with him—holds a certain allure.
‘I have no clue where to start,’ I confess, my nerves tangling with excitement.
His grin is wicked, like he’s been waiting just for me to say that. ‘Why don’t we kick things off with a kiss?’ he suggests, his voice wrapping around me like velvet. That sounds perfect to me, a solid starting point in familiar territory.
He steps in close, erasing any space between us. When his lips find mine, it’s like a spark setting off a whole fireworks show. The kiss is deep, passionate, a kind of conversation without words. It’s all the reassurance I need, his hands gently yet firmly holding me to him, saying more about our connection than words ever could.
When he finally pulls back, leaving me all kinds of breathless, I’m hit with this wave of readiness. Whatever he’s planning, whatever this new adventure is, I’m all in.
‘So what comes next?’ I ask, still feeling the echo of his kiss.
He takes his time answering, finding a seat in a nearby chair first. The way he looks at me, with intensity and a hint of something more, thrills me. ‘Undress for me,’ he says, his voice steady but laced with anticipation.
I start to, a bit awkwardly, and notice he’s trying to stifle a chuckle. ‘What?’ I ask, halfway between amused and self-conscious.
‘It’s just,’ he starts, and I can tell he’s holding back more laughter, ‘you’re undressing like you’re in a changing room at the mall. Try doing it slower, more sensually.‘
His comment, far from offending, sparks a challenge within me. I take his advice to heart, turning the simple act into a slow reveal. His approval is evident in his eyes, that look of awe and admiration making me feel like the most captivating person in the world.
My eyes locked on his, I slip out of my clothes, taking them off slowly until I’m down to nothing but my bra and panties. As always, his gaze, the way he looks at me like I’m the sexiest thing he’s ever seen in his life, makes the self-consciousness melt by the moment.
I reach behind me, undoing the clasp of my bra and slowly, teasingly sliding the straps down my shoulders. I love the way he looks at my breasts, the way he shifts in his seat as arousal takes hold. As I stand there, I imagine his cock coming to life, stiffening with each moment he looks at me.
Feeling bold and a bit daring, I decide it’s his turn. ‘Your move,’ I say, my voice tinged with both confidence and playfulness.
He stands, accepting the challenge with a grin. His approach is measured, deliberate, a dance of shadows and light as he joins me in this game of reveal and conceal.
And then, in a moment of pure control, he reaches around me, giving my rear a hard swat. I gasp, that now familiar mixture of pleasure and pain running through me. My pussy clenches, my panties already soaked.
“I’m the one giving the orders here, my dear.” His eyes flick behind me, to the four-post bed. “Go to the bed. Lie down on your back.”
Something about his tone makes him irresistible, his commands making my heart race. I do as he asks, walking slowly, letting him savor the sight of my nakedness. Once at the side of the bed, I lay down slowly on it.
Maksim approaches, standing at the side. He looks me up and down. With a jerk of his head, he tells me, “Grab the posts behind you.”
I do, and he opens a bedside drawer and takes out a rope made of black fabric, which he uses to bind my wrist to the posts, one after another. He ties the fabric expertly, making sure I’m good and bound, but not tying it tightly enough to hurt. Once my wrists are secured, he does the same to my ankles.
It’s strange. I’m totally restricted, which you’d think would make me freak out, make me want to get free as soon as I could. But instead, I feel something different. I feel a surrender that excites me beyond what I thought possible.
Maksim rolls up his sleeves as he approaches the end of the bed. Once there, he put his hands on his hips and grins.
“Now, devushka – are you ready to begin?”